The intersection of Shallotte Inlet and the Waterway has been an infamous Problem Stretch for years, but this detailed report and advice from experienced cruiser, Tom Hale, will help you plan for your passage through this Problem Stretch.
Shallotte Inlet. This is hairy. The channel is narrow, probably less than 40 feet wide in the trouble area, and shallow. We transited today about 2 hours before low water. We had +1.8 feet above MLLW. We saw nothing less than 7.8 feet which means that along the track we took there would be about 6 feet at MLLW. The trouble area is R80A, G81 and R82. We did our best to just line up the three marks and head straight down the line. Dead slow speed, white knuckles, we made it. Pucker factor was extreme. NOTE: due to high barometric pressure and strong westerly winds, the tide may have been running below normal. Would not suggest anyone transit this area with a 5.5 foot or greater draft except on a rising tide and about 2 hours past low water. The deepest water channel is very, very narrow! Tom Hale
The intersection of the Waterway and Lockwoods Folly has been a Problem Stretch for years and requires almost annual dredging. It was last dredged in November of 2016. Our thanks to Tom Hale for his observations and advice.
Lockwoods Folly. We transited today about 2 hours before low water. We had +2 feet above MLLW. We saw nothing less than 11 feet which means that along the track we took there should be about 9 feet at MLLW. This section was very easy to run the channel was wide and deep. NOTE: We had up to date charts as of the day before we made our run. NOAA and Navionics have all the new marks correctly placed. Garmin does not. (Also NOTE: the USCG light list shows a R 46 A which is not there. So if it appears on your up to date chart, ignore it. That buoy is not there.) Tom Hale
New products and activities for navigation safety…
The latest news
Providing commercial mariners and recreational boaters with top notch navigation products and services is a priority for Coast Survey. Here are a few items we have been working on for the past few months.
Coast Survey launches new NOAA Nautical Chart Catalog
With NOAA’s new Nautical Chart Catalog, users can readily access raster data and charting products in list format. The website serves as a complement to the Chart Locator by providing search capability for any of NOAA’s thousand plus nautical charts. Find and download NOAA RNC®, full-sized nautical charts in PDF format, BookletCharts™, notice to mariners chart corrections, and a list of chart agents. The catalog is in a new responsive design and is mobile friendly.
The Coast Survey website, nauticalcharts.noaa.gov, will have a new look on November 14, 2017! Find your favorite charting products in fewer clicks from our mobile friendly design. Also, be prepared to update any bookmarks you may have to our web pages, as some will change.
NOAA hosts Navigation Industry Day 2017
Recently, NOAA hosted it’s third Navigation Industry Day at the Annapolis Yacht Club, attracting over two dozen prominent maritime application and navigation system developers. This year’s event focused on NOAA’s extensive data and models that are freely available and of particular interest to the recreational boater community. NOAA presentations, project summaries, and contact information is available on the Coast Survey website.
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season has been a busy one. Coast Survey responded to three major hurricanes and remains ready if any others start churning in the Atlantic. For information on our response efforts to hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, read our blog stories:
NOAA may eliminate annual tide and current table paper publications
A recent decision by the U.S. Coast Guard Policy Office is allowing the use of electronic tide and tidal current predictions to meet carriage requirements (33 CFR 164.33 and 46 CFR 28.225) for vessels operating in U.S. waters. Although printed publications are still preferred, electronic products such as PDF files or online predictions generated and stored for use are being accepted. In light of this change in policy, and with the availability of tide and tidal current predictions for U.S. locations through the Tides & Currents website services: NOAA Tide Predictions, NOAA Current Predictions; CO-OPS is investigating the possibility for the elimination of the annual Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables publications. This would impact all 6 of the annual tide/current tables publications and all related data files used in the production of these publications.
Tide Tables, East Coast of North and South America Including Greenland
Tide Tables, Europe and West Coast of Africa Including the Mediterranean Sea
Tide Tables, Central and Western Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
Tide Tables, West Coast of North and South America Including the Hawaiian Islands
Tidal Current Tables, Atlantic Coast of North America
Tidal Current Tables, Pacific Coast of North America and Asia
Over the next year, NOAA will be reaching out to users of these products to gather comments about the potential elimination of these publications. If you would like to contact NOAA about this matter, please email Tide.Predictions@noaa.gov.
