The Cooper River breaks off of Charleston Harbor near Folly Island, just to the east of The Battery in downtown Charleston. The Cooper River is mainly a commercial shipping and industrial sector, but there are a couple of excellent marinas in the lower reaches of the river, most notably the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina on the east side of the river where the Patriots Point Maritime Museum is located.

Use NOAA Chart 11518 and 11524.

The Cooper River is approached from the southeast via Charleston Harbor at flashing green bell buoy “25” near Fort Sumter. Once you have picked up flashing green bell buoy “25,” set a course for flashing green buoy “27” and flashing red buoy “28 near the entrance to the Cooper River west of Crab Bank. Next in line are flashing green buoy “29,” flashing green buoy “31” and flashing red buoy “32.” Past flashing red buoy “32” you will find quick flashing red buoy “34” and flashing green “35,” which both mark the official entrance to the Cooper River at Patriots Point.

Inside the entrance at Patriots Point is a marina that will accept transient guests. The marina is part of the Patriots Point Maritime Museum where the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier is kept. The museum is open every day except Christmas and features dozens of interactive exhibits on military ships and the sea.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.