Grounding at Problem Stretch: Browns Inlet/AICW Intersection, Statute Mile 237
Skipper Halls relates his jarring experience with a shoal and the rudeness of a passing vessel. The intersection of the Waterway and Browns Inlet, a Problem Stretch south of Swansboro, has been the site of shoaling for some time, as well as a mysterious underwater hazard as reported in /?p=141557.
8/12/2014, ran aground at this spot. Letting crew steer for just a few minutes, I was down below when the gut wrenching bloop of grounding was felt. Very difficult to see the plan (markers) until almost on top when headed southbound. We had a following current and crew didn’t reduce power till I came rushing up. Had to call TowboatUS. I MIGHT have avoided if I was steering, but maybe not, quite confusing, VERY narrow channel remains. And a special thanks to the Aussie couple in a 50ish DeFever who went by as we were trying to be towed off, for waking us so hard the keel ( 4.8 draft ) slammed the shoal 3 times VERY hard !!
Randy Hall
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch
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