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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
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This ICW river light is on the west side of the Waterway 5.5 NM south of Alligator River Bridge.
ALLIGATOR RIVER LIGHT 22 (LLNR 37885) EXTINGUISHED. Chart 11553, LNM 7/21
This ICW daybeacon is on the west shoulder of the Waterway’s narrow channel through Middle Sound north of Wrightsville.
| NEW RIVER – CAPE FEAR RIVER DAYBEACON 124 (LLNR 39610) REPORTED MISSING, PORTIONS MAY REMAIN. MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO TRANSIT WITH CAUTION. |
Just south of the Waterway’s 90 degree turn at Mile 135, this river light marks Durant Point off the east side of the Waterway.
PUNGO RIVER LIGHT 8 (LLNR 32915) IS DESTROYED, WRECKAGE REMAINS. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO TRANSIT THE AREA WITH CAUTION.
A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Dowry Creek Marina is under new management and ownership by the Zeltner family who want to roll out the red carpet to transients, doing whatever you might need during your visit. This highly praised and transient friendly marina lies off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC. See also COVID-19 UPDATE.
Dowry Creek Marina breaks ground on new restaurant
the washingtondailynews.com
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A longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Dowry Creek Marina is under new management and ownership by the Zeltner family who want to roll out the red carpet to transients, doing whatever you might need during your visit. This highly praised and transient friendly marina lies off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC. See also COVID-19 UPDATE.
We happened upon this place four years ago and it is now our first stop going south every time. Can’t say enough good things about it. Pool, clubhouse, marina store, gas grills and picnic tables, courtesy car, great shelter from the wind, shore power and fuel. Haven’t seen better. Well worth any extra cruising time to get there. As stated in a previous review, the place only gets better. [Editor’s note: Dowry Creek Marina is less than 1 NM north of the Waterway.]
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Transients are received like family. This is a true family business and the hospitality is as warm as can be. You are also near another of North Carolina's awesome boating friendly coastal towns, Belhaven. Tell 'em Cruisers Net sent you.
Our thanks to Ben and Brenda Sanderson and Rob and Marg Webb for their nice comments on AGLCA’s Forum about NC waters where several of CRUISERS NET SPONSORS are located, including Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, Belhaven, Washington and Edenton. These fun stops are four of those “stop and smell the roses” situations.
Just off the beaten loop path lies many great places. So many loopers doing the loop in a single year miss these places. For instance, the Albemarle Sound and accompanying Albemarle loop. Almost everyone stops in Belhaven, NC but few take a day to cruise up to Bath and ‘Little Washington”. Washington is a great stop. This town welcomes boaters and has waterfront festivals (non-Covid 19 years) almost every other weekend as well as an educational estuarium center. The list goes on and on for places off the direct path.
Those taking the Dismal Swamp please stop in Edenton. Take a walk through the neighborhood of fine victorian homes. So peaceful. Don’t spread the word too much but the town dock is free for the first two nights and they usually give out a welcome bag. These small towns want us to visit.
Ben & Brenda Sanderson
M/V ‘Last Chance’
44′ Valor Marine
Just to reinforce the good comments about the Dismal Swamp Route, we just completed it 2 days ago. It is truly fantastic – peaceful, calm water, lush greenery so close you can touch it [sometimes too close], only spoiled by the sounds of traffic for the first few miles at the South end.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Edenton Harbor City Docks
Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven, NC
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Belhaven, NC
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Washington City Docks
We are so glad you were able to come our way. This is a beautiful waterway, and at this time of year Swamp Roses and Honeysuckle also add a lovely fragrance as you travel through. Thank you for sharing your stories.
Our most recent report on clearance at Wilkerson Creek Bridge is from experienced tall-master, Rick Dammeyer. Answers are needed for new questions from John Rahm. If you carry 64ft mast height and have passed under this bridge successfully (or not!?!), please let us hear from you.
