Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 143 Subpart G-Protection of Naval Vessels (2715) Vessel means every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being §165.2010 Purpose. used, as a means of transportation on water, except U.S. (2702) This subpart establishes the geographic parame- Coast Guard or U.S. naval vessels. ters of naval vessel protection zones surrounding U.S. §165.2020 Enforcement authority. naval vessels in the navigable waters of the United (2716) (a) Coast Guard. Any Coast Guard commissioned, States. This subpart also establishes when the U.S. Navy will take enforcement action in accordance with warrant or petty officer may enforce the rules and regu- the statutory guideline of 14 U.S.C. 91. Nothing in the lations contained in this subpart. rules and regulations contained in this subpart shall (2717) (b) Senior naval officer present in command. In relieve any vessel, including U.S. naval vessels, from the navigable waters of the United States, when imme- the observance of the Navigation Rules. The rules and diate action is required and representatives of the Coast regulations contained in this subpart supplement, but Guard are not present or not present in sufficient force do not replace or supercede, any other regulation per- to exercise effective control in the vicinity of large U.S. taining to the safety or security of U.S. naval vessels. naval vessels, the senior naval officer present in com- mand is responsible for the enforcement of the rules §165.2015 Definitions. and regulations contained in this subpart to ensure the (2703) The following definitions apply to this subpart: safety and security of all large naval vessels present. In (2704) Atlantic Area means that area described in 33 CFR meeting this responsibility, the senior naval officer present in command may directly assist any Coast 3.04–1 Atlantic Area. Guard enforcement personnel who are present. (2705) Large U.S. naval vessel means any U.S. naval vessel §165.2025 Atlantic Area. greater than 100 feet in length overall. (2718) (a) This section applies to any vessel or person in (2706) Naval defensive sea area means those areas de- the navigable waters of the United States within the scribed in 32 CFR part 761. boundaries of the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, (2707) Naval vessel protection zone is a 500-yard regu- which includes the First, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth U.S. Coast Guard Districts. lated area of water surrounding large U.S. naval vessels (2719) Note to §165.2025 paragraph (a): The boundaries that is necessary to provide for the safety or security of of the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area and the First, these U.S. naval vessels. Fifth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth U.S. Coast Guard Dis- (2708) Navigable waters of the United States means those tricts are set out in 33 CFR part 3. waters defined as such in 33 CFR part 2. (2720) (b) A naval vessel protection zone exists around (2709) Navigation rules means the Navigation Rules, In- U.S. naval vessels greater than 100 feet in length over- ternational-Inland. all at all times in the navigable waters of the United (2710) Official patrol means those personnel designated States, whether the large U.S. naval vessel is underway, and supervised by a senior naval officer present in com- anchored, moored, or within a floating dry dock, except mand and tasked to monitor a naval vessel protection when the large naval vessel is moored or anchored zone, permit entry into the zone, give legally enforce- within a restricted area or within a naval defensive sea able orders to persons or vessels within the zone, and area. take other actions authorized by the U.S. Navy. (2721) (c) The Navigation Rules shall apply at all times (2711) Pacific Area means that area described in 33 CFR within a naval vessel protection zone. 3.04–3 Pacific Area. (2722) (d) When within a naval vessel protection zone, all (2712) Restricted area means those areas established by vessels shall operate at the minimum speed necessary the Army Corps of Engineers and set out in 33 CFR part to maintain a safe course, unless required to maintain 334. speed by the Navigation Rules, and shall proceed as di- (2713) Senior naval officer present in command is, unless rected by the Coast Guard, the senior naval officer pres- otherwise designated by competent authority, the se- ent in command, or the official patrol. When within a nior line officer of the U.S. Navy on active duty, eligible naval vessel protection zone, no vessel or person is al- for command at sea, who is present and in command of lowed within 100 yards of a large U.S. naval vessel un- any part of the Department of Navy in the area. less authorized by the Coast Guard, the senior naval (2714) U.S. naval vessel means any vessel owned, oper- officer present in command, or official patrol. ated, chartered, or leased by the U.S. Navy; any (2723) (e) To request authorization to operate within 100 pre-commissioned vessel under construction for the yards of a large U.S. naval vessel, contact the Coast U.S. Navy, once launched into the water; and any vessel under the operational control of the U.S. Navy or a Combatant Command.
144 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Guard, the senior naval officer present in command, or under certain conditions described for specific areas in the official patrol on VHF-FM channel 16. Subpart B. Aids to navigation approved by the U.S. (2724) (f) When conditions permit, the Coast Guard, se- Coast Guard may be established in a fairway. nior naval officer present in command, or the official (2733) (b) Fairway anchorage means an anchorage area patrol should: contiguous to and associated with a fairway, in which (2725) (1) Give advance notice on VHF-FM channel 16 of fixed structures may be permitted within certain spac- all large U.S. naval vessel movements; ing limitations, as described for specific areas in (2726) (2) Permit vessels constrained by their naviga- Subpart B. tional draft or restricted in their ability to maneuver to pass within 100 yards of a large U.S. naval vessel in or- §166.110 Modification of areas. der to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the (2734) Fairways and fairway anchorages are subject to Navigation Rules; and (2727) (3) Permit commercial vessels anchored in a desig- modification in accordance with 33 U.S.C. 1223(c); 92 nated anchorage area to remain at anchor when within Stat. 1473. 100 yards of passing large U.S. naval vessels; and (2728) (4) Permit vessels that must transit via a navigable §166.500 Areas along the Atlantic Coast. channel or waterway to pass within 100 yards of a (2735) (a) Purpose. Fairways, as described in this section moored or anchored large U.S. naval vessel with mini- mal delay consistent with security. are established to control the erection of structures (2729) Note to §165.2025 paragraph (f): The listed ac- therein to provide safe vessel routes along the Atlantic tions are discretionary and do not create any additional Coast. right to appeal or otherwise dispute a decision of the (2736) (b) Designated areas.–(1) Off New York Shipping Coast Guard, the senior naval officer present in com- Safety Fairway. mand, or the official patrol. (2737) (i) Ambrose to Nantucket Safety Fairway. The area enclosed by rhumb lines, (North American Datum of Part 166–Shipping Safety Fairways 1927 (NAD-27)), joining points at: (2738) 40°32'20\"N., 73°04'57\"W. Subpart A–General (2739) 40°30'58\"N., 72°58'25\"W. (2740) 40°34'07\"N., 70°19'23\"W. §166.100 Purpose. (2741) 40°35'37\"N., 70°14'09\"W. (2730) The purpose of these regulations is to establish and (2742) 40°30'37\"N., 70°14'00\"W. (2743) 40°32'07\"N., 70°19'19\"W. designate shipping safety fairways and fairway anchor- (2744) 40°28'58\"N., 72°58'25\"W. ages to provide unobstructed approaches for vessels us- (2745) 40°27'20\"N., 73°04'57\"W. ing U.S. ports. (2746) (ii) Nantucket to Ambrose Safety Fairway. The area enclosed by rhumb lines, NAD-27, joining points at: §166.103 Geographic Coordinates. (2747) 40°24'20\"N., 73°04'58\"W. (2731) Geographic coordinates expressed in terms of lati- (2748) 40°22'58'N., 72°58'26\"W. (2749) 40°26'07\"N., 70°19'09\"W. tude or longitude, or both, are not intended for plotting (2750) 40°27'37\"N., 70°13'46\"W. on maps or charts whose referenced horizontal datum (2751) 40°22'37\"N., 70°13'36\"W. is the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), unless (2752) 40°24'07\"N., 70°19'05\"W. such geographic coordinates are expressly labeled NAD (2753) 40°20'58\"N., 72°58'26\"W. 83. Geographic coordinates without the NAD 83 refer- (2754) 40°19'20\"N., 73°04'58\"W. ence may be plotted on maps or charts referenced to NAD 83 only after application of the appropriate correc- Part 167–Offshore Traffic Separation Schemes tions that are published on the particular map or chart being used. Subpart A-General §166.105 Definitions. §167.1 Purpose. (2732) (a) Shipping safety fairway or fairway means a lane (2755) The purpose of the regulations in this part is to es- or corridor in which no artificial island or fixed struc- tablish and designate traffic separation schemes and ture, whether temporary or permanent, will be permit- precautionary areas to provide access routes for vessels ted. Temporary underwater obstacles may be permitted proceeding to and from U.S. ports.
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 145 §167.3 Geographic coordinates. to accommodate operations which would create an un- (2756) Geographic coordinates are defined using North due hazard for vessels using the scheme or which would contravene Rule 10 of the International Regula- American 1927 Datum (NAD 27) unless indicated oth- tions for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972. Adjust- erwise. ment may be in the form of a temporary traffic lane shift, a temporary suspension of a section of the §167.5 Definitions. scheme, a temporary precautionary area overlaying a (2757) (a) Area to be avoided means a routing measure lane, or other appropriate measure. Adjustments will only be made where, in the judgment of the Coast comprising an area within defined limits in which ei- Guard, there is no reasonable alternative means of con- ther navigation is particularly hazardous or it is excep- ducting an operation and navigation safety will not be tionally important to avoid casualties and which jeopardized by the adjustment. Notice of adjustments should be avoided by all ships or certain classes of will be made in the appropriate Notice to Mariners and ships. in the Federal Register. Requests by members of the (2758) (b) Traffic separation scheme (TSS) means a desig- public for temporary adjustments to traffic separation nated routing measure which is aimed at the separa- schemes must be submitted 150 days prior to the time tion of opposing streams of traffic by appropriate the adjustment is desired. Such Requests, describing means and by the establishment of traffic lanes. the interference that would otherwise occur to a TSS, (2759) (c) Traffic lane means an area within defined limits should be submitted to the District Commander of the in which one-way traffic is established. Natural obsta- Coast Guard District in which the TSS is located. cles, including those forming separation zones, may constitute a boundary. Subpart B–Description of Traffic Separation (2760) (d) Separation zone or line means a zone or line Schemes and Precautionary Areas separating the traffic lanes in which ships are proceed- ing in opposite or nearly opposite directions; or sepa- §167.150 Off New York Traffic Separation Scheme: rating a traffic lane from the adjacent sea area; or General. separating traffic lanes designated for particular (2767) The specific areas in the Off New York Traffic Sepa- classes of ships proceeding in the same direction. ration Scheme and Precautionary Areas are described (2761) (e) Precautionary area means a routing measure in §§167.151, 167.152, 167.153, 167.154, and 167.155 comprising an area within defined limits where ships of this chapter. must navigate with particular caution and within which the direction of traffic flow may be recom- §167.151 Off New York: Precautionary areas. mended. (2768) (a) A circular precautionary area with a radius of (2762) (f) Deep-water route means an internationally rec- ognized routing measure primarily intended for use by seven miles is established centered upon Ambrose ships that, because of their draft in relation to the avail- Light in geographic position: able depth of water in the area concerned, require the (2769) 40°27.50'N., 73°49.90'W. use of such a route. (2770) (b) A precautionary area is established between the (2763) (g) Two-way route means a route within defined traffic separation scheme “Eastern Approach, off limits inside which two-way traffic is established, Nantucket” and the traffic separation schemes “In the aimed at providing safe passage of ships through waters Approach to Boston, Massachusetts.” (1) The precau- where navigation is difficult or dangerous. tionary area is bounded to the east by a circle of radius 15.5 miles, centered upon geographic position: §167.10 Operating rules. (2771) 40°35.00'N., 69°00.00'W., and is intersected by the (2764) The operator of a vessel in a TSS shall comply with traffic separation schemes “In the Approach to Boston, Massachusetts” and “Off New York” at the following Rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing geographic positions: Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended. (2772) 40°50.33'N., 68°57.00'W. (2773) 40°23.75'N., 69°14.63'W. §167.15 Modification of schemes. (2774) (2) The precautionary area is bounded to the west (2765) (a) A traffic separation scheme or precautionary by a line connecting the two traffic separation schemes between the following geographic positions: area described in this Part may be permanently (2775) 40°36.75'N., 69°15.16'W. amended in accordance with 33 U.S.C. 1223 (92 Stat. (2776) 40°48.00'N., 69°03.33'W. 1473), and with international agreements. (2766) (b) A traffic separation scheme or precautionary area in this Part may be temporarily adjusted by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in an emergency, or
146 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 §167.152 Off New York: Eastern approach, off (2811) 40°08.98'N., 73°10.87'W. Nantucket. (2812) 40°12.42'N., 73°15.67'W. (2777) (a) A separation zone is established bounded by a (2813) 40°24.02'N., 73°41.97'W. line connecting the following geographic positions: (2814) (c) A traffic lane for southeast-bound traffic is es- (2778) 40°28.75'N., 69°14.83'W. (2779) 40°27.62'N., 70°13.77'W. tablished between the separation zone and a line con- (2780) 40°30.62'N., 70°14.00'W. necting the following geographic positions: (2781) 40°31.75'N., 69°14.97'W. (2815) 40°21.82'N., 73°44.55'W. (2782) (b) A traffic lane for westbound traffic is established (2816) 40°02.80'N., 73°27.15'W. between the separation zone and a line connecting the (2817) 39°59.43'N., 73°22.35'W. following geographic positions: (2783) 40°36.75'N., 69°15.17'W. §167.155 Off New York: Southern approach. (2784) 40°35.62'N., 70°14.15'W. (2818) (a) A separation zone is established bounded by a (2785) (c) A traffic lane for eastbound traffic is established between the separation zone and a line connecting the line connecting the following geographic positions: following geographic positions: (2819) 39°45.70'N., 73°48.00'W. (2786) 40°22.62'N., 70°13.60'W. (2820) 40°20.63'N., 73°48.33'W. (2787) 40°23.75'N., 69°14.63'W. (2821) 40°20.87'N., 73°47.07'W. (2822) 39°45.70'N., 73°44.00'W. §167.153 Off New York: Eastern approach, off (2823) (b) A traffic lane for northbound traffic is estab- Ambrose Light. (2788) (a) A separation zone is established bounded by a lished between the separation zone and a line connect- line connecting the following geographic positions: ing the following geographic positions: (2789) 40°24.33'N., 73°04.97'W. (2824) 39°45.70'N., 73°37.70'W. (2790) 40°24.20'N., 73°11.50'W. (2825) 40°21.25'N., 73°45.85'W. (2791) 40°26.00'N., 73°40.93'W. (2826) (c) A traffic lane for southbound traffic is estab- (2792) 40°27.00'N., 73°40.75'W. lished between the separation zone and a line connect- (2793) 40°27.20'N., 73°11.50'W. ing the following geographic positions: (2794) 40°27.33'N., 73°04.95'W. (2827) 40°20.53'N., 73°49.65'W. (2795) (b) A traffic lane for westbound traffic is established (2828) 39°45.70'N., 73°54.40'W. between the separation zone and a line connecting the (2829) Note.–Use of LORAN C enables masters of appro- following geographic positions: priately equipped vessels to be informed highly accu- (2796) 40°32.33'N., 73°04.95'W. rately and continuously about the vessel’s position in (2797) 40°32.20'N., 73°11.50'W. the area covered by this scheme. (2798) 40°28.00'N., 73°40.73'W. (2799) (c) A traffic lane for eastbound traffic is established Part 169–Ship Reporting Systems between the separation zone and a line connecting the following geographic positions: Subpart A–General (2800) 40°25.05'N., 73°41.32'W. (2801) 40°19.20'N., 73°11.50'W. §169.1 What is the purpose of this subpart? (2802) 40°19.33'N., 73°04.97'W. (2830) This subpart prescribes the requirements for man- §167.154 Off New York: Southeastern approach. datory ship reporting systems. Ship reporting systems (2803) (a) A separation zone is established bounded by a are used to provide, gather, or exchange information through radio reports. The information is used to pro- line connecting the following geographic positions: vide data for many purposes including, but not limited (2804) 40°03.10'N., 73°17.93'W. to: navigation safety, environmental protection, vessel (2805) 40°06.50'N., 73°22.73'W. traffic services, search and rescue, weather forecasting (2806) 40°22.45'N., 73°43.55'W. and prevention of marine pollution. (2807) 40°23.20'N., 73°42.70'W. (2808) 40°08.72'N., 73°20.10'W. §169.5 What terms are defined? (2809) 40°05.32'N., 73°15.28'W. (2831) Gross tons means vessel tonnage measured in ac- (2810) (b) A traffic lane for northwest-bound traffic is es- cordance with the method utilized by the flag state ad- tablished between the separation zone and a line con- ministration of that vessel. necting the following geographic positions: (2832) Mandatory ship reporting system means a ship re- porting system that requires the participation of
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 147 specified vessels or classes of vessels, and that is estab- §169.105 Where is the northeastern reporting lished by a government or governments after adoption system located? of a proposed system by the International Maritime Or- (2839) Geographical boundaries of the northeastern area ganization (IMO) as complying with all requirements include the waters of Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, of regulation V/8–1 of the International Convention for and the Great South Channel east and southeast of the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS), ex- Massachusetts. The coordinates (NAD 83) of the area cept paragraph (e) thereof. are as follows: from a point on Cape Ann, Massachu- (2833) Self-propelled ships means ships propelled by me- setts at 42°39'N, 70°37'W; then northeast to 42°45'N, chanical means. 70°13'W; then southeast to 42°10'N, 68°31'W; then (2834) Shore-based authority means the government ap- south to 41°00'N, 68°31'W; then west to 41°00'N, pointed office or offices that will receive the reports 69°17'W; then northwest to 42°05'N, 70°02'W; then made by ships entering each of the mandatory ship re- west to 42°04'N, 70°10'W; and then along the Massa- porting systems. The office or offices will be responsi- chusetts shoreline of Cape Cod Bay and Massachusetts ble for the management and coordination of the Bay back to the point on Cape Ann at 42°39'N, 70°37'W. system, interaction with participating ships, and the safe and effective operation of the system. Such an au- §169.110 When is the northeastern reporting thority may or may not be an authority in charge of a system in effect? vessel traffic service. (2840) The mandatory ship reporting system in the north- eastern United States operates year-round. §169.10 What geographic coordinates are used? (2835) Geographic coordinates expressed in terms of lati- §169.115 Where is the southeastern reporting system located? tude or longitude, or both, are not intended for plotting (2841) Geographical boundaries of the southeastern area on maps or charts where the referenced horizontal da- include coastal waters within about 25 nautical miles tum is the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), (45 kilometers) along a 90-nautical mile (170-kilome- unless such geographic coordinates are expressly la- ter) stretch of the Atlantic seaboard in Florida and beled NAD 83. Geographic coordinates without the Georgia. The area coordinates (NAD 83) extends from NAD 83 reference may be plotted on maps or charts ref- the shoreline east to longitude 80°51.6'W with the erenced to NAD 83 only after application of the appro- southern and northern boundaries at latitude 30°00'N priate corrections that are published on the particular and 31°27'N., respectively. map or chart being used. Subpart B–Establishment of Two Mandatory §169.120 When is the southeastern reporting Ship Reporting Systems for the Protection of system in effect? North Atlantic Right Whales (2842) The mandatory ship reporting system in the south- eastern United States operates during the period begin- §169.100 What mandatory ship reporting systems ning on November 15 each year through April 16 of the are established by this subpart? following year. (2836) This subpart prescribes requirements for the estab- lishment and maintenance of two mandatory ship re- §169.125 What classes of ships are required to porting systems for the protection of the endangered make reports? northern right whale (also known as the North Atlantic (2843) Each self-propelled ship of 300 gross tons or right whale). These two systems are designated for cer- greater must participate in the reporting systems, ex- tain areas of the East Coast of the United States. One cept government ships exempted from reporting by system is located in the northeast and is identified as regulation V/8–1(c) of SOLAS. However, exempt ships WHALESNORTH. The other system is located in the are encouraged to participate in the reporting systems. southeast and is identified as WHALESSOUTH. (2837) Note: 50 CFR 224.103(c) contains requirements §169.130 When are ships required to make and procedures concerning North Atlantic right whale reports? approach limitations and avoidance procedures. (2844) Participating ships must report to the shore-based authority upon entering the area covered by a report- §169.102 Who is the shore-based authority? ing system. Additional reports are not necessary for (2838) The U.S. Coast Guard is the shore-based authority movements made within a system or for ships exiting a system. for these mandatory ship reporting systems.
148 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Table 169.140–Requirements for ship reports Telegraphy Function Information required Name of system System identifier Ship reporting system WHALESNORTH or WHALESSOUTH M INMARSAT number Vessel INMARSAT number A Ship The name, call sign or ship station identity, IMO number, and flag of the vessel. B Date and time of event A 6-digit group giving day of month (first two digits), hours and minutes (last four digits). E True course A 3-digit group. F Speed in knots and tenths of knots A 3-digit group. Entry time expressed as in (B) and entry position expressed H Date, time and point of entry into system as– (1) A 4-digit group giving latitude in degrees and minutes suffixed with N (north) or S (south) and a 5-digit group giv- ing longitude in degrees and minutes suffixed with E (east) or W (west); or (2) True bearing (first 3 digits) and distance (state distance) in nautical miles from a clearly identified landmark (state landmark). I Destination and expected time of arrival Name of port and date time group expressed as in (B). L Route information Intended track. §169.135 How must the reports be made? Current email addresses and telex numbers are pub- (2845) (a) A ship equipped with INMARSAT C must report lished annually in the U.S. Coast Pilot. in IM0 standard format as provided in §169.140 in table Part 207–Navigation Regulations 169.140. (2846) (b) A ship not equipped with INMARSAT C must re- §207.20 Cape Cod Canal,Mass.; use,administration, port to the Coast Guard using other means, listed be- and navigation. low in order of precedence– (2852) (a) Limits of canal. The canal, including ap- (2847) (1) Narrow band direct printing (SITOR), proaches, extends from the Canal Station Minus 100 in (2848) (2) HF voice communication, or Cape Cod Bay, approximately one and six-tenths (1.6) (2849) (3) MF or VHF voice communications. statute miles seaward of the Canal Breakwater Light, (2850) (c) SITOR or HF reports made directly to the Coast through dredged channels and land cuts to Cleveland Guard’s Communications Area Master Station Atlantic Ledge Light in Buzzards Bay approximately four (4) (CAMSLANT) in Chesapeake, VA, or MF or VHF reports statute miles southwest of Wings Neck. made to Coast Guard activities or groups, should only (2853) (b) Supervision. (1) The movement of ships, boats be made by ships not equipped with INMARSAT C. and craft of every description through the canal and the Ships in this category must provide all the required in- operation and maintenance of the waterway and all formation to the Coast Guard watchstander. property of the United States pertaining thereto shall be under the supervision of the Division Engineer, U.S. §169.140 What information must be included in Army Engineer Division, New England, Corps of Engi- the report? neers, Waltham, Massachusetts, or the authorized (2851) Each ship report made to the shore-based author- representative of the division engineer, the Engineer- ity must follow the standard reporting and format re- quirements listed in this section in table 169.140.
