U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 195 forming the inner harbor. The inner harbor affords good rocks covered 3 to 5 feet. Strangers should never attempt anchorage and is the approach to Edgartown, a fishing to pass across this shoal. The channel into Edgartown and resort town on the western shore. Many yachts and Harbor is marked by a lighted buoy and unlighted buoys. pleasure craft use the harbor during the summer. An obstruction, covered 19 feet, is at 41°23'32\"N., 70°29'28\"W. (280) Katama Bay, used by local fishermen and small (290) Sturgeon Flats, covered 2 to 18 feet, extend about pleasure craft, is large and shallow. Extensive shoaling 600 yards off the southeastern shore of the outer harbor has been reported in the southerly end of the bay. A 4 mph between the narrow entrance to Cape Poge Bay and the speed limit is enforced in the bay. entrance to the inner harbor. (291) A sandbar is making off eastward from Edgartown (281) Harbor Light. A buoy is on the eastern end of the shoal. Except for this shoal, the entrance to the inner harbor is Prominent features not difficult to navigate. Middle Ground, in the inner (282) Edgartown Harbor Light (41°23'27\"N., harbor south of the town, has a least depth of 10 feet. 70°30'11\"W.), 45 feet above the water, is shown from (292) a white conical tower on the west side of the head of Edgartown outer harbor. Also prominent are: a church Routes (chart 13237) belfry in the town, a microwave tower 1 mile to the (293) Vessels approaching Edgartown Harbor from the west-southwestward of the light, a standpipe about 1 mile southwestward of the light, and the numerous beach eastward, from a position about 400 yards north of Cross cabanas on Chappaquiddick Point. Rip Lighted Gong Buoy 21, can steer 267°, heading for the standpipe on Martha’s Vineyard southward of Oak (283) Bluffs, passing northward of Nantucket Sound Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 21A. When Cape Poge Light bears Channels 155°, head south-southwestward into the harbor. (284) The buoyed channel through the outer harbor has (294) Vessels approaching from the westward and passing northward of Squash Meadow can head on a 180° course depths of 20 to 36 feet until nearly to Edgartown Harbor from a position about 0.5 mile southward of Hedge Fence Light. Near the light, the channel narrows and makes a Lighted Gong Buoy 22 to enter the harbor. In the daytime, sharp bend westward, leading to the wharves at the town. the channel southward of Squash Meadow is sometimes In 2011, a depth of 15 feet could be carried from the used. Strangers in sailing vessels seldom enter the inner outer harbor to off the town.Abreast the town, the channel harbor, as a fair wind is necessary to keep in the channel. narrows and curves southward to Katama Bay, bordered on the eastern side by Middle Ground. Katama Bay is (295) subject to frequent changes, as is the shoreline between the bay and the ocean; a breach in the shoreline occurred Currents in 2007. (296) The tidal current in the narrow part of the channel (285) inside Edgartown Harbor Light and off the town has a double flood and a double ebb, and in general follows the Anchorages direction of the channel. Near the middle of each flood (286) Anchorage with good shelter from easterly gales or ebb period there is an approximate slack preceded and followed by maximum of velocity. The average is found westward of Cape Poge on the eastern side of velocity is about 1 knot. (See the Tidal Current Tables the outer harbor. In westerly and southerly gales vessels for predictions.) In 2007, it was reported that a breach find shelter in the southern end of the outer harbor had occurred on South Beach just southward of Katama about 0.4 mile eastward or east-southeastward from Bay. The breach has affected the published tide and tidal Edgartown Harbor Light. In northerly or northeasterly current predictions so that mariners are cautioned about gales vessels usually go to Woods Hole or Tarpaulin Cove the accuracy of the information. for sheltered anchorage. Vessels should not anchor in the channel abreast the town where the bottom is hard sand, the channel narrow, and tidal currents strong. Southeast of the town, anchorage may be found south of Middle (297) Fogs are prevalent during the summer and at times Ground, muddy bottom. appear without warning. Drift ice from the sound, driven (287) Small craft usually anchor in the special anchorage into the entrance by the wind, obstructs the entrance to in the vicinity of Middle Ground. (See 33 CFR 110.1and sailing vessels during a part of the winter. It is reported that 110.38, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) the harbor is normally closed by ice during January and February. The Chappaquiddick ferry channel is usually (288) kept open. The tidal currents keep the inner harbor open except for a few days at a time during severe winters. Dangers (289) On the western side of the outer harbor is a shoal (298) There are no pilots for Edgartown Harbor. Tugs are seldom used and none are available. Fishing craft or the area extending 2.8 miles northward of Edgartown Harbor harbormaster’s vessel will act as tugs in an emergency. Light. A bell buoy marks the northern edge of the shoal; vessels entering or leaving the harbor pass eastward of this buoy. The depths over the remainder of the shoal are irregular, and there are a rock awash and several
196 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 (309) Oak Bluffs Harbor, Massachusetts N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (299) and a clearance of 5 feet. The fixed highway bridge over the north entrance also has a clearance of 5 feet. Harbormaster (304) Squash Meadow is a shoal south of the main channel through Nantucket Sound and about 4 miles northwest of (300) The harbormaster has control of the anchorage of Cape Poge. The hard sand shoal has depths of 13 to 18 vessels in the harbor. He will usually be found at the feet and is marked on its southeastern end by a bell buoy Edgartown Yacht Club and can be contacted on VHF- and on its western end by a buoy. FM channel 16 or at 508–627–4746. Copies of harbor (305) Harthaven is a small pond northward of regulations may be obtained from the harbormaster. Sengekontacket Pond. The entrance is through a privately dredged channel between two short jetties. In 2000, a depth of 4 feet was reported in the entrance. The pond has depths of 2 to 6 feet. There are no services or landings in (301) The depth at the Town Wharf is 25 feet. Depths at the pond. the other wharves are about 11 feet. A marina, boatyard, (306) Lone Rock, covered 4 feet and marked by a buoy, and a yacht club are at Edgartown. The boatyard has a is 350 yards offshore about 750 yards southeastward of marine lift that can handle craft to 9 tons for hull and Oak Bluffs wharf. engine repairs and dry open or covered storage. Gasoline, (307) Rhode Island Rock, covered 14 feet, is about 700 diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, and moorings are yards northward of the breakwater light. available. Launch service to moored craft is available. (308) Oak Bluffs Harbor, 4.8 miles northwestward of Edgartown Harbor Light, is a landlocked basin frequented (302) A small ferry operates between Edgartown and by pleasure craft and some fishing vessels. The entrance Chappaquiddick Island. No schedule is maintained, but is protected by two breakwaters. A light is on the end of the ferry runs on call. There is seasonal bus service to Oak the north breakwater. Oak Bluffs is a summer resort and Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and other island points. Ferries fishing village on the harbor. Prominent are a church connect Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven with Woods dome and a cupola in the village and the bluff north of Hole, Falmouth, Hyannis, and Nantucket. the entrance. (310) In 2012, the entrance channel had a controlling depth (303) Sengekontacket Pond, about midway between of 8.5 feet. Numerous submerged rocks, covered 10 to Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, has two entrances which are subject to shoaling. The southerly entrance is the main entrance and had a reported controlling depth of 10 feet in 1981. There are no public landings in the pond, and it is used by local and fishing craft only. The south entrance is crossed by a fixed highway bridge with a 13-foot span
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 197 14 feet, are in the harbor approach, in an area within 0.4 at the head. Several obstructions with lesser depths have mile of shore bounded on the north by a line extending been reported about 400 yards northeast of the wharf face. northeasterly from the breakwaters and on the south by A private seasonal light and sound signal are operated Lone Rock. The chart is the best guide for approaching from the seaward end of the wharf when ferry vessels the harbor; however, it is advised that mariners transiting are approaching the wharf in fog. There is seasonal ferry the area exercise extreme caution as other uncharted service from the wharf to Woods Hole and Nantucket. rocks may exist. Seasonal ferry service is also maintained between (311) East Chop Yacht Club is on the north side of the Falmouth, Hyannis and New Bedford. Seasonal fast ferry harbor, and several private piers are on the west side. The service is maintained from Quonset, RI, and year-round town wharf extends along the bulkhead on the south and fast ferry passenger service is maintained from New east sides of the harbor. The town maintains berths with Bedford. Oak Bluffs is a port of call for cruise ships. The electricity, a launching ramp, a pump-out station, and Vineyard Transit Authority provides island-wide transit guest moorings. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice and some service year-round. There is air service from Martha’s marine supplies are available; hull and engine repairs can Vineyard Airport about 4.5 miles southwestward of the be made. town. (312) Martha’s Vineyard hospital is on the beach road (315) A 530-foot groin, marked at its outer end by a close westward of the town. The harbormaster monitors daybeacon and partially submerged at high water, is about VHF-FM channel 71; telephone 508–693–4355. 650 yards south of the ferry wharf; caution is advised. (313) A no-wake speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (316) Other ports on the north side of Martha’s Vineyard, (314) Oak Bluffs Wharf, about 0.2 mile southward of the westward of Oak Bluffs Harbor, are described in chapter breakwater light, is reported to have a depth of 13 feet 5.
198 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 (317) Tidal Information Chart Station Latitude/Longitude Mean Higher Mean High Mean Low High Water* Water* Water* 13229 Cape Cod Canal, east entrance, Sandwich Marina 41°46'N/70°30'W 9.0 0.2 13229 Dennisport, Herring River, Nantucket Sound 41°39'N/70°07'W 9.4 3.5 0.1 13229 Hyannis Port, Nantucket Sound 41°38'N/70°18'W 3.7 3.5 0.3 13229 Cotuit Highlands, Nantucket Sound 41°36'N/70°26'W 3.8 2.6 0.1 13229 Falmouth Heights, Nantucket Sound 41°33'N/70°36'W 2.7 1.3 -- 13229 Cedar Tree Neck, Martha's Vineyard 41°26'N/70°42'W 1.4 2.3 0.1 13229 Oak Bluff's, Martha's Vineyard 41°27'N/70°33'W 2.4 1.8 0.1 13229 Quicks Hole, Vineyard Sound 41°27'N/70°51'W 1.9 3.6 0.1 13229 Chappaquoit Point (West Falmouth Habor) 41°36'N/70°39'W 3.9 4.0 0.2 13229 Monument Beach, Buzzards Bay 41°43'N/70°37'W 4.2 4.2 0.2 13229 Great Hill, Buzzards Bay 41°43'N/70°43'W 4.4 4.1 0.2 13229 New Bedford, Buzzards Bay 41°38'N/70°55'W 4.4 3.8 0.1 13229 Sagamore, Cape Cod Canal 41°47'N/70°32'W 4.1 8.2 0.3 13229 Bournedale, Cape Cod Canal 41°46'N/70°34'W 8.6 6.5 0.3 13229 Marion, Sippican Harbor 41°42'N/70°46'W 6.8 4.1 0.2 13229 Mattapoisett, Buzzard Bay 41°39'N/70°49'W 4.4 4.0 0.1 13229 Clarks Point, Buzzards Bay 41°36'N/70°54'W 4.3 3.7 0.1 13229 Woods Hole, Oceanographic Institution 41°31'N/70°40'W 4.0 1.9 0.1 13229 Bourne Bridge, Cape Cod Canal 41°45'N/70°36'W 2.2 4.6 0.3 13229 Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge 41°45'N/70°37'W 5.0 3.6 0.2 13229 Gray Gables, Buzzards Bay 41°44'N/70°37'W 4.0 3.8 0.2 13229 Piney Point, Buzzards Bay 41°42'N/70°43'W 4.1 4.1 0.2 13229 Saquatucket Harbor 41°40'N/70°03'W 4.4 4.0 0.3 13229 Chatham, Stage Harbor 42°40'N/69°58'W 4.3 4.2 0.3 13229 Onset Beach, Onset Bay, Buzzards Bay 41°45'N/70°40'W 4.6 3.7 0.2 13229 Round Hill Point, Buzzards Bay 41°32'N/70°56'W 4.1 3.6 0.1 13229 Cuttyhunk, Vineyard Sound 41°26'N/70°55'W 3.8 3.5 0.1 13233 Squibnocket Point, Martha's Vineyard 41°19'N/70°46'W 3.7 3.0 0.1 13233 Nomans Land, Off Martha's Vineyard 41°16'N/70°49'W 3.2 3.1 0.1 13233 Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard 41°21'N/70°50'W 3.3 3.0 0.1 13233 Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard 41°23'N/70°31'W 3.2 2.0 0.1 13238 Wasque Point, Chappaquiddick Island 41°22'N/70°27'W 2.1 1.1 -- 13241 Siasconset, Nantucket Island 41°16'N/69°58'W 1.2 1.2 -- 13241 Great Point, Nantucket Island 41°23'N/70°03'W 1.3 3.2 0.1 13241 Muskeget Island 41°20'N/70°18'W 3.3 2.1 0.1 13242 Nantucket, Nantucket Island 41°17'N/70°06'W 2.2 3.2 0.2 13246 Plymouth, Cape Cod Bay 41°58'N/70°40'W 3.6 10.1 0.3 13246 Barnstable Harbor, Beach Point, Cape Cod Bay 41°43'N/70°17'W 10.5 9.8 0.3 13248 Chatham Harbor, Aunt Lydias Cove, Cape Cod 41°42'N/69°57'W 10.2 6.0 0.2 13248 Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod 41°44'N/69°59'W 6.4 3.3 0.1 13249 Provincetown, Cape Cod, Cape Cod Bay 42°03'N/70°11'W 3.4 9.4 0.3 13249 Race Point, Cape Cod 42°04'N/70°15'W 9.8 9.3 0.3 9.7 * Heights in feet referred to datum of sounding MLLW. Real-time water levels, tide predictions, and tidal current predictions are available at http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov To determine mean tide range subtract Mean Low Water from Mean High Water. Data as of September 2014
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 199
200 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 71° 70°30' Index of Chart Coverage in Chapter 5 42° 42° MASSACHUSETTS 13230 13236 Onset CAPE COD CANAL New Bedford Marion Mattapoisett RMHASOSDAECISHLUASENTDTS BUZZARDS BAY 13229 Woods Hole Falmouth 41° 13232 13235 41° 30' Naushon Island VINEYARD SOUND 30' 13228 Pasque Island Vineyard Haven Cuttyhunk Island Nashawena Island Edgartown Gay Head Martha’s Vineyard 13229 13238 Nomans Island 13233 RHODE ISLAND SOUND 13237 13218 41° 41° 71° 70°30'
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 201 Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay (1) This chapter describes Vineyard Sound and Buzzards southwest end of Cuttyhunk Island and pass southeast of Bay following the Massachusetts coast of Vineyard “NA” buoy. Sound, the northwestern shore of Martha’s Vineyard, the eastern shore of Buzzards Bay, the Cape Cod Canal, and (11) the western shore of Buzzards Bay. Also described are Woods Hole, Cuttyhunk, Onset, Wareham, and the port Anchorages of New Bedford, as well as the numerous fishing and (12) Woods Hole is the only anchorage providing shelter yachting centers along the sound and bay. from all winds for vessels drawing more than 10 feet. In (2) northerly and westerly winds, good anchorage may be had in Tarpaulin Cove. In southerly winds, shelter can COLREGS Demarcation Lines be had in Menemsha Bight, although Vineyard Haven (3) The lines established for this part of the coast are is generally used. Several general anchorages are in Vineyard Sound. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.140(c)(1), described in 33 CFR 80.145, chapter 2. (c)(2), and (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (4) (13) No-Discharge Zone Currents (5) The State of Massachusetts, with the approval of (14) The time of current becomes somewhat earlier from the Environmental Protection Agency, has established Hedge Fence westward through Vineyard Sound. The a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in all coastal waters of current velocity increases from 1.4 knots at Hedge Fence Massachusetts covered by this chapter except a small area Lighted Gong Buoy 22 to about 3 knots off West Chop from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven, extending about 3 Light, and then gradually diminishes to 1.2 knots off miles offshore (see charts 13246 and 13237). Gay Head Light. (See “Current Diagram-Vineyard and (6) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether Nantucket Sounds” in the Tidal Current Tables.) treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by (15) At the western entrance to Vineyard Sound, west- 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). northwestward of Gay Head Light, the tidal current is rotary, turning clockwise. The velocity is only 0.2 to 0.5 (7) knot. Since the tidal current is weak, winds greatly affect it and the current frequently sets approximately with the Charts 13230, 13237, 13218 winds. (8) Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay are deep and (16) easily navigated day or night. Vineyard Sound, together with Nantucket Sound, provides an inside route from Weather: Vineyard Sound, Buzzards Bay and vicinity New York to Boston which avoids Nantucket Shoals. Buzzards Bay, together with Cape Cod Canal and Cape (17) Buzzards Bay is open to winds out of the south and Cod Bay, provides the shortest deep-draft route between southwest, which are common from spring through fall. New York and Boston. Winds increase as they move from the surrounding land out over the Bay. Its northeast-southwest orientation (9) Vineyard Sound is bounded on the north by the causes southwesterlies to strengthen as they funnel up southwestern part of Cape Cod and the Elizabeth Islands, from the mouth of the Bay to its head. The result is that and on the south by part of Martha’s Vineyard, which speeds are often double those at nearby land stations and presents a rugged and generally inaccessible shoreline. southwesterlies may prevail even when land stations are To the west, it joins Rhode Island Sound on a line reporting west or northwest winds. However, as a general between Cuttyhunk Island and Gay Head. To the east, it rule southwesterlies blow harder close to the Elizabeth joins Nantucket Sound on a line between Nobska Point Islands than in the middle of the Bay. The relatively and West Chop and provides an inside passage clear of shallow water of the Bay increases the steepness of waves Nantucket Shoals. The navigational aids are colored and their closeness to one another; this can cause a stiff and numbered for passing through the sound from the chop. With southerly or westerly gales there is a heavy eastward. The channel through the sound is well marked sea in the westerly entrance to Vineyard Sound and heavy and generally free of dangers. seas occur at times off the entrance to Quicks Hole. (10) Deep-draft vessels entering or leaving Vineyard Sound should stay at least 3.5 miles southward of the
