Pamlico Sounder

The Intracoastal Waterway

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a 3,000-mile (4,800-km) recreational and commercial waterway along the Atlantic and gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths are comprised of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays and sounds; others are man-made canals. (Pictured is the Hobucken Bridge which crosses the ICW in Pamlico County.)

The ICW runs the length of the Eastern Seaboard (Maine to Miami, Florida), from its unofficial northern terminus at the Manasquan River in New Jersey, where it connects with the Atlantic Ocean at the Manasquan Inlet, to Brownsville, Texas. The waterway is toll-free, but commercial uers pay a fuel tax that is used to maintain and improve it. The ICW is a significant portion of the Great Loop, a circumnavigational route encicling the eastern half of the North American continent.

The creation of the ICW was authorized by the United States Congress in 1919. It is maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Federal law provides for the waterway to be maintained at a minimum depth of 12 feet (4m) for most of its length, but inadequate funding has prevented that. Consequently, shoaling or shallow water are problems along several sections of the waterway; some parts have 7 feet (2.1m) and 9 feet (2.7m) minimum depths.

The waterway consists of two non-contiguous segments: the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (pictured here), extending from Brownsville, Texas to Carrabelle, Florida and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, extending from Key West, Florida to Boston, Massachusetts. The two segments were originally intended to be connected via the Cross Florida Barge Canal across northern Florida, but this was never completed due to environmental concerns.

The Intracoastal Waterway has a good deal of commercial activity; barges haul petroleum, petroleum products, foodstuff, building materials and manufactured goods. It is also used extensively by recreational boaters. On the east coast, some of the traffic in fall and spring is by snowbirds who regularly move south in winter and north in summer. The waterway is also used when the ocean is too rough for travel.

NATURAL BODIES OF WATER

• Albemarle Sound
• Barnegat Bay
• Biscayne Bay
• Buzzards Bay
• Cape Cod Bay
• Casco Bay
• Chesapeake Bay
• Delaware Bay
• East River
• Gulf of Maine
• Halifax River
• Indian River Lagoon
• Long Island Sound
• Pamlico Sound

CANALS

• Chesapeake and Delaware Ship Canal
• Cape Cod Bay
• Dismal Swamp Canal
• Delaware and Raritan Canal (no longer operational or part of the ICW)
• Point Pleasant Canal
• Waccamaw River in South Carolina
• Winyay Bay in South Carolina
• Little River Inlet in South Carolina

Navigating Our Waterways

Named for an Indian tribe that once lived along its banks, the Neuse River is the southernmost of two major rivers that empty into southwestern Pamlico Sound. It's 34 nautical miles long from its mouth to New Bern and 6 nautical miles wide at its widest.

Nautical charts covering the Neuse and its various sidewaters are: 11548 for navigation of the river’s entrance from Pamlico sound, certain areas of Bay River and the Broad Creek area; 11553 for navigation of the Bay River section of the ICW and the Bay River’s entrance from the Neuse; 11552 for general navigation of the Neuse River and all sidewater bodies from Oriental to New Bern (including the Trent River); and 11541 for navigation of the Neuse and Adams Creek section of the ICW, as well as certain sidewater bodies between Bay River and Oriental.

THE BAY RIVER

One of two major auxiliary waters of the Neuse, the Bay River is found near the Neuse's exit into Pamlico Sound. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) enters Bay River from Gale Creek, passes into and down the Neuse for 15 nautical miles and then enters Adams Creek.

The Bay River serves two small coastal towns, Vandemere and Bayboro, and a variety of established subdivisions. Seldom will you find a sidewater with a lovelier shoreline or picturesque bays and creeks:

Bonner Bay is a good body of water with a shoreline in its natural state. It's a popular spot for duck hunters.

Vandemere was once the seat of Pamlico County. It is now a quiet fishing village where fresh seafood can often be purchased at the village's extensive commercial seafood docks.

Moore Bay offers fairly good protection and minimum depths of 8 feet to within 0.2 nautical miles of the shoreline.

Mason Bay (shown here) is shallower than Moore Bay. Minimum depths of 6 feet can be found within 0.2 nautical miles of shore.

Chapel Creek's shoreline is heavily wooded and sparsely populated. This creek has a true feeling of isolation.

Trent Creek is uniformly deep and well protected. Its waters are rich in fish as is evidenced by the large numbers of traps and net lines that can often be seen there.

A trip to Bayboro by water is strictly a gunkholing excursion. However, for those who have the time, the trip is highly recommended for its beautiful natural scenery.

BACK ON THE NEUSE

The wide waters of Broad Creek (shown here at moonrise) attract many sailors who also enjoy safe anchorage in its many  protected tributaries. Here, also, are a variety of established subdivisions.