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 149 In-Charge of the Cape Cod Canal. The division engineer (a) of this section. Low powered vessels will be required or the Engineer-In-Charge from time to time will pre- to await slack water or favorable current for canal tran- scribe rules governing the dimensions of vessels which sit. may transit the waterway, and other special conditions (2862) (e) Tows. (1) Tows shall be made-up outside the ca- and requirements which will govern the movement of nal entrances. All vessels engaged in towing other ves- vessels using the waterway. sels not equipped with a rudder shall use two lines or a (2854) (2) The Engineer-In-Charge, through the marine bridle and one tow line. If the vessel in tow is equipped traffic controller on duty, will enforce these regula- with a rudder or a ship shaped bow, one tow line may be tions and monitor traffic through the canal. The ma- used. All tow lines of hawsers must be hauled as short rine traffic controller on duty is the individual as practicable for safe handling of the tows. No towboat responsible for interpretation of these regulations with will be allowed to enter the waterway with more than respect to vessels transiting the canal. Vessels transiting two barges in tow unless prior approval is granted by the canal must obey the orders of the marine traffic the Engineer-In-Charge; requests must be submitted controller. 12 hours in advance of the passage. (2855) (3) The government has tugs stationed at the West (2863) (2) The maximum length of pontoon rafts using Boat Basin for emergency use on an on-call basis. A pa- the canal will be limited to 600 feet, and the maximum trol vessel is manned and operational 24-hours a day. width to 100 feet. Pontoon rafts exceeding 200 feet in (2856) (c) Communications. There is a marine traffic con- length will be required to have an additional tug on the troller on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the stern to insure that the tow is kept in line. The tugs traffic control center located at the Canal Administra- used must have sufficient power to handle the raft tive Office. The primary method of communications safely. between the canal and vessels transiting will be by (2864) (3) Dead ships are required to transit the canal dur- VHF-FM Marine radio. The traffic controller can also be ing daylight hours and must be provided with the num- contacted by telephone. ber of tugs sufficient to afford safe passage through the (2857) (1) For radio communications, call the traffic con- canal. (A dead ship will not be allowed to enter the canal troller on channel 16 to establish contact. The trans- unless prior approval is granted by the Engi- missions will then be switched to channel 12 or 14 as neer-In-Charge; requests must be submitted 12 hours the working channel to pass information. Channel 13 is in advance of the passage). also available at the canal office; however, the use of (2865) (f) Dangerous Cargoes. The master or pilot of any channel 13 should be limited to emergency situations vessel or tow carrying dangerous cargoes must notify or whenever vessels do not have one of the other chan- the Marine Traffic Controller prior to entering the ca- nels. All four channels are monitored continuously by nal. Dangerous cargoes are defined as those items the traffic controller. Radio discipline will be adhered listed in 33 CFR 126.10 when carried in bulk (i.e., quan- to in accordance with FCC rules and regulations. tities exceeding 110 U.S. gallons in one tank) plus Class (2858) (2) For telephone communications with the traffic A explosives (commercial or military) as listed in 49 controller, call (508) 759-4431. CFR 173.53 (commercial) and 46 CFR 146.29–100 (2859) (3) Vessels shall maintain a radio guard on Marine (military), liquified natural gas and liquified petroleum VHF-FM channel 13 during the entire passage through gas. Transportation of dangerous cargoes through the the canal. canal shall be in strict accordance with existing regula- (2860) (4) All radio communications in the vicinity of the tions prescribed by law. In addition, vessels carrying canal are tape recorded for future reference. dangerous cargoes shall comply with the following re- (2861) (d) Vessels allowed passage. The canal is open for quirements. passage to all adequately powered vessels properly (2866) (1) They must have sufficient horsepower to over- equipped and seaworthy, of sizes consistent with safe come tidal currents or they will be required to wait for navigation as governed by the controlling depths and favorable current conditions. widths of the channel and the vertical and horizontal (2867) (2) Transits will be during daylight hours. clearances of the bridges over the waterway. The grant- (2868) (3) No transit will be permitted when visibility con- ing of permission for any vessel to proceed through the ditions are unstable or less than 2 miles at the ap- waterway shall not relieve the owners, agents and oper- proaches and throughout the entire length of the ators of full responsibility for its safe passage. No vessel canal. having a greater draft forward than aft will be allowed (2869) (4) Transits must await a clear canal for passage. to transit the canal. Craft of low power and wind driven (2870) (g) Obtaining clearance. (1) Vessels under 65 feet in are required to have and use auxiliary power during length may enter the canal without obtaining clear- passage throughout the canal as defined in paragraph ance. All craft are required to make a complete passage
150 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 through the canal except excursion craft which may (2879) (1) Westbound traffic-When the green light is on at operate and change direction within the canal in accor- the eastern (Cape Cod Bay) entrance, vessels may pro- dance with procedures coordinated with the marine ceed westward through the canal. When the red light is traffic controller on duty. When the railroad bridge on, any type of vessel 65 feet in length and over must span is in the closed (down) position, all vessels are di- stop clear of the Cape Cod Bay entrance channel. When rected not to proceed beyond the points designated by the yellow light is on, vessels 65 feet in length and over the stop signs posted east and west of the railroad and drawing less than 25 feet may proceed as far as the bridge. Vessels proceeding with a fair tide (with the East Mooring Basin where they must stop. Prior to con- current) should turn and stem the current at the desig- tinuing passage through the canal, clearance must be nated stop points until the railroad bridge is in the obtained from the marine traffic controller. raised (open) position. (2871) (2) Vessels 65 feet in length and over shall not enter (2880) (2) Eastbound traffic-When the green light is on at the canal until clearance has been obtained from the Wings Neck, vessels may proceed eastward through the marine traffic controller by radio. See paragraph (c) canal. When the red light is on, vessels 65 feet and over “Communications” for procedures. If a vessel, granted in length and drawing less than 25 feet must keep prior clearance, is delayed or stops at the mooring bas- southerly of Hog Island Channel Entrance Buoys Nos. ins, state pier, or the Sandwich bulkhead, a second 1 and 2 and utilize the general anchorage areas adja- clearance must be obtained prior to continuing passage cent to the improved channel. Vessel traffic drawing 25 through the canal. feet and over are directed not to enter the canal chan- (2872) (3) Vessels will be given clearance in the order of nel at the Cleveland Ledge Light entrance and shall lay arrival, except when conditions warrant one-way traf- to or anchor in the vicinity of Buzzards Bay Buoy No. fic, or for any reason an order of priority is necessary, 11 (FLW & Bell) until clearance is granted by the canal clearance will be granted in the following order. marine traffic controller or a green traffic light at (2873) (i) First-To vessels owned or operated by the United Wings Neck is displayed. When the yellow light is on, States, including contractors’ equipment employed on vessels may proceed through Hog Island Channel as far canal maintenance or improvement work. as the West Mooring Basin where they must stop. Prior (2874) (ii) Second-To passenger vessels. to continuing passage through the canal, clearance (2875) (iii) Third-To tankers and barges docking and must be obtained from the marine traffic controller. undocking at the Canal Electric Terminal. (2876) (iv) Fourth-To merchant vessels, towboats, com- (2881) (i) Railroad Bridge Signals. The following signals at mercial fishing vessels, pleasure boats and miscella- the Buzzards Bay Railroad Bridge will be given strict neous craft. attention. (2877) (4) Procedures in adverse weather-Vessels carrying flammable or combustible cargoes as defined in 46 CFR (2882) (1) The vertical lift span on the railroad bridge is 30.25 will be restricted from passage through the canal normally kept in the raised (open) position except when visibility is less than ½ mile. Other vessels may when it is lowered for the passage of trains, or for main- transit the canal in thick weather by use of radar with tenance purposes. Immediately preceding the lowering the understanding that the United States Government of the span, the operator will sound two long blasts of will assume no responsibility: And provided, That an air horn. Immediately preceding the raising of the clearance has been obtained from the marine traffic span, the operator will sound one long blast of an air controller. horn. When a vessel or craft of any type is approaching (2878) (h) Traffic lights. There are three sets of traffic the bridge with the span in the down (closed) position lights showing red, green, and yellow that are operated and the span cannot be raised immediately, the opera- on a continuous basis at the canal. The traffic lights ap- tor of the bridge will so indicate by sounding danger ply to all vessels 65 feet in length and over. The traffic signals of four short blasts in quick succession. lights are a secondary system that is operated in sup- port of the radio communications system. The traffic (2883) (2) When the lift span is in the down (closed) posi- lights are located at the easterly canal entrance, Sand- tion in foggy weather or when visibility is obscured by wich, and at the westerly entrance to Hog Island Chan- vapor, there will be four short blasts sounded from the nel at Wings Neck. A third traffic light is located at the bridge every two minutes. Canal Electric Terminal basin on the south side of the canal in Sandwich, and applies only to vessels arriving (2884) (j) Speed. All vessels are directed to pass mooring and departing that terminal. and boat basin facilities, the state pier, and all floating plant engaged in maintenance operations of the water- way at a minimum speed consistent with safe naviga- tion. In order to coordinate scheduled rail traffic with the passage of vessels, to minimize erosion of the canal banks and dikes from excessive wave wash and suction, and for the safety of vessels using the canal, the
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 151 following speed regulations must be observed by ves- provided by a government vessel or by a private firm sels of all types, including pleasure craft. The mini- under contract to the government, the government re- mum running time for the land cut between the East serves the right to seek compensation from the vessel Mooring Basin (Station 35) and the Administration Of- owners for all costs incurred. fice in Buzzards Bay (Station 388) is prescribed as fol- (2896) (4) Right of Way-All vessels proceeding with the lows: current shall have the right of way over those proceed- (2885) Head Tide–60 Minutes ing against the current. All craft up to 65 feet in length (2886) Fair Tide–30 Minutes shall be operated so as not to interfere with the naviga- (2887) Slack Tide–45 Minutes tion of vessels of greater length. (2888) The minimum running time between the Adminis- (2897) (5) Passing of vessels-The passing of one vessel by tration Office (Station 388) and Hog Island Channel another when proceeding in the same direction is pro- westerly entrance Buoy No. 1 (Station 661) is pre- hibited except when a leading low powered ship is un- scribed as follows: able to make sufficient headway. However, extreme (2889) Head Tide–46 Minutes caution must be observed to avoid collision, and con- (2890) Fair Tide–23 Minutes sideration must be given to the size of the ship to be (2891) Slack Tide–35 Minutes overtaken, velocity of current and wind, and atmo- (2892) The running time at slack water will apply to any spheric conditions. Masters of vessels involved shall in- vessel which enters that portion of the canal between form the marine traffic controller on duty of stations 35 and 661, within the period of one-half hour developing situations to facilitate coordination of ves- before or after the predicted time of slack water as sel movement. Meeting or passing of vessels at the east- given in the National Ocean Service publication “Cur- erly end of the canal between Station Minus 40 and rent Tables, Atlantic Coast, North America.” The mini- Station 60 will not be permitted, except in cases of ex- mum running time during a head tide or a fair tide treme emergency, in order to allow vessels to utilize shall apply to any vessel which enters that portion of the center line range to minimize the effects of hazard- the canal between Station 35 and 661 at any time other ous eddies and currents. Due to bank suction and tidal than designated above for time requirements at slack set, meeting and passing of vessels at the following lo- tide. Vessels of any kind unable to make a through tran- cation will be avoided: sit of the land cut portion of the canal against a head (2898) (i) Sagamore Bridge. current of 6.0 knots within a maximum time limit of 2 (2899) (ii) Bourne Bridge. hours 30 minutes shall be required to obtain the assis- (2900) (iii) Railroad Bridge. tance of a helper tug at the vessel owner’s expense or (2901) (iv) Mass. Maritime Academy. await favorable tide conditions prior to receiving clear- (2902) (6) Unnecessary delay in canal-Vessels and other ance from the marine traffic controller. In the event type crafts must not obstruct navigation by unneces- vessels within the confines of the canal fail to perform sarily idling at low speed when entering or passing and are unable to make sufficient headway against the through the canal. currents, the marine traffic controller may activate a (2903) (7) Stopping in the waterway-Anchoring in the helper tug in accordance with paragraph (k) of this sec- Cape Cod Canal Channel is prohibited except in emer- tion. gencies. For the safety of canal operations it is manda- (2893) (k) Management of vessels. (1) Vessels within the tory that the masters of all vessels anchoring in or limits of the canal shall comply with applicable naviga- adjacent to the canal channel (Cape Cod Bay to Cleve- tion rules. land Ledge Light) for any reason, immediately notify (2894) (2) Vessels within the limits of the canal shall com- the marine traffic controller. ply with the applicable requirements for the use of pi- (2904) (8) Utilization of mooring and boat basins and the lots established by the Coast Guard, including but not Sandwich Bulkhead-Vessels mooring or anchoring in limited to those contained in 46 CFR 157.20–40. Ves- the mooring or boat basins at the Sandwich bulkhead sels will not be granted clearance to enter the canal un- must do so in a manner not to obstruct or impede ves- til the marine traffic controller has been notified of the sel movements to and from facilities. These facilities name of the pilot who will be handling the vessel. are of limited capacity and permission to occupy them (2895) (3) The master of a vessel will be responsible for no- for periods exceeding 24 hours must be obtained in ad- tifying the marine traffic controller as soon as an emer- vance from the marine traffic controller. Mooring in gency situation appears to be developing. When in the the West Boat Basin at Buzzards Bay, near the railroad opinion of the marine traffic controller an emergency bridge, is not permitted except in an emergency. exists, he/she can require the master to accept the as- Fishing boats, yachts, cabin cruisers and other craft sistance of a helper vessel. Whether or not assistance is utilizing the East Boat Basin on the south side of the
152 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 canal at Sandwich, Massachusetts are not permitted to on government lands and service roads except in areas tie up at the Corps of Engineers landing float or anchor specifically designated for such operation. in a manner to prevent canal floating plant from having (2913) (3) Swimming. Swimming, skin diving, snorkel- ready access to the float. All vessels or barges left unat- ing, and scuba diving in the canal between the east en- tended must be securely tied with adequate lines or ca- trance in Cape Cod Bay and the west entrance at bles. The United States assumes no liability for Cleveland Ledge Light are prohibited. Diving opera- damages which may be sustained by any craft using the tions may be authorized by the Engineer-In-Charge in bulkhead at Sandwich or the canal mooring or boat ba- conjunction with operation and maintenance of the ca- sin facilities. Vessels shall not be left unattended along nal. the face of the government bulkhead. A responsible (2914) (4) Camping. Overnight tenting or camping on person with authority to authorize and/or accomplish government land is prohibited except in areas desig- vessel movement must remain onboard at all times. nated by the division engineer. Bourne Scenic Park and (2905) (1) Grounded, wrecked or damaged vessels. In the Scusset Beach State Reservation are designated camp- event a vessel is grounded, or so damaged by accident ing areas. Persons asleep during hours of darkness in as to render it likely to become an obstruction and/or or out of vehicles shall be considered as campers. hazard to navigation in the waterway, the division engi- (2915) (5) Fishing. Persons may fish with rod and line neer or the division engineer’s authorized representa- from the banks of the canal on Federally owned prop- tive shall supervise and direct all operations that may erty except areas designated by the division engineer. be necessary to remove the vessel to a safe locality. Fishing and lobstering by boat in the Cape Cod Canal (2906) (m) [Reserved] between the east entrance in Cape Cod Bay and the west (2907) (n) Deposit of refuse. No oil or other allied liquids, entrance at Cleveland Ledge Light are prohibited. ashes, or materials of any kind shall be thrown, Fishing by boat is permitted in the area west of the pumped or swept into the canal or its approaches from State Pier in Buzzards Bay, provided that all craft stay any vessel or craft using the waterway, nor shall any re- out of the channel defined by United States Coast fuse be deposited on canal grounds, marine structures, Guard buoys and beacons. Fish and game laws of the or facilities. United States and the Commonwealth of Massachu- (2908) (o) Trespass to property. Subject to the provisions setts will be enforced. of paragraph (q) of this section trespass upon the canal (2916) (6) Hunting. Hunting is permitted in accordance property is prohibited. with game laws of the United States and the Common- (2909) (p) Bridges over the canal. The government owns, wealth of Massachusetts. operates and maintains all bridges across the canal (2917) (7) Fires. No open fires will be allowed at any time which include one railroad bridge and two highway except by special permission and then shall be continu- bridges. The division engineer or his/her authorized ously overseen and in compliance with state or town representative may establish rules and regulations gov- laws. erning the use of these bridges. (2918) (8) Control of animals and pets. (i) No person shall (2910) (q) Recreational use of canal.–(1) Policy. (i) It is the bring or have horses in camping, picnic, swimming policy of the Secretary of the Army acting through the beaches or developed recreation areas. Chief of Engineers to provide the public with safe and (2919) (ii) No person shall bring dogs (except seeing eye healthful recreational opportunities within all water dogs), cats, or other pets into developed recreation ar- resource development projects administered by the eas unless penned, caged, or on a leash no longer than Chief of Engineers, including the canal and govern- six feet or otherwise under physical restrictive controls ment lands part thereof. Any recreational use of the ca- at all times. nal and those lands shall be at the users own risk. (2920) (9) Restrictions. (i) The division engineer may es- (2911) (ii) All water resource development projects open tablish a reasonable schedule of visiting hours for all or for recreational use shall be available to the public portions of the project area and close or restrict the without regard to sex, race, creed, color or national ori- public use of all or any portion of the project by the gin. No lessee, licensee, or concessionaire providing a posting of appropriate signs indicating the extent and service to the public shall discriminate against any per- scope of closure. All persons shall observe such posted son or persons because of sex, race, creed, color or na- restrictions. tional origin in the conduct of operations under the (2921) (ii) The operation or use of any audio or other noise lease, license or concession contract. producing device including, but not limited to, com- (2912) (2) Motor vehicles. Operation of motor vehicles, munications media and vehicles in such a manner as to motorcycles, minibikes, mopeds, motorbikes, snow- unreasonably annoy, endanger persons or affect vessel mobiles, and all types of off-road vehicles is prohibited traffic through the canal is prohibited.
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 153 (2922) (10) Explosives, firearms, other weapons and fire- (2928) (14) Advertisement. Advertising by the use of bill- works. (i) The possession of loaded firearms, ammuni- boards, signs, markers, audio devices or any other tion, projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, means whatever is prohibited unless written permis- crossbows, and explosives of any kind is prohibited un- sion has been received from the division engineer. less in the possession of a law enforcement officer or Government employee on official duty or used for (2929) (15) Commercial activities. The engaging in or so- hunting during the hunting season as permitted under licitation of business without the written permission of paragraph (q)(6) of this section, or unless written per- the division engineer is prohibited. mission has been received from the division engineer. (2930) (16) Unauthorized structures. The construction or (2923) (ii) The possession or use of fireworks is prohibited placing of any structure of any kind under, upon or over unless written permission has been received from the the project lands or waters is prohibited unless a per- division engineer. mit has been issued by the division engineer. Struc- tures not under permit are subject to summary (2924) (11) Public property. Destruction, injury, deface- removal by the division engineer. ment or removal of public property including natural formations, historical and archeological features and (2931) (17) Special events. Prior approval must be ob- vegetative growth is prohibited without written per- tained from the Engineer-In-Charge for special events, mission of the division engineer. recreational programs and group activities. The public shall not be charged any fee by the sponsor of such (2925) (12) Abandonment of personal property. (i) Aban- event unless the division engineer has approved in donment of personal property is prohibited. Personal writing the proposed schedule of fees. property shall not be left unattended upon the lands or waters of the project except in accordance with this (2932) (18) Interference with government employees. In- regulation. After a period of 24 hours, abandoned or terference with any government employee in the con- unattended personal property shall be impounded and duct of official duties pertaining to the administration stored at a storage point designated by the division en- of these regulations is prohibited. gineer. The division engineer shall assess a reasonable impoundment fee, which shall be paid before the im- §207.50 Hudson River Lock at Troy,N.Y.; navigation. pounded property is returned to its owners. (2933) (a) Authority of lockmaster. The lockmaster shall (2926) (ii) The division engineer shall, by public or private be charged with the immediate control and manage- sales or otherwise, dispose of all lost, abandoned, or un- ment of the lock, and of the area set aside as the lock claimed personal property that comes into his/her cus- area, including the lock approach channels. He shall tody or control. However, efforts should be made to find see that all laws, rules and regulations for the use of the the owner, the owner’s heirs or next of kin, or legal rep- lock and lock area are duly complied with, to which end resentatives. If the owner, heirs or next of kin, or legal he is authorized to give all necessary orders and direc- representative is determined but not found, the prop- tions in accordance therewith, both to employees of the erty may not be disposed of until the expiration of 120 Government and to any and every person within the days after the date when notice, giving the time and limits of the lock or lock area, whether navigating the place of the intended sale or other disposition, has been lock or not. No one shall cause any movement of any ves- sent by certified or registered mail to that person at last sel, boat, or other floating thing in the lock or ap- known address. When diligent effort to determine the proaches except by or under the direction of the owner, owner’s heirs or next of kin, or legal representa- lockmaster or his assistants. tive is unsuccessful, the property may be disposed of (2934) (b) Signals. Steamboats or tows desiring lockage in without delay, except that if it has a fair market value of either direction shall give notice to the lock tenders, $25 or more the property generally may not be disposed when not more than three-fourths mile from the lock, of until three months after the date it is received at the by one long blast of (10 seconds’ duration), followed by Cape Cod Canal Administrative Office. The net proceeds one short blast (of three seconds’ duration), on a whis- from the sale of property shall be placed into the Trea- tle or horn. When the lock is ready for entrance a green sury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts. light will be shown from the river wall. An amber light will indicate that the lock is being made ready for en- (2927) (13) Lost and found articles. All abandoned/lost ar- trance. A red light will indicate that the approaching ticles shall be deposited by the finder at the Canal Ad- vessel must wait. Whenever local conditions make it ministration office or with Canal ranger. The finder advisable the visual signals will be supplemented by shall leave his/her name, address, and phone number. sound signals as follows: All lost articles shall be disposed of in accordance with (2935) (1) One long blast of a horn to indicate that the ves- procedures set forth in paragraph (q)(12) of this sec- sel must wait. tion.
154 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (2936) (2) One short blast of a horn to indicate that the ordered by the lock tender. Leaking boats may be lock is being made ready for entrance. excluded until put in shape to be passed through safely. (2945) (h) Mooring. Boats in the lock or waiting in the en- (2937) (3) Two short blasts of a horn to indicate permis- trance shall be moored where directed by the lock ten- sion to enter the lock. der, by bow, stern, and spring lines, to the snubbing posts or line hooks. Tying boats to the lock ladders is (2938) (4) Four short and rapid blasts to attract attention, strictly prohibited. indicate caution, and signal danger. (2946) (i) Protection of lock gates. Boats will not be per- mitted to enter or leave the lock until the lock gates are (2939) (c) Draft of boats. Deep-draft boats must clear the at rest in the gate recesses and the lock tender has di- miter sills by at least 3 inches. Boats drawing too much rected the boat to start. water will not be allowed to lighter cargo in the en- (2947) (j) Damage to walls, etc. All craft passing through trances. the lock must be free from projections or sharp corners which might scar the walls or injure other parts. (2940) (d) Precedence at the lock. The vessel arriving first Steamboats must be provided with suitable fenders, at the lock shall be first to lock through; but prece- etc. One man shall be kept at the head of every tow till it dence shall be given to vessels belonging to the United has cleared the lock and guide walls, and shall use the States and to commercial vessels in the order named. fender to prevent scarring the walls. Arrival posts or markers may be established ashore (2948) (k) Handling machinery. None but employees of above or below the lock. Vessels arriving at or opposite the United States will be allowed to move any valve, such posts or markers will be considered as having ar- gate, or other machinery belonging to the lock. rived at the lock within the meaning of this paragraph. (2949) (1) Refuse in lock. Throwing ashes, refuse, or other If the traffic is crowded in both directions; up and down obstruction in the entrances or in the lock, or on the lockages will usually be made alternately, but the lock walls thereof, and passing coal from flats or barges to a tender may permit two or more lockages to be made at steamboat while in the lock is prohibited. one time in the same direction when this will not cause (2950) (m) [Reserved] unreasonable delay. In case two or more boats or tows (2951) (n) Trespass on United States property. Trespass on are to enter for the same lockage, they shall enter as di- United States property, or willful injury to the banks, rected by the lock tender. No boat shall run ahead of an- masonry, fences, trees, houses, machinery, or other other while in the lock. The boat that enters first shall property of the United States at or near the lock is leave first. strictly prohibited. (2952) (o) Penalties. In addition to the penalties pre- (2941) (e) Lockage of pleasure boats. The lockage of plea- scribed by law, boats which fail to comply with the reg- sure boats, house boats or like craft shall be expedited ulations in this section will thereafter be refused by locking them through with commercial craft (other lockage until assurances have been received, satisfac- than barges carrying gasoline or highly hazardous ma- tory to the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, New terials) in order to utilize the capacity of the lock to its York, New York, that the regulations will be complied maximum. Lockage of pleasure craft may be made with with. commercial craft carrying petroleum products other than gasoline provided a clear distance of at least 100 §207.60 Federal Dam, Hudson River, Troy, N.Y.; feet between such vessels can be maintained in the pool level. lock. If, after the arrival of such craft, no separate or (2953) (a) Whenever the elevation of the pool created by combined lockage can be accomplished within a rea- the Federal dam at Troy, N.Y., shall fall to a point level sonable time, not to exceed the time required for three with the crest of the main spillway, the elevation of other lockages, then separate lockage shall be made. which is 14.33 feet mean sea level, the operation of the power plant shall cease and further operation thereof (2942) (f) Stations while waiting. Boats waiting their turn shall be suspended until such time as the water level to enter the lock must lie at a sufficient distance from rises to or above 14.43 feet mean sea level. the lock and in such a position as to leave sufficient (2954) (b) Flashboards may be maintained on the section room for the passage of boats leaving the lock. of the spillway of the dam having an elevation of 14.33 feet mean sea level in order to increase the elevation of (2943) (g) Unnecessary delay. (1) Boats must not cause de- this section to an elevation equal to that of the auxiliary lay in entering or leaving the lock. Masters and pilots spillway, or 16.33 feet mean sea level: Provided, That will be held to a strict accountability in this matter, and the flashboards are so erected as to drop automatically those with tows must provide enough men to move barges promptly. Boats failing to enter the lock with reasonable promptness after being signaled will lose their turn. (2944) (2) Tugboats arriving with their tows in a condition which will delay locking shall lose their turn if so
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 155 when the pool level rises to an elevation of 18.5 feet the following examples: Company A is the barge owner, mean sea level, and conform in other respects to the and the barge transports corn from Minneapolis, MN to plans attached thereto. New Orleans, LA, with fleeting at Cairo, IL. (2955) (c) The tide staff to be used in determining the ele- (2969) (i) Lease/Charter: If Company A leases or charters vation of the pool shall be the ceramic tide staff now lo- the barge to Company B, then Company B is responsi- cated on the westerly face of the east lock wall north of ble for reporting the movements of the barge until the the northerly gates, the zero of which is set 2 feet below lease/charter expires. mean sea level. (2970) (ii) Interline Movement: A barge is towed from (2956) (d) The regulations of the pool level and the main- Minneapolis to Cairo by Company A, and from Cairo to tenance of flashboards shall be subject to the supervi- New Orleans by Company B. Since Company A is the sion and approval of the District Engineer, New York barge owner, and the barge is not leased. Company A re- City. ports the entire movement of the barge with an origin of Minneapolis and a destination of New Orleans. §207.800 Collection of navigation statistics. (2971) (iii) Vessel Swap/Trade: Company A swaps barge (2957) (a) Definitions. For the purpose of this regulation with Company B to allow Company B to meet a delivery commitment to New Orleans. Since Company A has the following terms are defined: not leased/chartered the barge, Company A is responsi- (2958) (1) Navigable waters of the United States means ble for filing the report. Company B is responsible for filing the report on the barge which is traded to Com- those waters of the United States that are subject to the pany A. The swap or trade will not affect the primary re- ebb and flow of the tide shoreward to the mean high sponsibility for reporting the individual vessel water mark, and/or are presently used, or have been movements. used in the past, or may be susceptible to use to trans- (2972) (iv) Re-Consignment: Barge is reconsigned to Mo- port interstate or foreign commerce. (See 33 CFR part bile, AL. Company A reports the movements as origi- 329 for a more complete definition of this term.) nating in Minneapolis and terminating in Mobile. The (2959) (2) Offenses and Violations mean: point from which barge is reconsigned is not reported, (2960) (i) Failure to submit a required report. only points of loading and unloading. (2961) (ii) Failure to provide a timely, accurate, and com- (2973) (v) Fleeting: Barge is deposited at a New Orleans plete report. fleeting area by Company A and towed by Company B (2962) (iii) Failure to submit monthly listings of idle ves- from fleeting area to New Orleans area dock for unload- sels or vessels in transit. ing. Company A, as barge owner, reports entire move- (2963) (iv) Failure to submit a report required by the ments from Minneapolis to the dock in New Orleans. lockmaster or canal operator. Company B does not report any barge movement. (2964) (3) Leased or chartered vessel means a vessel that is (2974) (b) Implementation of the waterborne commerce leased or chartered when the owner relinquishes con- statistics provisions of the River and Harbor Act of trol of the vessel through a contractual agreement with 1922, as amended by the Water Resources Develop- a second party for a specified period of time and/or for a ment Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-662), mandates the fol- specified remuneration from the lessee. Commercial lowing. movements on an affreightment basis are not consid- (2975) (1) Filing Requirements. Except as provided in ered a lease or charter of a particular vessel. paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the person or entity re- (2965) (4) Person or entity means an individual, corpora- ceiving remuneration for the movement of vessels or tion, partnership, or company. for the transportation of goods or passengers on the (2966) (5) Timely means vessel and commodity movement navigable waters is responsible for assuring that the ac- data must be received by the Waterborne Commerce tivity report of commercial vessels is timely filed. Statistics Center within 30 days after the close of the (2976) (i) For vessels under lease/charter agreements, the month in which the vessel movement or nonmove- lessee or charterer of any commercial vessel engaged in ment takes place. commercial transportation will be responsible for the (2967) (6) Commercial vessel means a vessel used in filing of said reports until the lease/charter expires. transporting by water, either merchandise or passen- (2977) (ii) The vessel owner, or his designated agent, is al- gers for compensation or hire, or in the course of busi- ways the responsible party for ensuring that all com- ness of the owner, lessee, or operator of the vessel. mercial activity of the vessel is timely reported. (2968) (7) Reporting situation means a vessel movement (2978) (2) The following Vessel Information Reports are to by an operator that is required to be reported. Typical be filed with the Army Corps of Engineers, at the ad- examples are listed in the instructions on the various dress specified on the ENG Form, and are to include: ENG Forms. Five typical movements that are required to be reported by vessel operating companies include
156 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (2979) (i) Monthly Reports. These reports shall be made (2992) (2) If a specific exemption applies to the shipper, on ENG Forms furnished upon written request of the the shipper should list the appropriate exemption code. vessel operating companies to the Army Corps of Engi- The specific exemption codes are listed in the direc- neers. The forms are available at the following address: tions for ENG Form 3925. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center, Post Office Box 61280, New Orleans, (2993) (3) Refer to 19 CFR part 24 for detailed information LA 70161-1280. on exemptions and ports subject to the Harbor Mainte- nance Tax. (2980) (A) All movements of domestic waterborne com- mercial vessels shall be reported, including but not (2994) (ii) Annual Reports. Annually an inventory of ves- limited to: Dry cargo ship and tanker moves, loaded and sels available for commercial carriage of domestic empty barge moves, towboat moves, with or without commerce and vessel characteristics must be filed on barges in tow, fishing vessels, movements of crew boats ENG Forms 3931 and 3932. and supply boats to offshore locations, tugboat moves and movements of newly constructed vessels from the (2995) (iii) Transaction Reports. The sale, charter, or lease shipyard to the point of delivery. of vessels to other companies must also be reported to assure that proper decisions are made regarding each (2981) (B) Vessels idle during the month must also be re- company’s duty for reporting vessel movements during ported. the year. In the absence of notification of the transac- tion, the former company of record remains responsi- (2982) (C) Notwithstanding the above requirements, the ble until proper notice is received by the Corps. following waterborne vessel movements need not be reported: (2996) (iv) Reports to Lockmasters and Canal Operators. Masters of self-propelled non-recreational vessels (2983) (1) Movements of recreational vessels. which pass through locks and canals operated by the (2984) (2) Movements of fire, police, and patrol vessels. Army Corps of Engineers will provide the data specified (2985) (3) Movements of vessels exclusively engaged in on ENG Forms 3102b, 3102c, and/or 3102d to the lockmaster, canal operator, or his designated represen- construction (e.g., piledrivers and crane barges). Note: tative in the manner and detail dictated. however, that movements of supplies, materials, and crews to or from the construction site must be timely (2997) (c) Penalties for Noncompliance. The following reported. penalties for noncompliance can be assessed for of- (2986) (4) Movements of dredges to or from the dredging fenses and violations. site. However, vessel movements of dredged material from the dredging site to the disposal site must be re- (2998) (1) Criminal Penalties. Every person or persons vi- ported. olating the provisions of this regulation shall, for each (2987) (5) Specific movements granted exemption in writ- and every offense, be liable to a fine of not more than ing by the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center. $5,000, or imprisonment not exceeding two months, to (2988) (D) ENG Forms 3925 and 3925b shall be completed be enforced in any district court in the United States and filed by vessel operating companies each month for within whose territorial jurisdiction such offense may all voyages or vessel movements completed during the have been committed. month. Vessels that did not complete a move during the month shall be reported as idle or in transit. (2999) (2) Civil Penalties. In addition, any person or entity (2989) (E) The vessel operating company may request a that fails to provide timely, accurate, and complete waiver from the Army Corps of Engineers, and upon statements or reports required to be submitted by this written approval by the Waterborne Commerce Center, regulation may also be assessed a civil penalty of up to the company may be allowed to provide the requisite $2,500 per violation under 33 U.S.C. 555, as amended. information of the above paragraph (D), on computer printouts, magnetic tape, diskettes, or alternate me- (3000) (3) Denial of Passage. In addition to these fines, dium approved by the Center. penalties, and imprisonments, the lockmaster or canal (2990) (F) Harbor Maintenance Tax information is re- operator can refuse to allow vessel passage. quired on ENG Form 3925 for cargo movements into or out of ports that are subject to the provisions of section (3001) (d) Enforcement Policy. Every means at the dis- 1402 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 posal of the Army Corps of Engineers will be utilized to (Pub. L. 99-662). monitor and enforce these regulations. (2991) (1) The name of the shipper of the commodity, and the shipper’s Internal Revenue Service number or So- (3002) (1) To identify vessel operating companies that cial Security number, must be reported on the form. should be reporting waterborne commerce data, The Corps will make use of, but is not limited to, the follow- ing sources. (3003) (i) Data on purchase and sale of vessels. (3004) (ii) U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation and re- ports.
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 157 (3005) (iii) Data collected at Locks, Canals, and other facil- (3016) (4) Additional Remedies. Appropriate cases may ities operated by the Corps. also be referred to the local U.S. Attorney for prosecu- tion, penalty collection, injunctive, and other relief by (3006) (iv) Data provided by terminals on ENG Form 3926. the Chief of the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Cen- (3007) (v) Data provided by the other Federal agencies in- ter. cluding the Internal Revenue Service, Customs Ser- Part 334–Danger Zones and Restricted Area vice, Maritime Administration, Department of Regulations Transportation, and Department of Commerce. (3008) (vi) Data provided by ports, local facilities, and §334.1 Purpose. State or local governments. (3017) The purpose of this part is to: (3009) (vii) Data from trade journals and publications. (3018) (a) Prescribe procedures for establishing, amend- (3010) (viii) Site visits and inspections. (3011) (2) Notice of Violation. Once a reporting violation ing and disestablishing danger zones and restricted is determined to have occurred, the Chief of the areas; Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center will notify the (3019) (b) List the specific danger zones and restricted ar- responsible party and allow 30 days for the reports to be eas and their boundaries; and filed after the fact. If the reports are not filed within this (3020) (c) Prescribe specific requirements, access limita- 30-day notice period, then appropriate civil or criminal tions and controlled activities within the danger zones actions will be undertaken by the Army Corps of Engi- and restricted areas. neers, including the proposal of civil or criminal penal- ties for noncompliance. Typical cases for criminal or §334.2 Definitions civil action include, but are not limited to, those viola- (3021) (a) Danger zone. A defined water area (or areas) tions which are willful, repeated, or have a substantial impact in the opinion of the Chief of the Waterborne used for target practice, bombing, rocket firing or Commerce Statistics Center. other especially hazardous operations, normally for the (3012) (3) Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties. armed forces. The danger zones may be closed to the Civil penalties may be assessed in the following man- public on a full-time or intermittent basis, as stated in ner. the regulations. (3013) (i) Authorization. If the Chief of the Waterborne (3022) (b) Restricted area. A defined water area for the Commerce Statistics Center finds that a person or en- purpose of prohibiting or limiting public access to the tity has failed to comply with any of the provisions area. Restricted areas generally provide security for specified herein, he is authorized to assess a civil pen- Government property and/or protection to the public alty in accordance with the Class I penalty provisions of from the risks of damage or injury arising from the 33 CFR part 326. Provided, however, that the proce- Government’s use of that area. dures in 33 CFR part 326 specifically implementing the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(g)(4)), public notice, §334.3 Special policies. comment period, and state coordination, shall not ap- (3023) (a) General. The general regulatory policies stated ply. (3014) (ii) Initiation. The Chief of the Waterborne Com- in 33 CFR part 320 will be followed as appropriate. In merce Statistics Center will prepare and process a pro- addition, danger zone and restricted area regulations posed civil penalty order which shall state the amount shall provide for public access to the area to the maxi- of the penalty to be assessed, describe by reasonable mum extent practicable. specificity the nature of the violation, and indicate the (3024) (b) Food fishing industry. The authority to pre- applicable provisions of 33 CFR part 326. scribe danger zone and restricted area regulations (3015) (iii) Hearing Requests. Recipients of a proposed must be exercised so as not to unreasonably interfere civil penalty order may file a written request for a hear- with or restrict the food fishing industry. Whenever the ing or other proceeding. This request shall be as speci- proposed establishment of a danger zone or restricted fied in 33 CFR part 326 and shall be addressed to the area may affect fishing operations, the District Engi- Director of the Water Resources Support Center, Casey neer will consult with the Regional Director, U.S. Fish Building, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5586, who will pro- and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior and vide the requesting person or entity with a reasonable the Regional Director, National Marine Fisheries Ser- opportunity to present evidence regarding the issu- vice, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration ance, modification, or revocation of the proposed order. (NOAA). Thereafter, the Director of the Water Resources Center (3025) (c) Temporary, occasional or intermittent use. If shall issue a final order. the use of the water area is desired for a short period of
158 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 time, not to exceed thirty days in duration, and that (3033) (2) Content. The public notice and Federal Regis- planned operations can be conducted safely without ter documents must include sufficient information to imposing unreasonable restrictions on navigation, and give a clear understanding of the proposed action and without promulgating restricted area regulations in should include the following items of information: accordance with the regulations in this section, appli- cants may be informed that formal regulations are not (3034) (i) Applicable statutory authority or authorities; required. Activities of this type shall not reoccur more (40 Stat. 266; 33 U.S.C. 1) and (40 Stat. 892; 33 U.S.C. often than biennially (every other year), unless danger 3). zone/restricted area rules are promulgated under this Part. Proper notices for mariners requesting that ves- (3035) (ii) A reasonable comment period. The public no- sels avoid the area will be issued by the Agency request- tice should fix a limiting date within which comments ing such use of the water area, or if appropriate, by the will be received, normally a period not less than 30 days District Engineer, to all known interested persons. after publication of the notice. Copies will also be sent to appropriate State agencies, the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC (3036) (iii) The address of the District Engineer as the re- 20590, and Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence cipient of any comments received. Agency, Hydrographic Center, Washington, DC 20390, ATTN: Code NS 12. Notification to all parties and (3037) (iv) The identity of the applicant/proponent; Agencies shall be made at least two weeks prior to the (3038) (v) The name or title, address and telephone num- planned event, or earlier, if required for distribution of Local Notice to Mariners by the Coast Guard. ber of the Corps employee from whom additional infor- mation concerning the proposal may be obtained; §334.4 Establishment and amendment procedures. (3039) (vi) The location of the proposed activity accompa- (3026) (a) Application. Any request for the establishment, nied by a map of sufficient detail to show the bound- aries of the area(s) and its relationship to the amendment or revocation of a danger zone or re- surrounding area. stricted area must contain sufficient information for (3040) (3) Distribution. Public notice will be distributed the District Engineer to issue a public notice, and as a in accordance with 33 CFR 325.3(d)(1). In addition to minimum must contain the following: this general distribution, public notices will be sent to (3027) (1) Name, address and telephone number of re- the following Agencies: questor including the identity of the command and (3041) (i) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) DoD facility and the identity of a point of contact with where the use of airspace is involved. phone number. (3042) (ii) The Commander, Service Force, U.S. Atlantic (3028) (2) Name of waterway and if a small tributary, the Fleet, if a proposed action involves a danger zone off the name of a larger connecting waterbody. U.S. Atlantic coast. (3029) (3) Name of closest city or town, county/parish and (3043) (iii) Proposed danger zones on the U.S. Pacific state. coast must be coordinated with the applicable com- (3030) (4) Location of proposed or existing danger zone or mands as follows: restricted area with a map showing the location, if pos- (3044) Alaska, Oregon and Washington: sible. (3045) Commander, Naval Base, Seattle (3031) (5) A brief statement of the need for the area, its in- (3046) California: tended use and detailed description of the times, dates (3047) Commander, Naval Base, San Diego and extent of restriction. (3048) Hawaii and Trust Territories: (3032) (b) Public notice. (1) The Corps will normally pub- (3049) Commander, Naval Base, Pearl Harbor lish public notices and Federal Register documents (3050) (c) Public hearing. The District Engineer may con- concurrently. Upon receipt of a request for the estab- duct a public hearing in accordance with 33 CFR part lishment, amendment or revocation of a danger zone 327. or restricted area, the District Engineer should forward (3051) (d) Environmental documentation. The District a copy of the request with his/her recommendation, a Engineer shall prepare environmental documentation copy of the draft public notice and a draft Federal Reg- in accordance with appendix B to 33 CFR part 325. ister document to the Office of the Chief of Engineers, (3052) (e) District Engineer’s recommendation. After clo- ATTN: CECW-OR. The Chief of Engineers will publish sure of the comment period, and upon completion of the proposal in the Federal Register concurrent with the District Engineer’s review he/she shall forward the the public notice issued by the District Engineer. case through channels to the Office of the Chief of En- gineers, ATTN: CECW-OR with a recommendation of whether or not the danger zone or restricted area regu- lation should be promulgated. The District Engineer shall include a copy of environmental documentation prepared in accordance with appendix B to 33 CFR part
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 159 325, the record of any public hearings, if held, a sum- (3057) (b) For further information on NAD 83 and Na- mary of any comments received and a response thereto, tional Service nautical charts please contact; Director, and a draft of the regulation as it is to appear in the Fed- Coast Survey (N/CG2), National Ocean Service, NOAA, eral Register. 1315 East-West Highway, Station 6147, Silver Spring, (3053) (f) Final decision. The Chief of Engineers will no- MD 20910-3282. tify the District Engineer of the final decision to either approve or disapprove the regulations. The District En- §334.60 Cape Cod Bay south of Wellfleet Harbor, gineer will notify the applicant/proponent and publish Mass.; naval aircraft bombing target area. a public notice of the final decision. Concurrent with (3058) (a) The danger zone. A circular area with a radius of issuance of the public notice the Office of the Chief of 1,000 yards having its center on the aircraft bombing Engineers will publish the final decision in the Federal target hulk James Longstreet in Cape Cod Bay at lati- Register and either withdraw the proposed regulation tude 41°49'46\", longitude 70°02'54\". or issue the final regulation as appropriate. The final (3059) (b) The regulations. (1) No vessel shall enter or re- rule shall become effective no sooner than 30 days after main in the danger zone at any time, except as autho- publication in the Federal Register unless the Chief of rized by the enforcing agency. Engineers finds that sufficient cause exists and pub- (3060) (2) This section shall be enforced by the Comman- lishes that rationale with the regulations. dant, First Naval District, and such agencies as he may designate. §334.5 Disestablishment of a danger zone. (3054) (a) Upon receipt of a request from any agency for §334.70 Buzzards Bay, and adjacent waters, Mass.; danger zones for naval operations. the disestablishment of a danger zone, the District En- (3061) (a) Atlantic Ocean in vicinity of Nomans Land– gineer shall notify that agency of its responsibility for (3062) (1) The area. The waters surrounding Nomans returning the area to a condition suitable for use by the Land within an area bounded as follows: Beginning at public. The agency must either certify that it has not (3063) 41°12'30\", 70°50'30\"; thence northwesterly to used the area for a purpose that requires cleanup or (3064) 41°15'30\", 70°51'30\"; thence northeasterly to that it has removed all hazardous materials and muni- (3065) 41°17'30\", 70°50'30\"; thence southeasterly to tions, before the Corps will disestablish the area. The (3066) 41°16'00\", 70°47'30\"; thence south to agency will remain responsible for the enforcement of (3067) 41°12'30\", 70°47'30\"; thence westerly to the point the danger zone regulations to prevent unauthorized of beginning. entry into the area until the area is deemed safe for use (3068) (2) The regulations. No vessel or person shall at by the public and the area is disestablished by the any time enter or remain within a rectangular portion Corps. of the area bounded on the north by latitude 41°16'00\", (3055) (b) Upon receipt of the certification required in on the east by longitude 70°47'30\", on the south by lati- paragraph (a) of this section, the District shall forward tude 41°12'30\", and on the west by longitude 70°50'30\", the request for disestablishment of the danger zone or within the remainder of the area between November through channels to CECW-OR, with its recommenda- 1 and April 30, inclusive, except by permission of the tions. Notice of proposed rulemaking and public proce- enforcing agency. dures as outlined in §334.4 are not normally required (3069) (3) The regulations in this paragraph shall be en- before publication of the final rule revoking a restricted forced by the Commandant, First Naval District, and area or danger zone regulation. The disestablish- such agencies as he may designate. ment/revocation of the danger zone or restricted area regulation removes a restriction on a waterway. §334.75 Thames River, Naval Submarine Base New London, Restricted Area. §334.6 Datum. (3070) (a) The area: The open waters of the Thames River (3056) (a) Geographic coordinates expressed in terms of approximately 5 nautical miles upriver from its mouth along the boundary between Groton and Waterford, latitude or longitude, or both, are not intended for plot- Connecticut, within an area bounded as follows: ting on maps or charts whose reference horizontal da- (3071) From a point on the eastern shore at tum is the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), (3072) 41°24'14.4\"N., 72°05'38.0\"W., then northerly along unless such geographic coordinates are expressly la- the coast to beled NAD 83. Geographic coordinates without the (3073) 41°24'20.0\"N., 72°05'37.9\"W., then westerly across NAD 83 reference may be plotted on maps or charts ref- the river to a point on the western shore at erenced to NAD 83 only after application of the appro- priate corrections that are published on the particular map or chart being used.
160 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (3074) 41°24'20.0\"N., 72°05'55.5\"W., then southerly along London. All commercial fishermen and shell fishermen the coast to a point on the western shore at must also leave the restricted area when notified by personnel of the New London Submarine Base that (3075) 41°24'05.0\"N., 72°05'55.7\"W., then easterly to the such use will interfere with submarine maneuvering, western edge of the dredged channel to a point located operations or security. at (3097) (3) Vessels which are owned, operated or sponsored by local, state municipalities or academic institutions (3076) 41°24'04.1\"N., 72°05'51.2\"W., then southerly along preparing for or participating in a water sport or water the western edge of the dredged channel to a point at related recreational event sponsored by those local or state municipalities or academic institutions, or pri- (3077) 41°24'00\"N., 72°05'52.6\"W., then southerly along vate or commercial vessels engaged in observing the the western edge of the dredged channel to a point lo- conduct of the above event shall be exempt from the re- cated at strictions above, providing: (3098) (i) The Commanding Officer, Naval Submarine (3078) 41°23'57.1\"N., 72°05'52.5\"W., then southerly to Base New London, and the Coast Guard Captain of the buoy “11” located at a point at Port are advised in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the event, or (3079) 41°23'45.6\"N., 72°05'53.7\"W., then southerly to (3099) (ii) The event was publicized in such a manner that buoy “B” on the northeastern shore of Mamacoke Hill the local public in general had a reasonable opportu- to a point at nity to learn of the event 48 hours in advance. (3100) (4) The regulations in this section shall be enforced (3080) 41°23'33.8\"N., 72°05'53.7\"W., then southerly along by the Commander, U.S. Naval Submarine Base New the shore to buoy “A” at London, Connecticut, and such agencies as he/she may designate. (3081) 41°23'25.0\"N., 72°05'45.4\"W., then southeasterly to buoy “9” at a point located at §334.78 Rhode Island Sound, Atlantic Ocean, approximately 4.0 nautical miles due south of (3082) 41°23'15.0\"N., 72°05'35.0\"W., then easterly to a Lands End in Newport, Rhode Island; restricted point on the eastern shore at area for naval practice minefield. (3101) (a) The area. The open waters of Rhode Island (3083) 41°23'15.0\"N., 72°05'17.9\"W., then northerly along Sound approximately 4.0 nautical miles due south of the shore to a point on the eastern shore at Lands End, Newport, Rhode Island, within an area bounded as follows: Beginning at (3084) 41°23'15.8\"N., 72°05'17.9\"W., then along the fol- (3102) 41°20'29\"N., 71°19'54\"W.; thence 2000 yards east- lowing points: erly to (3103) 41°20'29\"N., 71°18'34\"W.; thence 3000 yards south- (3085) 41°23'15.8\"N., 72°05'22.0\"W. erly to (3086) 41°23'25.9\"N., 72°05'29.9\"W. (3104) 41°18'57\"N., 71°18'34\"W.; thence 2000 yards west- (3087) 41°23'33.8\"N., 72°05'34.7\"W. erly to (3088) 41°23'37.0\"N., 72°05'38.0\"W. (3105) 41°18'57\"N., 71°19'54\"W.; thence 3000 yards north- (3089) 41°23'41.0\"N., 72°05'40.3\"W. erly to the point of beginning. (3090) 41°23'47.2\"N., 72°05'42.3\"W. (3106) (b) The regulations. (1) No persons, vessels or (3091) 41°23'53.8\"N., 72°05'43.7\"W. other watercraft will be allowed to enter the designated (3092) 41°23'59.8\"N., 72°05'43.0\"W. area during minefield training. (3093) 41°24'12.4\"N., 72°05'43.2\"W. Then to the point of (3107) (2) The practice minefield will consist of six inert drill mines each 16 inches in diameter and 5 feet long beginning on the eastern shore. and one concrete sonar target 48 inches in diameter (3094) (b) The regulations. and 48 inches high located within the designated area. (3095) (1) Vessels and other watercraft within the desig- The sonar target will be permanently located in the ex- treme northeast corner within the designated drill nated navigation channel may proceed through the re- minefield area. The six drill mines will be steel with all stricted area at normal operating speeds without internal mechanisms and explosives removed and con- stopping. Vessels and watercraft may also utilize the crete filled. Drill mines will be removed from the water area within the restricted area located between the western edge of the designated channel and the west- ern shore for fishing, anchoring and other recreational uses. However, all persons, vessels and watercraft, ex- cept U.S. military personnel and vessels must leave the restricted area when notified by personnel of the New London Submarine Base that such use will interfere with submarine maneuvering, operations or security. (3096) (2) Commercial fishermen and shell fishermen may fish within the restricted area provided their ves- sels display registration numbers issued by the Naval Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut. The regis- tration numbers may be obtained by contacting the Commanding Officer, Naval Submarine Base New
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 161 designated area within 72 hours after each minehunt- (3128) (b) The regulation. All persons, swimmers, vessels ing training exercise. and other craft, except those vessels under the supervi- (3108) (3) Training activities will be limited to minehunt- sion or contract to local military or Naval authority, ing operations using only onboard sonar. Neither vari- vessels of the United States Coast Guard, and local or able depth sonar devices or mechanical minesweeping state law enforcement vessels, are prohibited from en- operations will be utilized in the area. tering the restricted area without specific permission (3109) (4) Training periods will be 2-3 days in length and from the Commanding Officer, Naval Station Newport, 10-15 times a year, however during the time period July USN, Newport, Rhode Island or his/her authorized rep- 1–mid-October, minehunting exercises will be held to resentative. minimum. (3110) (5) Notice to mariners will be issued 6–8 weeks in (3129) (c) Enforcement. The regulation in this section, advance of a scheduled practice exercise by the Com- promulgated by the United States Army Corps of Engi- mander, U.S. Naval Base, Newport, Rhode Island. neers, shall be enforced by the United States Navy, (3111) (6) The regulations of this section shall be enforced Commanding Officer Naval Station Newport, and/or by the Commander, U.S. Naval Base, Newport, Rhode such agencies or persons as he/she may designate. Island, and such agencies as he/she may designate. §334.82 Narragansett Bay, East Passage, Coasters §334.80 Narragansett Bay, R.I.; restricted area. Harbor Island, Naval Station Newport, Newport, (3112) (a) Beginning at a point on the east shore of Rhode Island, Restricted Area. (3130) (a) The area. The waters within a \"C-shaped\" area Conanicut Island at adjacent to and surrounding Coasters Harbor Island (3113) 41°33'15\"; thence southeasterly to beginning at Coddington Point at (3114) 41°32'44\", 71°21'17\"; thence southerly to (3131) 41°31'24.0\"N., 71°19'24.0\"W.; thence to (3115) 41°32'09\", 71°21'17\"; thence southeasterly to (3132) 41°31'21.5\"N., 71°19'45.0\"W.; thence to (3116) 41°31'50\", 71°21'10\"; thence southeasterly to (3133) 41°31'04.2\"N., 71°19'52.8\"W.; thence to (3117) 41°31'26\", 71°20'33\"; thence easterly to (3134) 41°30'27.3\"N., 71°19'52.8\"W.; thence to (3118) 41°31'27\", 71°20'06\"; thence northerly to a point (3135) 41°30'13.8\"N., 71°19'42.0\"W.; thence to (3136) 41°30'10.2\"N., 71°19'32.6\"W.; thence to on the southwesterly shore of Prudence Island at (3137) 41°30'10.2\"N., 71°19'20.0\"W.; thence northerly along (3119) 41°35'00\"; thence northerly along the southwest- the mainland shoreline to the point of origin. (3138) (b) The regulation. All persons, swimmers, vessels erly shore of Prudence Island to a point at and other craft, except those vessels under the supervi- (3120) 41°35'43\", 71°20'15.5\"; thence northwesterly to sion or contract to local military or Naval authority, (3121) 41°37'21\", 71°20'48\"; thence west to vessels of the United States Coast Guard, and Federal, (3122) 41°37'21\", 71°21'48\"; and thence south to local or State law enforcement vessels, are prohibited (3123) 41°33'54\", 71°21'48\". from entering the restricted areas without permission (3124) (b) The regulations: (1) No person or vessel shall at from the Commanding Officer Naval Station Newport, USN, Newport, Rhode Island or his/her authorized any time, under any circumstances, anchor or fish or representative. tow a drag of any kind in the prohibited area because of (3139) (c) Enforcement. (1) The regulation in this section, the extensive cable system located therein. promulgated by the United States Army Corps of Engi- (3125) (2) Orders and instructions issued by patrol craft or neers, shall be enforced by the United States Navy, other authorized representatives of the enforcing Commanding Officer Naval Station Newport, Newport, agency shall be carried out promptly by persons or ves- Rhode Island and/or other persons or agencies as sels in or in the vicinity of the prohibited area. he/she may designate. (3126) (3) The regulations in this section shall be enforced by the Commander U.S. Naval Base, Newport, R.I., and such agencies as he may designate. §334.81 Narragansett Bay, East Passage, §334.85 New York Harbor, adjacent to the Coddington Cove, Naval Station Newport, Naval Stapleton Naval Station, Staten Island, New York; Restricted Area, Newport, Rhode Island. restricted area. (3127) (a) The area. All of the navigable waters of (3140) (a) The area. The waters of New York Harbor begin- Coddington Cove east of a line that connects ning at a point on shore at Coddington Point at 41°31'24.0\"N., 71°19'24.0\"W.; (3141) 40°38'02\"N., 074°04'24\"W.; thence easterly to with the outer end of the Coddington Cove breakwater (3142) 40°38'02.5\"N., 074°04'09\"W.; thence southerly to on the north side of the cove at 41°31'55.7\"N., (3143) 40°37'53\"N., 074°04'07\"W.; thence east-southeast- 71°19'28.2\"W. erly to
162 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (3144) 40°37'50\"N., 074°03'50.2\"W.; thence south-south- (3168) 40°27'41.7\"N., 074°02'45.0\"W.; thence to easterly to (3169) 40°28'23.5\"N., 074°02'16.6\"W.; thence to (3170) 40°28'21.2\"N., 074°01'56.0\"W.; thence to (3145) 40°37'37.5\"N., 074°03'46\"W.; thence southwesterly (3171) 40°28'07.9\"N., 074°02'18.6\"W.; thence to to the shore line at (3172) 40°27'39.3\"N., 074°02'38.3\"W.; and (3173) (3) No person may swim in the Restricted Area. (3146) 40°37'24.5\"N., 074°04'18\"W.; thence northerly (3174) (c) Enforcement. The regulation in this section, along the shore line to the point of origin. promulgated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (3147) (b) The regulations. (1) The portion of the re- shall be enforced by the Commanding Officer, Naval stricted area extending from the shore out to a line 600 Weapons Station Earle, and/or other persons or agen- feet east of the U.S. Pierhead Line is closed to all per- cies as he/she may designate. sons and vessels except those vessels owned by, under hire to or performing work for Naval Station New York, TITLE 40–PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT Staten Island, New York. Part 140–Marine Sanitation Device Standard (3148) (2) The portion of the restricted area beginning 600 feet seaward of the U.S. Pierhead Line is open to §140.1 Definitions. transiting vessels only. Vessels shall proceed across the (3175) For the purpose of these standards the following area by the most direct route and without unnecessary delay. For vessels under sail, necessary tacking shall definitions shall apply: constitute a direct route. (3176) (a) Sewage means human body wastes and the (3149) (3) Commercial vessels at anchor will be permitted wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended to to swing into the seaward portion of the restricted area receive or retain body wastes; while at anchor and during the tide changes. (3177) (b) Discharge includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, empty- (3150) (c) Enforcement. The regulations in this section ing, or dumping; shall be enforced by the Commanding Officer, Naval (3178) (c) Marine sanitation device includes any equip- Station New York, and such agencies as he/she shall ment for installation onboard a vessel and which is de- designate. signed to receive, retain, treat, or discharge sewage and any process to treat such sewage; §334.102 Sandy Hook Bay, Naval Weapons Station (3179) (d) Vessel includes every description of watercraft EARLE, Piers and Terminal Channel, Restricted or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being Area, Middletown, New Jersey. used, as a means of transportation on waters of the (3151) (a) The area. All of the navigable waters within the United States; area bounded by these coordinates: (3180) (e) New vessel refers to any vessel on which con- (3152) 40°25'55.6\"N., 074°04'31.4\"W.; thence to struction was initiated on or after January 30, 1975; (3153) 40°26'54.0\"N., 074°03'53.0\"W.; thence to (3181) (f) Existing vessel refers to any vessel on which (3154) 40°26'58.0\"N., 074°04'03.0\"W.; thence to construction was initiated before January 30, 1975; (3155) 40°27'56.0\"N., 074°03'24.0\"W.; thence to (3182) (g) Fecal coliform bacteria are those organisms as- (3156) 40°27'41.7\"N., 074°02'45.0\"W.; thence to sociated with the intestines of warm-blooded animals (3157) 40°28'23.5\"N., 074°02'16.6\"W.; thence to that are commonly used to indicate the presence of fe- (3158) 40°28'21.2\"N., 074°01'56.0\"W.; thence to cal material and the potential presence of organisms (3159) 40°28'07.9\"N., 074°02'18.6\"W.; thence to capable of causing human disease. (3160) 40°27'39.3\"N., 074°02'38.3\"W.; thence to (3161) 40°27'28.5\"N., 074°02'10.4\"W.; thence to §140.2 Scope of standard. (3162) 40°26'29.5\"N., 074°02'51.2\"W.; thence to (3183) The standard adopted herein applies only to vessels (3163) 40°26'31.4\"N., 074°02'55.4\"W.; thence to (3164) 40°25'27.1\"N., 074°03'39.7\"W.; and thence along on which a marine sanitation device has been installed. the shoreline to the point of origin (NAD 83). The standard does not require the installation of a ma- (3165) The Department of the Navy plans to install buoys rine sanitation device on any vessel that is not so along these coordinates to outline the Restricted Area. equipped. The standard applies to vessels owned and (3166) (b) The regulation. (1) Except as set forth in sub- operated by the United States unless the Secretary of paragraph (b)(2), no persons, unauthorized vessels or Defense finds that compliance would not be in the in- other unauthorized craft may enter the restricted area terest of national security. at any time; (3167) (2) Vessels are authorized to cross the Terminal Channel provided that there are no naval vessels then transiting the channel bounded by:
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 163 §140.3 Standard. count of greater than 200 per 100 milliliters, nor sus- (3184) (a) (1) In freshwater lakes, freshwater reservoirs or pended solids greater than 150 mg/1. (3189) (e) Any existing vessel on waters not subject to a other freshwater impoundments whose inlets or out- prohibition of the overboard discharge of sewage in lets are such as to prevent the ingress or egress by ves- paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and which is equipped sel traffic subject to this regulation, or in rivers not with a certified device on or before January 30, 1978, capable of navigation by interstate vessel traffic subject shall not be required to comply with paragraph (d) of to this regulation, marine sanitation devices certified this section, for the operable life of that device. by the U.S. Coast Guard (see 33 CFR part 159, pub- (3190) (f) Any new vessel on waters not subject to the pro- lished in 40 FR 4622, January 30, 1975), installed on all hibition of the overboard discharge of sewage in para- vessels shall be designed and operated to prevent the graph (a)(1) of this section, and on which construction overboard discharge of sewage, treated or untreated, or is initiated before January 31, 1980, which is equipped of any waste derived from sewage. This shall not be con- with a marine sanitation device before January 31, strued to prohibit the carriage of Coast Guard-certified 1980, certified under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, flow-through treatment devices which have been se- shall not be required to comply with paragraph (d) of cured so as to prevent such discharges. this section, for the operable life of that device. (3185) (2) In all other waters, Coast Guard-certified ma- (3191) (g) The degrees of treatment described in para- rine sanitation devices installed on all vessels shall be graphs (a) and (d) of this section are ‘‘appropriate stan- designed and operated to either retain, dispose of, or dards\" for purposes of Coast Guard and Department of discharge sewage. If the device has a discharge, subject Defense certification pursuant to section 312(g)(2) of to paragraph (d) of this section, the effluent shall not the Act. have a fecal coliform bacterial count of greater than 1,000 per 100 milliliters nor visible floating solids. Wa- §140.4 Complete prohibition. ters where a Coast Guard-certified marine sanitation (3192) (a) Prohibition pursuant to CWA section 312(f)(3): device permitting discharge is allowed include coastal waters and estuaries, the Great Lakes and inter-con- a State may completely prohibit the discharge from all nected waterways, fresh-water lakes and impound- vessels of any sewage, whether treated or not, into ments accessible through locks, and other flowing some or all of the waters within such State by making a waters that are navigable interstate by vessels subject written application to the Administrator, Environmen- to this regulation. tal Protection Agency, and by receiving the Administra- (3186) (b) This standard shall become effective on January tor's affirmative determination pursuant to section 30, 1977 for new vessels and on January 30, 1980 for ex- 312(f)(3) of the Act. [...] isting vessels (or, in the case of vessels owned and oper- (3193) (b) Prohibition pursuant to CWA section ated by the Department of Defense, two years and five 312(f)(4)(A): a State may make a written application to years, for new and existing vessels, respectively, after the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, promulgation of implementing regulations by the Sec- under section 312(f)(4)(A) of the Act, for the issuance of retary of Defense under section 312(d) of the Act). a regulation completely prohibiting discharge from a (3187) (c) Any vessel which is equipped as of the date of vessel of any sewage, whether treated or not, into par- promulgation of this regulation with a Coast ticular waters of the United States or specified portions Guard-certified flow-through marine sanitation device thereof, which waters are located within the bound- meeting the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this aries of such State. Such application shall specify with section, shall not be required to comply with the provi- particularly the waters, or portions thereof, for which a sions designed to prevent the overboard discharge of complete prohibition is desired. The application shall sewage, treated or untreated, in paragraph (a)(1) of this include identification of water recreational areas, section, for the operable life of that device. drinking water intakes, aquatic sanctuaries, identifi- (3188) (d) After January 30, 1980, subject to paragraphs able fish-spawning and nursery areas, and areas of in- (e) and (f) of this section, marine sanitation devices on tensive boating activities. If, on the basis of the State's all vessels on waters that are not subject to a prohibi- application and any other information available to him, tion of the overboard discharge of sewage, treated or the Administrator is unable to make a finding that the untreated, as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this sec- waters listed in the application require a complete pro- tion, shall be designed and operated to either retain, hibition of any discharge in the waters or portions dispose of, or discharge sewage, and shall be certified thereof covered by the application, he shall state the by the U.S. Coast Guard. If the device has a discharge, reasons why he cannot make such a finding, and shall the effluent shall not have a fecal coliform bacterial deny the application. If the Administrator makes a find- ing that the waters listed in the application require a
164 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 complete prohibition of any discharge in all or any part she shall deny the application and state the reasons for of the waters or portions thereof covered by the State's such denial. application, he shall publish notice of such findings to- (3202) (4) For the following waters the discharge from a gether with a notice of proposed rule making, and then vessel of any sewage, whether treated or not, is shall proceed in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553. If the Ad- completely prohibited pursuant to CWA section ministrator's finding is that applicable water quality 312(f)(4)(B): standards require a complete prohibition covering a (3203) (i) Two portions of the Hudson River in New York more restricted or more expanded area than that ap- State, the first is bounded by an east-west line through plied for by the State, he shall state the reasons why his the most northern confluence of the Mohawk River finding differs in scope from that requested in the which will be designated by the Troy-Waterford Bridge State's application. [...] (126th Street Bridge) on the south and Lock 2 on the (3194) (ii) Waters of the State of Florida within the bound- north, and the second of which is bounded on the north aries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as by the southern end of Houghtaling Island and on the delineated on a map of the Sanctuary at http://www. south by a line between the Village of Roseton on the fknms.nos.noaa.gov/. western shore and Low Point on the eastern shore in (3195) (c)(1) Prohibition pursuant to CWA section the vicinity of Chelsea, as described in Items 2 and 3 of 312(f)(4)(B): A State may make written application to 6 NYCRR Part 858.4. the Administrator of the Environmental Protection (3204) (ii) [Reserved] Agency under section 312(f)(4)(B) of the Act for the is- suance of a regulation establishing a drinking water in- §140.5 Analytical procedures. take no discharge zone which completely prohibits (3205) In determining the composition and quality of ef- discharge from a vessel of any sewage, whether treated or untreated, into that zone in particular waters, or fluent discharge from marine sanitation devices, the portions thereof, within such State. Such application procedures contained in 40 CFR part 136, ‘‘Guidelines shall: Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollut- (3196) (i) Identify and describe exactly and in detail the lo- ants,'' or subsequent revisions or amendments thereto, cation of the drinking water supply intake(s) and the shall be employed. community served by the intake(s), including average and maximum expected amounts of inflow; TITLE 46–SHIPPING (3197) (ii) Specify and describe exactly and in detail, the waters, or portions thereof, for which a complete pro- Part 15–Manning Requirements (in part) hibition is desired, and where appropriate, average, maximum and low flows in million gallons per day Subpart I–Vessels in Foreign Trade (MGD) or the metric equivalent; (3198) (iii) Include a map, either a USGS topographic §15.1001 General. quadrant map or a NOAA nautical chart, as applicable, (3206) Self-propelled vessels engaged in foreign com- clearly marking by latitude and longitude the waters or portions thereof to be designated a drinking water in- merce are required to use a pilot holding an appropri- take zone; and ately endorsed Federal first class pilot’s license issued (3199) (iv) Include a statement of basis justifying the size by the Coast Guard when operating in the navigable of the requested drinking water intake zone, for exam- waters of the United States specified in this subpart. ple, identifying areas of intensive boating activities. (3200) (2) If the Administrator finds that a complete pro- §15.1030 New York and New Jersey. hibition is appropriate under this paragraph, he or she (3207) The following U.S. navigable waters located within shall publish notice of such finding together with a no- tice of proposed rulemaking, and then shall proceed in the States of New York and New Jersey when the vessel accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553. If the Administrator's is making an intra-port transit, to include, but not lim- finding is that a complete prohibition covering a more ited to, a movement from a dock to a dock, from a dock restricted or more expanded area than that applied for to an anchorage, from an anchorage to a dock, or from by the State is appropriate, he or she shall also include an anchorage to an anchorage, within the following a statement of the reasons why the finding differs in listed operating areas: scope from that requested in the State's application. (3208) (a) East River from Execution Rocks to New York (3201) (3) If the Administrator finds that a complete pro- Harbor, Upper Bay; hibition is inappropriate under this paragraph, he or
Navigation Regulations ■ Chapter 2 ■ 165 (3209) (b) Hudson River from Yonkers, New York to New plants under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Com- York Harbor, Upper Bay; merce and determined to be threatened or endangered pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. These regulations (3210) (c) Raritan River from Grossman Dock/Arsenal to are implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Ser- New York Harbor, Lower Bay; vice, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- tion, U.S. Department of Commerce, This part pertains (3211) (d) Arthur Kill Channel; to general provisions and definitions. Specifically, parts (3212) (e) Kill Van Kull Channel; 223 and 224 pertain to provisions to threatened species (3213) (f) Newark Bay; and endangered species, respectively. Part 226 enumer- (3214) (g) Passaic River from Point No Point to Newark ates designated critical habitat for endangered and threatened species. Certain of the endangered and Bay; threatened marine species enumerated in §§ 224.102 (3215) (h) Hackensack River from the turning basin to and 223.102 are included in Appendix I or II to the Con- vention on International Trade of Endangered Species Newark Bay; and of Wild Fauna and Flora. The importation, exportation, (3216) (i) New York Harbor, Upper and Lower Bay. and re-exportation of such species are subject to addi- (3217) Note to §15.1030: tional regulations set forth at 50 CFR part 23, chapter I. (3218) “Intra-port transit” as used in this section includes (3226) (b) For rules and procedures relating to species de- termined to be threatened or endangered under the ju- the movement of a foreign-trade vessel inbound from risdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, see 50 CFR sea from the point where a State-licensed pilot ceases parts 10 through 17. For rules and procedures relating providing pilotage to another point within the identi- to the general implementation of the Act jointly by the fied areas (i.e., a dock or anchorage). Likewise, Departments of the Interior and Commerce and for intra-port transit also includes the movement of a for- certain species under the joint jurisdiction of both the eign-trade vessel outbound to sea from a point within Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce, see 50 CFR the identified areas (i.e., a dock or anchorage) to the Chapter IV. Marine mammals listed as endangered or point where a State licensed pilot begins providing threatened and subject to these regulations may also be pilotage. subject to additional requirements pursuant to the Ma- rine Mammal Protection Act (for regulations imple- §15.1040 Massachusetts. menting that act, see 50 CFR part 216). (3219) The following U.S. navigable waters located within (3227) (c) No statute or regulation of any state shall be construed to relieve a person from the restrictions, the State of Massachusetts when the vessel is in transit, conditions, and requirements contained in parts 222, but not bound to or departing from a port within the 223, and 224 of this chapter. In addition, nothing in following listed operating areas: parts 222, 223, and 224 of this chapter, including any (3220) (a) Cape Cod Bay south of 41°48'54\"N.; permit issued pursuant thereto, shall be construed to (3221) (b) The Cape Cod Canal; and relieve a person from any other requirements imposed (3222) (c) Buzzards Bay east of a line extending from the by a statute or regulation of any state or of the United southernmost point of Wilbur Point States, including any applicable health, quarantine, ag- (3223) (41°34'55\"N., 70°51'15\"W.) to the easternmost ricultural, or customs laws or regulations, or any other point of Pasque Island National Marine Fisheries Service enforced statutes or (3224) (41°26'55\"N., 70°50'30\"W.). regulations. TITLE 50–WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES Part 222–General Endangered and Threatened Marine Species Subpart A–Introduction and General Part 224–Endangered Marine and Provisions Anadromous Species §222.101 Purpose and scope of regulations. §224.103 Special prohibitions for endangered (3225) (a) The regulations of parts 222, 223, and 224 of marine mammals. (3228) (c) Approaching right whales. this chapter implement the Endangered Species Act (3229) (1) Prohibitions. Except as provided under para- (Act), and govern the taking, possession, transporta- graph (c)(3) of this section, it is unlawful for any person tion, sale, purchase, barter, exportation, importation subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to of, and other requirements pertaining to wildlife and
166 ■ Chapter 2 ■ Coast Pilot 2 commit, attempt to commit, to solicit another to com- critical under section 4 of the Act, for endangered and mit, or cause to be committed any of the following acts: threatened species under the jurisdiction of the Secre- (3230) (i) Approach (including by interception) within 500 tary of Commerce. Those species are enumerated at yards (460 m) of a right whale by vessel, aircraft, or any §223.102 of this chapter, if threatened and at Sec. other means; 224.101 of this chapter, if endangered. For regulations (3231) (ii) Fail to undertake required right whale avoidance pertaining to the designation of critical habitat, see measures specified under paragraph (c)(2) of this section. part 424 of this title, and for regulations pertaining to (3232) (2) Right whale avoidance measures. Except as prohibitions against the adverse modification or de- provided under paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the fol- struction of critical habitat, see part 402 of this title. lowing avoidance measures must be taken if within 500 Maps and charts identifying designated critical habitat yards (460 m) of a right whale: that are not provided in this section may be obtained (3233) (i) If underway, a vessel must steer a course away upon request to the Office of Protected Resources (see from the right whale and immediately leave the area at §222.102, definition of “Office of Protected Resources”). slow safe speed. (3234) (ii) An aircraft must take a course away from the §226.203 Critical Habitat for Northern right whale right whale and immediately leave the area at a con- () stant airspeed. (3242) Critical habitat is designated in the North Atlantic (3235) (3) Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to Ocean, Bering Sea, and the Gulf of Alaska for the north- this section, but any person who claims the applicabil- ern right whale as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) ity of an exception has the burden of proving that the (not in this text) of this section. The textual descrip- exception applies: tions of critical habitat are the definitive source for de- (3236) (i) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section do termining the critical habitat boundaries. General not apply if a right whale approach is authorized by the location maps are provided for critical habitat in the National Marine Fisheries Service through a permit North Pacific Ocean for general guidance purposes issued under part 222, subpart C, of this chapter (General only, and not as a definitive source for determining Permit Procedures) or through a similar authorization. critical habitat boundaries. (3237) (ii) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section do (3243) (a) North Atlantic Ocean. (1) Great South Channel. not apply where compliance would create an imminent The area bounded by and serious threat to a person, vessel, or aircraft. (3244) 41°40'N., 69°45'W.; (3238) (iii) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2)of this section do (3245) 41°00'N., 69°05'W.; not apply when approaching to investigate a right (3246) 41°38'N., 68°13'W.; and whale entanglement or injury, or to assist in the disen- (3247) 42°10'N., 68°31'W. tanglement or rescue of a right whale, provided that (3248) (2) Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. The area bounded permission is received from the National Marine Fish- by eries Service or designee prior to the approach. (3249) 42°04.8'N., 70°10'W.; (3239) (iv) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section do (3250) 42°12'N., 70°15'W.; not apply to an aircraft unless the aircraft is conducting (3251) 42°12'N., 70°30'W.; whale watch activities. (3252) 41°46.8'N., 70°30'W. and on the south and east by (3240) (v) Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not apply the interior shore line of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. to the extent that a vessel is restricted in her ability to (3253) (3) Southeastern United States. The Coastal waters maneuver and, because of the restriction, cannot com- between 31°15'N., and 30°15'N. from the coast out 15 ply with paragraph (c)(2) of this section. nautical miles; and the coastal waters between 30°15'N. and 28°00'N. from the coast out 5 nautical Part 226–Designated Critical Habitat miles. §226.101 Purpose and scope. (3241) The regulations contained in this part identify those habitats designated by the Secretary of Commerce as