202 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (26) N Vineyard Haven Harbor, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (18) (24) East Chop Light (41°28'13\"N., 70°34'03\"W.), 79 feet above the water, is shown from a white tower on the Pilotage,Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay east side of the entrance to Vineyard Haven. East Chop (19) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels of 350 Flats, covered 5 to 18 feet, extend 0.2 mile northward and 0.5 mile eastward of East Chop. A lighted bell buoy, gross tons or more, U.S. vessels under register of 350 about 0.5 mile east-northeastward, and a buoy, about 350 gross tons or more, and tank barge towing vessels carrying yards northward of the light, mark the flats. 6,000 barrels or more of petroleum cargoes. Pilotage is available from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, (25) Vineyard Haven Harbor is a funnel-shaped bight RI, 02840; telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800– in the northern side of Martha’s Vineyard between East 274–1216; FAX 401–847–9052; email: dispatch@ Chop and West Chop, about 1.4 miles long in a southwest nemarinepilots.com. direction and about 1.3 miles wide at the entrance. This haven, easy of access, is the most important harbor of (20) refuge for coasters between Provincetown and Narragansett Bay. The depths range from 46 feet at the Charts 13238, 13233, 13229 entrance to 15 feet near the head of the harbor. (21) East Chop and West Chop are prominent points on (27) Although Vineyard Haven Harbor is exposed to the north side of Martha’s Vineyard and on the east and northeasterly winds, vessels with good ground tackle can west side of the entrance to Vineyard Haven. Both points ride out most blows. The greatest danger encountered by terminate in high wooded bluffs which show prominently vessels at anchor in a northeast gale is from vessels with from the sounds; each is marked by a light. poor ground tackle, which are likely to drift, foul other vessels, and then go ashore. (22) West Chop Light (41°28'51\"N., 70°35'59\"W.), 84 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical tower; (28) The harbor is the approach to the village of a sound signal is at the light. Vineyard Haven. A detached breakwater, marked on its southeastern end by a light, is on the flats on the western (23) A lighted gong buoy, 0.5 mile northeastward of the side of the harbor near the head. The natural channel is light, and a buoy, 0.5 mile eastward of the light, mark shoal clear; soundings are the best guide for finding anchorage. water and rocks awash to the eastward of West Chop. It When well inside the entrance, the water shoals gradually has been reported that during strong tidal currents, the buoy may be submerged.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 203 toward the western shore, but the eastern shore is steep from Woods Hole. Air service is available from Martha’s and should be given a berth of about 0.2 mile. Vineyard Airport, about 4 miles south of the town. (42) Lagoon Pond, eastward of the town of Vineyard (29) Haven, has its entrance about 0.5 mile northeastward of Vineyard Haven Breakwater Light 10. A short jetty, Anchorage marked by a light, extends from the northwestern end (30) Vessels anchor according to draft, anywhere from of the jutting point on the northerly side of the entrance. In 2004, the controlling depth through the entrance was the points at the entrance to the head of the harbor. 6.3 feet (7.9 feet at midchannel). The channel is marked Shallow-draft vessels favor the western shore. by private buoys. The pond, used by local and fishing (31) Vessels entering the harbor with a head wind or craft, has depths of 5 to 25 feet with shoaler depths near light breeze, at the end of a favorable current through the the shore. Robbins Rock is off the west shore, about 1 sound, should continue on in the channel until the harbor mile above the bridge. The highway bridge across the is well opened before standing in for the anchorage. This entrance has a 30-foot bascule span with a clearance will help clear the entrance points. Approaching from the of 14 feet. (See 33 CFR117.1 through 117.49, chapter eastward, vessels will keep clear of Squash Meadow and 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Advance arrangements East Chop Flats by keeping in the white sector of West for bridge openings can be made by contacting the Chop Light. The anchorage basin behind the breakwater harbormaster or drawtender at 617–693–1212. has depths of 5 to 12 feet and is usually filled to capacity during the summer. When anchoring in the harbor, care (43) must be taken to avoid obstructing the approach to the ferry slip and the approach to the oil wharves on the Charts 13230, 13229 southerly side of the harbor. (32) (44) Falmouth Harbor, the open roadstead off the south shore of Cape Cod eastward of Nobska Point Light, Dangers affords an anchorage for vessels in 24 to 36 feet about (33) Flats, partly bare at low water and marked by a buoy, 0.8 mile from shore. Smaller vessels can anchor closer to the shore in 15 to 18 feet. The bottom is generally sticky make off 300 yards from the eastern shore of the harbor and good holding ground; the depths shoal gradually about 1 mile inside East Chop Light. A rock, covered 9 toward the shore. The anchorage affords a lee in northerly feet, is 0.3 mile northward of the breakwater light. winds; in southerly winds the sea is somewhat broken by L’Hommedieu Shoal and the shoals westward of it so that (34) a vessel with good ground tackle can ride out a gale in comparative safety. (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.140(c) Currents (5), and (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations of the (35) The tidal currents have little velocity in the harbor; anchorage area.) however, care should be taken on the ebb, which sets (45) Falmouth Harbor is frequently used by vessels westward, not to approach too closely to West Chop as with good ground tackle that prefer this anchorage to the current in that vicinity sets on the ledges eastward and the anchorage in Vineyard Haven Harbor, which may northward of the point. be crowded in bad weather. Vessels approaching the anchorage are cautioned to stay clear of the two shoal areas with depths of 10 to 16 feet marked by buoys which extend westward of L’Hommedieu Shoal. (36) The harbormaster has control of the anchoring of vessels in the inner harbor; he will usually be found at (46) Vessels can enter Falmouth Harbor from the the town dock on the west side of the harbor and can be southward on a course of 344° with West Chop Light contacted on VHF-FM channel 16, or at 508–693–1368. astern, and pass about 0.1 mile westward of Falmouth A 4 mph speed limit is enforced inside the breakwater Harbor East Shoal Buoy 17. Vessels in the vicinity of and within 150 feet of moored craft. Nobska Point Light can pass 0.4 mile eastward of the light on a north-northeasterly course, and when Tarpaulin (37) Pilots are not available at Vineyard Haven. A twin- Cove and Nobska Point Lights are nearly in range, stand screw, 500-hp tug, also equipped for salvage work, is eastward to an anchorage. based in the harbor. (47) Falmouth Heights, about 3 miles east-northeast of (38) A ferry terminal, several wharves, two marinas and a Nobska Point Light and east of the town of Falmouth, boatyard are in the harbor. A yacht club is on the west side is a prominent yellow bluff on the summit of which are of the harbor, about 0.3 mile northward of the breakwater. numerous homes and a large hotel. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 13229 for services and supplies available.) (48) Falmouth Inner Harbor, westward of Falmouth Heights, is a dredged basin about 0.7 mile long and less (39) Guest moorings, maintained by the town, are than 0.1 mile wide, on the north side of Falmouth Harbor. available off the municipal wharf, 200 yards northward The yacht club dock and flagpole, just inside the entrance of the ferry terminal; other moorings can be hired from the boatyard and marinas. (40) The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is on the beach road near Oak Bluffs. (41) The Woods Hole-Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority maintains year-round ferry service
204 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (49) N Falmouth Harbor, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) on the east side of the harbor, are conspicuous from close extends 150 yards eastward and southwestward from the inshore. The harbor is entered through a dredged channel point. between two jetties; a light marks the end of each jetty. (56) (50) Charts 13233, 13229 Currents (57) Middle Ground, covered 6 to 18 feet, is the easterly (51) The tidal current in the sound about 1.5 miles south half of a narrow, somewhat shifting ridge that extends for about 9 miles westward from a point about 0.5 mile of the harbor sets east-northeastward on the flood at a northwestward of West Chop Light. A buoy is at the velocity of 2.3 knots, and west-southwestward on the ebb northeast end, and a lighted bell buoy off the southwestern at 1.7 knots. end. (52) (58) Lucas Shoal, covered 17 to 30 feet, is the southwestern end of the ridge. It is separated from the Small-craft facilities Middle Ground by a natural channel with a depth of 31 (53) There are several small-craft facilities in Falmouth feet. A buoy marks the southwestern end of the shoal. Inner Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on (59) Lake Tashmoo, a landlocked pond on the northwest chart 13229 for services and supplies available.) side of Martha’s Vineyard, is entered through a narrow jettied entrance which had a reported controlling depth of 2½ feet in 1981. The lake, only used by local craft, has general depths of 3 to 10 feet. A private seasonal light (54) The harbormaster is at the town-operated Falmouth marks the east jetty and private seasonal buoys mark the Marina, on the west side halfway up the harbor; telephone channel through a shoal area just inside the entrance. 508–548–9796. The harbormaster monitors VHF-FM channels 16, 12, and 9. A ferry operates in the summer to (60) A 4 mph speed limit is enforced in the pond. Oak Bluffs from the wharf at the head of the harbor. Anchoring is prohibited in the entrance channel. (55) NobskaPoint,about29mileswestwardofMonomoy (61) A small boatyard is on the easterly side of the lake; Point, is a bluff with Nobska Point Light (41°30'57\"N., a flatbed trailer can handle craft up to 30 feet for hull and 70°39'18\"W.), 87 feet above the water, shown from a white tower, at the south end. A sound signal is at the light. Nobska Point Ledges, partly bare at low water,
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 205 engine repairs. Guest moorings and limited supplies are (41°20'54\"N., 70°50'06\"W.), 170 feet above the water, available. shown from a 51-foot red brick tower on the head. A (62) Norton Point and Cape Higgon are prominent lighted gong buoy is 1.6 miles northwestward of the light. bluffs on the northwest side of Martha’s Vineyard about Several rocks exist between Gay Head and the lighted 3 and 8 miles, respectively, southwestward of West Chop gong buoy. Light. (72) Devils Bridge is a reef making off 0.8 mile (63) Menemsha Bight, on the northerly side of the northwestward of Gay Head. The reef has a depth of 2 western end of Martha’s Vineyard 2.5 miles east of Gay feet about 0.4 mile offshore and 17 feet at its end. Head, affords shelter from southerly and easterly winds (73) Nomans Land, about 5.5 miles southward of Gay in depths of 25 to 60 feet, sticky bottom. (See 33 CFR Head, is a prominent, high, and rocky island. Except for a 110.1 and 110.140(c)(1) and (d), chapter 2, for limits and small section on its northwestern side, the shore consists regulations for the anchorage area.) There are no dangers of clay and gravel cliffs 10 to 18 feet high with boulders in the bight if the shore is given a berth of 0.3 mile. lining the shores. In the interior of the island are many (64) Menemsha Creek, on the northwestern shore of hills, the highest over 100 feet high, with considerable Martha’s Vineyard and about 3 miles eastward of Gay marshy area between the hills. A danger zone surrounds Head Light, is entered from Menemsha Bight through a Nomans Land. (See 33 CFR 334.70, chapter 2, for limits dredged channel that leads southeastward to Menemsha and regulations.) Basin, on the north shore just inside the entrance. From (74) Several sunken rocks and ledges are in the passage the basin, the dredged channel continues southward between Nomans Land and Martha’s Vineyard. Lone through the creek to Menemsha Pond, about 1 mile above Rock, covered 8 feet, and Old Man, a ledge covered the entrance. The entrance to the creek is protected by 4 feet, are marked by buoys. A buoyed channel about jetties. The east jetty is marked by a light. A bell buoy, 0.7 mile wide between the islands may be used by small about 300 yards northwestward of the light, marks the vessels in the daytime. Shoal water extends 0.5 mile channel approach, and buoys and daybeacons mark southward of Squibnocket Point, the southernmost point the channel. The channel south of Menemsha Basin is of Martha’s Vineyard. reported to shoal rapidly after dredging; mariners are advised to seek local knowledge before attempting to go (75) beyond Menemsha Basin. (65) Menemsha is a small fishing village on Menemsha Charts 13230, 13229 Basin. Menemsha Pond, a rectangular basin about 1 mile long and 0.7 mile wide, has general depths of 2 to 18 feet, (76) Elizabeth Islands, including Nonamesset, with the deepest water in the southern half of the pond. Uncatena, Weepecket, Naushon, Pasque, Nashawena, Penikese, and Cuttyhunk Islands, extend about 14 miles (66) west-southwest from the southwest end of Cape Cod. The islands, forming part of the northern shore of Vineyard Currents Sound, separate the sound from Buzzards Bay. They (67) The tidal currents through the entrance have an are hilly and partly wooded; the shores are, in general, low bluffs. Westward of Woods Hole are several buoyed estimated velocity of 3 knots or more. Slacks are reported channels between the islands, but Quicks Hole is the only to occur 45 minutes after local high and low waters. one recommended for strangers. (77) (68) Guest moorings are available in Menemsha Basin, Charts 13235, 13229 and anchoring is permitted in the pond. Berths are also available at the public facilities at Dutcher Dock, on the (78) Woods Hole is that water area lying between the northeast side of the basin. Commercial fishing and charter southwest tip of Cape Cod and Uncatena and Nonamesset boats berth at the dock or at the private piers on the west Island, the easternmost of the Elizabeth Islands, with side of the basin. Menemsha Coast Guard Station is on Buzzards Bay on the northwest and Vineyard Sound the south side of the basin. The harbormaster controls on the southeast; it includes Great and Little Harbors in all berthing and mooring in the basin. The harbormaster the eastern part, and Hadley Harbor in the western part. has an office at Dutcher Dock and can be contacted by Woods Hole is also the approach to the town of Woods radiotelephone on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone Hole on the northeastern shore of Great Harbor. The town at 508–645–2846. is a busy commercial center and a transshipping point for passengers and freight to and from Nantucket and (69) A marina is on the east side of Menemsha Basin. Martha’s Vineyard. During the summer it is an active Repairs and hauling of craft to 45 feet can be arranged. resort and frequently a port of call by yachts passing Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, a launching ramp, and through to Vineyard Sound or Buzzards Bay. There is marine supplies are available. considerable waterborne commerce in seafood products and general cargo. (70) Seasonal bus service is available from Menemsha to Vineyard Haven and other points on the island. (71) Gay Head, the westerly end of Martha’s Vineyard, is a prominent high bluff. It is marked by Gay Head Light
206 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (86) N Woods Hole, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (79) is difficult and dangerous without some local knowledge. Buoys in the narrowest part of the channel sometimes are Prominent features towed under, and a stranger should attempt passage only (80) The most prominent landmark approaching Woods at slack water. (84) The entrance to Great Harbor from Vineyard Hole is Nobska Point and light. A light marks the south Sound, between Great Ledge and Nonamesset Shoal, end of Juniper Point, the finger of land separating Little has depths of over 20 feet. A lighted bell buoy marks and Great Harbors. Also prominent is the house high on the entrance to the harbor from Vineyard Sound and a Juniper Point, a standpipe 0.7 miles north-northwestward directional light with a 343.25º-344.75º white sector and of Nobska Point, a water tower and stacks in the town, the lighted and unlighted buoys mark the channel. Mariners dome of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and should guard against the current from Buzzards Bay, the buildings of the National Marine Fisheries Service which has a tendency to set vessels eastward. and the Marine Biological Laboratory. (85) These channels are marked by buoys and lights, but extreme caution and slack water are required to safely (81) navigate them with drafts greater than 8 feet. Mariners entering from Buzzards Bay should keep in mind that the Channels buoys are colored and marked for passage from Vineyard (82) Woods Hole Passage, a dredged section through the Sound to Buzzards Bay. northern part of Woods Hole, connects Vineyard Sound (87) and Great Harbor with Buzzards Bay, and consists of The Strait and a spur channel known as the Branch Anchorages at the western end of The Strait, and Broadway, the (88) (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.140 (c) and (d), chapter southerly entrance to The Strait from Vineyard Sound. A Federal project provides for channel depths of 13 feet. 2, for limits and regulations of the deepwater anchorages (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of charts for in the vicinity of Woods Hole.) An anchorage about 0.2 controlling depths.) The northerly entrance from Great mile square, with poor holding ground and irregular Harbor into The Strait is preferred over Broadway with its depths ranging from 19 to 62 feet, is at the head of Great sharp turn, which is difficult in strong currents, especially Harbor. Shoals covered 5 to 9 feet are northwest of the for low-powered vessels and vessels under sail. anchorage. Good anchorage in depths of 29 to 36 feet is (83) The passage through Woods Hole, between also available about 200 yards northwest of the National numerous ledges and shoals, is marked by navigational aids. However, tidal currents are so strong that the passage
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 207 Marine Fisheries Service’s wharf. Small craft can find (96) good anchorage in Little Harbor and Hadley Harbor. Pilotage: Woods Hole (89) (97) Pilotage service is available for the harbor. (See Dangers Pilotage, Vineyard Sound, this chapter.) (90) Numerous ledges and shoals border the channel (98) through Woods Hole. Great Ledge, an extensive rocky shoal awash at low water with a full northwest gale, lies Routes between the entrances to Little and Great Harbors; it is (99) The following directions are good for medium-draft marked by a buoy. Coffin Rock, eastward of Great Ledge and covered 5 feet, is marked by a lighted buoy 120 yards vessels entering Woods Hole at slack water. Approaching eastward of the rock. Nonamesset Shoal, covered 10 feet, from the eastward, pass about 0.3 mile southward of extends about 0.2 mile eastward from Nonamesset Island, Nobska Point on a west-southwesterly course until in at the entrance to Great Harbor. Parker Flats extend as the white sector of the Great Harbor Directional Light, much as 200 yards off the eastern shore of Great Harbor or from a point close to Nobska Point Lighted Bell Buoy northward of Juniper Point. Most of these dangers are 26, steer 279° until in the white sector. Approaching from marked by buoys. the westward in Vineyard Sound, give the south side of (91) Fringing the passage westward of Great Harbor are the Elizabeth Islands a berth of about 0.5 mile and steer many other ledges and shoals. Red Ledge, grassy, and for Nobska Point Light on any bearing between 045° and Grassy Island, with its surrounding ledge marked by a 051° until in the white sector. light, are on the western side of Great Harbor Channel. Middle Ledge, which uncovers 1 foot in places and is (100) marked by buoys, is on the south side of The Strait. A ledge, awash at low water and marked by a light, is about Towage 250 yards westward of Middle Ledge. Hadley Rock, (101) Tug service is available at Woods Hole. covered 5 feet, is some 500 yards west-southwestward of the light west of Middle Ledge. A rocky shoal area (102) extends more than 0.3 mile westward of Penzance Point, the southern extremity of Penzance, which is the curving Wharves peninsula sheltering the west and northwest sides of (103) The ferry pier of the Woods Hole-Martha’s Vineyard Great Harbor. Most of the dangers adjoining the passage channel are marked by navigational aids. and Nantucket Steamship Authority is on the eastern side of Great Harbor. When a ferry is approaching in fog, a (92) private sound signal is sounded, a private quick flashing white light is shown from the southwest corner of the Currents pier, and a private quick flashing yellow light is shown (93) The current velocity at times exceeds 4.5 knots in the from the southwest corner of the ferry slip. The ferry to Naushon Island lands at the service wharf about 60 narrow part of Woods Hole Passage. Velocities as high as yards north of the ferry pier. The buildings and wharf 5.0 knots have been reported by the U.S. Coast Guard. of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are For daily predictions of the current, see the Tidal Current northwestward of the ferry pier. Northwestward of the Tables. Oceanographic Institution are the wharves of the Marine (94) The velocity of the current is about 3.5 knots in Biological Laboratory; the wharf, basin, and buildings of The Strait southward of Penzance Point. (See the Tidal the National Marine Fisheries Service; the town pier; and Current Tables for predictions.) Both the velocity of the several private buildings. current and time of slack water are affected by strong (104) Depths at the principal piers vary from 11 to 30 feet. winds. At the north entrance to Woods Hole in Buzzards A breakwater extends about 90 yards southwestward Bay, the velocity of the tidal current is 0.8 knot, whereas from the south end of the National Marine Fisheries at the eastern entrance to The Strait in Great Harbor, it Service wharf. Foul ground extends about 50 yards is about 1.3 knots. In the upper part of Great Harbor, northwestward of the outer end of the breakwater. near the National Marine Fisheries Service’s wharf, the currents are barely perceptible, and vessels at anchor lie head to wind. (95) Drift ice is brought through from Buzzards Bay, but (105) Eel Pond, an extension of Great Harbor to the seldom interferes with navigation except in unusually northeastward, is a basin with depths of 10 to 20 feet. severe winters, when it may close the entrance from In 2001, the narrow entrance to the pond had a reported the bay. Small craft may experience difficulty in severe controlling depth of 6 feet. A highway bridge over the winters, but powered vessels usually proceed through the entrance channel has a 31-foot bascule span with a ice. The strong tidal currents usually keep Great Harbor clearance of 5 feet. (See 33 CFR117.1 through 117.59 open. and 117.598, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The piers of the Marine Biological Laboratory are along the southwest side of the pond. A boatyard in Eel Pond has water, some marine supplies, limited berths with electricity, and can do engine repairs. The harbormaster has an office in Falmouth. (106) Seasonal ferry service is available from Woods Hole to Nantucket and Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard.
