Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net strategic partners, Captains Mark and Diana Doyle, owners and founder of On The Water ChartGuides (http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com) share another fascinating excerpt from their very soon to be released two volume AICW Anchorage Guide series.
Before going any further, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DOYLES ARE OFFERING A PRE-RELEASE 42% DISCOUNT ON THEIR NEW ANCHORAGE GUIDES. THAT SPECIAL OFFER ENDS TOMORROW, 8/10/12. ALL INTERESTED CRUISERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE WITHOUT DELAY!
Back to the article below – Diana and Mark take a good look at the anchorage found on southern Brickhill River, hard by the Cumberland Island National National Park.
The “dynamic duo” also bring to light some critical info on the Cumberland Narrows “AICW Problem Stretch” (see /aicw-channel-through-cumberland-dividings). Note the AICW soundings on the included excerpt page from their Anchorage Guide below, and how these show the good depths lie on the EAST side of the markers at the intersection of the Waterway and southern Brickhill River, far from the magenta line!

Hi Claiborne,
We all accept that paper and electronic charts are notoriously inaccurate. All too often, charted navaid positions and the ICW’s Magenta Line do not correspond at all to the real world.
Just look at how the ICW is charted to the WEST of the red navaids off Brickhill River’s southern entrance. Ouch!
Cruisers hear that Brickhill River is “mis-charted” and has a “really shallow entrance” … but, “once inside, has excellent depths.”
What does that really mean? Do you just “feel your way in” and hope for the best? That might turn out to be a disaster and is almost certainly not worth the stress. So you pass on the anchorage and move on.
But wait! Brickhill River is a real gem of an anchorage, particularly for active boaters who enjoy hiking in national parks.
Thus Brickhill River (South) anchorage turns out to be one of the better examples of the value of our new AnchorGuides with their digital breadcrumb tracks.
Look at the depth-annotated survey track on the page [below]. You can see the entrance surveyed as low as 10 feet (at 7.0 feet above MLLW) along the southern shore. The northern shore had much more water, with depths consistently in the teens. Now the “shallow entrance” anecdotal report can be confirmed and visualized as an extension of shoaling from the southern bank, with a natural channel running along the northern bank.
And now you can see the true ICW path, EAST of the red navaids, right over the non-existent “mis-charted” shoal and island!
Once you’re safely in Brickhill River, you’ll enjoy a beautiful anchorage with all-around protection off Cumberland Island National Park. Cumberland Island is one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands along the Atlantic coast, home to a national seashore and one of the largest maritime forests in the U.S.
You can access the national park at a small park dock or adjacent tiny beach, both for a nominal day-use fee. Nearby shore amenities include picnic tables, trails, and restrooms.
For a hi-res detailed map of the island, visit http://1.usa.gov/NZMHsW
Brickhill River (South) anchorage is located just off “Plum Orchard” on the map.
Best and see you On the Water,
Captains Mark & Diana Doyle
http://www.OnTheWaterChartGuides.com

Click Here To View the Georgia Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For the Brickhill River Southern Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Brickhill River Southern Anchorage