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 167 Cape Cod To Sandy Hook (1) The Atlantic coast from Cape Cod to Sandy Hook (8) Among the islands in Narragansett Bay are Rhode embraces part of the coast of Massachusetts and all of (Aquidneck) Island, Conanicut, and Prudence. These the coasts of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. rather large islands are gently sloping, undulating, and To the mariner this area presents problems of unusual covered with cultivated fields and orchards, and occa- difficulty because of the off-lying shoals, strong and sional groves of trees. variable currents, large amounts of fog, and turbulence of wind and sea in the great storms that so frequently (9) Westerly from Point Judith to Napatree Point is a sweep it. Additionally, the mariner is faced with the continuous line of beaches behind which are many great volume of waterborne traffic that moves through saltponds. These ponds have been formed by the sea the area to and from the Port of New York. breaking through the outer sand barrier and then de- positing sand to close the opening. The shore near the Prominent features water is low, grassy, and nearly level, but gradually rises (2) The principal geographic features include Georges with a series of gentle curves to higher wooded lands some distance back. Bank, Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds, Buzzards Bay, Narragansett Bay, Long Island Sound and tributaries, (10) Block Island is another formation of the glacier. A and New York Harbor and tributaries including the prominent feature of the island is the entire absence of Hudson River. trees. The surface when viewed from eastward has a (3) Cape Cod, a long peninsula jutting eastward from grassy undulating appearance, and the hills in many the mainland of Massachusetts, may be likened to an places show steep sandy faces. Near the shoreline the arm bent upward at the elbow. It was originally formed land is low, but rapidly rises toward the center of the is- by the last great glacier and has been refashioned by the land to steep hills covered only with grass and dotted seas and wind. The outer end of The Cape, as it is called occasionally with houses. by eastern New Englanders, is a barren region of sand dunes with long yellow beaches, while much of the re- (11) The boundary line between Rhode Island and Con- mainder of the forearm is bleak grassy country. The necticut follows the Pawcatuck River to above the head southern side of the delta-like plain of Cape Cod has of navigation. been cut along high bluffs by the surf and waves. This section of the coast is covered with growth of pitch pine (12) The coastline of Connecticut is rockbound and and scrub oak. rugged, with numerous sandy beaches and occasional (4) Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, the Elizabeth Is- salt meadows or marshland. The surface is mildly roll- lands, and numerous smaller islands were also formed ing near the shore. The depression of small valleys by the glacier. The plains of Martha’s Vineyard and along the shore has created a number of good harbors. Nantucket are broad grassy heaths. The Elizabeth Is- The shoreline has been well developed commercially lands are hilly and partly wooded, and generally the and residentially. It is lined with seaside resorts, State shores are low bluffs. parks, and bathing beaches. (5) The western shore of Buzzards Bay is of moderate height, very gently sloping, cleared, and cultivated with (13) The boundary line between Connecticut and New occasional groves of trees. Several towns and the city of York follows the Byram River for slightly over 1 mile. New Bedford are visible along the shores. (6) Between Buzzards and Narragansett Bays the coast (14) Long Island, originally formed by the glacier and is a mass of sand dunes with steep faces forming a line thrusting about 105 miles eastward from New York Bay along the shore. Several headlands along this stretch of to a point abreast of New London, faces the New Eng- coast have fine sand beaches between them. land coast across Long Island Sound on the north. The (7) The boundary line between Massachusetts and long, narrow outline of the island resembles that of a Rhode Island strikes the coast just westward of Quick- whale. Its eastern end is split by Peconic Bay and the sand Point. 35- and 25-mile peninsulas thus formed are the north and south flukes. The island is almost a plain. On the north coast, bluffs rise to a height of 200 feet. South of these, extending well into the island’s midsection, run several chains of hills. The south shore is a barrier beach from about 30 miles west of the eastern extremity to the
168 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 western end, which has been developed into a series of offshore from the entrances. The entrances to the in- bathing resorts. lets along the south shore of Long Island are subject to frequent change due to the shifting sand bars. Disposal Sites and Dumping Grounds (15) These areas are rarely mentioned in the Coast Pi- (24) Traffic Separation Schemes (Traffic Lanes) have been established in the approaches to Buzzards Bay, lot, but are shown on the nautical charts. (See Disposal Narragansett Bay, and New York Harbor. (See chapters Sites and Dumping Grounds, chapter 1, and charts for 5, 6, and 11, respectively, for details.) limits.) (25) Vessel Traffic Service, New York, operated by the Aids to navigation U.S. Coast Guard, serves New York Harbor. (See 161.1 (16) Lights and buoys are the principal guides that through 161.25, chapter 2, for regulations.) mark the approaches to the important harbors. Many of Channels the light stations have fog signals, particularly those in (26) Federal project depth is the dredging depth of a the vicinity of the larger ports. (17) (See the Light List for a complete description of channel as authorized by an Act of Congress upon rec- navigational aids.) ommendation of the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army. Controlling depth in a channel is its least depth; it re- Loran stricts use of the channel to drafts less than that depth. (18) Loran C provides the mariner with good navigation (27) Where deepwater channels are maintained by the Corps of Engineers and the controlling depths are coverage along this section of the coast. printed on the charts in tabular form, the Coast Pilot usually gives only the project depths. Owing to con- (19) Radar is an important aid in most of this area, but stant shoaling in places, depths may vary considerably should not be relied upon for ranges to the beach in ar- between maintenance dredgings; consult the Notice to eas such as the south coast of Long Island which offer a Mariners for channel depths subsequent to charted in- relatively low relief. Many of the coastal buoys are formation. equipped with radar reflectors. Radar is of particular (28) Where secondary channels are maintained regu- importance in detecting other traffic and in the preven- larly by the Corps of Engineers, the Coast Pilot gives tion of collisions during periods of low visibility, which the controlling depths together with the dates of the are common in this area. latest surveys. (29) In the case of other channels, the controlling COLREGS Demarcation Lines depths printed in the Coast Pilot are from the latest (20) Lines have been established to delineate those wa- available reports which may, however, be several years old. ters upon which mariners must comply with the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980 (Inland Rules). The wa- Anchorages ters inside of the lines are Inland Rules Waters, and the (30) There are numerous anchorages in Nantucket and waters outside of the lines are COLREGS Waters. (See Part 80, chapter 2, for specific lines of demarcation.) Vineyard Sounds, Buzzards, Narragansett, and Gardiners Bays, and Long Island Sound, where vessels Ports and Waterways Safety with good ground tackle can ride out any gale. Between (21) (See Part 160, chapter 2, for regulations governing Cape Cod and Sandy Hook, the more important har- bors, either commercially or as harbors of refuge, are vessel operations and requirements for notification of New Bedford, Newport, Providence, New London, New arrivals, hazardous conditions, and certain dangerous Haven, and Bridgeport on the mainland, Greenport and cargoes to the Captain of the Port.) Port Jefferson on Long Island, City Island, New York, and vast New York Harbor. (See Part 110, chapter 2, for (22) Regulated Navigation Areas have been established limits and regulations.) within the navigable waters of the First Coast Guard District to increase operational safety for towing ves- Marine Managed Areas sels and tank barges. (See 165.100, chapter 2, for (31) The chapters that follow may contain references to limits and regulations.) Federally-designated Marine Managed Areas (MMAs) Harbor entrances occurring in navigable coastal waters of the NE Atlan- (23) The entrances to most of the harbors have dredged tic coast. A summary of these MMAs can be found in Ap- pendix C. The critical environmental information is channels marked with navigational aids and are easy of access. In some cases jetties and breakwaters extend
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 169 intended to inform readers about the location, purpose, grounds off Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Right and legal restrictions of coastal MMAs, with an empha- whales may occur along this migratory corridor from sis on activities of interest to the maritime community. November through April. Because right whales mate, (Extensive MMAs are listed here. Regional MMAs are rest, feed, and nurse their young at the surface, and of- included in subsequent chapters of this Coast Pilot.) ten do not move out of the way of oncoming ships, they (32) Northern Inshore Lobster Waters includes the are highly vulnerable to being struck by ships. Calves State waters of RI, MA, NH, and ME. (See MMA 3-1, Ap- traveling north with their mothers from southern trav- pendix C, for additional information.) eling grounds appear to be particularly vulnerable to (33) Northern Nearshore Lobster Waters includes the collision with ships. Ship strikes are one of the two Federal waters of RI, MA, NH, and ME. (See MMA 3-2, known sources of human-related mortality. Appendix C, for addition information.) (39) Seasonal occurrence of North Atlantic right (34) Offshore Lobster Waters, about 60 miles offshore whales: In seasons and in areas that right whales may to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) edge, extend occur, vessel operators should maintain a sharp look- from the U.S. Canadian border to Cape Hatteras, NC. out for right whales. Right whales occur seasonally (See MMA 3-3, Appendix C, for additional informa- throughout their range from Canada to Florida. Peak tion.) seasons of right whale occurrence include the follow- (35) Southern Nearshore Lobster Waters and Mid-At- ing areas and times: Cape Cod Bay (January through lantic Coastal Waters Area includes the State and Fed- May), the Great South Channel (March through July), eral waters along the continental shelf from Long the northern edge of Georges Bank (June through Island to Cape Hatteras, NC. (See MMAs 3-5 and 3-6, July), Stellwagen Bank (July through September), Appendix C, for additional information.) Jeffreys Ledge (July through December), the Bay of Fundy (Grand Manan Basin) (June through Decem- Dangers ber), Platts Bank (April through June), Cashes Ledge (36) The most important dangers confronting the navi- and Fippenies Ledge (June through December), the southern coast of Nantucket Island (November gator when approaching the area are the great banks through April), Block Island and Rhode Island Sounds, and shoals in the eastern approach. The remainder of including the area in or proximal to the Narragan- the isolated dangers throughout the area and in the ap- sett/Buzzards Bay Traffic Separation Scheme and 30 proaches to the harbors are for the most part well nautical miles south of Block Island Sound (November marked and charted. through April), the southern side of Long Island (No- vember through April), and the Traffic Approach Lanes Pipelaying barges to the Ports of New York and New Jersey (November (37) With the increased number of pipeline laying oper- through April). Two areas are federally designated criti- cal habitats for right whales. Stellwagen Bank and ations, operators of all types of vessels should be aware Jeffreys Ledge are located in the federally designated of the dangers of passing close aboard, close ahead, or Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine close astern of a jetbarge or pipelaying barge. Sanctuary. The Grand Manan Basin is a Canadian whale Pipelaying barges and jetbarges usually move at 0.5 conservation area. Seasonal right whale advisories and knot or less and have anchors which extend out about sighting reports are broadcast periodically for these ar- 3,500 to 5,000 feet in all directions and which may be eas by Coast Guard Broadcast Notice to Mariners, marked by lighted anchor buoys. The exposed pipeline NAVTEX, NOAA Weather Radio, Cape Cod Canal Vessel behind the pipelaying barge and the area in the vicinity Traffic Control, the Bay of Fundy Vessel Traffic Control, of anchors are hazardous to navigation and should be and are included in the return message from the Right avoided. The pipeline and anchor cables also represent Whale Mandatory Ship Reporting (MSR) systems. a submerged hazard to navigation. It is suggested, if (40) Description of North Atlantic right whale: The safe navigation permits, for all types of vessels to pass species reaches lengths of 45 to 55 feet and is black in well ahead of the pipelaying barge or well astern of the color. The best field identification marks are a broad jetbarge. The pipelaying barge, jetbarge, and attending back with no dorsal fin, irregular bumpy white patches vessels may be contacted on VHF-FM channel 16 (callosities) on the head, and a distinctive two-column (156.80 MHz) for passage instructions. V-shaped blow when viewed from directly behind or in front of the whale. They have broad, paddle-shaped flip- North Atlantic Right Whales pers and a broad, deeply notched tail; see diagrams fol- (38) North Atlantic right whales are the world’s most lowing. endangered large whale. Right whales migrate annu- ally along the east coast between the northern feeding grounds off New England and the southern calving
170 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 13270, 13267, 13246, 13260 and 13200 for further in- formation about the Boston Traffic Separation Scheme. (43) Precautions: NOAA recommends the following precautionary measures be taken to avoid North Atlan- tic right whales. ©Center for Coastal Studies When transiting right whale critical habitat and areas of recently reported right whale sightings: The right whales’ unique paddle-shaped flippers (44) As soon as possible prior to entering right whale critical habitat, check Coast Guard Broadcast Notice to ©Center for Coastal Studies Mariners, NAVTEX, NOAA Weather Radio, Cape Cod Canal Vessel Traffic Control, the Bay of Fundy Vessel Note the right whales’ deeply notched tail fluke Traffic Control, Mandatory Ship Reporting systems, and other sources for recent right whale sighting re- (41) Sighting Advisory System: As weather and condi- ports. Request sighting information and safe vessel op- tions permit, a dedicated seasonal program (January erating procedures when making initial radio contact through the end of July) of overflights and vessel sur- with local harbor pilots. veys (principally in Cape Cod Bay, the Gulf of Maine, (45) Review right whale identification materials and the Great South Channel, and Rhode Island, Block Is- maintain a sharp watch with lookouts familiar with land, and Long Island Sounds) provide whale sighting spotting whales. information to the Coast Guard, NOAA Weather Radio, (46) When planning passage through a right whale crit- Mandatory Ship Reporting (MSR) systems, and others ical habitat or within 20 nautical miles of a recently re- for broadcast purposes. Many right whales however, go ported sighting location, the following precautions are undetected. Sighting information may be obtained by recommended: sending an e-mail to: [email protected]. (47) Reduce speed to 10 knots or less when consistent with safe navigation. (42) Amended Boston Traffic Separation Scheme: As of (48) Attempt to avoid night-time transits. July 1, 2007, the east-west leg of the Boston TSS has (49) Minimize travel distances through the area when- been shifted approximately 12° to the north to redirect ever possible. ship traffic from an area of high whale density to an (50) Anticipate delays due to whale sightings. area of considerably lower whale density. Use of the (51) Post a lookout familiar with spotting whales. amended Boston TSS is expected to significantly re- (52) When the ability to spot whales is reduced (e.g. duce the risk of adverse interactions with right whales night, fog, rain, etc.), mariners should bear in mind and other large whales. Refer to the Notices to Mari- that reduced speeds below 10 knots, when consistent ners, Chapter 11 (U.S. Coast Pilot 1) and NOS Charts with safe navigation, will minimize the risk of ship strikes. In all coastal and offshore waters along the east coast: (53) If a right whale sighting is reported within 20 nau- tical miles of a ship’s position, post a lookout familiar with spotting whales. (54) If a right whale is sighted from the ship, or reported along the intended track of a large vessel, mariners should exercise caution and proceed at speeds below 10 knows, when consistent with safe navigation, bearing in mind that reduced speed will minimize the risk of ship strikes. (55) Do not assume right whales will move out of your way. Right whales, generally slow moving, seldom travel faster than 5-6 knots. Consistent with safe navi- gation, maneuver around observed right whales or re- cently reported sighting locations. It is illegal to
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 171
172 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 approach closer than 500 yards of any right whale (See (75) 42°04'N., 70°10'W.; and then along the Massachu- 50 CFR 224.103, Chapter 2). setts shoreline of Cape Cod Bay and Massachusetts Bay (56) Any whale accidentally struck, any dead whale car- back to the point on Cape Ann at 42°39'N., 70°37'W. cass, and any whale observed entangled should be re- ported immediately to the Coast Guard noting the Southeastern reporting system precise location and time of the accident or sighting. In (76) Geographical boundaries of the southeastern area the event of a strike or sighting, the following informa- tion should be provided to the Coast Guard: include coastal waters within about 25 nautical miles (57) location and time of the accident or sighting, (45 kilometers) along a 90-nautical mile (170-kilome- (58) speed of the vessel, ter) stretch of the Atlantic seaboard in Florida and (59) size of the vessel, Georgia. The area coordinates (NAD 83) extends from (60) water depth, the shoreline east to longitude 80°51.6'W. with the (61) wind speed and direction, southern and northern boundaries at latitude 30°00'N. (62) description of the impact, and 31°27'N., respectively. (63) fate of the animal, and (64) species and size, if known. Reports (65) Right whales can occur anywhere along the east (77) Vessels shall make reports in accordance with the coast. Therefore, mariners are urged to exercise pru- dent seamanship in their efforts to avoid right whales. format in IMO Resolution A.858 (20) in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems at Sea 1974 (SOLAS 74). (See 33 CFR 169.135 and (66) (WHALESNORTH and WHALESSOUTH), have 169.140, chapter 2, for additional information.) Vessels should report via INMARSAT C or via alternate satellite been established within the area of this Coast Pilot. communications to one of the following addresses: These Mandatory Ship Reporting (MSR) systems re- (78) Email: [email protected] or quire all vessels, 300 gross tons or greater, to report to (79) Telex: 236737831 the U.S. Coast Guard prior to entering two designated (80) Vessels not equipped with INMARSAT C or Telex reporting areas off the east coast of the United States. should submit reports to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Com- (See 33 CFR 169, chapter 2, page for limits and regu- munication Area Master Station Atlantic (CAMSLANT) lations.) Sovereign immune vessels are exempt from via narrow band direct printing (SITOR) or HF voice. the requirement to report, but are encouraged to par- Vessels equipped only with VHF-FM voice communica- ticipate. tions should submit reports to the nearest U.S. Coast (67) The two reporting systems will operate independ- Guard activity or group. ently of each other. The system in the northeastern (81) Mariners should check all MSR messages carefully United States will operate year round and the system in before transmitting. Failure to receive a timely return the southeastern United States will operate each year message from the MSR system that provides locations from November 15 through April 15. Reporting ships of recent right whale sightings and precautionary guid- are only required to make reports when entering a re- ance should be reported to the local Marine Safety Of- porting area during a single voyage (that is, a voyage in fice of the U.S. Coast Guard. which a ship is in the area). Ships are not required to (82) Example Reports: report when leaving a port in the reporting area nor (83) WHALESNORTH-To: [email protected] when exiting the system. (84) WHALESNORTH// (85) M/487654321// Northeastern reporting system (86) A/CALYPSO/NRUS// (68) Geographical boundaries of the northeastern area (87) B/031401Z APR// (88) E/345// include the waters of Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, (89) F/15.5// and the Great South Channel east and southeast of (90) H/031410Z APR/4104N/06918W// Massachusetts. The coordinates (NAD 83) of the area (91) I/BOSTON/032345Z APR// are as follows: from a point on Cape Ann, Massachusetts at (92) L/WP/4104N/06918W/15.5.// (69) 42°39'N., 70°37'W.; then northeast to (93) L/WP/4210N/06952W/15.5// (70) 42°45'N., 70°13'W.; then southeast to (94) L/WP/4230N/07006W/15.5// (71) 42°10'N., 68°31'W.; then south to (95) WHALESSOUTH-To: [email protected] (72) 41°00'N., 68°31'W.; then west to (96) WHALESSOUTH// (73) 41°00'N., 69°17'W.; then northwest to (97) M/412345678// (74) 42°05'N., 70°02'W.; then west to (98) A/BEAGLE/NVES//
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 173 (99) B/270810Z MAR// navigation, particularly in heavy weather, may be (100) E/250// found. These shoal spots generally have steep sides, and (101) F/17.0// very little or no indication of their existence is given by (102) H/270810Z MAR/3030N/08052W// soundings. Tide rips and swirls, as well as overfalls, are (103) I/MAYPORT/271215Z MAR// common in the vicinity of these spots, but are not al- (104) L/RL/17.0//. ways visible. They show best with a smooth sea and with the current flowing in certain directions. These Charts 13204, 13200 disturbances are not usually over the shoalest depths, but are commonly alongside them. Small, detached (105) Georges Bank is an extensive bank with depths of overfalls may be seen in 20 fathoms of water. The tidal less than 50 fathoms, extending for over 150 miles currents are rotary with no period of slack water. The northeastward from the offshore end of Nantucket velocity at strength is about 2 knots, and the velocity of Shoals. the minimum current which occurs about midway be- tween the times of strength is about 1 knot. The hourly (106) In heavy weather the danger area may be consid- velocities and directions of the tidal current are shown ered to be the oval-shaped top of the bank which is by means of current roses on National Ocean Service about 80 miles long in a northeast and southwest direc- charts. tion and which has a maximum width of about 50 (113) A navigator must bear in mind while in an area of miles. The bottom within this area is extremely broken this character that it is impossible for the surveyor, and irregular, with a great number of ridges and shoal without a vast expenditure of time, to determine and spots having depths of less than 10 fathoms. Between locate all of the shoalest spots on the many dangerous these shoals are channels of varying widths in which shoals found. Sudden shoaling on such a bank must be depths of about 20 fathoms may be found. All of this considered an indication of possibly dangerous water. area lies within the 30-fathom curve and so much of it This bank has not been wire dragged. has depths of less than 20 fathoms that it may practi- (114) Nantucket Shoals is the general name of the nu- cally all be considered to lie within a generalized merous different broken shoals which lie southeast- 20-fathom curve. ward of Nantucket Island and make this one of the most dangerous parts of the coast of the United States for the (107) On the southeast side of the bank, outside the navigator. These shoals extend 23 miles eastward and 20-fathom curve, the water deepens gradually and with 40 miles southeastward from Nantucket Island. They such regularity that soundings would be of consider- are shifting in nature, and the depths vary from 3 to 4 able value in approaching the bank. On the northwest feet on some to 4 and 5 fathoms on others, while slues side the water deepens more rapidly. with depths of 10 fathoms or more lead between those farthest offshore. The easterly edge of the shoals has (108) The bottom is generally of sand, sometimes with depths of 3 and 4 fathoms in places. shell, and in places pebbles. Bottom samples as ob- tained during surveys are shown in a great many places Area to be avoided on the charts. (115) Because of the great danger of stranding and for (109) The two principal dangers on Georges Bank are reasons of environmental protection, the International Georges Shoal and Cultivator Shoal, which are near the Maritime Organization (IMO) has established an area center of the danger area. Around these shoals the sea to be avoided in the area of Nantucket Shoals. All ves- breaks in depths of 10 fathoms during heavy weather, sels carrying cargoes of oil or hazardous materials and and the locality should be avoided by deep-draft vessels. all other vessels of more than 1,000 gross tons should avoid the area bounded by the following points: (110) Georges Shoal is a ridge about 13 miles long on (116) 41°16.5'N., 70°12.5'W.; which are several shallow depths of 1½ to 3 fathoms. (117) 40°43.2'N., 70°00.5'W.; (118) 40°44.5'N., 69°19.0'W.; (111) Cultivator Shoal, about 20 miles westward of Geor- (119) 41°04.5'N., 69°19.0'W.; ges Shoal, is a ridge nearly 15 miles long, on which (120) 41°23.5'N., 69°31.5'W.; and depths of 3 to 10 fathoms are found. The 3-fathom spot (121) 41°23.4'N., 70°02.8'W. is near the north end of the shoal. In December 1980, a (122) The currents in the area are strong and erratic, submerged obstruction was reported about 8.7 miles reaching a velocity of 3 to 5 knots around the edges of northwest of the 3-fathom spot in about 41°43'N., the shoals. They are made erratic by the obstruction of 68°23'W.; vessels engaged in bottom operations are ad- the shoals, in some cases being deflected to such an vised to exercise caution in the area. (112) The entire area within the 20-fathom curve has an extremely broken bottom. There are numerous ridges and shoal spots on which depths dangerous to
174 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 extent as to cause the direction to change 180° from 3-8, 3-10 and 3-13, Appendix C, for additional infor- one side of the shoal to the other. mation.) Nantucket Lightship Closed Areas include (123) The tidal current over the shoals is rotary, turning waters S and E of Nantucket Island extending to the clockwise. Observations in the area indicate an average west edge of Georges Bank. (See MMAs 3-11 and 3-12, velocity at strength of about 2.5 knots, but this proba- Appendix C, for additional information.) bly varies appreciably from place to place. Similarly the direction of the current at strength probably depends (132) Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N on the orientation of channels between shoal areas. (40°30'09\"N., 69°14'48\"W.) is about 57 miles (124) Since the current is rotary, there is no true slack. south-southeastward of Nantucket Island. The buoy is Observations in the area show an average minimum of equipped with a fog signal and a racon. about 0.5 knot. (125) The tidal current near Nantucket Shoals Lighted (133) This buoy is located inside the traffic separation Whistle Buoy N is rotary, turning clockwise. The aver- zone of the traffic separation lanes of “Eastern Ap- age velocity at strength is 0.8 knot; the average mini- proach Off Ambrose” to the “Traffic Separation Scheme mum is 0.6 knot. Off New York”. (See charts 12300 and 13006.) (126) Hourly average velocities and directions for Davis Bank and the area near Nantucket Shoals Lighted (134) Nantucket Shoals is made up of the following parts: Whistle Buoy N, referred to predicted times of maxi- (135) Phelps Bank, the southeasternmost part of the mum flood at Pollock Rip Channel, are furnished in the Tidal Current Tables. However the tidal currents are Nantucket Shoals, is about 6.5 miles long and 2.5 miles appreciably influenced by winds. wide. A lighted whistle buoy, marking the entrance to (127) Nantucket Shoals should be entirely avoided by the Boston Harbor Traffic Separation Scheme, is about deep-draft vessels when possible and by light-draft ves- 12 miles eastward of Phelps Bank. sels without local knowledge, on account of the treach- (136) Asia Rip, the shoalest point of the bank with 5¾ erous currents. There are, however, channels through fathoms, is at the southern end. The wreck of the SS these various shoals which can be negotiated with local OREGON, covered 3¼ fathoms, is at 40°45'N., 69°19'W., knowledge and caution. In calm weather at slack water 3 miles south-southeastward of Asia Rip. these shoals are sometimes difficult to see, and a vessel (137) Middle Rip, with a least-found depth of 4 fathoms is liable to be taken into shoaler water than was in- and lying north-northwest of Phelps Bank, is about tended. 13.5 miles long and 4.5 miles wide. This shoal consists (128) Calm, clear days are few; when the sea is calm it is of two large parts with depths of 4 fathoms on the east usually foggy, and when clear, it is usually rough. Also and 6 fathoms on the west, separated by a channel with to be expected is a considerable amount of hazy a depth of 7 fathoms and four outlying shoals of 8 to 10 weather, which limits visibility. fathoms. (129) Should it become necessary to anchor in this area, (138) Fishing Rip, bow-shaped, with depths of 3 to 10 open sea anchorage may be had anywhere that depths fathoms, is about 26 miles long north and south and 6.5 permit. Due consideration should be given to the close miles wide at its widest point. The north point is 20 proximity of shoals and possibility of dragging due to miles 073° and the south point is 27.5 miles 136°, re- the winds and currents. Generally it has been found spectively, from Sankaty Head Light. A large wreck best to avoid the deeper channels and, when rougher area, marked by a lighted gong buoy, is near the south- water is experienced, to anchor in the lee of a shoal, ern part of Fishing Rip. A wreck and a submerged ob- which would tend to knock down the heavier swells. A struction are also near the southern portion of the rip scope of five to one or greater should always be used. in about 41°00.0'N., 69°27.0'W. and 41°01.0'N., 69°29.7'W., respectively. North Atlantic Right Whales (139) The unmarked channel westward of Fishing Rip is (130) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur obstructed by three shoals in the northern section which have least-found depths of 7½, 4½, and 10 fath- along the northern edge of Georges Bank (peak season: oms. In the southern part of this channel are four June through July). (See North Atlantic Right Whales, shoals with depths of 8 to 10 fathoms. indexed as such, this chapter, for more information on (140) Davis Bank, the innermost of the outer Nantucket right whales and recommended measures to avoid col- Shoals, is bow-shaped and has depths of 2¾ to 10 fath- lisions with whales.) oms of water over it. The bank is about 30 miles long (131) Georges Bank Closure Areas, Marine Managed Ar- north and south and has a greatest width of 4 miles. eas, extend S and E of Cape Cod to the boundary with The wreck of the vessel PROGRESS is off the inner edge the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). (See MMAs 3-7, of the bank about 13 miles north-northeastward of the southern end of the bank.
