United States Coast Pilot 2 Atlantic Coast - Cape Cod, MA to Sandy Hook, NJ 2008

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 293 face, 30 feet along the south side, and 30 to 34 feet on about 3.3 miles southwestward of New London Ledge the north side. Light and marks the south end of Bartlett Reef. A fog (79) The U.S. Naval Submarine Base is on the east side signal is at the light. The reef, about 1.3 miles long in a of the Thames River about 2.5 miles above New Lon- general north-south direction and about 0.3 mile wide, don. is covered 2 to 12 feet and has rocks awash near its (80) A restricted area is off the U.S. Naval Submarine northern end. The north end of the reef is marked by a Base. (See 334.75, chapter 2, for limits and regula- buoy. A lighted bell buoy and an unlighted buoy are tions.) about 0.9 mile southward and about 0.3 mile eastward (81) Just below Gales Ferry, on the east side about 4 of the light, respectively. miles above the bridges, are the crew training quarters (89) A general anchorage is about 0.8 mile northeast- and boathouses of Harvard and Yale Universities. Oppo- ward of Bartlett Reef Light. (See 110.1 and 110.147 site Gales Ferry is the town of Bartlett, site of a promi- (a) (4), and (b), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) nent power plant with two tall and conspicuous stacks. (90) Twotree Island, small and bare, about 1.4 miles A privately dredged channel with depths of about 19 northwestward of Bartlett Reef Light, is surrounded by feet leads to the dock and coal tipple. shoals. A buoy marks rocks awash that extend off the (82) At Montville Station, just above Bartlett, is a dock northern end of the island. with a depth of 23 feet at the face. The northeast end of (91) Twotree Island Channel leads northward of Bart- the dock is in ruins. Overhead power cables with a lett Reef and Twotree Island. With an adverse current in clearance of 160 feet cross the river 0.5 mile above the the sound, this channel is used to some extent by light station near Kitemaug. tows and sailboats with a leading wind in the daytime, (83) Allyn Point, on the east side about 5 miles above as the tidal currents turn about 1 hour earlier along the New London, is the site of a large private pier for receiv- north shore than in the middle of the sound. About 0.3 ing liquid chemicals, with a reported depth of about 30 mile southwestward of Seaside, the tidal currents have feet alongside. It is marked by an elevated water sphere a velocity of 1.2 knots, and ebb 1.6 knots. Flood sets and several small tanks on the pier. westerly and the ebb easterly. The channel is buoyed, (84) Fort Point, on the east side 8 miles above New Lon- but strangers are advised to use it with caution and don, has a long fuel pier marked by privately main- should never attempt to beat through. tained red lights, and on shore is a building with (92) From Goshen Point (41°18.0'N., 72°06.8'W.) west- several stacks. Numerous piles are in the water south- ward, there are scattered boulders which extend off- ward of the pier. The fixed highway bridge crossing the shore as much as 0.2 mile in places. Jordan Cove, 1.5 river about 0.2 miles south of Fort Point has a clear- miles west of Goshen Point, is foul in its northerly half, ance of 75 feet. and the southerly part is obstructed by Flat Rock, bare (85) The red brick buildings of the Norwich State Hos- at low water and marked by a buoy, and High Rock, pital are on a bluff just north of Fort Point and are a which shows at high water and is marked by a buoy. conspicuous landmark. (93) Millstone Point, on the east side at the entrance of (86) At Thamesville, on the west side of the river about Niantic Bay, is occupied by the buildings of the Mill- 1 mile below Norwich, are two finger piers each with stone Nuclear Power Station. A 389-foot red and white breasting dolphins used to receive petroleum products stack at the station and a radio tower on the point are from barges. Depths of 20 to 25 feet are reported along- the most conspicuous landmarks in the area. A cove side the face of the piers. with depths of 9 to 15 feet is on the west side of the (87) Norwich, a city at the head of navigation on point. A rock with 1 foot over it lies 60 feet off the Thames River at its junction with Shetucket River and mouth of the cove. The station maintains channel Yantic River, is about 11 miles above New London. In markers and a range for occasional barge traffic. A 1981, waterborne commerce to Norwich consisted of pe- dredged area for the power station’s water intakes is 0.2 troleum products. Small boats generally anchor in mile northwest of the cove. Shetucket River just above the fixed bridges at Norwich, which have a minimum clearance of 11 feet. Charts 13211, 12372 Charts 13211, 13212, 12372 (94) White Rock is an islet on the east side of the en- trance to Niantic Bay 0.5 mile westward of Millstone (88) Bartlett Reef Light (41°16'28\"N., 72°08'14\"W.), 35 Point. Little Rock, two rocks partly bare at low water, is feet above the water and shown from a skeleton tower 150 yards east of White Rock. Rocks with a least depth with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark, is of 8 feet extend 0.25 mile northwest from Millstone

294 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Airphoto - Jim Wark Point. A rock, covered 14 feet, is about 300 yards bridge about 0.4 mile above the channel entrance, south-southeast of White Rock and is marked by a thence 5.4 feet at midchannel to the head of the chan- lighted bell buoy. nel. The channel is marked by daybeacons and seasonal (95) Niantic Bay, 4.5 miles westward of New London buoys. Two bridges cross the narrow passage at the en- Harbor, is a good anchorage sheltered from easterly, trance. The more southerly is the Amtrak bridge, with a northerly, and westerly winds. It is a harbor of refuge in 45-foot bascule span and a clearance of 11 feet; the northerly gales and can be used by small vessels and State Route 156 highway bridge, about 0.1 northward, tows. The general depth of the bay is about 19 feet; the has a bascule span with a clearance of 32 feet. (See water shoals gradually northward. The entrance is 1.5 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.215, chapter 2, for miles wide, and the dangers are marked by buoys or drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender at each show above water. bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call signs (96) Niantic and Crescent Beach are summer resorts KGA-511 and KXR-911, respectively. with railroad communication at the north end and (100) Strangers attempting to enter Niantic River are northwest side of the bay. cautioned to pass through the bridges either at slack (97) The Niantic Bay Yacht Club basin at Crescent water or against the current. Beach is protected on the south, east, and partially on (101) Above the head of the dredged channel, small craft the north side by a U-shaped breakwater; a private sea- can navigate for about another 1.5 miles to Golden sonal light is near the outer end of the breakwater. Spur (East Lyme) with local knowledge. The river (98) A special anchorage is on the west side of Niantic from westward of Sandy Point to the stone bulkhead at Bay off Crescent Beach. (See 110.1 and 110.53, chap- Golden Spur is deep and clear; vessels generally follow ter 2, for limits and regulations.) the west bank. Pine Grove, Sandy Point, and Saunders (99) Niantic River empties into the northeast end of Point are summer resorts on Niantic River. Niantic Bay and is entered through a dredged channel that leads from the bay, thence through a narrow pas- Tides and currents sage at the entrance, and thence to a point about 300 (102) The mean range of tide is about 2.7 feet in Niantic yards northward of the entrance to Smith Cove. In 2004-February 2006, the controlling depths were 4.6 Bay. feet (7.9 feet at midchannel) to the highway bascule (103) The tidal currents through the bridges set fair with the channel; the flood velocity is 1.6 knots and the ebb

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 295 velocity, 0.8 knot. It has been reported that much Anchorage greater velocities may be expected under storm and (111) A special anchorage is east of Giants Neck. (See freshet conditions. (See Tidal Current Tables for pre- dictions.) Current directions and velocities for the en- 110.1 and 110.54, chapter 2, for limits and regula- trance to the Niantic River for each hour of the tidal tions.) An unmarked rock is within the anchorage area, cycle are shown on the Tidal Current Charts, Block Is- about 0.1 mile south of Giants Neck; depth over the land Sound and Eastern Long Island Sound. rock is not known. (104) Ice generally closes the river to navigation for (112) Hatchett Point has several large dwellings. A reef about 3 months during the winter. extends about 0.2 mile off the southwest side of the point. (105) Smith Cove is on the west side of Niantic River about 1.5 miles above the channel entrance. A channel, (113) Hatchett Reef, 0.6 to 1 mile south-southwestward marked by private daybeacons, leads westward from the of Hatchett Point, has a least depth of 5 feet and is river channel into the cove. In February 1999, the marked by buoys. Close to the southeast side of the reef channel had a reported depth of 5 feet. the depths are 30 to 48 feet. A bar with 10 to 16 feet over it extends westward from Hatchett Reef to Saybrook Bar. Small-craft facilities Charts 12375, 12377, 12378, 12372 (106) There are several small-craft facilities just above (114) Connecticut River rises in the extreme northern the entrance at Niantic and Waterford, on the west side part of New Hampshire, near the Canadian border, and and east side of Niantic River, respectively, and in flows southerly between the States of Vermont and New Smith Cove. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation Hampshire and across Massachusetts and Connecticut on chart 12372 for services and supplies available.) to Long Island Sound. It is approximately 375 miles long and is one of the largest and most important rivers in (107) Harbormasters are at Niantic and Waterford. A 6 New England. The head of commercial navigation is at mph speed limit is enforced on the river. Hartford, about 45 miles from the mouth. Waterborne commerce on the river is mostly in petroleum products (108) Black Point, on the west side at the entrance to and chemicals. Niantic Bay, is flat with bluffs at the water and is occu- pied by many summer cottages. Broken ground with a (115) The river water is fresh at and above Deep River. least found depth of 20 feet extends 0.6 mile south of Each year after the spring freshets, shoals with least the southwest side of the point. depths of 10 feet are found in places on bars in the up- per river; dredging to remove such shoals is begun as (109) The bight between Black Point and Hatchet Point, soon as the water subsides. about 2.3 miles to the westward, has many rocks show- ing above high water. Griswold Island, on the north- (116) Between the entrance and Middletown the river east side of the bight, is high and prominent. Rocks banks are hard and in some places rocky, but between extend 0.35 mile southward and 0.2 mile southwest- Middletown and Hartford the river flows through allu- ward of the island. The southwest rocks are marked by a vial bottom land, where freshets and ice jams may buoy. South Brother, in the center, and North Brother, cause shoaling. in the northwestern part of the bight, are prominent bare rocks. A rock, covered 6 feet, is 250 yards off the Channels west side of Black Point. Blackboys, two rocks awash (117) A Federal project for Connecticut River provides are 0.4 mile southward of Griswold Island. A rock, cov- ered 3 feet and marked by a buoy, is about 0.2 mile for a 15-foot jettied entrance channel and 15-foot southward of Blackboys. Johns Rock, covered 5 feet, is dredged cuts across the bars to Hartford, 45 miles 0.3 mile off the northwest side of the bight, about 0.5 above the entrance. (See Notice to Mariners and the lat- mile west-southwestward of South Brother; the range est editions of the charts for controlling depths.) of South Brother well open northward of Griswold Is- (118) The channel above the jettied entrance channel land leads southward of Johns Rock. usually follows the banks on the outside of the curves of the river, except through the dredged cuts across the (110) Strangers entering the bight should proceed with bars which are marked by navigational aids. caution, as the bottom is broken; the best route is to pass southward and westward of the buoy southward of (119) Saybrook Breakwater Light (41°15'48\"N., Blackboys, and pass on either side of South Brother. 72°20'34\"W.), 58 feet above the water, is shown from a Seal Rock, 160 yards south of the end of Giants Neck, is marked by a buoy on the south side.

296 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 white conical tower, 49 feet high, on a brown cylindri- Haddam at mile 14.6 monitors VHF-FM channel 13; cal pier on the south end of the west jetty at the en- call sign KXR-913. trance to Connecticut River. A fog signal is at the light. (124) Overhead power cables across the Connecticut River have a least clearance of 100 feet, except for the Anchorages one at Laurel, 24.2 miles above the mouth, which has a (120) Secure anchorage can be had eastward or north- clearance of 65 feet. eastward of Lynde Point Light. Farther up anchorage Tides can be selected in the wider parts of the channel. Spe- (125) The time of tide becomes later and the range di- cial anchorages are at Old Saybrook, Essex, Chester, Lord Island, Eddy Rock Shoal in the vicinity of Con- minishes in progressing up the river. High water and necticut River Light 45, and Mouse Island Bar vicinity. low water at Hartford occur about 4.5 and 6 hours later, (See 110.1 and 110.55, chapter 2, for limits and regu- respectively, than at the entrance. The mean range of lations.) the tide is 3.5 feet at Saybrook jetty, 2.5 feet at Haddam, and 1.9 feet at Hartford. Dangers (121) Saybrook Outer Bar, which obstructs the mouth of Currents (126) At the entrance the currents have considerable ve- the Connecticut River, is shifting, with depths of 4 to 12 feet extending nearly 2 miles off the mouth; it is locity at times and always require careful attention, as marked off its southeastern end by a lighted bell buoy. the tidal current of the sound often sets directly across (122) In March 1976, obstructions were reported in the the direction of the current setting out or in between channel at the railroad bascule bridge 3 miles above the jetties. This condition is reported to be especially dan- mouth of the Connecticut River; a least depth of 13 feet gerous during the first 3 hours of ebb tide. (Consult the is reported in the channel in area 40 to 50 feet from the Tidal Current Tables for times and velocities of cur- east abutment of the bridge. Mariners requiring rents at a number of locations in Connecticut River. In greater depths are advised to avoid this area of the addition, see Tidal Current Charts and Tidal Current channel during passages. Diagrams, Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound, for current directions and velocities at various places in Bridges the Connecticut River for each hour of the tidal cycle.) (123) Several drawbridges and fixed bridges cross Con- (127) During the ebb, a strong current runs from the Lyme Landing toward the center of the railroad bridge. necticut River between the entrance and Hartford. The Towboats with vessels in tow should steer for the east distance above the mouth, type, and clearance of each pier of the draw and should not swing out for the draw bridge follows: 3 miles, Amtrak railroad with bascule until almost in it, to avoid being set to the west side of span, 19 feet; 3.5 miles, Raymond E. Baldwin (IS 95) the channel. Because of river discharge, the ebb cur- Bridge, fixed highway, 81 feet; 14.6 miles, State Route rent usually will be considerably stronger than the 82 highway with swing span at East Haddam, 22 feet; flood. Ebb current velocities of 1 knot or more have 27.8 miles, ConRail railroad with swing span at been observed under normal conditions on the bars in Middletown, 25 feet; 32.2 miles, Arrigoni Bridge (State Connecticut River between Higganum and Hartford; Route 66), fixed highway, 89 feet; 41.2 miles, Wm. H. the velocities of the flood currents are much less. Putnam Bridge (State Route 3), fixed highway near Wethersfield, 80 feet over main channel; 44 miles, (128) Freshets occur principally in the spring, when the Charter Oak Bridge (U.S. 5/State Route 15), a fixed snow is melting, although occasional floods have oc- highway bridge at Hartford, 69 feet for a width of 215 curred in every month of the year except July and Sep- feet; 44.9 miles, Founders Bridge, fixed highway, 49 tember. At Hartford the usual rise due to spring feet; 45.2 miles, Bulkeley Bridge (I-84), fixed highway, freshets is between 16 and 24 feet. The highest freshets 39 feet; and 46 miles, Conrail fixed railroad, 28 feet. are generally of short duration, but the period during (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.205, chapter 2, which the river at Hartford is at the level of 8 feet or for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender of the more above mean low water averages nearly 2 months Amtrak bascule railroad bridge at mile 3 monitors of each year. Below Middletown the height of the crest VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KT-5414. Vessels re- of a freshet decreases rapidly. At the mouth the varia- questing the opening of this bridge are cautioned to tion in water level is due to the tides. confirm by radiotelephone that the bascule span is safely raised and stabilized before making passage. The (129) Ice closes the river to navigation a part of every bridgetender of the highway swing bridge at East winter for wooden hull boats. The duration of closing is about 2 months.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 297 Weather, Hartford and vicinity. (0°C) or cooler. An average of eleven days each year has (130) Hartford is well inside the northern temperate cli- temperatures of 5°F (-15°C) or lower. (135) The average annual precipitation for Hartford is matic zone in a prevailing west to east movement of air 44.20 inches (1123 mm). Precipitation is fairly uniform carrying the majority of weather systems into Connect- with the difference between the wettest and driest icut from the west. The average wintertime position of month being less than one inch (25.4 mm). The wettest the “Polar Front” boundary between cold dry polar air month is November, averaging 4.07 inches (104 mm) and warm moist tropical air is just south of New Eng- and the driest month is February averaging 3.13 inches land, which helps to explain the extensive winter storm (80 mm). Average snowfall, on an annual basis, totals activity and the day-to-day variability of local weather. 44 inches (1118). February 1961 holds the record of the In the summer, the “Polar Front” has an average posi- greatest snowfall in a 24-hour period with 14.3 inches tion along the New England-Canada border and Hart- (363 mm). ford has a warm and pleasant climate. (136) The National Weather Service office is at Bradley (131) The location of Hartford, relative to the continent International Airport, northwest of Hartford. (See page and ocean, is also significant. Rapid weather changes 430 for Hartford climatological table.) result when storms move northward along the Mid-Atlantic Coast, frequently producing strong and Routes persistent northeast winds associated with storms (137) To enter Connecticut River from eastward, pass known locally as “coastals” or “northeasters”. Sea- sonally, weather characteristics vary from the cold and southward of Hatchett Reef and Saybrook Bar, until dry continental-polar air of winter to the warm, mari- Saybrook Breakwater Light bears 315°. Steer for times air of summer, the one from Canada, the other Saybrook Breakwater Light on this course through the from the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, or Atlantic buoyed opening between the south end of Saybrook Bar Ocean. and the east end of Long Sand Shoal to the entrance (132) Summer thunderstorms develop in the Berkshire channel between the jetties. Mountains to the west and northwest, and move over (138) To enter from westward, pass 1 mile southward of the Connecticut Valley and, when accompanied by Falkner Island Light on course 076°. This will lead wind and hail, sometimes cause considerable damage about 0.4 mile northward of the lighted bell buoy on to crops. Thunderstorm days average 20 each year. the western end of Long Sand Shoal and about 0.2 mile June, July, and August are the most favored months. southward of the lighted bell buoy southward of Corn- During the winter, rain often falls through cold air field Point. Then steer about 067°, with Saybrook trapped in the valley and creates extremely hazardous Breakwater Light a little on the port bow to the en- ice conditions. On clear nights in the late summer or trance channel between the jetties. early autumn, cool air drainage into the valley and the (139) Boating regulations for waters within the State of moisture from the Connecticut River produce steam Connecticut can be found at http://www.dep.state.ct.us and/or ground fog which becomes quite dense /rec/boating/guide.htm. throughout the valley and temporarily hampers trans- portation. An average 162 days each year report fog. Pilotage, Connecticut River (133) Fog is reported to develop locally in the vicinity of (140) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for the nuclear power plant’s efflux at Haddam Neck and around Gildersleeve Island. foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. See Pi- (134) The average annual temperature for Hartford is lotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. 50°F (10°C). The warmest month is July with an aver- Pilotage for the Connecticut River is available from age temperature of 74°F (23.3°C) and the coolest is Connecticut River Pilots Association (CRPA), 104 January with an average temperature of 26°F (-3.3°C). Nehantic Trail, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, telephone The warmest temperature on record is 102°F (38.9°C) (203) 388-4167. Pilot boat TRUDEE II is 36-foot, with recorded in July 1966 and the coolest temperature on black hull, white superstructure, and with the word record is -26°F (-3.3°C) recorded in January 1961. Each PILOT on the house, forward. The boat monitors chan- month, except June, July, and August has recorded nel 16 and 13; works on 13. The CRPA pilot boards ves- temperatures below freezing. Each month, June sels abeam of the marina at the south end of Saybrook through September, has recorded temperatures in ex- Point. cess of 100°F (37.8°C). An average of 18 days each year (141) Pilot services are arranged in advance through records temperatures in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) and an ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. A average of 134 days each year has a temperature of 32°F 24-hour advance notice is requested. (142) Hartford is a customs port of entry.

298 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Wharves (150) The passage to the east and north of Calves Island, (143) The Connecticut River has more than 20 commer- about 1 mile above the railroad bridge crossing Con- necticut River, is used extensively for mooring small cial piers and wharves, most of which handle petroleum craft in the summer. This passage is subject to shoal- products from barges or coastal tankers. Most of the fa- ing, particularly on the north side of Calves Island; cau- cilities below Rocky Hill, about 34 miles above tion is advised. A small-craft facility is on the east side Saybrook Point, are marginal-type wharves, while of the passage just above the entrance. Berths, electric- those above Rocky Hill are finger-type piers with ity, water, ice, marine supplies, storage facilities, a breasting dolphins. Depths of 11 to 15 feet are reported 25-ton lift, and some repairs are available. In July 2002, alongside these facilities. depths of 18 feet were reported at the facility. Supplies and repairs (151) Lord Cove has its entrance about 300 yards north- (144) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and marine sup- ward of Calves Island. In July 1981, a depth of 3½ feet was available through the unmarked entrance. The plies are available at the principal towns and landings marshlands surrounding Lord Cove and the other along the Connecticut River. Boatyards along the river coves between Essex and the river mouth at Saybrook can make engine, hull, and electronic repairs. are frequented by duck hunters in October and Novem- ber. Because of danger of gunfire, mariners are cau- Charts 12375, 12372 tioned not to stray too close to the numerous duck blinds that exist in this area. (145) Old Saybrook is a village on the west side of Con- necticut River, about 1.4 miles northward of Saybrook (152) The dredged section of the main channel in Con- Breakwater Light. There are several small-craft facili- necticut River westward of Calves Island has numerous ties along the west side of the river from Saybrook obstructions and sunken rocks close to its edges; mari- Point to Ferry Point, about 2 miles to the northward. ners are advised to exercise caution and to avoid the (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 edges of the channel. for services and supplies available.) (153) Haydens Point, about 4.6 miles above Saybrook (146) A slow no-wake speed limit is enforced at Old Point, is marked by a light. Foul ground is between the Saybrook between the railroad bridge and Buoy 20, light and the shore. 0.25 mile above the Connecticut Turnpike Bridge. (154) Essex, a town on the west bank about 5 miles above (147) North Cove, a dredged small-boat basin that affords Saybrook Point, is the scene of considerable small-boat excellent anchorage, is entered through a dredged activity. Depths alongside the town landing are about 6 channel that leads westward from the main channel feet. Essex Cove is the area off the main river channel about 0.4 mile northward of Saybrook Point. In Febru- skirting the waterfront at Essex. A dredged channel, ary-March 1999, the controlling depths were 2.2 feet (5 marked by private buoys, leads from the main channel feet at midchannel) in the entrance channel to the ba- through the cove, and thence rejoins the main channel sin, thence in September 2005, depths of 2 to 4 feet to the northward. In February-March 1999, a control- were in the basin. The entrance channel is marked by ling depth of 5.8 feet was available in the buoyed chan- private buoys. nel. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced. A privately marked small-boat channel leads westward from the dredged (148) From Saybrook Point to Hartford local knowledge buoyed channel in Essex Cove to a yacht basin in Mid- is required to carry the best water. Small craft should dle Cove, northward of Thatchbed Island. In February have no difficulty in following the channel. 1999, the small-boat channel had a reported mid- channel controlling depth of 6½ feet. (149) Lieutenant River, leading to Old Lyme, enters the east side of Connecticut River about 1.4 miles north- Small-craft facilities ward of Saybrook Point. Pipe stakes mark the south (155) Essex has excellent small-craft facilities. (See the side of the channel across the bar at the entrance. A midchannel depth of about 3 feet can be carried over small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for ser- the bar to about 0.2 mile above the second bridge. A vices and supplies available.) railroad bridge with a 33-foot fixed span and a clear- ance of 11 feet crosses the river 0.4 mile above the en- Anchorages trance. An overhead power cable with a reported (156) Special anchorages are at Essex. (See 110.1 and clearance of about 10 feet is on the north side of the bridge. About 0.3 mile above that bridge is a highway 110.55 (a), (a-1), (b), and (c), chapter 2, for limits bridge with a 24-foot fixed span and a clearance of 6 and regulations.) feet. A harbormaster is at Old Lyme.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 299 (157) Hamburg Cove and Eightmile River, which emp- (163) The Chester-Hadlyme vehicular ferry crosses the ties into the north end of the cove, indent the east side river near Fort Hill, 2 miles above Eustasia Island. The of Connecticut River, 6 miles above Saybrook Point. A ferry operates from April through November. dredged channel leads from Connecticut River to a turning basin at Hamburg, a village at the head of navi- (164) Special anchorages are northeastward of Connect- gation. In June 2002, the controlling depth was 4.5 feet icut River Light 45 (41°26.2'N., 72°27.6'W.), about 12.8 in the channel with 1.9 feet in the basin except for miles above Saybrook Point. (See 110.1 and 110.55 shoaling at the north end and along the east edge. (d) and (e), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) There are boulders in places outside the dredged chan- nel, and the entrance channel is outlined by grassy flats (165) On the east side of the river, the turret of the opera on each side. Buoys mark the entrance, and private sea- house at East Haddam, 13.3 miles above Saybrook sonal buoys and daybeacons mark the remainder of the Point, is prominent. A marina is on the west side of the channel to Hamburg. The center of the turning basin river just above the swing bridge between East Haddam has piles used for moorings. and Tylerville. Limited guest berths, limited marine supplies, electricity, water, and ice are available. In Small-craft facility March 1990, a reported depth of 5 feet was available in (158) A small-craft facility, on the east side of the basin, the marina basin. has sewage pump-out, water, ice, and some marine sup- (166) The shoal off the west side of the river, just north of plies. A 35-ton travel lift is available for hull and engine East Haddam, is reported to be increasing. repairs. (167) Salmon Cove, on the east side of the river, 1 mile Charts 12377, 12378 above East Haddam, is reported to be navigable only by small craft at high tide. The entrance to the cove is sub- (159) Eustasia Island, 8.5 miles above Saybrook Point, ject to shoaling. Considerable grass in the channel and divides the Connecticut River into two channels. A cove makes boat operation difficult. light off the southeast end of the island marks the junc- tion of the two channels. The eastern channel crossing (168) Overhead power cables with a least clearance of 86 Potash Bar through a dredged cut is better marked and feet cross the cove about 1.2 miles above the mouth. easier to follow. The western channel leads to Pratt Creek, westward of the southerly end of Eustasia Is- Small-craft facility land, and to the landing at Deep River and thence (169) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the river crosses Chester Creek Bar through a swash channel to Chester Creek. A sand shoal and a rocky reef, both bare about 1.1 miles above East Haddam. Berths, electricity, at low water, are north of Eustasia Island, between the water, ice, a 10-ton mobile hoist, and a launching ramp main channel east of the island and Chester Creek. are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. In March 1990, a depth of 6 feet was reported at the facil- (160) A rock, covered 3 feet, is on the south side of the en- ity. trance to Chester Creek in about 41°24'24.1\"N., 72°25'46.6\"W. (170) Haddam Island divides the Connecticut River about 3.2 miles above East Haddam. The main river Small-craft facilities channel leads eastward of the island through a dredged (161) There are several small-craft facilities on Pratt cut known as Haddam Island Bar Channel. A pinnacle rock, covered 13 feet, is in the approach to Haddam Is- Creek and Chester Creek. Berths and moorings, elec- land Bar Channel in 41°29'31\"N., 72°30'49\"W. tricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, marine supplies, a pump-out, storage and a launching ramp are available (171) The passage westward of Haddam Island is closed in the area. Lifts to 55 tons are available for complete by a bare sand shoal lying between the island’s south- hull, engine, and electronic repairs. erly tip and the westerly shore of the river. Anchorages (172) The shoal off the east side of the river opposite (162) Special anchorages are off Chester Creek. (See Higganum Creek, 5.5 miles above East Haddam, is ex- tending westward. 110.1 and 110.55 (e–1) and (e–2), chapter 2, for lim- its and regulations.) (173) A rock breakwater extends southward from the east side of the river, 1 mile above Higganum Creek. In 1969, the shoal, about 200 yards southward of the breakwater, was found to be extending southward. (174) A boatyard is on the north side of the river at Co- balt, about 3.5 miles above Higganum Creek. Storage facilities and a 15-ton hoist are available. In October

