Onslow Beach - Click for Chartview

Notification of these firing exercises appear regularly in the weekly Local Notice to Mariners, but on this occasion, Captain Stehle has provided specific dates. If this is your first time through the Camp Lejeune area, you may be unaware of the possible delays. Normally, if firing is underway, you will stopped by very courteous, but armed, Marines aboard small vessels, Range Control Boats. We hope you aren’t delayed, but, if so, log it as another of the many wonderful experiences of traveling the ICW!

October 24, 2013
The Onslow Beach Bridge Tender informs us that Camp Lejeune firing exercises are scheduled for Oct. 29, 30, and 31, Miles 235.2-240. During these exercises, lighted signs and patrol boats on each end will alert waterway traffic, and AM Radio 530 will advise boaters on the length of the delay. The closures last usually an hour, but can last much longer. The Onslow Swing Bridge will remain on its normal opening schedule.
Ted Stehle, www.skipperbob.net

NC – NEW RIVER – FIRING EXERCISES
1. The Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCIE-MCB CamLej), North Carolina, has advised that the area in the Atlantic Ocean between a point approximately 4.5 miles east of Bogue Inlet to a point approximately 10 miles southwest of New River Inlet, North Carolina, within the existing danger zone (depicted as 334.440) as shown on National Ocean Service Chart 11543, will be hazardous to navigation because of field firing exercises during the periods and times stated below. Firing will be up to 15 nautical miles seaward.
Vessels are urged to avoid the above area during the periods stated except for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, where mariners traveling through this area can expect a delay of about one to four hours during the below times. Range Control Boats, MCIE-MCB CamLej North Carolina monitor Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) and the working Channel 82 VHF-FM (161.725 MHz). Range Control can be reached by phone at 910-451-3064 or 4449.

5. Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Inland Waters in the Browns Island Inlet area between Bear Creek and Onslow Beach, may be closed for firing exercises during the following periods:
Live Fire Operations:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm Daily (USS Ship-Naval Gunfire)
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 pm Daily (Ranges)
Non-Live Fire Operations:
12:01 a.m. to Midnight Daily (Boat-Maneuvering)

Be advised that the ICW will be closed through Camp Lejeune for the next two days, Oct. 30 and 31, from 0800 to 1000 hours for live fire. The Mile Hammock Bay anchorage is open but there are divers working in the Bay and a patrol boat will advise you. There is a large orange float where the divers are working. Hope this helps anyone coming this way.
Chuck and Susan
Trawler Beach House

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers’ Net Bridge Directory Listing For Onslow Beach Bridge

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Onslow Beach Bridge