With the upcoming closures of the Alligator River Bridge, alternate routes to avoid the bridge are being suggested. Longtime friend of Cruisers’ Net and other cruisers, George Barr, offers this information on Manteo area dockage, including Manteo Waterfront Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, located on the western shores of Doughs Creek, northwest of marker #10.
The Manteo Town docks are free for 1 night…no services. No reservations. There are 3 spots suitable for drafts of 5’+… lots of other slips for those with 4.5′ or less at white lighthouse. Call Manteo Town MARINA if you need directions to the free areas. You are also free to anchor in the triangle formed by the white lighthouse, the brown topped gazebo and channel marker #10. Dinghys tie up at base of lighthouse dock. Manteo Town Marina has slips available @ $1.65/ft with all amenities (wifi/elec./cableTV/showers etc) but suggest reservations as the bridge closing may fill things up quickly. Call Carl Jordan/Dockmaster 252-473-3320.
Shallowbag Bay Marina also has transient slips and fuel @ (252) 305-8726 Pirates Cove Marina just before the Baum Bridge to starboard has slips and high speed fuel. 252-473-3906 Email info@fishpiratescove.com
Remember that daylight savings ends Saturday nite [11/4]… so plan your daylight travel accordingly! George Barr
Shoaling and groundings are always possible in the constantly shifting sands of the New River Inlet/AICW Intersection area and our thanks to Joe Heinrich for this Problem Stretch report. For a recent survey of this AICW intersection, see /167813.
Big trawler grounded in center 10/30/17 at 2 hours after low tide. Trawler Sanctuary [Editor: not Jim Healy’s Sanctuary] in front of us tried to go to the 3 floating reds after dayboard red 72 but had to reverse away from shallow and warned us. We went toward green side (no buoys) and stayed away from all the reds until after dayboard 74. Actually, it followed Fleetwing’s waypoints he set on view he submitted. It was shallow but we didn’t bump needing 4 ft Joe Heinrich
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
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.
Thank you Bob and Ann Sherer, authors of 2017 ICW Cruising Guide, for sharing a survey from their popular blog, http://fleetwing.blogspot.com/. Last dredged in November of 2016, Browns Inlet is a perennial Problem Stretch and it is wise to follow the advice Cruisers’ Net has been giving for some time: follow the markers and do NOT follow the Magenta Line in this stretch of the ICW! See an April 2017 report.
You guys probably already know this but a new survey of Brown’s Inlet came out 10/3 showing that you can’t just follow the ICW channel anymore through Browns Inlet. We’ll be doing some form of the “S” curve soon!
I wouldn’t say that Brown’s Inlet is no problem. There’s a new survey as of Oct 3 that shows a lot of shoaling in the same pattern as previously.
Looks like we have to do a “dip” away from the ocean, just like two years ago. At any rate, just following the ICW channel is not the best option. Look at G61A, that buoy will get you into trouble!
My wife, Pat, and I passed by Browns Inlet on the ICW on 10/10/2017, 2 1/2 hours after low water. Traveling down the middle of the marked channel, we found no less than 10 feet of water throughout the area.
The intersection of Shalotte Inlet and the Waterway has been an infamous Problem Stretch for years and we thank Philip Mullins for this report and observations.
Follow markers very closely. Crossed at low tide and last green can in inlet was aground about 3/4 way though inlet. Made it by, but the shoal was visible as we passed. Phillip Mullins
On 10/12/17, 1 hour after low water my wife, Pat, and I passed by Shallotte Inlet on the ICW and found no less that 6′ of water following the marked channel.
Longtime cruiser and Cruisers’ Net contributor, Captain Jim Healy, shares his knowledge and experience in these observations on these portions of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, complete with text and charts! Thank you Jim! NOTE: Further descriptions of the inlet intersections discussed have been designated Problem Stretches on Cruisers’ Net and can be found under North Carolina, NC AICW Problem Stretches on our Homepage. See Report from Shalotte Inlet Problem Stretch, AICW Statute Mile 330.
1. Brown’s Inlet at Camp Lejeune is not a navigational problem for the fall or 2017. I note the USACE made some survey updates dated 2017-10-03 (my birthday), but I can say that I did not see a present or emerging issue when we passed that area on 2017-10-06.
2. Call the range office at Camp Lejeune to confirm the next day’s firing schedule. We were told that boat’s would be allowed allowed to transit on the ODD HOURS. Slow boats (I run 7.3 knots/8.5 mph through still water) can leave Swansboro around 06h15 to arrive at Onslow Beach Bridge for the 08h00 opening. At that point, you’re through the live fire zone before the start of the Marine’s play time.
