Cruisers' Net | Cruisers Helping Cruisers

May 10, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Banks Channel Anchorage (Statute Mile 280)
On 5/9/13 as part of a North Carolina Wish List, we posed the following question:
Statute Mile 280- who has traversed the Motts Channel in Wrightsville Beach, to the Banks Channel, and anchored south of the 8 foot bridge on the Banks Channel? Did you encounter any less than ideal depths on the western end of the Motts Channel? Did you find sufficient shelter when anchored on the Banks Channel? Did you dinghy ashore at the public park, and, if so, did you find any good shoreside restaurants in Wrightsville Beach?
Responses follow:
There is plenty of depth; however, leave plenty of scope. The current is strong, and the anchorage is open to the south. We did dingy to shore and walked around Wrightsville Beach, but did not eat ashore. There were a number of resteraunts some of which were closed for the season. Call ahead!
John Pholeric
Anchored below the bridge in Banks Channel on 5/7/13. Have anchored there several times. Left on 5/8 by way of Motts channel in morning at high tide with plenty of water. Will not consider entering by Motts channel near low tide. Confirmed potential problems with Boat US last fall.
s/v Skye
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Banks Channel Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Banks Channel Anchorage
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Apr 30, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Seapath Yacht Club & Transient Marina, Wrightsville Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 284
Seapath Yacht Club - Click for Chartview
Seapath Yacht Club lies northwest of Motts Channel’s unlighted daybeacon #21.
Located on Motts Channel, which is just south of the Wrightsville Beach bridge, the marina is on the north side of the channel about a tenth of a mile east of the ICW. This marina provides dockage for transient boats primarily on its long floating face dock. Fuel is available and stores and restaurants are within walking distance.
This marina is particularly useful as jump off point prior to the five bridges when going north on the ICW, or as an end of day port if making an offshore run from the Beaufort Inlet to the Masonboro Inlet just south of Wrightsville Beach. Access via the inlet to Banks Channel and Motts Channel makes it easy to reach Seapath. The only difficulty (that is well known) is that Motts Channel has a tendency to shoal where it meets the ICW (see Cruiser’s net report).
Ray Kurlak
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Seapath Yacht Club
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Seapath Yacht Club
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Apr 30, 2013by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Harbor Village Marina, Hampstead, NC, AICW Statute Mile 267
Harbor Village Marina guards the Waterway’s northwestern shore hard by flashing daybeacon #94.
This marina is between the Surf City Bridge and the Figure Eight Island Swing Bridge near ICW red marker 94. It too offers a bail out point on those long days when bridge timing and travel speeds do not work out well. There are floating docks in this marina, which primarily caters to private slip holders. There are a few transient docks and fuel is available. There are no restaurants or stores nearby.
Ray Kurlak
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Harbor Village Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Harbor Village Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Jan 20, 2013by: Claiborne Young No Comments 34.2153,-77.81339999
Shoaling in Motts Channel, Wrightsville Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 283.3, 1/12/14

View In Chartview

Motts Channel - Click for Chartview
The Motts Channel cuts into the southeastern/eastern flank of the AICW, a short hop south and southwest of the Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge, just past the host of marina facilities which congregate south of this span. The Motts passage serves at least two important purposes for cruisers.
First, it provides access from the AICW to cruiser friendly Seapath Yacht Club (Marina), and secondly, it is the most direct route to the very popular anchorages on Banks Channel. Over the years, the west end of the Motts Channel, near markers #25 and #23, has shoaled and periodic dredging has been required. Judging from Capt. Mike’s report, dredging is once again needed.
Cruising News:
January 12 came down Motts channel [traveling west] from Banks channel to icw and hit pretty hard mid channel 2 hours before low tide approx 100 feet from actual intersection. My intent was to catch Wrightsville Beach Bridge, and continue north to my slip. I have traveled at all tides for 6 years with 4 foot draft through same spot and never came close to grounding. Fyi stay close to green marker when approaching this spot.
Capt Mike
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Seapath Yacht Club
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Motts Channel
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Dec 30, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Sears Landing Restaurant – A REAL FIND!, Surf City, NC, AICW Statute Mile 260.5
Surf City Bridcge - Click for Chartview
Because Sears Landing is not a marina, this restaurant with transient dockage will not be found in our NC Marina Directory, so we are very grateful to the Captain Tigar for bringing this spot to our attention. It certainly sounds YUMMY.
