'Twin Cities' At ICW Mile Marker Zero

'Twin Cities' At ICW Mile Marker Zero

- Peter Bass

The cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, flank the southern branch of the Elizabeth River at the northern terminus of the Intracoastal Waterway, also known as ICW Mile Marker Zero. The spot is a natural stopover when transiting north or south, with marinas that cater to boats from modest to mega. There is a fine anchorage, Crawford Bay, and limited free docking at the two basins that Portsmouth owns.

Approaches

Whether you come down the Chesapeake or in from the sea, your boat, the largest commercial vessels on the planet and the U.S. Navy all come together at the entrance to Hampton Roads between Old Point Comfort and Fort Wool. While there is plenty of room for all, stay to the channel’s edges and monitor VHF channel 13. If you approach from the sea, there are north and south auxiliary channels for smaller vessels in the Thimble Shoals Channel.

From Fort Wool it is 10½ miles to Buoy 36, which doubles as Mile Marker Zero of the ICW. To the west is the Portsmouth Naval Hospital; to the east you will see the stern of the battleship Wisconsin on the Norfolk side.

Anchorages, Marinas And Services