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 175 (141) The channel westward of Davis Bank is marked on center of the channel extends from 40°36'N., 68°55'W. its west side by lighted and unlighted buoys. A radar to 41°38'N., 68°55'W. The channel is about 27 miles beacon (Racon) is at the northernmost lighted buoy. wide and has depths of 19 fathoms and greater The use of this channel should be restricted to clear throughout, with lesser depths along the eastern and weather due to the strong currents encountered western edges. The Great South Channel is a feeding throughout this area. area for endangered North Atlantic right whales in spring and summer (peak season: April through July). Chart 13200 However, mariners should note that right whales may occur in this area year-round. (142) The inner Nantucket Shoals all lie within the North Atlantic Right Whales 10-fathom curve. The area is very foul. Only a few of the (149) Great South Channel lies within the federally des- shoals are described. Davis South Shoal, about 20 miles south-southeast of Sankaty Head, consists of two ignated critical habitat for North Atlantic right whales, spots of 2¾ and 2½ fathoms about 1.5 miles apart. the most endangered large whale species in the world (fewer than 350 animals). (See chart 13200). These (143) Old South Shoal, consisting of two spots of 2½ slow moving animals are vulnerable to collisions with fathoms with a 2-fathom spot and foul ground between ships, which is the leading cause of human-related them, is about 13.5 miles southeast of Sankaty Head. mortality for North Atlantic right whales. In some This shoal is unmarked. years, more than a third of the remaining population of North Atlantic right whales can be found in the Great Charts 13200, 13237 South Channel at any one time. It is illegal to approach closer than 500 yards of any right whale. (See 50 CFR (144) Great Rip, about 13 miles east-southeast of 224.103(c), chapter 2, for limits and regulation.) It is Sankaty Head, has depths of 1 to 2¾ fathoms. This recommended that all large vessels (over 100 gross shoal is about 7 miles long north and south and 1 to 2 tons) avoid operating in the critical habitat during the miles wide. About 1.5 miles westward of Great Rip and peak period of right whale occurrence (April through separated from it by depths of 14 to 19 fathoms is an July). When the area cannot be avoided, the following unnamed and unmarked shoal of 1½ to 2½ fathoms. precautionary guidelines are recommended to reduce Breakers are usually observed on the shoal. the risk of ship strikes: (150) (a) Maintain a sharp watch with lookouts familiar (145) Rose and Crown is a boot-shaped shoal with its with spotting whales. southern end about 10.5 miles east of Sankaty Head. (151) (b) Monitor NAVTEX or NOAA Weather Radio The shoal extends about 5 miles northward and then 3 transmissions for information on the location of right miles westward. Depths of 1¼ and 1½ fathoms are whales sighted in the vicinity. Local ships’ pilots may found in the leg of the boot, a depth of ½ fathom and also provide such information when it is available. marked by a lighted whistle buoy northeastward of it (152) (c) Reduce speed to 10 knots or less when consis- forms the heel, and a depth of 1¼ fathoms is found in tent with safe navigation. (See North Atlantic Right the toe. Northward of the toe of Rose and Crown is a whales, indexed as such, chapter 3, for more informa- shoal with foul ground and spots of 1½ and 2½ fath- tion on right whales and recommended measures to oms. Rose and Crown breaks heavily. avoid collisions with whales.) (153) Restricted Lobster and Gillnet Marine Managed (146) Bass Rip, about 2.5 miles eastward of Sankaty Areas (MMAs) are in Great South Channel. (See MMAs Head, is about 3.5 miles long north and south. A depth 3-14, 3-15, and 3-16, Appendix C, for additional infor- of ½ fathom is 3 miles 115° from the light. The north- mation.) ern end of the shoal has a depth of 2 fathoms. Old Man Shoal extends 4.5 miles southwestward from a point (154) Submarine canyons are indentations in the edge of 1.5 miles off the southeastern end of Nantucket Island. the Continental Shelf which is bounded on its seaward Depths of 1¼ to 2¾ fathoms are found on this shoal. side by the 100-fathom curve. They may be traced from depths of 1,000 fathoms or more to the shoaler areas of (147) McBlair Shoal, the northernmost of the Nantucket the Continental Shelf. The navigator who has available Shoals and marked on its northern side by lighted some means of echo sounding should have in mind the buoys, forms part of the southern side of Great Round various canyons found in this locality. The soundings Shoal Channel. Depths on this shoal vary from 2¼ to in crossing them are very characteristic in each case, 3½ fathoms. (148) Great South Channel is the passage between the easternmost of the Nantucket Shoals and the western- most shoal spots of Georges Bank. The approximate
176 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 and such soundings may be used to determine the ves- been established under Federal authority and are sel’s position with considerable accuracy. shown on charts of 1:80,000 scale and larger. The exact (155) The names of some of the most important subma- locations of the weirs within the designated areas are rine canyons are shown on the charts. The longitude not shown. Strangers should proceed with caution following the name is approximate and only given to when crossing areas of possible fishweirs, and should assist in locating the feature on the chart. Corsair Can- avoid crossing such areas at night. yon, 66°10'W., on the eastern side of Georges Bank, has (160) Danger zones have been established within the a northwesterly trend. On the southern side and toward area of this Coast Pilot. (See Part 334, chapter 2, for the western end of Georges Bank, having a northerly limits and regulations.) trend, are Lydonia Canyon, 67°40'W.; Gilbert Canyon, 67°50'W.; Oceanographer Canyon, 68°05'W.; and Drawbridges Welker Canyon, 68°30'W. Southeastward and south- (161) The general regulations that apply to all draw- ward of Nantucket Shoals, having a northerly trend, are Hydrographer Canyon, 69°00'W.; Veatch Canyon, bridges are given in 117.1 through 117.49, chapter 2, 69°35'W.; and Atlantis Canyon, 70°15'W. Block Can- and the specific regulations that apply only to certain yon, 71°20'W., is south-southeasterly of Block Island drawbridges are given in Part 117, Subpart B, chapter Sound and has a north-northwesterly trend. Hudson 2. Where these regulations apply, references to them Canyon, 72°20'W., extends northwestward to the mouth are made in the Coast Pilot under the name of the of the Hudson River. The inshore section of this canyon bridge or the waterway over which the bridge crosses. is called Mud Gorge. (162) The drawbridge opening signals (see 117.15, chap- ter 2) have been standardized for most drawbridges Wrecks within the United States. The opening signals for those (156) Many vessels have been wrecked along this coast as few bridges that are nonstandard are given in the spe- cific drawbridge regulations. The specific regulations a result of collision, foundering, and other causes. Most also address matters such as restricted operating hours of the offshore wrecks have been located and wire and required advance notice for openings. dragged to determine the least depth over the highest (163) The mariner should be acquainted with the general projecting part. Dangerous wrecks for the most part and specific regulations for drawbridges over water- are marked by buoys of various colors and shapes and ways to be transited. often show a quick-flashing or an interrupted quick-flashing light. Routes (157) Many vessels have grounded in fog on the south (164) Approaching this section of the coast is dangerous side of Long Island and on Block Island. Probably many of these wrecks could have been avoided if frequent for all vessels because of the off-lying banks and shoals, soundings had been taken in approaching the coast. the strong and variable currents, frequency of fog, and Vessels equipped to do so should make good use of the the broken nature of the bottom. Soundings alone are electronic aids to navigation systems along the coast to of little value in establishing the position of a vessel, check their position frequently. but the depth should be checked frequently to insure that the vessel clears all dangers. Lobster pots (165) In thick weather especially, the greatest caution is (158) The coastal waters contain numerous lobster pots. necessary, and vessels equipped to do so should make good and timely use of the electronic aids to navigation Small painted wooden buoys of various designs and col- systems to check their position frequently. The depth ors, secured by small lines, float on the surface; in some should never be shoaled to less than 15 fathoms with- cases a second buoy, usually an unpainted wooden stick out an accurate fix having been obtained, and it is ad- or bottle and difficult to see, is attached to the lobster visable to remain offshore in depths of 20 fathoms or pot. These buoys extend from shore out to, and in many more. cases across, the sailing routes. Small yachts and mo- (166) The part of Georges Bank lying between latitude tor boats are cautioned against fouling them, which is 41°05'N., and 42°00'N., and longitude 67°17'W., and liable to result in a sprung shaft or lost propeller. 68°35'W. should be avoided. In heavy weather the sea Fishtraps and fish havens are discussed in chapter 1. breaks on the spots with 10 fathoms or less, and strong tide rips are encountered. The tide rips do not always (159) Fishweirs are numerous along the outside coast indicate shoal water. and inside waters. The stakes often become broken off (167) Vessels passing southward of the dangerous part of and form a hazard to navigation, especially at night. Georges Bank should keep in 30 fathoms or more. Ap- The areas within which fishweirs are permitted have proaching this part of the bank from eastward or
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 177 southward, the water shoals gradually. Approaching throughout the Nantucket Shoals-Georges Bank area, from the westward, the depths are irregular and the wa- the larger velocities occurring generally over the ter shoals abruptly in places of 20 fathoms or less. On shoaler parts of the area. Between Nantucket Island the north side of Georges Bank between longitudes and Sandy Hook their velocities generally do not ex- 66°00'W., and 68°00'W., the 100-fathom and 50-fathom ceed 0.5 knot except in the vicinities of the entrances to curves are only a few miles apart, and when approach- the larger bays and inland waterways, where the veloci- ing the dangerous part of the bank from northward 50 ties increase as the entrances are approached. For con- fathoms may be taken as a good depth to avoid the siderable distances from the entrances, strengths of shoals. flood and ebb set, respectively, toward and away from (168) Vessels equipped with echo sounding devices and those entrances, and minimums of velocity, corre- following the 100-fathom curve along the south side of sponding to the slacks of reversing currents, set at Georges Bank can frequently verify their position when right angles to the directions of the flood and ebb crossing the several submarine gorges or canyons. strengths. (169) Approaching New York from the vicinity of (175) Offshore and away from the influence of the tidal Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N, a slight al- flow into and out of the Gulf of Maine and the larger lowance should be made for a southwesterly set of the bays, the tidal current maintains an approximate uni- current. Should the wind be easterly, it is customary to form velocity. Shifting its direction continuously to the allow, in order to make a course good, a set of the cur- right, it sets in all directions of the compass during rent with it of at least 0.5 knot. each tidal cycle of 12.4 hours. (170) The North Atlantic Lane Routes are described in (176) In the offshore area between Cape Cod and Sandy NV PUB. 106, Atlas of Pilot Charts, North Atlantic Hook there is a resultant southward drift which is Ocean (including the Gulf of Mexico), published by stronger in winter than in summer and has an average the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Washing- velocity less than 0.1 knot. ton, D.C. (171) Deep-draft vessels coming from Cape Hatteras, Wind currents Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, or New York usually (177) Wind currents are very complicated. Their veloci- make Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N, thence through Great South Channel to Cape Cod or ties and directions depend upon a number of factors the Gulf of Maine. such as velocity, direction, and duration of the wind, (172) Vessels of medium draft coming from the south- the proximity of the coast and the direction of the ward, or southbound from Boston or ports farther east, coastline. Generally in the Northern Hemisphere the may use Cape Cod Canal, or Vineyard and Nantucket wind-driven current sets somewhat to the right of the Sounds via Pollock Rip Channel. Great Round Shoal wind, but in coastal waters there are many exceptions Channel is also available, but seldom used, as an en- to this general rule, the current often setting to the left trance to or exit from Nantucket Sound. The control- of the wind, due to the tendency of the current to follow ling depth for these passages is from 27 to 32 feet. They the direction of the coastline or to other local condi- avoid Nantucket Shoals and are used by coasting ves- tions. sels. Small vessels and pleasure craft usually pass (178) The velocity of the current relative to that of the through Long Island Sound when proceeding coast- wind also varies with the location. It follows, therefore, wise. that local wind current information is desirable. Such information based upon extensive current and wind ob- Currents servations at a number of stations is given in the Tidal (173) The Tidal Current Tables should be consulted for Current Tables. (179) The largest current velocities likely to occur dur- specific information about times, directions, and veloc- ing storms at a number of locations offshore and in the ities of the current at the numerous locations through- sounds are given as follows: Pollock Rip Entrance out the area. It must be borne in mind that the current Lighted Whistle Buoy PR, 2.5 knots; Stone Horse to which a vessel is subjected at any time is the combi- Shoal, 4 knots; Great Round Shoal Channel Entrance nation of tidal current, wind current, and other cur- Lighted Horn Buoy GRS, Nantucket Entrance, 2.5 rents such as those due to drainage or oceanic knots; 3 miles north of Nantucket Shoals Lighted circulation. Whistle Buoy N, 2.5 knots; Cross Rip Shoal, 2.5 knots; (174) Away from the immediate vicinity of the shore, the Hedge Fence Lighted Gong Buoy 22, Nantucket Sound, tidal currents are generally rotary. They shift direction, 2.5 knots; 3.3 miles southwestward of Cuttyhunk usually clockwise, at an average rate of about 30° an Light, 2 knots; Brenton Reef, 1.5 knots; 0.5 mile south hour. They attain velocities of 1 to 2.4 knots or more of Bartlett Reef, Long Island Sound, 2.5 knots; 3 miles
178 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 southward of Cornfield Point, 4 knots; 3 miles north of Extratropical Cyclones Nantucket Traffic Lane Lighted Whistle Buoy NB, 1.5 (184) One of the biggest problems in these waters is the knots; Ambrose Light, 2 knots. winter storm; the most powerful of these is the Weather, Cape Cod to Sandy Hook “Nor’easter”. It generates rough seas, strong winds and (180) From Georges Bank and the shoals of Nantucket to high tides that threaten safety at sea and cause damage in port. These storms do not often come without warn- New York Harbor, fog, currents, winds and waves are ing. Approaching from the U.S. mainland or from the constant threats to safe navigation. The following text seas to the south they are usually well forecasted. Diffi- describes the weather problems that face the mariner culty arises when they develop or deepen explosively off when navigating these waters. This section presents an the mid Atlantic coast. Sometimes called “Hatteras overall, seasonal picture of the weather that can be ex- Storms”, these lows can grow from small, weak frontal pected in the offshore waters along the coast of the waves to full blown systems in less than 24 hours. Not mid-Atlantic region from Cape Cod, MA, to Sandy only can their circulation expand to cover most of the Hook, NJ. Detailed information, particularly concern- western North Atlantic but they often accelerate rap- ing navigational weather hazards, can be found in the idly northeastward. In the exposed waters these storms weather articles in the following chapters. can generate 40-foot (12 m) waves and hurricane force (181) All weather articles in this volume are the product winds. Each year more than 40 extratropical systems of the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) move across or close to this coast. They average about and the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). The two to four per month, but as many as ten can affect the meteorological and climatological tables are the prod- region in a single month. Most systems are weak, but a uct of the NCDC. Both centers are entities of the Na- few generate gales and rough seas for hundreds of tional Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information miles; particularly from September through April. Service (NESDIS) of the National Oceanic and Atmo- (185) The major winter storm track runs in a line approx- spheric Administration (NOAA). If further information imately from Cape Hatteras to Cape Cod. Most of the is needed in relation to the content of the weather arti- storms that follow this track intensify; the center of in- cles, meteorological tables or climatological tables, tensification is off Delaware Bay. In addition to the contact the National Climatic Data Center, Attn: Cus- forecast certain atmospheric changes indicate a storm tomer Service Division, Federal Building, 151 Patton is approaching. The most dependable early indicator is Avenue, Room 120, Asheville, NC 28801-5001. You may falling pressure. A definite weather change is likely if also contact the CSD at 828-271-4994, or fax your re- you observe pressure falls exceeding 2 mb every 3 quest to 828-271-4876. hours; a drop of 5 mb/3 hours indicates a strong change (182) Climatological tables for coastal locations, meteo- while 10 mb/3 hours warns of an impending extreme rological tables for the coastal ocean areas, and a table event. of mean surface water temperatures and densities rele- (186) As a storm approaches, winds strengthen, clouds vant to locations discussed within this volume, follow thicken and lower and precipitation begins. Early in Appendix A. The climatological tables are a special ex- the storm’s life wind waves can become steep very traction from the International Station Meteorological quickly, making it difficult to reach port especially Climate Summary. The ISMCS is a CD-ROM jointly when you have to navigate an inlet where breaking produced by the National Climatic Data Center, Fleet waves are treacherous. In deeper waters, waves can Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Detach- build to over 20 feet. During winter the possibility of ment-Asheville, and the U.S. Air Force Environmental superstructure icing calls for an early course of action Technical Applications Center, Operating Location-A. based upon the latest forecast and a knowledge of your The meteorological tables for the ocean areas are com- vessel. piled from observations made by ships in passage and extracted from the National Climatic Data Center’s Cold Fronts Tape Deck-1129, Surface Marine Observations. Listed (187) This weather hazard usually approaches from the in Appendix A are National Weather Service offices and radio stations which transmit weather information. west through north. Ahead of the front, winds are usu- (183) Marine Weather Services Charts published by the ally squally and often blow out of the south through National Weather Service show radio stations that southwest. Cirrus clouds give way to Altocumulus or transmit marine weather broadcasts and additional in- Altostratus and Nimbostratus, then Cumulonimbus. formation of interest to mariners. These charts are for Pressure falls moderately and showers, and perhaps sale by the National Ocean Service Distribution Divi- thunderstorms, occur. Seas become choppy. With the sion (N/ACC3). (See Appendix A for address.) frontal passage winds shift rapidly to the west and northwest. Strong gusts and squalls continue. Clearing
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 179 usually occurs a short distance behind the front as the when the tropical cyclone center is 500 miles or more cold air moves in. Cold fronts can move through the away. It gradually increases until the winds change di- area quite rapidly. Their speed varies from about 10 to rection. On top of this the low pressure in the storm’s 20 knots in summer up to 40 knots in winter. From center can create a ridge or wall of water known as a spring through fall these fronts are often preceded by surge. This will move in the direction of the storm’s dense fog. movement and can be disastrous. The effect may be (188) During the spring and summer when the air ahead similar to that of a tsunami (seismic sea wave) caused of the cold front may be very unstable, a line of thun- by earthquakes in the ocean floor. Storm surges can derstorms, known as a squall line, may develop. These push these tides to 20 feet (6.1 m) or more above nor- instability lines can form 50 to 300 miles ahead of a fast mal. About 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 m) of this is due to the moving front. They may even contain tornados or wa- decrease of atmospheric pressure and the rest to the terspouts. These storms can inflict considerable dam- strong winds. Additional water damage results from age on fishing vessels and small craft. the pounding of sea and swell. Torrential rains, gener- ated by tropical cyclones, can cause both flash floods Tropical Cyclones and river floods from inland rains. (189) A tropical cyclone is a warm core, low pressure sys- Tropical Cyclone climatology tem that develops over tropical oceans. It exhibits a ro- (196) In an average season nine or ten tropical cyclones tary, counterclockwise circulation in the Northern Hemisphere around a center or “eye”. In small tropical develop and five of these reach hurricane strength; cyclones the diameter of the area of destructive winds about two hurricanes reach the U.S. While they may may not exceed 25 miles while in the greatest storms develop in any month, June through November is gen- the diameter may reach 500 miles. At the center is a erally considered the tropical cyclone season, with a comparatively calm, sometimes clear, area known as peak in August, September and October. Early and the eye. The diameter of the eye can vary from about 5 pre-season storms, from May through mid July, are to 25 miles. Winds are usually strongest near the cen- most likely to originate in the western Caribbean Sea ter. They can reach 175 knots or more in an intense and Gulf of Mexico. From mid July through late Sep- hurricane. In the North Atlantic Region (West Indies, tember this development is spread through the main Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and waters off the U.S. basin of the tropical Atlantic and a much more persis- East Coast) the following terminology is used in tropi- tent westerly movement is noticeable. From late Sep- cal cyclone warnings issued by the National Hurricane tember through November, activity gradually confines Center (National Weather Service): itself to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. A northerly (190) (1) Tropical Depression.–An organized system of movement, similar to early season storms, becomes clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation more apparent. However, because of the large reservoir and maximum sustained winds of 38 miles per hour (33 of heat available at the end of the season, these storms knots) or less. are often more intense than their early season counter- (191) (2) Tropical Storm.–An organized system of strong parts. thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maxi- (197) The most common path is curved, the storms first mum sustained winds between 39 and 73 miles per moving in a general westward direction, turning later hour (34 to 63 knots). to the northwestward and finally toward the northeast. (192) (3) Hurricane.–An intense tropical weather system A considerable number, however, remain in low lati- with a well-defined circulation and a maximum sus- tudes and do not turn appreciably toward the north. tained wind speed of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) or Freak movements are not uncommon, and there have greater. been storms that described loops, hairpin-curved (193) While the following term is not normally used in paths, and other irregular patterns. Movement toward tropical cyclone advisories it may appear in related the southeast is rare, and, in any case, of short dura- products. tion. The entire Caribbean area, the Gulf of Mexico, the (194) (1) Tropical Wave.–A minor tropical disturbance in coastal regions bordering these bodies of water, and the the easterly trade winds, which could develop into a Atlantic Coast are subject to these storms during the tropical depression but lacks evidence of a closed circu- hurricane season. lation; also known as easterly wave. (198) The average speed of movement of tropical cy- (195) Along the coast, greater damage may be inflicted by clones is about 10 to 15 knots. This speed, however, var- water than by wind. Prolonged winds blowing toward ies considerably according to the storm’s location, shore can increase water levels from about 3 to 10 feet development and the associated surface and upper air (1 to 3 m) above normal. This storm tide may begin patterns. The highest rates of speed usually occur in
