WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard Captain of Port Zone North Carolina has re-opened the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City for normal operations, but mariners transiting the latter should exercise extreme caution in the center of the Beaufort Inlet Channel Entrance in the vicinity of Shackleford Island.
A survey of the Beaufort Inlet Channel Entrance conducted by the Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers found that a shoal had formed there. This shoal restricts the depth of the channel to 35.6 feet at mean low water.
All mariners are also reminded to proceed with caution elsewhere because of off-station aids to navigation and debris associated with the recent storm-force weather.
Recreational boaters and operators of vessels not made of steel are strongly encouraged to avoid transiting the waterways until tides and debris volume return to normal levels.
For updates on port conditions, visit the Coast Guard’s Homeport site or call Sector North Carolina at 910-343-3882.
