Alligator River (NC)

[PBzeer]

From the Waterway Guide:

If any of you cruisers out there that are planning to transit the Alligator River during the summer months, this will be a consideration.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone on the
waters of the Alligator River directly under the US Highway 64 Drawbridge.
The safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of mariners on
navigable waters during maintenance of the US Highway 64 Drawbridge. The
State of North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded a contract to
Coastal Gunite Construction Company of Cambridge, MD to perform bridge
maintenance on the US Highway 64 Drawbridge crossing the Alligator River at
East Lake, North Carolina. Thecontract provides for cleaning, painting, and steel repair. The contractor will require the drawbridge to remain in the closed position during painting
from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily from June 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010. The
Coast Guard will temporarily restrict access to this section of the
Alligator River during the painting of the draw when maintenance equipment
will be obstructing the waterway. Chart: 11542. To comment on the proposal
write to the below address.
Commander
USCG Sector North Carolina
2301 East Fort Macon Road
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512-5633
Attn: CWO4 Stephen Lyons or email

To reach the Nuese/Pamlico Sound you will need to either go around the west side of Roanoke Island (45' Clearance) or the East side which will be motoring through a narrow channel the entire length of the Island. You can though stop half way in the lovely town of Manteo and head to Orkacoke the next day.