The southbound Waterway passes through Little Mud River, crosses the Altamaha River to reach Buttermilk Sound via a twisting, often narrow and shallow channel. Cruisers’ Net thanks Jim and Peg Healy for this on-site report.
Sanctuary and crew transited southbound through the Little Mud River, GA, see /167922 and the Altamaha River, GA, on 10/29/2017 between 08h00 and 08H50, about 2 to 1-1/2 hours before low (10h22, Ayetides app).
1. Altamaha River – There is a marsh island in the ALtamaha River that extends from about R”202″ through R”208.” The ICW channel passes to the south of that island. The ICW channel-side of the island is shoaling. We transited mid-channel with the tide at Wolf Island, GA, reporting +2.6 ft. Southbound between R”206″ and R”204,” we saw one sandpile where our depth sounder reported 5.6′. So, 5.6-2.6=3,0 ft at MLLW. The remained of the run was 8.0 ft or more, about what we saw in the Little Mud River. Clearly, a developing hazard.
2. Altamaha River – At R”208,” there is a shoal growing south from the south tip of the marsh island that extends well into the ICW channel. Jimmy was running a route mid-channel, not paying attention, and bumped. Bumped! Mid Channel! Dag nabit, I hate that! Tide for Wolf Island, GA, was +2.5 ft. We draw 4.3 ft, so that shoal is 4.3-2.5=1.8 ft at MLLW. Strongly favor green here (outside radius of a turn), but certainly, stay well clear of R”208.”
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570
Little Mud River, where shoaling was reported as recently as September, is almost universally acknowledged to be the worst section of the entire Waterway from Norfolk to Miami. Cruisers’ Net is grateful to experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, for this report. Cruisers’ Net continues to recommend navigating this stretch at mid to high tide only.
Sanctuary and crew transited southbound through the Little Mud River, GA, and the Altamaha River, GA, see /167923 on 10/29/2017 between 08h00 and 08H50, about 2 to 1-1/2 hours before low (10h22, Ayetides app).
Little Mud River – We entered the Little Mud River at 08h02 with the tide station at Rockdedundy Creek reporting +3.2 feet. Our depth sounder reported not less than 8.0 ft, so the control depth for the Little Mud River would be 8.0-3.2=4.8 feet at MLLW, less on a celestial low. Favor the outside radius of the curves of the Little Mud River for best depths.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
The Waterway follows the narrow, man-made canal known as Hell Gate between the Vernon and Ogeechee Rivers. These waters have been an AICW Problem Stretch for years. See /165309 for a June ’17 report. Due to constantly shifting channel, Cruisers’ Net continues to recommend mid to high tide for this passage. Our thanks for this report from experienced cruiser, Jim Healy.
Sanctuary and crew transited Hell Gate (A-ICW, Georgia, MM 600) 10/28/2017, southbound, at 11h00, +3.4 ft on the tide (Ayetides app, Egg Islands Station). Passing G”89″ at a distance of about 30 feet, we saw 5.5 feet of water. Passing R”90″ at a distance of about 15 feet, we saw about 5 feet of water. Not good. The control depth of Hell Gate at MLLW is 5.0 – 3.4 = 1.6 feet. We may have been slightly too close to R”90,” but in any case, no more than about 2 feet of water at low tide, less for celestial lows.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
Hi Jim, Thank you for the update on Hell Gate. The shoaling at G89 has been the worst place on HellGate for at least the past 4 years. I learned the hard way to stay away from G9. I now have two waypoints which have given me better water. Southbound I stay more or less mid channel to a waypoint 31 51.721 N, and 081 05.008 W. This places you about 300 feet northwest of G 89 before I turn to the south. I then stay about 150 feet west of G 89 to 31 35.677 N and 081 05.017 W. These points are based on 7 tracks through here over the past 3 years. There is no doubt that this is very shallow, but it does pay to stay north of G89 before you turn, and then stay well west of it as you head down the southern section. Cheers, Tom Southport NC Southbound on the ICW
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: “New Fuel and Dockage Survey 10/28/17” plus 1 more New Fuel and Dockage Survey 10/28/17 Posted: 28 Oct 2017 09:09 AM PDT We just completed a survey of most of the marinas offering fuel and dockage in the Bahamas. Some we were unable to contact at the present time. More diesel and gas prices were up than down.