300 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 1990, a reported depth of 7 feet could be carried to the A small-craft launching ramp is just above the ferry facility. landing. (175) After passing through the channel in Paper Rock (185) The cove at Crow Point, on the west side of the Shoal, 9.7 miles above East Haddam, favor the south river about 5.7 miles above Belamose, is used to obtain side of the river to about 300 yards southeastward of land fill. Dredging in the cove is uneven, but the bot- Bodkin Rock, then cross to the north side and pass it tom is soft ooze. In July 1981, it was reported that the close-to. entrance had shoaled to bare and could be used only by (176) About 0.5 mile westward of Bodkin Rock, a dredged small outboards. section of the channel leads along the southerly shore (186) A rock, covered 5 feet, is on the south side of the of Connecticut River and southward of Mouse Island dredged channel about 0.8 mile above Crow Point in Bar. about 41°42'43.0\"N., 72°37'46.5\"W.; and a shoal that bares is in 41°43'11\"N., 72°38'52\"W., on the west side of Anchorages Connecticut River, about 1.9 miles above Crow Point. (177) Special anchorages are along the north and east (187) Wethersfield Cove, on the west side of the river 14 miles above Portland, is entered through a narrow sides of the river, between Bodkin Rock and Portland. dredged channel that leads to a dredged anchorage ba- (See 110.1 and 110.55 (f) and (g), chapter 2, for limits sin about 0.3 mile above the entrance. In 1986, the con- and regulations.) trolling depth was 4.9 feet (5.1 feet at midchannel); thence in 1983, 6 feet were available in the basin. The Caution channel is marked by daybeacons. The Interstate 91 (178) Caution is recommended when rounding the point highway bridge over the entrance has a fixed span with a clearance of 38 feet. The speed limit in the channel on the south side of the river, about 1.5 miles above and cove is 5 knots. Ice, transient berthing, and some Bodkin Rock, to avoid a submerged crib that extends supplies can be obtained at the yacht club on the south northward from the point. side of the cove. A town marina is on the east side of the cove; a launching ramp is available at the facility. The (179) Portland, 26.3 miles above Saybrook Point, has Wethersfield harbormaster can be contacted through several boatyards with marine railways; the largest rail- the local police department or town hall. way can handle craft to 60 feet for engine and hull re- (188) The only remaining commercial docks at Hartford pairs. Gasoline, water, berths with electricity, ice, are the bulk fuel handling facility of the Hartford Elec- storage facilities, marine supplies, a pump-out station, tric Light Company’s powerplant on the west side of the launching ramps, and lifts to 50 tons are available at river, about 0.2 mile below the Charter Oak Bridge, and Portland. In March 1990, depths of 7 to 9 feet were re- the Hartford Gas Company’s barge unloading facilities ported available. on the west side of the river, about 0.5 mile above the Charter Oak Bridge. A public facility with floating (180) Berthing and water are available at Harbor Park in docks is on the west side of the river just below the Middletown, across the river from Portland. Depths of Founders Bridge. A flood control dike is along the west 18 feet are reported to be available along the wharves. side of the river from just north of the Charter Oak Bridge to the Bulkeley Bridge. (181) Two small-craft facilities are on the east side of the (189) Connecticut River above Hartford is practically un- river at Gildersleeve, about 2.5 miles above Portland. improved, but is navigable about 30 miles to Holyoke Gasoline, diesel fuel, berths with electricity, water, ice, for boats not exceeding 3-foot draft, when the river is storage facilities, marine supplies, a launching ramp, not low. The channel is constantly shifting. and 15- and 35-ton lifts are available, and hull and en- gine repairs can be made. Chart 12354 (182) From Belamose, 6.5 miles above Portland, north- (190) Long Sand Shoal extends 6 miles westward from ward to Hartford, the land is much lower, and the Con- off the entrance of Connecticut River and has a greatest necticut River narrows, its curves become more width of nearly 0.3 mile. The general depths on the pronounced, and both of its shores have numerous shoal are 4 to 15 feet; bottom is hard and lumpy. Shoal- wood-stake-and-rock groins. ing is abrupt on both sides, but especially on the south side, where the 5-fathom curve is only 100 yards from it (183) A marina on the east side of the river opposite in places. The shoal is marked at its eastern end by a Belamose has gasoline, berths, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, and a 15-ton lift; engine and hull re- pairs can be made. In July 1983, the privately marked channel into the marina basin had a reported control- ling depth of 7 feet. (184) At Rocky Hill, 1 mile above Belamose, a seasonal vehicular ferry crosses the river to South Glastonbury.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 301 buoy, and on the south side and west end by lighted (198) Menunketesuck Island is the outermost of several sound buoys. low narrow islands connected to the mainland at low (191) A fairway lighted whistle buoy is 4.5 miles south of water on the west side of Westbrook Harbor. It has Cornfield Point. boulders at the south end. A boulder reef extends nearly (192) At the western end of Long Sand Shoal and 1 mile 0.5 mile south-southeastward from the point to the southward is an area about 0.6 mile long with rocky 18-foot curve. Tide rips frequently occur on this reef. A and broken bottom, and with a least found depth of 22 private seasonal buoy is about 0.3 mile southeastward feet. of Menunketesuck Island. (193) Sixmile Reef, about 3 miles southwestward of Long Sand Shoal, is an area of migrating sandwaves (199) Between Menunketesuck Island and Hammonasset about 2.5 miles long in a west-northwesterly direction Point, about 4 miles westward, broken ground extends with depths of 19 to 30 feet. Shoaling is abrupt in about 1.5 miles offshore. A boulder reef extends 0.5 places. A lighted bell buoy is off the southerly edge of mile southward from Duck Island to the 18-foot curve this reef. With extreme low tides, due to northerly and and is marked by a buoy. A rock with 1 foot over it is on westerly winds, this shoal may be dangerous to vessels this reef about 300 yards south of Duck Island. Tide rips with 15-foot draft. Tide rips occur on the reef whenever have been reported to extend from the vicinity of these the direction of the tidal currents is opposed to that of rocks to the buoy. During strong flood currents and a the wind. This is especially true during spring tides and southwest wind, tide rips extend from the shoal water a southwest wind. southwest of Duck Island to the vicinity of Southwest (194) A ridge with depths of 24 to 36 feet is near the mid- Reef over 1 mile southwestward. Caution is advised dle of Long Island Sound southward of Sixmile Reef when navigating small boats in this vicinity during and 5 miles north-northwestward of Horton Point these conditions. Light. It is marked by a lighted whistle buoy equipped with a racon. (200) Duck Island Roads, between Menunketesuck Is- land and Kelsey Point, is a harbor of refuge protected Charts 12375, 12372 by breakwaters 1,100 feet northward and nearly 0.5 mile westward from Duck Island, with the added pro- (195) Cornfield Point, 2 miles westward of Saybrook tection of Kelsey Point Breakwater on Stone Island Breakwater Light, is marked by a large red-roofed stone Reef. A prominent landmark on Duck Island is a stone building. Rocky shoals and foul ground extend about chimney. Both breakwaters extending from Duck Is- 0.5 mile southerly from this point and for about 1.9 land are marked by lights. miles westerly. Cornfield Point Shoal, a small rocky patch covered 3 feet, is about 0.4 mile south of the (201) The dredged anchorage enclosed by the breakwa- point. Westward of this shoal are Hen and Chickens, ters extending northward and westward from Duck Is- bare in spots at low water, and Crane Reef, an area of land is subject to shoaling. General depths of 3 to 8 feet broken ground with a least depth of 3 feet. These dan- are in the protected area, and 4 to 16 feet in the western gers are buoyed. About 0.5 mile westward of the point is end. In addition to the area inside the breakwaters, a Halftide Rock, surrounded by foul ground and marked small area northward and northeastward of Duck Is- by a private daybeacon. land North Breakwater Light can be used as an anchor- age in southwesterly weather. (202) The western entrance of Duck Island Roads is easy of access and should be used by vessels with greater draft than 8 feet. Charts 12374, 12372 Routes (203) Pass southward of Duck Island and keep the light (196) Westbrook Harbor is the western part of the open bight between Cornfield Point and Menunketesuck Is- on the end of Kelsey Point Breakwater bearing north- land. It has many unmarked submerged rocks and is ward of 264° until Duck Island West Breakwater Light seldom used as an anchorage; the anchorage in Duck 2DI bears 010°, then steer northward. Approaching Island Roads is better. The bight is characterized by from westward, the only dangers are the two 16-foot boulders. spots south-southwestward of Kelsey Point Breakwater Light, the southerly of which is marked by a buoy. (197) Westbrook, a town on the north side of Westbrook (204) The eastern entrance of Duck Island Roads is ob- Harbor, is marked on its east side by an elevated tank. A structed by a sand shoal with a least depth of 8 feet harbormaster is at Westbrook and can be contacted about 0.3 mile eastward of Duck Island, and by boulder through the town hall. reefs which extend about 0.2 mile off the western side

302 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 of Menunketesuck Island. This entrance is easy of ac- bottom which should be avoided in anchoring. The cess for vessels drawing up to 8 feet. broken ground east of the breakwater includes depths (205) Anchorage in 18 to 24 feet, bottom generally sticky, of 12 feet close to it; the 18-foot patch 0.2 mile can be had between the Duck Island West Breakwater east-northeast of the end of the breakwater; East Ledge Light 2DI and the 17-foot rocky patches southeastward with depths of 2 to 17 feet, which extends 0.4 mile of Kelsey Point. This anchorage is exposed to winds southward from Kelsey Point; and the broken ground southward of east and west. with depths of 8 to 17 feet which extends over 0.4 mile southeastward from Kelsey Point. (206) Patchogue River, used chiefly by fishing and recre- (211) The bight at the entrance of Clinton Harbor and ational craft, empties into Duck Island Roads just west westward of Kelsey Point Breakwater affords anchor- of Menunketesuck Island. A channel leads from deep age, but is exposed to southeasterly and southwesterly water in Duck Island Roads to the first fixed highway winds. bridge, about 0.6 mile above the mouth. The approach (212) Clinton Harbor, the bight westward of Kelsey Point channel is marked by buoys, and the river channel is Breakwater, is the entrance to Hammonasset River, a marked by private aids. A light is on the outer end of the stream used chiefly by fishing and recreational craft. breakwater on the west side of the river mouth. In Wheeler Rock, with 1 foot over it, just outside the bar, 2003, the controlling depths were 3.5 feet (6.8 feet at is marked by a lighted buoy. The channel is marked by midchannel) to the head of the project about 60 yards buoys to Cedar Island and thence by seasonal private below the first fixed highway bridge. The anchorage ba- buoys to the anchorage basin at Clinton. Buoys are sin had depths of 5.7 feet. shifted often due to changing channel conditions. Lo- cal knowledge is advised. Depths of 5 to 8 feet were Small-craft facilities available in the anchorage basin on the northeast side (207) Several small-craft facilities are on the river. (See of the channel east of the wharves at Clinton. From op- posite the basin to the upstream limit of the Federal the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for project, the southwest and south side of the channel is services and supplies available.) obstructed by a series of pilings. Boats may be moored between the pilings, caution is advised. Above the (208) Menunketesuck River, sharing the same entrance dredged channel, the midchannel controlling depth is channel as Patchogue River, is a shallow stream west- about 2 feet in the Hammonasset River to the overhead ward of Patchogue River. In July 1981, a depth of about pipeline and bridge crossing about 2 miles above 8 feet was reported to the first fixed highway bridge Clinton. Private daybeacons mark this section of the crossing the river above which depths of less than 1 channel. foot are reported. A shoal was reported extending south (213) Several boatyards and marinas are in the harbor. from shore at the junction of Patchogue and (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 Menunketesuck Rivers; caution is advised. The junc- for services and supplies available.) Mooring facilities tion is marked by a private seasonal buoy. Small-craft are available by arrangement with the town facilities on the river can provide berths, electricity, dockmaster who can be contacted through the town gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, marine sup- hall or police department. A 6 mph speed limit is en- plies, a pump-out station, and engine, hull and elec- forced in the harbor. The town maintains a fireboat at tronic repairs; a 12-ton mobile hoist and a 75-ton lift Clinton Harbor. The vessel can be contacted through are available. The privately maintained channel in the the Clinton Police Department or the Coast Guard. river is reported to be marked by seasonal private aids; (214) Northeastward of Cedar Island in Clinton Harbor local knowledge is advised. are two narrow crooked channels close together, with depths of about 1 foot. The eastern one is usually (209) A 6 mph speed limit is enforced on both rivers. marked by bush stakes; it leads to a marina and (210) Kelsey Point Breakwater extends on Stone Island boatyard just inside the mouth of Hammock River. The western channel, marked by a private range, leads to a Reef over 0.6 mile south-southeastward from Stone Is- boatyard on Indian River. land and is marked by a light. The least depth on the (215) Hammonasset Point, on the southwest side of rocky broken ground southwestward of the light is 16 Clinton Harbor, is a low marshy area with many feet. The outer spot is marked by a buoy. Stone Island, wooded knolls. The end of the point is a rocky knoll. at the north end of the breakwater, is mostly covered at Hammonasset State Park is marked by a conspicuous high water. Some rocks bare at low water are between flagstaff and the buildings at the recreational center. In the island and the shore. Tide rips frequently occur in the summer it is an active resort. Broken ground with the area southwestward from the end of the breakwater to the bell buoy. Depths of 18 feet or less near Kelsey Point Breakwater indicate areas of broken rocky

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 303 rocky irregular bottom and least depths of 10 to 11 feet scattered rocks, some bare at low water and others with extends 0.5 mile southward of Hammonasset Point. 7 to 16 feet over them, extending about a mile eastward (216) West Rock is the outermost of the bare rocks which from Half Acre Rock; Outer White Top, about 0.6 mile extend a short distance off the east end of Ham- southwestward of Half Acre Rock, and several rocks monasset Point. A reef, with two bare rocks and a groin northward of it bare at low water; and Indian Reef, ex- on its inner part, extends 0.3 mile southwestward from tending about 1 mile southwestward of Outer White the point and is marked by a buoy, northeastward of Top, the highest part of which is covered at high water. which tide rips frequently occur. When rounding the Indian Reef is marked on its south and southwestern point, vessels should not pass between the buoy and sides by buoys. Stakes and fish traps may exist north- Hammonasset Point. ward of Riding Rock, 0.6 mile northwestward of Half (217) Madison Reef, over 2 miles westward of Hammo- Acre Rock. nasset Point, extends over a mile east and west. This (223) The approach channel to Guilford Harbor, marked reef consists of several rocky patches with depths of 4 to by buoys, leads along the southeasterly side of Indian 17 feet, with deeper water between them. Charles Reef, Reef, thence westward of Half Acre Rock to a dredged with a least depth of 7 feet, is about 0.5 mile southwest channel about 0.5 mile northwestward of Half Acre of Madison Reef and marked by a buoy. Rock. The dredged channel leads northward through (218) Kimberly Reef, about 1.9 miles southward of the harbor and eastward of Guilford Point to a junction Charles Reef, is an area of broken ground with a least with Sluice Creek and East River, about 0.6 mile above depth of 12 feet. Rocks with a least depth of 20 feet, the channel entrance. At the junction, the dredged marked by a lighted bell buoy, are about 0.2 mile south channel leads northwesterly into Sluice Creek for of the shoal. A bank with depths of 14 to 28 feet extends about 0.1 mile and northeasterly into East River for about 1.5 miles west of Kimberly Reef to Falkner Is- about 0.4 mile to an anchorage basin. Buoys and a pri- land. vate range mark the dredged channel to the junction. (219) Vessels of 10-foot draft can anchor northward of In August 2004, the controlling depths in the dredged Madison Reef, but should proceed with caution to avoid channel were 3.2 feet to the junction of East River and the rocky patches at lesser depths. Sluice Creek, thence 1.5 feet in Sluice Creek, thence 6 (220) Tuxis Island, northward of Madison Reef and 0.2 feet in the left half of the channel and 2.2 feet in the mile south of Middle Beach, is high and rocky. Between right half, to the anchorage basin with 1 to 6 feet in the the island and the shore the water is shallow and the basin except for shoaling to bare toward the northeast ground foul. Rocks awash are 200 to 600 yards eastward limit and in the south half of the entrance into the ba- of the island, and an islet is 100 yards westward of the sin. Deeper water is available with local knowledge. island. A steel bulkhead in ruins, the top of which is (224) In 1988, a submerged obstruction was reported awash at high water, extends from shore to Gull Rock, a about 0.3 mile southwest of Half Acre Rock in about high bare ledge about 300 yards east-northeastward of 41°15'06\"N., 72°39'36\"W. Tuxis Island. (225) At high water and with local knowledge, small (221) Madison, a town on the railroad, has one landing boats can go above the anchorage basin in East River to which bares alongside at low water and is in disrepair. A the fixed railway bridge, about 1.3 miles above the ba- few small craft moor in the cove on its north side. sin. The bridge has a clearance of 4 feet. An overhead Rocks, bare at low water, are 100 yards eastward of the power cable with a clearance of 45 feet is about 0.3 landing. A beach club building, with a small stone land- miles below the bridge. A town marina, just above the ing, is northward of Tuxis Island. A church with a entrance to Sluice Creek, has berths with electricity, prominent tower and gilded dome is 0.8 mile north- water, ice and a launching ramp. In 1993, depths of 1½ ward of Tuxis Island. to 6 feet were reported alongside the marina. (226) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. Charts 12373, 12372 (227) West River empties into the western side of Guilford Harbor 0.2 mile westward of Guilford Point. A (222) Guilford Harbor, a bight 5.5 miles westward of railroad bridge about 0.7 mile above the mouth has a Hammonasset Point, is used only by small craft. East clearance of 6 feet. Guilford is the town above the rail- River and Sluice Creek empty into Guilford Harbor road bridge. In September 1988-July 1989, a depth of from the northward. The approach to the harbor is ob- 4½ feet was reported in West River entrance channel; structed by rocks and foul ground. The outermost dan- the channel is marked by buoys and a 321° lighted gers are: Half Acre Rock, about 0.8 mile southeastward range. of the entrance channel, which shows at high water; (228) There are two boatyards with several marinas and marine railways on West River. The largest marine

304 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 railway can handle craft up to 40 feet; berths with elec- extends about 100 yards in a northwesterly direction tricity, water, ice, gasoline, diesel fuel, limited supplies, from the shore. Vessels can anchor in the angle near a 12-ton mobile crane, a 25-ton lift, and complete en- the shore where the depth is about 4½ feet. gine and hull repairs are available. (234) Joshua Cove, northwestward of Sachem Head, is (229) Falkner Island and Goose Islands, with Stony Is- little used, but affords good anchorage in its entrance land to the southward, are about 3 miles south of for small vessels in northerly or easterly winds in 6 to Guilford Harbor. Each is surrounded by reefs and rocks 10 feet, soft bottom. The approach from southwestward that bare at low water. A depth of about 16 feet can be is clear between Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. carried between Goose Islands and Falkner Island by (235) Leetes Rocks, midway between Sachem Head and staying in the middle of the passage and avoiding the the north end of The Thimbles, are two rocks bare at 8-foot and 11-foot spots, about 0.35 mile 244° and 0.4 low water, with an area of broken ground around them. mile 300° from the light on Falkner Island, respectively, A 9-foot spot is about 200 yards southward of the south- and the shoals and reefs extending from the islands. erly rock, and a 3-foot spot is 0.3 mile northeast of the Falkner Island Light (41°12'43\"N., 72°39'13\"W.), 94 feet southerly rock. above the water, is shown from a 46-foot white octago- (236) Leetes Island Quarry is a prominent feature on the nal tower near the center of Falkner Island. A lighted south side of Hoadley Point; on the north side of the gong buoy marks the shoal off the northern end of cove eastward of the point are the ruins of an old dock. Falkner Island, and a lighted bell buoy is off the south- (237) The Thimbles, about 1.6 miles west of Sachem ern end of Stony Island. Head, comprise many islands, islets, and rocks that (230) From Indian Reef westward are rocky shoals and is- bare. All of the area, extending over 2 miles from lets extending from 0.2 to 0.7 mile off Vineyard Point Hoadley Point southwestward to East Reef, is foul with and Sachem Head. Chimney Corner Reef, about 0.3 rocky bottom and many shoals. To lesser extent, the mile south of Sachem Head and marked by a buoy, is a area from East Reef for 2 miles westward and rocky broken area on which the least depth is 9 feet. northwestward to Branford Harbor entrance is dotted Westward of it are Goose Rocks Shoals, on which are with islets and rocks. The whole area is suitable only for Goose Rocks, the northerly of which is bare and the small pleasure craft, which are very active here in sum- southerly one covered at high water. The outer limit of mer. Many oyster stakes are encountered; these do not Goose Rocks Shoals is marked by a lighted bell buoy. To mark channels and caution should be used to avoid ensure clearing the westerly end of Goose Rocks fouling them. Caution also is advised to avoid fouling Shoals, care must be taken not to round the buoy too the pipelines and cables in the area. closely. (238) The outermost of The Thimbles proper is Outer Is- (231) Sachem Head Harbor, an anchorage for small craft land, marked by a house chimney. A boat landing pro- on the southwest side of Sachem Head, is 0.3 mile long tected by a stone jetty is on the northeast side of this and 0.1 mile wide, and has depths of 3 to 8 feet at the island, and an unmarked rock, bare at lowest tides, is floats and in the moorings; it is sheltered except from 200 yards eastward. The reefs southwestward of Outer westerly winds. The island forming the south point at Island, to and including East Reef and Browns Reef, the entrance is connected with the shore by a bridge. A are buoyed. yacht clubhouse is on the island. From the north point (239) From eastward a buoyed channel leads through of the island a breakwater extends 100 yards in a north- The Thimbles. The channel passes between Wayland westerly direction; a rock awash, marked by a private Island and a buoy marking the foul area southward of seasonal light, is off the end of the breakwater. A rock Cat Island. The channel extends between Davis Island covered at half tide is 50 yards off the southeast side of and Dogfish Island, thence north of East Crib and the harbor, about 350 yards eastward of the end of the West Crib into the more open water westward of The breakwater. Thimbles; it is good for about 13 feet. (232) The approach to Sachem Head Harbor for small (240) Stony Creek, a village on the railroad, extends craft from eastward is along the south side of the rocks southward to Flying Point (41°15.5'N., 72°45.1'W.). A making off from the south side of Sachem Head. Ap- dredged channel west of Flying Point leads north to a proaching eastward of Goose Rocks, give the rocks a turning basin at Stony Creek. The channel is marked by berth of over 300 yards. The approach from westward is private buoys. In March 2001, the controlling depth clear between Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. was 4.3 feet in the entrance channel to Buoy 5, thence (233) Uncas Point, the western extremity of Sachem 3.0 feet to the head of the project with 2.7 to 4.5 feet in Head, is marked by a rocky islet on its west side and a the basin. Rocks were reported in the northwest corner privately maintained seasonal light. Just northward of of the basin. Gasoline, marine supplies, inside storage, the islet a stone jetty with a bulkhead on its north side and a small-craft launching ramp are available at