Requesting insight on the Wilkerson Bridge at MM 125.9.
Are the clearance boards in tact?
What is the tidal range there?
Is there anyone close, that I can call, to check the clearance, before I leave Portsmouth?
Need the phone number of the closest house!
Thanks in advance. Moving a boat with a 63 foot mast.
Cheers, Captain John Rahm
Wondering about the height of the water at the Wilkerson Bridge and whether or not a boat with 64 ft mast will be able to get under the bridge.
Bill Combs
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The nominal air draft at the Wilkerson Bridge is 64 ft. There is negligible lunar tide in this area, but water depths will vary depending on wind speed and direction. Strong westerly or northwesterly winds will lower the water levels by up to 2 ft. Conversely, strong east or southeasterly winds across the Pamlico Sound will raise the water level and reduce bridge clearance.
Since the water level varies from day to day, the best thing to do is contact an approaching sailboat that has recently passed under the bridge and ask about conditions. If you are southbound, do that when still in the Alligator River, since there is no place to anchor in the Alligator River Cut to wait for a wind shift. If northbound, ask someone in the Belhaven/Dowrey Creek area so you can anchor in the Pungo River anchorage just south of the Wilkerson Bridge, if needed. The folks at Dowrey Creek Marina can also give you information about the current water depths in the area.
We just passed under this bridge on Friday May 12th without issue. We require 63 1/2′ clearance and had approximately 6″ to spare. Height board showed 64′.
Belhaven, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, sits on the northern shore of Pantego Creek which meets the western shoulder of the Waterway at Mile 135 south of the Alligator River – Pungo River Canal. Our thanks to Kevin and Debbie Stone for these kind words.
Belhaven Visitor Lounge, located across the street from the floating dinghy dock, and associated with the Chamber of Commerce, is a most wonderful example of gracious hospitality and “welcome”! During open hours, a book exchange, free wifi, restroom, and a lovely setting with plenty of sitting room to relax, are enhanced even further by the overwhelmingly friendly offers to help with what else boaters might need. We have visited several times, and during our most recent visit we needed to have a time-sensitive document printed so we could sign and mail it promptly; Diana could not have been more kind, having posted her phone # on the outside door and quickly came to help us take care of that, even though it was outside of their open hours; she is a gem! SV Grace’s crew will look for Diana’s beautiful smile each time we are there.
Click Here To View the VA to NC Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven, NC
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Belhaven, NC
One of our longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSORS, Dowry Creek Marina, a highly praised and transient friendly marina, lies off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dowry Creek Marina
DC Marina is definitely strategically located at the west end of the long Alligator River Canal. Great people managing a great marina.
This ICW light marks a shoal on the inside southeast corner of a 90 deg turn just east of Belhaven.
SAFETY/NORTH CAROLINA – ALBEMARLE SOUND TO NEUSE RIVER (CHART 11553)/ATON/SEC NC BNM 406-19
PUNGO RIVER – CHANNEL LIGHT 10 (LLNR 38105) EXT.
AREA SPONSORING MARINA
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Town Dock
Our thanks to Steve and Jane, and others – see comments below- for these kind words posted on AGLCA’s Forum for one of our longtime CRUISERS NET SPONSORS, Dowry Creek Marina. The marina is under new management and ownership by the Zeltner family who want to roll out the red carpet to transients, doing whatever you might need during your visit to this highly praised and transient friendly marina lying off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC.
Our thanks to Jeff Irwin (see comments below) for the two photos from Dowry Creek.
Just left Dowry Creek Marina in Belhaven, NC, this am. Had a great visit and wanted to let everyone know. It’s well run, has brand new docks, free laundry, courtesy car, pool, and protected water. Jeff does a great job and we will definitely be back.
