USCG Removes Buoys in Heavily Shoaled N.C. Inlet ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. – The Coast Guard will remove the navigational buoys from Shallotte Inlet because the waters there ha become too shallow. The Cutter Blackberry conducted soundings of the inlet and found the movement of sand and sediment has decreased the water depth in the inlet, and it is too shallow for local Coast Guard aids-to-navigation units to operate and safely access the buoys used to mark the channel. Without the ability to access the buoys, it will not be possible for the Coast Guard to ensure that these navigational aids are accurately marking safe water. Shallotte Inlet is not maintained by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers; therefore, no dredging operations are scheduled. The Coast Guard encourages boaters transiting this area to be cautious and boat safely. Shoaling is a particularly shallow area in a navigable body of water that can create a hazard to navigation. Shoaling conditions are dynamic. Water depths can change radically and unevenly by the accumulation of silt or by the energy of passing storms. One way to identify dangers on the water is to consult the Broadcast Notice to Mariners on Channel 22, VHF-FM radio, or the Local Notice to Mariners found at
Boaters are also encouraged to wear lifejackets, take a safe boating course, get a vessel safety check and never operate a boat under the influence. Additional boating safety information can be found at http://www.uscgboating.org/.
USCG Removes Buoys in Heavily Shoaled N.C. Inlet
ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. – The Coast Guard will remove the navigational buoys from Shallotte Inlet because the waters there ha become too shallow.
The Cutter Blackberry conducted soundings of the inlet and found the movement of sand and sediment has decreased the water depth in the inlet, and it is too shallow for local Coast Guard aids-to-navigation units to operate and safely access the buoys used to mark the channel.
Without the ability to access the buoys, it will not be possible for the Coast Guard to ensure that these navigational aids are accurately marking safe water. Shallotte Inlet is not maintained by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers; therefore, no dredging operations are scheduled.
The Coast Guard encourages boaters transiting this area to be cautious and boat safely. Shoaling is a particularly shallow area in a navigable body of water that can create a hazard to navigation. Shoaling conditions are dynamic. Water depths can change radically and unevenly by the accumulation of silt or by the energy of passing storms.
One way to identify dangers on the water is to consult the Broadcast Notice to Mariners on Channel 22, VHF-FM radio, or the Local Notice to Mariners found at
ww.navcen.uscg.gov/Inm. These notices tell boaters about everything from waterway conditions, status of aids to navigation, bridge operations and waterway construction projects.Boaters are also encouraged to wear lifejackets, take a safe boating course, get a vessel safety check and never operate a boat under the influence. Additional boating safety information can be found at http://www.uscgboating.org/.