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 305 marinas eastward of the turning basin; small craft can (247) Deep water is between Branford Reef and Negro be hauled out on a flatbed trailer for hull and engine re- Heads, a reef bare in one place at low water about 0.9 pairs. The village dock is on the southeast side of the mile northward. Shoreward of Negro Heads are Specta- turning basin. cle Island, Sumac Island, and Clam Island, together (241) Between the rocks westward of Rogers Island and with numerous rocks bare and covered. Blackstone Rocks, a privately dredged channel, about 0.9 mile westward of Flying Point, leads northeastward (248) A private boat landing is on the northwest side of to a quarry wharf on the west side of a dredged basin. In Clam Island. Small craft can enter Maltby Cove be- 1995, the reported controlling depths were 14 feet from tween the bare rocks off the southwest end of Clam Is- the channel entrance to the basin, thence a depth of 14 land and Jeffrey Rock, favoring the northwest side of feet was available in the basin except for lesser depths Clam Island. Private markers are sometimes at the en- along the north and west edges. The entrance channel trance. The northwest side of the cove is foul, the prin- is marked by a private 028° range consisting of a front cipal danger being a rock bare at low water near the and middle light and a rear daybeacon. middle, northwestward of Clam Island; the rock is (242) Thimble Island Harbor, in the western part of The sometimes marked by a seasonal private spindle. Thimbles, affords good shelter for small craft between Pot Island and Money Island on the east and High Is- (249) Jeffrey Point, the eastern point at the entrance of land and West Crib on the west. Although open south- Branford Harbor, has a bare rock close to its western westward, the sea from that direction loses much of its end. force before reaching the inner harbor. A rock with 3 feet over it and marked by a buoy is 80 yards off the east (250) Branford Harbor is a shallow cove between Jeffrey side of High Island, just above its south end. Vessels Point and Johnson Point. Vessels up to 10-foot draft can sometimes anchor near midchannel, between this rock select anchorage in the harbor southward of the Mer- and the north end of Pot Island in depths of 13 to 18 maids in 10 to 14 feet, protected against all but south- feet, soft bottom, but care should be taken to avoid the erly and southwesterly winds. Boats up to 5-foot draft cables in the area. The harbor is easy of access between can select a well-sheltered anchorage in the upper part Outer Island and Inner Reef. of the harbor above the Mermaids. The harbor is used (243) Pine Orchard, about 3 miles westward of Sachem chiefly for recreational boating and by the small local Head, is a summer resort extending northward and lobster fishing fleet. westward of Brown Point. A breakwater extending about 300 yards southeastward from Brown Point pro- (251) The dangers in the approach and entrance to tects a yacht basin entered through a privately dredged Branford Harbor either show above water or are channel that leads from southward of St. Helena Island marked by buoys. Cow and Calf, 1.3 miles southwest- north-northwestward to the basin. In July 1994, the en- ward of Jeffrey Point, are two boulders close together trance channel and basin had reported depths of 5 feet. bare at low water. Boulders, reported covered 10 feet, The basin approach northward of St. Helena Island has are about 0.2 mile northward of Cow and Calf. Five depths of 3 to 5 feet. Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, and water Foot Rock, 0.5 mile northeastward of Cow and Calf, has may be obtained at the yacht club landing. 5 feet over it. Taunton Rock, 0.9 mile northeastward of (244) From Brown Point to Branford Harbor, 2.5 miles Cow and Calf near the middle of the entrance to westward, bare rocks and shoals extend up to about 2 Branford Harbor, is large but low and bare. Blyn Rock, miles offshore. A seawall extends westward from Brown midway between Johnson Point and Taunton Rock, is Point, and the shore is thickly settled. A rock bare at covered at extreme high tide. Bird Rock, 0.2 mile half tide is 600 yards westward of Brown Point and 300 northward of Blyn Rock, has 5 feet over it. yards from shore. (245) Rocks bare at low water are eastward of Haycock (252) Little Mermaid, showing a little above high water, Point, and rocks that bare at half tide are off the south- and Big Mermaid, a high rock marked by a light, are east side and southwest end of Green Island. The foul near the middle of Branford Harbor. Two bare rocks are ground extends about 0.6 mile south-southwestward near the head of the harbor. A rock, bare at low water from Haycock Point, including Foot Rocks which are and usually marked by stakes, is about 100 feet partly above water. north-northeastward of the north end of Lovers Island. (246) Branford Reef, about 1.8 miles southward of In- dian Neck and 5 miles eastward of New Haven entrance, Routes is marked by a light. This reef is surrounded by shoal (253) To enter Branford Harbor from eastward, pass water for a distance of 150 to 450 yards from the light. southward of the lighted buoy marking Negro Heads, steer about 306° heading for Taunton Rock, and enter between Taunton and Jeffrey Rocks; or a 333° course with Branford Reef Light astern will lead into the har- bor between Jeffrey and Taunton Rocks. From west- ward, pass southward and over 100 yards eastward of

306 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 the lighted bell buoy marking Cow and Calf, thence Old Clump is a bare rock about 400 yards south of the westward of the buoys marking Blyn Rock and Bird bight. Rock to the buoyed channel in the harbor. (263) Farm River, locally known as East Haven River, (254) Local craft pass northwestward of Cow and Calf about 1.5 miles westward of Branford Harbor, is used by Shoal and midway between Johnson Point and Blyn local craft. In July 1981, it was reported that depths of 3 Rock. feet could be carried in the river to the fixed bridge with a clearance of 4 feet about 1 mile above the mouth. Sev- (255) Branford River, narrow and crooked, extends eral boatyards on the river provide gasoline, berths, northeasterly from Branford Harbor. In January-Feb- electricity, water, storage, and limited marine supplies; ruary 2001, the controlling depth in the dredged chan- diesel fuel can be delivered by truck. A 10-ton mobile nel was 6.5 feet from Branford Harbor to the upstream hoist and a 12-ton crane can handle vessels for com- limit of the dredged channel, except for depths between plete engine and hull repairs. 5.0 and 6.4 feet in the left half of the channel about (264) East Indies Rocks, about 0.4 mile south of the en- 1,200 feet below the project head. trance to Farm River, cover at half tide and are marked by a buoy to the eastward; a rocky shoal with a least (256) At low water the channel above Branford Point is depth of 5 feet is 0.2 mile to the eastward. A small ledge, defined by bare shoals on each side. During the sum- bare at low water, is midway between East Indies Rocks mer numerous stakes used as moorings mark both and the south side of Mansfield Point, the western en- sides of the channel. A privately dredged channel and trance point to Farm River. Darrow Rocks, a group of basin at a marina 0.5 mile east of Branford Point had re- bare rocks, are on the east side of the entrance to the ported depths of 9 feet in March 1999. river. The westernmost rocky knoll is marked by a flag- staff. A ledge, bare at low water, with a buoy off its (257) The principal waterborne commerce at Branford is southern end, is 200 yards south of the flagstaff. in petroleum products. There are several marinas and (265) Mansfield Point and the shore westward of the en- boatyards on the river. (See the small-craft facilities trance to Farm River are thickly settled. Bus communi- tabulation on chart 12372 for services and supplies cation is available to New Haven. available.) Charts 12371, 12372 (258) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. (259) The harbormaster at Branford controls all moor- (266) New Haven Harbor, an important harbor of refuge, is about 68 miles from New York, 179 miles from ings and anchoring; he can be contacted through the Boston via Cape Cod Canal, and 171 miles from small-craft facilities. Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N (LNB). It (260) Johnson Point is the western entrance point to comprises all the tidewater northward of the breakwa- Branford Harbor; a rock covered 2 feet is about 100 ters constructed across the mouth of the bay, including yards off its south side. A small privately dredged basin the navigable portions of the West, Mill, and on the southwest side of the point is well protected in Quinnipiac Rivers. It is about 2 miles wide. The inner all but southerly winds. In 1971, it was reported that 4 harbor, northward of Sandy Point and Fort Hale, is feet could be carried to and in the basin. shallow for the most part, except where the depths have (261) Gull Rocks, about 0.3 mile westward of Johnson been increased by dredging. The main entrance chan- Point, consist of small islets and submerged rocks that nel, between Middle Breakwater and the East Breakwa- extend about 0.5 mile southwestward from shore on ter, leads northward to Tomlinson Bridge at New the easterly side of the entrance to a large cove. A rock, Haven. Anchorage basins for medium draft vessels are bare at half tide, is in the northwestern part of the cove on the west side of the channel north of Sandy Point. about 350 yards southward of Short Beach. The north- Waterborne commerce in the harbor consists of petro- west end of the cove has a yacht club landing with a re- leum products, scrap metal, lumber, automobiles, gyp- ported depth of 2 feet alongside. sum, paper and pulp products, steel products, (262) Farm River Gut, a small bight on the west side of chemicals, rock salt, and general cargo. the cove, is a good anchorage for small craft. Depths range from 4 to 5 feet in the eastern part of the gut with (267) New Haven, at the head of the harbor, is an impor- shoaling to bare in the northern and western parts. Two tant manufacturing city. rocks awash are on the north side of the gut about 125 yards inside the entrance. The gut offers good protec- tion from all but easterly winds, mud bottom. A marine railway at a boatyard on the north side of the gut can handle boats to 36 feet for hull repairs; storage facilities are available. The yard can be reached only at high tide.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 307 Prominent features Ferry Street Bridge about 0.5 mile above the mouth, (268) On the approach from well offshore in clear thence 12 feet at midchannel to the Grand Avenue Bridge except for shoaling along the edges. weather, the prominent landmarks are: on East Rock (41°19.7'N., 72°54.4'W.), the Soldiers and Sailors Mon- Anchorages ument; in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus Build- (274) Inside West Breakwater and the southwest part of ing, a tall rectangular structure with circular pillars at its corners; the lighted stack of the powerplant on the Middle Breakwater, anchorage is available for vessels east side of the harbor opposite City Point. The lights up to a 19-foot draft. Caution should be exercised to on the ends of the breakwaters, the aerolight at avoid the fish stakes in this area. Vessels anchoring in Tweed-New Haven Airport, and the abandoned tower the area should also be aware that water levels may on Lighthouse Point are also prominent. drop significantly following a long continuous north- (269) Southwest Ledge Light (41°14'04\"N., 72°54'44\"W.), westerly wind. 57 feet above the water, is shown from a white octagonal (275) Vessels may anchor northward of Southwest Ledge house on a brown cylindrical pier at the westerly end of Light in depths of 18 to 20 feet, soft bottom in places. East Breakwater. A fog signal is sounded at the light. Care should be taken to avoid the ledges northward of the East Breakwater. Deep-draft vessels awaiting berth- Channels ing assignments can anchor about 1 mile southward of (270) A Federal project for New Haven Harbor provides the sea buoy; holding ground is excellent. (276) Morris Cove, on the east side of the main channel for an entrance channel 35 feet deep to a point just be- just above Lighthouse Point, affords good anchorage low the junction of Mill River and Quinnipiac River. and is used by yachts, but is rough in westerly and The channel is well marked. (See Notice to Mariners southerly winds. In July 1981, isolated, uncharted and latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) 40-foot spots were reported in the cove. Caution is ad- (271) West River, on the west side of the main channel vised when anchoring. New Haven Coast Guard Sta- about 3 miles above Southwest Ledge Light, has a tion is on the north side of the jutting point, about 1.5 dredged channel marked by buoys to just below the miles northward of Lighthouse Point. first highway bridge (Kimberly Avenue Bridge), about (277) An anchorage basin on the west side of the main 1.2 miles above the channel entrance. In 1996, the channel southward of New Haven Long Wharf is some- midchannel controlling depth was 10 feet from the times used, but considerable shoaling is gradually ex- channel entrance to Buoy 18, thence 5 feet at tending into the anchorage from westward. A sunken midchannel to just above the first highway bridge, the barge with 5 feet over it is in this anchorage about 550 head of navigation. An anchorage area is on the south yards southward of New Haven Long Wharf. In Febru- side of the channel about 0.9 mile above the entrance; ary-March 1985, depths of 10 to 5 feet were available in in April 1996, the controlling depth was 4 feet. Princi- the anchorage basin with lesser depths along the edges. pal waterfront facilities are at City Point. (278) Small craft and scows may anchor northward of the (272) Mill River, on the west side of Fair Haven about 4 New Haven Long Wharf (Naval Reserve Pier), north- miles above Southwest Ledge Light, is entered from west of the main channel where depths range from the main channel through a dredged entrance channel about 5 to 6 feet. that branches into an east and west fork to the Grand (279) No special regulations prescribe the limits within Avenue Bridge, 0.6 mile above the mouth. In 2000, the which vessels must anchor, except that the dredged controlling depths were 6.2 feet (8.2 feet at mid- channels must be kept clear. channel) to the Chapel Street Bridge about 0.25 mile above the entrance, thence 9 feet through the east Dangers bridge opening and 6.3 feet through the west bridge (280) Townshend Ledge, 2.7 miles southeastward of opening, thence 6.5 feet to the junction with the east and west forks, thence 1.4 feet at midchannel in the Southwest Ledge Light, has a least depth of 18 feet and east fork for about 320 yards and 4.9 feet at midchannel is marked by a lighted bell buoy. in the west fork for about 480 yards, thence in 1980, 1 (281) Stony Islet, 2.2 miles eastward of Southwest Ledge foot at midchannel in the east fork and 1.5 feet at Light, is low, bare, and surrounded by ledges bare at midchannel in the west fork to the head of the channel. low water to a distance of about 100 yards. A partly bare (273) Quinnipiac River, on the east side of Fair Haven ledge is about 0.2 mile north-northwestward of Stony about 4 miles above Southwest Ledge Light, has a Islet. From this ledge and Stony Islet westward to the dredged channel to Grand Avenue Bridge, about 1 mile entrance of New Haven Harbor, an area of foul ground above the mouth. In November-December 1993, the with many rocks bare at low water extends about 0.5 controlling depth was 15 feet at midchannel to the mile offshore. This area should be avoided.

308 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (282) Shoals with 16 to 18 feet over them extend over 0.5 Tides mile southeastward from the breakwaters on both sides (291) The mean range of tide is 6.2 feet. Extreme tides of the dredged entrance channel. A spoil area with re- ported depths of 15 feet is on the eastern side of the en- have been recorded as reaching more than 2.5 feet be- trance channel. An 18-foot spot is on the east side of the low the plane of mean low water and more than 8 feet main channel, at the first turn westward of Southwest above the same datum. Ledge Light. Currents (283) The bights on the west shore of New Haven Harbor (292) In the entrance between the breakwaters, the tidal from Pond Point northward are shoal with bare rocks and foul ground in most of them. The shore is rocky at current has a velocity on flood of 1.4 knots, and ebb 0.9 Woodmont, about 2 miles northeastward of Pond knot. The flood sets 319° and the ebb 152°. In the draw Point. of Tomlinson Bridge, the velocity is 0.4 knot. The flood sets 015° and the ebb 215°. Ebb velocities are increased (284) Black Rock, bare at low water and marked by a sea- by freshets. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for pre- sonal buoy, is 0.2 mile off the north end of Morris Cove. dicted times and velocities of currents.) Opposite, on the west side, is a breakwater, partly cov- ered, extending from Sandy Point and marked by a Ice light. Shag Bank, a flat extending about 0.5 mile north- (293) Ice generally obstructs navigation to some extent ward from Sandy Point, has a sand tip about 0.1 mile long. for low-powered vessels from December to March and sometimes extends to the mouth of the harbor. During Bridges severe winters the accumulation of ice is local. Except (285) Tomlinson Bridge, at the head of the main harbor in severe weather, powered vessels can always enter and leave the harbor without much difficulty. In New Ha- at the confluence of Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers, has a ven Harbor northerly winds tend to clear the harbor of vertical lift span with a clearance of 13 feet down and 61 ice if the formation is light; southerly winds are apt to feet up. Just above this bridge is a fixed highway bridge force in drift ice from the sound. with a clearance of 60 feet. The bridgetender of the Tomlinson Bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call Weather, New Haven and vicinity sign KXJ-688. An overhead power cable with a clear- (294) New Haven’s climate is typical of coastal areas of ance of 91 feet crosses the channel just above the fixed highway bridge. southern New England. It is vigorous without being (286) A regulated navigation area is at Tomlinson Bridge. overly severe. New Haven is located at the widest part of (See 165.1 through 165.13, and 165.150, chapter 2, Long Island Sound, and the tempering effect of the wa- for limits and regulations.) ter is most pronounced in this vicinity. During the (287) Over Mill River, about 0.3 mile above the entrance, summer season, the sea breeze holds temperatures 5 to is the Chapel Street Bridge with a swing span having a 15°F (3 to 8°C) lower in the afternoon; during the win- clearance of 7½ feet. The fixed highway bridge at Grand ter season, minimum temperatures in the southern Avenue has a clearance of 6 feet over the east fork and a section of the city are usually 5 to 10°F (3 to 6°C) clearance of 2 feet over the west fork. Bridges above this higher than those reported from northern sections. point have minimum clearance of 2 feet. Small The highest summertime temperatures occur with a unmasted boats go as far as the bridge at State Street, moderate northerly wind. The lowest winter readings 0.5 mile above Grand Avenue. Overhead power cables also occur with a northerly wind. The average tempera- crossing the west fork have a minimum clearance of 80 ture for New Haven is 51.7°F (10.9°C). July is the feet. warmest month with average extremes of 81°F (288) The Ferry Street Bridge over Quinnipiac River, 0.6 (27.2°C) and 64°F (17.8°C). January is the coldest mile above the Tomlinson Bridge, has a bascule span month with average extremes of 37°F (2.8°C) and 22°F with a clearance of 25 feet. The Grand Avenue Bridge, (-5.6°C). The warmest temperature on record is 100°F 0.5 mile farther upstream, has a center-pier swing span (37.8°C) recorded in August 1948 and again in July with a clearance of 9 feet. Above this are several fixed 1957. The coldest temperature on record is -7°F bridges and trestles. (-21.7°C) recorded in January 1961. (289) Kimberly Avenue Bridge over West River has a fixed (295) Precipitation is quite evenly distributed through- span with a clearance of 23 feet. out the year with only a 1.25 inch (32 mm) spread be- (290) (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.213, chapter tween the wettest and driest months. The annual 2, for drawbridge regulations.) average precipitation is 42 inches (1067 mm). The wet- test month, December, averages 4.24 inches (108 mm) and the driest month, June, averages 2.93 inches (74

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 309 mm). The elevation of the land increases northward which extends about 200 yards southeastward from the from the station and results in somewhat higher eastern end of the breakwater, and pass about 100 yards amounts of precipitation in the northern suburbs as eastward of the breakwater. The principal danger inside well as a few more thunderstorms each year. During the breakwater is the reef, marked by a buoy, that ex- the winter, a variety of precipitation is found in most tends 300 yards southwestward from Lighthouse storms. It is common to have rain along the shore, Point. Adams Fall, a rock with 5 feet over it and marked freezing rain and sleet a short distance inland, and by a buoy, is 0.4 mile southwestward of Lighthouse snow in the northern parts of the city. Heavy snow is Point. rather uncommon in the immediate coastal area and usually melts in a few days. Farther inland, the snow Pilotage, New Haven becomes progressively heavier and a layer of snow cov- (301) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for ers the ground most of the winter. Annual average snowfall totals 34 inches (864 mm). February is the foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. See Pi- snowiest month averaging over nine inches (229 mm). lotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. Snow has fallen in each month, October through May. (302) Pilotage for New Haven is available from New Ha- The 24-hour record snowfall is 17.1 inches (434 mm) ven Bridgeport Pilots Association (NHBPA), 60 recorded in April 1957. Appletree Lane, Hamden, CT 06518, telephone 203- (296) Prevailing wind direction varies with the seasons. 878-8667. From late spring until fall, winds are predominantly (303) Pilot boats (rented) utilized by NHBPA pilots are south to southwest due to the effect of the sea breeze. SUSY II, 42-foot, blue hull, white superstructure, word During the winter, the prevailing winds are northerly. PILOT on side; and GALE, 42-foot, white hull, white su- Strong southeast winds cause unusually high tides and perstructure, word PILOT on side. The boat monitors some local flooding in low-lying coastal areas two or channel 16, 13 and 77; works on 77 and 09. Pilots board three times a year. about 1 mile south of New Haven Harbor Lighted Whis- (297) Since 1871, 17 tropical systems have passed within tle Buoy NH. 50 miles of New Haven, Connecticut. The most infa- (304) Pilotage for New Haven is also available from Con- mous perhaps, was the hurricane of 1938. This storm stitution State Pilots Association (CSPA), 500 Water- passed with 15 miles west of the city on September 21 front Street, New Haven, CT 06512, telephone raking the city with 85-knot winds while moving at a 203-627-5058. Pilots of CSPA board vessels from a forward speed in excess of 40 knots. Most recently, hur- launch or the tug, at New Haven Harbor Lighted Whis- ricane Gloria passed within 20 miles to the west on tle Buoy NH. September 27, 1985. Highest winds at time of landfall (305) Pilotage for New Haven is also available from Long were barely hurricane strength but two days prior, Glo- Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc. (LISSPA), ria had been supporting winds in excess of 125 knots. 1440 Whalley Avenue, Suite 123, New Haven, CT Due to geographical orientation, all tropical systems 06515, telephone 203-772-0101, FAX 302-629-9392, approach the coastline from the south or southwest. Cable LISPILOT, New Haven. The pilot boat OLYMPIC (298) The National Weather Service maintains an office has a white hull, red superstructure, and displays the at the Tweed-New Haven Airport, about 3 miles south- word PILOT in black letters. The boat monitors chan- east of the city. (See page 431 for New Haven climato- nel 16 and works on channel 11. Vessels should contact logical table.) the LISSPA prior to arrival for the location of the pilot boarding area. Routes (306) Pilotage for New Haven is also available from (299) To enter New Haven Harbor from eastward, it is Sound Pilots, Inc. (SPI) (a division of Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc.), 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840, safer for large vessels to pass southward of Branford telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216, FAX Reef and Townshend Ledge to the entrance channel. To 401-847-9052, Cable RISPILOT, Newport, RI 02840. The enter from westward, pass northward of Stratford pilot boats are NORTHEAST II, 49-foot, with grey hull Shoal Light at a distance of 1.8 miles and head for the and superstructure and the word PILOT on the side; or entrance channel. RHODE ISLAND PILOT, 35-foot, with black hull and (300) The passage eastward of East Breakwater has boul- white superstructure and the word PILOT on the side; der patches and is very broken, but can be used by small or NORTHEAST I, 49-foot, similarly marked as the craft drawing less than 6 feet, taking care to avoid the RHODE ISLAND PILOT. The SPI pilots meet a ship foul ground along the northeast side of the passage. bound for a Long Island Sound port, off Point Judith, This passage is buoyed, and local vessels of 10- to but will also meet a ship off Montauk Point, by prear- 12-foot draft use it at high water. Avoid Quixes Ledge, rangement. See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other