Please go to our website www.explorercharts.com under Fuel and Dockage Prices to check our latest findings. We will be updating continuously as we get new information.
Fuel prices Posted: 28 Oct 2017 04:38 AM PDT I only have a smartphone which limits my abilities on line.
Can anyone tell me how to get the current fuel prices? I go to home page and can’t find.
Cruisers’ Net is pleased to be partnering with GoChesapeake.net to assist cruisers who are voyaging south or north via the Waterway through Virgina. Welcome GoChesapeake!
GoChesapeake provides concierge services to the more than 12,000 yacht owners and captains that travel through the Chesapeake Locks each year. Their team of guest service professionals is dedicated to providing the ultimate personalized, professional concierge services available. Skippers using GoChesapeake‘s specialized services will get customized advice and insider access to exclusive benefits in the region — all with the finest attention to detail. The goal of GoChesapeake is to make your visit memorable and uniquely yours. Cruisers’ Net is pleased to link our readers with the customized services of GoChesapeake, with their finest attention to detail. Whether you are in the area for a few hours or several weeks, GoChesapeake can assist with a wide range of services: arrange spa treatments, golf outings, a gourmet on-board culinary experience or an excursion — connecting you with everything the region has to offer.
Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: West end customs West end customs Posted: 27 Oct 2017 04:33 AM PDT I saw the post about west end, but they are a year old.
This is one of those housekeeping postings that you will be glad to read. The pumpout system at Panama City Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, has been inoperable since July, but is now repaired. Residents, transients and staff are relieved (pun intended) !
Fields Cut is always an area to approach cautiously and at mid to high tide. Our thanks to experienced cruiser Jim Healy for his observations and advice. See /163492 for more comments on markers in Fields Cut.
As of 10/24/2017 at 11h00, tide +6.0 ft, we saw 13.5 ft between the North entrance to Field’s Cut and G”47,” so about 7.5 ft at MLW. The entrance itself was 18 ft. R”48A” continues to appear off-station to the east, but HONOR FLOATING RED R”48A.” Pass east of R”48A.” Except for these two sandpiles, the rest of the cut was not a problem.
FOLLOW THE OUTSIDE RADIUS OF ALL BENDS!
The south entrance of Fields Cut was 13.5 feet at +6.0 on the tide, so 7.5 feet at MLW.
Southbound, watch for strong cross-currents at the mouth of the Savannah River.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
MIAMI — State and federal responders are scheduled to begin vessel removal operations in Miami-Dade County Thursday as part of ongoing response efforts following Hurricane Irma.
Damaged vessels being removed will be stored at two newly established locations: Watson Island Marina and the Seminole Boat Ramp.
Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: Ocean Reef Yacht Club inlet channel..aka..Silver Cove Inlet Ocean Reef Yacht Club inlet channel..aka..Silver Cove Inlet Posted: 25 Oct 2017 04:28 AM PDT Has anyone been in or out of the above channel, recently, that has a 6 foot draft? There was some serious silting for Matthew, and some more added from Irma and Harvey, due to high winds. Some dredging has been done…aka…attempted with backhoes from shore, but unable to reach all the way across. Anyone have some input. I know that a draft of around 4.5 to 5.o feet, at high water can be carried in, but, just wondering about 6.0 and above…thanks…
According to their answering recording, the City Marina has re-opened after being severely damaged by Hurricane Irma and is accepting transients. The marina has no fuel at this point, but the marina is staffed 24/7, has ice and the dinghy dock is open. Call ahead, 904-825-1026 to request services or make a reservation.
This is a message I got from a boater friend who went through St. Augustine several weeks ago:
Marina is open. Some docks destroyed. Some moorings not usable. I stayed there on a mooring and it was fine. They won’t rent the bad ones. Launch runs to 6 PM. I used my dinghy. There is s dinghy Dock. Vicki
As Robert Sherer reminds us, shoaling and groundings are always possible in the constantly shifting sands of the New River Inlet/AICW Intersection area. See /165669 for a July report from this Problem Stretch. Thank you, Bob, for sharing your expertise.
