Yesterday one of our dear friends Leslie Koski texted us and said “The aerial shot of the channel you passed through today looked more like a dried up river bed in some parts. Glad you made it to what looks like deeper waters”. Claudia showed me her message and we looked at each other and both laughed out loud.
The section of the ICW Leslie was referring to is called “Watts Cut”. This section is one of the longest and shallowest trouble spots on the ICW. While there are some places with 8-10 feet of water, there are also stretches with less than 5 feet of water at low tide. If you drift out of the “channel” you will find water less than 3 feet.
We use 4 navigation products on our boat. We have NOAA charts on paper as our general guide, a Navionics chart chip in our chart plotter, a tablet using Aqua Map loaded with Army Corps of Engineering latest survey data & a smartphone phone running Navionics.
Leaving Steamboat Creek Anchorage at low tide, we head for Beaufort, SC. Passing Charleston near mile marker 501, we started seeing very shallow mud banks on both sides of the channel. We draw 5 feet and the depth sounder shows 5.2. We have another 3 miles to go before deeper waters. The channel winds significantly here and the current is swift. My eyes locked between the tablet and the depth sounder. My heart beats faster as the depth lowered. Now at 4.9, 4.8, 4.7… Check the chart plotter, check the depth finder, slowly but surely gripping the wheel so tightly the knuckles are white, I am hunched over the wheel trying to make sense of the buoys ahead, and then something goes bump… I can feel the keel touching bottom, soft mud fortunately but we’re still moving. We’re now officially dredging the ICW, clearing out the bottom for all vessels behind us. The chaos continued for the next 10 minutes until we’re back into deeper waters. A sigh of relief for both of us.
We marched on and arrived in Beaufort safely. We picked up a mooring and looked forward to a much needed 4 days rest at the 2nd largest city in South Carolina.
Wow! My mom and I just read this together over breakfast. You describe everything so well! We are happy that you will have a few days to de-stress. We are cherishing every moment we have had with Shay, Kara and Ryan this week 😊
Hi Sandy, I’m so happy that you and mom spent time with Ryan, Kara and Shay! She is such a cutie pie, and growing so fast too ( I love the picture of her just staring up into your mom’s eyes) 💕💕💕💕.
Wow I would have been covered in mud and need of a tow, I can’t imagine how stressful that must have been to maneuver around in. You two really know what your doing. Have a relaxing stay in Beaufort.. enjoy all the comfort foods and southern charm.
xoxoxoxox
Hi Toni, Of all the places I’ve been this this town reminds me of you🤗 true Southern Charm!
Glad you made it there safely! On the bright side– mud is softer than rocks (and other boats running into you at the marina) 😉
Hi Leslie, We picked up a mooring for the next 4 days. Thanks keeping an eye on us 🧐😘
Good morning Fujiko☀️. I was having an anxiety attack just reading the narrative about the very shallow waters on Watts Cut. So glad you made it through safely 🙏💕
Thanks Karen… glad I was not at the helm !! This trip sometime makes me o cocô too 😜