Shoaling and More

Fishermen at sunrise

     Everyone was ready at 7:30. We helped SEVILLA leave the slip before we did the same.
     The currents by the bridge were substantial enough to swing the boats about 10 foot sideways. Once we cleared the inlet, we upped our speed to 9.5-10 mph rather than the 3.5-4 mph we encountered yesterday before turning around. Amazing what strong currents can do!



Different mood on the Sound

    We traveled south for almost 3 hours on the western shore of the Bogue Sound. To look at it you would think it’s a great place to boat/sail. More than a mile wide and 20+ miles long, but looks are deceiving.  Drift out of the 75 foot wide channel and there is 1-4 feet of water in most places. Considering PEKABU needs 5 + feet of water to keep floating. We passed a waterman standing in the shallows outside his boat clamming. At one point, we encountered a north bound fisherman, with his out-riggers extended, fishing the channel!  We could only move over a little or be in the shallows.


The fish wing boat with outriggers 

     After yesterdays mild weather, today’s winds were for the NW and the temps were a good 10 degrees cooler.  Thank heavens for the enclosure!
 

Tiny fishing shack that's for sale

    I had the helm for most of the trip.  It was a working day for Pete. Gerry, from RAGTIME, was our lead for the day. Even though Pete was working, he kept tabs and had me share info he had researched for today’s travels.


The Marines

   As we passed through Swansboro, we were passed by two Marine inflatables with very tired, but friendly crews.  This morning was another joint military exercise at Camp Legune. They were probably returning to “War Ship 21,” the Naval ship off shore in the Atlantic.

     More frustrating were the recreational fishermen, who almost completely blocked the channel with the small boats, and lines cast from both sides of their boats.  I had to pass outside the channel with less than 1.5 feet under my keel.  In the channel I always had 9 foot or more.


Warning to take seriously

 

Destroyed targets and the War Ship 21

    By the time we reached the Camp, we were permitted passage as that part of the exercise affecting the ICW was now over.  As we passed the partial previously demolished military tanks on the ocean side dunes, we could see the naval vessel in the distance. 



Trouble going aground and
 help from WEZZIE B

Oslow Beach Swing Bridge

     The Cruiser’s Net constantly updates information on areas traveled by boaters.  There has been much chatter about the shoaling (shallow areas) in a number of areas. We were fortunate to miss the ones on Bogue Sound. However, the area by Buoy 62 within the Camp Legune area, proved to be problematic.  We had been following a larger sailboat, which was very cautious in the noted areas. At this buoy, he followed earlier info that took him too far right and hard aground.  The cabin cruiser behind him called out depth information as they slowly made their way forward.  Gerry on RAGTIME slowly maneuvered based on the radioed information, but came to a sudden stop when he hit a shelf. His depth finder went from reading 6 feet under the keel to a dead stop. Trying to go around him, Glen on SEVILLA, also went aground. Thankfully, they both were able to back off.  Pete took the helm and gently inched forward following the suggestions from the Cruiser’s Net.  The other two boats followed us without further excitement.  As we continued towards the bridge, looking back I saw another sailboat also go hard aground.  While traveling to our destination only a few miles more, we heard of at least 5 boats needing assistance.


Pete and Bailey making rounds

Bailey catching rays

The golden hour
has arrived

     We were able to drop anchor in Mile Hammock Bay.  It is a previously used amphibious landing area.  Now it’s a great anchorage for us cruisers.  By nightfall, there were 29 boats at anchor. If it wasn’t for the bugs, we would have enjoyed the spectacular starlit sky, perfectly clear and no ambient light.
   We heard back from Dan, BRUNELLE has alternator problems. Hopefully, they will be solved and perhaps back on their way south.  All of here are keeping our fingers crossed.

A cloudless sunset

Pete also sent everyone a picture of our track through the troublesome Buoy 62 area.  Hopefully, PINNACLE and BRUNELLE can use it to help stay clear of the shallows.

     Since it is Pete’s birthday, I made chicken parmesan with a salad and ice cream for dessert. Then we just sat and read until bedtime.

Twilight on Mile Hammock Bay

ICW Mile Marker    245

 6.0 Hours       (Total 68.5 Hours)
42.0 Miles       (Total 415.2 Miles)