AICW Bogue Inlet Intersection – Click for Chartview

The Bogue Inlet/AICW intersection has long been an “AICW Problem Stretch” and the dredging detailed below is welcome news. Not only is perennial shoaling a problem for AICW cruisers at this intersection, but the inland-most marker (#20) on the Bogue Inlet channel is often mistaken for an AICW aid to navigation. This mis-identification often leads to groundings.

NC ‘“ NEUSE RIVER TO MYRTLE GROVE SOUND (AICW) ‘“ WHITE OAK RIVER CROSSING ‘“ DREDGING
The Dredge WILKO will be conducting dredging operations in the AICW at the following locations/dates:
White Oak River Crossing-26 January until 31 January, 2013.
Floating rubber and submerged polyethylene pipelines will transport dredge spoil to the Upland Disposal Area 64 from the White Oak site. The dredge and assisting vessels MISS LEANNE and PROUD MARY will monitor VHF-fm CHANNELS 13, 16 and 78. Mariners are cautioned to stay clear of dredge, booster, floating (pontoon) and submerged pipelines, barges, derricks and operating wires associated with dredging and marine construction operations. Operators of vessels of all types should be aware that dredges and floating pipelines are held in place by cables, attached to anchors some distance away from the equipment. Buoys are attached to the anchors so that the anchors may be moved as the dredge advances and the location of the submerged pipelines are marked by buoys on each side of the channel. Mariners are cautioned to strictly comply with the Inland Rules of the Road when approaching, passing and leaving the area of operations, and remain a safe distance away from the dredge, booster, buoys, cables, pipeline, barges, derricks, wires and related equipment. Owners and lessees of fishnets, crabpots and other structures that may be in the vicinity and that may hinder the free navigation of attending vessels and equipment must be remove these from the area where tugs, tenderboats and other attendant equipment will be navigating. Dredging projects are usually conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week, all fishnets, crabpots and structures in the general area must be removed prior to commencement of any work. A NO WAKE transit is requested of all vessels passing the dredge and if necessary to clarify a SAFE PASSAGE contact the dredge on the appropriate VHF-FM channels. Chart: 11541.

We passed through Swansboro 1/27/13. The dredge Wilco was working in the ICW near Dudley’s Marina.
Bill Murdock

Earlier Reports:

We passed through this area [on the AICW] at 1012 on 11/15/2012 (2 hours after high tide) and found no problems. The key to this is to stay close to the docks on the north [mainland – editor] or (southbound) starboard hand. Doing this we found 15-20′ most of the way.
Richard B. Emerson

We passed thru bogue sound inlet [AICW intersection] on 12/06/12 in a 6 foot draft power boat & found a minimum of 14 & mostly 15 to 16 feet of water between markers 45 & 46. Red marker 20 a floating nun buoy could be confusing, but as previously noted it is part of the channel & not an ICW marker. Also of note is there is a green 45, 45A & 45B. Marker 45B is south of red 46. We transited the area two hours prior to high tide.
Tim Carter

Bogue Sound Inlet Crossing. No problewm. Favor the main land side.
Raymond W. Smith

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the AICW/Bogue Inlet Channel Intersection

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch