Visit Logged
  •  Chart View
    • At Current Location
    • At Selected Location
    • Enter A Location
    • Enter Latitude and Longitude
  •  Fuel Prices
    • Lowest Diesel Prices Anywhere
    • Lowest Gas Prices Anywhere
    • Virgina to North Carolina
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Georgia
    • Eastern Florida
    • St. Johns River
    • Florida Keys
    • Okeechobee Waterway
    • Western Florida
  • Select Region
    • All Regions
    • VA to NC Line
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Georgia
    • Eastern Florida
    • Western Florida
    • Florida Keys
    • Okeechobee Waterway
    • Northern Gulf
    • Bahamas
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • Washington
    • Puerto Rico
    • Minnesota
    • Maryland
    • Tennessee
    Order by:

    • North Carolina Navigation Alerts

      PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR DISCLAIMER!

      Please note that “Alerts” listed in this section are arranged in a rough, north to south geographic format.
      “Alerts” are messages from your fellow cruisers which pertain to navigational problems or changes along the waters of the North Carolina coastline. These “Alerts” are real concerns for North Carolina mariners, and might range in subject matter from new shoaling to a missing aid to navigation.
      “Alerts” should be differentiated from our “AICW Problem Stretches” section. “AICW Problem Stretches” are sections of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway that seem to have perennial problems. Even after dredging, shoaling tends to reappear within a relatively short period of time.
      If you have arrived here, seeking information about AICW long-term concerns, be sure to also check out our “NC AICW Problems” section by going to the red, vertical menu on the right side of all Net pages (except Chart View pages). Click on “North Carolina” and a drop down menu will appear. Now, click on “NC AICW Problems.” A page will open listing all the problem stretches along the North Carolina portion of the Waterway.

    • Feb 20, 2017by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 34.2503,-77.789999

      Groundings at AICW/Mason Inlet Intersection, Statute Mile 280, 2/20/2017


       View In Chartview

      Our thanks to David Grimes for this warning via WWAY TV3. Our most recent Nav Alert on the perennial shoaling at Mason Inlet is from July of 2016, see /158529.

      Dozens of boats running aground near Mason’s Inlet.
      David Grimes

      CLICK HERE FOR THE WWAY TV3 REPORT

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Mason Inlet.

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Raymond W. Smith - MV "Fire Dog" -  April 2, 2017 - 8:28 pm

        Dredge working there today. Sunday April 2, 2017.

        Reply to Raymond
    • Dec 5, 2012by:   Claiborne Young No Comments 34.2198,-77.81249999

      IMPORTANT – AICW Navigation Alert: More Groundings at Wrightsville Beach/SR 74 Bridge, Statute Mile 283.1, 12/5/12


       View In Chartview

      SR 74 Bridge - Click for Chartview

      With a closed vertical clearance of 20ft, and a very restrictive opening schedule, the Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge crosses the AICW at Statute Mile 283, southwest of marker #125. This is one of the most irksome spans on the entire North Carolina section of the AICW, and now we cruisers are going to have to contend with adjoining shallows north of the span!
      Note that the shoal described below, on the “green side” lies on the Waterway’s eastern flank, north of the Wrightsville Bridge. As Captain Hardy advises, ALL captains should be SURE to wait for a bridge opening in mid-channel, and make every effort to avoid a drift to the east. Otherwise, you WILL be giving the local Sea Tow captain some business!

      12/04/2012
      We ran aground at the bridge just north of the one mentioned here. We were racing the clock to be there on time, and being the only boat, the bridge tender did not open it for us, even though in the three minutes it took him to open the beige, we would have been in perfect position if he had started the opening at three. In backing out from the bridge, we ran aground on the east side. Worse than that, we ran aground again after going through the next bridge and hugging the shoreline to port coming around the corner to head for our night’s anchorage. didn’t bother looking at the chart; it seemed so simple, just stay close to the boats and head for green marker 23. Wrong! We ran up on the plainly marked shoal. this destroyed many years of boasting about almost never running aground, twice in one day!
      Beverly Feiges

      Cruising News:
      At least 4 boats we know went aground while waiting for the Wrightsville Beach bridge to open in the past few days. The shallow spot is on the green side when approaching the bridge from the north. There aren’t any markers at the shoal but boaters should stay in the center of the channel when waiting for the bridge.
      Harriet Hardy

      Giving other boaters a tip when traveling south at the wrightsville beach bridge’¦. stop in center of channel before you get along side the false palm tree north and East of the Bridge and before coming along side of Green marker to port also for those anchoring in Banks channel and you are heading south following the shore south to just passed the Coast Guard Station on your port turn starboard at red and green marker keeping it to starboard following the green markers to ICW and turning south at floating green marker you are now in ICW.
      Vance Neal

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Wrightsville Beach Bridge

      Be the first to comment!