Cruising News:
Heading South on the ICW, just before the Surf City bridge, turn right and make your way in about 120 yards to Sears Landing. This is a restaurant with some overnight dock space. At low tide, you may have less than 5 ft. depth, but the floating docks are nice, a long garden hose gives water even in winter (regular faucets in warmer weather), there are power outlets, and the food is superb. Heads may not be available late night after the restaurant closes — this is a restaurant not a marina. For 11 years, this establishment has been here and gets by without advertising its attractions. Try the grilled or fried seafood, and for a wickedly delicious treat, try the island rolls.
Michael and Jane Tigar
Sears landing is an excellent restaurant and the four slips there, while adequate, are a bit pricey for what they offer. I spent 3 days in Surf City a month ago riding out some terrible weather while headed south. We couldn’t get in the Sears Landing channel (in fairness, it was dead low tide and we draw 4 ft) so we took the channel opposite, also just north of the bridge. The former docks at the south end of this channel are cordoned off with cable stretched across, this because of a foreclosure and resulting liability issues. However, we were fortunate to find a dozen or so slips at the [former] Beachhouse Marina dry storage facility that were available for reasonable price ($1.25/ft) and with full amenities. No water (winter, again) but everything else ‘” clean 24 hr heads, 30 amps, laundry room, WiFi in the lounge, floating docks, supermarket via courtesy vehicle, accommodating and helpful personnel. Despite some storefronts in Surf City looking like a movie set for a spaghetti western, we found the town to have remarkable amenities with excellent restaurants, decent stores for basics (aimed more to the fishing crowd, though), and all within easy walking distance. Sears Landing is a short way across the ICW bridge and I’ll second Captain Jane’s comments about their offerings ‘“ top notch food and service! In all, Surf City is a good stop in a stretch of the waterway where such places are not often to be found. Sadly, as we reported in May of 2012, Beach House Marina has closed (see link below).
Andy Denmark
Click Here To View An Article on the closing of Beach House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Surf City Bridge
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Dec 5, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments 34.2198,-77.81249999
IMPORTANT – AICW Navigation Alert: More Groundings at Wrightsville Beach/SR 74 Bridge, Statute Mile 283.1, 12/5/12

View In Chartview

SR 74 Bridge - Click for Chartview
With a closed vertical clearance of 20ft, and a very restrictive opening schedule, the Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge crosses the AICW at Statute Mile 283, southwest of marker #125. This is one of the most irksome spans on the entire North Carolina section of the AICW, and now we cruisers are going to have to contend with adjoining shallows north of the span!
Note that the shoal described below, on the “green side” lies on the Waterway’s eastern flank, north of the Wrightsville Bridge. As Captain Hardy advises, ALL captains should be SURE to wait for a bridge opening in mid-channel, and make every effort to avoid a drift to the east. Otherwise, you WILL be giving the local Sea Tow captain some business!
12/04/2012
We ran aground at the bridge just north of the one mentioned here. We were racing the clock to be there on time, and being the only boat, the bridge tender did not open it for us, even though in the three minutes it took him to open the beige, we would have been in perfect position if he had started the opening at three. In backing out from the bridge, we ran aground on the east side. Worse than that, we ran aground again after going through the next bridge and hugging the shoreline to port coming around the corner to head for our night’s anchorage. didn’t bother looking at the chart; it seemed so simple, just stay close to the boats and head for green marker 23. Wrong! We ran up on the plainly marked shoal. this destroyed many years of boasting about almost never running aground, twice in one day!
Beverly Feiges
Cruising News:
At least 4 boats we know went aground while waiting for the Wrightsville Beach bridge to open in the past few days. The shallow spot is on the green side when approaching the bridge from the north. There aren’t any markers at the shoal but boaters should stay in the center of the channel when waiting for the bridge.
Harriet Hardy
Giving other boaters a tip when traveling south at the wrightsville beach bridge’¦. stop in center of channel before you get along side the false palm tree north and East of the Bridge and before coming along side of Green marker to port also for those anchoring in Banks channel and you are heading south following the shore south to just passed the Coast Guard Station on your port turn starboard at red and green marker keeping it to starboard following the green markers to ICW and turning south at floating green marker you are now in ICW.
