2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Pilot Notes
Planning
Customs Ports of Entry
Wilmington, NC • Beaufort/Morehead City, NC
NOAA Coastal Charts 1:80,000 scale
Charleston, SC • Georgetown, SC
11536 Apprs. To Cape Fear, N. Carolina
11543 C. Lookout To New River, N.Car. Detail charts
11544 Portsmouth I. to Beaufort 11503 St. Marys Entrance
11548 Pamlico Snd., W. Part, No.Carolina Nos Cumberland Sound and Kings Bay 1:25,000
11555 Cape Hatteras, Wimble to Ocracoke 11504 St. Andrew Sound and Satilla River 1:40,000
t
12204 Currituck Beach To Wimble Shoals 11505 Savannah River Approach 1:40,000
12207 C. Henry To Currituck Beach Light 11506 St. Simons Sound,
ilo
P
11513 St Helena Sd To Savannah Brunswick Harbor and Turtle River 1:40,000
11521 Charleston Hbr And Appr, S.C. 11507 Intracoastal Waterway
11531 Winyah Bay Entr. To Isle Of Palms Beaufort River to St. Simons Sound 1:40,000
11535 Little River Inlet To Winyah Bay Entr N 11508 Altamaha Sound 1:40,000
U.S. Coast Guard: Call for assistance 11523 Charleston Harbor Entrance 1:20,000
on VHF 16 or 2182 kHz. 11524 Charleston Harbor 1:20,000
Stations: 11545 Beaufort Inlet and
g
ia
Georgetown; Great Pee Dee River, S of U.S. 17 highway Part of Core Sound; Lookout Bight 1:40,000 e
or
bridge; Charleston, E side of Ashley River
Intracoastal Waterway:
Distances along the ICW are in statute miles
to facilitate reference to the NOAA small-
g
inia-G
Norfolk to Florida
ir
craft charts of the waterway. Charts 12324 and
V
12316 are invaluable for ICW transits.
The Intracoastal Waterway begins in the
Charts: The National Ocean Service pro-
Elizabeth River at Norfolk, VA and continues
duces a special series of charts covering the
more than 1,240 statute miles south to Key
entire length of the ICW. Highly detailed, they
West, FL. The ICW provides varying levels
are produced in a convenient folio format and
of sheltered water for most boats drawing
are strongly recommended for anyone transit-
7ft or less. It passes through numerous open
ing the waterway.
sounds and rivers, and includes several
Tides: Under ordinary conditions the
specially dredged canals. The ICW crosses
mean range of tide in the waterway is from
numerous inlet channels, allowing entry and
nontidal to about 7ft. In many sections, the
exit onto the waterway from the open ocean
tide depends on the force, duration and di-
at various points. Note the cautions and
rection of the wind.
hazards associated with many of these inlet
Currents: Where two streams cross, the
channels and make all approach plans with
current will have a greater velocity in the
the care these passage merit. The ICW is an
deeper channel. This is noticeable along the
extremely popular route for yachts avoiding
ICW where it follows a dredged canal cut-
the heavy seas common offshore along the
ting across a winding stream. Cross currents
Carolina capes.
will also be noticed where either an inlet
Nighttime transiting is strongly discour-
from the ocean or a drainage canal enters
aged along most of the ICW without local
the waterway.
knowledge. Daymarks are the only buoyage
When running with a fair tide or in windy
along much of the waterway and shoals abut
weather, exercise caution when approaching
the channels. There are extensive dockage
and passing bridges and sharp turns. Cur-
facilities along the entire length of the water-
rents at some areas may exceed sailboats’
way and adequate anchorage can be found
abilities to hold their position against the
along most of the waterway.
stream.
Mileage: Features of the ICW are often
Bridges: There are well over 100 bridges
identified by a “mile marker” form of mea-
crossing the ICW. Most are bascule bridges,
surement. For these purposes, ICW mile-
which open on demand. Some open on a
age is zeroed at 36 50.9N., 76 17.9W, off the
schedule while others restrict openings dur-
foot of West Main Street, Norfolk, VA, and
ing local rush hours. Careful planning will
progresses southward to Mile 1243.8 at Key
do much to reduce frustration and delays.
West, FL, at 24 33.7N., 81 48.5W.
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