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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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Confirmed that the bridge is back to normal! With a closed vertical clearance of 14ft, the repaired Alligator River Bridge crosses the Alligator River section of the Waterway, south of flashing marker #12 and just south of where the southbound Waterway exits Albemarle Sound.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Bridge
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-
Our most recent report on clearance at Wilkerson Creek Bridge is from experienced tall-master, Rick Dammeyer, and dated 10/14, so update comments are needed. If you carry 64ft mast height and have passed under this bridge successfully (or not!?!), please let Bill hear from you.
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
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Wilkerson Creek Bridge
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′.
Alligator River Marina was recently sold and its owner is retiring after many years of serving Waterway cruisers with delicious food and immaculate facilities. Ms. Wanda will be missed! Alligator River Marina lies on the western shore of the mouth of the Alligator River/AICW, just north of the swing bridge and southwest of flashing daybeacon #12. This facility provides the ONLY readily available dockage and fuel along the patch of the AICW between Coinjock, Elizabeth City and Dowry Creek/Belhaven! Here is a farewell thank you to all her cruising and boating friends:
Greetings to All ICW Travelers:
The Alligator River Marina is open for your fuel and docking needs. We will be transitioning to new management in the upcoming weeks due to my retirement. I appreciate your support and friendship all these years and wish for “ALL OF YOU smooth and happy sailing”.
God Bless each and every one of you and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Ms. Wanda
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Marina
She will be missed by all. My wife and I hav dropped in on Ms Wanda several times both by car on US 64 and by boat on the Alligator River. She has always welcomed us with a smile and seated us to the best cheeseburger plate between Raleigh and the Banks or from Norfolk to New Bern.
Steve and Sheila, S/V Carolina
March 15: Sadly, this estate sale of a fine owner-operated marina marks the end of an era. Owner, Wanda Pritchett, is beginning a well deserved retirement after establishing a reputation for personal, first-name-basis involvement with all visitors. Alligator River Marina lies on the western shore of the mouth of the Alligator River/AICW, just north of the swing bridge and southwest of flashing daybeacon #12. This facility provides the ONLY readily available dockage and fuel along the patch of the AICW between Coinjock, Elizabeth City and Dowry Creek/Belhaven! Our thanks to Tom Beaty for this notice.
Looks like Wanda is finally calling it quits and putting Alligator River Marina, the former ferry landing, up for sale. Bidding closes Tuesday April 4th. Act now!
Tom Beaty
April 25
Alligator Marina has been sold and new owners will take over in May.
In the meantime, Wanda wants to remind everyone that the marina is still open, accepting transients, selling fuel, etc. The marina is NOT CLOSED!
Tell Larry I just got a call from Alligator marina…new owners will not take over until end of May and it remains open to transients and is still selling fuel.
Evidently Wanda has seen erroneous postings elsewhere and wants all to know she is still in business.
Paige
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Alligator River Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Marina
Congratulations to Miss Wanda! Happy retirement, although we will definitely miss your Christmas cards!
Changes in Dowry Creek and Alligator River…time marches on…. New owner of Dowry, the O’Neal family are local and all is hopefully good.
That’s great news!
As Bruce Franz relates and Ms Wanda confirms, dredging at Alligator River Marina has been completed and invitations are extended to Spring Migrators! ARM lies on the western shore of the mouth of the Alligator River/AICW, just north of the swing bridge and southwest of flashing daybeacon #12. This facility provides the ONLY readily available dockage and fuel along the patch of the AICW between Coinjock, Elizabeth City and Dowry Creek/Belhaven!
Yesterday, proof positive our cruising friend’s 50 ft Gulfstar with a 6 ft draft can enter/leave Alligator Marina and visit Ms Wanda.
Bruce Franz
s/v “Hemisphere Dancer”
Dickerson 41
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Marina
Spoon River Restaurant has only been in business for two years and is open seven days a week. They are located just off the waterfront and are listed as:
Spoon River Artworks and Market
263 Pamlico St, Belhaven, NC ‘Ž
(252) 945-3899
And their Facebook address is:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spoon-River-Artworks-and-Market/471584979558789
There are several opportunities for dockage near Spoon River: Belhaven Waterway Marina, Belhaven Town Dock and Belhaven/Pantego Creek Anchorage. Our thanks to Skipper Whitehead for reminding us of this excellent restaurant!
We had dinner at Spoon River last night and it was undoubtedly the best meal we have ever enjoyed. The menu choices and the food are excellent. The waitstaff are excellent and well trained. All in all a very pleasant evening. I would give them five stars!
