The Ashepoo – Coosaw Cutoff section of the AICW consists of a man-made canal which connects the Waterway between Rock Creek and the Coosaw River. Some two weeks ago, the SSECN posted an IMPORTANT “Navigation Alert” about severe shoaling at the northeastern end of the Ashepoo – Coosaw Cutoff, near marker #177. (see /?p=119918). Now, our good friends, and frequent SSECN contributors, Captains Jim and Peag Healy give some very useful advice below as to how this hazard can be avoided.

There is advice in many places to take G’177′ very wide. That correct advice is not new; it has been the case for years. That particular post drys at low tide, and always has. That danger is very easy to see at low tide, but it would be easy to ground near that post at high tide, so as is the case with all daymark posts in the southeast, stay away from them. They mark shoals, not channels.
That G’177′ problem is very easy to see at low tide. The post is dry! It jumps out at you! But at high tide, it would be very deceptive. That’s what the problem is at that particular daymark. I “take my half out of the middle.” 🙂
Be well, my friend
Peg and Jim Healy

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch