Dredging Rock Hall, fyi

[Warren Milberg]

"12264
Mariners are advised that the Dissen & Juhn Company will be conducting dredging operations in the Chesapeake Bay at the Rock Hall Harbor
entrance in Kent County, MD from May 8, 2012 through June 1, 2012, daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work is scheduled to occur within the existing
marked navigation channel. The dredging equipment will include a long reach excavator to mechanically dredge and place material on the same
120-foot barge, then transporting it less than a mile to the Bayside Public Landing in Rock Hall Harbor, where it will be unloaded for placement at
an existing upland disposal site. Interested mariners can contact the 25-foot vessel “Constructor” on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16, if​

necessary. Charts: 12272, 12278."

 

[RichH]

Thanks for the info. RH harbor entrance has been 'problem' for many years.

Any info on the condition/depths of the Kent Narrows channel?

 

[DeniseO30]

cool... I'll never forget the night my son and I tried to get in to RH. somehow we made it.. I was ready to get out and push the boat a few times! (not that I could LOL)

 

[Warren Milberg]

Rich:
I have not been through Kent Narrows this year, but did pass through last year and had no trouble with my 4-ft draft. Here is a clip from the 2011 Coast Pilot that may help:

(261) Kent Island Narrows entrance is at Mile 4.0S. A marked channel, leads from Chester River to Prospect Bay; the chart is the guide. In 2010, the controlling depth was 3.9 feet (4.8 feet at midchannel). Very heavy traffic can be expected through the channel during the summer months, especially on weekends.

 

[RichH]

Wow, the 'new' channel was originally 8+ ft. I draw 6+.

Thanks, but I guess I'll continue to 'go around'.

 

[Ken Prichard]

Going there for the first time in Sept.
What's the best way to enter? 5' draft.

 

[Dan Johnson]

KI...

After you come through the breakwater rip-rap, you have the choice of proceeding straight across the harbor or turning North (left) and following the perimeter of the harbor.

If you're not sure of your position on a plotter or chart, don't go straight across--many have gotten stuck in the mud by straying off the narrow channel--much to the entertainment of all the casual observers.

Even following the perimeter has its risks--slight inattention causing a drift of course toward the center of the basin found me quickly but temporarily stuck (low tide) on my last visit.

There are a lot of marinas inside the harbor (Rock Hall Landing and Sailing Emporium are my favorites), but if you go North up Swan Creek before entering you'll find Gratitude, Swan Point and Haven Harbor marinas.

Have a good trip and enjoy the Waterman's restaurant!