Carol Whitehead
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Belhaven Town Dock
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Belhaven/Pantego Creek Anchorage
Dowry Creek Marina is a fine family-owned and family-run marina that has received MANY laudatory reviews here on the Cruisers’ Net. This facility lies off the AICW/Pungo River, north of Belhaven. Our thanks to Phil and Sandy for their good words for A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
Dowry Creek Marina, near Belhaven NC
Arrived at 3:45 a very long day, 7 hours. All are very tired. The crew did great, another windy cross wind type of docking, this time we had to get the stern line hooked and spring the bow into the dock. Got to fuel, pumpout and a grocery run they do have a loaner car.
The crew on the dock were great, got every thing we needed, ref the fuel, pumpout and docking. Iced up the cooler and ready for tomorrow. All the people are really friendly and want to help out in any way they can. I would like to stop in again.
Phil and Sandy Herl
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Dowry Creek Marina
This marina is the best on the ICW. Car, pool and club house are outstanding. It is quite and clean. We had beer can chicken at the club house and watched captain Ron with fellow cruisers, a night to remember. If you need a place to rest for a couple days, this is the place. They make you feel at home.
In the morning have coffee on the deck and watch the humming birds.
With the Alligator River Swing Bridge closed to navigation, several of our most experienced sailors have offered alternate routes to avoid the Alligator River portion of the Waterway. See /?p=147457 and /?p=147463. One of those stops along the alternate route is Manteo, home of Manteo Waterfront Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
This video of Manteo’s entrance channel was sent to us by our friend and genuine “Old Salt” George Barr – you can trust his judgement! See George’s comments on this alternate route at /?p=147457.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Manteo, NC
With the frequent closures of the Alligator River Bridge, longtime contributors George Barr and Rick Brass offer alternatives to the Alligator River portion of the Waterway. Information on all the marinas mentioned below can be found on Cruisers’ Net’s Homepage under CRUISING NEWS AND REFERENCE DIRECTORIES – North Carolina. See /?p=147457 for more discussion of alternate routes.
To any northbound cruisers in the interim. The alternate route starts at Oriental ‘¦down the Neuse River and into the Pamlico Sound heading north.
Possible stops/marinas are Silver Lake in Ocracoke, Big Trout Marina in Englehard (45 miles from Oriental on the Western shore of the Pamlico), Manteo Waterfront Marina off Shallowbag Bay on Roanoke Island 45 miles from Big Trout’¦and then north through the Albemarle to Coinjock 35 miles away.
The passage is open and deep and has only one fully 65′ bridge and is 17 miles shorter than the ICW. Of course, weather must be considered as it is less protected. Hope this helps in the interim.
George Barr
If northbound cruisers are on a schedule during the bridge repairs, and need an alternate route, I would suggest leaving the ICW at the crossing of the Pamlico River (at about SM 150) and swing east. You will go through Pamlico Sound, with potential stops in Engelhart on the west side of the sound and Manteo on Roanoke Island, and return to Albemarle Sound and the ICW on the north side of Roanoke Island. Manteo, BTW, is a nice cruising destination and well worth the trip.
If you have time to wait for the bridge to be repaired and are looking for an hospitable spot to wait and explore, swing west about 25 miles on the Pamlico River and visit the Washington Waterfront Docks. Easy access with deep water slips. A number of good restaurants and places to explore. A good place to provision, with West Marine and a number of parts suppliers and repair opportunities. And if you need a free slip without power and water (but with nice heads and showers, and laundry facilities for boaters) you can mention this post and I will waive the 48 hour limit on free dockage.
Rick Brass
Dockmaster
Washington Waterfront Docks
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Washington City Docks
Well deserved praise for a fine owner-operated marina! Alligator River Marina lies on the western shore of the mouth of the Alligator River/AICW, just north of the swing bridge and southwest of flashing daybeacon #12. This facility provides the ONLY readily available dockage and fuel along the patch of the AICW between Coinjock, Elizabeth City and Dowry Creek/Belhaven!
We stayed at the Alligator River Marina in early October and found both the staff and the facilities to be great. We used their ramp to launch our 22 ft sailboat and stayed for two nights at the marina while sailing on the Alligator River and touring the nearby Alligator Wildlife Refuge. (We saw a mother black bear and two cubs playing in the road while in the Refuge.) Upon our arrival at the marina one of the staff members even assisted me in lifting our outboard motor onto its mount. Although we came prepared to cook meals on our boat the food and service at the marina grill was so good that we quickly changed plans. As long as they had extra slips they spaced the boats out in the marina so that we all had plenty of privacy. As noted by one of the other reviewers there was a beautiful moon out over the Alligator River on our first night there. Mrs. Wanda and the staff went out of their way to make our stay a pleasant one.
