Nav Alert comment on NC: Alligator Pungo Canal MM 124.6 Stump

Comment by: Timothy Cochran, Southwind, on Mar 23, 2026
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 5.0'

I am the boater (not the Selene 53) who experienced the accident and I have the staples and stitches scars to prove it ;-) I want to be clear, the way I determined the approximate lat/long of the accident location was by reviewing my track "bread-crumbs" and noting where our turn back to the center of the canal occurred, after coming to a immediate and full stop at a speed of 5 knots. Although I was bleeding and very shaken up, I tried to "mark" the spot on my Garmin Chartplotter. At the time of the accident, we were not staring at any Nav App, we were watching the water ahead but the stump was not visible. We had Navionics up on my Garmin Chartplotter. I did have the Bob423 track on my iPhone but was not using it when we hit the stump. I am accountable for my accident and I agree that the GPS lat/long is not pinpoint precise. My goal in alerting the boating community about the stump in that approximate location was to hopefully prevent someone else from getting to spend 14 hours with the fine folks at the ECU Emergency Room in Washington NC. Fair Winds and Safe Boating to all.

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Bridge comment on Onslow Beach Bridge

Comment by: Timothy Cochran, Southwind, on Mar 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'

We arrived at the bridge at 9:40am on Feb 27. We hailed the bridge tender and he told us due to the construction, they would not be opening the bridge until 12 noon. He opened promptly at noon. I suggest calling 910-440-7376 to confirm opening times.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Waterway Guide checked the Notice to Mariners and there is nothing published regarding this.

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