Running aground, the Rock Pile and more Bridges

There are a couple of inlets that are notorious for having alot of shoaling.  The Lockwood Inlet and Shallotte's Folly are names that all boaters going through the ICW probably have a story about. As we approached the Lockwood Inlet in Holden Beach, North Carolina, we came upon this motor yacht, the Sea Hunter IV, listing to its port side.

This is never a good sign.  We slowed way down and hailed them on our radio.  They said that they had grounded in 4' 6" of water, which is what Obsession draws as well.  Someone had provided them misinformation.  Well, it may not have been misinformation at the time it was given, however the bottom can change so quickly here. There was nothing we could do for Sea Hunter IV, they weren't in any trouble, just stuck until the tide switched and raised them off the sand bar. So we said our adieus, they wished us well and we crept very slowly to the right side of the channel. It was touch and go but we made it through.

You can actually see the green can laying over on it's side directly in front of Sea Hunter IV.

A few more miles down the ICW we crossed Shallote's Folly (very aptly named). We knew this inlet from before.  One our last trip down we touched bottom here and turned back to try to figure out how to cross or wait for the tide to switch.  A friendly fisherman offered to guide us through the channel as he was familiar with the area.  Always ready to take assistance when offered, we made it through that time.

Today, as we got close we could see a sailboat, the Corina Run, which didn't appear to be moving. Again, not a good sign.  We hailed them on our radio but no response.  As we got a bit closer we could tell that they were grounded.  They yelled over to us that they grounded in 4' 6". A fisherman approached in a flat bottomed boat and explained what side of the channel to stay too. Saved again by the friendly fisherman!!  We stayed close to the red cans to the right of the channel. With our sunglasses you could see the change in color in the water and see where the shoaling was taking place.  Behind us the Corina Run made another "run" at the channel, only exactly in the same spot! We were a bit perplexed as they could have followed us through the channel.  Who knows. We did see them the next day, so they must have finally made it through.

This area is called the "Rock Pile".  I didn't get alot of great pictures since it's kind of a worrisome stretch of the ICW.  The Coast Guard also reported a 30' submerged log in the vicinity so we were keeping a close watch out. Rock Pile is basically just that, instead of the soft, forgiving sand and mud that we've encountered along the way thus far on the ICW, it's ROCKS.  And what's bad is that they jut out along the sides but submerged during high tides so it's imperative to stay to the center of the channel. It's about a 20 mile stretch, beautiful but you definitely want to watch carefully where your bow is pointed.  

  

The water is the color of iced tea.  Very fitting considering it's the drink of choice in the south.  If you have a white hulled  boat it will have this nasty brown moustache quite quickly.  (sorry it's not the best picture, but I wanted you to see the color. :)

Once we cleared the Rock Pile we had a few more bridges to clear. This is an interesting section of the ICW.  Near Myrtle Beach there is lots of restaurants on the water.  If you had the time if would be fun to stop and get a bite along the way.  IF, you had the time that is.  If we make 50 miles a day we'll make Fort Lauderdale to pick up Mike Cranford on the 28th.  We made 75 miles yesterday.  If we can do that a couple of days in a row we'll get there a day early which would be nice.  

More bridges.

Love people with a sense of humor.  I remember this "guy" the last time we came through. 

We are about 40 miles from Charleston, SC.  It's a beautiful day today!  Finally, warm and sunny!  Just a gorgeous morning.  Can't wait to share those pictures tomorrow.


Camile