    • Jan 20, 2013by:   Claiborne Young No Comments 34.2153,-77.81339999

      Shoaling in Motts Channel, Wrightsville Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 283.3, 1/12/14


       View In Chartview

      Motts Channel - Click for Chartview

      The Motts Channel cuts into the southeastern/eastern flank of the AICW, a short hop south and southwest of the Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge, just past the host of marina facilities which congregate south of this span. The Motts passage serves at least two important purposes for cruisers.
      First, it provides access from the AICW to cruiser friendly Seapath Yacht Club (Marina), and secondly, it is the most direct route to the very popular anchorages on Banks Channel. Over the years, the west end of the Motts Channel, near markers #25 and #23, has shoaled and periodic dredging has been required. Judging from Capt. Mike’s report, dredging is once again needed.

      Cruising News:
      January 12 came down Motts channel [traveling west] from Banks channel to icw and hit pretty hard mid channel 2 hours before low tide approx 100 feet from actual intersection. My intent was to catch Wrightsville Beach Bridge, and continue north to my slip. I have traveled at all tides for 6 years with 4 foot draft through same spot and never came close to grounding. Fyi stay close to green marker when approaching this spot.
      Capt Mike

      Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Seapath Yacht Club

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Motts Channel

      Be the first to comment!

    • Aug 1, 2011by:   Claiborne Young No Comments 34.0556,-77.92619999

      Avoid Channel Leading from Cape Fear River Marker #41, to the AICW at Marker #162A, Just West of Snows Cut (near St. M. 299), 8/1/11


       View In Chartview

      The “channel” described in the message below leads from Cape Rear River marker #41, south and southeast until it rejoins the path of the AICW at marker #162A, just west of Snows Cut’s westerly mouth. In years past, this passage was navigable, but shoaling on its southernmost leg, northwest of #162A, has changed the status of this cut to “dinghies only.”
      Coming south from Wilmington, Manfred is not the first cruiser to be tempted to try this shortcut channel to avoid going the extra 5 miles south and then northeast to rejoin the Waterway just west of Snows Cut. The three legs of the channel are charted at 11ft, 10.5ft, then 2ft!! Manfred is absolutely correct when he recommends this shortcut only to “zero” draft vessels.
      We are declaring a Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net Navigational Alert for this so-called channel!Cruising News:
      Cape Fear River Shoal
      Following the ICW from south to north, between St M 300/ St M 295 in the Cape Fear river. An excursion to Wilmington NC was made. Coming back to the ICW, from Wilmington, a small channel is marked from G41` to ICW R 162A` leading to the ICW, east of the main river channel.
      At marker ‘ž1` we were on ground, showing 3 ½ feet, 2 hours after high water. Calculating back to high water at this day, the depth would be only 5 ½ feet. This passage can not be recommended at any time, only boats with “no” draft may use it with excessive care.
      Skipper Manfred Rausch aboard SV Balimara, Bonn Germany

      I too fell victim to this shortcut, having no problem navigating this at flooding tide going up river, tried it on the way back, and at red 4 found 3 feet needing 4. Sea Tow had to thread the needle to get to me with his motors tilted. Think markers need to be removed, or at least re-worked.
      Skipper Mike Williams aboard s/v Chardonnay

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position on the Channel Running from Cape Fear River Marker #41 to AICW Markers #162A

      Be the first to comment!

    • Aug 21, 2016by:   Larry Dorminy 1 Comment 33.9061,-78.3859999

      Groundings at AICW/Shallotte Inlet Intersection, Problem Stretch Statute Mile 330, 8/21/2016


       View In Chartview

      With two recent groundings at this AICW Problem Stretch, we are upgrading these reports to a Nav Alert. Until dredging is done, slow speed and mid to high tide is recommended for this intersection. Thank you Michael and Ken for sharing these incidents and SSECN is glad neither of you sustained damage in the grounding, other than your pride!

      Coming south 16Aug16 at +1′ above low. Draw 4′. At idle speed ran hard aground in mid-channel just past green buoy. C-Map charting [updated Sep15] shows channel angles sharply toward red at the green buoy — should have followed its suggestion. My mistake was to “stay mid-channel.” The bottom raised VERY quickly, almost a wall. After backing off, saw above 10′ in area on line between reds.
      Michael Loy

      We were also headed south through this stretch on August 14. We draw 3 feet. Just past the green we also ran hard aground. We were in the channel toward the red side as recommended, but not quite on the line between the two reds. There was no warning on the depth meter before it was too late. We were able to get off eventually using bow and stern thrusters and some wakes from passing small boats. We didn’t incur damage except to our equanimity.
      Captain Ken Hirsch

      Keeping in mind that rapid changes in shoals at inlet intersections is not unusual, RodC offers this January 2016 ACOE survey:

      http://saw-nav.usace.army.mil/AIWW/CFRLR/T_19-20/Tangent_19-20.pdf

      Latest ACOE survey for the area – clearly shows the traditional channel is ~100% shoaled to between 2 and 4ft MLLW. What channel there is (or was as of 1-16-2016) is just to the outside on the RED side of the marks.
      RodC

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Shalotte Inlet

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Raymond W Smith - "Fire Dog" -  August 26, 2016 - 4:37 pm

        Need to pay more attention to the Nav Markers than your “Chart Plotters”!!!!

        Reply to Raymond

    Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com