ICW Status Reports After Hurricanes in 2018

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by Jeanneau 45.2

From Boat US East Coast Alerts



AICW Closed in South Carolina due to High Waters:

The Captain of the Port Charleston (COTP) has established a temporary safety zone on all waters of the Waccamaw River along the Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) from Winyah Bay to the Little River Swing Bridge (AICW statute mile marker 415 to 345), all waters of the Sampit River, all waters of the Great Pee Dee River from Winyah Bay northward to Pee Dee Game Management Area, and all waters of the Black River from its junction with the Great Pee Dee northward to U. S> Highway 701 Bridge. State and Federal authorities have determined that potential hazards associated with and resulting from high waters of the Waccamaw River and Great Pee Dee River are present in the area.



This rule is effective from September 24, 2018, through October 19, 2018, or until waters recede and conditions allow for safe navigation, whichever occurs first. The duration of the safety zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels and the marine environment while the Waccamaw River and Great Pee Dee River experience high water conditions. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.



To seek permission to enter the safety zone, contact the COTP or the COTP’s representative via VHF-FM channel 16, or through Coast Guard Sector Charleston’s Command Center at 843-740-7050. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given them by the COTP or the COTP’s designated representative.



Designated representative means a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officers operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State or local officer designated by or assisting the COTP in the enforcement of the safety zones.



This MSIB can be viewed at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston. For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761, the Sector’s 24-hourt Command Center at (843) 740-7050, the Horry County Emergency Operations Center at (843) 915-5150, or the Georgetown County Emergency Operations Center at (843) 545-3273.



(MSIB 40-18, USCG Sector Charleston)

Interesting. Why are the high waters a problem for boating? Bridges, markers, debris?

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by malbert73

Interesting. Why are the high waters a problem for boating? Bridges, markers, debris?

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High water at the Socastee Bridge south of Myrtle Beach required that they remove the electical motors to prevent damage.


Socastee Swing Bridge closes as waters rise

[camaraderie]

FWIW...now with the SC ICW effectively closed till 10/19...and high water and damage in portions of the NC ICW... it is worth noting that the alternative ICW in Eastern NC remains open, easily navigated and with marina and town/gas facilities in full operation and undamaged.

The route south leaves Coinjock and heads SE along the outer banks Albemarle and Pamlico sounds past the EASTERN side of Roanoke Island (Manteo) and down through the Pamlico to Englehard (Big Trount Marina) and or Ocracoke (Anchorage Inn...NPS dock..or Silver Lake anchorage) and then up the Nuese River to Oriental (marina fully operational but town still cleaning up) where it rejoins the ICW south to Beaufort NC.

Manteo on Roanoke Island has a walkable town with all services except haulout which can be had at Wanchese further south on the island. Three marinas in Manteo + Pirates Cove at the only bridge on this route. (65'+ right now) are all fully operational and have transient slips for day and longer term use available.
River Dunes, just before Oriental is also in good shape with plenty of transient slips.
While less protected than the ditch...this route has excellent sailing opportunities and is 17 miles shorter than the ICW from Coinjock. Depths are good in the channels throughout as well as in the open Albermarle and Pamlico.
It's a good alternative route any time cause you can raise sails for a good long time and see some great places and avoid low bridges...but it might be an even better route right now.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by malbert73

Interesting. Why are the high waters a problem for boating? Bridges, markers, debris?

All of the above. And fuel docks may be inaccessible.

[Captmatt]

We have a cat with a 63’ mast and 4.5 draft. We just cruised thought the ICW from Norfolk VA to St Augustine FL. We had two issues. The Wilkerson Creek Bridge on the Alligator/Pungo River Canal was marginal height and we waited a full day for the tide to subside enough to clear. The other was the partial closure in S.C. We went offshore at Little River and came back in Georgetown which is about 40 nm. Most of the damage to ATONs has been addressed by the USCG and we did see survey boats out checking on things. There was surprisingly minimal debris loose in the water. Lots of damage to homes and docks especially north of Wrightsville Beach to Moorhead City. Remember we are just one boat and this is not an endorsement that the ICW is clear but it was for us.

