This was the first underway dredge we encountered in the narrow “Rockpile” portion of the ICW near Myrtle Beach – no big deal.

However, 15 minutes later we were surprised with rest of its parade – in the worst, narrowest area of the “Rockpile”. Every couple hundred feet were portions of rock protruding from shore which didn’t get sufficiently blasted away during the ICW’s construction. Trapped between 2 rocky outcroppings with unknown rocks under us, attempting to keep in place with 1 knot of current for 5 – 6 minutes as they slowly marched by – no fun.

This working dredge near Carolina Beach was the talk of all the cruisers, as he was (usually) blocking the only deep water & (usually) wouldn’t answer calling boats on the VHF radio. The snaking, floating pipeline was curling behind unnecessarily blocked the channel even further. A few boats went aground attempting to pass by. We left our anchorage at 7 AM near high tide & made it thru with 3′ to spare, but that’s almost aground for a 6′ draft sailboat.

This massive dredging operation off the Beaufort inlet wasn’t an issue at all, as we could keep 1/4 mile away & still be in 15’+ of water. Going the 80 miles offshore between Wrightsville Beach & Beaufort is always our preference if the weather cooperates, as it avoids sections of the ICW with another dredging operation & a bridge under construction with reduced width.

Even after 13 years, we are still amazed at the waterside construction along the ICW in South Carolina. These rows & rows go on for miles & miles & miles – they are now “filling in the blanks” with more houses & of course their own docks.

While we’ve stopped at Wacca Wache Marina for diesel a few times, we finally stayed the night. They have a very good, friendly restaurant on-site. And everyone just likes to say “Wacca Wache”.

And last, but not least, Britt’s Donuts in Carolina Beach, followed by a great dinner with cruising friends Jim & Laurie we first met 12 years ago when all had sailing catamarans. They are now “dirt dwellers” with a house in Wilmington & a family cottage in Maine, so enjoying life!