208 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 Year-round ferry service is available to Vineyard Haven, (118) Robinsons Hole is a narrow buoyed passage from Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Sound to Buzzards Bay between the western end (107) Woods Hole Coast Guard Station is on the west of Naushon Island and the eastern end of Pasque Island. It side of Little Harbor about 450 yards northward of has numerous rocks and ledges, and strong tidal currents. Juniper Point. A Federal project provides for a depth of The buoys often tow under, and the passage should never 12 feet from Vineyard Sound through a turning basin off be attempted by strangers; it is used occasionally by local the Coast Guard wharf on the west shore. (See Notice fishermen. It has been reported that currents sometimes to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling reach a velocity of 5 knots in the passage. The velocity depths.) The channel is marked by lighted buoys. The in the narrow part is about 3 knots. The flood sets east side of the harbor is used as a mooring area for southeastward and the ebb northwestward into Buzzards local craft. Numerous rocks awash are in this part of the Bay. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) harbor; extreme caution is advised. A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor by the Falmouth Harbormaster. (119) QuicksHole,betweenPasqueIslandandNashawena (108) Hadley Harbor, in the western portion of Woods Island, is the only passage between Vineyard Sound and Hole at the northwest end of Nonamesset Island, is Buzzards Bay eastward of Cuttyhunk available for vessels suitable only for small craft. It is reached by a narrow, of over 10-foot draft. The clearly defined entrance from crooked channel. The deeper entrance, marked by buoys, Vineyard Sound, about 0.6 mile wide, is about 4 miles is between ledges on both sides; the northern ledge is southwestward of Tarpaulin Cove and about 5 miles north marked by a private daybeacon. The inner harbor forms of Gay Head. The passage is used considerably by tows, a well-sheltered anchorage for small craft. especially during westerly or southerly winds, to avoid (109) Two wharves, with depths of about 9 feet at their the very heavy sea in the entrance to Vineyard Sound, and ends, are on the western side of Hadley Harbor. A private also because a secure anchorage from these winds can be wharf, with a depth of about 7 feet at its end, is at the had, if necessary, on the north side of Nashawena Island. western end of Nonamesset Island. The passage is considered unsafe for a long tow at night, but otherwise it may be used by steamers either night or (110) day. Charts 13233, 13230, 13229 (120) Vessels should follow a midchannel course through the passage. The channel is nearly straight with a width (111) Naushon Island, the largest of the Elizabeth of about 0.2 mile. General depths are 30 feet or more, Islands, extends west-southwestward from Uncatena and but there are several shoaler spots. Rocks covered 27 Nonamesset Islands. to 37 feet are near the center of the channel. Because of the broken nature of the bottom, the passage is not (112) Weepecket Islands, in Buzzards Bay off the recommended for a stranger drawing more than 21 feet. northeastern part of Naushon Island, are bare and rocky. Buoys mark the channel. (113) Weepecket Rock, on a rocky ledge about 0.7 mile (121) The aids in Quicks Hole are colored and numbered northeastward of the northernmost of the Weepecket for passage from Vineyard Sound to Buzzards Bay. Islands, is covered 8 feet, and is marked by a lighted gong buoy. (122) The eastern side of Quicks Hole is foul, and no attempt should be made to pass eastward of the lighted (114) Lackeys Bay, between Nonamesset Island and Jobs buoy. Felix Ledge, 0.2 mile off the eastern shore of Neck, the southeastern extremity of Naushon Island, is Nashawena Island, is covered 15 feet and marked by a shoal with numerous bare rocks. buoy. (115) (123) A sunken wreck, covered 30 feet, is on the west side of the passage in about 41°26.6'N., 70°51.1'W. Note (116) In 1990, unexploded World War II ordnance was (124) Lone Rock, covered 8 feet and marked by a lighted buoy, is off the northern entrance, about 0.7 mile reported about 0.5 mile southeastward of Lackeys Bay northward of North Point, the northeastern extremity of in about 41°29'34.5\"N., 70°41'15.0\"W. Nashawena Island. Tide rips have been observed between North Point and Lone Rock during spring tides. (125) (117) Tarpaulin Cove, about 5 miles west-southwest of Nobska Point, is a bight about 0.5 mile in diameter, in the Currents south shore of Naushon Island. The cove affords shelter (126) The tidal currents have considerable velocity in from northerly and westerly winds, and is frequently used. A light is on the southwest side of the cove. Anchorage Quicks Hole, about 2 to 2.5 knots, and a sailing vessel in depths of 14 to 18 feet, good holding ground, is in the should not attempt to pass through unless with a strong cove with the light bearing between 212° and 189°. Deep- favorable wind on a favorable current. Deep-draft vessels draft vessels should anchor farther out in depths of 36 feet should be careful not to be set off their courses. With a or more. The eastern and northern shores should be given strong westward current through Vineyard Sound, there a berth of 200 yards. Rocks are near the western shore and is a northward current through Quicks Hole; with a strong should be given a berth of over 300 yards; buoys mark eastward current in Vineyard Sound, the current sets the dangers.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 209 southward through Quicks Hole. Strong winds affect the Cuttyhunk Harbor. The shores on both sides of the harbor regularity of the currents. (See the Tidal Current Tables are foul, and the anchorage is in the middle. for predictions.) (136) Dangers (127) Penikese Island, grassy and hilly, is about 1.3 (137) Shoals extend 0.6 mile northeastward of Cuttyhunk miles northwestward of Knox Point, the northwestern extremity of Nashawena Island. Shoal water extends Island. Whale Rock and Pease Ledge uncover at low from Penikese Island to Gull Island, a small islet 0.5 water. Middle Ground, covered 9 feet, is 0.5 mile north mile southeastward. No attempt should be made to pass of Copicut Neck in the northwestern approach to the between them. Rocky ledges extend southward and harbor. Middle Ledge, covered 15 feet, is about 0.4 mile westward from Gull Island; buoys are on the southern east of Middle Ground. Edwards Rock, covered 7 feet, is edge of this area. The channels to Cuttyhunk Harbor from 250 yards northeastward of Whale Rock. These dangers, Buzzards Bay are southward of the ledges. except for Middle Ledge, are buoyed. An unmarked rocky shoal, covered 12 feet, is in the middle of the (128) Cuttyhunk Harbor is formed by the bight northwestern approach about 0.2 mile southeastward of between Nashawena Island and Cuttyhunk Island, the Middle Ledge. Numerous other rocks and ledges covered westernmost of the Elizabeth Islands. Northward of the 4 to 12 feet are between Cuttyhunk Island and the ledges harbor are Penikese and Gull Islands and several ledges, southwestward of Penikese and Gull Islands. The eastern which shelter the harbor from winds from that direction. point at the entrance and the eastern shore of the harbor The harbor is exposed to winds from the northeastward. should be given a berth of over 300 yards. Weather-bound coasting vessels and fishermen sometimes use the anchorage in the harbor. The harbor is the approach (138) to the village of Cuttyhunk and to Cuttyhunk Pond; the latter is entered through a dredged cut in the eastern end Routes of Cuttyhunk Island. Copicut Neck forms the northerly (139) In approaching Cuttyhunk Harbor from eastward in side of Cuttyhunk Pond. Buzzards Bay, take care to avoid Lone Rock, 0.7 mile (129) Prominent from offshore is a 50-foot-high monument northward of the northeastern end of Nashawena Island. on an island in Westend Pond on the western end of Thence pass northwestward of Cuttyhunk East Entrance Cuttyhunk Island. Lighted Bell Buoy CH (41°26.6'N., 70°53.4'W), and thence to anchorage according to draft in the harbor. (130) Vessels bound for Cuttyhunk Harbor generally (140) In approaching from westward, from a position approach from Buzzards Bay. The principal dangers about midway between Ribbon Reef and the Cuttyhunk are marked by buoys. Strangers should not enter except Island monument (41°24.8'N., 70°56.8'W.), steer 051° in the daytime with clear weather. If entering from the until abeam of Middle Ground Buoy MG, distance northwestward, a greater draft than 10 feet should not be 600 yards. Pass midway between Middle Ground and taken in. The approach from northeastward is deeper. Penikese Island, passing northward of Middle Ledge and the 12-foot spot southeastward of it, and then swinging (131) Canapitsit Channel, between the east end of southeasterly to the harbor anchorage, or southward to Cuttyhunk Island and Nashawena Island, is used by the entrance to Cuttyhunk Pond. small boats and is partially marked by buoys. In 2012, the channel had a controlling depth of 4 feet. The buoys (141) at this entrance are often dragged off station by strong currents and heavy seas. The channel should never be Currents used during a heavy ground swell. With southerly winds, (142) The current velocity in Canapitsit Channel is 2.6 heavy seas will break across the entrance. knots on the flood which sets south-southeastward, and (132) 1.7 knots on the ebb which sets northwestward. In the channel southward of Penikese Island, the flood sets Channels eastward and the ebb westward at about 0.8 knot. (See (133) A Federal project provides a 10-foot channel from Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) (143) Drift ice is carried into Cuttyhunk Harbor with Cuttyhunk Harbor into Cuttyhunk Pond to a turning northerly winds and closes the harbor during severe basin at the western terminal in the pond and a 10-foot winters. anchorage basin in the eastern part of the pond north of the channel. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest edition (144) of the chart for controlling depths.) The jettied entrance is marked by a light on the north jetty and by a buoy off Small-craft facilities the end of the submerged south jetty. A bell buoy marks (145) There is a service wharf on the south side of the the entrance to the channel. channel at the entrance to the pond and a marina on the (134) south side of the basin at the head of the channel in the pond. A yacht club and a fishing club are on the island. Anchorage Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, berths with electricity, (135) Limited anchorage with reported poor holding and some marine supplies are available. Limited lodging in cottages is available on the island. The harbormaster ground may be found in depths of 10 to 24 feet in can be reached at 508–966–9295. There is daily launch
210 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 service with New Bedford in the summer and twice lanes. (Note that this precautionary area is common to weekly in the winter; seaplane service is also available. the Traffic Separation Schemes for the approaches to both Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay. The Traffic (146) Separation Scheme for the approach to Narragansett Bay is described in chapter 6.) Charts 13218, 13228, 13230, 13229 (155) The separation zone is a 1-mile-wide zone centered in the following positions: (147) Buzzards Bay is the approach to New Bedford, (156) (i) 41°10'12\"N., 71°19'06\"W., many small towns and villages, and the entrance of (157) (ii) 41°21'48\"N., 71°07'06\"W. Cape Cod Canal. The bay indents the south shore of (158) The inbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane with Massachusetts, extending in a northeasterly direction a length of about 14.8 miles. Entering the traffic lane at from Rhode Island Sound. The bay is enclosed on the a point in about 41°09'36\"N., 71°18'00\"W., a course of south side, and separated from Vineyard Sound, by the 038° follows the centerline of the traffic lane to its end, Elizabeth Islands. thence steer usual courses to destination. (159) The outbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane (148) The shores are irregular, rocky in character, and with a length of about 14.8 miles. Entering the traffic lane broken by many bays and rivers. Large boulders are at a point in about 41°22'25\"N., 71°08'06\"W., a course of common, in places extending a considerable distance 218° follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junction from shore, thus making close approach to the shore with the precautionary area. dangerous. (160) The Traffic Separation Scheme is not buoyed. (161) Buzzards Bay has six entrances, but two of these (149) The bottom in the main part of the bay and approach are so narrow and dangerous as to exclude their use is very broken with boulder reefs in places. Vessels except by small craft with local knowledge. The four should proceed with caution when crossing shoal areas major entrances are the main channel, from westward, in the tributaries of the bay where the depths are not more passing north of Cuttyhunk Island; Cape Cod Canal than about 6 feet greater than the draft. Caution must also from northeastward; and Quicks Hole and Woods Hole be exercised in the vicinity of the wrecks shown on the from the southward. The two hazardous entrances are chart. Deep water prevails as far as Wings Neck, above Canapitsit Channel, between Cuttyhunk and Nashawena which the bay is full of shoals. Islands, and Robinsons Hole, between Pasque and Naushon Islands. (150) Cape Cod South Closure Area, a Marine Protected (162) The western entrance has a clear width of 4.3 miles Area (MPA), includes the inshore waters of Buzzards between Sow and Pigs Reef and Hen and Chickens. The Bay and offshore Federal waters of the south coast of bottom in this entrance is irregular and rocky, and there Massachusetts. are spots with depths of 17 to 34 feet. Because these shoal areas are surrounded by deeper water, vessels of 16-foot (151) Traffic Separation Scheme (Buzzards Bay) has draft or more must exercise extra caution when entering been established in the approach to Buzzards Bay through the bay. In heavy southwest gales the sea breaks over Rhode Island Sound. (See charts 13218 and 12300.) some of these spots. (163) The best guides for entering the bay from westward (152) TheSchemeiscomposedbasicallyofdirectedtraffic are Buzzards Bay Entrance Light and the lighted buoys in lanes, each with one-way inbound and outbound traffic the entrance. Gay Head Light and Buzzards Bay Entrance lanes separated by a defined traffic separation zone and Light are the guides for vessels approaching from the a precautionary area. The Scheme is recommended for southward. use by vessels approaching or departing from Buzzards (164) Buzzards Bay Entrance Light (41°23'49\"N., Bay, but is not necessarily intended for tugs, tows, or 71°02'05\"W.), 67 feet above the water, is shown from a other small vessels which traditionally operate outside tower on a red square superstructure on red piles about of the usual steamer lanes or close inshore. 4 miles 255° from the southwest corner of Cuttyhunk Island. The name BUZZARDS is painted in white on the (153) The Traffic Separation Scheme has been designed sides. A sound signal and racon are at the light. to aid in the prevention of collisions at the approaches (165) Recommended Vessel Route (Buzzards Bay) has to the major harbors, but is not intended in any way been established in the approach to Buzzards Bay through to supersede or alter the applicable Navigation Rules. Rhode Island Sound. Separation zones are intended to separate inbound (166) TheU.S.CoastGuardCaptainofthePort,Providence, and outbound traffic lanes and be free of ship traffic, in cooperation with the Southeastern Massachusetts and and should not be used except for crossing purposes. Rhode Island Port Safety and Security Committees, Mariners should use extreme caution when crossing has established a Recommended Vessel Route for deep traffic lanes and separation zones. (See 33 CFR 167.1 draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting Rhode Island through 167.15 and 167.100 through 167.103, chapter Sound, Narragansett Bay, and Buzzards Bay. Deep 2, for limits and regulations and Traffic Separation Schemes, chapter 1, for additional information.) (154) The precautionary area in the southwest part of Rhode Island Sound has a radius of 5.4 miles centered on 41°06'00\"N., 71°23'18\"W., excluding those areas of the circle bounded by imaginary lines extended between the outer limits of the inbound and outbound traffic
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 211 draft vessels and tugs/barges are requested to follow the of the north end of Penikese Island. An unmarked rocky designated routes. These routes were designed to provide shoal covered 18 feet is 0.5 mile north of the island. safe, established routes for these vessels, to reduce the potential for conflict with recreational boaters, fishing (174) gear, and other small craft, and to reduce the potential for grounding or collision. Vessels are responsible for Currents their own safety and are not required to remain inside (175) The tidal currents in the passages between Buzzards the route nor are fisherman required to keep fishing gear outside the route. Small vessels should exercise caution in Bay and Vineyard Sound have considerable velocity and and around the Recommended Vessel Routes and monitor require special attention. At Buzzards Bay Lighted Gong VHF channels 16 or 13 for information concerning deep Buoy 3, the tidal current is rotary, turning clockwise. draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting these routes. Tide rips occur when a sea is running against the current. Maximum velocities are about 0.5 knot. Minimum (167) velocities average about 0.2 knot. (See the Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) Anchorages (168) New Bedford Inner Harbor affords anchorage (176) for vessels of 25-foot draft. Cuttyhunk Harbor affords Ice anchorage in depths of 10 to 24 feet; except for the small- (177) The head of Buzzards Bay and the harbors in that craft inner harbor, it is exposed to northerly winds. A good anchorage sheltered from all southerly winds may vicinity are generally closed to navigation during the be had off the north shore of Nashawena Island eastward winter. The approaches to the harbors on the eastern shore of Penikese and Gull Islands in depths of 40 to 48 feet. are rendered dangerous by drift ice. In severe winters This anchorage, frequently used by tows, is available the drift ice extends across the bay and joins the local for vessels of any draft; however, care must be taken to formations on the western shore, forming an impassable stay clear of the fishtrap area in the vicinity. Two general barrier for short periods. Ice forms more rapidly in the bay anchorages are off the western entrance to Cape Cod with winds from north to west as the western shore forms Canal. (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.140(b)(1), (b)(2), and a shelter from such winds. When the field ice extends (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) sufficiently out toward the channel as to be affected by the winds from north to west, the outer edges are broken up (169) and carried off to the eastern or southern shore where they form drift ice. Under ordinary circumstances a northeast Dangers wind, if continued for 48 hours, will clear the bay of ice. (170) Hen and Chickens, extending 1.4 miles southward Southerly winds, especially southeastern, diminish the extent and weaken the strength of the pack. Some of the of Gooseberry Neck, is a reef consisting of many large lighted buoys are removed from station or replaced by boulders, most of them baring a foot or less. The reef is unlighted buoys when endangered by ice. in two large groups; the southerly group is the larger. Numerous covered rocks are well away from the visible part of the danger. A narrow ledge covered 5 to 14 feet extends about 0.4 mile northward from the visible part (178) The southern side of Buzzards Bay from Cuttyhunk of Hen and Chickens. A buoy is north of the ledge. Old to Woods Hole has been discussed previously in this Cock, a rock awash, and The Wildcat, covered 5 feet and chapter. unmarked, are in the southern shoal area. The south edge of the shoal is marked by a buoy. Strangers are advised (179) to stay outside the 5-fathom curve in this vicinity. (171) Sow and Pigs Reef, much of which is dry or awash, Charts 13230, 13229 extends about 1.5 miles west-southwestward from Cuttyhunk Island. Its outer end is marked by a lighted (180) Quissett Harbor, 1.7 miles northeastward of the bell buoy. An unmarked rock strewn shoal, covered 20 western entrance to Woods Hole, is used by small pleasure feet, is 0.9 mile westward of Cuttyhunk Island. Numerous craft. The Knob, a small hillock on the north point of the obstructions and rocks were reported to extend as much entrance, and the homes on the eastern shore of the harbor as 3 miles southward of Sow and Pigs Reef. are prominent. A standpipe, 1.2 miles northeastward of (172) Ribbon Reef, a detached ledge covered 18 feet, the entrance, is conspicuous. is about 1.5 miles northwestward of Cuttyhunk Island. Coxens Ledge, covered 28 feet and marked by a lighted (181) A seasonal lighted buoy marks the entrance, and bell buoy, is 1.2 miles northward of Ribbon Reef. buoys mark the entrance channel, thence private seasonal (173) Mishaum Ledge, a group of several rocky spots with aids mark the best water to the northeast end of the harbor. a least depth of 8 feet, extends about 1.7 miles southward In 1981, a depth of about 8 feet was reported available in of Mishaum Point. It is marked by a lighted gong buoy the channel. Mariners are advised to steer a midchannel off its southeast end. A lighted bell buoy marks a rocky course through the entire entrance channel to avoid shoal covered 22 feet about 1 mile north-northwestward numerous rocks on both sides of the channel. (182) Anchorage can be found in the middle of the harbor in depths of 11 to 18 feet, sticky bottom. Local craft generally moor in the northeastern part of the harbor off the boatyard at the town of Quissett. The boatyard
212 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 has an L-shaped pier and a float which was reported to between Nyes Neck on the south and Scraggy Neck on have about 15 feet alongside. Water, ice, moorings, some the north. The natural channel is buoyed as far as the marine supplies, storage facilities, and marine railways rock breakwater at Megansett. The breakwater is marked up to 40 feet are available; hull and engine repairs can at the end by a light. A yacht club and a town wharf are be made. The harbormaster can be contacted through just inside the breakwater. In 1981, depths of 4 to 5 feet the boatyard. were reported alongside the wharf; water is available. The (183) Hamlin Point, 2 miles north-northeastward of harbor has extensive shoals and ledges, but by following Quissett Harbor, is marked by a prominent hotel with the buoyed channel a draft of about 8 feet can be carried twin cupolas. A shoal, covered 10 feet near its outer end, to an anchorage in the outer harbor in depths of 10 to 22 extends about 1 mile westward of the point. Gifford feet. Inside the breakwater, anchorage is available in 6 Ledge, covered 9 feet, is 1.4 miles north-northwestward to 12 feet, taking care to avoid the shoals on the north of Hamlin Point. Great Sippewisset Rock, awash and side of the harbor and the rock awash near the center in marked by a private seasonal daybeacon, is 0.4 mile 41°39'27\"N., 70°37'31\"W. Cataumet Rock, covered 6 offshore about 1.1 miles northward of Hamlin Point. A feet and marked by a buoy, is on the south side of the shoal area, foul with rocks awash and covered, extends entrance; Seal Rocks are on the north side and marked 0.3 mile offshore eastward of the daybeacon. by a seasonal lighted buoy. (184) West Falmouth Harbor, 5 miles northward of (190) Fiddlers Cove (41°38.9'N., 70°38.2'W.) is a small- Woods Hole, has depths of 1 to 6 feet and bares in places craft harbor on the south shore of Megansett Harbor, at low water. The entrance is protected by a breakwater about 0.5 mile east-southeastward of Cataumet Rock. A extending about 700 feet southward of Little Island, the channel, privately dredged to a reported depth of 7 feet, north point of the entrance, and by a short jetty on the leads southward to a marina and boatyard in a dredged northwest end of Chappaquoit Point. A tower and the basin on the east side of the cove. A seasonal lighted buoy summer homes on Chappaquoit Point are prominent. The marks the approach, and private buoys mark the channel. entrance is marked by a seasonal lighted bell buoy and Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, a pump-out station and wet an unlighted buoy on the south side and by an unlighted and dry storage are available; lift capacity, 35 tons. Hull, buoy on the north side; these buoys mark reefs that extend engine and electronic repairs can be made. In April 2002, westward from both entrance points. Seasonal private the reported approach and alongside depth was 7 feet. buoys mark the channel in the harbor. (191) HalftideRock,awashatlowwater,isabout500yards (185) In 1981, it was reported that 4 feet could be taken southwestward of the end of the Megansett breakwater. through the narrow, privately marked channel in the Rands Harbor, about 0.3 mile east of Fiddlers Cove, is harbor to the anchorage basin off the town wharf at the a private boat basin with little or no water. village of West Falmouth on the east shore of the harbor. (192) Squeteague Harbor, northward of Megansett, Depths of 5 feet were reported alongside the wharf in is entered through a narrow channel from the head of 1981. The harbormaster has an office at the town wharf. Megansett Harbor. The privately marked channel had a A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. reported depth of about 2 feet in 1981; however, depths of 5 to 7 feet are reported to be available in the channel (186) to the harbor; local knowledge is advised. The village of Cataumet is on the northerly shore of the harbor. Charts 13236, 13229 (193) Seal Rocks, about 0.3 mile southwestward of Scraggy Neck, on the north side of Megansett Harbor (187) Wild Harbor (41°38.3'N., 70°38.9'W.), 7 miles entrance, are partly bare at half tide and marked by a northward of Woods Hole, is a small cove on the south buoy about 300 yards southwest of their southern end. side of Nyes Neck affording anchorage in northerly or Part of an old concrete barge is aground on the rocks. easterly winds. A tower on Nyes Neck is prominent. The Southwest Ledge, extending about 0.7 mile westward of entrance is clear in midchannel, with depths of 13 to 20 Seal Rocks, consists of two patches of shoals covered by feet inside. A seasonal lighted buoy marks the entrance, 2 to 18 feet and marked by buoys on its northern, western, and buoys mark the shoals extending from the entrance and southern sides. A rock awash is in the northerly shoal. points. The shores are foul, and the easterly part of the (194) Pocasset Harbor and Red Brook Harbor share a harbor is shoal. The reported depth in the privately common entrance between Scraggy Neck and Wings dredged channel into Silver Beach Harbor to a small Neck. Bassetts Island separates Pocasset Harbor from basin is about 3 feet, but is subject to shoaling. A stone Red Brook Harbor. Broken ground with depths of 17 to jetty extends off the south side of the entrance to the basin. 19 feet in places extends across the entrance. Entering The basin is a special anchorage. (See 33 CFR 110.1and about 250 yards north of buoys marking the north side 110.40, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) of Southwest Ledge, vessels of about 14-foot draft can anchor westward of Eustis Rock Buoy in depths of 20 (188) A town wharf and surfaced ramp are in the basin. In to 30 feet. This anchorage is exposed to westerly winds. 1981, depths of 4 feet to bare were reported alongside the Eustis Rock, about 0.2 mile north of Scraggy Neck, is wharf. Ice and provisions are available. (189) Megansett Harbor, the approach to the towns of North Falmouth, Megansett, and Cataumet, is entered
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 213 covered 5 feet and marked by a buoy. The area eastward (201) Tobys Island, just northward of the entrance of of Eustis Rock to Bassetts Island is shoal. Pocasset River and on the south side of Phinneys Harbor, (195) A narrow buoyed channel, with a reported depth is connected to the mainland by a causeway. of about 8 feet in 1981, leads north of Bassetts Island to Pocasset Harbor. Barlows Landing, at the northeast (202) Phinneys Harbor, between Tobys Island on the end of the harbor, has a depth of 1½ feet. A small-craft east and Mashnee Island on the west, is approached launching ramp is just south of the landing. from Buzzards Bay through a buoyed channel that leads (196) Hospital Cove, about 0.2 mile southward of the along the northerly side of Wings Neck to another buoyed southern end of Bassetts Island, is entered through a channel into the harbor. A light is at the bend of the natural buoyed channel that leads southeastward from a approach channel. Depths of about 10 feet can be carried point about 0.4 mile east-southeastward of Eustis Rock in the inner channel, and greater depths are available in to a small anchorage in the cove. A depth of about 6 feet the approach channel. The harbor is used as an anchorage can be carried in the channel, and there are depths of 8 to by small boats. Mashnee Island, once an island, is now 14 feet in the anchorage. In 1981, a shoal at the south tip connected with the mainland by a landfill causeway. A of Bassetts Island was reported to be shifting westward group of rocks awash, marked by a buoy, is 0.2 mile off in the vicinity of Buoy 3; caution is advised. A boulder the east shore of the harbor, and another rock, covered 4 reef extends northeastward from Scraggy Neck in the feet, and marked by a buoy, is 0.1 mile north of Tobys approach to the cove. Several private piers with depths Island. of 5 to 8 feet alongside are in the cove. (197) Red Brook Harbor, eastward of Bassetts Island, is (203) The village of Monument Beach is on the east approached from the northward through the channel that shore. A marina is at the long town pier in the cove in leads through Pocasset Harbor, and from the southward the southeastern corner of the harbor. Berthage in 5 feet through the channel that leads through Hospital Cove. is available at the pier. Gasoline, water, ice, electricity, a Hen Cove is immediately northward of Red Brook pump-out station, and a surfaced ramp are available. Harbor. The channels are buoyed. In 1981, reported depths of 8 feet and 6 feet could be carried through (204) Back River, a stream which is nearly bare except the north and south channels, respectively. Because of near its entrance, empties into the north side of Phinneys numerous submerged rocks in and near the edges of the Harbor. Small craft sometimes anchor in the entrance. A channel, local knowledge is advised. railroad bridge and a highway bridge crossing the river (198) A marina and boatyard are on the east shore of about 0.2 mile above the mouth have fixed spans with a Red Brook Harbor. These facilities can provide: berths, minimum clearance of 4 feet. A boatyard is on the south electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, pump-out, water, ice, bank between the bridges. In 1981, a depth of about 1½ marine supplies, boat storage and can make hull and feet was reported available in the river to the boatyard. A engine repairs; electronic repairs can be made at the forklift is used to haul out boats up to 26 feet at the yard, marina. Marine lifts to 60 tons and a 50-to marine railway while boats up to 37 feet in length can be hauled out on are also available. a flatbed trailer at a paved ramp at Barlows Landing and (199) Wings Neck, 9 miles northward of Woods Hole, then brought to the yard for hull and engine repairs or dry extends about 2 miles in a west-southwest direction open or covered storage. A launching ramp and marine into Buzzards Bay. The neck is a prominent peninsula, supplies are available at the yard. irregular, and hilly. The anchorage areas southwestward of the neck are discussed with the Cape Cod Canal. A (205) Gray Gables is on the north side of the head of the yacht club and private piers are on the east shore of the Back River. neck. Traffic signals for the Cape Cod Canal are displayed from a tower on Wings Neck. (See 33 CFR207.20,chapter (206) Cape Cod Canal is a deep-draft sea-level waterway 2, for details.) connecting Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. The (200) Pocasset River, between the northeastern end of waterway is 15 miles long from Cleveland East Ledge Wings Neck and Bennets Neck, is entered from the north Light to deep water in Cape Cod Bay. The canal shortens side of Wings Neck through a privately dredged channel the distance between points north and south of Cape Cod that leads southward between two jetties to a highway by 50 to 150 miles and provides an inside passage to bridge about 0.4 mile above the entrance. In 2001, a avoid Nantucket Shoals. The canal is maintained by the reported depth of 6 feet could be carried to the bridge. The Federal Government as a free waterway. (See 33 CFR bridge has a fixed span with a clearance of 7 feet. Only 207.20, chapter 2, for the regulations governing the use, very small boats go above the bridge. A boatyard is on administration, and navigation of the Cape Cod Canal.) the south side of the river at the bridge. Water, berths with electricity, storage facilities, a 35-foot marine railway, (207) Traffic lights (red, green, and yellow) are located and a 5-ton lift are available; hull and engine repairs can at the easterly canal entrance at Sandwich; at the Canal be made. A town wharf and floats are on the north side Electric Terminal basin on the south side of the canal at of the river at the bridge. Sandwich; and at the westerly entrance of Hog Island Channel at Wings Neck. These signals apply to all vessels over 65 feet in length that desire to transit the canal. (See 33 CFR 207.20(h), chapter 2, for detailed information on signals.)
