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NAVOPLAN

Port Intelligence Brief

Beaufort, United States

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64 Verified Intelligence Items

55Verified
Intelligence

37Official
Sources

89%Overall
Confidence

📍

CoordinatesN 32 25' 59.9988"
W 80 40' .0012"

⚓

Harbor ProfileNorth Atlantic Ocean
Size: Very Small

🛂

EntranceTidal Range: 6.89 ft
Depth: 11.15 ft

🕒

Port StatusPort of Entry: No
Shelter: Good

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Last UpdateJun 28, 2026
09:30 ET

🧭 Approach & Entrance 8 items

🛟 Shelter & Refuge 6 items

⚠ Local Cautions 7 items

🛒 Crew Rest & Resupply 7 items

☎ Harbor / Authority 6 items 🔒

📡 Contacts & VHF 4 items 🔒

🛥 Marinas 7 items 🔒

⛽ Fuel & Utilities 6 items 🔒

🛂 Clearance & Formalities 5 items 🔒

🚑 Medical & Emergency 8 items 🔒

1 - 10

Current Briefing

Approach & Entrance

Beaufort approach intelligence includes pilotage, entrance channel depths, harbor communications, traffic density, anchoring restrictions, and operational cautions for arrival planning.

1 - 1

Verified Intelligence

Sailing Directions (Approach Guidance Source)

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

U.S. Coast Pilot 4, Chapter 7 (Atlantic Coast) contains approach context, entrance description, shoal warnings, pilotage, and anchorage notes for Port Royal Sound / Beaufort.

95% Confidence

Pilotage (Availability & Boarding Position)

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

Pilotage: compulsory for all foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register in the foreign trade; pilot boards at Port Royal Lighted Buoy P (32°05'08"N, 80°35'02"W). Port Royal Branch Pilots Association provides services (24 hr availability; advance arrangements/24‑hr notice requested).

94% Confidence

Regulatory Restrictions / Danger Zones / Demarcation

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

Danger zones related to Parris Island rifle/pistol ranges (Archers Creek, Ribbon Creek, Broad River) are promulgated in 33 CFR §334.480; COLREGS demarcation lines for Port Royal Sound are published at 33 CFR §80.712—consult CFR for limits/coordinates and active schedules.

93% Confidence

Entrance Character / Marks

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

Port Royal Sound entrance is described as about 2 miles wide between Bay Point and Hilton Head; breaking shoals extend up to ~10 miles seaward; Port Royal Lighted Buoy "P" (32°05'08"N, 80°35'02"W) marks the entrance.

92% Confidence

Charting Authority / Charts

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

Primary charting authority: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (NOAA nautical charts / ENC). Historic NOAA charts covering the approaches include chart 11516 (Port Royal Sound) and 11545 (Beaufort Inlet) — verify current ENC/chart availability and cancellation status before use.

90% Confidence

Shoals / Depths / Anchorage

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

Port Royal Sound: natural depths generally 26–50 ft; recommended best anchorage off mouth of Beaufort River west of Bay Point in ~22–26 ft; holding varies (rocky bottom S of Bay Point is poor).

90% Confidence

Notices / Aids-To-Navigation Updates

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

Aids to navigation, Light List corrections and chart corrections are promulgated by U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners (via NAVCEN) and NGA Notices to Mariners (MSI). Obtain latest LNM/NOTMAR before approach.

90% Confidence

Tidal Currents / Predictions

Official Source · Verified Jun 27, 2026

Tidal currents are considerable in the entrances and can strongly affect approach; NOAA Tidal Current prediction service and PORTS/NOAA Tides & Currents should be used for times, directions and velocities at approach points.

88% Confidence