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One of the most important navigational aids when entering Charleston is your FATHOMETER. You know, the thingy which tells you how deep the water is.
The project depth of the 2 mile long portion of the Fort Sumpter Range inside the jetties is 42 feet at MLLW. The Mount Pleasant Range portion project depth is 40 feet MLLW.
If you're seeing much less than this, you're OUT OF THE CHANNEL. Even so, in most places (aside from the southern entrance through the jetties), you've got a long ways to go before you hit the jetty.
That's from the INSIDE.
From the OUTSIDE there's simply no excuse, as the water depths are quite shallow for a long, long ways before you'd be able to hit the jetty (again, excepting the southern entrance).
Basic navigational skills should do it even in nasty weather.
I think the Emergency Room comment cited above gives us a clue as to why so many run into this and other obstacles which are clearly charted, whether or not they are visible, partly submerged, or fully submerged.
Bill
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