As the first inlet into NC waters south of the Chesapeake, Oregon Inlet is very tempting to offshore cruisers. HOWEVER, Oregon Inlet is notorious for shoaling, keeping the USCG busy relocating ATONs. Even with this dredging project, Cruisers Net still recommends attempting navigation ONLY with shoal draft and good local knowledge.

1. DUE TO SHOALING IN OREGON INLET, MANY OF THE PHYSICAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION ARE NOT MARKING BEST WATER AND ARE PRODUCING A MISLEADING SIGNAL.
   2. THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY AIS SIGNALS HAVE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO MARK BEST WATER.
   A. OREGON INLET SAFE WATER MARK OI ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35- 48-44.225(35°0.0000N / 048°44.2250W, 35.000000 / -48.737083) N, 075-31-49.840W, AIS MMSI # 993672418.
   B. OREGON INLET PORT HAND MARK 1 ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35-48-23.331N 075-31-44.111W (35°48.3889N / 075°31.7352W, 35.806481 / -75.528920), AIS MMSI # 993672598.
   C. OREGON INLET STARBOARD HAND MARK 2 ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35-48-23.500N 075-31- (35°48.3917N / 075°31.0000W, 35.806528 / -75.516667) 56.074W, AIS MMSI # 99367298.
   D. OREGON INLET PORT HAND MARK 3 ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35-48-01.428N 075-31-48.155W (35°48.0238N / 075°31.8026W, 35.800397 / -75.530043), AIS MMSI # 993672553.
   E. OREGON INLET STARBOARD HAND MARK 4 ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35-48-02.944N 075-31(35°48.0491N / 075°31.0000W, 35.800818 / -75.516667) ‘-56.411W, AIS MMSI # 993672597.
   F. OREGON INLET STARBOARD HAND MARK 6A ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35-47-41.508N, 075-31-56.268W (35°47.6918N / 075°31.9378W, 35.794863 / -75.532297), AIS MMSI # 993672595.
   G. OREGON INLET STARBOARD HAND MARK 8 ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35-47-21.157N, 075-31-49.228W (35°47.3526N / 075°31.8205W, 35.789210 / -75.530341), AIS MMSI # 993672466.
   H. OREGON INLET PORT HAND MARK 9 ESTABLISHED IN APPROX POSITION 35-47-22.877N, 075-31-45.000W (35°47.3813N / 075°31.7500W, 35.789688 / -75.529167), AIS MMSI # 993672496.