Oops

Since getting under the Wilkerson Bridge we’ve been making good time traveling through the remote part of the ICW. We stopped at RE Mayo’s commercial fishing dock for a night. They have an office where you can buy some of the seafood they catch, a few groceries, and boating equipment. MaryLou found a pair of boots that are a good compliment to her foul weather gear. We also picked up some frozen shrimp, scallops, and flounder for meals along the way.

From there we made it into the Morehead City Yacht Basin for the following night. There were a few spots along the way that were shallow so we have to mind the channel markers to stay in the lane. The MCYB is good protection from storms, but the current runs swift inside so you have to dock quickly. We had to change our plan for docking as we were pulled sideways toward the docks. An hour later it was slack so we adjusted the lines for the night.

Leaving the next morning we planned to have a short run taking advantage of the tide which would influence this segment of the ICW. I misjudged the bridge height leaving the MCYB and the swell underneath it due to the in-rushing tide. We damaged some our antennas on top of the mast as we went under. Further down the way we came to the Atlantic Beach Bridge and decided to anchor while the others went ahead to the next stop.

We waited for three hours to have a falling tide while going under the bridge. We watched the numbered board on the pier under the bridge for the 64 and 65 foot water level. Most of the numbers were covered with grime so you have to estimate the reading. We also referred to the tide tables for the area and information from our chart-plotter. At noon we decided to move under. We had plenty of room and we could see the 65 outline on the board.

It was a slow ride against the tide to our next stop with several areas of thin water due to the falling tide. Captain Mike had given us a list of trouble areas to pay attention to and gave us an update over the radio as we neared the Swansboro Marina. A particular spot included a marker for the Bogue Inlet. Looking at its placement, it would take a traveler to a shoaling area instead of along the travel lane. Also as we turned to Casper’s Marina in Swansboro the red marker needs a wide berth since it is too shallow for us to get by.

We got tied up and everyone came to give us a hand. After getting fuel and plugging, in we all sat down and chatted about the experience. We also made plans for the next several days plotting about 100 miles to North Myrtle Beach. This area also has some thin areas as well as the military base, Camp LaJuene, which is in the first leg.

From Swansboro it was a nice ride with a favorable current pushing us along. We had heard the military had closed the ICW the previous day for some gunnery practice. As we made the bend near their watch tower we didn’t see any gunboats blocking the way so we proceeded through. There was a dredging operation going on that was cleaning out the sand in a particularly thin area. We passed by and noticed the strength of the dredging pumps as they twisted the water under our boat. Only in one spot did we see the depth gauge drop below 9 feet, and then we were back in 14 feet of water. We were amused by some hunters using hounds to chase prey through the marshes along the way. Several dogs swam across the waterway between us. They had transmitters on their collars so the hunters could find them if they strayed too far.

We were now seeing porpoise and pelicans quite regularly, since the water stays warmer in this area. As we pulled into the anchorage there were quite a number of them feeding in the bay. This spot is Mile Hammock which is part of Camp LaJuene. We watched the marines on land setting up tents and equipment for some type of exercise. We could only guess as to what they were doing.

This spot is alive with wildlife coming to feed on whatever is in the water. Many different birds and a few fishermen were seen along the shore. We watched some men throwing small nets into the waters. Mike said they were shrimping. We could see them through the glasses pulling something out of the water. It looked too easy.

Well early day tomorrow as we head for Carolina Beach on a favorable tide.