The “Dip Route” for New River to avoid shoaling on the ICW in the spring is no longer valid. Shoaling has occurred on that route too. See survey below: A GPX route is available at BNewRiver10202017
I took the old “Dip Route” today and ran into the shoaling pictured above near R74. I got into 5 ft of water at low tide so I can attest to it being there. I only draw 4 ‘ 9” so I was okay. Bob Sherer
New River Inlet Crossing – Heading south, probably the first navigational challenge you will meet is at New River. There is a shoal which has grown into the ICW at R72A. Two days ago (October,26), we were the tail end of a long line of boats who cleared Onslow Bridge at the 1:00 opening and headed NW after rounding Craig Point. In the leading pack of boats were a few motor yachts and trawlers. I mention this as a warning. This whole pack headed straight down the ICW as shown on the charts, passing to the east of a 38-foot sailboat hard aground in the ICW near R72A. This shoal is not new, having been a real headache for many boats on the northbound trip last spring. At half tide or more you can pass through here on the old channel. The preferred channel is a dip to the southwest as you get to R72. See attached picture. As luck would have it we were all passing through here at about high tide. At low tide this could have been a problem. There are several Active Captain commenters who have described this transit and provided waypoints. We led two sailboats who did not know about this problem area in advance.
Let me clarify, the first half of the dip route when heading south is fine. It’s the last waypoint that had a problem where it ended in an area now shoaled to 5 ft MLW. The referenced GPX route just follows the ACOE waypoints from the new survey.
Fishermen’s Village Resort and Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is absolutely the most event active marina on the Gulf Coast for all seasons. With year-round family friendly celebrations, you will feel right at home on your visit to Punta Gorda, also A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, on beautiful Charlotte Harbor.
For Immediate Release: Annual “Lighting of The Village” to be held November 18, 2017
Punta Gorda, FL—Fishermen’s Village will herald in the Holiday Season with a spectacular “Lighting of the Village” Saturday, November 18. This celebration is the official kick off of the annual “FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS”, a display of more than ONE MILLION LIGHTS and themed decorations. Local residents and visitors will enjoy beautiful traditional themed holiday décor and lights both inside and outside Fishermen’s Village.
Festivities begin at 5:30 pm. with an official ribbon cutting with Santa and City of Punta Gorda officials. The Lee County Pipes and Drums Band will then parade through the Village, followed by a rousing performance in Center Court. Other festivities include holiday music by The Suncoast Statesmen Barbershop Harmony, live music/dancing with the Shane Duncan Band, Juggling/balloon creations by Jeff the Juggler, Finest Face Painting by MaryRose, pictures with Santa (bring your camera!), complimentary refreshments courtesy of Village Merchants, and live radio remote with Jeff Collins “The Golden Hippo”.
YOUR ADMISSION: Patrons are being asked to bring toilet paper, toiletries and canned goods to be donated to “Share The Blessings Ministry”, an all-volunteer, nonprofit charity benefiting those in need in Charlotte County. Their mission is to provide hygiene, cleaning and non-perishable food items which serve over 500 individuals and 150 families each month. Their current critical need is for paper hygiene products.
Due to the popularity of this event, parking will fill up fast, so arrive early.
Fishermen’s Village Waterfront Mall, Resort and Marina is located on Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. From I-75, take exit 164, turn left and proceed 3 miles to Fishermen’s Village. Call 941 639-8721 for more information or visit on line at www.fishville.com.
This warning was issued earlier this year regarding a company promising to save boat owners money by renewing their vessel documentation through their website. See /164085. Cruisers’ Net is glad to have the warning raised again by Soundings’ Trade Only Today.
Coast Guard issues scam warning
By NORM SCHULTZ
Coast Guard warning
A new scam targeting boat owners, claiming they can save time online, is costing them hundreds of dollars, the Coast Guard says. These are websites offering documentation renewal services for a fee.
The websites have the appearance and claim convenience of an official government website. But just because a website looks like the Coast Guard and may work like the Coast Guard, that does not mean it is the Coast Guard. The result is often that boaters using these websites can end up spending three times the standard fee and find that Coast Guard boarding officers cannot accept their vessel’s documentation as valid.