310 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Rhode Island Waters (indexed as such), chapter 6, and Wharves Pilotage Pickup Locations Off Montauk Point (indexed (318) The deep-draft facilities at the Port of New Haven as such), chapter 7. (307) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc., http://www.interport- are along the north and east sides of the inner portion pilots.com, 906 Port Monmouth Road, Port of New Haven Harbor. Facilities for smaller vessels and Monmouth, NJ 07758, telephone 732-787-5554 (24 barges are along the sides of the harbor and in Mill, hours), email [email protected]. Pilot boat is Quinnipiac, and West Rivers. Depths alongside the fa- CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65-foot, blue hull with white cilities in Quinnipiac River range from about 5 to 15 superstructure, and the word PILOT on both sides. The feet; Mill River, 12 to 13 feet; and West River about 12 to boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours 18 feet. Only the deep-draft facilities are described. For prior to the vessel's scheduled ETA, works on channel a complete description of the port facilities refer to Port 11, and is equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots meet Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps ships bound for New Haven at the Montauk Point Pilot of Engineers. (See Appendix A for address.) The along- Station or the Point Judith Pilot Station. Interport Pi- side depths for the facilities described are reported; for lots will also board vessels at New Haven Harbor information on the latest depths contact the private op- Lighted Whistle Buoy NH or at the New Haven lighter- erator. All the facilities have direct highway connec- ing anchorage from a commercial launch or tug. tions, and most have railroad connections. Water and (308) Pilot services are arranged in advance through electrical shore power connections are available at ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. most piers and wharves. (319) General cargo at the port is usually handled by Towage ship’s tackle; special handling equipment, if available, (309) Tugs up to 1,800 hp are available at New Haven, and is mentioned in the description of the particular facil- ity. Cranes up to 250 tons and warehouses and cold tugs to 4,000 hp can be obtained by prior arrangement. storage facilities adjacent to the waterfront are avail- Vessels usually proceed to the harbor without assis- able. tance. Large vessels normally require tugs for docking (320) Wyatt Light Oil Pier: north end of harbor 0.35 mile and undocking. Arrangements for tug service should northeastward of New Haven Long Wharf; 150-foot be made 24 hours in advance, usually through ships’ face, 715 feet of berthing space with dolphins, 38 feet agents or directly by shipping companies. The tugs alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt and shipment of monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16 and use channel petroleum products; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. 19A as a working frequency; call sign KEE-234. (321) Wyatt Heavy Oil Wharf: 50 yards east of Wyatt Light (310) Launch service to ships at anchor is available. Oil Pier; west side 210 feet, 480 feet of berthing space Launches monitor VHF-FM channel 16 (156.80 MHz) with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; deck height, 11 feet; and use channel 19A (156.95 MHz) as a working fre- receipt and shipment of petroleum products, receipt of quency. asphalt; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. (311) New Haven is a customs port of entry. (322) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf: on each side of harbor, 200 yards south of Tomlinson Bridge; Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural 60-foot face, 735 feet of berthing space with dolphins; quarantine 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels normally (312) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Ap- moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of petro- pendix A for addresses.) leum products; owned and operated by Gulf Oil Re- (313) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- fining and Marketing Co. tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public (323) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Pier: 100 yards Health Service, chapter 1.) southward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf; (314) New Haven has many public and private hospitals. north side 400 feet, 25 feet alongside; south side 380 feet, 25 feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; receipt and Coast Guard shipment of petroleum products; owned and operated (315) The Captain of the Port maintains an office in New by Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. (324) ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf: 300 yards Haven. The nearest vessel documentation office is in southwestward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Bridgeport, Conn. (See Appendix A for addresses.) Pier; 110-foot face, 760 feet with dolphins; 35 feet (316) The harbormaster at New Haven has charge of the alongside; deck height, 15 feet; vessels normally moor anchoring of vessels; he can be contacted through the starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of petroleum local police department. products; owned and operated by ARCO Petroleum (317) The city police maintain a harbor patrol during the Products Co. summer.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 311 (325) New Haven Terminal, Scrap Metal Dock: 275 yards little depth over the greater part of it that extends about southward of ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf; 0.3 mile southward. It is marked by a buoy. A promi- 640-foot face; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 14 feet; nent white mast is on the point. two 30-ton traveling gantry cranes, crawler cranes to (332) Welches Point, 0.8 mile westward of Pond Point, 250 tons; receipt and shipment of general and forms the east side of the entrance of the Gulf. A reef ex- containerized cargo and steel products, shipment of tends 0.2 mile southward from the point and is marked scrap metal, receipt of copper, zinc, and lumber; owned by a buoy. Several scattered rocks extend a southeast- and operated by New Haven Terminal, Inc. erly direction for about 0.5 mile from the buoy. (333) The Gulf, a bight between Welches Point and (326) New Haven Terminal Pier: 50 yards southward of Charles Island, about 6.5 miles westward of New Haven Scrap Metal Dock; north and south sides, 650 feet us- Harbor entrance, affords anchorage in 6 to 15 feet and able, can accommodate tankers up to 700 feet; 35 and is sheltered in all but southerly and southeasterly 39 feet alongside, north and south sides, respectively; winds. The entrance is clear. The shoaling is gradual, deck height, 13 feet; cranes up to 50 tons; 36,000 and soundings are the best guide on the northwest side square feet covered storage; receipt and shipment of of the bight; the western side of Welches Point and the general cargo, receipt of petroleum products, petro- reefs around Charles Island extending to the mainland chemicals, chemicals, copper, zinc, lumber, and steel should be approached with caution, as the shoaling is products; owned and operated by New Haven Terminal, abrupt. The mean range of tide is about 6.6 feet. Inc. (334) Milford Harbor, comprising the lower portion of the Wepawaug River, is entered at the mouth of the (327) Exxon Co. Terminal Wharf: 175 yards southward of river between two jetties at the head of The Gulf. The New Haven Terminal Pier; 80-foot face, 700 feet with westerly jetty extends southward from Burns Point, dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels and the easterly jetty is marked by Milford Harbor normally moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment Light 10. The harbor is used chiefly for recreational of petroleum products; owned and operated by Exxon boating, and occasionally for the receipt of shellfish Co., U.S.A. and fish. The National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, maintains a laboratory and Supplies research vessel base on the west side of the harbor, (328) Oil bunkering terminals at New Haven are main- about 0.2 mile northward of Burns Point. (335) A dredged channel leads from The Gulf through the tained by the major oil companies. Fuel oil and diesel jettied entrance to a point about 400 feet above the oil in the usual commercial grades are obtainable. town wharf, 0.6 mile above Burns Point. In Octo- Barges are available for bunkering in the anchorages ber-November 2005, the controlling depths were 4.5 outside the breakwaters or at the piers; 24-hour ad- feet (6.5 feet at midchannel) to the Town Dock, thence vance notice is required, and arrangements should be 7.1 feet in the anchorage basin along the west side of made through ships’ agents. Water, provisions, and ma- the channel. The channel is marked by a light and rine supplies can be procured. lighted and unlighted buoys. Repairs Small-craft facilities (329) New Haven has no facilities for making major re- (336) Milford Harbor has several small-craft facilities. pairs or for drydocking deep-draft vessels; the nearest (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 such facilities are at Boston, Mass., and New York. Ma- for services and supplies available.) chine shops in the area can make limited repairs to ma- chinery and boilers, and fabricate shafts and other pieces of equipment. Small-craft facilities (337) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (330) There are excellent facilities on the east and west (338) Charles Island, on the southwest side at the en- sides of the harbor and on West and Quinnipiac Rivers. trance to The Gulf, is low and partly covered with trees. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 The island is connected to the mainland by The Bar, a for services and supplies available.) narrow neck about 0.5 mile long and surrounded by rocks awash and shoals. A buoy marks the end of a shoal Charts 12370, 12364 that extends 250 yards east-northeastward from the is- land, and a lighted bell buoy marks the end of a rocky (331) Pond Point, about 5 miles southwestward of the area that extends 0.4 mile southward from the island. New Haven Harbor entrance, has a rocky shoal with Northward of Charles Island is a good anchorage in 10

312 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 to 16 feet, sheltered from southerly to southwesterly river channel, thence 5.7 feet in the dredged channels winds. across lower Oronoque Bar and 3.0 feet across upper (339) Between Charles Island and Stratford Point, about Oronoque Bar, thence 5.5 feet across Camp Meeting 3 miles southwestward, several summer resorts are Bar, thence 6.2 feet across Drews Bar except for shoal- along the shore and the Housatonic River empties into ing to 3.9 feet in the lower part of the dredged channel Long Island Sound just above the point. The shoals along the left edge, thence 7 feet across Mouthrops Bar which extend southward from Stratford Point toward and Hidelom Rock Bar, thence 7 feet in the left outside Stratford Shoal Light (see chart 12354) consist of nar- quarter of the dredged channel across Twomile Island row ridges of hard sand with deeper water between, and Bar with shoaling to bare in the remainder of the chan- have oyster beds marked with stakes. Depths of 12 feet nel, thence 7 feet in the dredged channel near Sow and or less extend 1 mile offshore. Pigs Jetty. The channel is marked to a point about 2.5 (340) Stratford Point Light (41°09'07\"N., 73°06'12\"W.), miles below Derby and Shelton. 52 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical tower, with brown band midway of its height, from the (344) Stratford is a town on the west side of the river 2.3 southerly part of the point. miles above the entrance. The principal wharf has a depth of about 9 feet at its end. The harbormaster at Chart 12370 Stratford controls anchorages and moorings, and has jurisdiction from the entrance of the river to the (341) Housatonic River rises in the Berkshire Hills of Shelton town line. Harbor regulations may be obtained western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and empties from the harbormaster who may be contacted through into Long Island Sound about 10 miles southwestward the Stratford police or at the Town Hall. of the New Haven Harbor entrance. The river is joined by the nonnavigable Naugatuck River in the vicinity of (345) Stratford has several small-craft facilities. (See the Derby, Conn. Housatonic River is navigable to a point small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- about 1 mile above Shelton, Conn., where it is closed by vices and supplies available.) a power dam. The head of navigation for all practical purposes is at the towns of Derby and Shelton, 11.5 (346) Devon is on the east side about 1 mile above miles above the entrance. Small vessels can anchor in Stratford. Local small craft anchor near the east bank the river abreast of Stratford, where the channel has an of the river, just north of the highway bridge, in depths available width of about 500 feet. The waterborne com- up to 10 feet. A 40-foot marine railway at a small–craft merce on the river is principally in barge shipments of facility at Devon can haul out craft for engine and hull aggregate, fuel oil to the power plant at Devon, and sea- repairs; gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, and stor- sonal commercial shellfishing. Navigation above age are available. In July 1981, depths of 4 feet were re- Devon is limited to recreational boating. ported alongside the facility. (342) On the east side of the entrance to Housatonic (347) Shelton, a town on the west side of the river about River, a breakwater extends out from Milford Point 11.5 miles above the entrance is connected to Derby by across the bar and is marked at its south end by two bridges; the town has several important factories. Housatonic River Breakwater Light 2A. The inner sec- In 1971, the wharves at Derby and Shelton were in ru- tion of the breakwater is awash at high water. ins and unsuitable for craft of any size. Channels Bridges (343) A Federal project provides for an 18-foot dredged (348) About 1 mile above Stratford is U.S. Route 1 high- channel from Long Island Sound between the breakwa- way bridge with a bascule span having a clearance of 32 ter on the east and Stratford Point on the west upriver feet. Two bridges cross the river about 0.3 mile farther for about 4.3 miles to the lower end of Culver Bar. (See up: the first, Interstate Route 95 fixed highway bridge, Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of the charts has a clearance of 65 feet, and the second, a railroad for controlling depths.) Above the lower end of Culver bridge with a bascule span, has a clearance of 19 feet. Bar, the river channel extends through several dredged The bridgetenders of the U.S. Route 1 bridge and the sections across river bars to the towns of Derby and railroad bridge monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs Shelton about 11.5 miles above the river entrance. In KXJ-695 and KU-6035, respectively. An overhead power February-September 2005, the controlling depths were cable with a clearance of 135 feet crosses at the railroad 2.2 feet in the buoyed channel from the lower end of bridge. Other cables, near Pecks Mill, 1.5 miles above, Culver Bar and across Mill Bar to the naturally deep have minimum clearance of 79 feet. (349) The fixed highway bridge about 3.7 miles above Stratford has a clearance of 85 feet. In 2005, a fixed re- placement bridge with a design clearance of 79 feet was

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 313 under construction at the site of the existing bridge. At shoal is reported to have encroached into the channel. Shelton, two fixed highway bridges and a fixed railroad By steering a midchannel course no difficulty should bridge have a least clearance of 17 feet. In April 1983, be encountered. the railroad bridge suffered severe structural damage. The area should be avoided, but if transit is necessary, (357) Pilots and tugs can be obtained at New Haven. extreme caution should be exercised. (358) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river near (350) (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.207, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) anchorage and mooring areas and near boat slips. Tides Chart 12354 (351) The mean range of tide is 5.5 feet at Stratford and 5 (359) Stratford Shoal Middle Ground, 5.4 miles south of feet at Shelton. The time of the tide becomes later and Stratford Point and covered 9 to 18 feet, is marked by the range diminishes in progressing up the river. At Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light (41°03'35\"N., Stratford the tide is about 0.8 hour later than at the en- 73°06'05\"W.), 60 feet above the water and shown from a trance whereas at Shelton high water is about 1.8 gray granite octagonal tower projecting from a house hours later and low water about 2.8 hours later than at on a pier, and by buoys that mark the outer ends of the entrance. The river water is fresh about 6 miles shoal areas extending 1 mile north, 0.9 mile northeast, above the entrance. and 0.5 mile south of the light. A fog signal is at the light. Currents (352) At the entrance near the end of the breakwater the North Shore of Long Island (360) From Orient Point (41°09.6'N., 72°14.0'W.), for flood has a strong westerly set. Between Milford Point and Crimbo Point, flood and ebb have a velocity of about 11 miles to Horton Point, the south shore of about 1.2 knots. The flood sets about 330° and the ebb Long Island Sound is generally bluff and rocky. The 135°. Just north of the draw of the railroad bridge above 10-fathom curve is from 0.3 to 0.8 mile from shore, and Stratford, the velocity of flood is 1.1 knots and of ebb, the shoaling is generally abrupt. The outlying dangers 1.3 knots. In the openings of the bridge the flood cur- are Orient Shoal and the rocky patch northward of rent has some easterly set, but the ebb sets fair with the Horton Point. openings. Between that bridge and Shelton the tidal (361) The prominent features are Browns Hills, a tower current has a velocity of about 1 knot. Because of the at Rocky Point, a tank and television tower at drainage flow of the river, the ebb is usually greater and Greenport, and Horton Point Light. the flood less than 1 knot. (Consult the Tidal Current (362) Several rocky shoals, including Orient Shoal with Tables for current predictions and further details.) a least depth of 7 feet, are offshore in the vicinity of Rocky Point, about 5 miles westward of Orient Point. (353) Spring freshets at Shelton rise 10 feet or more The north end of Orient Shoal is marked by a buoy. above mean high tide. (363) Horton Point Light (41°05'06\"N., 72°26'44\"W.), 103 feet above the water, is shown from a white square (354) Ice closes the river above Stratford during the win- tower attached to a dwelling on the northwest part of ter and sometimes extends to the entrance. the point. The former lighthouse tower is close by, southwestward of the present light. Routes (364) A rocky shoal with a least found depth of 26 feet is (355) The channel in Housatonic River is narrow and 1.6 miles northward of Horton Point. The shoal is a ridge having a northeast-southwest direction, with crooked, with little depth on either side, and across the abrupt shoaling on its northwest and southeast sides. bars in the channel are dredged cuts 100 feet wide. The (365) From Horton Point for about 32 miles to Old Field tidal currents are strong, especially in the lower part of Point, the shore is fringed with shoals that extend off a the river, and strangers are advised to take a pilot. greatest distance of 1.5 miles and rise abruptly from the Small craft, without a pilot, should proceed with cau- deep water of Long Island Sound. Boulders are found tion and preferably on a rising tide. near the shore on the shoals which extend off 0.5 mile (356) When entering the river during a flood current, in places. A sand shoal, about 0.5 mile in extent with a care must be taken to avoid being set on the shoals on least depth of 22 feet, is about 1.1 miles northwestward the west side by strong westerly currents. In the vicin- of Duck Pond Point. ity of Milford Point care should be exercised to avoid a shoal that reportedly extends from Milford Point to the eastern edge of the channel. Care should also be exer- cised off the extreme northern end of Nells Island as a

314 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (366) The bluffs begin about 1 mile westward of Gold- Offshore Terminal, Riverhead smith Inlet and reach their greatest elevation just east- (372) An offshore platform for the delivery and receipt of ward of Duck Pond Point. A valley, formed by a break in the bluffs, is just westward of the point; a bathing pavil- petroleum products is in open roadstead, off Northville, ion is on the beach. Boulders that bare at low water are NY (and Riverhead, NY), about 1.2 miles northward of on the shoals that fringe the shore between Duck Pond Jacobs Point. It is owned and operated by TOSCO Cor- Point and Mattituck Inlet. poration, Riverhead, NY. (373) A safety zone surrounds the offshore facility. (See Chart 12358 165.155, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (374) The facility consists of a 45- by 100-foot steel plat- (367) Mattituck Inlet, 6.7 miles southwestward of Hor- form structure with breasting dolphins and mooring ton Point Light, is entered between two short jetties. dolphins providing two berths; one on the northeast The inlet is marked by a long break in the bluffs. The side and one on the southwest side. The deck height is outer end of the west jetty is marked by a light. A gong 24.5 feet. The northeast berth has depths alongside of buoy about 1 mile north of the jetty light marks the en- 64 feet, and can accommodate tankers up to 225,000 trance of the inlet. The sides of the channel are sandy, DWT and up to 1,150-foot length, of 62-foot maximum and, although shoaling is liable to occur at the en- draft. trance, strangers can enter the inlet without great dan- (375) The southwest berth has depths alongside of 50 ger. In June 2006, the controlling depth was 6.3 feet feet, and can accommodate tankers of up to 42,000 from the entrance to about 0.3 mile above the mouth of DWT and up to 600-foot length, of 42-foot maximum Mattituck Creek, with shoaling to 1.4 feet along the draft. Barges mooring in this berth must be at least 220 right edge of the channel, thence 4.9 feet at mid- feet long. channel for about 1.8 miles to the turning basin at (376) A private fog signal is on the platform. Private Mattituck with 5.5 to 7 feet available in the basin. The lights are on the northeast and northwest corners, and channel is marked by buoys and private markers. The two lights mark the center of the platform. Lights are overhead power cable about 1 mile above the entrance also on each of the dolphins. has a clearance of 78 feet. Wharf Tides and currents (377) An 800-foot barge pier is just east of Jacobs Point (368) The tidal currents have an estimated velocity of and southward of the platform. The pier is used for re- about 3 knots in the narrow parts of the entrance of ceipt and shipment of petroleum products and has tank Mattituck Inlet. Slack waters occur possibly 1 hour af- storage for 5¼ million barrels. Depth alongside is 13 ter the time of high and low water. With northerly and feet. Lesser depths surround the area and a shoal with westerly winds, the sea is rough in the entrance. The depths of 10 feet is in the recommended southwest ap- mean range of tide is 5.2 feet at the entrance. The inlet proach to the west pier berth. Vessels with draft greater is sometimes closed by ice during portions of cold win- than 12 feet should exercise caution when approaching ters. the pier and should endeavor to arrive or depart at high water. (369) Several marinas and a boatyard are inside the inlet. Prominent feature A 70-ton mobile hoist at the boatyard can haul out craft (378) The numerous light green oil storage tanks on for engine, hull, and radio repairs. Marine supplies, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, and covered and wet storage Jacobs Point are prominent. can be obtained. A transient dock, operated by the Mattituck Park Commission, is at the head of the inlet; Communications depths of about 6 feet are at the dock. A dockmaster is (379) Vessels transiting Long Island Sound or approach- at the dock; water is available. ing the facility may do so through a VHF-FM marine (370) Mattituck is a village on the railroad at the head of operator. Available marine operator stations’ name and the inlet. Provisions can be obtained. channel are: (380) Riverhead 28 (371) Jacobs Point is about 11 miles southwestward of (381) New Bedford 26 Horton Point Light. (382) New London 26 (383) Bridgeport 24. (384) Upon the approach of an incoming vessel, the platform, voice call “TOSCO Corporation Offshore Plat- form”, or “Riverhead Platform”, or “TOSCO’s Riverhead

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 315 Terminal”, monitors VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 19A; Supplies works channel 19A. (399) Fueling of a ship alongside the platform is not per- (385) Vessels calling at the platform are moored at any mitted. A ship may fuel while at anchor from a barge. time, weather conditions permitting. The tidal current Water is not available from this facility. Stores may be periods are substantially the same as at The Race. brought on board via launch while alongside or at an- Strong winds from the north and northwest are experi- chor. enced during the winter and spring. Tidal currents dur- ing maximum ebb and flood may reach 3 knots. The (400) New York City is the quarantine, customs, immi- mean range of tide is 5.4 feet. gration, and agricultural quarantine port of entry for Northville. Officials are stationed in New York City. (386) Vessels awaiting berth at the platform will nor- (See Appendix A for addresses.) Arrangements for such mally anchor north of the platform. A vessel drawing inspections must be made by ships’ agents in advance, more than 50 feet of water may wish to anchor in usually not less than 24 hours Monday through Friday deeper water northwest of the platform. Pilots are fa- and 48 hours on Saturday and Sunday. Officials will miliar with the best anchorages. Holding ground is board vessels in the anchorage prior to arrival within good and a scope of 8 shots (120 feet) is considered ade- the vicinity of the offshore mooring facility. quate. Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northville-Riverhead Chart 12354 (387) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for (401) Between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson the foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For shore is fringed with rock shoals extending in places these vessels, pilotage to this terminal is available 1.5 miles offshore. The outer ends of the shoals are from: marked by buoys. (388) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc.). (402) Horse in Bank, 7.3 miles westward of Mattituck In- (389) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. let, is an area of white patches in the brush-covered (390) For U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise trade, pi- bluff at Friars Head. The feature is at the western end of lotage to this terminal is available from: Roanoke Point Shoal and 14 miles westward of Horton (391) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. Point Light. (392) Constitution State Pilots Association, (393) Long Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc., (403) The valley of Wading River, about 20 miles west- and ward of Horton Point Light, forms a broad break in the (394) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine high bluffs. The entrance to Wading River is protected Pilots, Inc.). by a short jetty on the west side. In July 1981, a re- (395) See Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), ported depth of about 3 feet could be carried in the river early this chapter, and Pilotage, New York Harbor and to a town launching ramp 0.1 mile above the entrance. Approaches, (indexed as such), chapter 11. A small canal, about 350 yards westward of the en- (396) The pilot serves as docking master and remains on trance to Wading River, leads southward to the site of a board on standby while the vessel is moored at the plat- nuclear power station. The canal, closed to general form. Pilot services are arranged in advance through navigation, had a reported depth of about 12 feet in ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. June 1989. (404) Tuttles White Bank is a high white bluff 0.6 mile westward of Wading River. Tugs Charts 12362, 12364 (397) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- (405) Mount Sinai Harbor, 22.5 miles westward of dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. Mattituck Inlet, is marked by a low break in the beach Normally two or three tugs are used for docking and nearly 1 mile long. The approach to the harbor is one or two tugs for undocking. marked by a buoy. The entrance is protected by two jet- ties, the outer parts of which are awash at high water. Launch service Caution should be exercised when rounding them. The (398) J & H Launch Service, Port Jefferson (516-331-5336), jetties are each marked on the outer end by a private light. In June 1981, a depth of about 8 feet was reported provides transfer service for vessels at anchor or along- available through the entrance. The northern part of side the platform.