At Pierce Creek boaters can expect minimum depths of 5 feet in the entrance channel and 8 and 9 feet past the creek's entrance. Home to Sea Harbour Yacht Club (pictured above).

Whittaker Creek has a well-marked channel with minimum depths of 7 feet. Occasionally dredged, most crafts should be able to enter easily. Home to Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor.

Oriental is located almost halfway between the river's mouth and New Bern. It offers excellent facilities for coastal cruisers and is a favorite stop on the ICW. The entrance to its harbor from the Neuse is very well marked and maintains a minimum depth of 8 feet. As you approach the harbor, you will see Pecan Grove Yacht Club (to port), Oriental Harbor Marina (to starboard) and a very large fixed bridge dead ahead. These marinas provide depths of 5-7 feet. Green Creek begins at the bridge. The two tributaries running off Green Creek (to starboard) are Smith (where you'll find Clancy's Marina) and Kershaw Creeks further on.

The best of both worlds can be found at the championship greens of Minnesott Beach Golf and Country Club and protected deep-water dockage at Wayfarer's Cove Marina (previously known as Minnesott Yacht Harbor). With the Cherry Point air base just across the river, this area has also become a popular spot for retiring military.

MARINAS & MARINE SERVICES

Clancy's Marina is home to Marine Mechanical & Electrical Repair Company. It offers a complete line of mechanical and electrical services for gas or diesel engines, outdrive or inboard transmissions, AC or DC electrical, hydraulic and other auxiliary systems on site. 309 Midyette Street, Oriental, 252-249-2925.

Deaton's Yacht Service is a full-service boatyard offering complete boat repair/service, 25-ton travel lift, 24-hour Boat/US towing/salvage and licensed captains. Do-It-Yourselfers are welcome! 1306 Neuse Drive, Oriental, 252-249-1180. Online at www.deatonyachts.com.

Oriental Harbor Marina is Oriental's newest marina with slips to accommodate boats of all sizes. Amenities include a full-service clubhouse, restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, gasoline and diesel fuel and pump-out services. Ship's store on site. 516 Water St, Oriental, 252-249-3783. Online at www.orientalharbor.com.

Pecan Grove Yacht Club accommodates boats of all sizes. Amenities include a beautiful clubhouse overlooking Oriental's harbor, swimming pool, laundry facilities, gasoline and diesel fuel and pump-out services. 685 Oriental Road, Oriental, 252-249-2532.

Sea Harbour Yacht Club (shown at start of this section ) does not offer facilities for transient boaters. Slip Amenities for slip owners and renters include a clubhouse, bathhouse and pool, plenty of storage boxes, dinghy racks and a gas dock. 6001 Harbour Way, Oriental, 252-249-2292. Online at www.seaharbour.org.

Wayfarer's Cove Marina is a turn-key boatyard conveniently located on the Neuse River. It offers cruising boaters overnight berths with all power and water connections, an air conditioned lounge, restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, a swimming pool, gasoline and diesel fuel and pump-out services. Complete boat repair/service/cleaning with 60-ton travel lift. Ship and variety store on site. Off NC Hwy. 306 and Bennett Road in Minnesott Beach, 800-922-1424. Online at www.wayfarerscove.com.

Whittaker Creek Yacht Harbor is a large, well-equipped marina that welcomes cruising boaters. It offers overnight berths with all power and water connections, a clubhouse and lounge, swimming pool, private baths with laundry facilities, gasoline and diesel fuel, pump-out services and minor repairs. Ship's store on site. Other amenities. 200-A Whittaker Point Road, Oriental, 252-249-0666. Online at www.whittakercreek.com.   

Interesting Sites Every Cruiser Should Know

If you come across an interesting or entertaining web site about the Waterway, or cruising in general, please send the link to Judi Heit at JudiHeit@gmail.com.

WATERWAY GUIDE

www.WaterwayGuide.com: Recent upgrades made to Waterway Guide's web site strongly focus on reader interaction. The site offers cruisers three portals to help plan their trips or report back on what they've just experienced. "Navigation Updates" give the most up-to-date information available on such items as Waterway conditions, changing bridge schedules and hazards to navigation. "Waterway News" reports events, marina updates and general ICW information. "Cruiser Comments" lets readers post their own observations and experiences from the Waterway. These three portals are broken into easy-to-follow regions, making the site easier to navigate than the Waterway!

