Unhappy News About AICW/Hell Gate Depths (near Statute Mile 602)
The notorious Hell Gate section of the AICW, south of Savannah and Isle of Hope, was dredged during the summer of 2009, and for a time, all has been well on these waters. The posting below from Captain Bob is the first notice we have had that shoaling may once again be rearing its ugly head. Because Captain Bob does not provide an exact time and date when his soundings were taken (see below), it’s not possible to fully verify what an 8.8 foot reading “30 minutes after high tide,” would actually equate to at Mean Low Water. But, it certainly can’t be good news.
We are returning Hell Gate to the ranks of a true “AICW Problem Stretch,” and ask the cruising community to PLEASE forward ANY information about depths in Hell Gate ASAP, by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below, or sending e-mail to me at CruisingWriter@CruisersNet.net. Many thanks in advance!!!
Good evening, Claiborne.
Looks like bad things are beginning to happen again at Hell Gate. Came through here mid channel this afternoon thirty minutes after high tide and observed a depth of 8.8 feet fifty yards Northeast of Green Marker 87. Didn’t believe what I saw so I went back and observed the same results.
Weren’t the dredges here just a year ago?
Captain Bob Poovey
Hi Claiborne,
We came through Hell Gate at 11.10 ‘“ 11.20 hours, May 21. Low tide was at 09.00 hrs. We favored the west side of mid channel a little going north. We never saw less than 13 ft.
Frans Tieman
S/V Sophia (The Netherlands)
Draft 6.8 or 2 meters
We also passed through Hell Gate on May 19. It was about 1-1/2 hrs after high tide and the lowest we saw was 12 ft. We tried to stay mid-channel.
Mark MacMahon
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Section” Listing For The AICW/Hell Gate Passage
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