3. The information for the New River Inlet crossing in ActiveCaptain from Bob423 and the USACE is correct. The suggested A-ICW route for New River drops south (east) at the inlet. As of 2017-10-06, the markers have not been moved and do not reflect the correct route. Some charts show a shoal there, but in real life, it is very clear that you’ll have plenty of visibility and room. Be careful of swift cross-currents; I was being timid, and operating at reduced speed/power. I got swept rapidly inland towards the New River by strong incoming cross-currents from the inlet. Ebbing currents could be hazardous too. This route was reliable, but check again in the spring, because it had several sand piles on the bottom and did not look like it would last long as the best route.
Lime line is Bob423; black route is USACE route I laid in for my own use.
4. Sanctuary and crew transited Snow’s Cut on 2017-10-06 at 1-1/2 hour before low tide. We found R”162″ relocated very dramatically to the south shoreline of the cut. So much so that it appears off-station. We verified it is an ICW marker, carrying a yellow triangle. Southbound, take R”162″ to STBD. We found at least 10 ft of water between the marker and the shore, but estimate the marker is only about 40 feet from what would be expected to be the green side of the channel in that area.
Lime line is Bob423; black route is mine.
5. ALL BOATERS should look at the website for the Wilmington Division of the USACE. They maintain surveys of all of the inlets in their district, which include all of the most challenging inlets in North Carolina (Shallottes, Lockwood Folly, Snow’s Cut, New River, Brown’s). Download the .pdf’s and set up the best route in your chart plotters or navigation software. They are your best chance to find the deepest and safest water in these areas. The website for the .pdf files is: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Hydrographic-Surveys/Inlets-Crossings/.
6. Sanctuary and crew transited Lockwood’s Folly this morning, 2017-10-10, 09h00, 1/2 tide rising, +3.0 feet. I followed a route that “split the difference” between Bob423’s route and the 2017-07 waypoints from the USACE. The route takes you within about 100 feet of a large, prominent sand bar with people fishing. The incoming current was at max flood, at least 2 – 2.5 knots. We learned at New River that we’d need full power to manage that cross-current. Furthermore, the markers in the water still mark the old “north” route through the Folly. All in all, the transit is an act of faith. The standers-bye were AMAZED watching us just two boat lengths from them. Our faith was rewarded; the route works well. We saw one sand pile that was 10.5 feet, so the route would carry 7.5 feet at MLLW. This is probably a temporary alternative, as the currents will undoubtedly shift the route by spring.
There are comments in the Lockwood Folly ActiveCaptain thread from a few days ago that suggest the marked north route is about the same depth as we saw on this alternate route. That being the case, I’d recommend to less experienced people that they go with the marked route. To follow the alternative route without markers as physical reference points, you really need a route programmed into a chart plotter and an autopilot accurate enough to closely follow the unmarked alternate in strong cross-currents. The only other choice would be to run at slack where less than full power is needed.
Lime line is Bob423; fuscia line is USACE; black route is mine; blue highlighted line is our actual track.
7. Sanctuary and crew transited Shallotte Inlet this morning, 2017-10-10, 10h15, 2/3rds tide rising, +4.0 feet. The route has only one small change from last spring. G”81″ has been relocated about 100 feet toward the north shore. This makes the course a slight slalom. We saw one sand pile at 10 feet, so about 6.0 feet at MLLW.
The blue highlighted line is our actual track. From it, you can see where we diverted toward shore to pass G”81″ at a distance of 10′ – 12′.
8. USCG Sector Charleston is transmitting a “pan pan” for a storm-damaged dock with debris in the ICW at “Mile Marker 24,” presumably in South Carolina. The North Carolina/South Carolina border is approximately StM 331, and the Rock Pile is StM 553 – 557. So, there is no “Mile Marker 24″ in S. Carolina. We decided they must mean lateral marker R”24.” There is a R”24″ south of Myrtle Beach in the ICW, and it did have a board or two tied to the marker’s piling. There was no evidence of a damaged dock in that area. There is no more than the normal amount of flotsam in the water so far this season.
Hope this is useful.
Jim
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Socastee, SC http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436
Reminder: NO BOAT IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR INLET NAVIGATION WITH A HURRICANE IMMEDIATELY OFFSHORE! And Oregon Inlet is notorious for shoaling and precarious under normal weather conditions. Cruisers’ Net recommends attempting navigation ONLY with good local knowledge.
