Oops, Did I miss a turn

OK how many of you caught that I missed a turn on the tracker map?  Yep, you can get lost on the ICW (a.k.a. the ditch).  But let me explain.

CW Marks

To follow the ICW you simply keep it between the red and green channel markers.  But most times there is only one mark. So you just have to know which side of the mark to pass.

Time for a quick lesson in channel markers. Remember these two acronyms RENT (Red Even Nun Triangle) and COGS (Can Odd Green Square).  Red marks are Even numbered (if they are numbered) and will be either shaped like a Nun's hat or a Triangle.  So the Green marks are Odd (if numbered) and are in the shape of a Can or Square.  Now remember Right Right Returning (from sea). So the red marks are on the right side when you are returning from Sea (going up river so to speak).

Now the ICW marks have a small square or triangle on the mark (see the figure to the right).  Even though the ICW is made of many rivers and bays, think of the ICW flow in the same direction as the gulf stream, so red right when going "up stream" of the gulf stream.

But wait there's more, sometime the square can be on the triangle and the triangle on the square.  This is usually where regular channel markers and ICW marks overlap.

It's all so simple right?
So who can blame me for getting a little off course.  As I rounded the corner at Morehead City, NC the Magenta line disappears from the chart (oh did I mention the ICW is shown on the chart plotter as a Magenta line, and oh did I mention I am color blind) and I am frantically searching for the ICW marks.  Oh there I see them on those big channel marks (but the little square seems larger than it should be).  Hmmmmm  Are you sure? No this must be right.

Well as you can see from a screenshot of the chart plotter, I had to turn around.  This wouldn't be so embarrassing if I hadn't already told you about the meticulous notes I prepare before each leg of the journey.

My notes say: The magenta line disappears on the charts here.  Follow the channel around the terminal and then turn back to north to follow the ICW.

Lesson Learned:
1. Look at your notes, that's why you made them.
2. Theresa is a smart woman for saying: you go on this first one without me to work the kinks out.