316 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Coast Pilot 2 the harbor has general depths of 10 to 20 feet. A chan- Bell Buoy 5 inside the entrance. The ground from the nel marked by private buoys leads eastward from the east jetty to the lighted bell buoy is broken, with shoals entrance to small-craft facilities on the north shore of covered 4 to 11 feet. The lighted bell buoy cannot be the harbor. The southern part of the harbor is shoal; seen over the breakwater at low tide by small vessels ap- the chart is the guide. proaching the harbor. (414) The mean range of tide is 6.6 feet. (406) Several small-craft facilities are in the harbor. (See Currents the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for (415) In the channel between the jetties the velocity of services and supplies available.) the tidal currents is 2.6 knots on flood and 1.9 on ebb; (407) A speed limit of 6 mph is enforced in the harbor by flood sets 151° and the ebb 323°. It is reported that on the Suffolk County Police. the ebb there is a current with a velocity of 1 to 2 knots across the entrance to the harbor. (408) Mount Misery, 180 feet high, between Mount Sinai Harbor and Port Jefferson, slopes off gradually toward (416) Ice forms over the entire harbor and interrupts the sound where the bluffs are about 60 feet high and navigation in very cold weather, but does not endanger very prominent. Sand banks dug out by sand and gravel shipping in the harbor. companies are very conspicuous. Pilotage, Port Jefferson (409) Port Jefferson Harbor, on the south shore of Long (417) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for Island Sound eastward of Old Field Point, is entered through a dredged channel that leads between two jet- foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For ties to a docking area near the southwestern end of the these vessels, pilotage is available from: harbor; the jetties are each marked by a light. The ap- (418) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine proach is marked by a lighted whistle buoy, about 1.1 Pilots, Inc.). miles northwest of the entrance. Two stacks on the (419) For U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise trade, pi- west side near the head of the harbor are conspicuous lotage is available from: landmarks. A 12 mph speed limit is enforced in the (420) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. main entrance channel, and a 5 mph speed limit is en- (421) Constitution State Pilots Association, forced at the head of the harbor in the vicinity of the (422) Long Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc., mooring areas and wharves. and (423) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine (410) A 121°-301° measured nautical mile is westward Pilots, Inc.). of the entrance to Port Jefferson Harbor on Old Field (424) See Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), Beach. The front markers are orange posts about 8 feet early this chapter, and Pilotage, New York Harbor and high; the rear markers are rectangles mounted on legs Approaches, (indexed as such), chapter 11. about 12 feet high, painted red with a 6-inch black ver- (425) Pilot services are arranged in advance through tical stripe in the middle. ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. (411) The approach to Port Jefferson Harbor is clear, tak- Tugs ing care to avoid Mount Misery Shoal with depths of 7 (426) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- to 12 feet, about 0.8 mile north-northeast of the east jetty light. dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. Normally, two tugs are used for docking and one for (412) In November 1990, the controlling depth was 23 undocking. feet (26 feet at midchannel) in the dredged channel through Port Jefferson Harbor to the docking area off (427) Port Jefferson is a town at the southern end of the an oil wharf at the southern end. Shoaling to 10 feet is harbor. The principal industries of the port are the near the southwest corner of the southern limit of the shipping of sand and gravel and the distribution of pe- project. The channel is marked by lighted and troleum products. unlighted buoys and a 146° lighted range. In Septem- ber 1982, it was reported that due to the closeness of Small-craft facilities the range lights it may be difficult to determine when (428) There are small-craft facilities at the head of the they are in line. It was further reported that the range may be obscured by vessels tied up at the oil wharf on harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on the west side of the harbor. chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) A launching ramp is at the head of the harbor. (413) Shoals with little depth are on both sides of the channel from the entrance to Port Jefferson to Lighted

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 317 Wharves from Port Jefferson is marked by private seasonal (429) Depths ranging from 2 to 29 feet are reported buoys. Gasoline, moorings, and limited marine sup- plies are available at the boatyard; a flatbed trailer can alongside the commercial wharves and piers at the haul out craft to 32 feet long. head of the harbor. The oil wharf on the west side of the (433) Setauket is a village on the south shore of Setauket harbor, about 400 yards from the head, has depths of 29 Harbor about 1 mile above the entrance. feet alongside the face and 20 feet along the north side. The power plant wharf, about 150 yards northwest- No-Discharge Zone ward, has depths of 29 feet alongside. (434) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- Communications vironmental Protection Agency, has established a (430) Port Jefferson is served by railroad and bus. A ferry No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Port Jefferson Harbor Complex. The NDZ includes Port Jefferson Harbor, operates to Bridgeport, Conn. Setauket Harbor, Little Bay, the Narrows and Con- science Bay. The boundary line extends from the east- (431) Conscience Bay is entered through a long, narrow ernmost point at Old Field Beach northerly to the channel at the northwest end of Port Jefferson Harbor. westernmost point at White Beach (see chart 12362 for The bay and entrance have depths of 1 to 2 feet. limits). Strangers should not attempt to enter as there are (435) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether many rocks at the entrance. treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by (432) Setauket Harbor, on the western side of Port Jeffer- 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). son Harbor, has a narrow crooked channel. In June 1981, a reported depth of about 2½ feet was available in the channel to the boatyard at Setauket. The entrance

318 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 319 Western Long Island Sound (1) This chapter describes the western part of Long Is- Harbor is preferred and is sometimes used by tows. land Sound along the north shore from Bridgeport to Westward of Norwalk Islands, seagoing vessels can an- Throgs Neck, the south shore from Old Field Point to chor toward the north shore and, with good ground Willets Point, and the East and Harlem Rivers. Also de- tackle, hold on in northerly winds. Captain Harbor af- scribed are the many bays and their tributaries that fords good shelter, but is rarely used except by local ves- make into this part of the sound including Bridgeport sels. On the south shore, Huntington Bay and Harbor, Stamford Harbor, Captain Harbor, Mamaro- Hempstead Harbor are available for large vessels; Oys- neck Harbor, Norwalk Harbor, Eastchester Bay, Hun- ter Bay is also used, and Manhasset Bay is available for tington Bay, Oyster Bay, Hempstead Harbor, Manhasset light-draft vessels. City Island Harbor is a fine resort for Bay, Flushing Bay, and New Rochelle Harbor, and the coasters. commercial and small-craft facilities found in these waters. Tides (6) The time of tide is nearly simultaneous throughout COLREGS Demarcation Lines (2) The lines established for Long Island Sound are de- Long Island Sound, but the range of tide increases from about 2.5 feet at the east end to about 7.3 feet at the scribed in 80.155, chapter 2. west end. Daily predictions of the times and heights of high and low waters for New London, Bridgeport, and Chart 12363 Willets Point are given in the Tide Tables. (7) The effect of strong winds, in combination with the (3) Western Long Island Sound is that portion of the regular tidal action, may at times cause the water to fall deep navigable waterway between the shores of Con- several feet below the plane of reference of the charts. necticut and New York and the northern coast of Long Island westward of the line between Bridgeport and Old Currents Field Point. (8) About 1.3 miles northward of Eatons Neck Light (4) This region has boulders and broken ground, with the ebb runs about 5 hours longer than the flood. The little or no natural change in the shoals. The waters are current has a velocity of 1.4 knots; the flood sets 283° well marked by navigational aids so that strangers and the ebb sets 075°. should experience no difficulty in navigating them. As (9) The direction and velocity of the currents are af- all broken ground is liable to be strewn with boulders, fected by strong winds which may increase or diminish vessels should proceed with caution when in the vicin- the periods of flood or ebb. Directions and velocities ity of broken areas where the charted depths are less from Point Judith to Throgs Neck for each hour of the than 6 to 8 feet greater than the draft. All of the more tidal cycle will be found in Tidal Current Charts, Long important places are entered through dredged chan- Island Sound and Block Island Sound. Currents in East nels. During fog, vessels are advised to anchor until the River are described in the latter part of this chapter. weather clears before attempting to enter. The numer- ous oyster grounds in this region are usually marked by Weather, Western Long Island Sound and vicinity stakes and flags. These stakes may become broken off (10) These waters are more protected than the eastern and form obstructions dangerous to small craft which, especially at night, should proceed with caution when Sound resulting in fewer gales. However, winters are crossing oyster areas. colder and summers warmer due to this sheltering ef- fect. Fog is not so frequent either and tends to burn off Anchorages quicker than farther east. Winter winds of 16 knots or (5) There is anchorage for large vessels in the bight more are likely about 12 to 15 percent of the time and are predominantly from the west through northwest. outside Bridgeport Harbor Light. Cockenoe Harbor is Harbors such as Cold Spring, Oyster Bay, Hempstead sometimes used by small vessels, but Sheffield Island and Manhasset offer additional shelter. In summer

320 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 thunderstorms may develop on 4 to 5 days per month. Pilotage, Western Long Island Sound These are most likely during the afternoon or evening. (20) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for (11) In Long Island Sound the north and south shores are equally subject to fog, except that on spring and foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For ves- summer mornings, when there is little or no wind, fog sels entering Long Island Sound from the east (from will often hang along the Connecticut shore while it is sea via Block Island Sound) see Pilotage, Long Island clear offshore and southward. Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. For vessels enter- (12) In the western end of Long Island Sound, although ing Long Island Sound from the west (East River) see fogs are liable to occur at any time, they are not en- Pilotage, New York and Approaches to New York (in- countered so often nor do they generally last so long as dexed as such), chapter 11. farther eastward. Charts 12369, 12364 Ice (13) In ordinary winters the floating and pack ice in (21) Bridgeport Harbor, on the north side of Long Is- land Sound north-northwestward of Stratford Shoal Long Island Sound, while impeding navigation, does (Middle Ground) Light and about 52 miles from New not render it absolutely unsafe, but in exceptionally se- York, consists of two widely separated units. The main vere winters the reverse is true; then only the powerful harbor and its branches serve the east and central por- steamers can make their way. tions of the city of Bridgeport, and Black Rock Harbor (14) Drift ice, which is formed principally along the and its tributaries serve the western part. Black Rock northern shore of the sound under the influence of the Harbor and Cedar Creek are described under separate prevailing northerly winds, drifts across to the south- headings. Waterborne commerce at Bridgeport con- ern side and accumulates there, massing into large sists mostly of petroleum products, lumber, sand and fields, and remains until removed by southerly winds gravel, building materials, and scrap iron. which drive it back to the northerly shore. (15) In ordinary winters ice generally forms in the west- Prominent features ern end of the sound as far as Eatons Neck; in excep- (22) The large red and white horizontally banded stack tionally severe winters ice may extend to Falkner Island and farther eastward. of a powerplant on Tongue Point is the most prominent landmark in this area. Other prominent landmarks in- Effects of winds on ice clude a group of stacks on Steel Point; the towers of a (16) In Long Island Sound northerly winds drive the ice high-voltage line; several church spires; a gas tank with a red and white checkered band at the top, on the west to the southern shore of the sound and southerly winds side of Pequonnock River; the radio towers at Pleasure carry it back to the northern shore. Northeasterly Beach; and Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A. The rays of an winds force the ice westward and cause formations aerolight about 1.3 miles northwestward of Stratford heavy enough to prevent the passage of vessels of every Point can be seen from offshore. description until the ice is removed by westerly winds. These winds carry the ice eastward and, if of long (23) Bridgeport Harbor Channel Approach Lighted enough duration, drive it through The Race into Block Whistle Buoy BH (41°06'14\"N., 73°11'44\"W.), is 3.3 miles Island Sound, from where it goes to sea and disappears. south-southwest of Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A and (17) In Bridgeport Harbor winds from north to north- marks the entrance to the channel. west clear the harbor of drift ice, and those from south- east through south to southwest force the ice into the (24) Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A (41°09'24\"N., harbor from the sound. The outer buoys may be carried 73°10'48\"W.), 50 feet above the water, is shown from a out of position by heavy ice during severe winters. black skeleton tower with small white house, on a black (18) Additional information concerning ice conditions base, on the west side of the entrance channel near the in the waters adjoining Long Island Sound is given un- end of the west breakwater. der the local descriptions. Channels (19) Vessel Traffic Service, New York, operated by the (25) From deep water in Long Island Sound the dredged U.S. Coast Guard, serves New York Harbor (see 161.501 through 161.580, chapter 2, for regulations). channel extends north-northeastward between two converging breakwaters into the main harbor, and thence into the three tributaries, Johnsons Creek, Yel- low Mill Channel, and Pequonnock River. Federal pro- ject depth is 35 feet in the main channel to just below

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 321 the Connecticut Turnpike bridge. (See Notice to Mari- Anchorages ners and latest edition of the chart for controlling (31) Bridgeport Harbor has two anchorage areas inside depths.) (26) A powerplant is at Tongue Point. A privately the breakwaters. One with depths of 23 to 40 feet is on dredged channel leads from the main channel to the the east side of the main channel northwestward of powerplant’s offshore oil wharf on the south side of the Pleasure Beach, and the other with depths of 15 to 25 point. In 1980, the channel, except for a 17-foot depth feet is on the west side of the main channel just north- on the southwesterly side of the widener, had a re- eastward of Tongue Point. A rock covered 10 feet is in ported controlling depth of about 26 feet; depths of 29 the west anchorage in about 41°10'17\"N., 73°10'56\"W. to 35 feet were reported alongside the wharf. Another The rest of the harbor area consists of broad and shal- privately dredged channel, used by barges, leads from low sand flats. Vessels seeking shelter from strong the main channel to the powerplant’s facilities on the northerly winds sometimes anchor off the entrance; east side of the point. In July 1978, the controlling the holding ground is good. depth in the channel was 10 feet. (32) A general anchorage is in Johnsons Creek. (See (27) Johnsons Creek, northward of Pleasure Beach, is 110.1 and 110.148, chapter 2, for limits and regula- entered eastward of Tongue Point through a marked tions.) dredged channel leading to anchorage basins; two on the west side, and one at the head of the creek. The Dangers highway bridge 0.2 mile above the entrance has a swing (33) The entrance is clear, and the only dangers are the span with a clearance of 7 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Private previously discussed shoals on the east, south of yacht clubs and two oil-receiving piers are on the creek. Stratford Point, and on the west, the Penfield Reef (28) Yellow Mill Channel is entered through a dredged shoals. channel that leads for about 0.8 mile north-northeast- ward from just above the first bend in the main channel Tides to the head of the creek. Flats, largely bare at low water, (34) The mean range of tide is 6.8 feet. (See the Tide Ta- are on both sides of the channel. The Stratford Avenue highway bridge about 0.3 mile above the entrance has a bles for daily predictions of the times and heights of bascule span with a clearance of 11 feet. (See 117.1 high and low waters.) through 117.59 and 117.225, chapter 2, for draw- bridge regulations.) About 0.1 mile above the bascule Currents bridge is a fixed turnpike bridge with a clearance of 39 (35) The velocity of flood or ebb is about 0.7 knot in the feet. Depths at the wharves are 8 to 15 feet. (29) Pequonnock River, the most westerly of the tribu- entrance between the breakwaters. (See the Tidal Cur- taries, is easily followed by small craft, but larger ves- rent Tables for predictions.) Inside the harbor the cur- sels may need the assistance of a tug to get around the rents are generally weak. sharp bends. The river is entered through a dredged channel that leads northward from the main channel (36) Ice does not interfere seriously with navigation in just below Connecticut Turnpike bridge to the head of Bridgeport Harbor, although its tributaries are closed navigation just below the Berkshire Avenue Dam, at times. The winds from the north and northwest clear about 1.1 miles above the entrance. Depths at some of the harbor of drift ice, and those from the southeast the wharves are 10 to 15 feet. through the southwest force the ice into the harbor from the sound. The outer buoys may be carried out of Bridges position by heavy ice during severe winters. (30) Type, distance above Steel Point, and clearance of Weather, Bridgeport and vicinity the bridges over Pequonnock River follow: Connecticut (37) The terrain of the mainland is of glacial origin and Turnpike, fixed, 300 yards, 65 feet; Stratford Avenue, vertical-lift, 500 yards, 8 feet down and 68 feet up, Peck rises in a rolling, mostly wooded, manner to the foot- Railroad bridge, bascule, 0.5 mile, 26 feet; Congress hills of the Berkshires, 30 miles to the north, and the Street bridge, bascule, 0.6 mile, 8 feet; highway bridge, Catskills, about 60 to 70 miles to the northwest. There bascule, 0.7 mile, 4 feet; (See 117.1 through 117.59 is some foehn effect (chinook) with north and north- and 117.219, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) west winds, and the upslope effect with the approach of The bridgetender at the railroad bridge monitors a coastal low is quite pronounced. The most pro- VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KU–6033. nounced topographical effect, however, is that of the land-sea breeze which is most pronounced in the spring, summer, and early autumn. The land-sea breeze effect during this period will inevitably cause a

322 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 shift in the wind direction, even with a moderately Bridgeport Pilots Association (NHBPA), 60 Appletree strong isobaric flow. Lane, Hamden, CT 06518, telephone 203-878-8667. (38) As a result of the sea breeze, mean monthly tem- (43) Pilot boats (rented) utilized by NHBPA pilots are peratures during the summer average 3 to 5 degrees (2 SUSY II, 42-foot, blue hull, white superstructure, word to 3°C) lower than nearby inland stations. Likewise, PILOT on side; and GALE, 42-foot, white hull, white su- temperatures during the fall and winter are moderated perstructure, word PILOT on side. Boat monitors 16, several degrees owing to the proximity of Long Island 13 and 77, works on 77 and 09. Pilots board about 1 Sound. The average annual temperature at Bridgeport mile south of Bridgeport Harbor Channel Approach is 52°F (11.1°C). The average high is 60°F (15.6°C) and Lighted Whistle Buoy BH. the average low is 44°F (6.7°C). July is the warmest (44) Pilotage for Bridgeport is also available from Con- month with average extremes of 82°F (27.8°C) and stitution State Pilots Association (CSPA), 500 Water- 66°F (18.9°C). January is the coolest with average ex- front Street, New Haven, CT 06512, telephone tremes of 37°F (2.8°C) and 23°F (-5°C). The record 203-627-5058. Pilots of CSPA board vessels from a high temperature is 103°F (39.4°C) set in July 1957 launch or the tug, at Bridgeport Harbor Channel Ap- while the all-time low temperature is -7°F (-21.7°C) re- proach Lighted Whistle Buoy BH. corded in January 1984. (45) Pilotage for Bridgeport is also available from Long (39) Precipitation is slightly heavier than at nearby in- Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc. (LISSPA), land stations the year around since coastal low-pres- 1440 Whalley Avenue, Suite 123, New Haven, CT sure systems move quite consistently on a track to the 06515, telephone 203-772-0101, FAX 302-629-9392, south of Bridgeport. One of the greater hazards along Cable LISPILOT, New Haven. The pilot boat OLYMPIC the coastal areas in the vicinity of Bridgeport is the ac- has a white hull, red superstructure, and displays the cumulation of water (especially during periods of high word PILOT in black letters. The boat monitors chan- tide) with the approach of a slowly moving, deepening, nel 16 and works on channel 11. Among other loca- low-pressure system from the south. Severe storms oc- tions, the LISSPA pilot will meet a ship 3 miles south of casionally cause inundation of 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m). Watch Hill, RI, in about 41°15'00\"N., 71°51'30\"W. The average annual precipitation is 41 inches (1041 (46) Pilotage for Bridgeport is also available from mm). Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout Sound Pilots, Inc. (SPI) (a division of Northeast Marine the year with the difference between the wettest Pilots, Inc.), 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840, (March) and driest month (February) averaging only telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216. 0.89 inches (23 mm). Snowfall averages 26 inches (660 FAX 401-847-9052, Cable RISPILOT, Newport, RI mm) per year and has fallen from October through 02840. The pilot boats are NORTHEAST II, 49-foot, May. The greatest 24-hour snowfall on record was 16 with grey hull and superstructure and the word PILOT inches (406 mm) recorded in February 1969. on the side; or RHODE ISLAND PILOT, 35-foot, with (40) Bridgeport has been directly affected by 18 tropical black hull and white superstructure and the word storms since 1871. In recent years, tropical storm Belle PILOT on the side; or NORTHEAST I, 49-foot, similarly passed over the site in August 1976. Highest winds marked as the RHODE ISLAND PILOT. The SPI pilots were only 60 knots. One day earlier, Belle was packing meet a ship bound for a Long Island Sound port off winds of 105 knots. In September 1985, Hurricane Glo- Point Judith, but will also meet a ship off Montauk ria passed about five miles west of the Bridgeport Point by prearrangement. See Pilotage, Narragansett weather station placing the site in the roughest sector Bay and Other Rhode Island Waters (indexed as such), of the storm. Highest gusts approached 75 knots and chapter 6, and Pilotage Pickup Locations Off Montauk highest sustained winds were 64 knots. Two days ear- Point (indexed as such), chapter 7. lier, Gloria had supported winds of 125 knots. (47) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc., http://www.inter- (41) The National Weather Service maintains an office portpilots.com, 906 Port Monmouth Road, Port at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport; barometers may Monmouth, NJ 07758, telephone 732-787-5554 (24 be compared here. (See Appendix A for address.) (See hours), email [email protected]. Pilot boat is page 432 for the Bridgeport climatological table.) CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65-foot, blue hull with white superstructure, and the word PILOT on both sides. The Pilotage, Bridgeport boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours (42) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for prior to the vessel's scheduled ETA, works on channel 11, and is equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots meet foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. See Pi- ships bound for Bridgeport at the Montauk Point Pilot lotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. Station or the Point Judith Pilot Station. Interport Pi- Pilotage for New Haven is available from New Haven lots will also board vessels at Bridgeport Harbor

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 323 Channel Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy BH or at the feet alongside; deck height, 20 feet; receipt of fuel oil; Bridgeport Anchorage from a commercial launch or owned and operated by United Illuminating Co. tug. (59) Shell Oil Co. Dock: on the east side of the harbor (48) Pilot services are generally arranged in advance opposite Tongue Point; 190-foot face, 700 feet with through ships’ agents or directly by shipping compa- shore moorings; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; nies. vessels usually moor portside-to; receipt and shipment of petroleum products; owned by Shell Oil Co. and op- Towage erated by Shell Oil Co. and International Petroleum (49) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- Terminals Co. (60) Cilco Terminal Co. Wharf: 0.3 mile northwestward dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. of Shell Oil Co. Dock; 930-foot face; 33 feet alongside; Deep-draft vessels usually require tugs for mooring in deck height, 13 feet; 90,000 square feet covered stor- Bridgeport Harbor. age, 16 acres of open storage; receipt and shipment of (50) Launch service is available to vessels at anchor. general cargo; receipt of lumber, steel products, and (51) Bridgeport is a customs port of entry. pumice, and shipment of scrap metal; owned and oper- ated by Cilco Terminal Co., Inc. Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural (61) The city-owned recreational pier, seldom used for quarantine mooring vessels, is on the northwest end of Pleasure (52) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Beach; the end of the pier has depths of about 20 feet. Appendix A for addresses.) (62) The municipal dock, a marginal-type wharf, is on (53) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the reg- the west side of Pequonnock River, just below the Con- ulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public necticut Turnpike Bridge. A ferry to Port Jefferson ties Health Service, chapter 1.) up at the dock. (54) Bridgeport has several hospitals. Harbormaster Supplies (55) The control of the port is vested in the harbor- (63) Diesel oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, bunker fuel No. 6, master, who maintains an office at the Bridgeport City lubricants, water, provisions, and marine supplies can Hall and can also be contacted through the Bridgeport be obtained at Bridgeport. Police Department. Repairs Wharves (64) Bridgeport has no facilities for making major re- (56) Bridgeport has three principal privately owned and pairs or for drydocking deep-draft vessels; the nearest operated deep-draft facilities; one is on the south side of facilities are at the ports of Boston, Mass., and New Tongue Point and the other two are on the east side of York, N.Y. Bridgeport, however, does have facilities for the harbor opposite Tongue Point. Facilities for smaller making above- and below-the-waterline repairs to fish- vessels and barges are along the sides of the harbor, and ing boats, tugs, and recreational craft, and excellent on Johnsons Creek, Yellow Mill Channel, and Pequon- hull and engine repair facilities for small craft. The nock River. Most of the facilities at Bridgeport are of the largest marine railway in the area can handle vessels to marginal-type wharf, particularly those in the con- 120 feet and 400 tons. A 10-ton crane is available. Oil stricted tributaries. Only the deep-draft facilities are pollution control equipment is also available. described. For a complete description of the port facili- ties refer to Port Series No. 4, published and sold by the Communications U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A for ad- (65) Bridgeport is served by air, rail, and bus. Ferry ser- dress.) The alongside depths for the facilities described are reported; for information on the latest depths con- vice to Port Jefferson is available year round. tact the private operators. All of these facilities have highway connections, and most have water connec- (66) Black Rock Harbor, part of Bridgeport Harbor, al- tions. though not connected with it other than by Long Island (57) Cargo in the port is usually handled by ship’s Sound, is entered through a dredged channel about 2 tackle; special handling equipment, if available, is men- miles westward of the main harbor entrance to Bridge- tioned in the description of the particular facility. port. The channel leads northward through Black Rock (58) United Illuminating Co. Fuel Oil Dock: on the Harbor, and thence to the head of Cedar Creek where it south side of Tongue Point; an offshore wharf with divides into East Branch and West Branch. Black Rock 345-foot breasting face, 900 feet with dolphins; 31 to 37 Harbor and Cedar Creek are the approach by water to the large factories of the western part of the city of