The Dismal Swamp Canal has been closed to navigation since Hurricane Matthew and now Irma. This delay will certainly disappoint many cruisers in the annual Fall Migration. Dredge work to remove shoaling will continue and, hopefully, the Canal will reopen as stated below. The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center has remained open to highway travelers and the Dismal Swamp State Park, a part of the NC State Park System and A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is also open and their programs are ongoing. See /166410.
News below, regarding our reopening of the historic Dismal Swamp Canal. Unfortunately, there will be a delay. We will advise you of information as it is released. Of course, we are disappointed and realize there are many needs in many areas right now and our thoughts are with them. We look forward to seeing our boaters when the canal can reopen. Donna Stewart, Director Dismal Swamp Welcome Center 2356 US Hwy 17N South Mills, NC 27976 Phone – 252-771-8333 www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
Bird, Bike, Hike…..take in the sights! All e-mails sent from this computer are subject to the Public Records Law and the information contained therein is a public record.
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2017 3:56 AM To: Solan, Kerry L CIV USARMY CENAO (US) Subject: Officials to delay opening Dismal Swamp Canal until end of October
NORFOLK, Va. – Officials at the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have delayed reopening the Dismal Swamp Canal until late October.
“Recent weather events have delayed progress, and the latest condition survey of Turners Cut showed that additional dredging was needed,” said Keith Lockwood, Norfolk District Operations Branch chief.
In August, the Norfolk District announced the canal would re-open at the end of September.
Officials closed the canal in October 2016 after Hurricane Matthew toppled more than 350 trees into the waterway, and sediment – washed into the canal from rain and flooding – created extensive shoaling along the 22 miles of the canal, the Deep Creek Channel and Turners Cut Channel. Since then, crews have cleared trees and dredged the canal, which, in places, was at a depth of 1 foot.
“In the history of the canal, we’ve never had this issue, and we’re using every available resource to make the canal safe again for vessels,” said Joel Scussel, Norfolk District Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway project manager.
Kerry L. Solan Public Affairs Norfolk District, USACE Desk 757-201-7258 Cell 757-377-0040
Bennett Brothers Yachts is in Wilmington, NC on the Cape Fear River.
I just wanted to report that BENNETT BROTHERS YACHTS was unaffected by Hurricane Irma and it is business as usual. We really dodged a bullet! We hauled almost 20 boats for our hurricane haulout plan and the Cape Fear Marina slips were completely filled. Our protected location up the Northeast Cape Fear River makes for a great place to ride out any storm either in the water or on the hard.
Our staff of 20 skilled technicians are ready to assist any boaters traveling north and south with any repairs or restoration jobs needed. We often help the boat owner work with the insurance company in the event of damage from a storm on their vessel.
If you would like to talk with Al Noble, our Service Manager, to discuss any projects you might be considering, please give him a call at 910-772-9277.
Many thanks for all your help! Regards, Patricia Donovan Bennett President Bennett Brothers Yachts, Inc. 1701 J. E. L. Wade Drive Wilmington, NC 28401 910.772.9277 www.bbyachts.com
With a closed vertical clearance of 14ft, the Alfred Cunningham Bridge connects New Bern and James City crossing the intersection of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. New Bern is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, New Bern Grand Marina on the northern banks of the Trent River. Our thanks to Millissa True of New Bern Grand Marina for sharing this update.
From the ICW, follow the river up to the high rise N.C. 55/U.S. 17 bridge. Immediately to port you will approach the Cunningham bascule bridge separating the Neuse and Trent Rivers. The approach depth is over 10 feet, but do consider 2.0 foot tide when approaching. Bridge clearance is 17ft [? charted as 14ft]. It opens on demand. Bridge contact is VHF channel 13; phone 252-633-4799, all year. May 25th-Sept. 8th M-Fri. closed 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Courtesy opening during these hours 7:30 a.m. sharp. Closed 4-6 p.m. with courtesy opening 5 p.m. Summer Hours Saturday and Sunday – Saturday on demand all day Sunday closed 2-7 p.m. courtesy opening 4 p.m. and 6 p.m sharp. Sept. 9th – May 24th Winter hours Mon – Fri. same as summer. Changes to w/e Saturday on demand all day, Sunday opened on demand through 6:30 a.m. Monday a.m. Federal Holidays closed from 2-7 p.m. *Schedule subject to change please call to verify.