[Alex F]

Originally Posted by Captmatt

We have a cat with a 63’ mast and 4.5 draft. We just cruised thought the ICW from Norfolk VA to St Augustine FL. We had two issues. The Wilkerson Creek Bridge on the Alligator/Pungo River Canal was marginal height and we waited a full day for the tide to subside enough to clear. The other was the partial closure in S.C. We went offshore at Little River and came back in Georgetown which is about 40 nm. Most of the damage to ATONs has been addressed by the USCG and we did see survey boats out checking on things. There was surprisingly minimal debris loose in the water. Lots of damage to homes and docks especially north of Wrightsville Beach to Moorhead City. Remember we are just one boat and this is not an endorsement that the ICW is clear but it was for us.

What was your experience with Little River inlet, in regards to the depths? Constantly shifting shoaling doesn't excite me, but the fact that there's a party boat with 8' draft using it daily (at least that's what I read from AC marker comments) provides some comfort level.

If ICW is closed after 10/19, I may use the same route you did (LRI to Winyam Bay inlet). Of course, weather permitting I'd rather continue to Charleston, but it's good to have options.

[Captmatt]

The depths were fine. There is a casino boat that is using that inlet and it draws more than most sailboats that would use the ICW. The channel is buoyed for shifting shoals and we experienced plenty of depth as it was marked.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

FWIW...now with the SC ICW effectively closed till 10/19...and high water and damage in portions of the NC ICW... it is worth noting that the alternative ICW in Eastern NC remains open, easily navigated and with marina and town/gas facilities in full operation and undamaged.

The route south leaves Coinjock and heads SE along the outer banks Albemarle and Pamlico sounds past the EASTERN side of Roanoke Island (Manteo) and down through the Pamlico to Englehard (Big Trount Marina) and or Ocracoke (Anchorage Inn...NPS dock..or Silver Lake anchorage) and then up the Nuese River to Oriental (marina fully operational but town still cleaning up) where it rejoins the ICW south to Beaufort NC.

Manteo on Roanoke Island has a walkable town with all services except haulout which can be had at Wanchese further south on the island. Three marinas in Manteo + Pirates Cove at the only bridge on this route. (65'+ right now) are all fully operational and have transient slips for day and longer term use available.
River Dunes, just before Oriental is also in good shape with plenty of transient slips.
While less protected than the ditch...this route has excellent sailing opportunities and is 17 miles shorter than the ICW from Coinjock. Depths are good in the channels throughout as well as in the open Albermarle and Pamlico.
It's a good alternative route any time cause you can raise sails for a good long time and see some great places and avoid low bridges...but it might be an even better route right now.

What are the current depths on this route? We took this a few years ago with 6.5ft draft and hit the bottom a couple of times.

[Alex F]

Does anyone have updated info on trouble spot by New River inlet (marker 72A)? I don't see any updates on AC from this fall. The latest were from last spring migration.

I wonder if Florence affected that section.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by Alex F

What was your experience with Little River inlet, in regards to the depths? Constantly shifting shoaling doesn't excite me, but the fact that there's a party boat with 8' draft using it daily (at least that's what I read from AC marker comments) provides some comfort level.

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Little River Inlet is fine. We came through there two days ago and had no issues at all with out 5 1/2 ft draft. It's well marked and easy to negotiate.

[Duffy]

We are heading south and we are currently trying to decide on going outside or icw. Our main concern is fixed bridge clearances, are they back to normal?

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by Duffy

We are heading south and we are currently trying to decide on going outside or icw. Our main concern is fixed bridge clearances, are they back to normal?

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We've just finished transiting south on the ICW and all bridge clearances appeared to be within a foot or so of normal.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by wayne.b

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We've just finished transiting south on the ICW and all bridge clearances appeared to be within a foot or so of normal.

Well if they are a foot short, that's a big deal to a lot of east coast boats.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Well if they are a foot short, that's a big deal to a lot of east coast boats.

===


Understood, but we passed bridges at all different states of the tide so it's impossible to draw a firm conclusion that all bridges are OK, all of the time. As far as we could see however, there was no residual high water resulting from the hurricanes.

[obxmedic]

Looking to leave the Outer Banks down AICW to Beaufort thanks to all the front runners be safe!

THE EDGE