324 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Bridgeport. The Federal project depth in the dredged Little Cows, about 0.2 mile northward of Black Rock, channel is 18 feet from the entrance to the head of the consist of rocks awash, and is marked by a buoy. project. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of (75) Penfield Reef Light (41°07'00\"N., 73°13'18\"W.), 51 the chart for controlling depths.) The channel is feet above the water, is shown from a white tower on a marked by buoys and lights for about 1.7 miles above granite dwelling on a pier, on the south side of the reef, the entrance. south of the entrance to Black Rock Harbor. A fog sig- (67) Anchorage in depths of 18 to 22 feet and exposed to nal is sounded at the light. southeasterly and northeasterly winds can be found off (76) A reef, partly bare at low water and with little depth the entrance, northeast of the bar that makes out from over any part of it, extends over 0.5 mile southward Shoal Point to Black Rock. Small craft drawing less from Pine Creek Point, 1.1 miles southwest of Shoal than 6 feet can select anchorage on either side of the Point. A lighted bell buoy is off the south end of the dredged channel as far as the yacht club on the east side shoal. of Grover Hill. (77) Southport Harbor, about 1 mile westward of Pine (68) Depths of 8 to 18 feet are reported alongside some Creek Point, comprises the lower portion of Mill River of the wharves in Black Rock Harbor. and is used primarily for recreational boating. A break- (69) To avoid a shoal off the point separating East water, marked at its end by a light, is off the east side of Branch and West Branch at the head of Cedar Creek, the entrance to the harbor. The harbor is entered enter East Branch, pass about 100 feet off the wharf on through a dredged channel that leads from Long Island the southeast side below the entrance, and head up the Sound to a harbor basin and anchorage, about 1.1 miles middle. To enter the West Branch, pass 100 feet off the above the channel entrance. In December 2004-March wharves on the southeast side of the branch. 2005, the controlling depth in the entrance channel (70) Fayerweather Island, on the eastern side of the en- was 7.5 feet (8.9 feet at midchannel) to the anchorage trance of Black Rock Harbor, is marked at its south end basin, thence 8.8 feet in the anchorage basin except for by the white tower of an abandoned lighthouse. A shoaling to 5 feet near the southwestern edge. The breakwater and a seawall connect its northern part channel is marked on its west side by a light, and by with the shore eastward. buoys up to the breakwater. Caution is advised to avoid (71) Burr Creek, northward of the town of Black Rock, oyster stakes in the area southeastward of the harbor on the west side of the channel, is the site of a large ma- entrance. The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. A 5 rina. Berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity, water, ice, mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. a lift, and repair facilities are available. In April 1986, (78) Southport is a village on the west side of the har- depths of about 4 to 5 feet were reported at the face of bor. A yacht club landing and the town dock are on the the gasoline dock and alongside the boat slips. Burr west side of the harbor; depths of about 6 feet are along- Creek has many shoals; mariners are advised to seek lo- side the town dock, and about 6 to 8 feet alongside the cal knowledge before entering. yacht club landing. Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, water, and (72) Several small-craft facilities are in Black Rock some marine supplies can be obtained. Minor engine Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on repairs can be made. The harbormaster can be con- chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) tacted through the Fairfield Police Department. (73) Ash Creek, about 0.7 mile westward of (79) Frost Point, 1 mile westward of Southport en- Fayerweather Island, is entered through a privately trance, is marked by many residences and several pri- dredged channel protected on its southwest side by a vate piers in disrepair on its southeast side. A reef partly jetty. The entrance channel is marked by private buoys bare at low water extends about 0.4 mile southward and a private seasonal 314° lighted range. The channel from the point. leads northwestward to the Fairfield Municipal Marina. (80) Sherwood Point, a mile westward of Frost Point, is Gasoline, water, and ice are available. In April 1986, marked by a bare boulder on the reef which extends depths of 10 feet were reported in the entrance chan- about 250 yards off the point. A rocky patch, on which nel, with 4 feet reported alongside the boat slips. A 5 the least depth found is 11 feet, is about 0.8 mile south- mph speed limit is enforced in the creek. ward of the point. (74) Penfield Reef, on which there are rocks bare at low water, is about 1.4 miles south of Black Rock Harbor Charts 12368, 12364 and 1.3 miles eastward of Shoal Point, to which it is joined by a bar that bares at low water. Black Rock, (81) Saugatuck River, 6 miles westward of Penfield Reef marked by a daybeacon, is the outermost danger of this Light and northward of Cockenoe Island, has its en- reef. A dangerous submerged rock, reported covered 1 trance between Cedar Point on the east and Bluff Point foot, is about 40 yards southward of the daybeacon. The

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 325 on the west. The river is shallow, full of ledges and boul- (91) There are several small-craft facilities on the river ders, and is used chiefly for receipt of petroleum prod- in the vicinity of the bridges. Gasoline, water, marine ucts, sand and gravel, and for recreational boating. The supplies, and a 3-ton lift are available; hull and engine mean range of tide is 7 feet. Freshets do not appreciably repairs can be made. Depths of 6 feet are reported affect the height of the water in the navigable part of alongside the facilities. the river. During the winter, ice usually covers the en- tire river to its mouth. (92) Norwalk Islands, privately owned with the excep- (82) Anchorage exposed to southeasterly winds can be tion of Shea and Grassy Islands, which are owned by the had in the entrance to Saugatuck River in 12 to 22 feet, city of Norwalk, and Cockenoe Island, which is owned about 0.4 mile southward of Cedar Point. by the town of Westport, are 1 to nearly 2 miles off the (83) The channel in Saugatuck River is narrow and north shore of Long Island Sound and extend from crooked; vessels should proceed with caution, prefera- Georges Rock to Greens Ledge Light, a distance of 6 bly on a rising tide. In August-September 2001, a re- miles. Cockenoe Harbor and Sheffield Island Harbor, ported depth of about 4 feet could be carried in the river the two approaches to Norwalk River, are good anchor- from the entrance to about 0.7 mile above the Connect- ages for drafts of 9 to 12 feet and are easily made. The icut Turnpike Bridge at Saugatuck. The 4-foot channel bottom is very irregular around the islands and rocks to Westport had a controlling depth of 1 foot, with in the group; vessels should proceed with caution when shoaling to bare in the east branch. The channel is crossing shoal areas and avoid all broken ground. In buoyed to Stony Point, about 1.9 miles above the en- the vicinity are some oyster stakes and spars, which oc- trance. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. casionally are towed under or broken off; caution is rec- (84) Compo Yacht Basin is in the bight about 0.3 mile ommended, especially at night, for small craft. northwestward of Cedar Point. In April 1995, the pri- vately dredged channel that leads to the basin had a re- (93) Cockenoe Island, at the eastern end of Norwalk Is- ported depth of 8 feet with 7 feet reported in the basin. lands, is marked on its south side by two knolls; the re- The channel is marked by private buoys and a private mainder of the island is low and level. A bar, dry in lighted entrance range. A yacht club with landing and places at low water but with general depths of 1 to 2 mooring facilities is in the basin. Gasoline, berths, feet, connects the island with the mainland at Seymour electricity, and water are available at the landing. Point. (85) A yacht club in a privately dredged basin on the west side of Bluff Point has berths with electricity, gas- (94) Cockenoe Shoal is an extensive and dangerous area oline, and ice. In 1982, depths of 7 feet were reported in which extends 1.3 miles eastward and east-southeast- the approach with 10 feet alongside the berths. ward from Cockenoe Island. The entire area is exceed- (86) Duck Creek, on the west side of the river about 0.6 ingly broken and should be avoided by strangers, even mile above Bluff Point, is the site of a private yacht in small craft. Cockenoe Reef extends about 0.5 mile club. The reported controlling depth in the creek was eastward from the northern end of Cockenoe Island; about 7 feet in July 1981. The entrance and basin are rocks that uncover about 3 feet are near the outer end privately marked. of the reef. Georges Rock, awash at lowest tides, is at (87) Bermuda Lagoon, southward of Duck Creek, is a the eastern end of the shoal; a lighted buoy is off the large privately owned and maintained basin for the use northeast side of the rock. A lighted bell buoy marks of the residents in the immediate area. the southeast end of the shoal. (88) Saugatuck, a village in the town of Westport, is 2.5 miles above the entrance. Commercial traffic consists (95) Channel Rock, covered 1½ feet, is about 0.2 mile mostly of barges that call at a sand and gravel company southwestward of Cockenoe Island and is marked by a at Saugatuck; depths at the wharf are about 5 feet. buoy to the southward. Peck Ledge, on the western side (89) At Saugatuck the river is crossed by railroad bridge of Cockenoe Harbor entrance, is marked by Peck Ledge having a bascule span with a clearance of 13 feet. Over- Light and Norwalk East Approach Gong Buoy 5. head power cables at the bridge have a clearance of 192 feet. The Connecticut Turnpike Bridge, 0.1 mile above, (96) Cockenoe Harbor, westward of Cockenoe Island, is has a fixed span with a clearance of 59 feet. About 0.1 marked by Peck Ledge Light. The best anchorage is in mile farther up is a highway swing bridge with a clear- depths of 12 to 25 feet, northward and northwestward ance of 7 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and of the light. 117.221, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (90) Westport is a town at the head of navigation on the Routes Saugatuck River, about 1.4 miles above Saugatuck. (97) To enter Cockenoe Harbor from the eastward, pass southward of Cockenoe Island Shoal Lighted Bell Buoy 24, steer 254° until Peck Ledge Light bears northward of 285°, then steer for the light until up with Norwalk East Approach Buoy 4 that marks Channel Rock, and

326 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 then pass eastward and northward of the light at a dis- from Sheffield Island Harbor between Manresa Island tance of 200 to 300 yards. on the west and White Rock and numerous islets and (98) To enter Cockenoe Harbor from the westward, give foul ground on the east, to the first highway bridge at the edge of the shoals southward of the Norwalk Islands South Norwalk, and thence northerly for another 1.3 a good berth until Peck Ledge Light bears westward of miles to the basin at the head of navigation at Norwalk. 348°, and then steer north and pass 400 yards eastward The tall stack on Manresa Island, marked on top by red of the light and midway between Norwalk East Ap- lights, is very prominent and can be seen for many proach Buoy 4 that marks Channel Rock and Norwalk miles from sea. East Approach Gong Buoy 5. (108) A Federal project provides for a depth of 12 feet from Sheffield Island Harbor to the State Route 136 (99) The islands and rocks on the west side of Cockenoe bridge, thence 10 feet to a 10-foot basin at the head of Harbor include Calf Pasture Island, with several navigation at Norwalk; an anchorage basin opposite houses and a few trees; Sheep Rocks, which uncover 2 Fitch Point has a project depth of 10 feet. (See Notice to feet; East White Rock, high and white; and Grassy Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling Hammock Rocks, which uncover and are marked by a depths.) The channel is marked by buoys and lights to light. the South Anchorage Basin. (100) The larger islands southwestward are in general Caution hilly and partly settled. Chimon Island is marked by (109) Chemically contaminated material has been buried several houses; Copps Island by large boulders that ex- tend east from it; and Sheffield Island, the western- in the navigation channel off Oyster Shell Point about most of the group, by an abandoned lighthouse tower. 140 yards below Interstate Route 95 bridge. The mate- rial is covered with a layer of noncontaminated dredged (101) Rocks that uncover extend nearly 0.3 mile south- material not less than 3 feet thick. westward of Sheffield Island. Bridges (102) Greens Ledge is a rock and sand ridge that extends (110) Three bridges cross Norwalk River between South 1.1 miles southwestward from Sheffield Island. Depths of 10 to 15 feet extend about 400 yards westward and Norwalk and Norwalk. The first, State Route 136 high- southwestward from Green Ledge Light. A rocky ledge, way bascule bridge at South Norwalk, has a clearance of on which the least found depth is 21 feet, extends 0.8 8 feet. The second, the Metro-North railroad swing mile west-southwestward from the light. Another bridge just above the highway bridge, has a clearance of rocky ledge, with a least depth of 20 feet, is about 0.4 16 feet; an overhead power cable with a clearance of 203 mile south-southeastward from the light. feet crosses the river near the railroad bridge. The third, a turnpike highway fixed bridge, about 0.6 mile (103) Greens Ledge Light (41°02'30\"N., 73°26'38\"W.), 62 above the railroad bridge, has a clearance of 60 feet. feet above the water, is shown from a conical tower, the (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.217, chapter 2, upper half white and lower half brown, on a black cylin- for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetenders at the drical pier on the north side of the west end of the State Route 136 bridge and the railroad bridge monitor ledge. A fog signal is sounded at the light. VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KXJ-707 and KU–6035, respectively. (104) Cable and Anchor Reef covers an area about 0.4 mile in diameter about 2 miles southeastward of (111) Tavern Island, with several houses and foul ground Greens Ledge Light. The least found depth is 22 feet. A on all sides, is just northwestward of the dredged chan- lighted bell buoy marks the southern side. nel entrance to Norwalk Harbor. (105) Sheffield Island Harbor, entered between Greens (112) Gregory Point, marked by a clubhouse and wharf, Ledge and the mainland, is the main approach to is on the east side of Norwalk Harbor 1.9 miles above Norwalk Harbor and Norwalk River. Anchorage in the channel entrance. The boat basin immediately east- depths of 12 to 20 feet can be found northwestward of ward of Gregory Point, locally known as Norwalk Cove, Sheffield Island. The shoal flats on the north side of the is entered through a privately maintained channel. In harbor have rocks and boulders in places. March 1987, the controlling depth was 8 feet in the channel, thence in July 1981, 6 feet in the eastern part (106) Norwalk River empties through Norwalk Harbor of the basin. A 220-yard-long detached timber breakwa- into the north side of Long Island Sound, northward of ter is on the north side of channel entrance. the Norwalk Islands and about 40 miles east of New York. (113) East Norwalk Harbor, at the town of East Norwalk, is on the east side of the river about 2 miles above the Channels (107) Norwalk Harbor and River are entered through a dredged channel that extends 3 miles northeasterly

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 327 main channel entrance. The harbor is entered through Pilotage, Norwalk a dredged channel that leads westward of Fitch Point to (121) Pilots which service New London-Groton and/or the head and to North Anchorage Basin on the westerly side of the harbor. A Federal project provides for a New Haven service Norwalk. See Pilotage, New Lon- depth of 6 feet from Fitch Point Light 1 to and in an an- don-Groton (indexed as such), chapter 8; and/or Pilot- chorage basin at East Norwalk. (See Notice to Mariners age, New Haven (indexed as such), chapter 8. and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) The channel is marked to near the southern end of the Small-craft facilities basin. (122) There are excellent small-craft facilities at South (114) South Norwalk is an important commercial and manufacturing city on the west side of Norwalk River, Norwalk, East Norwalk, and in Norwalk Cove. (See the about 3 miles above the channel entrance. The depths small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- at the wharves below the bridges range from 5 to 10 vices and supplies available.) feet. Commercial traffic is mainly in building materi- als, petroleum products, and shell fishing. Communications (115) Norwalk, 1.3 miles above South Norwalk, is a city (123) Rail and bus lines serve the city and area. on both sides of the river at the head of navigation. The wharves have depths of about 7 feet alongside. The (124) Wilson Cove, on the north side of Sheffield Island channel from South Norwalk to Norwalk is winding, Harbor, is entered about 0.6 mile northwestward of the with extensive flats on both sides, and requires local dredged channel entrance to Norwalk Harbor between knowledge to follow it even at high water. Wilson Point on the north and Bell Island on the (116) Local regulations provide penalties for exceeding southwest. The ruins of a former oil-receiving pier are the posted 5 mph speed limit or for dumping refuse in on the southwestern extremity of Wilson Point. A yacht the harbor. These regulations are enforced by the Ma- club is on the east side of the cove, about 150 yards rine Division of the Norwalk Police Department. Police northward of the wharf ruins, and a marina is at the patrol boats operate the year round and are equipped to head of the cove. Gasoline, limited marine supplies, ice, handle radio traffic on VHF-FM channel 16 (156.80 an 18-ton crane, a 20-ton mobile hoist, and engine and MHz). hull repair facilities are available at the marina. In (117) The harbormaster at Norwalk can be reached 1989, the privately dredged channel leading to the ma- through the police department. rina had a reported controlling depth of 2½ feet (5 feet at midchannel). Tides (118) The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. (125) Noroton Point, at the southern end of Bell Island, is marked by a flagpole and a prominent house with a Currents cupola. Rocks, bare at low water, are about 300 yards (119) The tidal currents in Long Island Sound off northward of the point. Pine Point, just westward of Noroton Point, has a wharf in ruins at its southern end. Norwalk have a velocity of about 1 knot. In Norwalk A shoal with depths of 8 to 12 feet extends about 0.3 River, off Gregory Point, the velocity of current is about mile from the shore westward of Noroton Point. The 0.6 knot. The currents in the harbor follow the direc- bottom is broken with boulders in places, and small tion of the channel, the ebb current being somewhat vessels crossing the shoal should proceed with caution. stronger than the flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables Ballast Reef, about 0.2 mile westward of Pine Point and for predictions.) off the southeast side of the entrance to Fivemile River, is almost bare at low water and extends 300 yards off (120) The channel up to South Norwalk is navigable Roton Point; a buoy marks the outer end of the reef. throughout the year. The harbor and river above South Norwalk are covered with ice during a part of the win- (126) Fivemile River, a narrow inlet about 0.6 mile west- ter. A channel is ordinarily kept open to the highway ward of Noroton Point and about 0.9 mile northward of bridge, but the East Norwalk Channel and the channel Greens Ledge Light, is entered through a dredged in the river are usually closed for about 6 weeks each channel that leads northward into the river for about winter. 0.7 mile. The river is shallow except in the dredged channel and rocks exposed 2 feet at low water have been reported on the east side of the channel near the channel edge in about 41°03'37\"N., 73°26'47\"W. In 1999, the controlling depth was 4.7 feet (6.8 feet at midchannel) to the head of the dredged channel. The channel is marked by buoys at the entrance and by a buoy on the east side about 0.3 mile above the entrance.

328 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (127) In July 1981, depths of 2 to 5 feet were reported (135) Cove Harbor, northward of Smith Reef and about 1 alongside the small-craft facility wharves on the east mile westward of Long Neck Point, has depths of about side of the river. The river is used chiefly by pleasure 5 to 10 feet. Local knowledge is necessary to avoid sev- craft. The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. eral rocky areas in the approach to the harbor and to the basin at the northwestern end of the harbor at Cove (128) A special anchorage is in Fivemile River. (See Mills. A depth of about 1 foot can be carried across the 110.1 and 110.55a, chapter 2, for limits and regula- bar at the entrance to the basin; private buoys, one of tions.) which is a seasonal speed limit buoy, mark the ap- proach. A municipal marina is in the basin. (129) Rowayton is a village at the head of Fivemile River. Several small-craft facilities are on the east side of the (136) Westcott Cove, just westward of Cove Harbor, has a river. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart dredged channel marked by buoys that leads along its 12364 for services and supplies available.) westerly side to a basin 0.5 mile above the channel en- trance, thence for 0.2 mile through the south arm of (130) Scott Cove, about 0.8 mile westward of Fivemile the basin. The east side of the entrance to the basin is River and about a mile northwest of Greens Ledge protected by a jetty marked on the outer end by a pri- Light, is a rocky shelter with a channel good for about 6 vate light. In June 1985, the channel had a midchannel feet to the shallow area northward. There are rocks and controlling depth of 4 feet. A yacht club is in the north- broken ground in the entrance. The channel into westerly arm of the basin, and a municipal marina is in Zieglers Cove, just west of Scott Cove and south of the southeasterly arm. Gasoline diesel fuel, and water Great Island, is good for about 9 feet. A rock, covered 5 are available at a marina on the west side of the south feet, is reported to lie almost in mid-entrance to this arm of the basin. cove. Local knowledge is required to navigate both coves. (137) Stamford Harbor, on the north side of Long Island Sound about 33 miles east of New York, comprises the (131) Long Neck Point, about 2 miles southwestward of bay north of a line from Shippan Point on the east Fivemile River, has many summer residences and boat through Stamford Harbor Ledge Obstruction Light to landings on both of its sides. Shoals extend about 0.3 the west shore north of Greenwich Point. The harbor is mile off the point. An unmarked sunken wreck is about shoal, and the approach is obstructed to a large extent 0.5 mile southeastward of Long Neck Point; depth over by ledges and rocks. Shippan Point, the eastern point the wreck is unknown. at the entrance, is surrounded by rocks which show at low water. Barges and small coastal tankers constitute (132) From Long Neck Point to Shippan Point, about 2.6 the main waterborne traffic in the harbor. Petroleum miles to the southwestward, there are many reefs and products, scrap metal, sand and gravel, and crushed boulders, and the bottom is very broken, necessitating rock are the principal products handled in the harbor. caution. This area is the approach to several shallow coves, none of which is commercially important. (138) Stamford is a manufacturing city on the peninsula at the head of the harbor. (133) Goodwives (Darien) River is a small and shallow stream on the west side of Long Neck Point. Foul Prominent features ground with rocks bare at low water extends nearly 200 (139) Stamford Harbor Ledge Obstruction Light yards off the west side of Long Neck Point, about 0.3 mile above the south end of the point. A private sea- (41°00.8'N., 73°32.6'W.), 80 feet above the water, sonal, 342° lighted range and buoys mark the best wa- shown from a white conical tower on a red cylindrical ter to a yacht club and basin on the southeast side of pier, is a private light visible from a considerable dis- Noroton Neck. In April 2002, a depth of 4.5 feet could tance offshore. Also prominent are a microwave tower be carried to the yacht club landing thence in 1981, 3 westward of the city and the large brown office build- feet through The Gut to the boat club landing just ings locally known as Harbor Plaza on Ware Island. above Peartree Point. Above the boat club landing, the Stamford Harbor West Breakwater Light 3 river is practically dry at low water. Goodwives River (41°00'54\"N., 73°32'18'W.), 47 feet above the water, is and its entrance is a special anchorage. (See 110.1 and shown from a tower with a square green daymark at the 110.56, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) A 5 mph east end of the west breakwater. Stamford Harbor East speed limit is enforced on the river. Breakwater Light 4 (41°00.9'N., 73°32.1\"W.), 28 feet above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a (134) Smith Reef, about 0.9 mile southwestward of Long triangular red daymark at the west end of the east Neck Point, consists of two rocks that uncover 2 feet. breakwater. The south end of the reef is marked by a lighted buoy. Bold Rock, which uncovers 4 feet, is on the east edge of the rocky ridge extending northward from the reef. Many oyster stakes are on the ridge.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 329 Channels of 0.8 knot and sets 134°. Inside the harbor the cur- (140) Stamford Harbor is entered through a dredged en- rents have little velocity and usually set fair with the channel. trance channel that leads northward from Long Island Sound between two detached breakwaters to a point Ice about 1 mile above the entrance to a junction with the (145) The channel in West Branch is usually navigable dredged channels leading into East Branch and West Branch. A Federal project provides for depths of 18 feet throughout the year, but in East Branch it is closed by to a point about 0.5 mile below the junction of the ice for several weeks during severe winters. Ice forms branches, thence 15 feet to the junction, thence in the in the harbor during most winters and usually extends West Branch 15 feet to and in the turning basin; thence to a point just northward of the breakwaters. The chan- in the East Branch, 15 feet to Light 1, thence 12 feet to nels are kept open as far as practicable by passing traf- the head of the project about 0.6 mile above the hurri- fic. cane barrier. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of charts for controlling depths.) The 100-foot-wide (146) Prevailing winds are from the south and southwest channel in East Branch is constricted to 90 feet by a in the summer and from northeast during the winter hurricane barrier that crosses the channel about 300 season. yards northward of Ware Island. The 90-foot gated opening in the barrier will be kept in the open position (147) No particular directions are required. The range fa- during fair weather, but will be closed on the approach vors the west side of the channel and does not show of a storm or unusually high tides. A red light marks plainly until eastward of Stamford Harbor West Break- the channel end of each breakwater. A lighted sign on water Light. In East Branch, caution is advised when either side of the barrier is used to indicate whether the making the turn abreast Ware Island to avoid a rock barrier is in the open or closed position. A flashing red nearly awash at high water, eastward of the channel light is shown from the control tower when the gate is line. about to be closed. The channels are well marked by navigational aids, and, in addition, the entrance chan- (148) The harbormaster at Stamford can be contacted nel is marked by a 358° lighted range. through the Stamford Police Department. A police boat makes routine patrols of the harbor during the boating season. A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. Anchorages Wharves (141) A dredged anchorage area with depths of 12 to 18 (149) The commercial wharves along East Branch and feet is north of the breakwaters and just westward of West Branch are of the bulkhead and apron type, all are the line of the range lights, about 0.1 mile eastward of privately owned, and some are open to the public. Spur Highwater Rock. Small craft can anchor off the yacht tracks from the railroad serve the facilities in East club and southward or southeastward of Rhode Island Branch. Rocks in depths of 5 to 7 feet. All anchorages in the outer harbor are exposed to southerly and southwest- Small-craft facilities erly winds. (150) There are excellent facilities for small craft in both Dangers East and West Branches. (See the small-craft facilities (142) The Cows comprise a cluster of rocks, almost bare tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) at low water, about 0.8 mile south-southeast of Shippan Point. Between them and the point is an area of foul (151) Dolphin Cove, 0.6 mile west of the entrance chan- ground and rocks bare and awash that extends 0.4 mile nel to Stamford Harbor, is a privately owned Lagoon southward of Shippan Point. A lighted bell buoy is and marine facility. No anchoring is allowed. about 0.2 mile south of The Cows. Harbor Ledge, about 200 yards south of the west breakwater, consists of Charts 12367, 12364 rocks and a ledge marked by a private light. (152) Captain Harbor, on the north shore of Long Island Tides Sound westward of Greenwich Point and northward of (143) The range of tide is 7.2 feet. Great and Little Captain Islands, affords shelter from all winds for vessels drawing 12 feet or less. The depths Currents at the anchorage in the deeper part of the harbor, about (144) The flood current at the entrance to the harbor has a 0.5 mile northward of Great and Little Captain Islands, velocity of 0.4 knot and sets 329°; the ebb has a velocity