214 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (211) Cape Cod Canal (east entrance) N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (208) (213) Prominent features Channels (214) A Federal project provides for a channel 32 feet deep (209) Cleveland East Ledge Light (41°37'51\"N., 70°41'39\"W.), 74 feet above the water, is shown from a through the Cape Cod Canal. (See Notice to Mariners white cylindrical tower and dwelling on a red caisson on and latest editions of the chart for controlling depths.) the east side of the entrance channel approaching Cape Deep-draft vessels should obtain the latest information as Cod Canal from Buzzards Bay. A racon and sound signal to available depths so as to pass through the canal during are at the light station. The railroad bridge over the canal maximum stages of high water if the draft of the vessel at the village of Buzzards Bay, and the highway bridge is near the controlling depth. In 1981, it was reported at Bourne are also prominent. that the east entrance was being privately maintained to a depth of 40 feet to the New England Petroleum Company (210) Cape Cod Canal BreakwaterLight 6 (41°46'47\"N., wharf about 1.2 miles west of Cape Cod Canal Breakwater 70°29'23\"W.), 43 feet above the water, is shown from a Light 6. red cylindrical tower on the end of the north breakwater (215) The approach channels from both the west and the at the east entrance to Cape Cod Canal from Cape Cod east are marked with lighted ranges and other navigational Bay. A mariner radio actived sound signal is at the light, aids. The canal itself is lighted at night on both banks by initiated by keying the microphone five times on VHF- mercury vapor lights, generally 500 feet apart. FM channel 83A. The most prominent landmark when approaching from Cape Cod Bay is the tall lighted stack (216) of the powerplant about 1.1 miles west-southwestward of Cape Cod Canal Breakwater Light 6. The high-level Anchorages highway bridge across the canal at Sagamore, 2.5 miles (217) General anchorages are on each side of Cleveland west of the breakwater light, is also prominent. The breakwaters at the east entrance to the canal should not Ledge Channel between Cleveland East Ledge Light be confused with the smaller jetties at Sandwich Harbor, and Wings Neck. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.140 (b) 1 mile to the southeastward, nor should the two white and (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) In 1971, church spires back of Sandwich Harbor be mistaken for a dangerous submerged rock was reported just inside the range structure marking the entrance to the canal. the easterly edge of Anchorage D in about 41°40'05\"N., 70°40'17\"W. In 1984, an obstruction was reported in Anchorage C in about 41°40'00\"N., 70°41'35\"W.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 215 (212) Cape Cod Canal (west entrance) N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (218) Mooring basins, with tieup dolphins, are at both (222) ends of the canal. One is on the east side of Hog Island Channel abreast of Hog Island, where shoaling to bare in Currents about 41°43'49\"N., 70°37'53\"W. was reported in 1979. (223) Daily predictions for the tidal current in Cape Cod The other is just inside the eastern entrance to the canal. A small boat basin is on the south side of the channel just Canal at the railroad bridge are given in the Tidal Current inside the eastern entrance to the canal; depths of 8 to 13 Tables. Under ordinary conditions, the tidal current has feet were available in the basin in 1969. a velocity of 4.0 knots on the flood, which sets eastward, and 4.5 knots on the ebb, which sets westward. Large (219) differences in range and timing of the tide between Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay cause strong currents Bridges in the canal. Tides may lower the canal level 2 feet below (220) The Cape Cod Canal is crossed by three bridges. mean low water or even more if attended by heavy offshore winds. The railroad bridge at the village of Buzzards Bay, 7.8 (224) Due to the strong tidal currents in the canal, especially miles above Cleveland East Ledge Light, has a vertical- during spring tides, low-powered vessels should await lift span with a clearance of 7 feet down and 135 feet up. slack water or favorable current. Navigators are warned The span is normally maintained in the raised position to be on the alert for possible “bank suction” and “bank and lowered for the passage of trains. (See 33 CFR117.1 cushion,” the effects of which may cause a vessel to take through 117.59, 117.589, and 207.20(i), chapter 2, for a sudden and decided sheer. drawbridge regulations.) The State Route 25/28 highway bridge at Bourne, 9 miles above Cleveland East Ledge (225) Light, has a fixed span with a clearance of 135 feet. The U.S. 6/State Route 3 highway bridge at Sagamore, 11.8 Weather: Buzzards Bay and vicinity miles above Cleveland East Ledge Light, has a fixed span (226) Fog is said to be less dense over Cape Cod Canal than with a clearance of 135 feet. (221) The minimum clearance of the overhead power outside, but at times a water vapor rises from the canal to cables across the canal is 160 feet. such an extent that traffic has to be suspended. The canal proper never has been closed by ice, but occasionally Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay become so congested with ice that navigation through the canal is prevented.
216 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (227) [email protected]. Boston Coastwise Pilots is in Winthrop, MA 02152; telephone 617–510–0082, North Atlantic Right Whales 508–801–4904; email: [email protected]. Twenty- (228) Endangered North Atlantic right whales have been four hour advance notice and 3 hour updates are requested. (234) The Northeast Marine pilot boats which serve the reported within the Cape Cod Canal and in the vicinity of canal and Buzzards Bay are the NORTHEAST I and the Canal's east entrance. The Cape Cod Marine Traffic NORTHEAST V. The NORTHEAST I is a 37-foot Controllers provide information regarding North Atlantic boat with a black hull and white superstructure. The right whale sightings and locations. The Northeast NORTHEAST V is a 38-foot boat with a black hull and Marine Pilots distribute educational material to mariners gray superstructure. Both boats have the word PILOT on in an effort to reduce right whale ship strikes. When both sides. right whales are present in Cape Cod Bay (peak season: (235) The pilot boats NORTHEAST II and NORTH-EAST December through May), vessels transiting Cape Cod IV serve for boarding eastbound vessels. NORTHEAST Bay are urged to use Recommended Two-Way Whale II is a 47-foot boat and NORTHEAST IV is a 52 foot boat; Avoidance Routes to reduce the likelihood of collisions both have unpainted aluminum hulls and superstructures with right whales. (See North Atlantic Right Whales, with the word PILOT in red on both sides. All Northeast indexed as such, in chapter 3 for more information pilot boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 10, and on right whales and recommended measures to avoid work on 13 or 10. collisions with whales.) (236) Pilots meet westbound vessels off the eastern (229) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall entrance to the Cape Cod Canal in Cape Cod Bay, ½ mile (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States east of Lighted Bell Buoy CC, in approximate position are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the Cape Cod 41°48.6'N., 70°27.0'W. Bay Seasonal Management Area between January 1 and (237) Pilots meet eastbound vessels at the Brenton Reef May 15. The area is defined as all waters of Cape Cod Bay Pilots Station, about 1.5 miles eastward of Narragansett with a northern boundary of 42°04'56.5\"N., 70°12'W., to Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB within an area 42°12'N., 70°12'W., thence due west back to shore. (See bounded by: 50 CFR 224.105in chapter 2 for regulations, limitations, (238) 41°23.6'N., 71°22.4'W., and exceptions.) (239) 41°22.6'N., 71°22.0'W., (230) The waters of Cape Cod Bay lie within the (240) 41°24.2'N., 71°20.0'W., WHALESNORTH Mandatory Ship Reporting Area. (241) 41°22.6'N., 71°20.6'W. This pilot boarding area Each self-propelled ship of 300 gross tons or greater is southward of a line extending from Point Judith to entering WHALESNORTH must participate in the Sakonnet Point. Mandatory Ship Reporting System (See 33 CFR 169, (242) Pilots also meet vessels in the vicinity of Point Judith chapter 2, for limits and regulations, and chapter 3 for Lighted Whistle Buoy 2, within a 1-mile radius circle sample reports). Sovereign immune vessels are exempt centered in 41°17.2'N., 71°30.4'W. from the requirement to report, but are encouraged to (243) Eastbound vessels can also meet pilots in the pilot participate. boarding area located about 1 mile NW of Buzzards Bay Entrance Light in about 41°23'48\"N., 71°02'01\"W. (231) (244) Pilot services are generally arranged for in advance by ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. Pilotage, Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay (232) At the canal, Canal Traffic Control “WUA21” or (245) “Cape Cod Canal Control” monitors VHF-FM channels Launch service 16, 13 and 14; usually works on 14. The Masters of all (246) Launch service is also available; arrange through vessels required by the Coast Guard to carry a pilot are required to notify Canal Traffic Control prior to entering Boston Coastwise Pilots or Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc. the waterway with information as specified in 33 CFR 207.20(k), Management of Vessels (see chapter 2). (247) (233) Pilotage is compulsory for Buzzards Bay for foreign vessels of 350 gross tons or more, U.S. vessels under Towage register of 350 gross tons or more and towing vessels in- (248) Tugs to 2,200 hp are based at the village of Buzzards tow with single hull tank barges carrying 5,000 barrels or more of petroleum and hazardous cargoes. Federal and Bay; arrangements for their services are usually made State pilots are available from Northeast Marine Pilots, through ships’ agents. Tugs monitor VHF-FM channel Inc. and from Boston Coastwise Pilots. However, all 13 when expecting a vessel, and use channel 18A as a pilotage that is compulsory under M.G.L. C. 103 shall be working frequency. dispatched through the pilot dispatch office of Northeast Marine Pilots regardless of pilot group affiliation. (249) Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, RI 02840; http:// www.nemarinepilots.com; telephone 401–847–9050 (24 Coast Guard hours), 800–274–1216; FAX 401–841–9052; email: (250) Cape Cod Canal Coast Guard Station is on the east side of the entrance to the canal about 1 mile northeastward of Sandwich Harbor.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 217 (251) has a bascule span with a clearance of 6 feet; the bridge is kept in a closed position. A highway bridge, just above Wharves the railroad bridge, has a fixed span with a clearance of (252) State Pier, site of the Massachusetts Maritime 9 feet. A marina is on the east side of Cohasset Narrows just south of the railroad bridge and can provide transient Academy, on the north side of Cape Cod Canal, 0.6 mile berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, below the railroad bridge at the village of Buzzards Bay, pump-out and a launching ramp. Several small piers for is 600 feet long with about 25 feet alongside the berthing shallow-draft boats are in Buttermilk Bay. face. In 1981, shoaling to 10 feet was reported in the basin (261) Onset Bay, between Sias Point on the north and off the berthing face in about 41°44'15\"N., 70°37'35\"W. Hog Neck on the south, is the approach to the village of In 1981, the reported controlling depth on the channel Onset. A dredged marked channel leads westward from side of the pier was 25 feet. Permission to berth at the pier Cape Cod Canal along the southerly side of the bay to a must be obtained from the academy. Vessels should not turning basin off the village. Two anchorage areas, one on attempt to go alongside or leave the pier except at periods each side of the channel, are at the head of the channel. of slack water. Passing vessels are requested to proceed (262) Wickets Island is a high and wooded islet in the slowly to avoid damage to lines and other equipment at middle of the bay. The buoys in the entrance channel are the pier. frequently towed under because of the strong currents. A (253) The New England Petroleum Company mooring rock, covered 9 feet, is near the channel entrance about 75 platform, on the south side of Cape Cod Canal, 1.2 yards northeast of Hog Island Channel Light 21. In 1981, miles westward of Cape Cod Canal Breakwater Light two rocks, covered 4 to 5 feet, were reported on the north 6, provides berthing for tank vessels up to 750 feet long edge of the channel between Buoys 2 and 4; caution is with drafts of 40 feet. Vessels over 50,000 tons or 32-foot advised. draft moor at high water slack during daylight hours only. (263) A special anchorage is in the northern part of Onset Vessels under 50,000 tons moor at high water slack, day Bay. (See 33 CFR110.1and 110.45, chapter 2, for limits or night. Petroleum products are pumped to storage tanks and regulations.) Additional anchorages are available at ashore. the head of the dredged channel. (264) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced above Wickets (254) Island. (265) The Onset town wharf, on the north side of the Supplies turning basin, has depths of about 14 feet at its face. (255) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, and The harbormaster has an office at the wharf. The harbormaster monitors VHF-FM channel 16 and uses a paved ramp are available at the boat basin just inside the channel 9 as a working frequency; call sign KYQ-833. Cape Cod Bay entrance to the canal. Temporary berthage Several small-craft facilities are on the north side of the and anchorage are also available at the basin. bay along the southwesterly side of Long Neck. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 13229 for (256) services and supplies available.) Onset has bus service. (266) East River empties into Onset Bay southeast of Communications Onset. A draft of 4 feet can be taken to Broad Cove above (257) Information on operating conditions, widths, depths, the highway bridge which connects Onset and Long Neck. The bridge has a fixed span with a clearance of 11 or other data on the canal is available at all hours, day feet. or night, by calling the canal office at Buzzards Bay at (267) Stony Point Dike, a sandspit breakwater about 5 508–759–4431. feet high, extends about 1.8 miles south-southwesterly (258) Vessels which are to transit the Cape Cod Canal will from Cedar Island Point to Abiels Ledge. The monitor channel 16 continuously to establish contact with breakwater protects Hog Island Channel. Cleveland traffic controllers. The vessels will be asked to switch to Ledge Channel Range Front Light is on the outer end channel 12 or channel 14 as a working channel to pass of the breakwater. Abiels Ledge, between the channel information between the traffic controllers and the vessel. and the south end of the dike, is covered 3 feet. Dry However, channel 13 may be used only when the above Ledge, 1 mile northwestward of Abiels Ledge, bares at channels are not available. half tide; it is marked by a buoy. Little Bird Island, 0.8 (259) The radiotelephone at the Cape Cod Canal Office, mile northward, is surrounded by uneven bottom with Buzzards Bay, MA, is in continuous operation. Call depths of 2 to 19 feet between it and the northerly shore letters are WUA-21, and the frequencies are channels of Buzzards Bay. 13, 16, 12, and 14. Vessels equipped for communication (268) Wareham River, which empties into the northern with the Cape Cod Canal Office are requested to keep end of Buzzards Bay, is the approach to the town of their radiotelephone tuned to these frequencies. Wareham on the west bank. Great Hill, wooded, 124 feet high, and about 1.5 miles southward of Long Beach (260) Buttermilk Bay, at the northeast end of Buzzards Bay, has depths of about 1 to 7 feet. A dredged marked channel and Cohasset Narrows connect the bay with Cape Cod Canal. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest edition of the chart for controlling depths.) In 1992, a rock was reported near the railroad bridge crossing Cohasset Narrows in 41°44'46\"N., 70°37'22\"W. The railroad bridge
218 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (279) Sippican Harbor, Massachusetts N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) Point, is prominent when approaching the river. A brick (270) Vessels approaching Wareham River from Buzzards stack and a standpipe in Wareham are conspicuous. The Bay pass 0.8 mile east of Bird Island Light and steer buoyed channel to the town is crooked and twisting; 351°to the buoyed channel. Strangers should obtain local in 2009, the controlling depth was 3.7 feet from about information regarding channel depths before navigating Nobska Point to the upstream limit of the project. A the river. rock covered 6 feet is in the entrance about 350 yards south-southwest of Dry Ledge in about 41°41'59.9\"N., (271) The depth at the Wareham town landing was reported 70°41'41.6\"W., and several rocks and shoal spots covered to be about 4½ feet in 1981. The Wareham Harbor Patrol 9 to 14 feet are within 0.75 mile west to southwest of the patrols the harbor during the summer boating season and ledge. A shoal makes off southeasterly from Cromeset enforces a speed limit of 5 knots. A boatyard, on the Point, 0.6 mile southward of Long Beach Point. In 1981, western side of Wareham Neck about 0.3 mile below the it was reported that Long Beach Point covers at high bridges, has a marine railway that can handle craft up to water; caution is advised. The section near Quahaug 45 feet for hull and engine repairs or storage. Gasoline, Bar, north of Long Beach Point, is subject to shoaling. diesel fuel, water, marine supplies, and a 25-ton mobile Depths shoal to 2 and 3 feet close to the buoyed channel. hoist are available. In 1981, depths of about 6 feet were Small craft sometimes anchor just north of Long Beach reported alongside the boatyard service float. Wareham Point. Highway and railroad bridges over the river above has bus service. the wharves have 31-foot fixed spans with a clearance of 1 foot. (272) Marks Cove, on the west side of the channel to (269) The velocity of the current at the entrance to Wareham River between Swifts Beach on the north and Wareham River is not great enough to materially interfere Cromeset Neck on the south, has depths of 2 to 5 feet. with a sailing vessel having a good breeze. During the The cove is used by small boats. In 1961, a 6-foot channel first half of the ebb the current below the wharves of the was dredged by the State through the cove from the 6-foot town sets across the flats westward of the channel, and contour to Cedar Island at the entrance to Cedar Island during the whole of the ebb it sets across the flats eastward Creek. of the channel below Long Beach Point. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) The river ices over for (273) Weweantic River, entered southward of Cromeset short periods during most winters. Neck, has a narrow and crooked channel partly obstructed by rocks. A reported depth of about 3 feet can be carried past the rocks and as far as the highway bridge, with local knowledge. The channel is not marked. An overhead
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 219 power cable crossing the river about 1.4 miles above the western side of the channel about 0.2 mile northwestward mouth has a clearance of 51 feet. The highway bridge, of Ram Island. The buoyed channel has a reported depth which is 1.7 miles above the mouth, has two fixed spans of about 12 feet from the entrance to Marion. with a clearance of 5 feet. The channel is through the (282) Blankinship Cove and Planting Island Cove, on the northeasterly 45-foot span. The river is navigable for 2 eastern side of Sippican Harbor, have a common entrance miles above the highway bridge by small craft drawing northward of Ram Island. They have general depths of 3 less than 2 feet. A small marina is just above the bridge. to 5 feet. Meadow Island separates the two coves. Gibbs Gasoline, water, ice, storage facilities, marine supplies, Rock, marked by a private seasonal daybeacon, is 50 and hull and engine repairs are available. A flatbed trailer yards off the north point of Ram Island. A rock awash is at the marina can haul out boats to 25 feet. charted 120 yards north of the daybeacon. (274) From Wareham River to New Bedford the shore is (283) Hammett Cove in the northeastern part of Sippican indented sharply by rocks and ledges extending offshore Harbor is shallow and used only by small local craft. The nearly 2 miles in places. approach to the cove is marked by private seasonal buoys. (275) Wings Cove, between Great Hill Point southeast Charted obstructions are close westward of the buoys. of Great Hill and Piney Point on the eastern side of (284) Ice usually closes Sippican Harbor for about a month Sippican Neck, has depths of 8 to 17 feet in its outer or more each winter. section. The cove affords protection from westerly winds; (285) Aucoot Cove, about 0.8 mile southwestward of it is used only by small local craft. Sippican Harbor, has depths of 10 to 19 feet. A 4-foot (276) Butler Point is at the southern tip of Sippican Neck. spot is near the center of the cove in about 41°40'23.2\"N., Shoal water extends about 0.4 mile southward from the 70°45'23\"W., and the head of the cove is foul. The point to Bird Island, a round, low flat island marked by harbor is protected from all winds except southeast. An a light. unmarked channel with depths of less than 1 foot leads (277) Southward and westward of Bird Island are several to a boatyard west of Haskell Island. Local knowledge buoyed dangers. Bird Island Reef, covered 15 to 18 and a high tide are required to navigate to the boatyard, feet, is about 0.4 mile east-southeastward. About 0.5 mile which can haul out craft up to 40 feet in length. The yard southwestward is Centerboard Shoal, covered 12 feet. does general repairs and machine work. Gasoline, diesel The Bow Bells, isolated shoals covered 11 to 18 feet, are fuel by truck, and marine supplies are available. The other about 0.6 to 1 mile southwest of Centerboard Shoal. An coves between Sippican and Mattapoisett Harbors are unlighted gong buoy is about 1.15 miles southward of foul and seldom entered. Bird Island. (278) Sippican Harbor, scene of much pleasure-boat (286) activity, makes into the north shore of Buzzards Bay about 3 miles southward of Wareham River. The harbor Chart 13229 is the approach to Marion, a small town on the western shore. It is entered between Bird Island on the east and (287) Mattapoisett Harbor, about 3.5 miles southwest Converse Point on the west. Prominent features include of Sippican Harbor and 5 miles northeastward of the lighthouse on Bird Island and the conspicuous house New Bedford Harbor, is the approach to the town of and flagpole on Converse Point. The standpipe on Mattapoisett. The harbor is used by numerous yachts Sippican Neck can also be seen for a considerable during the summer. Although exposed to southeasterly distance. winds, the ledges at the entrance somewhat break the (280) The town dock at Marion, approached through a sea from that direction. A light on Ned Point marks the channel marked by private seasonal buoys, has reported approach. A standpipe is in the town. Vessels anchor depths of 4 to 5 feet alongside. Two boatyards at Marion between Ned Point and the wharves in 13 to 17 feet. provide limited guest moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, pump-out, launch ramp, marine lifts (288) The entrance between Angelica Point and to 50 tons, boat storage and hull, engine and electronic Strawberry Point on the east and Mattapoisett Neck repairs can be made. The harbormaster, who controls all on the west is about 1.5 miles wide. A buoyed natural mooring and anchoring in the harbor, monitors VHF-FM channel leads through the numerous rocks and ledges channel 68. in the entrance to the anchorage area off the town. The (281) Mendells Rock and Seal Rocks are shoal, rocky channel has a depth of about 14 feet but because of the areas, northward of Converse Point extending up to 0.2 broken bottom, vessels should proceed with caution over mile off the west shore of the harbor. Planting Island, areas where the charted depths are not more than 6 feet a peninsula extending about 0.6 mile northwesterly greater than the draft. Strangers should not attempt to from Sippican Neck, is on the eastern side of the harbor. enter at night. At Ram Island, off Marion, the passage between the island and the western shore is less than 275 yards wide. (289) There are many shoals and rocks, most of them The currents in the narrow portion of the channel have buoyed, off the points and in the entrance. Off the west considerable velocity at times. Little Island lies on the side of the entrance, Mattapoisett Ledge extends about a mile southeasterly from Mattapoisett Neck. Nye Ledge, covered 7 to 18 feet, about 0.4 mile southeastward of Mattapoisett Ledge, is marked by a seasonal lighted bell
