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Restless on the Move

Starting near Shallotte Inlet, north of Cape Fear, progress north is slowed. Not for reason of current or speed zones, but rather bridges. Suddenly the sixty five foot plus high fixed bridges that have spanned the ICW since Florida, become low draw and swing bridges that normally only open on the hour for pleasure craft.

Along one such section of the ICW, I had such a rate of closure approaching a bridge that was down, (figuring I would clear it in the neighborhood of 12” with the present state of the tide) that the bridge tender mistook me for the real item, and opened at an unscheduled time. As I was about to pass thru the cut, he hailed me on the bridge frequency, requesting my Commercial Tug Registration Number. Explaining that I was just a: “Wannabe,” came too late for him to change his mind; I was already thru!

The Shallotte Beach Pontoon Bridge at mile 337.9 is the last (thank God) remaining pontoon bridge on the Atlantic ICW. It provides insufficient clearance for even a canoe. Local community interest seeks to preserve this bridge for historical significance. Among those of the local boating community however, it is hoped that these efforts will fail, and that it will be torn from its moorings with the next PerigeanTide and Current.

Should that not be enough; the United States Marine Corps owns the real estate on either side of the ICW near Camp LeJeune, NC. During times of: “Playing War;” live ordnance passes between the two shores, and signs with flashing red lights advise that continuing at present course and speed can be dangerous to your health.

Leaving Coinjock, NC the morning of April 9th, I am soon overtaken by two large motor yachts, within 10 minutes of one-another, who have had the courtesy of checking their speed while passing close aboard, yet immediately accelerate up on the plane and disappear around the bend in the river ahead, as if being chased by the law. I scratch my head; wondering what it is they know, that I don’t. According to my chart; 4 miles ahead, the North Landing Swing Bridge, spans the river, having a clearance of only six feet, and not opening for another 50 Minutes.

Arriving at the bridge approximately 40 minutes later, I join these two vessels holding position in the canal with power awaiting the bridge’s opening. Once clear, with its “Top of the Hour,” schedule, both boats are immediately back up on the plane, hell bent to get nowhere fast once again, as the next bridge opens only on the hour also, and is less than 5 miles distant. Either drag racing on the ICW has become the “In Thing,” or these guy’s haven’t a “Clue.” Fifteen minutes later, I hear one of them querying the bridge master about opening schedules over the radio. I wanted to interrupt the conversation in the worst way, and ask if these guys ever heard the story about the Hare and the Tortoise, but radio discipline got the better of me.

After clearing the Great Bridge Lock, entering the Elizabeth River is like turning a kid loose in a candy store, for a Nautical Afficionado. Here everything from old WWII Liberty Ships to Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers can be viewed on either side of the river. Some rusting away awaiting the breakers, while others are undergoing refit in floating dry-docks.

I have always been a bit of a “Haunt,” around boatyards and busy ports, and could have spent a week just Gunkholeing about the harbor. Within a very short time however, I came to realize that I was a marked boat, and that my continued presence would probably lead to more than just a routine boarding.

While slowly steaming along the western bank of the river, gawking at all that was about, I suddenly observed a Police Boat in Navy Colors off my port beam. Initially I thought of his presence, as being nothing more than a chance meeting. Within minutes however, it was quite evident that my boats shadow had taken on new dimensions. This continued for nearly a mile, until a second such vessel approached from the opposite direction, and passed down my starboard side, to come about and take up station close aboard to port, as the initial boat passed the escort, and returned to his sector of patrol. This arrangement would continue until well clear of naval shipyard, and then he too would swing away to resume his assigned station.

April 9 & 10th would be spent at Harbor Side Marina in Downtown Norfolk.

Its location is convenient for not only hiding from the USCG and the local Harbor Police, but located within three blocks of: Nauticus (a Marine Museum) and the Battleship USS Wisconsin. Actual touring of the weather decks aboard the Wisconsin are allowed, and the location of the vessel pier side allows you to stand on the sidewalk and view the ship’s bow, “Head On,” allowing you to view the classic lines of what a hull should look like, in comparison to the “Boxes,” that are built today. (i.e. USCGC Mackinaw I & II)

Capt Bob |09:12 EST |Comments (0)

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