Vance Neal
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Wrightsville Beach Bridge
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Nov 20, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Stay at Carolina Beach Mooring Field, Carolina Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 295
Carolina Beach Mooring Field - Click for Chartview
Just completed in February, 2012, the new Carolina Beach mooring field is located south of Snows Cut, between markers #4 and #5 on the approach channel into Carolina Beach town waterfront. As expected, the new mooring field has prompted both pro and con comments.
We used the Carolina mooring field on 16/17 Nov 12 and found it very easy to use and well worth the $20/night. The moorings have short pendants with a float and loop at the end. Pass a line through the loop to moor up. Randy, the guy who collects the money, is a former live-aboard and generally helpful guy.
Access to the area is slightly complicated. Follow the ICW to G 161 and turn into the Carolina Beach basin channel’s R 2. Do /not/ try to round off the corner. A boat with 5.5′ draft hit and bumped when taking this shortcut.
Richard B. Emerson
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Nov 7, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Good Navigational Advice for Motts Channel (Wrightsville Beach, NC – AICW Statute Mile 283.3)
The Motts Channel cuts into the southeastern/eastern flank of the AICW, a short hop south and southwest of the Wrightsville Beach Bascule Bridge, just past the host of marina facilities which congregate south of this span. The Motts passage serves at least two important purposes for cruisers.
First, it provides access from the AICW to cruiser friendly Seapath Yacht Club (Marina), and, secondly, it is the most direct route to the very popular anchorages on Banks Channel. Clearly, this is an important side channel off the AICW.
Over the years, the western end of the Motts Channel, near markers #25 and #23, has shoaled and periodic dredging has been required. Judging from the latest reports here on the SSECN, shallowing is again being felt in these waters. Captain Harriet’s advice below will help navigators avoid these shoals, at least until they build farther into the channel!
It’s tricky making the turn into Motts Channel and guidelines on various sites vary. Boaters should be aware that the current will drag them as they make the turn. They need to stay very close to the green 25 and then gradually make their way to the red side. Also, swing wide at the turn from green markers G21 and G19.
Harriet Hardy
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Seapath Yacht Club
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Banks Channel Northern Anchorage
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Banks Channel Southern Anchorage
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Motts Channel
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 13, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Another Report from Masonboro Inlet and Wrightsville Beach, AICW Statute Mile 285.5
Other recent reports on depths in Masonboro Inlet have indicated no shallow water problems in the inlet itself, unlike the shoaling reported at the intersection of the inlet/Shinn Creek and the AICW.
Oct 6 Traveled outside to Wrightsville Beach Inlet [Masonboro Inlet], good place to re-enter the ICW, however, the boating traffic at Wrightsville on the weekends should be avoided at all costs, the most friendly inconsiderates along the entire ICW.
Doug Cordello
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Masonboro Inlet
Click Here To Read Recent Comments about Shoaling in the Masonboro/AICW Intersection
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 12, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Words for Carolina Beach State Park Marina, AICW Statute Mile 297
The long awaited remodeling and reopening of this fine facility has happened! The State Park entrance channel cuts off from the AICW, at the western end of Snows Cut, between markers #163 and #165.
Carolina Beach State Park is a hidden gem. Rob, the dockmaster, is worth the stop there. He has been everywhere, seen everything, speaks many languages and is fascinating. Our 42 feet was pushing it getting into a slip. Fairways very narrow and really not designed for boats our size although there is a face dock that might accommodate 1-2 boats our size. Pump out is $20 but just north of there at Joyner’s, it’s $5. The park charges $30/nite includes water and power. Retail, restaurants, and Food Lion is 1.5 miles away–just outside the gate of the park. The park, 700+ acres, has 6 miles of hiking trails, We were a short bike ride from old-timey Carolina Beach, Cure Beach, and Fort Fisher where the Civil War ended. We loved it there and hate to make its existence known—but what a great stop. Planned to stay one night–stayed three.
Laura Bender
Oct 6 stopped at Carolina Beach State Park Marina, a real hidden gem, great price only $30 including electric, plenty of water and room for our 48 foot that draws 4.5 feet and then you are well positioned to time your trip down the Cape Fear River.
Doug Cordello
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Carolina Beach State Park
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Carolina Beach State Park
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Oct 2, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
More Opinions on Carolina Beach Mooring Field, Carolina Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 295
Just completed in February, 2012, the new Carolina Beach mooring field is located south of Snows Cut, between markers #4 and #5 on the approach channel into Carolina Beach town waterfront. As expected, the new mooring field has prompted both pro and con comments, such as these below.