Steve and Jane McKinney
M/V Sabbatical
36′ Albin
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dowry Creek Marina
Photo by Jeff Irwin
Photo by Jeff Irwin
We also want to add to the positive review of this marina. The new owners are slowly rebuilding the docks, including new electrical pedestals.All the freebies listed in other reviews are as stated. There is supposed to be an on-site restaurant opening up in summer 2019; the building it will be in looks wonderful. One of the reasons we liked it so much was the attention of Jeff and his crew. We ended up having an extra day there, due to weather, and we were safe and secure. This place will only get better as time passes.
Louise Anderson
Belhaven, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, sits on the northern shore of Pantego Creek which meets the western shoulder of the Waterway at Mile 135 south of the Alligator River – Pungo River Canal. Our thanks to Doug and Lynne and Be and Brenda for these kind words as posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
If you get a chance to stop at Belhaven, be sure and eat at Spoon River Art and Market, half a block from both marinas. Wow! What an Easter brunch! Best meal on trip and they are recently open from hurricane. We say, worth the stop to eat there. Not open on Tuesday.
Doug and Lynne
DougOut
490 Meridian Pilothouse
Agree. But don’t overlook The Tavern at Jack’s Neck across the street. Just as good. and for lunch the Fish Hooks Cafe is good. We’re biased because it’s our hailing port.
Be and Brenda Sanderson
M/V ‘Last Chance’
44′ Valor Marine
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Town Dock
A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Dowry Creek Marina, now under new management and ownership by The Zeltner family who want to “roll out the red carpet” to transients, doing whatever you might need during your visit to this highly praised and transient friendly marina lying off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC. Upon their retirement from shore life, the Zeltners went shopping for a trawler and ended up buying Dowry Creek Marina! Steve, Connie and their grown children, Teresa, Zac and Nicole will treat you like family!
We stopped at Dowry Creek Marina for an overnight in November 2018. Quiet, friendly a very comfortable overnight. Offered a loaner car for local transport. Good fuel. Pool. Clean bathrooms. Very nice. Great sunsets and sunrises. Thank you.
Charles Rogers
MV Great Adventure
Ranger Tug 29
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dowry Creek Marina
A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Dowry Creek Marina, now under new management and ownership by The Zeltner family who want to “roll out the red carpet” to transients, doing whatever you might need during your visit to this highly praised and transient friendly marina lying off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC. Upon their retirement from shore life, the Zeltners went shopping for a trawler and ended up buying Dowry Creek Marina! Steve, Connie and their grown children, Teresa, Zac and Nicole will treat you like family!
I’ve been quite happy with the marina and staff.
Josh Johnson S/V Temora
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dowry Creek Marina
We stopped at Dowry Creek Maina for an overnight in November 2018. Quiet, friendly a very comfortable overnight. Offered a loaner car for local transport. Good fuel. Pool. Clean bathrooms. Very nice. Great sunsets and sunrises. Thank you.
MV Great Adenture
Ranger Tug 29
The Chartview opens to the entrance to the northern entrance to the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal where 3 anchorages are found off Tuckahoe, Bear and Deep Points. David has been referred to Cruisers’ Net’s Anchorage directory for the Alligator River, but if you have dropped the hook recently in that section, let us hear from you. Thank you!
Does anyone have updated information on anchorages on the Alligator River section of the AICW (Statute Mile 80 through 105)? I am especially looking for information in the middle third of this section (roughly half way between Coinjock and Belhaven). Thanks.
David Swanson
Your Comments…I ended up anchoring at "The Straits" anchorage. The entrance was exactly as scary as described in the 6th edition of Claiborne's book, but there was slightly more water in the approach than charted. The interior was very remote. Definitely not a place to enter after dark.
For Claiborne’s description, see https://cruisersnet.net/115391
Deadheads (nauticalese for logs or stakes temporarily anchored to the bottom) can really ruin your whole day on the water, if they make contact with your underwater hardware! Pay close attention to the message below as deadheads are frequent in the canal, especially after flooding. A big thank you to Jim Healy for this warning from today’s Healy Report as Sanctuary makes way south. The Alligator River – Pungo River Canal is a 21-mile (33.8 km) man-made canal connecting the southern Alligator River with the northern Pungo River.
