Today was a transit down the North Carolina Bogue Sound and ICW waters just inside the Atlantic Ocean barrier islands and through the Camp LeJeune Marine Base. We got as far as Swan Point before dark where we needed to find a marina to stop at because of the high winds and 32degree temperature forecasted for the night. There really was only one option - Swan Point Marina. The good news was that they had one available slip and it was a straight shot in to the floating dock. Unfortunately, this marina was heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew and no repairs have been made. We knew ahead that there was no fuel or water or heated restrooms (all ok) but they didn't tell us that it was really only 4ft deep with a foot of mushy silt. They said there was a "little hump" at the entrance.
We entered at good speed and slid over the hump, and then plowed our way through the silt up to the pier. Fortunately we ended up in the right parking spot by the time we stopped because there was no further moving, being held in place by the mud.
Here's a good photo of where we ended up. You see our bow pulpit at the right of the photo. (BTW, the catamaran ahead is not wrecked, it is lifted up to repair the starboard rudder.) The dockmaster was very friendly, but I would not recommend anyone stay here.
Unfortunately, we ended up having to stay two nights here. The next morning the wind was blowing hard, blowing us up against the dock. There was no way we could leverage ourselves off the dock into the wind without striking one of the pylons ahead or behind us, which had large metal brackets holding the dock in place (not very well) without any protective padding. Additionally, we can only leave at high tide which means a 10am departure. That does not give us time to reach are next desired destination, but we can adjust.
Like most days on the ICW there is always something interesting to view while passing by. Today passing through the Marine Base we got to watch Ospreys (Marine aircraft - not birds) and CH-53 heavy helicopters performing training ops. We also got to pass through the LeJeune swing bridge that connects the base to the beach.
We entered at good speed and slid over the hump, and then plowed our way through the silt up to the pier. Fortunately we ended up in the right parking spot by the time we stopped because there was no further moving, being held in place by the mud.
Here's a good photo of where we ended up. You see our bow pulpit at the right of the photo. (BTW, the catamaran ahead is not wrecked, it is lifted up to repair the starboard rudder.) The dockmaster was very friendly, but I would not recommend anyone stay here.
Like most days on the ICW there is always something interesting to view while passing by. Today passing through the Marine Base we got to watch Ospreys (Marine aircraft - not birds) and CH-53 heavy helicopters performing training ops. We also got to pass through the LeJeune swing bridge that connects the base to the beach.
