Bucksport, SC to Southport, NC

Miles Traveled 67.2

Total Miles Traveled 3589

Day 239

Leaving our anchorage this morning was a little cool, I hope we’re not heading north too early?

This is the first bridge we have requested to open since we left Jacksonville, Fl.

We passed several nice homes and golf courses around Myrtle Beach.

We thought our first challenge today would be what is known as the “Rock Pile”, a narrow 3 to 4 mile section of the ICW with rock on both shores and very unforgiving if you veer out of the channel passing a boat.  We had the channel to ourselves and ran down the center without a problem.

As we approached Shallotte Inlet we noticed a sailboat hard aground with a tow boat trying to assist them.  According to our chart, and chart plotter, we needed pass directly in front of the sailboat.  We called the tow boat and he confirmed our intention and moved out of the way so we could pass.

Our next challenge today was Lockwoods Folly Inlet, our looper friends “Leeloo” had passed through here earlier this week and said a sailboat was hard aground when they came through and the charts were incorrect for actual buoy position.  When we arrived two boats were aground waiting for a tow, a sailboat and a sport fishing boat.  Our chart plotter indicated the channel went straight, but the markers indicated a sharp turn to port.  With the information we had from “Leeloo” and the sport fishing boat calling us on the radio, we managed to squeeze through without an incident.  The black line shows our actual track, the white line shows the original channel and where the sport fishing boat was aground.  We passed through about 30 minutes after low tide.  Thanks Carey and Nancy for the heads up!

We passed this island with a couple of goats lying on the beach…..not what we expected.

We arrived at Southport North Carolina and were hoping to stay at the free city dock located close to downtown.  When we arrived all of the slips were full except for a tie up at the end of the dock.  Someone tried to contact us by radio, but it was not clear what they were telling us so we started to pull away then heard someone waving and walking down the pier.  It was Robert from “C-Life” a Gold Looper (someone that has completed the loop once.)  He helped us tie up at the end of the dock and invited us to join him and his wife Kay and friend Patsy at their house just behind the dock.  It was Patsy’s birthday and we joined them for a nice visit before walking to town for dinner. This is the view from our boat of Southport.

Robert is an AGLCA harbor host, meaning he has volunteered to help anyone doing the loop that is in the Southport area.  If any loopers are on their way to Southport, Robert encourages them to contact him.  Thank you Robert for helping us at the dock and inviting us to your home.