BE ADVISED that in the Alligator-Pungo Canal at approximately MM116-117, there is a LARGE DEADHEAD in almost the visual center of the canal. It is easy to spot, as it sticks up at least a foot above the water line. It appears to be the remains of a piling. Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
Experienced cruisers, Jim and Peg Healy, continue to generously share their observations and advice as they make their way south for the winter. Thank you Jim and Peg! Belhaven, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, sits on the northern shore of Pantego Creek which meets the western shoulder of the Waterway at Mile 135 south of the Alligator River – Pungo River Canal.
Today is Thursday 19/18, 05h15 hrs…
Sanctuary and crew transited the Dismal Swamp Canal from Chesapeake, VA to Elizabeth City, NC on Tuesday, 10/16. There is about a mile of duckweed in the canal south of the Deep Creek lock. South of the South Mills lock, there are several miles of duckweed across the canal. Our engine cooling water intake is about 30″ below the waterline, and we had no issues with the sea strainer.. AT THE FEEDER DITCH AND AGAIN IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF THE SOUTH MILLS LOCK, THERE ARE POSTS PAINTED RED AND GREEN THAT MARK A NARROWED CHANNEL. HONOR THOSE POSTS. The canal carried at least 7′ of water, and we had zero bangs and bumps. We traveled with four other boats, and they made me the lead dog. The trick to avoid bangs and bump is to SPREAD OUT. Follow the boat in front of you by 1/2 to 3/2 mile, so if prop wash does bring something off the bottom, it has tome to settle back down before you get to it.
We traveled from Elizabeth City to Belhaven on Wednesday, 10/17. BE ADVISED that in the Alligator-Pungo Canal at approximately MM116-117, there is a LARGE DEADHEAD in almost the visual center of the canal. It is easy to spot, as it sticks up at least a foot above the water line. It appears to be the remains of a piling.
We’re staying on the Belhaven City Docks. They take reservations, but many treat this as first come first served. It is full tonight, but we did get our reserved space.
There is ample 30A power available all along the dock, and self-serve pumpout. This is an excellent option at $1.00/ft and $5.00 for electric.
Goal for today is Morehead City.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436
A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Dowry Creek Marina, now under new management and ownership by The Zeltner family who want to “roll out the red carpet” to transients, doing whatever you might need during your visit to this highly praised and transient friendly marina lying off the AICW/Pungo River north of Belhaven, NC. Upon their retirement from shore life, the Zeltners went shopping for a trawler and ended up buying Dowry Creek Marina! Steve, Connie and their grown children, Teresa, Zac and Nicole will treat you like family!
CLICK HERE FOR A FINE ARTICLE ON DOWRY CREEK MARINA by Matt Debnam in the Washington Daily News
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dowry Creek Marina
News Release
U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712
5th District online newsroom
Coast Guard, others searching for person in Pungo River near Hobucken, NC
WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for a man in the Pungo River near Hobucken Thursday.
Watchstanders at Station Hobucken received a call at approximately 1:20 a.m. reporting a 21-foot TowBoatUS vessel had capsized while towing a 47-foot recreational boat near the Pungo River entrance.
A 45-year-old TowBoatUS captain was aboard the capsized vessel and is still missing. He was reported to be wearing coveralls, rubber boots and a lifejacket.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew launched from Station Hobucken and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Air Station Elizabeth City. Coast Guard crews are on scene searching along with North Carolina Wildlife and Beaufort County crews.
The one man aboard the recreational boat being towed was taken to shore by a North Carolina Wildlife crew to be evaluated by EMS.
“We’re working closely with our state and local partners,” said Cmdr. Matthew Moorlag, search and rescue mission coordinator for the case. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as we continue to search.”
-USCG-
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