NOAA ONLINE CHART VIEWER

www.ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/onlineviewer: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has made more than 1,000 of its U.S. coastal and Great Lakes nautical charts available in an online format. Each chart, updated with the most recent "Local Notices to Mariners," allows users to zoom in on their locations and view aids to navigation, water depths, obstructions, channels and other elements available on NOAA's paper charts. While NOAA encourages using their full-scale paper charts for on-the-water navigation, the online charts serve as valuable reference and planning tools. (Also visit www.nauticalcharts.noa.gov.)

ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY ASSOCIATION

www.atlintracoastal.org: If anyone is looking out for Waterway cruisers, it's the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA)! A non-profit organization started in 1999, the AIWA encourages commerce and recreation on the Intracoastal Waterways of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida through Congressional lobbying and local grass roots support. In addition to providing cruisers with Waterway budgetary updates and a network of Waterway businesses and association members, the AIWA web site offers a "Boater's Discussion Board" with Waterway news and problem spots.

Dressing Ship

For centuries, flags have been used at sea to identify ships and to pass messages from one vessel to another ... either friend or foe. Each signal flag or combination of flags has a different meaning, which can be changed by hoisting them on different masts.

The first numerical flag code was devised by a Frenchman named de la Bourdonnaise in 1738. It was the foundation on which all later development of flag hoist signaling was based. The current alphabet was adopted in 1957. The words chosen to represent the letters of the alphabet have changed since this system of communication was first introduced. When changes occur they are made by international agreement.

Some signal flags are meant for specialized jobs. For example, signalers still occasionally use semaphore flags to pass messages over short distances. The signalman sends messages letter by letter by holding two flags in various positions simolar to the hands of a clock. Semaphore signals can be sent and received much more quickly than flag hoists or even flashing light using Morse Code. They also have the advantage of being visible at greater distances.

Alphabet flags and numeric pennants are used by ships at sea to spell out short messages. Used individually or in combination, they have special meanings. Strung end to end and hung bow to stern from the rigging, they are used to dress ships for ceremonial and festive occasions.

One-letter hoists are for urgent, important or common transmissions, such as "Disabled" (F); "Man Overboard" (O); "Require Assistance" (V); and so on. Two-letter hoists are messages in the general code of signals. They have to do with emergency situations or navigational matters, such as "Are you aground?" (JI). Three-letter hoists, all starting with the letter "M", are from the medical code of signals and provide a surprisingly detailed system of communicating symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of medical emergencies, such as "You should give by mouth seasick tablets" (MT138).

The sending vessel makes up the signal and hoists it close up (fully hoisted). The receiving vessel hoists the answering pennant at the dip (hoisted halfway) to indicate the signal has been seen; once the receiving vessel has deciphered the message, it brings the answering pennant close up.

Weather indicator pennants appear either individually or as doubles. When displayed as a pair, they indicate a more severe warning:

Small Craft Warning:

Up to 38 mph winds

Gale Warning:

39-54 mph winds

Storm Warning:

55-73 mph winds

Hurricane Warning:

74+ mph winds

National flags or ensigns identify a ship's country of origin. The flag of a country into whose waters a ship is entering must be flown as a matter of courtesy.

Yacht club burgees are triangular, rectangular or swallowtailed flags denoting club or squadron membership. Many boaters get them by swapping their own burgees and other flags or nautical mementos.

DRESSING SHIP

Ships and boats are sometimes "dressed" for regattas, on national holidays and other special occasions. A property dressed yacht displays:

• The yacht ensign at the stern staff
• The union jack at the bow, or jack, staff
• The flags and pennants of the International Code on a line running from the stern or end of the bowsprit to the masthead and aft to the stern or taffrail

When dressing ship, the proper sequence is more or less standard: A B 2 U J 1 K E 3 G H 6 I V 5 F L 4 D M 7 P O 3rd substitute R N 1st substitute S T 0 (zero) C X 9 W Q 8 Z Y 2nd substitute. Using all the flags and pennants is known as rainbow dressing.

ONLINE REFERENCES

Visit these sites for more information about signal flags, marine history and boating safety:

• To translate a name or messages to signal or semaphore flags, go to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic at www.museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/signalflags.
• A great guide to boating, diving, fishing, gear, sailing, weather and everything else can be found at www.marinewaypoints.com.
• Test your boating safety knowledge at www.usps.org, site of the United States Power Squadron.
• Interested in some Naval History? Go to www.history.navy.mil and visit the Naval History Museum.
• If "Burgees" are your thing, you'll want to visit www.toolworks.com/burgee.

From Wreck to Recreation

Land ruined by Floyd in '99 leads to parks along Raccoon and Newton Creeks in Pamlico County.

By Charlie Hall, Sun Journal Staff

When Hurricane Floyd's flood waters rumbled across Pamlico County in 1999, it left many low-lying residences uninhabitable. The extent of the unthinkable 500-year flood led to government buyouts of land, and the county was left with properties not fit for building.

