Oriental
Scott-Free’s blog
Steve & Chris
Wed 1 Jun 2011 16:20
35:01.37N
76:41.99W
Wednesday 1st June
2011
Distance run: 25
nmiles
Having refuelled in
Beaufort, we negotiated the narrow, shallow channel back to the inlet and turned
right to join the Intra Coastal Waterway (ICW) and pass under our first fixed
bridge. There is a clearance requirement for the bridges on the ICW of 65
feet at mean high water, and we reckon we can clear that with about a foot to
spare. So with fingers crossed we approached the bridge and were pleased to see
the height gauge indicating more than 65 feet. We passed under with no
problems and let out a sigh of relief to get the first one under our belt.
This one is in tidal water,however, and the tide was low. Future bridges may not
be so easy!
Almost 67 feet
of clearance according to the
gauge...
...and we went through with no trouble.
The Beaufort
bridge in the background with the bascule railway bridge open in the
foreground.
We had our first
taste of motoring on the ICW.This is a waterway of connected rivers, canals and
sounds which link towns inland of the east coast.We had decided to take this
route rather than sail on the outside around Cape Hatteras. The ICW is
marked along its length by red and green markers which have to be heeded as the
channelis dredged to 12 feet. Outside the channelit could be as shallow as
1 foot, so we needed to concentrate and ensure we stayed in the channel.
An ICW channel
marker, complete with osprey
nest.
Houses line the shore.
For most of the 25
miles to Oriental we motored along fairly narrow rivers, and passed under
another fixed bridge, then about 5 miles to go it opened out into a larger body
of water and we were able to sail the last few miles into Oriental. We dropped
the anchor in the harbour and next morning Kenny took us ashore in his rib (as
it was already in the water). Although a tiny town, it is another
delightful place, with very friendly and helpful people,and we had
breakfast in 'The Bean',a waterfront cafe. Here we changed our plans,
deciding to spend a day here rather than move on.