Ran aground...in 8ft of charted water... ;)

[MikeP]

We were on the way back to the marina on the Chester River about an hour ago and, since we were in charted "white" water (plenty of depth) in the same area we were in last time up the Chester (last season), I must admit I wasn't paying a lot of attention to the depth finder. Suddenly, much shuddering and I pulled the power back. Depth gauge showed 3.2 feet! We successfully plowed our way through the mud until we got into sufficient water. Once in deeper water I WOT'd the boat to check for vibrations/etc, expecting damaged props. BUT, after the mud bath, the boat managed to top out at 1/2 knot faster than it had done a few minutes earlier when we had done a full power run. I guess the props spinning through the mud "sanded" off any barnacles.

Moral of the story is what we all know anyway - watch the depth finder! In this case, charted 8 ft MLLW was 3.2 ft with the tide rising and at about 1/2 the way up. Based on the chart/rising tide, there "should" have been at least 9 ft of water there...

 

[SeaEric]

The Chester can be tricky. There are some areas - way out from land where it looks like there should be plenty of depth and there isn't. It can be quite deceiving.

 

[Avenger]

Nothing like a good sandblasting to clean the running gear. I was almost tempted to try that method intentionally, but I went a got my SCUBA cert. instead. Less chance of breaking expensive stuff.

 

[tellico]

Also, the winds we've had can't help. I thought my boat might blow off the stands on Sat/Sun.

 

[SEVEN]

I'm amazed you didn't bend a prop. Buy a lotto ticket you're on a lucky streak.

 

[holtcl]

Not all that surprising. Where were you on the River? On our first anchor out trip up the river, following a recommendation from a dock mate to check out "Lovely Creek", I had my first soft grounding ever. There was plenty of water according to the chart. I haven't ventured up quite that way since.

Ironically, after running Bay Mariner the ~2500 mile trip from Alabama to Annapolis without incident even in the shallow waters in FL, this is where it happened.

Cheryl

 

[Pascal]

where exactly? You should put an active captain danger market unless one already exists

Don't you love that hatteras keel ?.

I always set my depth alarm to 3' below keel... Good reminder. At slow speed it can help warm you of unexpected shoaling

 

[Tim Powell]

Come on up to Hatteras NC, Organ inlet and Ocracoke then you better have a good eye and be able to read the water darn the depth finder. The Chanel seems to change overnight. Its strange the tide runs hard but the water depth changes inches 6 at the most. But the fishing is grate.

 

[GJH]

The comment about the sustained winds is a good one, and certainly applies here in eastern NC where on inshore waters it can account for a couple of feet one way or the other. In the areas Tim mentioned, add to that the loose sandy bottoms which shoal easily due to currents, storms and even wind effects.
I wouldn't be surprised if you went back there in a week or two and found things closer to charted. Although most charts that don't have commercial shipping lanes involved haven't bee re-sounded in 70 years or so.

 

[MikeP]

where exactly? You should put an active captain danger market unless one already exists

Don't you love that hatteras keel ?.

I always set my depth alarm to 3' below keel... Good reminder. At slow speed it can help warm you of unexpected shoaling

I've never used a depth alarm but I think that practice is now at an end...

I don't know how to do the active captain thing but I'll check it out...

 

[Glory]

Most chart plotters allow you to place a danger zone.

I have a couple placed as a reminder.

JM

 

[Freeebird]

Most chart plotters will also show you on dry land when you are in 8' of water and vice versa.

 

[oscarvan]

Going into Annapolis I ALWAYS found my plotter to put me in the middle of a Starbucks or similar. I suspect all the Navy assets there are cause for degrading the signal locally.

 

[rwappleton]

We have a saying on our boat. Chartplotters lie depth finders might. keep an eye on the one that might !

 

[MikeP]

Going into Annapolis I ALWAYS found my plotter to put me in the middle of a Starbucks or similar. I suspect all the Navy assets there are cause for degrading the signal locally.

Cool, I've been trying to find a Starbucks there. I'll check my chart plotter.