But, two such tracts that border creeks along the Bay River were deemed perfect for public water access. It's taken about four years, but parks on Raccoon and Newton Creeks will become functional by fall 2007.

Kayak veteran George Wisnesky (pictured with Nancy Inger) has paddled from both sites and said they provide nice scenery for a protected paddle. "They are also gateways to seeing birds and wetland vegetation along the Bay River," he said, "Newton Creek is good for the casual paddler. If you want to go fishing in the Bay River or exploring on Smith Creek. It has some nice areas, some nooks and crannies and coves. And there are a couple of sand bars where you can beach and walk on ."

From Raccoon Creek, it's a short trip across the Bay River to explore Trent and Alligator Creeks, a paddle of six miles. Another possible trip is what is termed a "shuttle," to and from either of the new parks -- about four miles. "There is a lot of good paddling from either creek," he said.

Grant money will provide canoe and kayak access at Raccoon Creek on NC Hwy. 306 and small power boats, canoes and kayaks access to the waterway from Newton Creek on Lynch's Beach Loop Road.

The projects come with limitations, including restrictions on impervious surfaces such as paved parking lots, according to conservation technician Candy Bohmert of the county Soil and Water Conservation District. Both areas are heavily wetlands. The 5-acre Raccoon Creek site is mostly marsh grass while Newton Creek's 2.5 acres are thick with trees.

An $8,000 grant from the state parks and recreation trust fund, coupled with matching county money, will provide a natural, living shoreline at Raccoon Creek. That replaces an old homemade concrete bulkhead that is being removed. There will also be a small floating platform.

Bohmert is still working on getting a marsh walkway built. signs are up identifying te various wetland plants. A picnic shelter and parking complete the plans. At both sites, portable bathrooms will be used. Threats of flooding and prohibitive costs ruled out permanent facilities.

The Newton Creek park is located at the end of a long one-lane drive. A small boat ramp is there, with plans to add docks and other improvements. Bohmert said the creek is shallow and won't accommodate boats with more than 2-3 feet of draft.

The $31,000 project is funded 75% by a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) water access grant of $23,250 and $3,875 in cash and in-kind county contributions. Bohmert said in-kind work would include removing the old docks. Also, some local homeowners are taking down an old fence, which will be replaced with chain link.

The restoration is well-timed for the renewal of the Pamlico Paddle, scheduled for October 25, 2007. Raccoon Creek is one of the launch sites for the paddle, sponsored by the Pamlico Tourism Development Council.

The Sounding Lead

Taken From Instructions Written by James Mathews

The lead is one of the most useful instruments on board ship. It's usually 7 or 14 pounds in weight although 4, 6, 8 and 10-pound leads are made.

The lead tapers to the top (about 10-12 inches tall) with a ring molded into the top of it. The line is fastened to the top of the lead with a loose eye splice and the bottom of the lead is dished deeply (hollowed out to a depth of about 1 to 1.5 inches) and filled with tallow. This is called the "arming."

The lead line, for a hand lead, is usually 60 fathoms in length and is made of well-stretched, untarred American or Italian hemp which should be pliable. Before making a lead line, soak it in water and put it on a good stretch ... about twice that of the weight of the lead you are using. Insert a small wooden toggle into the line at about two fathoms from the lead (near the two fathom mark) to assist the leadsman in measuring the amount of leadline to swing. The markings of the hand lead are as follows:

• 2 fathoms from the lead; 2 strips of leather
• 3 fathoms; 3 strips
• 5 fathoms; piece of white cloth
• 7 fathoms; piece of red cloth
• 10 fathoms; piece of leather with a hole
• 13 fathoms; piece of blue cloth
• 15 fathoms; piece of white cloth
• 17 fathoms; piece of red cloth
• 20 fathoms; small line with 2 knots
• 25 fathoms; small line with 1 knot
• 30 fathoms; small line with 3 knots
• 35 fathoms; small line with 1 knot
• 40 fathoms; small line with 4 knots

... and so on, a mark every 5 fathoms. These are known as the "marks of the lead line." The unmarked fathoms are known as the "deeps of the leadline." Together we speak of the "marks of the deeps" of the leadline.

CASTING THE LEAD

Taking soundings, or "casts of the lead," is done when the vessel has headway on. The leadsman casts the lead forward and gets the depth as the vessel passes over the lead, resting on the bottom. The procedure is as follows:

The leadsman grasps the leadline at the toggle and swings the lead back and forth, parallel with the side of the ship. The leadsman being in a projecting lead stand (or in the chains in a sailing vessel), the lead is sent over head for two full turns and released at the bottom of the swing flying forward at a tangent, and almost parallel with the surface of the water. The motion of the swinging lead is opposite to that of a wheel turning with the motion of the ship.

