Dont Rock Passage Continues to Deepen

[Jon]

Steve Dodge of White Sound Press, reports that two hydrographic data runs through Dont Rock Passage on 13 November 2006 confirm that the channel has continued to deepen, now carrying about 5' MLW. The shallowest spot is located approximately .25 NM NW of Don't Rock, which marks the SE end of the passage. This spot was recorded as 4' in July 2006 and is designated with a 4 on the chart in the 2007 edition of The Cruising Guide to Abaco, Bahamas. All cruisers should be aware that this is a very volatile area, and that winter storms may continue to cause the area to continue to deepen or to become more shallow.

[DrRalph]

Jon, I noted our personal experience in the article Don't Rock Passage (http://www.drralph.net/DontRockPassage.html). Have you (or anyone else) personally been through there recently at low tide? I'd like to be able to update the article to show a controlling depth of 5' MLW.

[PELLUCID]

A couple of years ago I was on VHF 78 (working channel when I'm doing boy scout charters) and I listened to three 40' trawlers as they went through the Don't Rock passage.

It was mid-tide, and two of them bottomed out. One guy had his dinghy swamped, bending his davits. They were all ready for a round of stiff drinks by the time they arrived in Marsh Harbour.

Moral: DO NOT run Don't Rock if the Whale is too knobby for you. It's a shortcut, but it's not an alternative in bad seas.

[Jon]

Moral: DO NOT run Don't Rock if the Whale is too knobby for you. It's a shortcut, but it's not an alternative in bad seas.

Absolutely Pellucid, often neither inside route is a viable alternative when the channel is rough.

Hey Doc, no I didn't run it, but Steve did last month. If you want some more info just give him a call or email. I'm sure he can give you what you need.

[SamFamAustin]

I was trying to refresh my memory where that was and tried some online nautical charts such as Maptech, with dismal results. Oh well, our copy of Dodge's is locked up tight on Dickies Cay, so unless you have a map or picture, I'll have to wait!

P.S., I'd hate to fall into a ripping trough in 4-5 feet of water in a large motorboat. Those props and shafts are heck to get fixed - the alignment is almost never as good after that... /Sam

[AbacoBoy]

Don't Rock

[s/v fais do do]

Don't Rock Passage

[DrRalph]

One of the difficulties associated with discussing the Don't Rock Passage is that it may mean different things to different people. I have defined it in my article Don't Rock Passage (http://www.drralph.net/DontRockPassage.html)in such a way that it can easily be navigated by closely passing two easily identifiable landmarks.

I try to physically walk the shallow-most areas at low tide each year, hopefully providing a confidence that otherwise might not be available. There are times we have crept up on a shoal and I've thought 'that can't be more than 3 feet deep,' and it's almost over my head. Those beige-green colors can be very deceptive, even in bright sunlight. We still cross carefully the first time each season.

It's encouraging that the passage has been viable for the last several years, hopefully it will stay that way.

[Charlotte Couple]

"shallow-most"? Is that a real word?

[DrRalph]

"shallow-most"? Is that a real word?

I thought it rolled off the tongue better than "most shallow.";)

[sandy shaw]

...or...shallowest..? (opp. deepest)

[SamFamAustin]

I haven't a clue ... I'm feeling "shallow-minded" today. :D

[Abacoparrott]

is becoming very shallow......er...a.....deep? Heck, I don't care as long as I stay off of the bottom......ken