2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Pilot Notes
deepwater inlet is to be found at Beaufort,
Currituck Lighted Buoy 6
inside Cape Lookout, a distance from Cape
Henry of about 200nm.
36 15.82N, 75 35.62W Fl R 4s 4M Red
Diamond Shoal extends SE about 8nm
Bodie Island Lighted Buoy 8
off Cape Hatteras. The shoal’s lighted buoy,
which marks the remains of the Diamond
35 55.82N, 75 27.7W Fl R 4s 4M Red
Shoal Lighthouse, should be used as the off-
Diamond Shoal Lighted Buoy 12
shore mark.
35 09.10N, 75 17.75W Q R 4M Red
t
Waypoints ilo
False Cape Lighted Buoy 4
P
36 35.6 N, 75 44W Fl R 2.5s 4M Red
Cape Hatteras entrance channel, and a spoil area is im-
to Beaufort Inlet
mediately N of the spoil bank on the W side.
g
ia
Lesser depths than charted may exist in these
areas. A number of wrecks, some of which
e
or
Tides p. 438, Differences p. 526
Currents p. 630, Differences p. 706
are marked, are in the approaches. Buoys in
the inlet are relocated frequently.
Pilotage: Cape Lookout Shoals extend about Beaufort Inlet is basically well marked and
9 miles SSE of the cape. Vessels approaching deep. The channel is used by commercial and
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Cape Lookout from the N can round R4 Fl R military vessels and the local fishing fleet.
V
2.5s at the southern end of the shoals, thence Keep a constant lookout for traffic, vessels
proceeding NW via R6 Fl R 6s to the “BM” fishing and also for military vessels engaged
sea buoy at the S end of the Beaufort Inlet in maneuvers. Inside the inlet there are many
Channel. Precautions should be taken against day ranges which should not be confused
local currents in the vicinity of the shoals. with the regular navigational aids and ranges
Vessels approaching Beaufort Inlet from the shown on the charts.
south can head directly for the BM sea buoy. Port of Entry: U.S. Customs 252-726-5845.
Waypoints
Coast Guard: Fort Macon station located
Cape Lookout Shoals Lighted Buoy 2
just inside Beaufort Inlet.
Dockage/Moorings: Transient dockage is
34 29.62N, 76 25.68W Q R 4M Red
available at a large city-run marina on the
Cape Lookout Shoals Lighted Buoy 4
waterfront. Public dinghy dock east of mari-
na. Marinas are also located in Town Creek.
34 26.95N, 76 28.38W Q R 4M Red
Anchorage: You can anchor off the Beau-
Cape Lookout Shoal Lighted Buoy 6
fort Docks, but must keep the channel clear.
Large menhaden ships pass through here.
34 27.27N, 76 33.67W Fl R 6s 4M Red
There is also some room in Town Creek. Be
Cape Lookout Shoals Lighted Buoy 8
careful to avoid the shoals and rocks marked
with daybeacons and buoys. The marina is
32.92N, 76 36.17W Q R 4M Red
strict about keeping its channel clear.
Cape Lookout Lighted Bell Buoy 14
Fuel: Available in both Town Creek and
next to Beaufort docks.
34 18.12N, 76 23.98W Fl R 4s 4M Red
Supplies: Extensive. Courtesy cars are avail-
able for 2-hour time blocks from the North
Beaufort, NC: 34 43N, 76 40W
Carolina Maritime Museum, 252-728-7317,
(see chart on next page)
across the street from the Beaufort Docks,
Pilotage: Beaufort and Morehead City are
through its Friends of the Museum group, as
reached via a wide, deep channel inlet. Large
well as from Beaufort Docks Marina.
seas may develop in channel during strong
Services: Extensive repairs and haulouts
ebb tides, but Beaufort Inlet is good in most
available. Other services nearby in Morehead
weather. Discontinued spoil areas exist on
City or on the ICW. The NC Maritime Mu-
both sides of the approach to the Beaufort
seum will hold mail for your vessel.
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