Significant Shoaling in Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

Posted by Michelle Howard December 24, 2015

The U.S. Coast Guard is urging mariners to exercise caution while transiting the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) due to shoaling conditions.

Several portions of the AICW show significant shoaling, specifically those areas near mile markers 237, 271, 280 and 321 in North Carolina. There have been and continue to be groundings in these areas, the Coast Guard said.

The captain of the port for Coast Guard Sector North Carolina suggests all mariners take the following precautions while transiting the AICW in these areas:

Transit at the slowest safe speed and proceed with caution
Conduct proper pre-voyage planning when intending to transit these areas
Transit at high tide and in daylight hours
Ensure vessel drafts are adequate to transit the AICW
Do not attempt to overtake or meet other vessels in these areas

These areas are subject to continual and sometimes rapid environmental changes. Some aids to navigation on the AICW may not be charted and may be marking best water outside of the federal channel due to continually shifting shoals.