220 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 buoy. In or near the entrance channel are Gallatin Rock, and Sconticut Neck, the neck of land forming the east covered 10 feet; Sunken Ledge, covered 3 feet; Snow side of New Bedford Harbor, completely blocks passage Rock, covered 5 feet; and Barstow Rock, covered 8 feet. between the two. Near the town wharf, a rock, covered 3 feet, is marked (297) Bare rocks and shoaling extend about 1 mile by a buoy. southerly of West Island, and from there to the New (290) A special anchorage is in Mattapoisett Harbor. (See Bedford Harbor entrance are numerous isolated rocks and 33 CFR110.1 and 110.45a, chapter 2, for limits and ledges, the most dangerous of which are buoyed. Mosher regulations.) Ledge, about 1.1 miles south of Wilbur Point, has a least (291) The stone wharf at the town has a reported depth depth of 6 feet. Strangers should stay south of the buoys of 6 feet alongside. Diesel fuel, gasoline, oil, water, ice, marking these dangers. marine supplies, and a surfaced ramp are available. A boatyard in town can handle craft to 60 feet long and 7 feet in draft at the town ramp. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the mooring areas. (298) New Bedford Harbor, a tidal estuary at the mouth (292) Aboatyard in the harbor, just northwest of Ned Point, of Acushnet River on the northwestern side of Buzzards has limited guest berths but can provide gasoline, diesel Bay, is the approach to the city of New Bedford and the fuel, electricity, water, ice, pump-out, a 35-ton marine lift, town of Fairhaven. The harbor is about 166 miles from boat storage, and hull, engine and electronic repairs. In The Battery at New York via Long Island Sound, and 2012, a reported depth of 15 feet could be carried to the 83 miles from Boston via Cape Cod Canal. The harbor boatyard with 5 feet alongside. includes all the tidewater lying northerly of a line from (293) Ram Island, about 1.5 miles southwestward of Clarks Point at the southern extremity of New Bedford Mattapoisett Harbor, is a low, grassy island connected to to Wilbur Point at the southern end of Fairhaven and Mattapoisett Neck by a narrow shoal. Rocks and shoal extends to the head of navigation on Acushnet River at water surround the island. Acushnet. The outer harbor consists of the area south (294) Cormorant Rock, 0.9 mile southeastward of Ram of the hurricane barrier at Palmer Island, and the inner Island, bares at half tide and is marked by a daybeacon. harbor consists of the area north of the barrier to a short Ledges with very little water over them surround the distance above the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge. daybeacon at a distance of 150 yards. A rock, covered 12 feet, is about 0.2 mile northeastward of the daybeacon; (299) New Bedford is a manufacturing city on the west depths of 18 to 21 feet extend 0.2 mile southward. The side of the Acushnet River. Fairhaven is on the east channel between the rock and Ram Island has depths of side of the river. Principal shipping includes receipt of about 15 feet. general cargo and frozen fish; exports are general cargo. (295) Nasketucket Bay is entered between Cormorant Commercial fishing craft operate from the ports. The Rock on the east and West Island on the west. Northward deepest draft entering is about 30 feet at high water. and westward of West Island the bay is greatly obstructed by rocks and small islands. Because of these obstructions, (300) The approach from Buzzards Bay and the entrance only small craft proceed through the bay to Little Bay, at to New Bedford Harbor are much obstructed by ledges the head, or up Nasketucket River. The edges of Little and shoals, between which are several channels leading Bay are foul, but excellent anchorage in all but strong to the dredged entrance. The bottom is very broken, southerly winds is available in the center of the bay in 3 characterized by large boulders; vessels should proceed to 6 feet, sticky mud. The entrance is made treacherous with caution when crossing areas off the general track by obstructions and wind and should not be attempted when the charted depths are not more than 6 to 8 feet without local knowledge. greater than the draft. (296) Numerous rocks, including Whale Rock, are on the east side of West Island at the entrance. A causeway (301) connects the western side of West Island with Long Island. A fixed span in the causeway has a clearance Prominent features of 5 feet. The depth at the bridge is 6 feet. On the east (302) From the main channel numerous landmarks can side of Long Island just north of the bridge is a marina with reported approach and alongside depths of 4 feet in be seen on the westerly side. Dumpling Rocks Light 7 2011. Berths, moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, off Round Hill Point, about 3 miles west of the channel, water, ice, marine supplies, sewage pumpout, a surfaced is conspicuous. Clarks Point, on the west side of the launching ramp, a 40-ton marine lift, boat storage, and channel, is marked by a granite fort. About 0.7 mile hull, engine, and electronic repairs are available. The northeast of the point is Butler Flats Light near the edge approach from southward to the west side of West of the shoal. A group of three stacks is on the west side Island runs among many sunken rocks and shoals, and of the inner harbor. Although there are no landmarks on is very dangerous. The causeway between Long Island Sconticut Neck, Fort Phoenix is a promontory fairly conspicuous just east of the channel, almost opposite Palmer Island. Several church spires are prominent in Fairhaven. A tall radio tower is on Popes Island in the inner harbor. A private light is on the northeast point of Palmer Island, about 0.2 mile inside the hurricane barrier. The lights marking the eastern and western sides of the hurricane barrier are also prominent.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 221 (303) Butler Flats Light (41°36'12\"N., 70°53'40\"W.), a set to pass about 500 yards east of Dumpling Rocks Light private aid 25 feet above the water, is shown from a white 7 to about 500 yards northwest of Southwest Approach conical tower on a black cylindrical pier about 0.7 mile Buoy 12, thence on a 006°course to join the main channel north-northeast of Clarks Point. near Butler Flats Light. (314) An alternate approach can be made from a position (304) about 0.3 mile southeastward of Buzzards Bay Lighted Buoy 7 on a course of 004°to join the main channel near COLREGS Demarcation Lines Butler Flats Light. The high elevated tank at Fairhaven (305) The lines established for Buzzards Bay and Vineyard is a good leading mark for this leg. (315) Strangers should not attempt to enter New Bedford Sound are described in 33 CFR 80.145, chapter 2. Harbor except in clear weather when the aids are visible. Vessels should proceed with caution where the charted (306) depths are less than 6 to 8 feet greater than the draft, because of the broken character of the bottom. Channels (307) AFederal project provides for a 30-foot deep channel (316) from Buzzards Bay to the turning basin just above the Anchorages New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge. (See Notice to Mariners (317) Before proceeding into New Bedford Harbor, vessels and latest edition of charts for controlling depths.) The 350-foot-wide channel is constricted to 150 feet by a occasionally anchor in depths of 20 to 30 feet about 0.7 hurricane barrier across the inner harbor, protecting New mile south of Clarks Point. Two general anchorages are Bedford Harbor, extending from the western shore over in the outer harbor. (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.140 (a) Palmer Island to Fort Phoenix on the east. The 150-foot and (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) In the inner gated opening will be kept in the open position during harbor vessels may anchor in the two dredged anchorage fair weather, but is closed during periods of high winds areas on either side of the channel in depths of 25 to 30 or high tides, or when a hurricane is expected. Lights feet. marking the eastern and western sides of the opening are shown from the top of each of the two gate operations (318) houses, 48 feet above the water. A sound signal is sounded from the west barrier light. Dangers (319) The entrance to New Bedford Harbor is full of rocks and ledges, some covered 3 feet or less. Obstructions near (308) Hurricane barrier traffic lights are displayed on the the entrance passages are marked with buoys. The chart north side of the smaller, northerly house on the west is the best guide. side of the entrance and adjacent to the old fort at Clarks (320) Dumpling Rocks, bare and covered, extend 0.4 mile Point. Green lights are displayed when the gate is open. southeastward from Round Hill Point. A light is on the Red lights are displayed from 20 minutes before the start easterly rock and a gong buoy marks the southeastern of closing the gate through reopening. In addition to portion of the shoal area around the rocks. the traffic lights, three flashing white strobe lights are (321) Wilkes Ledge, 1.8 miles southeastward of Round shown; two from atop the west barrier operating house, Hill Point, is the southernmost danger at the entrance to one facing toward the harbor and one facing toward the the harbor. It is covered 9 feet with a wreck near the bay, and a third light facing toward the bay adjacent to easterly part; a lighted buoy is close south-southwestward the old fort at Clarks Point. These synchronized lights of the wreck. flash every 20 seconds, but flash every 2 seconds from 20 minutes before the start of closing the gate through (322) reopening. Regulated Navigation Area (309) The controlling depth above the turning basin to the (323) A regulated navigation area has been established Coggeshall Street Bridge is about 15 feet. Above that point in Acushnet River there is little traffic except by south of the western hurricane barrier. (See 33 CFR 165.1 launches and small craft. through 165.13 and 165.125, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (310) (324) Routes (311) The main channel to New Bedford Harbor is from Bridges (325) Four bridges cross Acushnet River at New Bedford. Buzzards Bay Midchannel Lighted Bell Buoy BB (41°30'33\"N., 70°49'54\"W.) through the buoyed channel The first, the US6/New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge, has a eastward of Negro Ledge. swing span with a clearance of 6 feet. (See 33 CFR117.1 (312) There are several other passages with least depths through 117.59 and 117.585, chapter 2, for drawbridge of about 21 feet that lead from Buzzards Bay to New regulations.) The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM Bedford Harbor west of the main channel. However, they channel 16 and works on channel 13; call sign WHH-238. are not as well marked as the main channel; unmarked About 1 mile above this drawbridge is the Coggeshall shoals with depths of 9 to 18 feet are near the course lines. Street Bridge, which has a fixed span with a clearance of (313) From a position about 0.3 mile south of Buzzards 8 feet. A highway bridge with a fixed span and a clearance Bay Lighted Gong Buoy 5 (chart 13230), a course can be of 8 feet is just below the Coggeshall Street Bridge. About
222 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 1.3 miles above the Coggeshall Street Bridge is a fixed Sakonnet Point. Should weather or other conditions bridge with a clearance of 6 feet. prevent pilot boarding in the above location, other arrangements may be made with the pilot office. (326) (340) The pilot boats NORTHEAST I and NORTHEAST III serve the canal and are owned and operated by Currents Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc. NORTHEAST I is a 38- (327) Tidal currents are weak. From a series of current foot boat with black hull and white superstructure and the word PILOT on the sides; NORTHEAST III is a 33-foot observations, conducted by the Corps of Engineers over boat with black hull and white superstructure. a 2-day period in 1965 at the center of the navigation (341) The pilot boats NORTHEAST II, NORTHEAST opening of the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier, it was III and NORTHEAST IV serve for boarding eastbound revealed that the maximum flooding and ebbing velocities vessels. NORTHEAST II is a 47-foot boat and were about 2.4 knots; average flood setting 344° and the NORTHEAST IV is a 52 foot boat; both have unpainted ebb 144°. During flooding or ebbing a slight set towards aluminum hulls and superstructures with the word PILOT the east barrier abutment may be experienced. During in red on both sides. All Northeast pilot boats monitor this same period it was further revealed that the time of VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 10, and work on 13 or 10. slack water occurred about 30 minutes before the time (342) Pilot services are generally arranged for in advance of low or high water; that the maximum ebbing velocity by ships’ agents. occurred about 2 hours after the time of high tide; that the maximum flooding velocity occurred about 4 hours after (343) the time of low tide; and that, generally, the maximum current occurred at about the same time as the most rapid Towage change in the vertical height of the tide was taking place. (344) Oceangoing vessels usually require tug assistance (328) when docking and undocking. Tugs up to 2,200 hp are based at New Bedford, and arrangements for their Weather, New Bedford Harbor and vicinity services are usually made through ships’ agents. Tugs (329) The prevailing winds during the winter are from monitor VHF-FM channel 13 when expecting a vessel and use channel 18A as a working frequency. north to west, and during the summer from south to (345) New Bedford is a customs port of entry. southwest. Thick fog is reported to close in quickly with little warning in New Bedford Harbor. (346) (330) Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural quarantine Ice (347) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and (331) The channels and anchorage area usually are Appendix A for addresses.) (348) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with navigable throughout the year, although in prolonged regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public periods of extreme cold weather the harbor as well as all Health Service, chapter 1.) of Buzzards Bay may be closed to navigation because of (349) New Bedford has several hospitals. ice. Such conditions are infrequent and of short duration. (350) Coast Guard vessels moor at the State Pier. Steamers generally can make their way through the ice in the harbor. (351) (332) Harbor regulations (352) The New Bedford Harbor Development Pilotage, New Bedford (333) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels of 350 Commission, through the harbormaster, enforces the harbor regulations. The State Pier Traffic Manager is gross tons or more and U.S. vessels under register of 350 the State authority who directs anchoring, berthing, gross tons or more. Pilotage for New Bedford is available and movement of vessels, and discharging operations at from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, RI 02840; the State Pier. Vessels are expected to proceed slowly telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; in the vicinity of the piers. State laws forbid pollution FAX 401–847–9052; email: dispatch@nemarinepilots. and dumping of refuse and rocks inside the harbor. The com. harbormaster has an office just north of the State Pier. (334) Pilots meet westbound vessels off the eastern entrance to the Cape Cod Canal in Cape Cod Bay, ½ mile (353) east of Lighted Bell Buoy CC, in approximate position 41°48.6'N., 70°27.0'W. Wharves (335) Pilots meet eastbound vessels at the Brenton Reef (354) The New Bedford waterfront has many piers Pilot Station, about 1.5 miles eastward of Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB within an area and wharves. The fishing industry uses most of these bounded by facilities. Only the deep-draft facilities are described, (336) 41°23.6'N., 71°22.4'W., and the alongside depths for these facilities are reported; (337) 41°22.6'N., 71°22.0'W., for information on the latest depths contact the operator. (338) 41°24.2'N., 71°20.0'W., All of the facilities described have highway connections, (339) 41°22.6'N., 71°20.6'W. This pilot boarding area and most have rail connections. Water is available at most is southward of a line extending from Point Judith to
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 223 piers and wharves. Cargo in the port is usually handled repairs. Derrick lighters, some with air compressors and by ship’s tackle. A 250-ton floating “A” frame derrick is diving equipment, are also available. available for heavy lifts by prior arrangement. (355) New Bedford South Terminal Wharf: 500 yards (366) westward of Palmer Island; 1,600 feet long; 30 feet alongside; 250,000 cubic feet of refrigerated storage; Communications receipt of seafood products; owned by several seafood (367) There is only rail freight service to Boston and companies. (356) Commonwealth Edison Co. Pier: 300 yards frequent bus service to Providence, Boston, and New northward of South Terminal Wharf; north side 740 York. A mail and passenger boat makes trips to Cuttyhunk feet long, with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; receipt of twice weekly in the winter and daily in the summer. petroleum products; vessels usually berth with bow Seasonal passenger ferry service is also available to inshore; owned by Commonwealth Electric and operated Martha’s Vineyard. Air service is available to Boston, by New England Petroleum Corp. New York, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cape Cod. (357) State Pier: 500 yards northward of New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Co. Pier; face 450 feet long, north side 600 feet long, south side 775 feet long; 30 feet alongside; 125,000 square feet covered storage; receipt (368) The coast between New Bedford Harbor and the and shipment of general cargo; owned and operated entrance of Sakonnet River is fringed with extensive by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of shoals, many of them rocky and a considerable number Waterways. of them well offshore. The entrances to several inlets (358) Maritime Terminal Wharf: westward of Fish Island; are shoal and are used only by local fishing and pleasure 600 feet long; 31 feet alongside; 3 million cubic feet of boats. refrigerated storage; receipt of frozen food, fish, and chilled foodstuffs; shipment of general cargo; owned and (369) Clarks Cove, between New Bedford Harbor and operated by Maritime Terminal, Inc. Apponagansett Bay, affords anchorage in depths of 12 to (359) Bridge Terminal Wharf: northeast side of Fish 22 feet. It is exposed to southerly weather and is seldom Island; 450 feet long; 28 feet alongside; 500,000 cubic used. Several small piers can accommodate small craft. feet of refrigerated space; receipt of frozen and chilled Several rocks are off Moshers Point on the west side of foodstuffs; owned and operated by Bridge Terminal, Inc. the cove. (360) Frionor Processing and Distribution Center Wharf: 200 yards northwest of Fish Island; 580 feet long; 25 to 28 (370) Apponagansett Bay, about 2 miles southwestward feet alongside; 63,400 square feet of refrigerated space, of Clarks Point, shelters numerous pleasure craft and a 57,500 square feet of freezer space, 34,700 square feet of few fishermen in the summer, but the bay is insecure in covered storage space; receipt of frozen fish; owned and southeasterly gales. Nonquitt and Bayview are villages operated by Frionor Norwegian Frozen Fish Ltd. on the south side of the entrance and South Dartmouth (361) New Bedford North Terminal Wharf: 400 yards is on the northerly shore. Padanaram Breakwater is northwest of Fish Island; 1,000 feet long; 30 feet marked on the southern end by a light. The approach alongside; 14 acres of open storage; owned by New to the bay is obstructed by numerous ledges and rocks, Bedford Harbor Development Commission and operated and strangers should enter only in the daytime with clear by various tenants. weather. Inside the breakwater, the channel is marked by buoys. Dartmouth Rock, covered 4 feet, is on the (362) northeast side of the channel. Private seasonal anchorage buoys mark the area off South Dartmouth, which is Supplies usually very crowded in the summer. A highway bridge (363) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, provisions, marine at the village has a swing span with a channel width of 31 feet and a clearance of 8 feet. (See 33 CFR117.1 supplies of all kinds, and sewage pumpout are available. through 117.59 and 117.587, chapter 2, for drawbridge Diesel oil and marine bunker fuels are available by truck. regulations.) Above the bridge, small craft anchor in a The water is excellent for drinking and boiler use; a water narrow channel near the eastern shore. boat services craft at anchor. (371) The harbormaster controls anchoring and berthing (364) in the harbor and can be contacted through the police department or VHF-FM channel 16. The speed limit in Repairs the harbor is 5 mph. (365) There are several boatyards at Fairhaven that (372) Southward of the bridge is a landing at a yacht can make hull, engine, and electronic repairs; storage club with reported depth of 10 feet alongside. Diesel facilities are also available. The largest marine railway fuel, gasoline, water, ice, and some marine supplies in the area can handle vessels up to 210 feet. Lifts to 99 are available. Two nearby boatyards and a marina can tons are available. Several repair firms in New Bedford provide limited guest berths, storage, complete marine are available for above-the-waterline repairs and engine supplies, and hull, engine, electronic, rigging, and sail repairs. The largest marine railway can handle craft to 55 feet; mobile hoists to 35 tons are also available. In 1981, depths of 3 to 11 feet were reported at the slips.
