Navigating Bakers Haulover Inlet/ AICW Intersection Problem Stretch, near AICW Statute Mile 1080
The positive effects of recent dredging in the AICW Problem Stretch running behind Bakers Haulover Inlet, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, seem to be waning already. The USCG has already reset the buoys to mark the recent shoaling. Captain Long relates first-hand experience with navigating this Problem Stretch.
Cruising News:
After transiting this section of the ICW several times in prior months with no issues. My students and I, avoiding the deteriorating weather offshore this week, decided to again take the ICW from Biscayne Bay to Fort Lauderdale. The section around MM 1080 has always been narrow with encroaching shoal. I have always seemed to hug the new green cans around the problem shoaling area, probably just due to southbound traffic. This time we were mid-channel and hit bottom between Red 6A and 6B. It was hard sand and we quickly got underway. My draft is 4’11”. I advise to proceed slowly through this section and stay nearer the newly moved green cans where I had no less than 9′, just after low tide.
Capt. Edana Long, Sailing Academy of Florida
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