The importance of channel markers

Just thinking about all the channel markers coming down the Champlain Canal, then the Hudson, out around Sandy Hook, and then in the ICW.

But the icing on the cake are the channel markers getting into and out of Manteo, Roanoke Island, NC!

Talk about a slew of nuns and cans to get down to Pamlico Sound. 

Picture yourself transitting at 7.5 to 8 knots under motor and the water depth is 7ft  or a bit less (we draw over 6). It's a bit spooky at first and thankfully, you get used to it. 

Some of the intersections get confusing like the one heading East on the Navionics chart above. We took that one slowly lest we miss the channel. We've been lucky so far and rely on Active Captain for insight on shoaling or other hazards. 

Would we do Manteo again? Yes.