The United States Coast Guard 5th District is warning mariners approaching Hatteras, N.C., to be aware of shoaling sands that have recently encroached on navigable channels. Hatteras Inlet separates Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, connecting Pamlico Sound with the Atlantic.
"We've had numerous vessels run aground in this area, including one with injuries this past weekend," said Capt. Anthony Popiel, the commander of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington. "We urge all boaters to exercise due caution in this waterway to ensure their safety and that of others."
Vessel operators are urged not to pass other vessels in the vicinity of buoy 11A, light list number 28730.1, and 12C, light list number 28732.3, in the Hatteras Inlet Channel as channel widths are considerably reduced as compared against charted soundings.
For a view of the chart, click here.
The Coast Guard urges mariners to research recently-reported channel depths by visiting the Army Corps of Engineers website at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/.
