New temporary navigation channel established at Oregon Inlet
M.J. Baer, U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, released the following Marine Safety Information Bulletin on Tuesday, July 12, 2022:
The United States Coast Guard has designated span 32, between bents 31 and 32, as a temporary navigation span for the Marc Basnight Bridge (NC-12) over Oregon Inlet, mile 0.5, between Rodanthe and Nags Head, Dare County, NC. Span 34 was previously designated as the temporary navigation span; encroaching shoaling prompted a change in designation for the safety of all boaters.
Span 32 provides a vertical clearance of approximately 49 feet above mean high water and a horizontal clearance of approximately 139 feet. Vessels 100 gross tons or greater shall not transit span 32. Mariners are advised to transit this area with extreme caution and due regard for the reduced navigational clearances, lack of a bridge fender system, and shoaling in the waterway.
If you have questions, please email the Sector North Carolina Waterways Management Division at ncmarineevents@uscg.mil or contact the Sector North Carolina Command Center at 910-343-3882.
