Hi Larry,

 

This is a partial observation/report. Sanctuary and crew started south from Myrtle Beach, so I have no first hand information on the North Carolina Shallows.

 

For those who do not know about it, I strongly recommend Southbound cruiser’s download Bob Sherer’s (Bob423) “long tracks” from his ICW Website.

 

These long tracks will provide great and valuable guidance on the shallowest portions of the ICW route.

 

We followed Bob’s “short cut” track at the Dawho River problem area at nearly low tide, and it carries 9.0′ of water or better. We found that Watts Cut following the Dawho River is currently the worst of South Carolina and Georgia.

 

We also hit Hell Gate (Georgia) at low tide. Following Bob’s track, there is a reliable 5.5′ through Hell Gate.

 

We transited the Little Mud River and Buttermilk Sound at about 1/2 tide. There are places in the Little Mud that will get to 5.5′, and there is a shoal area at R”204″ in Buttermilk Sound that cruisers MUST avoid.

 

Right now, there are celestial lows, and there may be less water depth at celestial low periods.

 

Anyone planning to fuel at Brunswick Landing Marina, that plan my not be available. Call ahead. First, there is a 250′ behemoth named “Soulmates” on the fuel dock that greatly obscures access to the fuel and pumpout stations. Second, BLM is having “power problems” on that transient dock. So, call ahead. If you need fuel, Morningstar has it, and they are actually a dime less than BLM right now. Also note, there is a dredge operating in the seaport to get to BLM. It occupies virtually the entire width of the channel. Be careful approaching that dredge.

 

Jim