Philip & Genie Safriet ‘“ The Venture
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Alligator River Marina
One of the oldest and most beautifully located marinas in NC, River Forest Manor and Marina, under new ownership, will begin hotel and dock renovations in December after the Fall migration has ended. Until then, they do have fuel and transient slips. River Forest Marina is located on the northeastern shores of Pantego Creek, just northwest of the creek’s breakwater enclosed entrance.
River Forest Marina has been sold and is now River Forest Manor and Marina, #252-943-0030. They do sell fuel but are renovating the marina and hotel. They will start construction on the docks after the traffic goes through about December 15th. Their email is unc1975@gmail.com.
River Forest Marina is still operating but only for boat services [including transient slips] and repairs.
Kaye Adams
And Dockmaster Henry Boyd provided more details:
Dear Kaye,
Thanks for your phone call and email. On 10/23/2014, the historic River Forest Manor and Marina was purchased by a 10 member LLC with the purpose of renovating the existing facilities. Our first priority is the Marina building and docks. Construction began on 10/27/2014. We are upgrading the Marina dock house with a new exterior, including new windows and doors, new decking, renovating the bathrooms /showers, marina office, and adding laundry equipment. The main dock is operational, but upgrades will be added in the next several weeks. Both diesel fuel and gas are available now together with Wi-Fi and city water. Our gas is non-ethanol 89 octane. 30/50/ and 100 amp electrical service are available. Pump out should be operational by next week. Our goal is to provide excellent service and value for our guests. The 10 LLC members have a connection to Belhaven either by living here or are from here.Thus our reputation is on the line. Our new telephone number is 252-943-0030 and my cell is 252-943-1937. Call ahead for fuel pricing, We want to be competitive. Current dockage is $1.50 a foot. Long term dockage will be available soon, once renovations are complete to our second dock.
As a further note, Belhaven is the birthplace of the Intercoastal waterway. (see your article: /belhaven ). This past September was the 86th anniversary. Belhaven has had an annual celebration beginning last year with plans to commemorate annually.
Thanks,
Henry Boyd
Dockmaster/member
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of River Forest Marina
Our thanks to Skipper Dammeyer for sharing his experiences and advice with these two bridges in reference to an earlier report, /?p=125800. Wilkerson Creek Bridge, at Statute Mile 126, is generally accepted to be only 64ft and SSECN has recommended a low wind water level for vessels needing the full 65ft clearance. Fairfield Bridge with a vertical clearance of 65ft crosses the ICW at Statute Mile 114, west of the charted Fairfield Canal.
We passed under the Fairfield and Wilkerson bridges yesterday Sept. 29 and dragged our antennas under both. This is our third trip South on the ICW with our Catalina 445, with air draft of theoretical 63′ 10’³. We did several tricks to heel the boat over and didn’t do any damage. There are no bridge boards at Fairfield and Wilkerson was reading just below the middle of 64. We did not expect to touch Fairfield, but were prepared to heal at Wilkerson. Water levels are high right now so know your air draft and be cautious.
Rick Dammeyer
And this Facebook local knowledge comment from Skipper Friedrich:
There is no lunar tide in this area, so you cannot plan ahead for low water here. The wind tide can be a foot or more. We have experienced high water here in Belhaven for several weeks.
Dave Friedrich
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Wilkerson Creek Bridge
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Bridge Directory Listing For Fairfield Bridge
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fairfield Bridge
I have seen as little as 62 feet showing on the board at the Wilkerson Creek Bridge, though that is unusual. If you need more than 60 feet it is important to measure your air draft over the water line very carefully, because there are several places on the ICW you may encounter extra low clearance during times of unusual tides or wind conditions. The good news is that the location of the Wilkerson bridge is very sheltered and you should be able to approach the bridge at slow speed and under good control. However, it is a long way back to Norfolk if you can’t make it, and it is not a good place to anchor and wait. It sometimes takes many days for the water level to subside.
Skipper Dammeyer,
Just saw your postings on the Wilkerson Creek Bridge, not surer if you are south of Oriental yet, if you are here’s hoping you have a safe an uneventful journey without any further bridge issues, but if you are still north of Core Creek bridge; FYI….. went thru there twice on the 27th, tide board was reading 64′ on a still rising tide, my antenna also scraped and again on the 29th with 3 hours before high tide, was reading 65Ft., still scraped. also could not get under the Morehead City bridge as it was reading 63′ had to go back and go thru the Beaufort draw bridge.
Point being we have had unusually prolonged high water for the past two weeks, from a steady NE winds driving more water from the sound creating higher “wind tides ” higher than normal, but as I saw today it is closer to normal water levels in the New Bern / Oriental areas,
My mast is the same height as yours, and would love to hear of your “tricks” to heel the boat over to reduce the static height.
Capt. Ron
captnron14@gmail.com
Comments from Cruisers (2)
What does this mean, open to navigation or not?
I just read they have reopened.