224 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (373) Round Hill Point, about 3.5 miles southwestward channel marked by private seasonal buoys, and is used by of Clarks Point, is marked by a prominent round hill. local craft to opposite Toms Point, about 1.6 miles above the entrance. Above the Westport Point bridge, the east (374) Between Round Hill Point and Salters Point, 1.1 branch is marked by private seasonal buoys as far as the miles southwestward, Hunts Rock Breakwater extends Hix Bridge, 4.7 miles above Westport Point. A reported 270 yards in a northeast-southwest direction. depth of about 4 feet can be carried to this bridge with local knowledge. (375) Mishaum Point, 1.9 miles southwestward of Round (384) A highway bridge with a 49-foot bascule span and Hill Point, is the southern point of Smith Neck. Shoal a clearance of 21 feet at the center crosses the river at water extends about 0.2 mile off the point. Westport Point, about 2 miles above the mouth. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.620, chapter 2, for (376) drawbridge regulations.) Hix highway bridge, about 6 miles above the mouth, has a 35-foot fixed span with a Chart 13228 clearance of 3 feet. An overhead power cable on the north side of Hix bridge has a clearance of 37 feet. (377) Slocums River, westward of Mishaum Point, has a (385) Approaching Westport River, boats must take care to bar at the entrance nearly bare at low water. The channel pass westward of the dangers off Gooseberry Neck and inside is narrow, unmarked, and little used. Slocums eastward of the dangers off the river entrance. Numerous Ledge, extending 0.6 mile westward of Mishaum Point, rocks and ledges are southward of the entrance to the covered 2 to 7 feet, is marked by a buoy. Pawn Rock river. Twomile Rock, 1 mile southeastward of Westport uncovers 3 feet and is 0.2 mile easterly of Barneys Joy Harbor Entrance Light 7 on The Knubble, is marked Point, the point on the west side of the river entrance. by a daybeacon. Shoals with depths of 5 to 18 feet are southeasterly of the rock. A buoy is 0.35 mile south- (378) Gooseberry Neck, about 4 miles southwestward of southeast of the rock. Halfmile Rock, 3 feet high, is 325 Mishaum Point, is marked by several prominent towers. yards southeast of the light on The Knubble. The shoal The neck, irregular and elongated, extends about 1 mile water surrounding the rock is marked by a buoy. The southward from Horseneck Beach to which it is joined area south of The Knubble is very foul. Other unmarked by a narrow roadway over rock fill. The water surrounding dangers include Twomile Ledge, extending 1 mile south the neck is very foul. of The Knubble, and covered 2 to 12 feet; Joe Burris Ledge covered 14 feet, midway between Halfmile Rock (379) Hen and Chickens and the dangers southward of and Twomile Rock, and Pinetree Ground, about 1 mile it have been previously discussed under the entrance to south of Twomile Rock, covered 25 to 30 feet. Buzzards Bay. (386) The shore in this vicinity should be given a berth of about 1.3 miles to avoid numerous rocks and ledges (380) In addition to Hen and Chickens, numerous rocks extending about 1 mile offshore for 2.5 miles westward and reefs surround Gooseberry Neck. Shoal water of Westport Harbor. extends 0.6 mile southwestward of the neck to Lumber Rock, covered 4 feet and marked by a buoy, and over (387) 0.5 mile westward to Browing Ledge, covered 6 feet. Little Southwest Rock is about 0.3 mile northeastward Currents of Lumber Rock. (388) The tidal current in the entrance has a velocity of 2.5 (381) Westport River empties into the large bight between knots, and caution is recommended when navigating the Gooseberry Neck and Sakonnet Point (chart 13221). The river. (See the Tidal Current tables for predictions.) mouth of the river is between Horseneck Point, 2.7 miles northwest of Gooseberry Neck, and The Knubble, a protruding mound of granite marked by a light about 0.2 mile south of Horseneck Point. The river is the approach (389) Two piers, used by fishing and pleasure boats, are to Westport Harbor, the area just inside the entrance; the at Westport Point. These piers have reported depths of village of Westport Point, on the north shore of the east about 10 feet at their faces. Berthing at the piers is under branch of the river; and the village of Acoaxet, westward the control of the harbormaster, who can be contacted of The Knubble. Fishing and pleasure boats use the river through the town hall or police department. as far as Westport Point. (390) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (382) The entrance channel is narrow, crooked, and marked (391) A boatyard and a marina are in the harbor. The by buoys. In 2009, the entrance channel had a controlling depth of 7.3 feet except shoaling to 5.7 feet in the right boatyard is on Horseneck Point about 0.5 mile west of the half of the channel between Buoy 10 and Buoy 12. Depths highway bridge. The marina is on Westport Point about near the entrance are continually changing; mariners are 0.1 mile west of the highway bridge. Berths, moorings, advised to seek local knowledge. Numerous rocks are gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, launching ramps, and in the channel below the bridge at Westport; caution is marine supplies are available. The largest marine railway advised. is at the boatyard and can handle craft up to 60 feet for hull and engine repairs and dry open or covered storage. (383) Boats should not try to enter during strong southerly winds as heavy seas break over the entrance bar. About 1 mile above the entrance the river divides into two branches. The west branch is shallow, with a narrow
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 225 (392) Quicksand Point is about 1.5 miles west of The (393) Briggs Point, 2 miles southwestward of Quicksand Knubble. The boundary line between Massachusetts and Point, is surrounded by shoals and rocks. Halfway Rock, Rhode Island is near the point. Cutty Wow Rock, awash 2 feet high, is 0.4 mile southeastward of the point. at low water, is 1 mile southwestward of the point.
226 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (394) Tidal Information Chart Station Latitude/Longitude Mean Higher Mean High Mean Low High Water* Water* Water* 13218 Woods Hole, Little Harbor 41°31'N/70°40'W 1.5 0.1 13218 Point Judith, Harbor of Refuge 41°22'N/71°29'W 1.6 3.1 0.1 13218 Block Island, Old Harbor Basin 41°10'N/71°33'W 3.4 3.0 0.1 13218 Newport, Naval Training Station 41°30'N/71°20'W 3.2 3.6 0.1 13228 Westport Harbor (near Buzzards Bay) 41°30'N/71°06'W 3.9 3.1 0.1 13228 Hix Bridge, East Branch, Westport River 41°34'N/71°04'W 3.3 2.8 0.1 13229 Chatham Harbor, Aunt Lydias Cove, Cape Cod 41°42'N/69°57'W 3.0 6.0 0.2 13229 Dennisport, Herring River, Nantucket Sound 41°39'N/70°07'W 6.4 3.5 0.1 13229 Hyannis Port, Nantucket Sound 41°38'N/70°18'W 3.7 3.5 0.3 13229 Cotuit Highlands, Nantucket Sound 41°36'N/70°26'W 3.8 2.6 0.1 13229 Falmouth Heights, Nantucket Sound 41°33'N/70°36'W 2.7 1.3 -- 13229 Cedar Tree Neck, Martha's Vineyard 41°26'N/70°42'W 1.4 2.3 0.1 13229 Oak Bluff's, Martha's Vineyard 41°27'N/70°33'W 2.4 1.8 0.1 13229 Quicks Hole, Vineyard Sound 41°27'N/70°51'W 1.9 3.6 0.1 13229 Chappaquoit Point (West Falmouth Habor) 41°36'N/70°39'W 3.9 4.0 0.2 13229 Monument Beach, Buzzards Bay 41°43'N/70°37'W 4.2 4.2 0.2 13229 Great Hill, Buzzards Bay 41°43'N/70°43'W 4.4 4.1 0.2 13229 New Bedford, Buzzards Bay 41°38'N/70°55'W 4.4 3.8 0.1 13229 Sagamore, Cape Cod Canal 41°47'N/70°32'W 4.1 8.2 0.3 13229 Bournedale, Cape Cod Canal 41°46'N/70°34'W 8.6 6.5 0.3 13229 Marion, Sippican Harbor 41°42'N/70°46'W 6.8 4.1 0.2 13229 Mattapoisett, Buzzard Bay 41°39'N/70°49'W 4.4 4.0 0.1 13229 Clarks Point, Buzzards Bay 41°36'N/70°54'W 4.3 3.7 0.1 13229 Bourne Bridge, Cape Cod Canal 41°45'N/70°36'W 4.0 4.6 0.3 13229 Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge 41°45'N/70°37'W 5.0 3.6 0.2 13229 Gray Gables, Buzzards Bay 41°44'N/70°37'W 4.0 3.8 0.2 13229 Piney Point, Buzzards Bay 41°42'N/70°43'W 4.1 4.1 0.2 13229 Saquatucket Harbor 41°40'N/70°03'W 4.4 4.0 0.3 13229 Chatham, Stage Harbor 42°40'N/69°58'W 4.3 4.2 0.3 13229 Onset Beach, Onset Bay, Buzzards Bay 41°45'N/70°40'W 4.6 3.7 0.2 13229 Round Hill Point, Buzzards Bay 41°32'N/70°56'W 4.1 3.6 0.1 13229 Cuttyhunk, Vineyard Sound 41°26'N/70°55'W 3.8 3.5 0.1 13230 West Falmouth Harbor, Buzzards Bay 41°36'N/70°39'W 3.7 4.2 0.2 13233 Squibnocket Point, Martha's Vineyard 41°19'N/70°46'W 4.5 3.0 0.1 13233 Nomans Land, Off Martha's Vineyard 41°16'N/70°49'W 3.2 3.1 0.1 13233 Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard 41°21'N/70°50'W 3.3 3.0 0.1 13233 Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard 41°23'N/70°31'W 3.2 2.0 0.1 13235 Woods Hole, Oceanographic Institution 41°31'N/70°40'W 2.1 1.9 0.1 13236 Abiels Ledge, Buzzards Bay 41°42'N/70°40'W 2.2 4.1 -- 13236 Cape Cod Canal, east entrance, Sandwich Marina 41°46'N/70°30'W 4.4 9.0 0.2 13237 Siasconset, Nantucket Island 41°16'N/69°58'W 9.4 1.2 -- 13237 Nantucket, Nantucket Island 41°17'N/70°06'W 1.3 3.2 0.2 13238 Wasque Point, Chappaquiddick Island 41°22'N/70°27'W 3.6 1.1 -- 1.2 * Heights in feet referred to datum of sounding MLLW. Real-time water levels, tide predictions, and tidal current predictions are available at http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov To determine mean tide range subtract Mean Low Water from Mean High Water. Data as of September 2014
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 227
228 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 71°20' 71°10' 41° Index of Chart Coverage in Chapter 6 45' 13224 MASSACHUSETTS 13221 Providence 13225 PROVIDENCE TAUNTON RIVER 41° 13227 45' RIV ER Fall River GREENWICH BAY MOUNT HOPE BAY Bristol Hope Island Prudence Island 13226 Quonset Point 13221 SAKONNET RMHASOSDAECISHLUASENTDTS Wickford PASSAGE EAST PASSAGE RHODE ISLAND 41° Newport RIVER WEST Conanicut Island 30' 41° 30' Sakonnet Point Beavertail Point 13223 RHODE ISLAND SOUND 71°20' 71°10'
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 229 Narragansett Bay (1) This chapter describes the Sakonnet River, Sakonnet River is good for a depth of 18 feet from the Narragansett Bay, Mount Hope Bay, and Taunton and mouth to Mount Hope Bay. Providence Rivers. Also discussed are the ports of Newport, Fall River, and Providence, as well as the numerous other yachting and fishing centers in this area. (10) Traffic Separation Scheme Narragansett Bay has (2) been established in the approach to Narragansett Bay through Rhode Island Sound. (See charts 13223, 13221, COLREGS Demarcation Lines 13218, 12300.) (3) The lines established for this part of the coast are (11) TheSchemeiscomposedbasicallyofdirectedtraffic described in 33 CFR80.145, chapter 2. lanes each with one-way inbound and outbound traffic lanes separated by a defined traffic separation zone, and (4) two precautionary areas, one at the southern end and the other at the northern end of the directed traffic lanes and No-Discharge Zone separation zones. The Scheme is recommended for use by (5) The State of Rhode Island, with the approval of vessels approaching or departing from Narragansett Bay, but is not necessarily intended for tugs, tows, or other the Environmental Protection Agency, has established a small vessels which traditionally operate outside of the No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) covering all coastal waters usual steamer lanes or close inshore. of Rhode Island, extending 3 miles offshore (see chart 13221). (12) The Traffic Separation Scheme has been designed (6) Within the NDZ, the discharge of sewage, whether to aid in the prevention of collisions at the approaches treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. to major harbors, but is not intended in any way to Outside the NDZs, discharge of the sewage is regulated supersede or alter the applicable Navigation Rules. by 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). Separation zones are intended to separate inbound and outbound traffic lanes and be free of ship traffic, (7) and should not be used except for crossing purposes. Mariners should use extreme caution when crossing Charts 13221, 13218 traffic lanes and separation zones. (See 33 CFR 167.1 through 167.15 and 167.100 through 167.103, chapter (8) Narragansett Bay, opening into the north side of 2, for limits and regulations and Traffic Separation Rhode Island Sound 17 miles westward of Buzzards Schemes, chapter 1, for additional information.) Bay entrance, is the approach to the cities of Newport, Providence, Fall River, and Taunton, as well as numerous (13) The southern precautionary area in the southwest towns and villages. Rhode Island (Aquidneck Island), part of Rhode Island Sound has a radius of 5.4 miles the largest island in the bay, forms the eastern shore of centered on 41°06'00\"N., 71°23'18\"W., excluding those the bay proper. The entrance is between Brenton Point, areas of the circle bounded by imaginary lines extending the southwestern part of Rhode Island, on the east, and between the outer limits of the inbound and outbound Point Judith Neck on the west. The bay is about 18 traffic lanes. (Note that the southern precautionary miles long from the entrance to the mouth of Providence area is common to the Traffic Separation Schemes for River. Navigation of the bay is easy during day or night the approaches to both Narragansett Bay and Buzzards in clear weather as it is marked by navigational aids. Bay. The Traffic Separation Scheme for the approach to The large Conanicut Island and Prudence Island, and Buzzards Bay is described in chapter 5.) several smaller islands, divide the bay into two passages. Sakonnet River, although not a part of Narragansett Bay, (14) The separation zone is a 2-mile-wide zone centered is included with it in the following discussion. upon the following positions: (9) East Passage is good for a least depth of about 60 feet (15) (i) 41°22'42\"N., 71°23'18\"W., for about 11 miles up the marked channel to the entrance (16) (ii) 41°11'06\"N., 71°23'18\"W. of the dredged channel to Providence. West Passage is the (17) The inbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane with approach to Dutch Island Harbor, Wickford, Greenwich Bay, and Providence River. Vessels of over 16-foot draft a length of about 11.5 miles. Entering the traffic lane at rarely go above Dutch Island Harbor without a pilot, but a point in about 41°11'06\"N., 71°21'24\"W., a course of vessels of 16-foot draft or less should have no difficulty 000°follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junction in going to the head of the bay and Providence River. with the northern precautionary area.