Assuming a right hand throw from the starboard side, the left hand of the leadsman holds the coils of the line, freely forward, so it can run out without hindrance and without kinks. As the line flows out and the lead reaches the bottom, the leadsman grasps the running line with his right hand and pulls it rapidly, plunging it up and down to feel the bottom.

Feeling bottom, he plumbs the line up and down as the ship passes by the lead. He bends over and notes the mark above the water. If a mark is directly at the water, he calls out that mark as "by the mark five." If slightly under water, "mark underwater, five." If the five is three feet up, "and a half four." If the five is six feet up, "by the deep four." And so on, calling the marks and deeps or the spaces in between. If the mark is seven, or a quarter fathom out of the water (1.5 feet), the leadsman would call "and a quarter less seven."

Before the next cast, the leadsman will look at the arming and report the state of the bottom and clean the arming for the next cast. The leadsman sings out the marks and deeps. He never uses "sir" as some are apt to do. The soundings should be called out sharp and clear. leadsmen should practice casting the lead from both starboard and port lead stands.

WATER BAG

The water bag is a canvas bag with a circular bottom, about 14 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. It's made from #1 canvas with a grommet sewn on the upper edge and a strong becket spliced into it. It's filled with water and used in place of the lead for practice casting. If the novice makes a bad cast he will only get a shower ... not a crack on the head with a blue pigeon.

SOUNDING AT NIGHT

The leadsman, working in darkness, must know the distance from his waist to the waterline. He reads the mark closest to his waist by feel (or in cold by touching the mark to his lips or tongue which are more sensitive than cold fingers) and then subtracts this distance from his depth. Only the exact water depth is cried to the bridge.

DIPSEA

The coasting lead is a large hand lead, sometimes called the deep sea lead (sailors call it the dipsea) dropped from the bow and weighing 50 pounds. The line is about 120 fathoms. The method of using the dipsea lead is as follows:

Station a reliable man on the forecastle head with the lead and a length of line coil in hand, say 10 fathoms. At intervals along the side of the ship at about every hundred feet, have a man with a similar coil of line, the bight being placed outside and clear of all projections. The last man (with the last coil in a tub, clear for running, fastened securely inboard and well clear of the line) stands at the taffrail to take the reading of the cast.

Since all leads are hollowed in the bottom and armed with tallow, as the lead strikes the bottom it will gather and bring up a sample of the bottom like pebbles, sand, speckled shell, blue mud or chalk. All these things and many more can be added to the chart. Together with the depth, they aid in locating a vessel at night or in the fog when soundings are taken.

NC Coastal Recreational Fishing

REQUIREMENTS

North Carolina's Coastal Recreational Fishing License can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources commission. This license allows recreational fishermen to harvest finfish for personal consumption; finfish harvested under this license cannot be sold. Fishermen using this license are held to the state's recreational size and possession limits.

The license is required to recreationally harvest finfish in the state's Coastal Fishing Waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries, out to three miles in the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish in the ocean are required to have this license to land fish. fishing in Joint Waters (areas managed by both the Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources Commissions) -- will require either this or a Wildlife Resource Commission inland fishing license.

DETERMINING SIZE

Total length is measured from tip of snout with mouth closed to tip of compressed tail. Fork length is measured from tip of snout to middle of fork in tail. Lower jaw fork length is measured from lower jaw to middle of fork in tail. Curved fork length is the measurement of the length taken in a line tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail.

While fishing, it is unlawful to possess any fish without the head and tail attached if that species is subject to size or creek limits. If using part of the fish for bait, you must save the carcass.

BE AN ETHICAL ANGLER

Some people fish to provide a source of food for their families, but many others fish for the experience. Angling is more than just catching protein, it's the thrill of being outdoors and pitting your skills against those fish you know are just out there waiting for you to toss that hook into the water. By practicing ethical angling, fishermen can enjoy catching fish today and ensure that there will be fish for the future.

The Ethical Angler:

• Knows and abides by fishing regulations
• Can identify most species
• Practices catch and release
• Appreciates the importance of habitat
• Does not litter
• Understands and observes boating regulations
• Participates in the fisheries management process
• Cooperates with port agents and biologists

This information taken from document produced by the NC Division of Marine Fisheries. Be sure to check the NC Division of Marine Fisheries web site at www.ncdmf.net for more license options or the latest size and possession limits found in the NC Coastal Waters Guide for Recreational Fishermen.