On 7/23/09, as part of a “North Carolina Wish List,” I posed the following quesiton:

47. West, northwest of marker #65A, the AICW begins it approach to an intersection with New River and New River Inlet. Before reaching this crucial intersection, cruisers can usually cut off and anchor on Mile Hammock Bay, near Statute Mile 244.5. Lately, US Marine Corps maneuvers have prevented mariners from anchoring on these waters. The adjacent land is part of the huge Camp Lejeune Marine Base. Who has tried to anchor on Mile Hammock Bay? Were you allowed to drop the hook? Was it a secure overnight stop?

Responses follow:

Anchored there mid July this year without any hassle from the military. Two other sailboats were there ahead of us. Last year passing through that area we were delayed (the ICW was closed) due to military maneuvers. Kind of interesting to watch but glad it wasn’t in the sweltering heat.
Pat Cummins, s/v Kentris

We did spend an eveing in Mile Hammock Bay. The 2 sailboats nor we had any holding issues but another trawler who was using nylon rode and not enough of it dragged aground after spending almost 2 hrs trying to set his anchor and gave SeaTow some b’ness. He was scary and we wanted him to experience the security of a marina for the nite but he gave it another go and used 2 anchors which worked well.
Bill & Laura Bender
M/VKindred Spirit III

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Mile Hammock Bay