230 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (18) The outbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane (26) with a length of about 11.5 miles. Entering the traffic lane at a point in about 41°22'39\"N., 71°25'24\"W., a course of Security Broadcast System, Narragansett Bay 180°follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junction (27) In conjunction with various maritime interests, the with the southern precautionary area. Coast Guard has developed a system of recommended (19) The northern precautionary area has a 3.55- radiotelephone procedures for Narragansett and Mount mile radius centered on a point in about 41°25'36\"N., Hope Bays that is designed to supplement the Vessel 71°23'18\"W., excluding those areas of the circle bounded Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Regulations (see 33 by imaginary lines extending between the outer limits of CFR 26, chapter 2). These voluntary procedures consist the inbound and outbound traffic lanes. of Security calls to be made by vessel masters, pilots, or operators on VHF-FM channel 13 (156.65 MHz) (20) A 2-mile-wide restricted area extends from the at designated points. The procedures are designed to northern limits of the Narragansett Bay Approach traffic give notice of unseen vessels, give notice of intended separation zone to 41°24.7'N. This restricted area within movement, clear channel 13 of traffic unrelated to the precautionary area will only be closed to vessel navigation, give each vessel information on all others traffic by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, in the immediate vicinity, and to do so at little cost and Newport, during periods of daylight and optimum with as little radiotelephone traffic as possible. These weather conditions for torpedo range use. The closing of recommendations do not relieve a master, pilot, or the restricted area will be indicated by the activation of operator of any requirements of law or regulation. There red flashing lights on naval vessels supporting the torpedo is no guarantee that every vessel will follow them. range activities. There would be no vessel restrictions (28) Inbound vessels should make Security calls when expected during inclement weather or when the torpedo abeam of Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle range is not in use. Buoy NB, when off Castle Hill Light, and when at the south end of Prudence Island (state whether bound for (21) The Traffic Separation Scheme is not buoyed. Providence or Fall River). The call at Castle Hill Light A group of buoys within the separation zone and the alerts outbound vessels so that they can pass East Passage precautionary area mark the torpedo range; these buoys Lighted Bell Buoy 11 close aboard, as during ebb current are not related to the Scheme. they tend to be set toward the center of the channel. Vessels bound for Providence should make additional (22) Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Security calls when off Popasquash Neck and when Buoy NB (41°23'00\"N., 71°23'21\"W.) is at the north end approaching Bullock Point Light BP. Vessels bound for of the separation zone and is equipped with a racon. Fall River should call Brightman Street Bridge when they enter Mount Hope Bay to allow sufficient time for (23) A safety zone has been established about 2 miles opening of the bridge. northward of Buoy NB for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (29) Vessels outbound from Providence should make (LPG) vessels. (See 33 CFR165.20, 165.23, and 165.121, Security calls when leaving their dock and when off chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Popasquash Neck. Vessels outbound from Fall River should make calls when leaving their dock, when approaching Mount Hope Bridge, and when off Gould Island. (24) Recommended Vessel Route (Narragansett Bay) has been established in the approach to Narragansett Bay (30) through Rhode Island Sound. Anchorages (25) TheU.S.CoastGuardCaptainofthePort,Providence, (31) The principal anchorages for vessels seeking shelter in cooperation with the Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Port Safety and Security Committees, are Newport Harbor in the East Passage and Dutch has established a Recommended Vessel Route for deep Island Harbor in the West Passage. These harbors afford draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting Rhode Island anchorage with good holding ground for deep-draft Sound, Narragansett Bay, and Buzzards Bay. Deep vessels, and are sometimes used by coasting vessels on draft vessels and tugs/barges are requested to follow the the passage between Vineyard Sound and Long Island designated routes. These routes were designed to provide Sound. Good anchorage will be found almost anywhere safe, established routes for these vessels, to reduce the in the bay under the lee of islands or the shore, where potential for conflict with recreational boaters, fishing vessels becalmed or at night frequently anchor. Point gear, and other small craft, and to reduce the potential Judith Harbor of Refuge is just west of Point Judith. for grounding or collision. Vessels are responsible for General and explosives anchorages are in Narragansett their own safety and are not required to remain inside Bay. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.145, chapter 2, for the route nor are fisherman required to keep fishing gear limits and regulations.) outside the route. Small vessels should exercise caution in and around the Recommended Vessel Routes and monitor VHF channels 16 or 13 for information concerning deep draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting these routes.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 231 (32) (40) Navigation of the bay and its tributaries is sometimes impeded by floating ice and in severe winters by packs Routes of field ice. The ice which breaks up in Providence River (33) Vessels approaching from eastward should shape and Mount Hope Bay is set by north and northeast winds down the bay through East Passage. If there is much ice, their approach to pass well south of Seal Ledge and a gorge is sometimes formed at Fort Adams, but it is of Brenton Reef. Brenton Reef and other dangers on the short duration. The passages are rarely closed for any easterly side of the entrance will be avoided by keeping length of time below Gould Island in the East Passage Castle Hill Light bearing eastward of 003° and passing and Dutch Island in the West Passage. During January westward of the lighted whistle buoy and the gong buoy and February, Mount Hope Bay, Bristol Harbor, Warren, off Brenton Reef and the bell buoy off Butter Ball Rock. Providence River, Greenwich Bay, and Wickford are Approaching from westward, from a position with Point usually closed to sailing vessels unaided by power. The Judith Light bearing 344° distant 2 miles, vessels may inner harbor of Newport is also sometimes closed during steer 028° for about 9 miles to a position 0.5 mile west these months with the exception of a channel kept open by of Castle Hill Light, thence follow the navigational lights vessels. It can get nasty at the mouth of Narragansett Bay in the bay. The recommended route, however, for deep- when strong winds oppose the currents. Rounding Point draft vessels is via the Narragansett Bay Approach Traffic Judith can be rough or interminable, due to the confluence Separation Scheme, which is described earlier in this of tidal currents. Also local wind conditions can cause the chapter. tide to turn earlier or later than predicted in the tables. (34) (41) Tides North Atlantic Right Whales (35) The tidal movement in Narragansett Bay with its (42) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur vertical and horizontal constituents–tide and current, in the Narragansett/Buzzards Bay Traffic Separation respectively–is a continuation of the tide wave of the Scheme (peak season: November though April). The Atlantic Ocean. This wave sweeps into the three entrances Northeast Marine Pilots distribute educational material between Sakonnet Point and Point Judith and continues to mariners in an effort to reduce right whale ship strikes. up the bay and into each of its tributaries until stopped (See North Atlantic Right Whales, indexed as such, in by rapids or other obstructions. As is usual when oceanic chapter 3 for more information on right whales and tidal movements enter inland waterways, the nature of recommended measures to avoid collisions.) the movement is modified by the hydrographic features (43) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall encountered. In this area the local features are such that the (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United current movement in particular is subject to considerable States are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the distortion. (See the Tide Tables for predictions.) Block Island Sound Seasonal Management Area between November 1 and April 30. The area is defined as the (36) waters bounded by: (44) 40°51'53.7\"N., 70°36'44.9\"W.; Currents (45) 41°20'14.1\"N., 70°49'44.1\"W.; (37) The flood current in Narragansett Bay frequently (46) 41°04'16.7\"N., 71°51'21.0\"W.; (47) 40°35'56.5\"N., 71°38'25.1\"W.; thence back to has two maximums of velocity separated by a minimum starting point. (See 50 CFR 224.105in chapter 2 for velocity which at times becomes an ebb flow. Over regulations, limitations, and exceptions.) the greater part of the bay, the usual maximum flood or ebb velocity is from 0.2 knot in the broad portions of the waterways to 1.5 knots in the more constricted sections. Velocities of about 1.4 knots occur at the bridges (48) The Narragansett Bay National Estuarine in Seekonk River, a velocity of about 1.7 knots in the Research Reserve, a Marine Protected Area (MPA), narrows at the mouth of Kickamuit River, and a velocity includes the waters around Prudence, Patience, Dyer, of 2.3 to 2.7 knots at the bridges in Sakonnet River. In and Hope Islands in Narragansett Bay. Cape Cod South Sakonnet River, from the highway bridge to its mouth, Closure Area includes inshore waters of Narragansett current velocities are small, being generally less than 0.5 Bay and offshore Federal waters of the south coasts of knot. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (38) (49) Weather, Narragansett Bay and vicinity Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode Island (39) In the entrance to the bay and its approaches, fogs Waters (50) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels and are more prevalent from April to October. The fogs are U.S. vessels under register when entering and departing brought in by winds from east through south to southwest Narragansett Bay and all ports of the waters of the State and are cleared off by northerly and westerly winds. The of Rhode Island. usual duration of the fog is 4 to 12 hours, but periods of 4 to 6 days have been known with only short clear intervals. The head of the bay will sometimes be free from fog while the entrance is completely shut in.
232 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (51) Federal and State pilots for Narragansett Bay are (63) available from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, RI 02840; http://www.nemarinepilots.com; telephone Chart 13221 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; FAX 401– 847–9052; email: [email protected]. (64) Sakonnet River, on the easterly side of Narragansett Bay, is between the mainland and the eastern shore of (52) Pilots board vessels about 1.5 miles eastward of Rhode Island. The width of the river varies from 0.7 to Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB 2 miles except at its northern end where a least width of within an area bounded by 0.3 mile is found. The river is little used except by fishing vessels and small craft. Sakonnet Light (41°27'11\"N., (53) 41°23.6'N., 71°22.4'W., 71°12'09\"W.) is on the eastern side of the southern (54) 41°22.6'N., 71°22.0'W., entrance and marks the western end of the foul ground (55) 41°24.2'N., 71°20.0'W., west-southwest of Sakonnet Point. (56) 41°22.6'N., 71°20.6'W. This pilot boarding area (65) The channel of Sakonnet River is good for a depth is southward of a line extending from Point Judith of 16 feet from the mouth to Mount Hope Bay. There are to Sakonnet Point. Vessels arriving from sea should numerous shoals and outlying rocks, but the dangers are approach this boarding station via the Narragansett Bay well marked by buoys. Except for the breakwater light Traffic Separation Scheme inbound traffic lane. off Sakonnet Harbor, no lighted aids are in the river, and (57) Vessels bound for Long Island Sound ports may strangers should not attempt to navigate it at night. board pilots at any point south or east of the Point Judith Pilot Station, centered on 41°17.0'N., 071°30.5'W., and (66) Good anchorage for vessels drawing up to 17 feet outside the waters of the State of Rhode Island. can be had in midriver just below High Hill Point in (58) Pilots board from the Northeast Marine Pilots, depths of 21 to 26 feet. Although open to the southward, Inc. pilot boats NORTHEAST II, NORTHEAST III a heavy sea seldom reaches as far as this anchorage. In and NORTHEAST IV. NORTHEAST II is a 47-foot southeasterly gales the water is comparatively smooth boat and NORTHEAST IV is a 52-foot boat; both have inside the mouth of the river. Fishermen seeking shelter unpainted aluminum hulls and superstructures with the frequently anchor on the flats in the bight northward of word PILOT in red on both sides. NORTHEAST III is a Fogland Point in depths of 10 to 14 feet. 33-foot boat with black hull and white superstructure. A vessel should confirm her ETA by VHF-FM radio at least (67) Sakonnet Point, at the eastern entrance to Sakonnet 2 hours before arrival. All Northeast pilot boats monitor River, is surrounded by bare and submerged rocks. Several VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 10, and work on 10. islets and islands are south of the point. Schuyler Ledge, (59) Pilots for Narragansett Bay serving U.S. enrolled with a least depth of 8 feet, is about 0.8 mile southward vessels in coastwise trade are available from the Northeast of the point, and is marked by a bell buoy. A seasonal Marine Pilots (see above for contact information) and the fishtrap area marked by private buoys is about 0.7 mile Connecticut State Pilots (a division of Interport Pilots southwest of the point. Agency, Inc.), address: State Pier, New London, CT, telephone 800–346–4877 or 908–787–5554 (24 hours), (68) Cormorant Rock, a bare dark rock off the western cable PORTPILOTS Port Monmouth, NJ. side of the entrance to the river, is about 0.8 mile south (60) Connecticut State Pilots board vessels from the of Sachuest Point, the southeastern extremity of Rhode pilot boat CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65 feet long with Island. Vessels should not pass between Cormorant Rock blue hull and white superstructure, and from pilot boat and Cormorant Reef, 0.3 mile southward of the rock. CONNECTICUT PILOT II, 47 feet long with blue hull The least depth on the reef is 4 feet; it is marked by a bell and white superstructure. The boats monitor VHF-FM buoy. channels 16 and 13, 2 hours prior to the vessel’s scheduled ETA, and work on channel 10. The pilots meet ships (69) The two bridges and the remains of the abandoned bound for Narragansett Bay at any point south or east highway bridge at the north end of Sakonnet River act as of the Point Judith Pilot Station, centered on 41°17.0'N., dams to maintain the water at different levels on either 071°30.5'W., and outside the waters of the State of Rhode side of them, causing dangerous currents through the Island. openings. The currents change with great rapidity both in (61) Vessels to be boarded should provide a ladder 3 feet velocity and in direction, and are characterized by a double above the water on the lee side. flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) (62) Pilot services are generally arranged at least 24 hours Vessels usually pass through the draws near the times of in advance through ships’ agents or directly by shipping slack water. companies. (70) The river north of Fogland Point is usually closed by ice for short periods each winter. Ice packs occur at the railroad bridge. (71) Vessels proceeding up Sakonnet River should follow a midriver course to the constricted part of the river, thence follow the channel marked by buoys into Mount Hope Bay.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 233 (72) Sakonnet Harbor, a small-boat harbor on the Tiverton. The oil piers northward of the bridges have northerly side of Sakonnet Point, is protected by an 800- reported depths of about 32 to 35 feet alongside. foot breakwater extending in a northerly and easterly (79) There are small-craft facilities at Tiverton, across direction from Breakwater Point. A light marks the the Sakonnet River at Almy Point, and at Cedar Island outer end. The holding ground in the harbor is reported Pond approximately 1.1 miles north of Almy Point. to be poor. A marina on the southwest side of the harbor The facilities provide berths and mooring, electricity, provides berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, and electricity. gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, pump-out facilities, a launching ramp, a lift to 60 tons, storage, and full repairs. (73) The western shore of Sakonnet River from the The facility at Tiverton has an approach depth of 35 feet entrance to Sandy Point should be given a berth of 0.4 with 12 feet alongside, at Almy Point has an approach mile to avoid shoals with depths of 7 to 17 feet. Rocks depth of 25 feet with 11 feet alongside, and at Cedar extend up to 500 yards offshore between Sachuest Point Island Pond has an approach depth of 12 feet with 8 feet and Flint Point, about 1 mile northward. Flint Point alongside. Ledge, about 0.5 mile north-northeast of Flint Point, (80) The channel at the north end of Sakonnet River, 0.6 has a least depth of 7 feet. Black Point is a rocky bluff mile above Gould Island, is restricted to a width of 100 on the western side of the river, 2.6 miles northward of feet between the abutments of a former highway bridge. Flint Point. Sandy Point and McCorrie Point, low and The fixed highway bridge, 0.8 mile to the northward, backed by high land, are 3.9 and 5.4 miles, respectively, has a clearance of 65 feet. In 2009, a replacement fixed northward of Flint Point. highway bridge with a design clearance of 63 feet was under construction near the existing bridge. An overhead (74) The channel passes eastward of Gould Island, power cable at the railroad bridge has a clearance of 81 a high wooded island, 2.5 miles north-northeastward feet. of McCorrie Point. This Gould Island should not be confused with one of the same name in East Passage. A (81) rock with a depth of 1 foot is northwestward of the island and is marked by a buoy. Chart 13223 (75) The eastern side of Sakonnet River is bolder than (82) The southern shore of Rhode Island is rocky the western side. The east shore should be given a berth with numerous offlying rocks and ledges. Numerous of 0.7 mile from Sakonnet Point to Church Point, a flat prominent residences are on the eastern side of Newport point with bluffs at the water, about 2.8 miles northward Neck, the southwestern part of Rhode Island. A large of Sakonnet Point. Old Bull, with a depth of 1 foot, is brick residence with several towers is on the southeastern about 0.5 mile southward of Church Point and marked point of Newport Neck. Easton Point is about 1.3 miles by a buoy. A church spire at Little Compton, about eastward of Newport Neck. A stone tower with a short 1.7 miles east of Church Point, is prominent. High Hill spire at each corner can be seen from offshore, about 0.7 Point, about 3 miles north of Church Point, is a prominent mile northward of Easton Point. Westward of Easton Point small hill with bluffs at the water. Fogland Point, about is a bathing beach with a prominent pavilion. Several 0.9 mile northward of High Hill Point, is a projecting private landings are northward of Gooseberry Island, a prominent point; the westerly and northerly sides should small islet south of Newport Neck. Local knowledge is be given a berth of over 200 yards. Almy Rock, bare at required to proceed to the landings. low water, is 0.3 mile southwest of Fogland Point. The broad bights between Fogland Point and the bridge are (83) East Passage, the principal passage in Narragansett shoal. Bay, extends between Rhode Island on the east and Conanicut and Prudence Islands on the west. It is the most direct route to Newport, Bristol, Providence, Mount Hope Bay, and Taunton River. (76) Nannaquaket Pond, on the east side of Sakonnet River eastward of Gould Island, has a narrow entrance (84) The Pell Bridge Newport, a fixed highway 8 feet deep crossed by a fixed bridge with a clearance suspension bridge locally known as the Newport Bridge, of 12 feet. The deeper water in the entrance is along the crosses East Passage about 3.6 miles above the entrance, northern shore; several rocks are off the southern shore. between Jamestown and Newport. Clearances through The currents have considerable velocity. The northern the 1,500-foot center span are 213 feet at the center, 205 part of the pond has depths up to 26 feet; the remainder for the mid 1,000 feet, and 194 feet for the remainder has depths of about 3 feet. of the center span. A racon and a sound signal are at the bridge. (77) The Cove, on the western side of the river south of the bridges, has a depth of about 9 feet in the entrance; the (85) Brenton Point is the southwestern extremity of 31-foot-wide fixed highway bridge across the entrance Rhode Island and the eastern entrance point of East has a clearance of 25 feet. Depths are generally 3 to 4 Passage. feet in the cove. (86) Brenton Reef, bare in places, extends 0.5 mile (78) Tiverton is a town on the eastern bank of Sakonnet south-southwestward of the point and is marked by a River north and south of the bridges. Oil tankers call at gong buoy. Another reef extends 0.5 mile offshore just
234 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 eastward of the point; Seal Rock is at the southeastern (94) A marina, hotel, recreational and service facilities, end of the reef. and marine supplies are available on Goat Island. (87) Seal Ledge, about 0.5 mile south of Seal Rock, has depths of 15 to 30 feet and is marked by a bell buoy. (95) Newport, a city on the inner harbor, is one of the Haycock Ledge, 0.4 mile eastward of Seal Rock, has a principal summer resorts on the Atlantic Coast. Some least depth of 12 feet. coastwise traffic uses the port, but few foreign vessels (88) Beavertail Point is the southern extremity of enter it. A Naval Education and Training Center is here, Conanicut Island, on the western side of the entrance from which several Navy ships operate. to East Passage. Beavertail Light (41°26'58\"N., 71°23'58\"W.), 64 feet above the water, is shown from (96) a square granite tower attached to a white dwelling at Beavertail Point. A sound signal is at the light and a radar Prominent features tower is north of the light. Newton Rock, a covered rock, (97) The following objects are prominent when is about 0.1 mile southward of the point; a bell buoy is about 0.2 mile southwestward of the rock. approaching Newport Harbor either from the southward (89) Hull Cove, about 1 mile northeastward of Beavertail or northward: a hotel on Goat Island; a white building of Light, is rocky and exposed to southerly winds. Castle the yacht club near Ida Lewis Rock in the southerly part of Hill, the westernmost point of Rhode Island, is marked the harbor; church spires in the town; and the buildings of by Castle Hill Light; a mariner radio activated sound the Naval Education and Training Center and Naval War signal is at the light, initiated by keying the microphone College on Coasters Harbor Island in the north part of the five times on VHF-FM channel 83A. Castle Hill Coast harbor. To the westward on Conanicut Island are several Guard Station is close east of the light. Butter Ball large hotels and a standpipe. Numerous navigational aids Rock, about 0.2 mile south of the light and marked by a mark the passages through the harbor. bell buoy, uncovers 1 foot. (90) Mackerel Cove indents the southern shore of Conanicut Island about 1.6 miles northeastward of Beavertail Light. A house with a cupola is prominent on (98) The entrance to the outer harbor from the southward Southwest Point, the eastern entrance point of the cove. is unobstructed; the entrance from northward, passing The cove is exposed to southerly weather and is seldom either side of Gould Island, is clear, but the passage used. The Jamestown Bridge shows prominently over the eastward of Rose Island is partly obstructed by the rocks bar at the head of the cove on entering East Passage. and ledges between Rose and Coasters Harbor Islands. Kettle Bottom Rock, about 0.2 mile southeastward of Southwest Point, is bare and marked by a gong buoy. (99) The inner harbor has two entrances north and south (91) Bull Point, the southeastern point of Conanicut of Goat Island. A fixed highway bridge with a 40-foot Island, is rugged and rocky, and fringed by shoals which span and a clearance of 14 feet connects the Newport are marked by buoys. Fort Wetherill is on the point. The mainland to the northern part of Goat Island. This bridge Dumplings, northeast of Bull Point, are numerous bare limits the size of vessels that can enter the inner harbor and covered rocks and islets. The most southerly islet has from the northern approach. a tall house on it, covering almost the entire islet. (92) Fort Adams is on a peninsula off the north side of (100) General anchorages are in the outer and inner Newport Neck. The buildings and masonry of the fort are harbor and, except in emergencies, vessels must anchor prominent on the western slope of the peninsula. A dock in these areas. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.145(a)(1), extending northward from the fort is marked by a light (a)(3) through (a)(5), and (d), chapter 2, for limits and and sound signal. regulations.)Ageneral anchorage is also in Brenton Cove. (93) Newport Harbor, on the western shore of Rhode (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.149, chapter 2, for limits and Island and the eastern side of East Passage, 3.5 miles regulations.) Special anchorages are in Brenton Cove above Beavertail Light, is an important harbor of refuge and in the inner harbor east and northeast of Goat Island. for coasters, tows, and yachts. Its approach is well marked (See 33 CFR110.1, 110.1a, and 110.46, chapter 2, for by navigational aids, and the harbor is of easy access limits and regulations.) Vessels of more than 18-foot draft day and night. A State regulatory buoy in the entrance anchor in the outer harbor in depths of 36 to 100 feet with to the inner harbor marks a 5 mph no wake zone. Goat good holding ground. Island, 0.6 mile long in a north-south direction, is a major pleasure boating center and divides Newport Harbor into (101) Good anchorage is in Brenton Cove, the bight an outer and inner harbor. The outer harbor, on the western eastward of Fort Adams, which is used frequently by side of Goat Island, is northward of The Dumplings and yachts. When entering, the western shore should be given southward of Gould Island. The inner harbor is on the a berth of 200 yards. eastern side of Goat Island and extends along the western front of Newport. (102) In 1981, the harbormaster requested that transient craft anchor only in the northern part of the Brenton Cove anchorage and in the anchorage northeast of Goat Island. (103) Shoals with little water over them make out nearly 300 yards from the southern shore of the inner harbor to Ida Lewis Rock and Little Ida Lewis Rock; the latter is marked by a daybeacon. (104) Goat Island is marked by a light at its northern end and a lighted bell buoy at its southern end. Buoys mark
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 235 the shoals along the southeasterly and southwesterly (115) July is the warmest month with an average maximum sides of the island. of 79°F (26.1°C) and average minimum of 63°F (17.2°C). (105) Rose Island, privately owned, is surrounded by a January is the coldest month, having normal mean shoal with little water over it. The shoal extends about 0.4 temperatures near freezing, that is, average maximum mile northeastward of the island where it rises abruptly of 38°F (3.3°C) and average minimum of 23°F (-5°C). from deep water. A rocky area extends southward from The extreme maximum temperature for Newport is 98°F Rose Island and is marked by a buoy. A private light (36.7°C) recorded in August 1975 while the extreme marks the southwest point of the island. Mitchell Rock, minimum is -9°F (-22.8°C) recorded in January 1982. with a depth of 16 feet and marked by a gong buoy, is about 0.1 mile southeast of the dock on the southeast side (116) Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout of the island. Citing Rock, 2 feet high, is 350 yards east the year averaging about 45 inches (1143 mm) in any given of the north end of the island and on the edge of the shoal year. The wettest month is November averaging 4.57 surrounding Rose Island. Tracey Ledge, covered 11 feet, inches (116 mm) and the driest month is July averaging is about 0.3 mile eastward of Rose Island and marked by only 2.94 inches (75 mm). Total snowfall for the winter a buoy. season averages about 20 inches (508 mm); however, (106) Gull Rocks are about midway between Rose Island melting is usually rapid and snow cover rarely lasts more and Coasters Harbor Island. Buoys mark the ends of the than a few days. The greatest snowfall in a 24-hour period shoals and rocks that extend northward and southward was 20.0 inches (508 mm) in February 1978. January is of the rocks. There is deep water between Gull Rocks, the snowiest month averaging over seven inches (178 Rose Island, and Coasters Harbor Island. A rock, covered mm). Snow is absent from May through September. An 19 feet and marked by a buoy, is about 0.3 mile north- average of only five days each year has snowfall amounts northwestward of Gull Rocks. greater than 1.5 inches (38 mm). (107) Off the northern and southern sides of Coasters Harbor Island are numerous rocks and ledges. A (117) See Appendix B for the Newport climatological private light marks an obstruction in the channel south table. of the island. St. Patrick Rock, covered 5 feet, is about 0.3 mile southeastward of the island. The island has (118) numerous buildings. Three fixed bridges connect the island to Newport. The southern highway bridge and the Pilotage, Newport pedestrian bridge 0.3 mile above it have 31-foot spans (119) See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode with clearances of 3 feet. The northern highway bridge has a span of 85 feet with a clearance of 7 feet. Overhead Island Waters (indexed as such), early this chapter. power cables of unknown clearance cross the harbor below the northern bridge. (120) (108) The western portion of the outer harbor is generally free of dangers northward of The Dumplings. Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural quarantine (109) (121) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Appendix A for addresses.) Currents (122) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with (110) In the entrance off Bull Point the flood current is regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public Health Service, chapter 1.) often irregular. There may be a long period of slack water (123) Newport is a customs port of entry. preceding the flood, or there may be a double flood. The (124) The Coast Guard vessel documentation office flood reaches a strength of about 1.2 knots; the ebb is at Providence serves Newport. (See Appendix A for regular and averages 1.5 knots at strength. address.) (111) Northward of Bull Point, tidal current velocities seldom exceed 1 knot. In the inner harbor they are (125) usually less than 0.5 knot. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) Harbor regulations (126) The harbormaster, under the supervision of the (112) Recreation Department, is charged with the enforcement Weather, Newport and vicinity of harbor regulations, the movement of vessels, and (113) The prevailing winds are southwesterly in the assignment of moorings and anchoring. The harbormaster may be contacted through the Police Department. The summer and northwesterly in the winter. The heaviest speed limit inside the harbor is 5 mph. gales are usually from the northwest and northeast. (114) The harbor and its approaches are navigable (127) throughout the year, although in severe winters ice may interfere with navigation in the inner harbor for short Wharves periods. Vessels and tugs keep ice well broken up in the (128) Facilities include a city wharf and numerous private main channel through the inner harbor. piers. The depths alongside the principal piers range from about 7 to 18 feet. (129) Supplies (130) Gasoline, diesel oil, diesel fuel, water, provisions, and marine supplies may be obtained at Newport.
