One unique feature of the Kilenny marina is that it is the location where all the local egrets come to roost at night. By sunset there were at least 50 white egrets sitting in the trees along the river bank. After a bit of prehistoric squawking they all settled down for the night.
A new 65ft bridge is under construction at Causton Bluff, GA, and can't come soon enough. The existing bascule bridge only opens on one side these days. One of the tightest fits along the journey.
The last time we came through this section of the ICW was in 2006 at dead low tide and we got stuck in the mud in mid-channel trying to get up to the bridge. We had to tell the bridge tender it might be 30-60mins before we could get to the bridge waiting for a couple inches of tide to come in. This trip we went through at near high tide and had an extra 8ft of water depth.
With our new chart plotter and AIS transponder it significantly increases safety helping keep everyone aware of traffic conditions. Here we are approaching and crossing the Savannah River, which is a busy merchant shipping lane. Sure enough, there was a container ship coming down the river on a collision course with our crossing. Not only can I see on my plotter where our intersection is going to be on present course and speed, the merchant ship has the same picture showing my position and course/speed which is broadcasted by my AIS device. I only had to slow down and pass behind him, which he could monitor on his plotter.
What you cant see on this photo is that there is a dredge and two tugs working on the other side of the river, right along the ICW route to the north. Again, the plotter shows the exact position of all the vessels and the safe route around them through deep water.
And here comes the container ship, emerging from behind the trees. Unlike our 2006 trip through here without a chart plotter, this time I knew he was coming and that I should slow down and safely pass behind him and not try to race him across. Interestingly, he never called me on the radio to check my intentions (or tell me to hold position) as they often do in the Chesapeake. I expect that was because he could see from my AIS what my plans were.
The weather was good and we were making good time so we decided to press on until sunset and made it to Port Royal, anchoring just off the Marines Base at Paris Island. We got to listen to the Marines morning PT sessions starting at 0500 am.