Great news . Looking forward to stop for a few cold ones. Carolina beach good work.
Ed & Joyce
Those of us who prefer to anchor, and I have done so many times successfully in Carolina Beach, think the `slap in the face’ is what we are getting! I know and trust my anchoring gear, and I go where I can use it. I didn’t spend thousands of dollars on it just to carry it around with me. Hopefully, sufficient room for anchoring will be retained.
John Kettlewell
Cruising News:
Cruisers on your site may be interested in stopping at Carolina Beach NC where ten new moorings have recently been installed for vessels from 26′ to 55′. The overnight charge for a mooring is $20.
We just returned from a three day visit to Carolina Beach where the mooring field is located (Myrtle Grove Sound); the website for the field is myrtlegrovesound.com. Telephone number for Randy at the Mona Black Marina (the manager of the mooring field) is 910-667-0004.
Our trawler Antares is based in Southport, and we’ve anchored at Myrtle Grove Sound once or twice a year for the past four years or so since we arrived here. The area has a lot to offer with regard to restaurants, entertainment for children, beach, etc. (you’ll need a dinghy, of course). It’s a calm, quiet anchorage (now mooring), and certainly a great stop on the way north or south just off Snow’s Cut on the ICW.
Captain Bob Fuller
I worked hard for 60 years to make my millions and I could care less about $20 vs a REAL secure spot for the night and a good night’s sleep. No matter what you do, no matter where you do it, and no matter who you do it for, there are jerks out here who will complain about anything and everything. I once gave a friend $50,000 and, believe it or not, he complained about the English saddle leather attachÃ© I gave it to him in.
In the past 40 years I’ve anchored, moored, and slipped. Each has its advantages and disadvantages’“I would assume most cruisers are aware of them. The moorings at Myrtle Grove Sound offer a reliable and safe alternative for many recreational boaters who may not have your multi-thousand blue water miles under their keels.
Captain Bob
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 27, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 34.1834,-77.81239999
Report from Masonboro Inlet, Statute Mile 285.5

View In Chartview

Masonboro Inlet - Click for Chartview
Carrying 7.5 ft of draft, Captain Hipple not only came through the Masonboro Inlet cleanly, but also managed to avoid the recent shoaling that has plagued the Inlet’s intersection with the AICW. See Link below.
We are 130 ft drawing 7.5 feet and came in Masonboro inlet on 9/20/12 at mid tide. The inlet is deep and well marked as usual. We rounded G-129 leaving it to port and turned south in the ICW. I never saw less than 10 feet of water. We headed down through Snows Cut out to the Cape Fear and had no problems.
Bill Hipple
M/Y Lady Kath
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Masonboro Inlet
Click Here To Read Recent Comments about Shoaling in the Masonboro/AICW Intersection
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 22, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
State Park Marina Suggested as an Alternative to Carolina Beach Mooring Field, AICW Statute Mile 297
Capt. Bell’s comments were prompted by a lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of mooring fields, Carolina Beach in particular. The recently renovated State Park Marina’s entrance channel cuts off from the AICW, at the western end of Snows Cut, between markers #163 and #165.
An alternative to the mooring balls is the state park marina, to the south, that you pass before Carolina Beach, heading north. Dockage with power is only $30.00 per day. That is a great deal and you are only a bike ride away from town. They will take up to a 45 foot vessel, I believe.
Dave Bell
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Carolina Beach State Park
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Carolina Beach State Park
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 21, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Another Visit to Carolina Beach Mooring Field, Carolina Beach, AICW Statute Mile 295
Just completed in February, 2012, the new Carolina Beach mooring field is located south of Snows Cut, between markers #4 and #5 on the approach channel into Carolina Beach town waterfront. A dinghy dock is now available at the Carolina Beach Municipal Marina in the extreme southwest corner of the harbor.
We just left the Carolina Beach mooring field this morning after spending two nights there. The $20 fee does seem steep to me since it does not include access to showers, restrooms or laundry facilities. For access to showers and restrooms you will need to pay another $5 to Randy the dock master who can grant access to the facilities where his boat is docked. We don’t need access but I think a total of $25 a night for folks who do is a high, especially after Labor Day when not much is open except on weekends. I’d stay there again but only if I really, really wanted to go to the beach.
