The Dismal Swamp Canal had been closed to navigation since Hurricanes Matthew and Irma and its recent restricted re-opening is welcome news to cruisers. Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, an NC DOT Rest Area facility, and are located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC. Our thanks to Donna Stewart for this report and these photos.
I’ve attached an advisory just received from the USACOE regarding the ice on the Dismal Swamp Canal and the A&C Canal. I’ve attached photos taken on Saturday at 4pm, and things have not really changed here, today, except the temperatures have started to creep up.
I personally do not remember seeing this much ice in the Canal. We have experienced very cold temperatures for a week, my thermometer registering 3 degrees one morning.
Stay warm if you can.
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.
For this 350th Anniversary, Historic Edenton, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, has an exciting calendar of year-long Celebration events for all ages. Edenton is at the mouth of the Chowan River on the northwest shore of Albemarle Sound.
Bob and Ann Sherer, authors of 2017 ICW Cruising Guide and their popular blog, http://fleetwing.blogspot.com/, generously continue to share their research of Waterway trouble spots with our readers. Having run aground in the often shoaled Russell Creek “shortcut” into Beaufort’s waterfront, this editor can vouch for the area’s confusing array of buoys. Thank you Bob and Ann!
We’ve all faced a passage where the buoy placements don’t match our charts but when it happens at an already confusing area, it’s doubly confusing – especially whens the new buoys don’t seem to make sense. The junction between the ICW and the channel to Beaufort, NC, is such and area. The Coast Guard made major revisions to the buoys in the area and the charts have not caught up with the changes. Not even Navionics which usually does a very good job shows all the buoys in their correct positions. I used the updated light list to show the correct placements compared to what’s on most charts.
First, here’s the area of interest: Here’s the NOAA ENC chart for the junction: Now for the surprise, the actual buoy placement after the Coast Guard got done:
What a difference! 28A is gone, RS has been moved northward, and 30A and 30 have been moved. Imagine the confusion in approaching this area from the north when all you have is a NOAA ENC chart which most of the chartplotter manufacturers base their own charts on. For more information on the changes and how charts from different chart providers compare see: When Charts Lie: Part I When Charts Lie: Part II
News Release Dec. 04, 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 experiences spike in suspected hoax distress cases in NC, Va.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard command centers in North Carolina and Virginia experienced an increase in suspected hoax distress calls in November.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington and Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth typically notice a spike in the amount of traffic on VHF-FM channel 16 during the late fall, as well as an increase in suspected false distress cases reported on the channel.
“False distress calls incur significant cost to the public, divert limited resources to respond, and place both responders and potentially other mariners at risk,” said Capt. Bion Stewart, commander, Sector North Carolina. “We continue to encourage mariners to use VHF radios to communicate with the Coast Guard and other mariners, but it is imperative that this critical, potentially life-saving tool be used appropriately and responsibly for the safety of all mariners.”
The public should be aware that if children are found to be playing on the radio, the parents are ultimately accountable.
Hoax distress calls to the Coast Guard are considered a Class D felony and can incur more than $250,000 in fines and 10 years imprisonment, plus the cost of the search.
“We don’t take hoax distress lightly,” said Capt. Richard Wester, commander, Sector Hampton Roads. “We, along with our partner agencies, will pursue the prosecution of suspects to the fullest extent of the law. A Newport News man was convicted of making a false distress call to our command center in June 2016 and now faces potential prison time. He is scheduled to be sentenced in February.”
The Coast Guard urges the public to respond to Coast Guard callouts after accidental transmissions. Unintended communications to the Coast Guard are not prosecuted, but require clarification.
Anyone with information regarding a hoax call made to the Coast Guard is encouraged to contact the Coast Guard Investigative Service through the 5th District Command Center at 757-398-6390.
For additional information about suspected hoax distress calls at Sector North Carolina, please contact Chief Petty Officer Jeremy Thomas at 910-772-2216.
For additional information about suspected hoax distress calls at Sector Hampton Roads, please contact Lt. j.g. Stasia Ellis at 757-638-6641.
Zimmerman Marine is part of the excellent facilities of Southport Marina, a much valued CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR. These fine organizations lie just west of the Cape Fear River along the northern banks of the Waterway hard by flashing daybeacon #2A. For more information, visit www.zimmermanmarine.com.Our thanks to Vicki Lathom for these words of recommendation.
