Many cruisers do not appreciate the fact that the AICW passes through a portion of the huge Camp Lejeune US Marine Base, just north of its intersection with New River and New River Inlet. From time to time, the USMC closes down the Waterway to facilitate artillery practice, firing at targets located on the ocean side shores. Sometimes, as happened to Captain Brooke (see below) these sorts of maneuvers take place without closing the Waterway. Either way, if you happen to be docked or anchored nearby, it is a MEMORABLE and noisy experience!

We transited Camp Lejune April 19 and they were having live fire exercise. And we felt the shock waves THROUGH OUR HULL as the rounds impact explosions shock the ground and ICW. Very strange to feel your hull jump with each impact. These were not dangerously close and they did not close the ICW. But they were powerful explosions for sure.. The next day at Beaufort, NC you could hear them too.
Brooke Smith

For those of you on the ICW… Sometimes Camp Lejeune (north of Sneads Ferry / south of Swansboro) will close the ICW for several hours to practice “live firing” ….you can callin advance of your trip in that area to see if there is any closureplanned…that number is: 910 451 3064…

Click Chartlet Below To Open A Chart View Windows Zoomed to the Location of the AICW/New River/New River Inlet Intersection”