Why? The Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center, located in Falling Waters, W.Va., is the only authorized entity to issue certificates of documentation required for vessels engaged in commercial trade and optional for vessels weighing 5 or more net tons engaged in recreational use and activities.
Further, although the Coast Guard is aware of these websites, no companies are authorized to operate on its behalf in any way. The services they provide are not illegal, but they cannot issue any form of documentation, including travel letters and/or permits that authorize the operation of any vessel.
Any fees charged beyond the $26 renewal fee or any other agreements offered by such websites are not associated with the NVDC certification process. These companies cannot issue the certificate, but are middlemen who charge a fee for processing the paperwork on a boater’s behalf.
So if you, as a dealer, have customers with documented boats, be proactive and tell them: When it comes time to renew, always remember that the Coast Guard website offering documentation uses a .mil domain name. Websites using .us, .com and .org aren’t the real thing.
I received one of these letters but went to the USCG-NVDC and renewed my COD for $26. My issue with the NVDC is when I received my COD the expiration date was 10 months instead of 12 months. When I contacted them they sent me a letter stating I had renewed by COD early and thus the reason for issuing a 10 month COD instead of a 12 month COD. I can post the letter if anyone is interested.
Bahamas Chatter: Chicken of the Sea, a story where ‘nothing is what it seems.’ Chicken of the Sea, a story where ‘nothing is what it seems.’ Posted: 18 Oct 2017 05:42 AM PDT Don’t judge Neil Barry’s Chicken of the Sea by its cover. It’s whimsical for good reason! ‘Nothing is what it seems’ in a mystery so real you’ll wonder, ‘Is it true?’ The ‘chicken’ might be Victor Joshua Walker. He tells the story of his parents dragging three cynical, reluctant kids onto a sailboat the size of a school bus. The problem is Victor’s been lied to for as long as he can remember. There are clues to his past life; burns on his forearms, grandparents who died in a house fire, a missing uncle and aunt, his father’s valuable first-edition books, a guitar once played by Segovia. If that’s not enough, people are following him through the Bahamas. Some of them want to kill Victor.
You can read the first chapter at www.neilbarrybooks.com Click on ‘Books.’ (Warning: beware of the crazy chicken)
After Chicken of the Sea, you’ll want more. Lucky for you, it’s also a trilogy with Chicken Too and Free Range Chicken. Adventurous readers from nine to ninety can find all three books on Amazon in paper and digital versions.
Look for the author on S/V Imagine and get your books personally autographed.
This leg of Peg and Jim Healy’s voyage through South Carolina takes them through Charleston Harbor and south to Beaufort, home of CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS, Downtown Marina and Port Royal Landing. The infamous Ashepoo-Coosaw Cut at Mile 517 is a Problem Stretch notorious for shoaling and channel shifting. And, as always, Cruisers’ Net is grateful to these experienced cruisers for sharing their observations and advice.
Sanctuary and crew cruised from Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, to Beaufort, Port Royal Landing, on 10/18/2017.
Mt. Pleasant Range – The area from StM 460.0 to 460.5 is shoaling. We passed this area mid-channel at about 07h10, near high tide (+6.0), and saw 11.5 feet of water. The control depth would be 5-1/2 feet at low tide, less on a celestial low.
Dawho River, North Creek, Watts Cut – We transited this area between 11h50 and 12h15 (+3.0 –> +2.7 ft) and saw areas at 8.5 ft. The control depth for this area is about 5.5 feet at low tide, less on a celestial low.
Ashepoo-Coosaw Cut – This cut is in two parts; the north section that connects the Ashepoo River and Rock Creek and the South section that connects Rock Creek to the Coosaw River. The North cut is not a concern at this time. We transited the South section at 13h15, 1-1/4 hours before low tide (+0.5 ft). Favor “G181,” the outside radius of the curve there, and then favor red at the entrance, floating R”184.” Do not cut the corners here; follow the centerline of the cut out into the deeper water of the Coosaw River. There is a 5-1/2 ft sandpile at the entrance. We slowed for our passage, and never saw less than 5-1/2 ft.
Hope this is useful. Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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