180 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 the middle and higher latitudes and range up to 40 to jointly produced by the National Climatic Data Center 50 knots. Storms are slowest during recurvature or and the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanogra- when looping. They can also become stationary in the phy Detachment-Asheville. absence of steering currents. (202) The classical doctrine held by most mariners is that ocean-going ships should leave ports that are threat- Hurricane Warnings and Forecasts ened by a hurricane. Despite this natural caution, ships (199) The civilian hurricane warning service for the continue to be damaged in port or after leaving port, as a result of tropical cyclone encounters. This often North Atlantic is provided by the National Hurricane stems from the difficulty in forecasting tropical cy- Center/Tropical Prediction Center, Miami, Florida. It clone movement, although these forecasts have im- collates ship, aircraft, radar and satellite data to pro- proved significantly in the past two decades. In addition duce and issue tropical cyclone warnings and forecasts to evaluating the forecast it is necessary to assess the for the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean risks of remaining in port or putting to sea according to Sea and Gulf of Mexico as well as the Eastern North Pa- the circumstances of the threat, the facilities of the cific Ocean. Its principal product is the Tropical Cy- port and the capabilities of the vessel and crew. For an clone Advisory message especially tailored for Marine, evaluation as to a course of action, several factors are Aviation, Military and public interests. They are issued important. The risk of a particular port experiencing a every 6-hours with intermediate bulletins provided hurricane is often dependent on seasonal and geographic when needed. influences. Forecasts of hurricane movements are (200) For tropical storms and hurricanes threatening to more reliable in some areas, particularly the lower lati- cross the coast of the U.S., coastal warnings are issued tudes. In the mid latitudes where storms are often re- to the public by the National Hurricane Center through curving, the difficulty increases. It is important to local Hurricane Warning Offices in order that defense know the sheltering capabilities of the port that is be- against damage, and perhaps evacuation, can be im- ing considered and the speed of advance of tropical cy- planted. Two levels of warnings are employed. The clones in the latitudes that you may be sailing. When “Hurricane Watch” is a preliminary alert that a hurri- the tropical cyclone speeds approach or exceed vessel cane may threaten a specified portion of the coast. It is speed, options become limited. issued approximately 36 hours before landfall could oc- (203) Of the 117 tropical cyclones that threatened New cur. The second level is the “Hurricane Warning”, York from 1842-1995, 100 occurred from August which indicates that hurricane conditions are expected through October with the main threat in September. within 24 hours in advance of landfall. It is aimed at The hurricane (winds> 64 knots) threat has a peak in providing the best compromise between timeliness and August and September; 81 of the 117 hurricanes oc- accuracy for civil defense purposes so that its warning curred in those months. Tropical cyclones usually may be too late to allow ocean-going vessels to get un- move in from the south or southwest. During this same derway and complete a successful evasion in open wa- period New Haven was threatened by 108 tropical cy- ter. To compensate for this, the Marine Advisory clones, 91 of which occurred from August through Oc- contains additional guidance in form of probabilities of tober. Hurricanes are most likely during August and hurricane strikes, for coastal locations and even off- September when 75 out of the total of 108 occurred. shore coordinates, and storm position forecasts for up The direction of approach is most likely from the south to 72 hours in advance. or southwest. Because of the natural protection offered by the shape of the coast from Cape Cod to Cape Hurricane Havens Hatteras, most recurving storms either make landfall (201) This section is condensed from the Hurricane Ha- south of Hatteras or pass New England well offshore to the southeast. The majority of storms pass well to the vens Handbook for the North Atlantic Ocean pub- southeast of New England, following the Gulf Stream. lished by the Marine Meteorology Division, Naval Occasionally storms accelerate on a more northerly Research Laboratory, Monterey, CA 93943, and avail- track similar to the disastrous hurricane of 1938, able on the internet at https://www.cnmoc.navy.mil/. which advanced rapidly up the east coast, offshore near While this study concentrates on New York, NY, New Hatteras, across central Long Island, into Connecticut London, CT, and Newport, RI, the climatology and prin- and finally through Vermont. This hurricane’s forward ciples of navigation can be applied to the entire region; speed reached 52 knots, an advance that would be diffi- the navigation information can be applied to winter cult to prepare for, even with today’s sophisticated storms as well. For practical purposes any tropical cy- warning methods. It is the exceptionally fast-moving clone that approaches within 180 miles is considered a storm that poses the greatest threat. For example, “threat”. Data is also incorporated from the Global Tropical/Extra tropical Cyclone Climatic Atlas CD-ROM
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 181 based on climatology, a September storm located off of water) causing considerable destruction. This surge Miami would reach New York in about 3 or 4 days. How- was slightly greater than that expected once in a hun- ever, the 1938 hurricane traveled this distance in about dred years and was likely due to the fast moving nature 30 hours. Tropical cyclones tend to accelerate as they of this hurricane. At Newport storm tides were mea- move north of about 30 N. Forward speeds range from sured at 10.8 feet (3.3 m) above mean sea level during 25 to 30 knots for those crossing the New York – New the 1938 hurricane. The top winter extratropical storm England coast compared to 20 to 25 knots for those produced a 6.0-ft (1.8 m) surge on the 30th of Novem- passing offshore to the southeast. ber, 1963. (204) Since wind records were available in the New York (207) In summary, New York Harbor is recommended as Harbor area, sustained winds have reached hurricane a hurricane haven. It is a large national harbor with force (64 knots) only once. The September 1944 hurri- many excellent berthing facilities and good deep-water cane produced 64-knot winds at Central Park and anchorages. Natural topographic features and numer- 70-knot winds at La Guardia. Other hurricanes that ous man-made structures offer good wind protection. have caused considerable damage were storms in Sep- The bathymetry and orientation of the harbor relative tember 1821, September 1938, August 1954 (Carol) to the normal path of hurricanes tend to mitigate the and September 1960 (Donna). During a recent 44-year wind wave and ocean swell danger although storm period along the Connecticut-Rhode Island coast, three surge is a sufficient threat. The main New London har- hurricanes produced winds that have been estimated to bor is not a haven for most vessels during a hurricane have reached at least minimal hurricane strength. The although the inner harbor is considered safe for most 1944 hurricane, Carol and the 1938 storm were the ships. The surrounding topography provides some pro- three. The 1938 storm was the worst as winds in the tection from east through southeast winds for the east- New London area were estimated at 78 to 87 knots. ern shore of the main and inner harbor, however the (205) In addition to strong winds, the hurricane brings lower western shore of the main harbor is very exposed rough seas, heavy rains, and storm surges. New York’s to southeast through south winds. The entire harbor is Lower Bay is subject to wave action due to an open subject to the possibility of major storm surge flooding. quadrant, east through south, to the Atlantic. The size The port of Newport is located inside Narragansett Bay, and depth of the bay also provide sufficient fetch for a which has deep water anchorages within its confines. strong wind to generate destructive waves. Deep ocean Although these anchorages are not well sheltered from swells approaching from the open quadrant would be winds, they have proven hurricane haven properties for reduced by shoals at the entrance to Lower Bay, be- ships able to steam at anchor. tween Sandy Hook and Rockaway Point. Upper Bay, (208) Flooding associated with hurricane-induced high Newark Bay, lower Hudson River and East River are tides is the principle threat to small craft in the area. subject to limited wave action. Long Island Sound is a They should be hoisted and secured ashore above pro- deep water sound with a generous fetch in an east-west jected flood levels whenever possible. Best protection is direction. New London Harbor is well protected from inside some type of storage building to prevent possible wave action. Although a west wind can produce large damage by flying objects or to prevent the possibility of seas in the Sound they are greatly reduced on entering broken tie-downs in high winds. Local knowledge is the the harbor channel. Within Narragansett Bay wave ac- best guide to weathering a storm in small harbors. tion is severely limited by short fetch for most wind di- rections. Wave action generated within the Bay will Waves create minimal problems for ships at anchor if the (209) In late March of 1984 a 968-mb Low off the New scope of chain employed is set to give the best riding conditions. Jersey coast generated a 33-foot (10.1 m) wave at Buoy (206) Storm tides can produce a high water level, which 44005 (42.7°N., 68.3°W) while Buoy 41002 (40.1°N., in addition to inundating coastal areas, may allow wind 73.0°W) measured a 47-foot (14.3 m) wave during Glo- waves to cause destruction in areas normally unaf- ria in September 1985. Systems similar to these are fected by waves. Combined storm surge and tide have partly responsible for the rough seas encountered produced water levels of over 10 feet (3 m) above mean along this coast from September through April. The low water in the New York Harbor area and levels Buoy closest to the area, 44003, (40.8°N., 68.5°W), in greater than 15 feet (4.6 m) above mean low water in 10 years of operation has measured a 29-foot (8.8 m) western Long Island Sound. New London is one of the wave in February and 25-foot (7.6 m) waves from Octo- few east coast ports to have experienced a major storm ber through April. It has been estimated that over the surge in this century. The storm surge of September open waters along this coast maximum significant 21, 1938 hit New London as an apparent tidal bore (wall waves should reach 30 feet (9 m). The table below (ex- tracted from Marine Weather of Western Washington.
182 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Kenneth E. Lilly, Jr., Commander, NOAA, Starpath hazardous to vessels under 200 feet in length and pro- School of Navigation, 1983) shows the relationship be- vide a rough ride for larger ships. Waves moving into tween significant and other wave heights. shallow water become steeper and break when the (210) This table can be used to project a range of wave depth is about 1.3 times the wave height. Areas such as heights that might be expected in deep water. If signifi- Nantucket Shoal and Georges Shoals are dangerous in cant wave heights of 10 feet (3 m) are forecast then the heavy weather. Wave steepness is also increased by tidal most frequently observed waves should be 5- to 6-foot currents, particularly when they oppose the wind. (1.7 to 1.8 m) range while one wave in 100 should reach (214) Swells can create problems for larger vessels. 17 feet. About one-half of the waves of 10 feet (3 m) or more, in these waters, are swells from distant storms. They are Wave Heights from Significant Wave Heights (SWH) uncomfortable to ships that roll or pitch in sympathy. Swells with 500- to 1000-foot (152 to 305 m) wave Most frequent wave heights: 0.5 x SWH lengths affect ships of these lengths. When steaming into such swells a resonance is set up until the bow digs Average wave heights: 0.6 x SWH into the waves. The resulting pitch will cause more of a power loss than a roll caused by a sea. Swells with wave Significant wave heights (average height 1.0 x SWH lengths that range from about three-fourths to twice of highest 33%): the ship’s length can have this effect. Pitching is heavi- est when the ship’s speed produces synchronism be- Height of highest 10% of the waves: 1.3 x SWH tween the period of encounter and the ship’s natural pitching period–this often occurs at or near normal One wave in 1,175 waves: 1.9 x SWH ship speeds. (215) When in running before a following sea, the great- One wave in 300,000 waves: 2.5 x SWH est danger arises when speed is equal to that of the waves or when the waves overtake the ship so slowly (211) A giant or rogue wave might reach 25 feet (7.6 m) that an almost static situation is created with the vessel in these circumstances. These rogue or “killer” waves lying on the wave crest. In this latter case stability is so occur when the large number of different waves that reduced that a small vessel could capsize. Waves on the make up a sea occasionally reinforce each other. This quarter or astern can also result in very poor steering action creates a wave that is much steeper and higher quality. As seas move along the vessel from aft to for- than the surrounding waves. These rogue waves often ward the rudder is less effective and the boat may be occur in a stormy sea and are described by mariners slewed across the face of a sea filling the decks with wa- who have experienced them, as coming out of nowhere ter as she broaches. She could lose her stability and and disappearing just as quickly. If significant wave capsize, particularly if the boat is trimmed by the head. heights are observed at 20 feet (6.1 m) then a rogue wave could reach 50 feet (15.2 m) if the water depth Winds could support it. (216) Migratory weather systems cause winds that fre- (212) Rough sea conditions are usually generated by quently change in strength and direction. In general gales out of the northwest through northeast. Waves winds are generally westerly but often take on a north- greater than 8 feet (2.4 m) occur about 10 to 15 percent erly component in winter and a southerly one in sum- of the time in winter. From fall through spring, wave mer. Strongest winds are generated by lows and cold heights of more than 7 feet (2.1 m) frequently last one fronts in fall and winter and by fronts and thunder- day or more; in midwinter they often last 2 days or storms during spring and summer. Extreme winds are more. In addition to coastal storms, cold fronts with usually associated with a hurricane or severe north- rapidly shifting winds can create dangerous seas. easter and could reach 125 knots. Sustained winds of 100 knots should occur about every 50 years on the av- (213) Steep waves are often more dangerous than high erage; gusts are usually about 30 percent higher. waves with a gentle slope. Waves appear menacing (217) In the open seas, away from the influence of land, when the ratio of wave height to length reaches about winds are stronger and less complex. From December 1/18. They begin to break when this ratio is about 1/10. through March they are mainly out of the west through Steepest waves develop when strong winds first begin north with gales occurring about 6 to 12 percent of the to blow or early in a storm’s life. The ship no longer time. Windspeeds, in general, increase with distance rides easily but is slammed. Steep waves are particu- from the coast. If winds persist for a long time over a larly dangerous to small craft. When wave heights are long fetch they will generate rough seas. Winter greater than 5 feet, periods of less than 6 seconds can create problems for boats under 100 feet in length. Waves of 10 feet or more with periods of 6 to 10 seconds can affect comfort in 100- to 200-foot (30.5 to 61 m) vessels. When wind waves reach 20 feet they become
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 183 windspeeds of 20 knots or more persist for more than (223) The areas along the coast, at the heads of bays 12 hours about 50 percent of the time; however these within the rivers, may be comparatively clear while fog winds often shift and a new fetch is established. Sum- is very thick outside. The frequency of fog over land and mer winds are usually out of the south through south- water is usually in opposition. Land fog is often most west and gales are infrequent. During the spring and frequent in fall and winter compared to the spring and fall winds are more variable. summer maximum of sea fog. Consequently figures for (218) Coastal winds are complex since they are influ- poor visibility at inland or sheltered harbors are no enced by the topography. Over land speeds are reduced. guide to conditions at sea or in the approaches. However channels and headlands can redirect the wind and even increase the speed by funneling the wind. In Superstructure Icing general you will find southerly components in summer (224) Heavy winter weather can cause ice to collect on and northerly ones in winter. In sheltered waters like Buzzard Bay, Narragansett Bay and the harbors of Long ships sailing these waters. At its worst superstructure Island Sound there are a large percentage of calms, par- icing can sink a vessel. When air temperature drops be- ticularly during the morning hours. When the existing low the freezing point of sea water (About 28.6°F) circulation is weak and there is a difference between strong winds and rough seas will cause large amounts land and water temperature, a land-sea breeze circula- of sea spray to freeze to the superstructure and those tion may be set up. As the land heats faster than the wa- parts of the hull that escape a frequent washing by the ter, a sea breeze is established during the day; this sea. Ice amounts increase rapidly with falling air and onshore flow may reach 15 knots or more. At night the sea temperatures as well as increasing windspeeds. The land cools more rapidly often resulting in a weak most dangerous conditions exist when gales last for breeze off the land. In many locations the sea breeze several days in temperatures of 28°F or lower. The ice serves to reinforce the prevailing summer wind. buildup on a trawler can exceed 5 tons per hour. (225) A moderate rate of ice accumulation usually occurs Visibilities when air temperatures are equal to or less than 28°F (219) Fog, precipitation, smoke and haze all reduce with winds of 13 knots or more. When air temperatures drop to 16°F or below and winds reach 30 knots or visibilities. Fog is the most restrictive and persistent. It greater, ice collects more rapidly. On a 300- to 500-ton forms when warm, moist air moves across colder water, vessel it would accumulate at more than 4 tons per when very cold air moves over warmer water, or when hour and is called severe. December, January and Feb- moist air is cooled to near its dew point by radiation or ruary are the worst months. The potential for moderate rainfall. These conditions can be triggered by a number icing exists about 5 to 10 percent of the time. of weather situations. (226) In addition to sea spray, ice is also caused by freez- (220) Prior to the arrival of a cold front there is often a ing rain or drizzle and fog in freezing conditions. While warm, southerly flow of air across cool Gulf waters re- these two causes could create enough weight on the sulting in dense fog. Warm or stationary fronts can also rigging to cause it to fall, this is minor in comparison bring fog while rainfall from lows and fronts can create with the freezing spray hazard. Icing on the super- an evaporation fog. Along the coast radiation fog is structure elevates the center of gravity, decreasing the common on clear, calm nights although it usually metacentric height. It increases the sail area and heel- burns off during the morning hours. In the spring, ing moment due to wind action. Its non-uniform distri- coastal fog may occur near the mouths of rivers and bution changes the trim. It can hamper steerability and streams that are fed by cold snowmelt. lower ship speed. Icing also creates hazardous deck (221) Sea temperatures increase, in general, from north conditions. to south, but the variation is usually only a few degrees (227) If you can’t avoid the weather conditions that cause over open water. Close to the coast, water temperatures icing, experience and research have helped develop are usually warmer in summer and colder in winter some guidelines. The first two courses of action when than offshore readings. Water temperatures in summer encountering potential icing conditions are to seek range from about 66° to 74°F (18.9 to 23.3°C) while in shelter from the sea and to steer towards warmer water. winter the range is from about 34° to 37°F (1.1 to 2.8°C). Once icing has begun it is prudent to slow down (222) Advection fog is most common in late spring and enough so that little or no spray is taken aboard. It is early summer when south and southwest winds bring also important to keep ice from building up by what- warm humid air over the still-cold Labrador Current. ever means are available. This includes crewmen using Near Georges Bank visibilities fall to less than 1 mile up tools or baseball bats to remove ice from the deck and to 30 percent of the time. While these frequencies drop superstructure. to the southwest, fog remains a problem in this season.
