Retriever, like many other cruisers, advises passage within 2 hours of high tide, preferably a rising tide, while cruising through this “AICW Problem Stretch.” The crew of “Retriever” also cautions against staying glued to the magenta line of your chartplotter. Look at the markers!

Passed through the Cumberland Dividings about 2 hours before MHW. Look at the markers ‘“ not your chartplotter, it’ll take you into the marshes and shoals to the east. The only `issue’ was at the sharp right turn at the bottom of the Dividings (all the reds are clustered together). Retriever saw 6’ ‘“ so would not of wanted to traverse that stretch at low tide considering those South GA tidal variations’¦
Retriever

And, from Captain Pascal regarding this same AICW Problem Stretch:

I’ve always timed passage just past high tide since i usually stop before Little Mud River and timed that entire section around the tides (70MY, 6+ draft)
So far I’ve always found only 7 to 8′ MLW thru Cumberland Dividing but this year (Oct 30th) I went much further to the green side than before and never saw less than 12′ or so.
The key after G59A, southbound, is to stay on the green side, and aim for that ghost round island seen on the chart across from R60. at that spot, you will have 13′ MLW
Pascal

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Cumberland Dividings

The Channel through Cumberland Dividings has been a Georgia Problem Area for some time. Click on the links below for a Chart View of the area and further comments from fellow boaters.

Submitted on 2010/07/15 at 8:57am
We came through Cumberland Dividings yesterday at a mid-high tide and never saw less that 12′.
Captain Susan Parker

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For Cumberland Dividings

The mischarted stretch of the Georgia AICW at the southern foot of the “Cumberland Dividings,” hard by the AICW/southern Brickhill River intersection, is fast becoming a true AICW problem stretch! I intend to add it to the Net’s “ICW Problems” section shortly. In the meantime, please exercise maximum caution when cruising these waters!

Subject: ICW/ Crooked River
Cruising News: Previous suggestions to stay way left (southbound) from G59 to the “island that isn’t there is valid. I transited about 1+45 before low tide and found depths of 15 to 25 feet until we reached the island and then it started to fall off to 15 feet. We then slowly turned to G63 with good depths. We would not hesitate to go thru here at low tide so long as we followed the channel “uncomfortably close” to the green shore between 59 and the “island”. We ended up at less than 20 yards off by the time we got to the island.
David Jenkins

Subject: Follow up to previous
Cruising News: Cumberland Dividings/Crooked River area:
At G57 – 12.1′
At G57A – 11.9′
Between G57A and G59 – 8.2′ (I proceeded directly from close abeam G57A to close abeam G59) Reading time was 2 hours prior to dead low, so subtract about 2 feet.
Again, whoever found and reported the best way to go through here is to be thanked big time.
Good Cruising.
Capt Dave

Subject: Georgia MM 704 Red Marker 60A
Cruising News: Wed. January 13, 2010. Ran aground at Red Marker 60A AICW MM 704 despite all the warnings. We draw 6 ft and were north of the red marker by 150 ft or so and still grounded. We were about 3′ above MLW and were able to get off. The channel is very close to the shore line here. Cruisers with deep draft vessels should use extreme caution here especially approaching at low tide. Stay uncomfortably close to the shore line and approach slowly. Oh, I forgot to mention to forget the magenta line and charts in this location and follow the markers. We knew of the problems with the charts and shallow water and still grounded at a slow speed.
Capt J Price

Subject: Brickhill River at ICW
Cruising News: Came through this area 0n 1/14/10. The chartplotter posted on this website from October or November by Nellie D is absolutely correct. Stay way over to the green side at 60 and 60A. Go east of the “island”, which does not exist. We had nothing less than 12 feet an hour and a half after low tide. We heard three boats aground at 60 or 60 A, close by them. Stay away to the green side. Claiborne Young’s website will keep you put of trouble all the way if you follow it closely.
Norman Mason

Yes, in this area ignore the magenta line and go way E. After several sweaty palms episodes there I have carefully transited and recorded the following waypoints (S to N) which give 17 feet at MLW:
South: 30d 50.85’N, 081d28.66’W
Mid: 30d 50.92’N, 081d 28.66’W
North: 30d 51.01’N, 081d 28.73’W
Stay uncomfortably close to the E shore AND track directly over the marsh shown (incorrectly) in the middle of the intersection. DO NOT hug the reds!
Carl Gaines

I just went thru this area and this is what I did. I went close abeam to G57, G57A and G59. Minimum depth for this was 8.2 feet between G57A and G59 minus 2′ for tide. So minimum would be about 6.2 feet.
Then I proceeded closer and closer to the shore ending up less that 20 yards off by the time I went by G59A.
I went over the `island’ and had over 20 feet. Immediately after the island depth dropped off to 15 feet and I slowly proceeded to turn right towardsG63.
Minimum depths along the shore was 20 to 26 feet minum two for tide. Stay away from R60 and R60A and R62A.
This was accomplished 2 hours prior to dead low.
Capt Dave

I agree 100% with this report. I have my boat berthed at Golden Isle Marina, St. Simons Island, GA. I would recommend going off shore from St. Simons Island to St. Mary’s. If this section does not get you, Jekyll Creek will. Also it is much faster going off shore even at 7kts.
M/V Arctic Jasmine