Current ICW trouble spots

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RT Firefly

RT Firefly

Enigma
Joined
Oct 21, 2007
Messages
16,603
Location
Bumpkin?
Greetings,
Where can one find a listing of current or up to date trouble spots or problem areas on the Atlantic ICW. The Admiral is surfing Active Captain, Cruisers Net and others trying to find a comprehensive list and asked me to assist. I'm up to my earballs trying to get the "short" to-do list completed before departure. Any suggestions?
The Admiral thanks y'all in advance.
 
warterwayguide.com under "Navigation Updates" is another source to look at also.

Ted
 
Need to use caution in SE NC anywhere an inlet crosses the ICW. I'm at mm280 and just south of that is Mason's Inlet, shoaling has extended westward into the ICW. There is a portable green can there, but shoaling extends beyond can into channel. Stay to the western side, nearer to the docks. Not so close that the current swings you into the docks, that has happened like three times.

Winter also has our low tides swing a foot or two lower than normal, depending on the weather. Usually happens right after a front comes through.
 
The spot behind Brown's Inlet below Swansboro before entering camp Lejeune range is catching quite a few. Little Mud river intersection in Georgia is a known trouble spot. Also, the spot behind New River inlet in NC near Sneads Ferry.
 
RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
Where can one find a listing of current or up to date trouble spots or problem areas on the Atlantic ICW. The Admiral is surfing Active Captain, Cruisers Net and others trying to find a comprehensive list and asked me to assist. I'm up to my earballs trying to get the "short" to-do list completed before departure. Any suggestions?
The Admiral thanks y'all in advance.
Click to expand...
Please forgive me if you have already used the Active Captain app ....AC companion.... but it will warn you of upcoming hazards....nice to know ahead of time but if you fall behind....it does give you a fair warning.
 
CruisersNet is the best and most up-to-date. On the side panel click on the state in question and then click on Navigation Alerts. They are listed from North to South. The worst spots in SC are just north of the Ben Sawyer Bridge at ST Mile 460. I believe they are in the process of dredging. Also, the Ashepoo Coosaw Cutoff at Mile 515, but there is an alternate route to get around, that will take about 30 minutes more at trawler speed. What are your plans?
 
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RTF;
+1 for Cruisers Net. It has the most up to date info. I used it last summer as my primary aid to avoiding ICW Trouble Spots (PAAICWTS) or PAWTS for short.

I had plenty of time so I just timed most of the trouble spots for high or near high tide. A little over kill but kept me safe and no bumping!

Here's the current Cruisers Net listing for N.C.: NC AICW Problems | Cruisers' Net

What's your itinerary?

I also used ActiveCapt Companion but I found the info on Cruisers Net more detailed and better for planning. Once on the water Companion is great for showing you when you get close. In planning I just put a Way Pt at the trouble spot on my plotter. That helped me adjust speed to make the Way Pt at high tide.
Worked for me.
 
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Use all the tools mentioned here. Sometimes Active Captain or Cruisersnet or Waterway Guide either can have the latest information. However, one other tool that may be more important than all three. Local knowledge. Get all you can. Talk to people at marinas. Talk to approaching boats to hear how things behind them were. And use the Tow Boat companies. Their captains are always willing to help, at least in my experience, and they sure have the most current information on groundings and problems.
 
Greetings,
Many thanks for the suggestions thus far. To answer what our plans or itinerary are...Our plans and itinerary are firmly cast in Jello and consist of:
1) Doing our very best to stay off the bottom and avoid contact with "hard" things above, in and below water.
2) Head south to the best of our abilities.
3) Enjoy the adventure.
4) Arrive in Ft. Lauderdale early March'ish (just under 1000 sm-leaving from the Chesapeake area).
All that being said, we fueled up yesterday, spent the night at the fuel dock and upon consulting NOAA this morning found there's a gale warning issued for the area we first have to transit. So.....I anticipate a couple dozen fine NC oysters, fresh green salad with a tasty balsamic and oil dressing, prime rib with mash and gravy, sweet snap peas (think I may stir fry those with a soupcon of garlic and some white wine or lemon) possibly some garlic bread...
 
RTF; you're my type of cruiser. We spent 3 months getting from Key West to Annapolis. The only way to cruise the ICW IMHO.

We did it last summer, no weather issues, no full marinas, plenty of room in anchorages, etc, but it was hot. AC got a work out.
 
RT Firefly said:
Greetings,

All that being said, we fueled up yesterday, spent the night at the fuel dock and upon consulting NOAA this morning found there's a gale warning issued for the area we first have to transit. So.....I anticipate a couple dozen fine NC oysters, fresh green salad with a tasty balsamic and oil dressing, prime rib with mash and gravy, sweet snap peas (think I may stir fry those with a soupcon of garlic and some white wine or lemon) possibly some garlic bread...
Click to expand...

And don't forget a good aged white wine. Preferably from France or maybe Italy, but California will do.
 
Leaving the FT Pierce, Fl area Monday northbound....see you soon....:D
 
psneeld said:
Leaving the FT Pierce, Fl area Monday northbound....see you soon....:D
Click to expand...