The company is Zimmerman Marine and has a wide-spread reputation for being among the best. Someone told me if I ever needed repairs to go to Zimmerman Marine, which has five locations. Amazing that my accident happened right at a Zimmerman Marine base at Southport Marina, NC. Tell anyone that this is a very polished and professional company. They made a difficult situation much easier and it’s obvious that the company is trusted by the insurance industry. Vicki
Port City Marina is located along the eastern banks of the Cape Fear River, in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC. These good words for Port City Marina are posted with permission of Ray Henry from AGLCA’s Forum.
Port City Marina is a spectacular new marina in Wilmington. We were there for 6 months. A bit spendy at $14/ft, but well worth it for a short period of you are going to be aboard much of the time. Easy walk to all of the great downtown eateries. Fantastic staff. The Shell has some fun events right there. If you’re not going to be aboard, then likely not worth the cost. Ray Henry
Our thanks to Kevin and Debbie Stone for this Problem Stretch report. Last dredged in November of 2016, Browns Inlet is a perennial shoaling threat 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 Oct ’17 survey.
Mile 236, Browns Inlet, NC Green floating markers may not be accurately marking recent shoaling. Today about 1 hour prior to low tide, a catamaran was aground mid-channel. Our 4.5′ draft successfully transited close to floating Red 60. Kevin and Debbie Stone
If you are familiar with Florida law related to composting toilets, let us hear from you.
Hi, I am wondering how the pump out log requirements for some marinas in Florida (e.g. Dinner Key Marina) would apply to a composting toilet? Presently I use a Nature’s Head composting toilet, and there is only one toilet on the boat. Thanks for your help, Kevin Boothby
Share:
Comments from Cruisers (3)
Connie McBride- November 20, 2017 - 9:02 am
We were in Dinner Key and told them we had an Air Head and there was never any question. We have been boarded by all the acronyms imaginable (USCG, FWC, Homeland Security, etc.) and they never question when we say we have an Air Head. I agree with Mike, our kids were on a boat with an Air Head in Boot Key Harbor and they had to do the once a month verification for urine, but that was it. Otherwise, FL marinas and mooring fields and officials seems to be pretty used to composting toilets.
Not quite relevant to the question but… we were stopped and boarded by the FWC for a ‘potty check’ a few years ago. They saw the Air-Head composting head and left without any issues. In Marathon where pump out is included in the fee they take our word that we have a composting head. Similar experiences elsewhere.
Follow-up… in Marathon you must get and keep a receipt showing urine has been dumped ashore in their porta-potty receptacle a minimum of once per month.
Our thanks to Joyce and Matthew Gauthier for sharing their time spent in the Dismal Swamp Canal which has recently re-opened to navigation. The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, a part of the NC State Park System, is also open and their programs are ongoing.
We traveled through the Dismal swamp 10/31-11/2. It was great.
Another great day in the Swamp. Sunrise yoga on the dock. Had parfaits with the lock master before we left this morning. Traveled with our new friends about 15 miles to the dismal swamp visitors center. Had to stop to stop two times in 15 miles to clean the duckweed out of our strainer for the engine. Crossed state lines into North Carolina. Walked the swamp trails. Looking forward to a mellow night sipping tea and enjoying the company. Joyce and Matthew Gauthier
Joyce, Thanks for sharing. We have had mixed reviews on the trip. Many exclaim, the duckweed is no problem, others stated they wish they had turned around. We appreciate your sharing your experience and we are attempting to post photos regularly to allow people to discern for themselves what they should decide. On a selfish note, after being here for over 9 years, and having a year with no boats at our dock, we are so happy to see you all. I can tell you, Robert is giddy on the north end. Hope our conditions continue to improve.
Our thanks to Joyce and Matthew Gauthier for these good words for Albemarle Plantation Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, located off the AICW on the northern shores of Albemarle Sound on Yeopim River/Creek.
We traveled through the Dismal swamp 10/31-11/2. It was great. Now we are spending two FREE nights at an amazing marina on the Albemarle Sound. This is worth the detour! Albemarle Plantation Marina is ridiculous! It is on a golf course, free water, free pump outs, diesel, free laundry, restaurants, they will drive you to a grocery store, a hot tub and salt water pool, a library, beautiful huge slips… I could go on and on… The dock master and employees could not be more accommodating and nice. They even took us for a tour of the place on golf carts when we arrived. Joyce and Matthew Gauthier
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.
Be the first to comment!