East Coast Alerts By Mel Neale
April 23, 2009

Marine Safety Information Bulletin

MSIB (18-09) – Safety Zone: ICW Closure Between HWY 501 to Little Ri. Swing Bridge in Horry County

Issued: 10:15 a.m./23 Apr 2009 Expires: TBD

Captain of the Port Charleston is establishing a Safety Zone on the ICW between the HWY 501 Bridge on the South and the Little River Swing Bridge on the North. No vessels may enter the zone without permission of the Captain of the Port Charleston. Vessels are able to exit the zone. This is due to a land-based fire infringing on the ICW in Horry County. For further information, contact the Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center at 843-724-7616 or VHF Channel 16.

Wild fires are raging in Horry County in the North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Reports vary that from 30-70 homes have been destroyed in Barefoot Landing Resort area. The ICW in this area will be affected. It is advised that all who are underway near here pay close attention to VHF Broadcast Notices to Mariners and keep updated on whatever news is available on the TV or internet. The best information we have is that the area affected is from Grand Dunes to Barefoot Landing Resort. Even if the fire is not adjacent to the ICW, smoke will hamper visibility. Bridges are closing to vehicular traffic. Expect the opening bridges in this area to also be affected.

There have also been smaller fires in Georgetown County. One was on Sandy Island which is located on the Waccamaw River south of Wacca Wachee Marina. Another was reported in the Murrells Inlet area.

Further north, note that the Camp LeJeune Bombing Range north of the Onslow Beach Bridge is reported to be active today, from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. There are reported 4 hour closures of the ICW here. Check with the Coast Guard North Carolina Sector, the Onslow Beach Bridge tender, or one of the patrol boats on duty at the range as to when passage through the area is possible. The Onslow Beach Bridge reports that he is operating on the regular schedule of opening on the hour and half hour.

This information is not to be used for navigation. Consult the latest charts and Local Notices to Mariners and use prudent seamanship. Conditions may change.  Any person or entity that uses this information in any way, as a condition of that use, agrees to waive and does waive and also hold authors harmless from any and all claims which may arise from or be related to this use.