Paula Spence M/Y Sea Eagle
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 20, 2012by: Claiborne Young No Comments
Carolina Beach Mooring Field Once Again Considered, Captains Mark and Diana Report (Statute Mile 295)
The newly established Carolina Beach Mooring Field, just south of Snows Cut, has been getting a lot of electronic ink here on the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net of late. First, we published an article that was partly critical of this facility (see /?p=95509), followed by a laudatory look at the field (see /?p=97015).
Now, we are fortunate to present an in-depth article by our strategic partners, Captains Diana and Mark Doyle, founders and owners of On The Water ChartGuides. With all this data in hand, cruisers can now make an informed decision as to whether the Carolina Beach Mooring Field is a good spot to spend the evening, or not.
Hi Claiborne,
As many of your readers know, the Carolina Beach town moorings aren’t free anymore … but they’re still a great deal!
Until the town of Carolina Beach found a company to manage their moorings, boaters were welcome to tie up for a night or two at no cost. The moorings, ten of them placed in the well-protected bight of Carolina Beach at STM 295.1, now cost $20/night.
On the upside, you can now make a reservation in advance by calling 910-667-0004. The moorings are for boats 26 to 50 feet in length and the maximum stay is 10 days.
If the moorings are full, don’t overlook Carolina Beach’s two excellent nearby anchorages. The south anchorage has slightly better protection and is closer to the town dinghy dock than the north anchorage. Both spoil island anchorage areas are very deep, as charted, but moving to the edge affords more reasonable anchoring depths.
I’ve included a sample page from our new ICW AnchorGuide series to show the locations of the moorings and the two anchorages.
The town maintains a free dinghy dock at the southern end of the bight. It has excellent access to nearby restaurants, tourist shops, and of course the beach.
Sea Merchants Food Store, an excellent independent grocery store, is located only a few blocks away (910-458-7409). And Carolina Beach State Park, with a visitor center and jogging/hiking trails, can be reached with a pleasant walk ‘Žup pedestrian-friendly Harper Avenue.
Here are pictures of the mooring field and Sea Merchants grocery store.
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Sep 19, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Good Words for Carolina Beach Mooring Field, Carolina Beach, NC, AICW Statute Mile 295
Carolina Beach Municipal Marina
Just completed in February, 2012, the new Carolina Beach mooring field is located south of Snows Cut, between markers #4 and #5 on the approach channel into Carolina Beach town waterfront. A dinghy dock is now available at the Carolina Beach Municipal Marina in the extreme southwest corner of the harbor.
Cruising News:
What a great addition to this area. Arrived on Monday night 9/17/12. There is a big sign upon entering, just grab a ball and call or register on line. Boats from 26′ – 55′. Randy the dockmaster is great. He will come to your boat and collect the $20 fee not to mention that he offered to take us ashore or bring us ice if needed. Really glad to be on a ball during the big blow on Tuesday.
Capt. RL
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Anchorage Directory Listing For Carolina Beach Mooring Field
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the New Carolina Beach, NC Mooring Field.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Carolina Beach Municipal Marina
Click Here for a Lengthy Discussion on Carolina Beach Mooring Field.
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Aug 14, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
A Very Few Good Words for Bridge Tender Marina and Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach, NC
Bridge Tender Marina and Restaurant is at statute mile 280 on the west side the Waterway, just south of the Wrightsville Beach Bridge.
Bridge Tender Marina/Restaurant is on the west side. Bridge Tender is nice’¦food and dockage.
Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Bridge Tender Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bridge Tender Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
Aug 6, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
AICW Marine Fatalities, Snow’s Cut and Southport, NC
Snow’s Cut begins at Statute Mile 295 and Southport is on the Cape Fear River at Statute Mile 309. Our thoughts go out to the families of these victims.
Cruising News:
Regret that Wilmington NC reported a drowning in Snow’s Cut Sunday and a boating fatality near Southport, Sat. eve. Southport appears to have been due to navigational hazard/error. Very sorry to learn of these losses.
Sherri
This Article from Star News Online: Click link below for full report.
The search continued Monday morning for a boy believed drowned in the waters beneath the Snow’s Cut bridge Saturday.
The 13-year-old Rocky Point boy went missing about 1:45 pm Saturday. He was with his parents and 3-year-old brother swimming and fishing along the southern banks of the Intracoastal Waterway near Carolina Beach, according to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120805/ARTICLES/120809853

A U.S. Coast Guard boat searches the water under Snow’s Cut Bridge for a teenager who disappeared in the water about 1:40 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2012.