330 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 are 15 to 30 feet. Vessels of less than 7-foot draft anchor northwestward of Newfoundland Reef; and Pecks Rock, on the flats. The bottom is soft, but the entire harbor bare at low water, 0.2 mile north of Hitchcock Rock. and entrances are characterized by boulders. Strangers (159) The Riverside Yacht Club, on the east side of Cos should proceed with caution, especially on the flats and Cob Harbor and about 0.5 mile below the first bridge, is other shoal areas. The eastern entrance to Captain Har- prominent. bor, between Flat Neck Point and Little Captain Island, (160) Mianus River is crossed by the Metro-North rail- is the clearer and better one for strangers. The western road bascule bridge with a clearance of 20 feet, and by a entrance, northwestward of Great Captain Island, is highway fixed bridge with a clearance of 45 feet, about easy of access, but the broken ground there requires 0.4 mile to the northward. (See 117.1 through 117.59 caution. and 117.209, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (153) Greenwich Point, 1.7 miles southwestward of (161) Several marinas and boatyards are along the west Stamford Harbor West Breakwater Light, is character- side of the river from above the railroad bridge to the ized by a low grassy hill. Reefs extend 0.3 mile south- head of navigation. (See the small-craft facilities tabu- eastward from Greenwich Point. Woolsey Rock near lation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- the easterly end of the reefs is bare at low water. A buoy able.) marks these dangers. (162) Mianus, at the head of navigation on the river, is (154) Flat Neck Point, the western end of Greenwich the site of an abandoned sand and gravel wharf. Point, is wooded. A reef with bare and submerged rocks (163) Indian Harbor is a narrow inlet on the north side of extends nearly 0.3 mile southwestward and westward Captain Harbor, about 1 mile west of Cos Cob Harbor. A from Flat Neck Point. About 0.2 mile northwestward of channel with a depth of about 7 feet passes about 200 the point, the boiler of a wreck, marked by a private sea- feet westward of Tweed Island and follows the west bank sonal buoy, shows above high water. to the bulkhead on the west side of the cove 300 yards (155) Greenwich Cove opens into Captain Harbor from above the entrance. Small craft can anchor in the chan- eastward, north of Flat Neck Point. The cove is used for nel just above this point, favoring the bulkhead. A large mooring local craft. Depths decrease from 8 feet in the prominent white residence with red roof and adjacent outer cove to less than 3 feet in the eastern part of the white clock tower is on the point separating Smith cove. Old Greenwich is on Greenwich Cove. Cove and Indian Harbor. A 5 mph speed limit is en- (156) Cos Cob Harbor, on the northeast side of Captain forced in the harbor. Harbor, has a dredged channel through it which ex- (164) Depths of 6 feet or less extend 250 yards southward tends 1.3 miles northward through the Mianus River to from the point separating Smith Cove and Greenwich the head of navigation at Mianus. In August 2003, the Harbor. Bare ledges extend 200 feet southward of the controlling depth was 6 feet at midchannel to the bas- point. The yacht club on the point usually maintains cule railroad bridge, thence 2.8 feet (4.8 feet at lights on a flagstaff during the summer. The depth is midchannel) to the fixed highway bridge, thence 4.8 about 7 feet at the landing of the Indian Harbor Yacht feet at midchannel (except for shoaling to 1.1 feet in the Club. lat 300 feet of the dredged channel) to the head of navi- (165) Greenwich Harbor, on the north side of Captain gation at Mianus. Shoaling is reported to be abrupt Harbor and northeastward of Field Point, is entered along both edges of the channel. The channel is buoyed through a dredged channel that leads northward 1.2 to the first bridge; above this point the channel may be miles to the head. The channel is buoyed for about 0.8 followed by steering a midchannel course between the mile. In 2004, the controlling depth in the channel was marsh banks. 7.4 feet, with shoaling to 5.7 feet at the head of the channel. Depths of 1.6 to 5 feet were available in the Anchorages northerly basin, except for shoaling to bare in the (157) Special anchorages are in Cos Cob Harbor. (See northwest corner, and depths of 4.2 to 6 feet were avail- able in the southerly basin, except for shoaling to bare 110.1 and 110.58, chapter 2, for limits and regula- along the west edge. tions.) (166) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (167) Greenwich is a city on the railroad at the head of (158) There are several dangers off the entrance of Cos the harbor. The wharves are along the point on the east Cob Harbor that must be avoided; most are buoyed. side of Greenwich Harbor. The harbormaster at Green- These include Newfoundland Reef, covered 4 feet, a wich can be contacted through the Greenwich Police mile northeastward of Little Captain Island; Red Rock, Department. A police boat patrols the harbor during which uncovers 7 feet, 0.5 mile west of Newfoundland the summer season. Reef; Hitchcock Rock, awash at low water, 0.3 mile

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 331 Airphoto - Jim Wark (168) Several private yacht and boat clubs are in Green- the southwest end of Huckleberry Islands are bare at wich Harbor. Gasoline and diesel fuel are available at a low water. small-craft facility on the west side of the harbor at (171) Grassy Rocks, 0.3 mile westward of the southerly Grass Island. During the summer, a ferry operates from tip of Calf Islands, uncover 7 feet. The four large ledges the town landing at the head of the harbor to Little northwestward and westward of Grassy Rocks generally Captain Island, Great Captain Island, and Calf Islands. show at low water. (172) Jones Rocks, partly bare at high water, are at the (169) Byram Harbor, a bight used by small craft, is at the southeast end of the foul ground that extends over 0.2 northwest end of Captain Harbor, just northward of mile southeastward from the south end of Calf Islands. Calf Islands. Wilson Head, 2 feet high, on a reef that The rocks are marked by a light. uncovers, is in the middle of the entrance of the bight (173) Cormorant Reef, northward of Great Captain Is- and is marked by a buoy off the eastern end. The en- land, partly bare at high water, has a rock 4 feet high on trance to Byram Harbor from eastward lies between Ot- the eastern end. A buoy is off the southern end of the ter Rocks and Bowers Island. Otter Rocks, which reef. uncover 3 feet, are marked by a lighted buoy about 150 (174) Great Captain Island, 2.6 miles southwestward of yards to the southward; a submerged rock is close Greenwich Point, is 0.4 mile long, fringed with reefs, northward of the buoy. Bowers Island, just eastward of and marked near its southeast end by a light. A munici- Calf Islands, is marked by a clump of trees and sur- pal bathing beach and ferry landing are on the island. rounded by a drying reef; a buoy marks the north end of The landing has reported depths of about 3 feet. A buoy the reef. A rocky ledge makes out from the point 300 marks the reef making off 0.3 mile from the southwest- yards northwestward of Otter Rocks, and is marked by a ern end. The passage between Great and Little Captain buoy. Private small-craft facilities are on the west side Islands is foul and not recommended. of the harbor. (175) Great Captain Island Light (40°58'57\"N., 73°37'23\"W.), 62 feet above the water, is shown from a (170) The southeastward approach to Byram Harbor is skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped buoyed. A narrow channel also leads to the harbor from daymark on the southeast part of the island. A fog sig- southwestward, passing southward of Huckleberry Is- nal is sounded at the light. lands and between the northwest one of the Calf Islands and the two nearest rocks, which are sometimes marked by a private daybeacon. The rocks 90 yards off

332 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (176) Little Captain Island, a summer resort about 0.6 miles to a turning basin in Byram River, and thence for mile northeast of Great Captain Island, has a municipal another 0.15 mile to just below the Mill Street fixed bathing beach and ferry landing. The landing has re- bridge, the head of practical navigation on the river. In ported depths of about 8 feet. A reef extends about 250 August-September 2005, the controlling depths were yards northeasterly to Wee Captain Island. An area of 8.8 feet at midchannel to the first fixed bridge about 0.8 boulders and broken ground extends 0.4 mile eastward mile above the entrance, thence 6.1 feet at midchannel and northeastward from the island and is marked by a to the basin, thence 8.2 feet in the basin, thence in lighted gong buoy. Hen and Chickens, a group of rocks 1993, 3 feet at midchannel to just below the head of and boulders about 0.4 mile northeastward of Little navigation about 30 yards below the second fixed Captain Island, is marked by a buoy on the north side. bridge (Mill Street fixed bridge). The channel is marked to a point about 0.3 mile above the entrance. Tides (184) The New England Thruway fixed bridge, with a (177) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. clearance of 60 feet, crosses the river about 0.8 mile above the channel entrance. Currents (178) The tidal current in the entrance between Little (185) The approach to Port Chester is obstructed by rocks, but is not difficult with the aid of the chart. From Captain Island and Flat Neck Point has a velocity of southward it is safer to pass eastward of Bluefish about 0.7 knot. Between Jones Rocks and Cormorant Shoal. Fourfoot Rocks may be passed on either side, Reef the estimated velocity is 1 knot. remembering that the buoy is at the south end of the rocks. Entering the harbor, pass westward of Great Ice Captain Rocks, eastward of Manursing Island Reef, and (179) Ice forms in the winter in all the coves and over the 150 feet southward of Port Chester Light 4 on the end of the breakwater. The channel in Byram River is fairly greater part of Captain Harbor. It sometimes extends well defined at low water, but requires local knowledge out of the line of Little and Great Captain Islands. for the best water; strangers should take it on a rising tide and proceed with caution. (180) From eastward, a course of about 298° midway be- tween the buoys marking the shoals off Flat Neck Point Tides on the east and Wee Captain Island on the west will (186) The mean range of tide is 7.2 feet. bring a vessel to a point 0.2 mile north of Hen and Chickens Buoy 1A. From here a heading of 250°, with (187) Principal commerce is in building materials, fuel the southerly tip of Calf Islands ahead, will lead to an- oil, and petroleum products, carried in vessels drawing chorage off the entrance of Greenwich Harbor. 5 to 14 feet. Barges discharge oil cargoes at a terminal with reported depths of 12 feet alongside. (181) From westward, a course of 014° for Jones Rocks Light 3 will lead into the Captain Harbor anchorage. Small-craft facilities Proceed with caution when crossing the broken rocky (188) There are several small-craft facilities in Port Ches- area on which the least found depth is 12 feet, extend- ing 0.4 mile westward from the western end of Great ter Harbor, and on the Byram River at Port Chester and Captain Island. Vessels should pass 100 yards south- Byram. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on eastward of Jones Rocks Light, and over 100 yards chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) northward of the buoy northwestward of Cormorant Reef, and steer 070° in the harbor. (182) Port Chester Harbor, about 1.2 miles westward of (189) The area from Great Captain Island southwestward Great Captain Island, is the entrance to Byram River is fringed with rocks, bare and submerged, and foul which leads to the city of Port Chester and the town of ground. Great Captain Rocks, part of a reef 0.3 mile Byram (East Port Chester). The harbor entrance is be- southeastward of Port Chester Light, uncover 5 to 6 tween the breakwater that extends southward from feet; a buoy marks the southern end of the reef. Trans- Byram Point on the north and North Manursing Is- port Rock, about 0.3 mile south-southwestward of land on the south; a light is on the outer end of the Manursing Island, is part of several ledges generally breakwater. The lower section of the river forms the bare at high water which extend some 0.3 mile off- boundary between New York and Connecticut. shore. An opening suitable for small craft leads to Rye Beach; it is buoyed. (183) The harbor is entered from Long Island Sound through a dredged channel that leads northward for 1.2

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 333 (190) Playland, a recreational center at Rye Beach, about at midchannel in the basin's north channel and 4.5 feet 2.4 miles southwest of Great Captain Island, has promi- at midchannel in the basin’s south channel; in nent twin towers at the entrance which are conspicu- 1980-1981, depths of 2 to 6 feet were available in the ous from a southeasterly direction. Westward and close center of the basin. Two boatyards are in the harbor. to the north breakwater is a former ferry landing in dis- The largest marine railway can handle craft up to 40 repair. A breakwater extends eastward from the south feet in length; gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, and end of Rye Beach. The area between the former ferry complete engine and hull repairs are available. The city landing and the south breakwater is reserved for swim- harbormaster is at the boat basin. ming. (199) Mamaroneck Harbor, an open bight between Hen Island and Delancey Point, is exposed to southerly (191) Forbes Rocks, about 0.4 mile south of the Rye winds, but affords shelter against northerly weather. Beach breakwater, are partly bare at low water, on a reef Depths in the outer harbor range from 7 to 12 feet. Im- with depths of 4 to 11 feet that extends 250 yards to the portant dangers are buoyed; these include Outer southward and eastward. A buoy marks the east end of Steamboat Rock, near the dredged channel entrance, the reef. A channel good for a depth of 9 feet leads and Ship Rock, about 0.5 mile southeastward of Outer southward of buoyed Forlies Rocks to the ruins of a Steamboat Rock. wharf at Oakland Beach. Another channel with a least (200) About 1 mile northwest of Outer Steamboat Rock is depth of 8 feet leads southward from Oakland Beach to the incinerator tower, a red brick building with a large the sound. glass tower, which is a prominent landmark. (201) The harbor is entered through a dredged channel (192) Porgy Shoal, about 0.8 mile south of the Rye Beach that leads about 0.5 mile west-northwestward to the in- breakwater, has a least found depth of 5 feet; it is tersection with two dredged branch channels leading marked by a lighted buoy. to basins northward and westward of the junction. The entrance channel and the branch channel to the north- (193) Scotch Caps are three rocky islets 1.4 miles south- ern basin are marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. westward from Porgy Shoal and on the northwest side (202) In May 2007, the controlling depths in the dredged of the extensive reefs which make out 0.9 mile south- channels were 9.7 feet in the entrance channel to the westward of Milton Point. The southerly end of the junction with the branch channels, thence 8.4 feet in reefs is marked by a lighted bell buoy about 0.6 mile the channel leading northward to the east basin, southward of Scotch Caps. The entire area of the reef thence 9 feet in the smaller anchorage at the southwest northward and northeastward of the lighted bell buoy side of the basin with 6 feet in the larger basin north- is very broken and should be avoided even by small eastward (except for shoaling to 0.5 foot in the far craft in the absence of local knowledge. northeast corner), thence 6 feet from the junction to the western basin with 6 feet in the basin. The basins (194) West Rock, just south of the south end of Scotch are usually filled with moorings of local craft. Caps, is marked by a buoy. Caution (195) Milton Harbor, between Peningo Neck and Hen Is- (203) A pipeline covered about 6 feet crosses the western land, is used as a summer anchorage by small pleasure craft. It is protected from all but southwesterly winds. branch channel about 50 yards above the junction. The harbor depths decrease from 8 feet between Scotch Mariners are advised to exercise caution and reduce Caps and the southwest end of Hen Island to 6 feet speed while transiting this area. abreast Milton Point. Tides (196) Foul ground is on the northwest side near Hen Is- (204) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. land; otherwise the principal danger in the harbor is a rock bare at low water and marked by a buoy a little (205) The harbormaster has an office on the south side of northward of midway between Milton Point and the Harbor Island. The harbormaster controls all moorings northeast end of Hen Island. The best entrance is be- and can be contacted on VHF-FM channel 16; call sign tween the buoys 0.4 mile southwestward of Scotch WZX-8038. A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in the Caps. harbor. A village police boat patrols the harbor during the summer season. (197) A yacht club and landing are near the southwest end of Milton Point. Near the clubhouse is a prominent (206) The town of Mamaroneck extends from both sides white flagstaff from which lights are exhibited from of the harbor. Petroleum products, carried by barges, sunset to sunrise during the summer. are the main commerce in the harbor. (198) A dredged channel, marked by buoys, leads through the harbor from about 400 yards northward of Milton Point to the city boat basin and marina below Mill Pond. In October 2006, the midchannel control- ling depth was 1.9 feet to the boat basin, thence 1.2 feet

334 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Airphoto - Jim Wark No-Discharge Zone the breakwater light is Dauntless Rock, covered 8 feet, (207) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- and surrounded by depths of 14 to 16 feet. These dan- gers are buoyed. vironmental Protection Agency, has established a (211) Larchmont Harbor is between Edgewater Point No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Mamaroneck Harbor. The and Umbrella Point and about 2.5 miles northward of NDZ includes waters north of a line drawn in a north- Execution Rocks Light. The harbor is the headquarters easterly direction from the southern tip of the sea wall of the Larchmont Yacht Club. Anchorage depths range at Orienta Point to a point on the mainland immedi- from about 12 feet in the entrance to 5 feet near Great ately north of Spike Island (see chart 12364 for limits). Knob, an islet in the north central part of the harbor. In (208) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether summer the harbor is full of mooring buoys for small treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. yachts. The rocks on the west side are marked, whereas Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by unmarked shoals extend 200 yards from the eastern 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). shore. The anchorage for larger vessels is westward of the breakwater. Supplies and repairs (212) Umbrella Rock, marked by a buoy, is 250 yards (209) There are numerous boatyards and marinas in eastward of Umbrella Point. A few rocks of a breakwa- ter, which was started on Umbrella Rock, are awash at Mamaroneck Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tab- high water. North Ledge, bare at half tide, is near the ulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- western shore southeastward of the yacht club; it is able.) marked by a private daybeacon. The principal landing, with a reported depth of about 6 feet alongside, is on (210) Foul ground extends southwesterly from eastward the southeast side of the yacht club and is lighted from of Delancey Point to the Larchmont Harbor breakwater sunset to sunrise. off Edgewater Point, on the east side of the harbor en- (213) Larchmont Harbor may be entered on either side of trance; a light is on the end of the breakwater. Hen and Hen and Chickens. The easterly entrance, about 100 Chickens, a reef bare at low water in places, lies off the harbor entrance; surrounding depths are 8 to 17 feet on the outer parts of the reef. About 0.3 mile westward of

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 335 yards southwestward of the end of the breakwater, is be made. The municipal marina monitors VHF-FM about 300 yards wide and has a depth of about 15 feet. channel 16. (214) Horseshoe Harbor is a small cove just westward of (224) Pine Island, between Davenport Neck and Middle Larchmont Harbor. A prominent gray building is at the Ground, is rocky, covered with brush, and occupied by head. The cove is used as a small-boat anchorage. several cottages. A small private landing is on the west (215) Echo Bay, about 1 mile southwestward of Umbrella side of the island. Two bare rocks and a long bare ledge Point and 2 miles northwestward of Execution Rocks are southwestward of the island. Light, is the principal approach to New Rochelle. The bay is entered between Premium Point on the north- Charts 12366, 12364 east and Davenport Neck on the southwest. Hicks Ledge, about 0.5 mile off the entrance, is covered 6 feet (225) Davids Island, southward of Davenport Neck, is the and marked on the south side by a buoy. site of ruins of Fort Slocum, an inactive U.S. Govern- (216) Middle Ground, an extensive shoal with a reef that ment reservation now owned by the city of New Ro- uncovers 6 feet, lies about 0.5 mile south-southwest- chelle. The island is marked by a tank on its north end ward of Hicks Ledge. Emerald Rock, covered 9 feet, is and a square chimney on its southeast end. A ferry land- off the west side of the shoal and marked by a buoy. A ing on the west side of the island was in disrepair in buoy marks the north end of the shoal. 1987. Reefs partly bare at low water, marked by a lighted (217) Bailey Rock, which uncovers 4 feet, is near the end buoy, extend about 0.2 mile northward of Davids Island. of a reef that extends about 200 yards off the point of Davenport Neck. The rock is marked by a lighted buoy. (226) Davids Island is surrounded on its east and south (218) The bay is an anchorage for small craft and gener- sides by a foul area of islands and rocks, the passages ally is fully occupied during the summer. Depths range between which should not be used by strangers, even in from 4 to 15 feet. Small craft can anchor in the shallow small craft. Huckleberry Island, at the eastern end of cove on the northeast side of the harbor, entering be- the group, is wooded. Pea Island, about 0.3 mile south- tween Harrison Island and the rocky, grassy islet off eastward of Davids Island, is grass covered, and rocks the northwest side of Echo Island. Vessels can anchor bare at low water are southeastward of it. Columbia Is- in the general anchorages on either side of the en- land has been improved by a seawall, making it about trance, in depths of 20 to 24 feet. (See 110.1 and 150 feet square, with a pier 150 feet long on the west 110.155 (a) (2), (a) (3), and (1), chapter 2, for limits side. and regulations.) Vessels should not anchor near the sewer outlet in the middle of the bay. A special anchor- (227) An obstruction, covered 17 feet, has been reported age is in Echo Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (b-1), chap- in about 40°52.4'N., 073°45.4'W. about 0.3 mile ter 2, for limits and regulations.) south-southeastward of Pea Island. Mariners are ad- (219) A 4 mph speed limit is enforced in Echo Bay. vised to exercise caution while navigating in this area. (220) A dredged channel, on the northwest side of Echo Bay, leads to a municipal wharf and turning basin at (228) Execution Rocks, about 1.4 miles eastward of Beaufort Point. The channel is marked by buoys to the Davids Island, consist of many boulders and shoals of turning basin. In October 1985, the controlling depth considerable extent, marked by a light and buoys. Bro- was 8½ feet at midchannel to the basin, with 6½ to 7 ken bottom, covered 5 to 19 feet, extends about 0.7 mile feet in the basin. northward from the light. (221) The area northward of the turning basin, locally known as Ferris Creek, is shoal with extensive mud (229) Execution Rocks Light (40°52'41\"N., 73°44'16\"W.), flats that bare at low water. Southwesterly of the turn- 62 feet above the water, is shown from a white stone ing basin, the depth varies from 9 feet to bare at the tower with a brown band midway of its height, attached head of the harbor. to a granite dwelling. A fog signal is at the light. (222) New Rochelle is a city on the western shore of Echo Bay. (230) Middle Reef, 0.5 mile southward of Davids Island, (223) The municipal wharf is on the northeast side of has some boulders which show at high water. East Beaufort Point. The city police patrol boats usually Nonations and South Nonations are rocks that un- moor alongside the wharf. A small-craft facility and a cover 4 feet between Middle Reef and Hart Island. municipal marina are in the northern part of Echo Bay. South Nonations is marked on its south side by a Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and lighted bell buoy. lifts to 25 tons are available; hull and engine repairs can (231) Aunt Phebe Rock, 300 yards west of Davids Island, is bare at half tide and marked by a light. In May 1976, an obstruction covered 4 feet was reported about 400 yards northwestward of the light. Mariners are advised to exercise caution while navigating in this area.