184 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (228) Any effort to control the rate of accumulation will temperature distribution may transform hilly coast- buy time. In general heaving to with the bow into the lines into impressive walls of lofty pinnacles. This phe- wind and sea as much as possible and varying the nomenon is known as Fata Morgana. On clear days, just course slightly to ensure a minimum symmetrical as the upper rim of the sun disappears below the hori- build up is a good rule. However, experiments have zon, green light is sometimes refracted from the solar shown that on a trawler with its stern to the wind, loss spectrum. This brief phenomenon is called the green of stability is only about one-half of that in the ahead flash. condition. When the wind is 30 degrees off the bow the (231) Floating ice crystals (cirriform clouds, light snow loss of stability is 50 percent greater than in the ahead flakes, ice fog, or drifting snow) may cause the refrac- condition. Also ice accumulates more rapidly on the tion of light into a variety of faintly colored arcs and ha- windward side causing a heeling into the wind. This los. This phenomenon, which may be recognized from listing is partially offset by the action of the wind so the fact that the red band is closest to the light source, that a shift to a reciprocal course after icing has built includes halos, arcs that open toward or away from the up could be disastrous. When ice builds up significantly sun, mock images, and various geometrical figures that it is important to remember that the removal of one may be located in various parts of the sky with refer- ton of ice 50 feet from the vessel’s center of gravity is as ences to the sun. effective as removing 10 tons of ice 5 feet above the cen- (232) Fogbows, resulting from refraction through sus- ter of gravity. pended water particles, are seen in the region of the sky directly opposite from the sun, or the antisolar point. Optical Phenomena These bows, although occasionally brilliantly colored, (229) Optical phenomena range from electromagnetic are normally seen as broad white bands with faintly col- ored borders. Rainbows are also observed. displays to intricate geometrical patterns. The aurora (233) When atmospheric particles are about equal in size and Saint Elmo’s fire are electromagnetic displays. to the wavelength of light, diffraction is likely to occur. Halos, coronas, parhelia, sun pillars, and related effects Diffractional phenomena frequently show properties are optical phenomena associated with the refraction similar to those of refraction except for the reversal in and diffraction of light through suspended cloud parti- the spectrum colors, violet now being closest to the cles; mirages, looming, and twilight phenomena such source of light. The Brocken bow, or glory, appears on as the “green flash” are associated with refraction of clouds or fog banks as a colored ring around the pro- light through air of varying density. Occasionally, sun- jected shadow of the observers head. The solar and lu- light is refracted simultaneously by cloud suspensions nar coronas, which are observed only through high and by dense layers of air producing complex symmet- clouds, resemble the halo except that they may assume ric patterns of light around the sun. A mirage is caused increasingly larger diameters as the size of the particles by refraction of light rays in a layer of air whose density decrease. When the light from the sun or the moon is increases or decreases rapidly, near the surface. A diffracted by cirrus or cirrostratus, iridescence may marked decrease in density with increasing altitude sharply delineate the outline of clouds in brilliant causes looming, towering, and superior mirages. green, blue, pink, orange, or purple. Looming occurs when objects appear to rise above (234) Refraction of sunlight takes place whenever the in- their true elevation. Objects below the horizon may ac- tervening particles are larger than the wavelength. tually be brought into view. This apparent effect often Thus, sunlight that is reflected from ice crystals is leads to a serious underestimation of horizontal dis- transformed into sun pillars and parhelic circles. When tances. Unimpressive landmarks, and distant ships may both phenomena occur in combination they form the acquire startling characteristics through apparent ver- remarkable sun cross. Paricelenci circles are observed tical stretching; this phenomenon is known as tower- with moonlight. ing. A superior mirage is so named because of the (235) The auroral borealis (northern lights) and St. appearance of an image above the actual object. Ships Elmo’s fire are two types of electrical phenomena have been seen with an inverted image above and an sometimes observed in this region. The zone of maxi- upright image floating above that. mum auroral frequency extends along the periphery of (230) Inferior mirages result from the upward bending of a 20- to 25- degree circle whose center is at the mag- light rays in an unstable air mass. This phenomenon is netic pole. Auroras are generally associated with observed locally whenever a superheated land mass or a moonless nights. An artificial maximum exists in win- wide expanse of open water is overrun by cold air. ter because of the longer hours of darkness. No conclu- Sinking below the horizon, of relatively close objects, sive evidence is available to show that a seasonal may result in an overestimation of horizontal dis- variation in the frequency of auroras exists. However, tances. Occasionally, a complicated vertical
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 185 periods of intense sunspot activity are reflected in a moisture from the hold and the ventilation process can maximum occurrence of this electrical phenomenon. be safely started. Whenever the reverse is true, and the (236) Generally auroras may be classified as having ei- outside dew point is higher than the dew point temper- ther a ray structure (rays, streams, draperies, corona) ature around the cargo, then ventilation will increase or a nebulous appearance (homogeneous quiet arc, ho- the moisture content of the hold and may readily result mogeneous band, pulsating arcs, pulsating surfaces, in sweating within the ship. The above does not take diffuse luminous surfaces, and feeble glow). Flaming into account possible fumes or gases in the compart- auroras, which fall in neither category, may be added to ment. In such cases discretion must be used. this list. Moreover, auroras may remain uniformly red, green, or purple, or assume a rapid succession of these Ice colors. Brilliant shifting auroras are invariably accom- (241) (Refer to discussion under ports affected.) panied by magnetic storms and electrical interference (242) During some winter months or when threatened with communications. (237) St. Elmo’s fire is occasionally observed in this area, by icing conditions, lighted buoys may be removed but because of its faintness it is most commonly ob- from station or replaced by unlighted buoys; unlighted served during the night hours and on dark overcast buoys, daybeacons and lights on marine sites also may days. These eerie flickers of bluish light are usually be removed. (See Light List.) caused by the unusual electrification of the snow-filled (243) The International Ice Patrol (IIP) was formed in air, which is most likely when the wind is strong. St. 1914 to patrol the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, to Elmo’s fire is restricted to the tips of such objects as detect icebergs, and to warn mariners of their location. ship masts, wind vanes, and airplane wings. Under the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Conven- tion, 17 member-nations agree to share the $5 million Dew Point annual cost of operating the patrol. The U.S. Coast (238) The temperature at which condensation to water Guard conducts the patrol and maintains IIP records. (244) The IIP is coordinated from its operations center at droplets occurs is called the dew point. If this dew point Groton, Connecticut. Its staff numbers 16, including is above freezing, condensation will be in the form of Coast Guard and civil service specialists. The ice season water. When the dew point reaches freezing, ice crys- typically runs from February through July, but can last tals will be deposited on cold surfaces. Knowledge of longer. Flying out of St. John's, Newfoundland, USCG the dew point along with cargo temperature and mois- aircraft cover the ice danger area, a piece of water twice ture content is vital for hold ventilation decisions. It is the size of the State of Texas. Its southern boundary is also a parameter used in forecasting fog formation. the latitude of New York City and it reaches halfway across the Atlantic with Newfoundland on the north- Cargo Care west and Greenland and Iceland on its north and north- (239) When free air has a dew point temperature higher east. A normal flight lasts seven hours and can cover 35,000 square miles. than the temperature of the surface with which it co- (245) Once sighted, a berg's location, size and shape are mes in contact, the air is often cooled sufficiently below entered into a computer drift model, used until the its dew point to release moisture. When this happens berg is re-sighted or melts. The IIP attempts to locate on board ship, condensation will take place on rela- and track all icebergs south of the 50th parallel, and tively cold cargo or on the ship’s structure within the particularly those south of 48°N., which may be haz- hold where it later drips onto the cargo. Thus, if cargo ardous to navigation near the Grand Banks. When is stowed in a cool climate and the vessel sails into sighting data is entered into the drift program, pre- warmer waters, ventilation of the hold with outside air dicted positions of bergs are calculated for 1200 UTC. will likely lead to sweat damage in any cargo sensitive All shipping is requested to assist the IIP by reporting to moisture. Under such conditions external ventila- all sightings of ice at once to the IIP through any U.S. tion should, as a rule, be closed off entirely, unless the or Canadian Coast Guard communications station. Ice cargo generates internal heat, that hazard being sightings reports should include: precise position, size greater than sweat damage. In the opposite case, when and shape of berg, sea surface temperature, and con- a vessel is loaded during a warm period, and moves into centration and thickness of sea ice. Reports can be sent cooler weather, vulnerable cargo should be ventilated. to COMINTICEPAT GROTON CT through INMARSAT- (240) A safe rule for ventilation directed toward moisture C: Code 42. There is no charge for iceberg reports made control may be stated as follows: Whenever accurate using Code 42. measurements show the outside air has a dew point be- low the dew point of the air surrounding the cargo to be protected, such outside air is capable of removing
186 ■ Chapter 3 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (246) The IIP Operations Center can be reached by tele- Pilotage phone at 860-441-2626, or via the Coast Guard Atlantic (252) Pilotage, with few minor exceptions, is compulsory Area Operations Center at 757-398-6231. for all foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register (247) A radio facsimile chart of the area depicting 1200Z entering and departing the Port of New York and New ice distribution is broadcast three times daily. A list of Jersey and other ports within the area of this Coast Pi- the radio stations broadcasting IIP Bulletins and fre- lot, and for all such vessels transiting Block Island quencies and times of broadcasts is published annually Sound, Narragansett Bay, and Long Island Sound. (See in Local Notices to Mariners of the First Coast Guard 207.20, chapter 2, for Pilotage Regulations on the District and in Radio Navigational Aids, Pub. 117, is- Cape Cod Canal.) sued by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. (253) Pilotage is optional for coastwise vessels that have on board a pilot properly licensed by the Federal Gov- (248) The IIP seeks comment on its services to mariners, ernment for the waters which the vessel travels. particularly on the effectiveness of the times and fre- (254) Arrangements for pilots should be made by the quencies of radio transmissions. Mariners are re- ships’ agents at least 24 hours in advance at all of the quested to mail facsimile charts received at sea to: ports. New York is the only port at which the pilot boat remains on station. Detailed information on pilotage (249) International Ice Patrol, 1082 Shennecossett Road, procedures is given in the text for the ports concerned. Groton, CT 06340-6095. The frequency used, time of receipt, and vessel position at time of receipt should be Towage indicated. Additional customer comments can be di- (255) Tugs are available at all major ports; they can usu- rected to IIP Customer Service at 877-423-7287. ally be obtained for the smaller ports on advance notice SIZES OF ICEBERGS if none are available locally. Arrangements for tugs should be made in advance through ships’ agents or the SIZE HEIGHT LENGTH pilots. (See the text for the ports concerned as to the availability of tugs.) Growler (feet) (meters) (feet) (meters) Vessel Arrival Inspections Small (G) 0-3 0-1 0-19 0-5 (256) Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricul- Medium (S) 4-50 1-15 20-200 6-60 tural quarantine officials are stationed in most major Large U.S. ports. (See Appendix A for addresses.) Vessels sub- (M) 51-150 16-45 201-400 61-122 ject to such inspections generally make arrangements in advance through ships’ agents. Unless otherwise di- (L) 151+ 46+ 401+ 123+ rected, officials usually board vessels at their berths. (257) Harbormasters where appointed are mentioned in SHAPE TYPES OF ICEBERGS the text. They usually have charge of the anchorage and Blocky berthage of vessels. Tilted Blocky DESCRIPTION Supplies Drydock Steep sides with flat top. Very solid. (258) General supplies, including fuel oil, diesel oil and Pinnacled Length-height ratio less than 5:1. Dome fuel, gasoline, water, and marine supplies are available Tabular Blocky iceberg which has tilted to present at the principal ports. Similar items but in more lim- a triangular shape from the side. ited quantities can be obtained at many places men- tioned under descriptions of the different ports. Eroded such that a large U-shaped slot is formed with twin columns. Slot extends into or near waterline. Large central spiral or pyramid. Large round smooth top. Solid-type ice- berg. Flat-topped iceberg with length-height ratio greater than 5:1. Principal Ports Repairs-salvage-wrecking (250) The principal deep-draft commercial ports within (259) Complete facilities for large vessels are available in the area of this Coast Pilot are: New Bedford and Fall New York Harbor. The extent and types of facilities at River, Mass.; Tiverton and Providence, R.I.; New Lon- other places are shown in the text under the descrip- don and Bridgeport, Conn.; New York, Albany and Port tion of the ports. Jefferson, N.Y.; and Elizabeth and Newark, N.J. (251) Other deep-draft facilities are located on Cape Cod Small-craft facilities Canal; Narragansett Bay; off Northville and Northport, (260) There are numerous places where fuel, supplies, N.Y., on Long Island Sound; and on the Hudson River between New York City and Albany, N.Y. repairs, slips for dockage, and launching ramps are available for small craft. For the various towns and
Cape Cod To Sandy Hook ■ Chapter 3 ■ 187 isolated places, the Coast Pilot includes generalized in- Monday in May; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, formation about marine facilities; details are given in first Monday in September; Columbus Day, second the series of small-craft charts published for many Monday in October; Veterans Day, November 11; places. Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; and (261) A vessel of less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) in Christmas Day, December 25. The national holidays are length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage observed by employees of the Federal Government and of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a nar- the District of Columbia, and may not be observed by row channel or fairway. (Navigation Rules, Interna- all the States in every case. tional-Inland Rule 9(b)). (265) In addition, the following holidays are also ob- served in the States covered by this Coast Pilot: Standard Time (266) Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12: Connecticut, New (262) The area covered by this Coast Pilot uses eastern Jersey, and New York. (267) Evacuation Day, March 17: Massachusetts, Boston standard time (e.s.t.), which is 5 hours slow of Green- and Suffolk County only. wich mean time (G.m.t.). Example: When it is 1000 at (268) Good Friday: Connecticut and New Jersey. Greenwich it is 0500 at New York City. (269) Patriots Day, third Monday in April: Massachusetts. (270) Rhode Island Independence Day, May 4: Rhode Is- Daylight saving time land. (263) Throughout the area of this Coast Pilot, clocks are (271) Bunker Hill Day, June 17: Massachusetts, Boston and Suffolk County only. advanced 1 hour on the second Sunday of March and (272) Victory Day, second Monday in August: Rhode Is- are set back to standard time on the first Sunday of No- land. vember. (273) General Election Day, first Tuesday after the first Monday in November: New Jersey, New York, and Legal public holidays Rhode Island. (264) New Year’s Day, January 1; Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, third Monday in January; Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February; Memorial Day, last
188 ■ Chapter 4 ■ Coast Pilot 2
Outer Cape Cod and Nantucket Sound ■ Chapter 4 ■ 189 Outer Cape Cod and Nantucket Sound (1) This chapter describes the outer shore of Cape Cod North Atlantic Right Whales and Nantucket Sound including Nantucket Island and (5) Federally designated critical habitat for the endan- the southern and eastern shores of Martha’s Vineyard. Also described are Nantucket Harbor, Edgartown Har- gered North Atlantic right whale lies within Cape Cod bor, and the other numerous fishing and yachting cen- Bay (See 50 CFR 226.101 and 226.203, chapter 2, for ters along the southern shore of Cape Cod bordering habitat boundary). A Recommend two-way Whale Nantucket Sound. Avoidance Routes and a Recommended two-way Whale Avoidance Track have been charted within Cape Cod COLREGS Demarcation Lines Bay to reduce interactions between vessels and right (2) The lines established for this part of the coast are whales. When right whales are present in Cape Cod Bay (peak season: January through May), NOAA recom- described in 80.135 and 80.145, chapter 2. mends that mariners use these routes and reduces transit speed to 10 knots or less, when consistent with Chart 13246 safe navigation. (See North Atlantic Right Whales, in- dex as such in chapter 3, for more information on right (3) Cape Cod is a long peninsula forming the easterly whales and recommended measures to avoid collisions extremity of Massachusetts. It makes out from the with whales.) Caution: Full bottom coverage surveys mainland in an easterly direction for 31 miles, then ex- have not been conducted within the entire route nor tends northward for over 20 miles. This cape forms the along the entire track, so uncharted dangers may exist. southern and eastern shores of Cape Cod Bay, the northern shore of Nantucket Sound, and the eastern Chart 13249 shore of Buzzards Bay. The northern trend of Cape Cod, forming what is sometimes called the Hook of the (6) Provincetown Harbor, formed by a turn in the Cape, is known as the Lower Cape. This section is well northern end of the hook of Cape Cod, has a diameter of settled and composed almost entirely of sandy lands, about 2 miles. It is one of the best harbors on the Atlan- with high bare sand dunes and low nearly level plains. tic Coast, having a sizable anchorage area in depths of The portion of Cape Cod between Chatham and Cape 12 to 57 feet with excellent holding ground. Coasters Cod Canal is known as the Upper Cape. This region is and fishermen find protection here in gales from any wooded and is well settled by numerous towns and vil- direction. lages. (7) The historical town of Provincetown, on the north- Tides and Currents western side of the harbor, is at the site of the first land- (4) The tidal current velocities between Race Point and ing of the MAYFLOWER in the new world. Supplies and hull repair facilities are available in Provincetown. En- Highland Light are very strong, but diminish to less gine repairs are available by arrangement. than 1 knot between Highland Light and Chatham Light. Strengths of flood and ebb set northward and (8) The approach and entrance to the harbor are free of southward, respectively, along the coast. The time of dangers and are marked by three lights and by Pilgrim current changes rapidly, the strength of flood or ebb Monument, a slim stone structure 348 feet above the occurring about 2 hours later off Nauset Beach Light water; two standpipes are about 0.2 mile westward and than off Chatham Light. a steel tank is 1.5 miles northeastward of the monu- ment. A 2,500-foot stone breakwater is about 300 yards southeastward of the end of the town pier (MacMillan Wharf). The breakwater extends northeastward from a point in 42°02'45\"N., 70°10'55\"W., approximately parallel
190 ■ Chapter 4 ■ Coast Pilot 2 to the shoreline. The east and west ends of the breakwa- bare sand dunes of various heights. The sand dunes be- ter are each marked by a light. Strangers should exer- gin to be covered with a brownish-looking growth of cise caution when operating in the area. Numerous grass, and the land is higher as the Highlands are ap- fishing vessels work out of Provincetown during the proached. The water shoals somewhat abruptly within year. During the summer, floats are set out that are ca- 0.5 mile of the shore and care must be taken not to go pable of mooring vessels up to 40 feet. Larger vessels inside the 10-fathom curve. must tie up at permanent piers. Anchorage inside the (18) Highland Light (42°02'22\"N., 70°03'39\"W.), 170 breakwater is reported to be fair to poor, mud bottom feet above the water, is shown from a 66-foot white with much debris. The marina close southwest of tower with covered way to the dwelling on a high bluff MacMillan Wharf maintains 40 mooring buoys on the of the Highlands. west side of the harbor. (9) All moorings and berthing in the harbor are under Prominent objects the control of the harbormaster, who has an office at (19) Prominent objects include a stone crenellated the end of the town pier. The harbormaster monitors VHF-FM channel 16, 24 hours a day. tower, a red brick stack, and three spherical radar (10) The Captain of the Port, Boston, has established a domes on the summit of a ridge, 0.5 mile south of fairway 100 yards wide extending from 42°02'00\"N., Highland Light. 70°09'35\"W. to 42°02'43\"N., 70°11'01\"W., and in the (20) The shore southward from the Highlands for 12 area extending about 100 yards around the piers in miles to Nauset Beach Light has a slight curve. The ter- Provincetown Harbor. Anchorage is prohibited in this rain continues hilly with narrow valleys at intervals. fairway. From Highland Light to near the Chatham entrance (11) Provincetown Coast Guard Station is about 0.4 the water continues to shoal abruptly within 0.5 mile of mile southwest of the town pier. the shore. (12) The finger pier northeastward of the Coast Guard (21) Two spires at Truro, 2.5 miles south of Highland pier is in ruins. Mariners should exercise caution while Light, are prominent. A tank stands out near the shore navigating in the area. about 9 miles south-southeastward of Highland Light (13) Cape Cod Canal is described in chapter 5. Com- in South Wellfleet. plete information about the harbors and ports in Cape (22) Nauset Beach Light (41°51'36\"N., 69°57'12\"W.), Cod Bay is contained in United States Coast Pilot 1, 114 feet above the water, is shown from a 48-foot coni- Atlantic Coast, Eastport to Cape Cod. cal tower, the upper part red and the lower part white, on the beach at Eastham. The buildings of a former Charts 13249, 13246 Coast Guard station, about 1 mile south of the light, are conspicuous. (14) Between Wood End (42°01.2'N., 70°11.3'W.) and (23) The coast from Nauset Beach Light turns gradually Race Point, the westernmost point of Cape Cod, shoals southward to Chatham, a distance of 11 miles, and be- that rise abruptly from deep water extend a maximum comes lower and less steep. The terrain slopes gently of about 0.6 mile from shore. Race Point Light back from the beach and is covered with a scanty (42°03'45\"N., 70°14'35\"W.), 41 feet above the water, is growth of grass. shown from a white tower on the northwest point of (24) Nauset Harbor, 3.3 miles south of Nauset Beach Cape Cod. Light, is used by small local craft. The area offshore of the harbor is a chain of shifting sandbars. Breakers are (15) Peaked Hill Bar includes shoals with a least depth present in this vicinity at all stages of the tide and even of 10 feet about 3.5 miles northeast of Race Point Light. during the calmest weather. The area is extremely dan- gerous for any vessel larger than a runabout or for any- (16) The bar is about 0.6 mile offshore and extends for one without local knowledge. Strangers should never about 4 miles paralleling the coastline. This area attempt to enter. A cluster of houses is on Nauset should be given a berth of at least 2 miles. Keeping in a Heights south of the entrance, where the ground is depth of 20 fathoms will ensure passing 2.5 to 3 miles somewhat higher than the land just northward. off the eastern side of Cape Cod. (25) The harbor has three arms extending northward into Nauset Bay, northwestward into Salt Pond Bay Chart 13246 and Salt Pond, and westward into Town Cove which is about 2 miles long in a southwesterly direction. Private (17) From Race Point, the shore of Cape Cod curves seasonal buoys mark the channel from the entrance to northeastward, eastward, and then southeastward for Town Cove. A marina is on the west bank about 0.5 mile about 9 miles to the Highlands, and is composed of from the head of the cove. Gasoline, water, moorings,
Outer Cape Cod and Nantucket Sound ■ Chapter 4 ■ 191 berths, marine supplies, and a concrete ramp are avail- shoals which extends southwestward to Monomoy Is- able. Craft to 25 feet can be handled for hull or engine land. There is no marked channel through the shoals. repairs, or dry open or covered storage. In August 1981, Small vessels with local knowledge use the area with a depths of 4 feet were reported alongside the service smooth sea; strangers should avoid the area. These dock. shoals are dangerous in thick weather and vessels in (26) The outer coast is eroding from east of North Chat- the vicinity should stay in depths of 8 fathoms or more. ham northward for about 3 miles. Waves wash across (31) The passage inside the barrier beach from Chat- the beach barrier into the sound in several places at ham Light to the head of navigation in Orleans, on the high water. A conspicuous standpipe with a red and west side of Meeting House Pond, is about 7.9 miles white checkered band around the top is about 0.6 mile long and used by small-craft. The passage, marked by southward of Chatham Port. private, seasonal buoys, leads northerly from the break through Chatham Harbor, Pleasant Bay, The Narrows, Charts 13248, 13246 Little Pleasant Bay, and The River to Meeting House Pond. The channel requires local knowledge. (27) Chatham, about 11.5 miles southward of Nauset Small-craft facility Beach Light, is on fairly high ground on the west side of (32) A small-craft facility is in a protected basin in the Chatham Harbor. Chatham Light (41°40'17\"N., 69°57'01\"W.), 80 feet above the water, is shown from a cove between Morris Island and the mainland, about white conical tower on the west side of the harbor. 0.5 mile south of Chatham Light. In 1992 it was re- Chatham Coast Guard Station is near Chatham Light. ported this facility could not be reached from Chatham Harbor due to severe shoaling south of Chatham Light. (28) Several spires and a tall stack at Chatham are The facility can reportedly be reached from Chatham prominent. Roads by way of a channel south of Morris Island (see chart 13229). Berths, gasoline, water, ice, marine sup- (29) In January 1987, a break occurred in Nauset plies, launching ramp, and storage facilities are avail- Beach, the barrier beach protecting Chatham Harbor, able. A hydraulic trailer can handle craft to 45 feet for creating a new inlet into the harbor east of Chatham hull and engine repairs. In June 1992, depths to 2 feet Light. This break is now the only entrance into Chat- were reported in the basin. ham Harbor. The break is used by small local fishing and pleasure craft with a smooth sea. The break is un- (33) A boat basin is in Aunt Lydias Cove between Tern marked, extremely dangerous, and should be avoided Island and Chatham. In June 2006, the controlling by those without local knowledge. The Coast Guard has depth of the channel was 4.2 feet, thence 4.2 to 8 feet in established a rough bar advisory light, 62 feet above the the basin with lesser depths along the east side. Condi- water, on a skeleton tower near Chatham Light in tions are rapidly changing. A fish pier is in the basin. about 41°40'17.4\"N., 69°57'00.1\"W. to promote safety Commercial fishing boats operate from the cove. The for small-boat operators. The light has a dayboard harbormaster can be contacted on VHF-FM channel which is diamond-shaped, painted white with an inter- 16. national orange border, and with the words “Rough Bar” in black letters. The light, when activated, is flash- (34) Bassing Harbor, at the north end of Chatham Har- ing yellow. The light will be activated when the seas ex- bor, is the entrance to Ryder Cove and Crows Pond. A ceed 2 feet in height and are considered hazardous for small-craft facility is on the south side of Ryder Cove, small boats. Small-boat operators are cautioned, how- about 0.5 mile inside the entrance. A town launching ever, that if the light is not flashing it is no guarantee ramp is close westward of the facility. Private seasonal that sea conditions are favorable. Currents are ex- aids mark the channel from Chatham Harbor to the tremely strong and dangerous surf can build up quickly town ramp. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the cove. on the outer bar with an ebb current. Shoals are con- A forklift at the facility can haul out craft to 25 feet. stantly shifting near the break and extreme caution is Gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, moorings, and advised. Ocean waves carry into the harbor and report- storage facilities are available; hull and engine repairs edly break as far north as Tern Island. Anchoring and can be made. In August 1981, a reported depth of 3 feet even mooring in much of Chatham Harbor is not rec- could be carried to the small-craft facility. ommended. Mariners unfamiliar with the area are ad- vised to stay east of Chatham Beach Lighted Whistle (35) Nickersons Neck, on the north side of Crows Pond Buoy C (41°39'12\"N., 69°55'30\"W.). and the south side of Pleasant Bay, has a country club on the north side. (30) About 2.7 miles south of Chatham Light, at what used to be the end of Nauset Beach, is a large area of (36) Round Cove, at the southwest end of Pleasant Bay has a town wharf and launching ramp. A combination
192 ■ Chapter 4 ■ Coast Pilot 2 antenna and flagpole on the west bank of the cove is navigational aids are colored and numbered for passing conspicuous. through the sound from the eastward. (37) The Narrows is a passage between Sipson Island (43) Monomoy and Nantucket Shoals are eastward and and the mainland and connects Pleasant Bay with Lit- southeastward of the eastern entrance to Nantucket tle Pleasant Bay. The passage is marked by private sea- Sound. Owing to the great extent and distance offshore sonal buoys. of some parts of these shoals, and the strong and baf- (38) Little Pleasant Bay extends about 1.5 miles north- fling tidal currents which set over them, their naviga- ward to Barley Neck. A launching ramp is on the west tion in thick or foggy weather is hazardous. In clear bank of the entrance to Paw Wah Pond on the south weather the lights and buoys render navigation of the side of Namequoit Point. two principal channels, Pollock Rip and Great Round (39) Namequoit River leads westward from the head of Shoal, comparatively easy. For the purpose of descrip- Little Pleasant Bay to Areys Pond. In August 1981, tion Great Round Shoal Channel will be considered as depths of 2 feet were reported in Namequoit River, and the dividing line between Monomoy and Nantucket the channel into the pond had depths of 3 feet. A Shoals. small-craft facility on the north side of the pond has a (44) Numerous fishtraps are located in Nantucket 50-foot marine railway, a 2-ton crane, moorings, water, Sound, particularly along the southern shore of Cape marine supplies, a launching ramp, and storage facili- Cod. These areas may be marked by private lights. ties; hull, rigging, and sail repairs can be made. (40) An arm, known as The River, extends northward Chart 13244 from the entrance to Namequoit River for about 1 mile to Meeting House Pond. Private seasonal buoys par- (45) Monomoy Shoals consist of numerous detached tially mark the channel from The River to the pond. A shoals extending about 5.5 miles in an easterly direc- town landing and launching ramp are on the north side tion and 9.5 miles in a southeasterly direction from of the channel leading to the pond. A small-craft facility Monomoy Point, the northeast entrance point of is on the north side of the pond. In August 1981, depths Nantucket Sound. Narrow sloughs separate the many of 4 feet were reported in the channel to the pond. A hy- parts of the shoals. It should be remembered that the draulic trailer at the facility can handle craft to 50 feet. shoals are shifting in character and are subject to Berths and moorings in depths of 6 to 10 feet, gasoline, change in location and depth. water, ice, a launching ramp, and storage facilities are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. A town (46) A dangerous wreck, reported covered 15 feet, is off ramp is on the east side of the pond southeastward of Monomoy Island in about 41°35'07\"N., 69°57'41\"W. the small-craft facility. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while navigating in the area. Chart 13237 (47) Bearse Shoal and Pollock Rip, extending about 5 (41) Nantucket Sound is between the south coast of miles eastward of Monomoy Point, are a series of sand Cape Cod on the north, Nantucket Island and part of shoals and ridges with little water over them in places. Martha’s Vineyard on the south, and joins Vineyard Pollock Rip Channel is between the shoals. Sound on the west to provide an inside passage. Nantucket Sound has a length of about 23 miles in an (48) Broken Part of Pollock Rip, covered 10 to 18 feet, east-west direction and a width of 6 to 22 miles. At the is eastward of Pollock Rip. eastern entrance and within the sound are numerous shoals. Between these shoals are well-marked channels (49) Stone Horse Shoal, Little Round Shoal, and Great making the navigation of these waters comparatively Round Shoal are portions of a continuous series of easy for powered vessels and also sailing vessels with a sand shoals and ridges covered 4 to 18 feet. These fair wind. The shoals at the eastern entrance are sub- shoals are directly eastward of the entrance to ject to considerable shifting while those inside are Nantucket Sound and between the two main channels. somewhat stable. Boulders are along the shores. Southward and eastward of these shoals are numerous shoal spots, including Orion Shoal, covered 16 to 19 (42) The channel through Nantucket Sound and Vine- feet. yard Sound has a controlling depth of about 30 feet and provides an inside passage for vessels of medium draft (50) Handkerchief Shoal, extending for 5 miles south- to avoid Nantucket Shoals. This route is used princi- westward from Monomoy Point, is covered 2 to 18 feet. pally by coastwise vessels and pleasure craft. The A spot that uncovers 2 feet is about 2.7 miles southwest of the point. On the northwest side the water shoals gradually and soundings will indicate an approach to danger, but on the southeast side the shoal rises abruptly from the deeper water. Handkerchief Shoal is
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