Skipper Jim Lea offers an offshore route to avoid two Waterway Problem Stretches in NC. And Jim mentions Bald Head Island Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!
The best way to get through this area is to avoid it altogether by exiting the ICW via the Little River Inlet and enjoying a short relaxing sail across Long Bay to re-enter via the Cape Fear River. In eight trips up and down the ICW we have always done this outside hop. In addition, there is a beautiful anchorage off Bird Island at the mouth of the Little River Inlet, avoiding the usually crowded anchorage in Calabash Creek. At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the marina at Bald Head Island is an excellent stop. Jim Lea
The intersection of Shallotte Inlet and the Waterway has been an infamous Problem Stretch for years, but these observations and detailed report from experienced cruiser, Tom Hale, will help you plan for your passage through this Problem Stretch.
The real NC trouble spot according to the USACE survey of February 18 is in Shallotte inlet. They are reporting depths in the 4-6 foot range according to the survey, and that is what we found in November. That channel is very narrow, perhaps as narrow as 30′. When transiting Shallotte it is wise to time your transit on a rising tide to get the extra water level help. Please see Shallotte Survey for more detail.
There is a SAIL Magazine Secrets of the ICW FB page which has a lot of charts and tracks for dealing with the known trouble spots along the Atlantic ICW. Tom Hale – reprinted with permission from AGLCA’s Forum
The best way to get through this area is to avoid it altogether by exiting the ICW via the Little River Inlet and enjoying a short relaxing sail across Long Bay to re-enter via the Cape Fear River. In eight trips up and down the ICW we have always done this outside hop. In addition, there is a beautiful anchorage off Bird Island at the mouth of the Little River Inlet, avoiding the usually crowded anchorage in Calabash Creek. At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the marina at Bald Head Island is an excellent stop.
Intracoastal Yacht Sales, a long-time CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, offers full service brokerage representation from three locations, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Little River, SC and Charleston, SC. You will want to see these new offerings!
The intersection of the Waterway and Lockwoods Folly has been a Problem Stretch for years and requires almost annual dredging. Our thanks to our Looper friends, Sandra Kay and Nelson, for this good depth report posted on AGLCA’s Forum.
Passed northbound through Lockwood Folly on the north end of Holden Beach (ICW 320) at mid tide this morning. Channel is well marked. Least depth was 9 feet. Also notice a Corp of Engineers mv Currituck staying over night at Holden Beach dolphins. Apparently they’ve been checking the channel depths and markers both north and south of this location. However with each winter storm this could quickly change. Three southbound sailboats inquired and were happy to learn about the good depth, as they were approaching this notorious area subject to drifting shoal. Sandra Kay
Sandra and Nelson, Your recent transit seems to reinforce the latest USACE survey of the Lockwoods ICW crossing . You did not state a time of your transit, but between 10:00 and 2:00 yesterday you would have had between 2.5 and 3.5 feet of tidal help. Still that means there is 6-7 feet there at low water. Tom Hale – reprinted with permission from AGLCA’s Forum
As you are looking to save money on slip rental, these are good deals to consider and some of the offers have been extended! The New Bern Grand Marina, A 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.
New Bern Grand Marina has several very attractive new offers to save boaters lots of money!
Thank you! Millissa True New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club Marketing and Customer Relations
Comments are invited at a public hearing, Feb 5, 5:00 PM, Sunset Beach Town Hall.
No-wake zone proposed for Intracoastal Waterway at Sunset Beach The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking public comment on a proposed no-wake zone along the Intracoastal Waterway in Sunset Beach. The proposed no-wake zone would extend shore to shore, from 150 yards east of the Sunset Beach bridge to 50 yards west of the bridge.
The Dismal Swamp Canal was almost closed earlier this month due to surface ice and freezing conditions in the canal, see Dismal Swamp Frozen! Our thanks to Donna Stewart, Welcome Center Director, for this good news update. 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.
Larry, The canal here thawed out and we had two boaters lock through yesterday. One checked in yesterday afternoon and stayed with us last night and one stayed at the Douglas Road dock. The latter and his son checked in with us and had coffee this morning. They both left today to make the 11am locking. I understand there were issues, due to frozen duckweed near the lock. They both stated they had no problems from Deep Creek to me, one drawing 4’ and another drawing 5’. This photo yesterday shows we had no ice or duckweed here, but unfortunately, there are still problems at the lock today.
I don’t know how cold it has to be to kill it {duckweed} all and make it die…………..We were at 3 degrees during the hard cold spell and previous snow. We had about 2-3 inches of snow last night, but it is clearing quickly. Donna Donna Stewart, Director Dismal Swamp Welcome Center 2356 US Hwy 17N South Mills, NC 27976 Phone – 252-771-8333 www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
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
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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
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
Comments from Cruisers (4)
What is the distance on the outside run. Cape Fear to Little River.
What is the distance on that outside run. Cape Fear to Little River.
These areas were recently dredged. We saw good depths when we passed through in December 2017. Just in case someone prefers not to duck out.
Thanks Pamela.