Kent Narrows Shoaling

[lancelot9898]

Yesterday April 3rd around 4 pm(2 hours before high tide) I tried going north from Piney Narrows Marina out to the Chester River with a 5'8"draft. I had made that trip for the past couple of years with very few problems and even 3 weeks earlier had taken the boat out for the start of the season around mid tide just touching the bottom only a few times. This time I did find the bottom and if it wasn't for a nice couple in a large power boat we would probably be there still since even at high tide it took around an hour to get us moving. In the past I've always favored the green marks since there is shoaling around the red; however, this time I found the bottom between markers 5 and 3 on the green side. Another sailboat was aground between 1 and 3 and he was able to free himself and as he came south and passed us(still aground) he said to favor the red. Now I'm really uncertain as to what to do since the green side has always worked in the past. We did not continue out the channel but returned to the marina after the power boat helped us. Thanks! One other note is that we touched bottom mid channel between 9 and 5 going out but was able to plow though that.

Another note is that I tried calling tow boat who is located there at Piney Narrows marina, but no answer. It was after 5pm and I was using the hand held so the range was not much, but you would think that being within range of the marina that there would be communication. The power boat came to our rescue before I got on the other fix mount VHF.

[PalmettoSailor]

Thanks for that. It would be nice for me to be able to make it through this narrows but I haven't yet had a chance to seriously consider it. I've looked at the charts a few times though, and I think I'd be very hesitant to attempt it with my boat which has slightly less draft than yours.

I think when I get around to visit the Chester, I'll go the long way round.

[lancelot9898]

Actually I should have known not to go out yesterday even at high tide since the high tide was the low one for the day at just 1.2 feet plus the wind had driven some of the water out too. I want to get the dinghy out and make some measurement at slack water so I know where the deeper water is, but have a feeling that with each storm passing that more shoaling will be happening.

Anybody else been through there recently? How is the channel south of the draw bridge?

[aa3jy]

Have you tried out side the Green? I remember some temp. markers a few years back that where put in there before the dredging... Better get Joe work'n for you all if they want any business there..

Clay
s/v 'Tango'
(still on the hard in OBY)

[lancelot9898]

Clay,

The wind and current did push us outside the green plus the power boat was dragging us there too.(He had a hard time in getting his bow into the wind and into mid channel.) We were pushing mud. With enough trips we'll have the passage dredged. You and Leslie need to get Tango into the water.

[mltroy]

We were checking out the docks at our marina in Swan Creek Sunday morning. It was probably an hour or two before low tide and the water was already much lower than it was predicted to be at low.

Mary Lou
Rhodes 22 Fretless
Rock Hall

[mccary]

I was down at the boat on Sunday (4/3) and the low tide was way down frm "normal"

[mgmhead]

It was observed in Rock Hall Harbor that the water was very 'thin' on Sunday.

[aa3jy]

It is a responsible mariner to report such discrepancies if one sees/observes one..

To report any Aids to Navigation discrepancies (missing, damaged, extinguished lights, off station),
shoaling or hazards to navigation, discrepancies to bridge lighting, please contact the following 24 hour numbers:
1. For PA, NJ, DE waters, coastal and tributaries contact COGARD SECTOR DELAWARE BAY at (215) 271-4940.
2. For MD, DE in the Upper Chesapeake Bay and tributaries contact COGARD SECTOR BALTIMORE at (410) 576-2525.

..it may save someones life and or property...

[aa3jy]

Because in my opinion Kent Narrows is one of the busiest bodies of water on the Chesapeake during the boating season I contacted the manager @ Piney Narrows YH, who happens to be one of the more proactive business persons when ever there is a concern at the 'Narrows'..here is his response:

"The channel is shoaling in at #4 mark (southbound) approx.. to the mid channel width. Advise staying to the middle if available w/o northbound traffic opposing you. We are working with authorities to have temp. buoys placed and /or moving permanent marks to the east w/ deeper water."

..this was dated April 10,2011