This article from WCET – TV6, Wilmington, NC. Click link below for full article:
SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – A Wilmington woman is dead and another three are hurt after a boat crashed into a platform in Southport, according to the Coast Guard.
According to Sgt. Ben Meyer, Barbara Pierce, 57, was pronounced dead at New Hanover Regional Medical Center due to injuries sustained from the boat crash.
Meyer said, Pierce’s husband, Edward Pierce, 58, was driving the boat and most likely slammed into a concrete slab in the Cape Fear River, trying to avoid a collision. The two of them along with passengers Michelle Boley, 30, and Taylor Gill, 25, were headed north to Wilmington.
On Saturday night, good Samaritans helped the responding agency with the rescue. Pierce contacted the Coast Guard for help at approximately 9 p.m. A 25-foot response boat was dispatched, according to the release.
If you have more details about the circumstances of this collision, let us hear from you. Thanks!
I am puzzled as to why the obstacle that the Pierce boat struck is not lighted or better yet, removed.
Horace Whitaker
http://www.wect.com/story/19199168/coast-guard-reponds-to-fatal-boat-crash-in-southport
Share:
Be the first to comment!
May 31, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
Beach House Marina to Close, Surf City, NC, AICW Statute Mile 260.5
The approach channel to Beach House Marina cuts southeast from the Waterway, southwest of unlighted marker #69, and just northeast of the Surf City swing bridge.
Cruising News:
Check www.wect.com for closing news on Beach House Marina, Surf City NC.
Capt Mike Wilmington NC
And this from the Pender-Topsail News and Voice and WWAY:
SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — A marina in Surf City is closing, but the tenants are not the only ones affected. As the Pender-Topsail News & Voice was first to report, Wells Fargo, which owns Surf City Beach House Marina, delivered the news to people who keep their boat there yesterday.
“It’s been a pleasure being able to promote our entire village,” business owner Capt. David Luther said. “That’s gone now.”
For Luther and other tenants of the Beach House Marina, the past few days have been a whirlwind. Luther found out Tuesday he has to move his boats, one of which he lives on, by June 19. It’s a tough situation for him as he runs entertainment cruises from the Belle of Topsail and the pirate ship Raven.
“We’ve gotten very involved with all the businesses around here, because surprisingly enough, this marina feeds business,” Luther said. “We get back in at 8 p.m. because we do a sunset cruise, and at 8 p.m. you have been out having a good time, what do you want to do? Go somewhere else.”
Capt. Luther and his business are not the only ones affected by the closure of the marina. There are also those who own and live on boats here that will have to relocate.
“I really don’t have any plans,” tenant David Avery said. “We’re looking and trying to find out. We’ll probably have to moor here for a while until we find another place to go or figure out what’s going on… at least till my daughter gets done with school.”
Tenants have signed leases, and Capt. Luther even bought $30,000 worth of advertising promoting the location. They say it’s a nightmare they wish was not happening.
“I put everything I had into this, and then for them to come and give me 20 days to get the hell out, that’s painful,” Luther said.
Surf City Mayor Zander Guy says he does not want to see this happen. He says the town is looking into alternate options for the boats.
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Beachhouse Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Beachhouse Marina
Share:
Be the first to comment!
May 20, 2012by: Larry Dorminy No Comments
A Good Visit to Carolina Beach State Park Marina, AICW Statute Mile 297
The long awaited remodeling and reopening of this fine facility has happened! The State Park entrance channel cuts off from the AICW, at the western end of Snows Cut, between markers #163 and #165.
Having stayed at Wrightsville beach on the way south and finding the noise from the bridge too much we decided to give Carolina Beach state park a try. On 18th May 2012 in our Beneteau 50′, 6′ draft we stayed on the A dock ‘˜T’ head. We were initially assigned the B dock ‘˜T’ head but found the draft to be less than 6′ MLW so moved to A dock for deeper water (~7′ MLW). The park offers great walks, a quiet night, power and water, just what we needed and all for $30. If you are skilled at handling your boat in tight places this is a good stop.
Andrew
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s North Carolina Marina Directory Listing For Carolina Beach State Park
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Carolina Beach State Park
Share:
Be the first to comment!