Traveling Along the ICW and the Chesapeake Bay? Beware of Flood Debris From Hurricane Irene

Small boats moving at high speeds can be sunk easily by striking a submerged object

Normally this time of year, boaters have to be concerned about cooler water  temperatures, rapid temperature swings, and being more self-reliant as fewer  boaters are on the water to help in a potential emergency. With the recent  storms, however, you can add one more to  the list: a dramatic increase in the number of submerged objects lurking on or  just below the surface of rain swollen rivers, lakes and bays.

The fact is that small boats moving at high speeds can be sunk easily by striking a submerged object, whether it's a tree, parts of buildings, fences, landscape timbers or other debris washed down in recent storms.

What's the best precaution? Slow down after significant rain events and post extra lookouts  - the more eyes the better. It's really a problem for any boat as running gear and outdrives can be damaged and lead to water coming in.

Mile Marker "0" AICW  has these four tips:

Before you go: Have all of the safety and communications gear aboard  and ensure the bilge pumps are working and there is no debris in the bilge.  It's always a good idea to have an extra bailer or two aboard, such as a  bucket, emergency hand pump or even a cut-off detergent bottle. Also understand  that navigational aids may have shifted.

Stop for any "thud": If you hear a thud, always stop the boat immediately  and inspect the bilge or storage compartments for damage - then check again a  short while later. A crack can  open up after a boat has bounced around a while. Another sign of damage is the  boat may feel "funny" or less responsive, a sign that water is coming aboard.

Put on life jackets: If you find water coming aboard - even if it's just  a trickle - immediately put on your life jacket and notify the Coast Guard as  you could lose the power and the ability to send a distress call on your VHF.  It takes only seconds for a trickle to get worse.

Be prepared to improvise: If you do find a hole in the hull, bilge pumps alone  may not stem the tide. Use anything you may have aboard such as towels, wooden  bungs (keep them handy for plugging round holes such as prop shaft logs), or other gear to wedge into holes or cracks.

While traveling the ICW, make sure to stop by Mile Marker "0" Marine Supply located at the High Street basin in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia for all of your boating needs. Mile Marker "0" Marine Supply is ready to assist you 7 days a week and offers general vessel services such as preventive maintenance, diagnostics, inspections and diving. They also offer free delivery to all marinas.  The goal at Mile Marker "0" is to put you first and provide real value to all of their customers. For more information, please click on the link at Mile Marker"0" Marine Supply or call them at 757-673-4816.

The article above was kindly provided to us from the BOATUS pressroom. Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for  recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government  representation, programs and money-saving services including towing services  and boat insurance. It's Damage Avoidance Program helps boaters learn how  prevent injury or vessel damage using real-world examples from the BoatUS  Marine Insurance claims files and other boating safety resources. For  membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

AICW Primary Route from VA to NC and Dismal Swamp Canal-Alternate AICW Reopens- Great Bridge Lock Returns to Normal Schedule After Damaged Swing Arm from Hurricane Irene

Great Bridge Lock Closed due to Damage from Hurricane Irene. Photo by Patrick Bloodgood.

Postings from
Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net

Statute Mile 11.5- After being on a restricted schedule due to damage from Hurricane Irene, Great Bridge Lock has returned to a normal schedule. Thus, the primary North Carolina – Virginia Cut branch of the AICW (also known as the Chesapeake – Albemarle Canal) is now fully useable by cruising craft, excepting that there may be some floating and semi-sunken debris courtesy of Hurricane Irene, to watch for and avoid! Happy days, now the cruising community has a clear path for the fall, 2011 southward migration!

Public Notice, US Army Corp of Engineers, Norfolk District
Repairs to Great Bridge Lock, damaged during Hurricane Irene, in Chesapeake, Virginia, have been completed. Lockings have returned to normal, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Great Bridge locks open on demand, but work in conjunction with the Great Bridge Bridge openings. Vessel operators may contact the Great Bridge lock at 757-547-3311 if additional locking information is required. Lock and bridge operators will monitor Channel 13.
　

Dismal Swamp Canal-Alternate AICW will Reopen September 7, 2011

We just heard from Captain Donna Stewart, director of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, at 1:10 pm, 9/6/11. She reports that the US Army Corps of Engineers has just announced the Dismal Swamp Canal Alternate AICW route will reopen tomorrow morning, 9/07/11, AND the locks at both South Mills, NC and Deep Creek, VA will once again be operating on their normal, four times a day opening schedule (openings at 8:30 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm).
As you may remember, locking hours were initially cut back on the Dismal earlier in the summer, due to drought conditions, and then the canal was closed entirely due to a forest/swamp fire. Well, the fire is all but out, and there is now plenty of water in the canal, both courtesy of Hurricane Irene. I guess something good came out of this great storm after all.
Donna assures me that the Corps boats have carefully checked the canal and Turners Cut for flotsam and jetsam. So, cruising craft should now be able to run the Dismal with no more than the usual cautions of going slowly so as not to stir up bottom debris.
What GREAT timing! Now, southbound AICW cruisers this fall have a choice of whether to take the faster North Carolina – Virginia Cut (also known as the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal) or the historic and ecologically interesting Dismal Swamp route. Happy cruising to one and all, whichever passage you choose!

Click here for more Virginia to North Carolina line news at Cruisers Net!