2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Pilot Notes
Intracoastal Waterway
dredged channels are usually placed back
from the bottom edge of the channel and
The Intracoastal Waterway roughly paral-
others may have riprap mounds around them
lels the Atlantic Coast and extends 118sm
to protect the structures.
through bays, lagoons, and land cuts from
Tides: In the inland waters, the tides are
Manasquan Inlet to Delaware Bay at a point
greatly affected by the winds both in time and
2nm N of Cape May Light.
height, W winds producing low water and E
Mileage: The Intracoastal Waterway mile-
winds high water. In Barnegat Bay, N and S
age is zeroed in 40 06.05N, 74 01.9W, off the
winds drive the water to the ends of the bay.
outer ends of the Manasquan Inlet jetties,
While the normal range of tide is only about
which are 40nm by outside run from The
0.5ft in sections of the waterway removed
Battery, NY. Distances along the Intracoastal
from the inlets, strong winds of long duration
Waterway are referred to in statute miles to
may cause variations in level of as much as 3ft
below mean low water or above mean high
e
y
facilitate reference to the NOAA small-craft
charts 12324 and 12316. These charts are
water. Near the inlets, the wind has less effect
e
r
s
critical to safe passage through the ICW.
and the normal range of tide is 3-4ft.
Channels: The channel of the Intracoastal
Current velocities may reach 3kts in the
Waterway is generally 100ft wide and has
inlets and in the narrow channels that con-
e
w J
dredged depths of 6ft from Manasquan Inlet
nect the inlets with the inside waters.
to Cape May Harbor. The Cape May Canal to
k/N
the Delaware Bay carries 12ft. Effort is made
Point Pleasant Canal
to maintain a 6ft controlling depth for the
Regulations: The 1.9sm narrow land cut
or
waterway; but due to continuous shoaling,
has bulkheaded sides; vessels are required to
3ft or less may be found in places, particu-
pass through at a safe speed to avoid damage
larly inside the ocean inlets.
to structures and boats.
e
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Bridges and Cables: Numerous bridges
Pilotage: Proper timing is essential to N
and cables cross the ICW. Minimum vertical
avoiding hazardous tidal current in the ca-
clearances are: From Manasquan Inlet to Ab-
nal. Local wind conditions may create con-
secon Inlet: 72ft overhead cables at Mile 3.0;
ditions contrary to the normal tidal cycle.
60ft fixed bridges at Miles 14.1 and 37.4. A
Existing wind conditions, in relation to tides,
t
vertical-lift bridge at Mile 3.9 has clearances
are extremely important factors to be consid-
of 30ft down and 65ft up. From Absecon
ered when picking the time to transit. ilo
Inlet to Delaware Bay: 35ft fixed bridges at
Generally, the safest time to transit the ca- P
Miles 68.9; 84.3; 93.6, and 97.4; 55ft overhead
nal is at slack highwater. The time difference
cables at Mile 84.3.
between the Mansaquan reference station,
Buoyage: The U.S. Coast Guard maintains
located at the railroad bridge crossing the
the standard aids that mark the inlets and the
Manasquan River, and Point Pleasant Canal
special aids that mark the Intracoastal Wa-
is reported to be about 3hrs. See the Tide
terway. The special aids have characteristic
Difference Table for details.
yellow markings that distinguish them from
Beware two-way traffic and following too
aids to navigation marking other waters.
closely behind other vessels, particularly at
Lights and daybeacons should not be
the bridges.
passed close aboard because those marking
Sandy Hook to Cape May
or without local knowledge. Manasquan
and Absecon (Atlantic City) are the only all-
weather safe havens along this coast. Heed
Tides p. 396, Differences p. 524
the caution notes in the Coastal Summary.
Currents p. 600, Differences p. 701
Do not attempt to transit Shark River
Inlet without ensuring that the drawspan
Pilotage: From Sandy Hook to Cape May
on the inlet bridge is fully open. Barnegat
there are several inlets, but most of them
Inlet should not be attempted without local
should not be considered in heavy weather
knowledge. Buoys are moved frequently and
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