Whether you want to revisit the past, satisfy your curiosities, discover the arts or explore your true nature, you can do it from the heart of the Inner Banks – Washington, North Carolina. Washington City Docks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, has proven to be well worth the journey up the Pamlico River, as John Clark attests below.
Great little marina off the beaten path. Location is right in the downtown of Washington NC. For a small town there is a lot of activity at the waterfront, early morning walkers, a picnic lunch crowd, and evening family strollers. Marina/waterfront park staff are all nice and helpful. We sailed a boat with 66ft mast and 6.5ft draft without issue coming in from the Atlantic at Morehead City and then taking the Core Creek stretch of the ICW. Hit bridges at low tide and you are good. John Clark
Elizabeth City, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and the friendliest-to-boaters community on the Waterway, is located on the Pasquotank River off the northeast corner of Albemarle Sound and at the southern end of the Dismal Swamp Canal Route. This wonderful community continues its calendar of exciting events! The canal is currently closed, but scheduled to be re-opened to navigation by summer’s end.
News Release
July 31, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: (757) 398-6272 After Hours: (757) 434-7712
Coast Guard assists yacht taking on water near Elizabeth City, NC
Editors’ Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — The Coast Guard helped dewater a yacht that had run aground and was taking on water in the Pasquotank River near Elizabeth City, Sunday.
A crew member aboard the 43-foot motor boat Eager Miss contacted Sector North Carolina watchstanders at approximately 4 p.m. to report the vessel carrying six adults and one child had run aground and was taking on water.
Station Elizabeth City diverted a 29-foot Response Boat–Small (RB-S) crew that was already underway to assist.
Once on scene, the RB-S crew sent two crewmembers aboard with a pump to keep up with the flow of water.
The Coast Guard crew remained on scene until a commercial towing vessel arrived. The yacht, with passengers aboard, was then towed to The Pelican Marina in Elizabeth City.
“This case was a prime example how being prepared is so important,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Frederick Lamm, a crew member from Station Elizabeth City who responded to the case. “Knowing the draft of your vessel and having accurate waterway charts can help prevent getting into a dangerous situation.”
The New Bern Grand Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies in the heart of downtown New Bern, North Carolina, along Trent River’s northern banks between the low-level Trent River highway and railroad bridges.
Wow!!! Our RATES HAVE DROPPED! We want to be Eastern NC’s favorite marina so now it’s even more affordable to reserve your slip! Call today at (252) 638-0318 or visit www.newberngrandmarinayachtclub.com.
Historic Edenton, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, always has an exciting calendar of community events and this article highlights some of the many activities for all ages! Edenton is 300 Years Young! Come and let them prove it!
CLICK HERE for Edenton Shines Along the Albemarle Sound by Renee Gannon
Dismal Swamp State Park is getting back into full swing as they recover from massive flooding and closure due to Hurricane Matthew. Dredging has begun and the canal is scheduled to re-open to navigation by summer’s end. The State Park is open and continuing programs as weather permits. Our thanks to Donna Stewart for this USACE update.
One step closer to seeing boaters again! My most recent update from the USACE.
7/19/2017 I was able to obtain a few pictures today of the installation of the Deep Creek Lock River Gates. The gates are returning back to the water, where they belong! It was so HOT. But, notice the reflection of the sky in the shot of the newly installed gate on the left. I was told dredging still must be completed at the Feeder Ditch and Turner’s Cut, but this is one more step to getting us reopened. Many thanks to US Facilities and the Norfolk District USACE for helping me to get these shots today. Donna
Crane at River Gate
Gate installed Deep /creek
The Deep Creek Dredging has been completed and surveyed with the assistance of the Wilmington District. The Deep Creek Lock gates are scheduled to be reinstalled on Wed., July 19th. Dredging at the Feeder Ditch and Turner’s Cut will continue until work is completed. We are anxious to see boats at our dock again this fall. Donna Stewart, Director Dismal Swamp Welcome Center 2356 US Hwy 17N South Mills, NC 27976 Phone – 252-771-8333 www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
Albemarle Plantation Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is now fully recovered from hurricane Matthew and open for business! Located off the AICW, Albemarle Plantation Marina resides on the northern shores of Albemarle Sound on Yeopim River/Creek.
Speaking with the new dock master, James Darnell, today and he wanted me to pass along that their Fuel Pumps are now in full operation and that the prices are as follows:
Non-ethanol Gas: $3.00 per gallon and this includes tax Diesel: $2.20 a gallon Fuel Discount: Ten cents off per gallon with purchase of 200 gallons or more
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