GL: Sunken Yacht in the ICW near Belhaven, NC

[Jim Ague]

> It would seem that prudent navigation in a 2500' wide channel wouldn't be 
> to
> "hug the edge" at any speed.
>
> So I guess I'd give this guy an F for navigation and something similar for
> good sense.
>
I just pulled up VNS to see what I don't quite remember. Although the width 
of the Pungo River at daymarker "15" is 1.3 NM, the width of the channel, 
where you'll find 12' depth or more, is "only" .38 NM out in the middle, the 
6' depth channel is .78 nm wide, and "15" is right in the middle of it. A 
lot of shallow water reaches out from the banks towards the middle. Also the 
daymarkers mark the narrow barge channel in the middle, so you really don't 
have any visual aids to tell you where the 6' water lies.

When I do this route, I tend to slalom the markers, not too close, not to 
far. With "15" missing, you only have "14" and "16" to port, if southbound, 
to guide you. I don't think speed was a factor. Even a 7 kt trawler stands a 
good chance of finding the submerged daymarker,  albeit with less damage.

On a personal note, I now remember "15" well. Ted, RIP, the former owner of 
Dowry Creek Marina, when hailed to tell him that you are in the area and are 
looking for a slip, would always say, "when you get to Green 15, put 
yourself on a heading of 330 degrees until you see our markers and follow 
them in."

He ran Dowry Creek Marina well, loved cruisers, threw a great beer can 
chicken potluck every few days.  One of the few good reasons to NOT anchor 
out on the ICW.

-- Jim Ague