Scott, sorry not to get back down before you leave. Too much stuff going on here. Have a good trip home.
 
ICW Trouble Spots

We were at Jekyll Island Marina for 4 years as livaboards. We love it but the creek is shoaling fast. We saw and checked with an accurate depth sounder on a small boat the spot near Green 19 (documented on cruisers net) go from mlw 6 ft to mlw 4 ft in less than a year. The barges now wait for high tide (range 7-8 ft) The channel at G19 is very narrow and the mud has moved to the East South of G19. Many years ago yachts of the rich and famous anchored in the creek, then they built the causeway and altered the flow of the tides and marsh. Soon with out dredging the creek will be impassable. The Marina dredged last year many of the slips to 13 ft. Now our slip and most of the others are back to 4-5 ft mlw. Our diver could not clean the bottom last month at near low tide. I posted pictures on cruisers net showing the channel at low tide. ICW – Trouble Spots – Jekyll Creek | Cruisers' Net

Hope this helps
In Palatka Fl today enjoying the spring!
 
Moonstruck said:
Scott, sorry not to get back down before you leave. Too much stuff going on here. Have a good trip home.
Click to expand...

Thanks let me know where you wind up for next winters trip...
 
Autoteacher said:
We were at Jekyll Island Marina for 4 years as livaboards. We love it but the creek is shoaling fast. We saw and checked with an accurate depth sounder on a small boat the spot near Green 19 (documented on cruisers net) go from mlw 6 ft to mlw 4 ft in less than a year. The barges now wait for high tide (range 7-8 ft) The channel at G19 is very narrow and the mud has moved to the East South of G19. Many years ago yachts of the rich and famous anchored in the creek, then they built the causeway and altered the flow of the tides and marsh. Soon with out dredging the creek will be impassable. The Marina dredged last year many of the slips to 13 ft. Now our slip and most of the others are back to 4-5 ft mlw. Our diver could not clean the bottom last month at near low tide. I posted pictures on cruisers net showing the channel at low tide. ICW – Trouble Spots – Jekyll Creek | Cruisers' Net

Hope this helps
In Palatka Fl today enjoying the spring!
Click to expand...
Interesting first post in that link about a towboat captain...

He said the same thing I usually say...if you want to know where the channel is, go at dead low tide...that way you don't hit any unexpected shallows and the good news is the tide is starting to rise...or will, shortly.

Assuming there should be enough water....but recent reports may confirm that.
 
Ski in NC said:
You are leaving too soon. The weather sucks b@lls here. Take your time coming north.
Click to expand...
Is that why RT is leaving?

My motto is no passing Norfolk till April Fools Day.....

Maybe with this winter even the eager beavers won't start needing tow service till later...but the boss was promised April 15th to start my watch.
 
We're all iced in up here, as far as I know. Certainly our river and local little Bay, marina, etc. Lots of news reports about the icebreakers in the main Bay, I think one captain said he thought ice even down south of here as up to 18" thick...

RT much be south of where we are, if all he's got to worry about is gale warnings. :)

-Chris
 
Snowing and 29 here in New Bern NC today. Warming up into the 60's next week, which this time of year means rain and lots of it.
 
Greetings,
Broke ice to leave the harbor this morning. Snow on the open water and a hard grounding (BIL was following the magenta line-NEW rule for BIL "Forget about the magenta line, focus on the depth) . Freezing rain now.
 
OK RT,
You owe us a new thread so we can keep up with your adventure. Should I start one or will you ?❓❓


1983 Present 42 Sundeck
Twin Lehman 135's
✌️
 
RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
NEW rule for BIL "Forget about the magenta line, focus on the depth) . Freezing rain now.
Click to expand...

That new rule will come in handy for the rest of your ICW travels, otherwise put Sea Tow on speed dial.

For sure keep us posted with pictures. I've never seen the Chessie frozen over.
 
RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
Broke ice to leave the harbor this morning. Snow on the open water and a hard grounding (BIL was following the magenta line-NEW rule for BIL "Forget about the magenta line, focus on the depth) . Freezing rain now.
Click to expand...


Oh, yeah, if you're near the magenta line, you're already WAY south of us. :)

-Chris
 
Greetings,
End of day two. Waited 3 hours for bridge. According to bridge tender "She froze up y'all." Noticed a transmission whine-came on suddenly and I shut it down immediately. Checked fluid-WAY over mark. Changed tranny cooler whilst underway and running on 1. Drained and put in new fluid. No whine, no milkyness...May have dodged the bullet. Wildlife score: 1 bald eagle, 4 deer, 1 bearded bridge attendant. 4" snow forecast for tonight and 22F. Oh, and throw in a 2" batch of freezing rain as well. NO groundings today.
Mr. F. New thread? Since I was asking about the hazards, the travelogue DOES fit in with the original intent. Not all that glamorous really other than the Admiral just showed me what's coming tonight and tomorrow. Holy crap, this next system covers 2/3 of the south!
I heard through the grapevine that the ICW is icebound and closed Albermarle Sound to Norflik, VA. BOTH routes! Dismal Swamp Canal AND main Coinjock branch.
 
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