Southport Marina Seeks No Wake Zone

Since 2016, Southport Marina in Southport, North Carolina, has been working with the City of Southport, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, local legislators and area businesses to establish a No Wake Zone for recreational vessels along approximately 3,000 feet of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, just off of Southport. The area is notorious for high speed boat traffic, with Southport Marina customers citing the problem and dangers directly to the marina or through website review sites.

In 2016, federal lawmakers established the no-wake zone near Southport Marina as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama. While it became law, the Corps still had to wait on guidance for how to enact it. Once guidance was received, the Corps put together a package for submittal requesting the No Wake Zone. That package is posted on the Corps website and includes letters of support from legislators, Southport Marina Manager Hank Whitley, the owner of the Yacht Basin, president of the Wilmington Cape Fear Pilots Association and a resolution of support from county commissioners.

Part of the requirements for seeking a No Wake Zone include collecting public comments, which the Corps has been doing the past few weeks. Comments can be sent to aiwwcomments@usace.army.mil until February 28.