336 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (232) Goose Island, between Davids Island and Glen Is- (237) Several yacht clubs, marinas, and boatyards are in land, is almost completely surrounded by a rock break- New Rochelle Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities water, and has several bare rocks to the westward and tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies southward. A house on pilings is prominent on the is- available.) land. (238) A bascule bridge connecting Glen Island with Nep- (233) Glen Island, 0.4 mile west of Davids Island, is a tune Island has a clearance of 13 feet. (See 117.1 through public park used as a pleasure resort. Special permits 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Just are required prior to using the launching ramp on the south of the bridge is a yacht club on the east side of island. A light is on the north end of the island. A beach Neptune Island. protected by two jetties is on the southeast end of the island. The channel on the northwest side of Glen Is- (239) Orchard Beach, about 1 mile southwestward of land is much used as an anchorage by small craft, par- Davids Island, is a park developed by the State of New ticularly those bound to the club on Travers Island to York on the filled-in area between Hunter Island, to the the westward. The channel has a depth of about 7 feet. A north, and Rodman Neck, to the south. The inshore wa- no wake speed limit is enforced. Glen Island Channel, ter areas off the crescent beach are a swimming area marked by buoys, is on the south-southwest side of the and are closed to general navigation. The swimming island. The channel entrance is between Hog Island area is marked by private buoys. A bathing pavilion and and Glen Island and runs along the southwest edge of a flagstaff are prominent. Chimney Sweeps, two promi- Glen Island to the channel between Travers Islands and nent bare rocks, are about 0.4 mile east of the beach. Glen Island. In 1990, the controlling depth in the chan- nel was 6½ feet except for a 2½ foot shoal spot in the (240) Hart Island, about 1.8 miles southwest of Execu- west side of the channel about 100 yards northwest of tion Rocks Light, is the site of a New York Department Glen Island Channel Buoy 6. of Correction facility. A stack on the southern part of the island and the buildings on the island are promi- (234) New Rochelle Harbor lies between the mainland, nent. A reef extends about 200 yards southeastward and westward of Davenport Neck, and Glen Island; it is from the south end of the island and is marked by a off the southerly part of the city of New Rochelle. How- light. Caution is advised to avoid the 9-foot obstruction ever, the main access of New Rochelle is through Echo and the wreck with 13 feet over it which are 0.3 mile Bay, previously discussed. west of the light. (235) New Rochelle Harbor is entered between Glen Is- (241) Rat Island is a high bare rock about 0.4 mile west of land and Davenport Neck. An approach channel, with a Hart Island. The Blauzes, 13 feet high, are a part of the depth of about 13 feet, leads from south-southwest of reef which extends 0.3 mile northwestward from the Davids Island northward to a point abreast the former north end of Hart Island. ferry wharf on the island, thence through deeper natu- ral water between Aunt Phebe Rock and Corning Rock (242) The channel between City Island and Rodman Neck northward to the entrance to the harbor. A reef, bare at is used extensively as an anchorage by small pleasure low water, makes off the west side of Davids Island op- craft during the summer. A no wake speed limit is en- posite the buoy marking Corning Rock. Another ap- forced. Boat clubs and railways for small craft are on proach channel, through deeper water, leads from the the northwest side of City Island. The shores are gener- northeast between Davids Island and Davenport Neck ally fringed with boulders and should be approached to the entrance. Both channels are well marked. In with caution. The north shores of High Island and City 1990, the narrow dredged channel in the harbor had a Island northeastward of the bridge are very foul, and controlling depth of 5½ feet (6½ feet at midchannel) to boats should avoid the shoals with depths less than 12 within 100 yards of the dam at the head. feet on that side. Anchorage (243) City Island is connected with Rodman Neck by a (236) Anchorage is not recommended in the harbor be- highway swing bridge, kept in the closed position, with a clearance of 12 feet. (See 117.779, chapter 2, for cause of its congestion. General and special anchor- drawbridge regulations.) Currents at the bridge are ages are in adjacent waters southerly, extending as far variable and at times exceed 1.5 knots. (See the Tidal as City Island and Locust Point. (See 110.1, 110.60 Current Tables.) (b), (c), (c-1), and (d) through (f), and 110.155 (a) (1), (a) (4), and (1), chapter 2, for limits and regula- (244) City Island Harbor, also called Hart Island Roads, tions.) is between Hart Island and City Island. It is well shel- tered from easterly and westerly winds and is an impor- tant anchorage for coasting vessels in the western end of Long Island Sound. Besides serving as a harbor of refuge, it is often used by vessels desiring pilots or towboats, or awaiting orders. A spire in the center of

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 337 City Island and a steeple in the northerly part of the is- Small-craft facilities land are conspicuous objects. (255) Many boatyards are on the east and northwest sides (245) In September 1993, a submerged wreck was re- ported in about 40°50'36\"N., 73°46'30\"W. of City Island. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation (246) City Island, on the northeast side of Eastchester on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) Bay, is narrow and over 1 mile in length. It is thickly settled and has a commercialized appearance. The west Communications side is residential, and the east side is industrialized (256) Buses serve the subway system of New York City. with several shipyards and other marine-related facili- ties. (257) Eastchester Bay, between City Island and Throgs Neck, has general depths of 7 to 10 feet in the lower part Pilotage, City Island and 3 to 5 feet in the upper part. The shores of the bay (247) A pilot boat of United New York New Jersey Sandy are fringed with boulders, and there are many shoals and several wrecks. Caution is essential, especially Hook Pilot Association moors at City Island. See Pilot- where the depths are not more than 3 feet greater than age, New York Harbor from Long Island Sound (in- the drafts. Hutchinson River empties into the north dexed as such), chapter 11. end of the bay. (248) High Island is 200 yards northeastward of the (258) A channel marked by buoys leads through north end of City Island to which it is connected by a Eastchester Bay from 1.1 miles west of Belden Point to fixed footbridge with a clearance of 11 feet. The ground the mouth of Hutchinson River. A dredged channel under the bridge is reported to bare about 1 foot at low marked by buoys leads from the mouth for about 2.8 water. A 528-foot-high radio tower, marked on top by miles to the head of navigation at the city of Pelham. red lights, is prominent on High Island. (259) In July 2006, the midchannel controlling depths Anchorages were 9.1 feet from Eastchester Bay Channel Lighted (249) The usual anchorage for deep-draft vessels is Buoy 7 to the Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge, thence 2.1 feet at midchannel to the junction with East southeastward of City Island, southward of a line join- Y and West Y at Pelham, thence 3.8 feet in East Y with ing the south ends of Hart and City Islands. When an- shoaling to bare at the northern end and shoaling to choring, avoid Deep Reef, a small rocky patch covered bare in West Y; mariners are cautioned that depths 25 feet. Other general and special anchorages are in along the sides of the channel are considerably less the vicinity. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, chap- than midchannel. ter 2, for limits and regulations.) Anchorages (250) A long pier in ruins and a wide stone pier, the top of (260) Special anchorages are in Eastchester Bay. (See which is used as a parking area, are at the south end of City Island at Belden Point. The western shore of Hart 110.1 and 110.60 (d), (e), and (f), chapter 2, for lim- Island and the wharves on City Island should be given a its and regulations.) berth of about 150 yards. (261) The dangers in Eastchester Bay are few: Big Tom, Tides on the east side near the entrance, is bare at low water, (251) The mean range of tide is 7.2 feet. and other rocks around it show at extreme low tides; these are buoyed. Cuban Ledge, covered at half tide, is Currents marked by a daybeacon and Cuban Ledge Lighted Buoy (252) The tidal current has a velocity of about 0.3 knot. 2 close southwestward. Numerous rocks and shoals are on both sides of the channel near the entrance to (253) Ice seldom interferes with navigation of powered Hutchinson River. vessels. (262) Bridges and overhead cables crossing Hutchinson Supplies River are listed by type, distance above the dredged (254) Gasoline, lubricants, and marine supplies of all channel entrance, and clearance as follows: bascule, 0.35 mile, 13 feet; rolling lift, 0.5 mile, 8 feet; overhead kinds are available at City Island. Water is piped to power cable at bridge, 130 feet; bascule, 0.9 mile, 30 some of the wharves; ice, electrical connections, guest feet; fixed, 1.9 miles, 50 feet; fixed, 2.1 miles, 50 feet; moorings, and dry and wet storage are readily available. overhead pipeline, 2.5 miles, 130 feet; bascule, 2.6 miles, 6 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.793, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.)

338 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (263) The Pelham Parkway bascule bridge, 0.35 mile (271) Crane Neck Point, 2 miles westward of Old Field above the entrance and the Amtrak lift bridge, 0.5 mile Point, is a bare conspicuous bluff about 90 feet high above the entrance, are equipped with radiotelephones. and covered on top with brush. The bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KU–9758, KU–6095, and KXS–298, respectively. (272) Smithtown Bay, a broad open bight on the south side of the sound, extends 7 miles westward from Crane (264) Eastchester is a village on the west side of the Neck Point. Rocky shoals extend 1 mile in places from Hutchinson River about 1.5 miles above Pelham High- the shore, the water shoaling abruptly from 51 feet in way Bridge. Commerce on the river to Eastchester is in places. A good summer anchorage in 30 to 50 feet shel- building materials, fuel oil, and petroleum products. tered from easterly winds is found about 1 mile south- Pelham is on the east side of the river above ward of Crane Neck Point. Eastchester. (273) Stony Brook Harbor is a narrow shallow bay in the (265) Weir Creek is a bight on the west side of the bay southeastern part of Smithtown Bay. The approach to near the entrance. the harbor from the bay is over a bar which extends 0.8 mile off the entrance; the outer end of the bar is marked (266) There are numerous small-craft facilities in by a seasonal lighted buoy and the approach to the har- Eastchester Bay. (See the small-craft facilities tabula- bor is marked by private lighted buoys. In June 1981, tion on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) 3½ feet was reported over the bar. A private seasonal daybeacon is on the east side of the entrance to the har- (267) Locust Point is about 0.8 mile southeastward of bor. Two branch channels lead from the entrance into Weir Creek. A cove just southwestward of the point pro- the harbor; one leads southwestward to a steel vides small-boat shelter. Rocks, bare at low water, are bulkheaded yacht club wharf and pavilion at the village on the north side of the approach. The entrance has a of Stony Brook, 0.5 mile inside the entrance, and the depth of about 5 feet. Inside the cove, depths range other, Porpoise Channel, leads westward to a yacht from 20 feet at the south end to about 4 feet at the club at the northwestern end of the harbor; gasoline is north end. A yacht club and marina are in the cove. A available at both clubs. In 1994, a depth of 6 feet was re- marina at the head of the cove has a mobile hoist that ported in both the southwesterly channel and Porpoise can handle craft to 30 tons for engine and hull repairs. Channel. The channels are marked by private seasonal Gasoline, water, ice, and marine supplies are available lighted and unlighted buoys and a private seasonal at the marina; depths of about 7 to 10 feet are reported daybeacon. The buoys are periodically moved to mark at the wharf. the best water. (268) The northern approach viaduct of the Throgs Neck (274) A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in Stony Brook Bridge crosses the cove from Locust Point to Throgs Harbor and Porpoise Channel. Neck. The fixed spans of the viaduct have a minimum clearance of 30 feet. (275) Small-craft facilities are in the harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- Tides and currents vices and supplies available.) (269) The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. Tidal cur- (276) The railroad station is about 1 mile from the wharf rents have a velocity of 0.4 knot in the vicinity of Big at Stony Brook. Tom, and 0.8 knot at Pelham Bridge. (277) A high bluff is between Stony Brook Harbor and Charts 12363, 12364 Nissequogue River, another between Nissequogue River and Sunken Meadow Creek, and bluffs in places (270) Old Field Point, about 5 miles southward of between Sunken Meadow Creek and Northport Bay. Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light, is a low bluff with a light and an abandoned tower on its summit. (278) Nissequogue River, a shallow crooked stream Boulders extend a short distance off the point, and the about 4 miles westward of the entrance to Stony Brook light should be given a berth of about 0.3 mile, even by Harbor, is entered through a privately dredged channel small craft. A gong buoy is 0.6 mile northward of the that leads southward from Smithtown Bay for about point. Depths of 14 to 18 feet are found about 0.4 mile 1.4 miles into the river. In 1995, the channel had a re- northward of the light. ported controlling depth of 8 feet. Rocks and shoals, bare at low water, are on the bar outside the entrance. Private seasonal lighted buoys mark the channel. Strong tidal currents are reported in the channel. A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced on the river. Guest

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 339 moorings, gasoline, water, and limited supplies are (285) Connecticut State Pilots (a division of Interport Pi- available at a marina on the west side of the river, about lots Agency, Inc.). 0.9 mile above the channel entrance. In 1995, a depth of 3 feet was reported alongside the marina. A State (286) For U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise trade, pi- hospital, a group of buildings with green roofs, and two lotage to this terminal is available from large red brick chimneys are prominent about 0.5 mile southwestward of the river entrance. Farther west- (287) Connecticut State Pilots (a division of Interport Pi- ward, a brick building and a stack are also prominent. lots Agency, Inc.), The railroad station is at Kings Park. (288) Constitution State Pilots Association, Charts 12365, 12364 (289) Long Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc., (279) Northport Basin, about 10.5 miles westward of Old and Field Point Light and 2.7 miles southeastward of Ea- (290) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine tons Neck Point, is a small privately maintained basin with general depths of 7 to 20 feet, and formed by gravel Pilots, Inc.). dredges working into the high bank; greater depths are (291) See Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), available. In 1977, the privately dredged entrance chan- nel had a controlling depth of 12 feet. The channel is chapter 8, and Pilotage, New York Harbor and Ap- marked by a private lighted buoy and unlighted buoys; proaches (indexed as such), chapter 11. submerged jetties extend northward from the east and (292) The pilot serves as docking master and remains on west sides of the entrance. A dangerous rock is close board on standby while the vessel is moored at the plat- northward of the seaward end of the west jetty. The four form. Pilot services are arranged in advance through stacks of a power and light company on the east side of ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. the basin are prominent. A town launching ramp is in the basin. Tugs (293) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- (280) An aquaculture site, marked by a private buoy, is about 1.2 miles northwestward of the entrance to dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. Northport Basin. (294) Eatons Neck is a prominent wooded headland with Offshore Terminal, Northport elevations of 100 feet or more, and marked at its north (281) An offshore platform for the receipt of oil, is off end by a light and tower of Eatons Neck Coast Guard Station. Northport. The terminal is owned and operated by Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO), Northport, (295) Eatons Neck Light (40°57'14\"N., 73°23'43\"W.), 144 NY. The platform, with off-lying mooring buoys, is feet above the water, is shown from a 73-foot white about 1.6 miles northward of the entrance to Northport stone tower; a fog signal is at the light. Basin and about 2.4 miles eastward of Eatons Neck Light. Submerged pipelines extend from the shore to (296) The northwest end of the neck is a spit in the form the platform. The platform is marked at its eastern end of a hook which encloses Eatons Neck Basin. Eatons by a private light, and at the western end by a private Neck Coast Guard Station is at the head of the basin. light and fog signal. The basin is entered through a privately dredged cut (282) Upon the scheduled approach of an incoming ves- between two small riprap jetties about 0.5 mile south- sel, the platform, voice call “LILCO Northport Power westward of the light; the jetties are covered at half Station” or “LILCO Dock at Northport”, monitors tide. The channel between the jetties is buoyed, and VHF-FM channel 19. there are buoys farther inside the basin. The basin is subject to frequent changes and the buoys in the basin Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northport are not charted because they are frequently shifted in (283) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for position. In March-April 1994, depths of 10 feet could be carried through the entrance. In July 1987, shoaling foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For to an unknown depth was reported in the entrance these vessels, pilotage to this terminal is available channel. from: (284) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine Caution Pilots, Inc.). (297) Eatons Neck Basin Channel is maintained ex- pressly to enhance the Eatons Neck Coast Guard Sta- tion’s rescue response. Further, Eatons Neck Basin has become one of the most congested small-boat anchor- ages in the area in the summer. Mariners are cautioned that heavy wakes from rescue craft departing the sta- tion may be experienced by small craft anchoring in this area.

340 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 (298) Shoals with depths of 4 to 18 feet extend about 0.9 a sand and gravel company on the north side of Bluff mile northward of Eatons Neck, and broken ridges ex- Point. Several private landings and moorings are in the tend northward for another 1.8 miles. The northern basin. In 1994, the channel had a reported controlling end of each area is marked by a buoy. depth of 8 feet. (310) Northport Harbor is at the southeastern end of (299) Huntington Bay, just westward of Eatons Neck, is Northport Bay and is entered by a dredged channel that the approach to Northport Bay and Harbor, Centerport leads along the waterfront of Northport and an anchor- Harbor, Huntington Harbor, and Lloyd Harbor. The age basin west of the village. The channel is marked by bay, protected against all but northerly winds, is an ex- private seasonal buoys. In 1994, the controlling depth cellent anchorage for large vessels. Depths range from was 5 feet in the channel with 5 to 6 feet available in the 36 to 25 feet, fairly close to its southern end, and an- anchorage basin. A channel leads from the town land- chorage can be selected according to draft and wind di- ing to a boatyard and marina at the southeast end of the rection. harbor and is marked by private seasonal buoys. In 1995, reported depths of 5 feet were available in the (300) An obstruction covered by 23 feet is about 0.8 mile channel. The boatyard channel is marked by buoys and southwestward of Eatons Neck Light. by a lighted buoy at the entrance; these aids are sea- sonal and privately maintained. An alternate channel, (301) A 017°56'–197°56' measured half nautical mile is marked by private buoys, with a reported controlling on the west side of Eatons Neck. Triangular orange depth of 2 feet in September 1990, leads from opposite shore ranges mark the ends of the course. the public landing along the west side of the harbor to the head. A 5 mph speed limit marker is in the entrance (302) Anchorage with shelter from northwesterly winds to the harbor. can be had for small vessels at the southwesterly end of (311) Bird Island, a bird sanctuary in the southern part Huntington Bay, 0.4 mile northeastward of Hunting- of the harbor, is a low, grass-covered, man-made island. ton Harbor Light, in 18 to 36 feet. The arms of the bay provide secure harbors; Northport Bay is used gener- ally by the larger vessels. Tides Ice (303) The mean range of tide is 7.4 feet. (312) During severe winters, ice may close the harbor for Currents about 2 months. (304) In Huntington Bay the velocity of the tidal current Anchorage is 0.5 knot off East Fort Point and 0.4 knot in the en- (313) Vessels select anchorage according to draft in the trance to Northport Bay. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) harbor; bottom is soft. (314) A special anchorage is in Northport Harbor. (See (305) Duck Island Harbor is a shallow cove on the north side of Northport Bay westward of Duck Island Bluff. 110.1 and 110.60 (a-2), chapter 2, for limits and regu- Depths range from 6 to 9 feet in the entrance. The lations.) south side of Duck Island Bluff and the southeast side of Winkle Point should be given berths of 300 and 400 (315) Northport is a village with bus communications on yards, respectively, to avoid shoal water and inshore the eastern shore of Northport Harbor. Depths at the rocks. principal wharves are about 6 to 8 feet. The greatest depth that can be taken to Northport is about 14 feet at (306) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in Duck Island Har- high water. bor. Small-craft facilities (307) Northport Bay, which opens off the southeast end (316) Several small-craft facilities are on the east side of Huntington Bay, provides good anchorage in 20 to 50 feet in its western part, and in 8 to 11 feet in the eastern and the head of the harbor, and a yacht club is on the half. The entrance to the bay is marked by a lighted west side. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on buoy, and the entrance channel, privately dredged to chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) about 12 feet, is buoyed. (317) Centerport Harbor is a shoal bight on the south (308) An amber light, maintained at the public landing shore of Northport Bay just eastward of the entrance. by the town of Northport, is a conspicuous mark at The harbor serves the small-boat interests of the village night for vessels making the wharves at Northport. of Centerport. In June 1981, a reported depth of about 7 feet could be taken through the privately dredged chan- (309) A privately dredged channel at the eastern end of nel to the spit extending southwesterly from Little Northport Bay leads to a dredge basin formerly used by

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 341 Neck, thence about 3 feet to a boatyard on the west side Harbor, Northport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor and of the harbor just below the bridge. The channel is Price Bend. The northern boundary line extends from marked by private seasonal buoys. Berths, moorings, the southernmost point at East Beach (Lloyd Harbor) electricity, water, storage, marine supplies, and a easterly to the southernmost point at West Beach launching ramp are available. A flatbed trailer can haul (Sand City Beach) (see chart 12365). out craft to 32 feet; hull and engine repairs can be (327) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether made. treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by Anchorage 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). (318) A special anchorage is in Centerport Harbor. (See (328) A 5-mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. 110.1 and 110.60 (a-1), chapter 2, for limits and regu- (329) Huntington and Halesite are villages at the head of lations.) the harbor. The yacht club landing on the east side of (319) Huntington Harbor, at the southwest end of Hun- the harbor has a depth of about 10 feet alongside. Gaso- tington Bay, is entered through a marked channel that line, diesel fuel, berths, electricity, water, and ice can be leads to an anchorage off Huntington Town Dock, obtained here. Yachts may anchor off the landing, but about 2 miles above the channel entrance. A depth of must keep clear of the channel. about 8 feet can be carried in the channel. Huntington (330) Coindre Hall, a large brick building with a red roof Harbor Light (40°54'39\"N., 73°25'52\"W.), 42 feet above and numerous chimneys at the entrance to the harbor, the water and shown from a square concrete tower at- and Huntington Hospital, well lighted at night, at the tached to a dwelling on a rectangular pier, is on the head of the harbor are prominent. west side of the entrance to Huntington Harbor and on the south side of the entrance to Lloyd Harbor. A fog Small-craft facilities signal is at the light. (331) There are several marinas, boatyards, and private (320) The channel is marked by a light and by lighted, boat clubs in Huntington Harbor. (See the small-craft unlighted, and private unlighted buoys. Some of the facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and private buoys are seasonal. supplies available.) (321) The wharf just southward of Huntington Town (332) Lloyd Harbor extends westward from Huntington Dock South is used by sand and gravel barges. The bay Bay nearly to Oyster Bay, from which it is separated by a constable has an office at the head of the harbor imme- narrow strip of land. Vessels can anchor just inside the diately southward of Huntington Town Dock North. entrance, in depths of 7 to 11 feet. The entrance to the harbor is marked by buoys. A speed limit of 5 mph is (322) A boulder reef, on the west side of the entrance, ex- enforced in the harbor. tends out to Huntington Harbor Light. An obstruction, reported covered 4½ feet, is 0.35 mile eastward of the (333) Oyster Bay, on the south side of Long Island Sound light. about 5 miles westward of Eatons Neck Light, lies be- tween Lloyd Neck and Rocky Point and is the approach (323) In March 1991, a dangerous wreck was reported be- to Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay Harbor. The har- tween Buoys 9 and 11 in about 40°53'54.9\"N., bor is marked by Cold Spring Harbor Light 73°25'46.1\"W. (40°54'48\"N., 73°29'36\"W.), 37 feet above the water, and shown from a skeleton tower on a caisson with a Currents red triangular daymark. The entrance and harbor are (324) The tidal currents in the entrance channel have an characterized by extensive shoals, boulder reefs, and broken ground making off from the shores. Vessels estimated velocity of 2 knots. should proceed with caution if obliged to approach or cross shoal areas. The bay south of Cold Spring Harbor Anchorage Light is a secure harbor, available for vessels of less (325) A special anchorage is in Huntington Harbor. (See than 18-foot draft. 110.1 and 110.60 (a), chapter 2, for limits and regula- (334) Lloyd Neck, between Huntington and Oyster Bays, tions.) is high and wooded, and has a high, yellow bluff on its north side 0.8 miles eastward of Lloyd Point. Many No-Discharge Zone patches of boulders having least depths of 2 to 8 feet ex- (326) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- tend 0.2 to 0.5 mile offshore from East Fort Point to vironmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Greater Hunting- ton-Northport Bay Complex. The water bodies included are Lower Huntington Bay, Northport Bay, Centerport

342 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Coast Pilot 2 Lloyd Point. Small craft skirting this shore should keep west of Plum Point. The yacht club landing has re- well outside the line of buoys. ported depths of about 9½ feet. (335) Lloyd Point, the north end of Lloyd Neck, is a low (345) Cooper Bluff, at the northeast end of Cove Neck is spit. A rocky shoal extends 0.5 mile north-northeast- prominent. A boulder reef extends nearly 0.3 mile ward from Lloyd Point. A seasonal lighted gong buoy northward from Cove Point at the northwest end of about 1 mile northward of Lloyd Point marks the Cove Neck, and is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. northern limit of the 30-foot curve in this vicinity. (346) Cold Spring Harbor, the southeasterly end of Oys- (336) Morris Rock, about 0.5 mile eastward of Lloyd ter Bay, extends about 2.3 miles southward of Cooper Point, is covered by a least depth of 2 feet. The rock is Bluff. The tower on top of a dome of a seminary on the marked by a buoy. hill of West Neck, on the east side of the harbor, is (337) The long jetty, about 0.6 mile southwestward of prominent. A depth of about 14 feet can be carried to Lloyd Point, forms the southern entrance point to The near the head of the harbor by giving the shores a berth Sand Hole, a pond that has been dredged into the spit of about 0.3 mile. by a sand and gravel company. The pond is State con- (347) The village of Cold Spring Harbor is on the eastern trolled and may be entered by steering a midchannel shore near the head of the harbor. An oil company pier course through the entrance. It is used considerably by at the village has a depth of about 13 feet alongside. A local boats as an anchorage and harbor of refuge. The small-craft facility is on the east side of the cove at the holding ground is good. head of Cold Spring Harbor. Gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- (338) In June 1981, reported depths of about 12 feet were ter, ice, marine supplies, berthings, and dry storage are in the entrance channel and about 4 to 22 feet in the ba- available. A reported depth of about 3 feet is available sin. alongside the facility. A town launching ramp is avail- (339) Rocky Point, the northern promontory of Centre able in the harbor. Island, is a small bluff on whose summit is a large (348) A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in the harbor. prominent house. An extensive foul area with depths of 2 to 17 feet extends about 1 mile northward of Rocky Anchorages Point. A bell buoy marks the northern end of this foul (349) Special anchorages are in Cold Spring Harbor and area. This area is dangerous and should be avoided. (340) A shoal area with depths of 4 to 11 feet extends east- Oyster Bay Harbor. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (t), (u), ward from Rocky Point nearly across Oyster Bay and is (u-2) and (u-3), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) marked near its eastern end by Cold Spring Harbor Light. Small craft with local knowledge cross the shoal (350) Oyster Bay Harbor, a long, crooked arm in the at a distance of about 0.4 mile westward of the light, but western side of Oyster Bay, has a channel with a depth strangers should not attempt it. over 30 feet leading into the area westward of Moses Point. Good anchorage is available southward of Moses Tides Point. West of this point, the channel is narrow and (341) The mean range of tide is 7.4 feet. suitable only for vessels drawing less than 10 feet. Ves- sels of less than 7-foot draft can anchor in the bight be- Currents tween Cove Neck and the wharf at Oyster Bay, and also (342) About 0.4 mile northwest of Cold Spring Harbor in West Harbor, the large bight on the northwest side of Centre Island. Light the velocity is about 0.5 knot; about 0.2 mile north of Cove Point, 1.2 miles southwestward, it is (351) A speed limit of 5 m.p.h. is enforced in the harbor. about 0.8 knot. For predictions, the Tidal Current Ta- (352) The village of Oyster Bay, on the shore south of bles should be consulted. Oyster Bay Harbor, has rail communication. A channel, Ice marked by private seasonal buoys, leads southwestward (343) During severe winters ice has been known to ex- from deep water in Oyster Bay Harbor to an oyster wharf in about 40°52'37\"N., 73°31'32\"W., thence west tend the full length of the bay during part of January to a boat basin. The oyster wharf has reported depths of and February. about 10 feet along the face and southeast side. Parallel to and about 200 feet off the northwest side of the wharf (344) Plum Point, the easternmost point of Centre Is- is a row of sunken barges. An oil receiving wharf is land, is marked at its south end by a small stone tower; about 125 yards southward of the oyster wharf. boat landings are on the southwest side of the point. A (353) Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a Marine yacht club with a prominent flagstaff is about 0.3 mile Managed Area (MMA), includes the waters of Oyster Bay and Mill Neck Creek. (See MMA 9-1, Appendix C, for additional information.)