This high water has prompted the USCG to declare a strict no-wake zone from statute miles 375-366. See Strict No-Wake Zone. Our thanks to Jim Healy for this notice.

The Coast Guard has declared a “HIGH WATER EVENT” for the Upper Waccamaw River in South Carolina. Officially, the affected zone starts an Wacca Wacha Marina and runs through Myrtle Beach, and includes the Upper Waccamaw to Conway, SC. But is fact, it will affect everyone from Georgetown through Myrtle Beach.

The ICW is above flood stage. The fixed docks at Buicksport Marina (Bucksport sausage) are under water. Because of the flooding, there isn’t much tide in this area, but there is a nasty 3-1/2 to 4 knot current on the Waccamaw that has a big effect on slower boats. We normally make 8-1/2 StM/Hr through still water; yesterday in places, 5-1/2 StM./Hr at higher engine RPM than usual. The marina folks here are saying the crest of the flooding is expected this coming Saturday (6/6/2020).

We have not traveled farther than Socastee, SC (Osprey Marina), but immediately North of Osprey is an area where houses are flooded by the high water. Some bridges (RR, not on the ICW) are locked closed. The USCG LNM is reminding boaters that they are responsible for their wakes, as water is into home is some places. And, I should make honorable mention, there is large flotsam in the water. Watch for logs. Sailboats, make sure you can clear the fixed bridges on the Waccamaw and the ICW through Myrtle Beach. There is one sailboat at Osprey that cannot make the bridges, so he’ll be stuck for a while.

Jim

Peg and Jim Healy, living aboard Sanctuary