236 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (131) Launch services are available in the harbor. (144) (132) Danger Zone (145) Aprohibited area surrounds Gould Island and extends Repairs (133) Newport has a commercial shipyard specializing north to include waters between Conanicut Island and Prudence Island. (See 33 CFR 334.80, chapter 2, for in repair, construction, and conversion of steel and limits and regulations.) aluminum vessels. The marine railway is at the shipyard in the inner harbor and can handle vessels to 330 feet long, 63 feet wide, and 21.6 feet in draft. Cranes to 60 tons are available. (146) Gould Island, a military reservation, is about 2 miles north of Rose Island and 0.8 mile east of Conanicut (134) Island. A light is on the south end of the island. The island is sparsely wooded. Small-craft facilities (135) There are numerous facilities in Newport harbor. (147) Halfway Rock and Fiske Rock are about 1.8 miles northeastward of Gould Island, on a small ledge bare at Mobile hoists up to 60 tons are available. Complete its southern end. Halfway Rock is marked by a daybeacon small-craft hull and engine repairs can be made. and Fiske Rock by a buoy. Strangers should not pass between these aids. (136) (148) A mussel farming area is about 1.3 miles northeast of Communications the breakwater at Coddington Cove in the vicinity of the (137) Newport has bus and rail transportation. In the pier at Lawtons. Submerged equipment and numerous buoys extend several hundred yards offshore and for summer the ferry between Block Island and Providence about 0.5 mile north of the pier. Caution is advised in the calls at Newport. area. (149) Dyer Island, about 0.8 mile eastward of the southern portion of Prudence Island, is low and brush covered. (138) Jamestown is a town on the east side of Conanicut A reef, partly bare, extends 0.4 miles southward and Island in a bight on the west side of East Passage. A southwestward of the island, and is marked by a buoy. standpipe in the southern part of the town and a hotel Between the shoal area south of Dyer Island and Rhode near the waterfront are prominent. The bight is a popular Island is a bar with depths of 9 to 18 feet over it. North summer anchorage for local craft. A marina basin of Dyer Island is a reef with depths of 6 to 18 feet. protected by a detached breakwater is in the center of the bight. Jamestown has two boatyards. The largest marine (150) Melville, a military fueling facility, is on the west railway can handle craft to 80 feet, and the largest lift is shore of Rhode Island, east of Dyer Island. Depths 50 tons. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, alongside the fuel piers range from 30 to 35 feet. ice, some marine supplies, and complete hull, engine, and electronic repairs are available. (151) A small-craft facility is in a basin at Coggeshall Point, just north of Melville. Berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, (139) Potter Cove is about 1 mile above the marina basin electricity, water, ice, complete marine supplies, and a 50- just north of Taylor Point. This cove should not be ton mobile hoist are available; engine, hull, and electronic confused with the Potter Cove off Prudence Island. About repairs can be made. In 1981, depths of 9 to 15 feet were 1 mile north of Taylor Point are the ruins of a pontoon reported in the basin. pier. (152) A lighted wind turbine is about 0.9 mile northeast of (140) Coddington Point is about 0.5 mile northward of Coggeshall Point. A boat ramp is about 1.6 miles north- Coasters Harbor Island on the east shore of East Passage. northeast of Coggeshall Point, south of Arnold Point. Bishop Rock Shoal, 0.6 mile southwestward of the point, is covered 9 feet and marked by a lighted bell buoy. The (153) Sisters, rocks awash westward of the point, are marked by a buoy. Chart 13224 (141) Coddington Cove, eastward of Coddington Point, (154) Hog Island, about 1 mile north of Arnold Point, lies is protected on its north side by a curving breakwater in the entrance to Bristol Harbor, dividing the waters into 0.7 mile long, marked at its end by a light and sound two channels. The island has a rolling wooded terrain signal. Two long finger piers are inside the cove; the north on which are a few houses and cottages. Shoal water side of the northerly pier is used by the Navy, and the surrounds the island extending as much as 0.4 mile southerly pier is used by a shipyard. Depths of 30 feet are southward and 0.8 mile northward. The shoal area is reported alongside both piers. Navy buildings on shore marked by lights and buoys. and buildings at the shipyard are conspicuous. (155) About 0.6 mile east-northeastward of Hog Island (142) Shoal Light is Musselbed Shoals, marked on the outer end by a light. From the light structure a directional light Restricted Area is shown to mark the channel to Mount Hope Bay. (143) Coddington Cove is within a naval restricted area. (See 33 CFR 334.81, chapter 2, for limits and regulations).
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 237 (156) (165) Charts 13221, 13227 Channels (166) A Federal project provides for a channel 35 feet deep (157) Mount Hope Bay, in the northeastern part of Narragansett Bay, is the approach to the city of Fall River through Mount Hope Bay to about 0.9 mile above the and Taunton River. There are two approaches to the Brightman Street Bridge across Taunton River at Fall bay. The approach from the Sakonnet River, previously River and a side channel 35 feet deep, about 0.2 mile discussed, is little used. The approach from East Passage north of Common Fence Point (41°39.3'N., 71°13.3'W.) is well marked, and with care 34 feet can be carried in at the north end of Rhode Island which leads eastward the channel into the bay. from the main channel into North and South Branch channels. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of (158) Fall River, on the eastern shore of the mouth of the charts for controlling depths.) Taunton River and head of Mount Hope Bay, is an (167) A privately dredged side channel, about 3.3 miles important manufacturing center as well as distribution northeastward of Common Fence Point and marked point of petroleum products. Principal products handled by buoys and a 325.3° private lighted range, leads through the port are petroleum products, latex, shellac, northwestward from the main channel to a powerplant cotton, and some lumber. wharf on the east side of Brayton Point. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of the charts for (159) Somerset, about 5.3 miles, and Dighton, about 7.5 controlling depths.) miles above the Fall River, are towns on the west side of (168) A dredged channel in Taunton River leads from Taunton River. Taunton, a manufacturing city, is at the Somerset to Peters Point, 6.7 miles above the Brightman head of navigation about 12.5 miles above Fall River. Street Bridge, thence to Taunton, 12.5 miles above Fall River. In 2001, the channel had a controlling depth of (160) Mount Hope Bridge crosses the entrance to Mount 6.4 feet to Peters Point, thence 4 feet was reported to be Hope Bay between Bristol Point and Rhode Island. The available to Taunton. Local knowledge is required from bridge has two lighted towers which are visible for many Dighton to Taunton. Buoys mark the channel to about a miles in clear weather, a sound signal, and a racon. It is mile beyond the Berkley Bridge, about 3.5 miles below a high-level suspension highway bridge with a clearance Taunton. of 135 feet. (169) (161) Mount Hope is a prominent hill on the western side of the bay 2 miles northeastward of the suspension bridge. Anchorages The eastern and western slopes are wooded. Spar Island (170) Fall River Harbor has no designated anchorages. is a small, low island near the center of Mount Hope Bay. Vessels may anchor on either side of the dredged approach (162) Borden Flats, the shoal area northward of the channel in the outer harbor or at any locality in Mount channel in Fall River Harbor, is marked by a light Hope Bay where depth and bottom are suitable; the chart equipped with a sound signal. is the best guide. (163) Three shallow streams that empty into the northern (171) part of Mount Hope Bay are entered only by local small craft. Kickamuit River, the westerly one, has a Bridges narrow buoyed entrance through which the currents (172) At Fall River, two highway bridges cross Taunton have considerable velocity. The buoyed channel has a depth of about 6 feet. A ramp is on the western side of River. The first, a fixed bridge at State Pier, has a the bay, approximately 0.7 mile south of the entrance to clearance of 135 feet; a privately maintained sound signal Kickamuit River. Cole River, the middle of the three, is is sounded from the bridge. The second, Brightman Street buoyed on the east side of the entrance. A highway bridge, Bridge, about 1.1 miles above the fixed bridge at State about 1.5 miles above the entrance, has a 41-foot fixed Pier, has a bascule span with a clearance of 27 feet. The span with a clearance of 7 feet. bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 16 and works on channel 13; call sign WQA-833. In 2000, a replacement (164) South Swansea, on the west shore of Gardners bascule bridge was under construction about 0.2 mile Neck, has a boatyard with a 25-ton mobile hoist and a above the existing Brightman Street Bridge with a design marine railway that can handle craft up to 50 feet for clearance of 60 feet. hull, engine, and electronic repairs or storage. Berths, (173) Between Fall River and Taunton, the river is crossed electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and marine by three bridges. The highway bridge at Berkley, about supplies are available. In 1981, a reported depth of 6 feet 10 miles above Fall River, is under construction (2011). could be carried to the boatyard. Lee River, the easterly Weir Bridge, the fixed highway bridge at Taunton, has a stream, is navigable to a fixed bridge about 1.2 miles clearance of 10 feet; the fixed railroad bridge, about 0.3 above the entrance. A shoal in midchannel just north mile upstream from Weir Bridge, has a clearance of 9 feet. of the narrow opening through the fill, 0.8 mile above (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.619, chapter Brayton Point, has a depth of 1 foot. 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The overhead power cables crossing Taunton River have least clearances of 145 feet at Fall River and 65 feet near Taunton.
238 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (174) (190) Caution Wharves (175) The fender protection on the southeast side of the (191) The piers and wharves at Fall River are along the Brightman Street bridge has been destroyed, and the Taunton and Sakonnet Rivers and in Mount Hope Bay. Captain of the Port, Providence, has ordered that outbound Only the deep-draft facilities are described. For a complete barges in excess of 1,000 gross tons pass through the description of the port facilities refer to Port Series No. 4, bridge only on the flood tide. published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A for address.) The alongside depths are (176) reported; for information on the latest depths contact the operator. All the facilities described have highway Currents connections. Fresh water is available at most of the piers (177) In Taunton River the currents generally follow the and wharves. Cargo in the port is usually handled by ship’s tackle. direction of the channel and, except at bridges, do not hinder navigation. The ebb is usually stronger than the (192) The speed limit is 5 knots in the channel off the piers flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) and wharves. (178) (193) Facilities at Tiverton, RI (chart 13221): (194) Texaco Inc. Tiverton Terminal: (41°38'50\"N., Weather, Narragansett Bay and vicinity (179) The prevailing winds are northeasterly for all but 71°12'40\"W.); 50-foot face, 721 feet with dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt of petroleum the summer months, when the direction is southwesterly. products; owned by Texaco, Inc.; not being operated in The heaviest gales are usually from the northwest. The 1983. approach channel and harbor are generally free from ice (195) Northeast Petroleum Corp., Pier 1: about 250 yards and are navigable throughout the year. Taunton River north of Texaco Inc. Terminal; 120-foot face, 700 feet is commonly closed from December to March. During with dolphins; 32 feet alongside; deck height, 9 feet; severe winters the harbor and Mount Hope Bay are receipt of petroleum products; owned and operated by occasionally frozen over, but the channels to the principal Northeast Petroleum Corp. wharves are kept open by vessels and tugs operating in (196) Northeast Petroleum Corp., Pier 2: about 250 yards the harbor. north of Northeast Petroleum Corp., Pier 1; 40-foot face, 700 feet with dolphins; 34 feet alongside; deck height, 9 (180) feet; receipt of petroleum products; owned and operated by Northeast Petroleum Corp. Pilotage, Fall River (197) Fuel Storage Co., Tiverton Terminal Pier: east side (181) See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode of Mount Hope Bay, 1.5 miles northward of Northeast Petroleum Corp., Pier 2; 50-foot face, 795 feet with Island Waters (indexed as such), early this chapter. dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 9 feet; receipt of petroleum products; owned and operated by Fuel Storage (182) Co. (198) Facilities at Fall River, east side of Taunton Towage River (chart 13227): Borden and Remington Corp. (183) Tugs to 2,200 hp are available at Fall River and tugs Wharf: (41°42'10\"N., 71°10'09\"W.); 380-foot face, 28 feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; receipt of latex and to 3,300 hp are available from Providence for use at Fall caustic soda; owned by Tillotson Co. and operated by River. Vessels are usually met 2 miles below their berth. Borden and Remington Corp. Large vessels normally require tugs for docking and (199) State Pier: 0.2 mile northeast of Borden and undocking. Arrangements for tug service should be made Remington Corp. Wharf; 398-foot face, 18 to 35 feet at least 6 hours in advance, usually through ships’ agents alongside; lower side 620 feet long, 35 feet alongside; or directly by shipping companies. Tugs are dispatched deck heights, 17 feet; 85,000 square feet covered storage, 24 hours a day. The tugs monitor VHF-FM channels about 7 acres of open storage; receipt and shipment 10, 13, 16, and 18A, and use channel 7A as a working of general and roll-on/roll-off cargo; owned by the frequency. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, operated by Fall River Line Pier, Inc. (184) (200) The battleship USS MASSACHUSETTS, World War II memorial, and three other U.S. Navy vessels are Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural berthed just northward of the State Pier. quarantine (201) Shell Oil Co. Wharf: about 2 miles above State Pier; (185) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and 570-foot face, 700 feet with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; Appendix A for addresses.) deck height, 13 feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum (186) Fall River is a customs port of entry. (187) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public Health Service, chapter 1.) Fall River has several hospitals. (188) The Coast Guard vessel documentation office at New Bedford, MA, serves Fall River. (See Appendix A for address.) (189) The harbormaster can be contacted through Fall River City Hall.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 239 products, receipt of naphtha; owned and operated by harbor proper, the northern part of the cove, has depths Shell Oil Co. of 15 to 17 feet. (202) Facilities on west side of Taunton River (chart (215) Bristol is a town on the eastern side of the harbor. 13227): In approaching the harbor the most prominent mark is (203) Brayton Point Station Dock: (41°42'33\"N., Mount Hope Bridge. Also prominent are the navigation 71°11'21\"W.); 1,017 feet long; 34 feet alongside; deck lights, a stone tower, a stack, and an elevated tank on height, 15 feet; coal unloading tower serves conveyor high ground back of the town. The town has bus service. belt system, unloading rate 1,000 tons per hour; receipt A ferry operates daily from Bristol to Prudence Island, of fuel oil and coal; owned and operated by New England and summer ferry service is available to Hog Island. Power Co. (216) Hog Island is in the middle of the entrance to Bristol (204) Montaup Electric Co. Wharf: about 2.5 miles above Harbor. A natural channel with depths of 19 to 28 feet Brayton Station Dock; 645 feet long, 34 feet alongside; extends on each side of the island. Excellent anchorage deck height, 10 feet; two coal unloading towers serve may be found in the harbor abreast the town in depths conveyor belts, combined unloading rate 1,200 tons per of 15 to 17 feet, soft bottom. A general anchorage is in hour; receipt of coal and fuel oil; owned and operated by Bristol Harbor. (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.145 (c) and Montaup Electric Co. (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (217) Usher Rocks, about 0.7 mile northeastward of (205) Popasquash Point, are bare at low water. A buoy is eastward of the rocks and a lighted bell buoy is on the Supplies western side of the western passage to the harbor. (206) Provisions, marine supplies, gasoline, and water can (218) Depths alongside the piers and wharves range from 9 to 13 feet. be obtained in Fall River. Water is available at most of the (219) A Coast Guard vessel is moored at Bristol. The Coast berths. Guard pier is marked by a light. (220) A marina and yacht club are on the west side of the (207) harbor. Guest moorings, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs are available. A Repairs mobile hoist at the marina can handle craft to 42 feet (208) Fall River has no drydocking or major repair long. Launching ramps are available on the east side of the harbor. In 1993, a reported depth of about 8 feet could facilities for deep-draft vessels; the nearest such facilities be carried to the marina. are at Boston, MA. (221) Potter Cove, on the northeast side of Prudence (209) Fall River has two small shipyards, on the west side Island, is a small nearly landlocked harbor. Buoys mark of the harbor about 0.6 mile above the fixed bridge and the entrance channel off Gull Point. The north and south on the east side of the harbor about 0.9 mile below the ends of Prudence Island are a State park. Ohio Ledge, fixed bridge. The northerly shipyard has a marine railway about 2.5 miles northward of Potter Cove, has a least that can handle vessels to 100 feet long with drafts of 7 depth of 9 feet and is marked on its east side by a bell feet forward and 13 feet aft. The yard can make repairs buoy. to wooden, steel, and aluminum vessels at their berths. (222) Warren River, emptying into the head of The southerly yard specializes in the construction and Narragansett Bay westward of Bristol Neck, is the conversion of steel vessels. Cranes to 250 tons are approach to the towns of Warren and Barrington, and available for hauling out vessels. In 1981, depths of 22 Barrington River, which joins Warren River at Warren. to 23 feet were reported alongside. A church spire in Warren is prominent. (223) From the bay, the channel to Warren passes between (210) numerous shoals and rocks and is crooked and winding, but well marked. A depth of about 9 feet is in the channel Small-craft facilities to the lower wharves at Warren, and the same depth is in (211) Small-craft facilities are at Fall River, Somerset Barrington River to the fixed highway bridge about 0.5 mile above the entrance. opposite Fall River, Taunton, and at Dighton. Berths, (224) In 2002, a sunken wreck in about 41°43.65'N., moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, 71°17.25'W. is on the west side of Warren River. pump-out facilities, launching ramps, marine supplies, (225) A State regulatory buoy, about 0.9 mile above the storage, hull, engine and electronic repairs are available. mouth of Warren River, marks a “Slow no wake” zone. The largest marine railways, at Dighton, can handle craft (226) An excellent anchorage may be found at the mouth to 55 feet. The largest marine lift is at Somerset with a of the Warren River about 0.2 mile from the eastern shore capacity of 80 tons. in depths of 14 to 15 feet, soft bottom. There is not room (212) A launching ramp is on the west side of Taunton for anchorage in the river for any but small craft. Abreast River, about 1.6 miles above Somerset. the lower end of Warren the channel is about 0.1 mile (213) Chart 13224 (214) Bristol Harbor, between Bristol Neck on the east end and Popasquash Neck on the west, is in a cove about 2 miles long and 1.3 miles wide at its southern end, narrowing to 0.4 mile wide at its northern end. The
240 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 wide, with depths of 13 to 17 feet in midchannel, and (236) Occupessatuxet Cove, on the west side of the river small vessels can anchor temporarily at this point. north of Conimicut Point, is a shallow bight south of (227) Vessels approaching the river must take care to avoid Gaspee Point. The cove is frequented only by small craft Rumstick Shoal, which extends nearly 0.6 mile south of with local knowledge. Rumstick Point, the southernmost point of Rumstick Neck and the western entrance point of the river. The (237) Pawtuxet Cove, used by pleasure and fishing craft, shoal has depths of 2 to 12 feet and is marked by buoys. on the west side of Providence River, is entered about Rumstick Rock, 6 feet high, and Rumstick Ledge, with 1 mile northward of Gaspee Point through a dredged rocks that uncover 1 to 5 feet, are on the westerly side of channel. The entrance channel leads westward to the the shoal. cove, thence the channel turns northward and leads to (228) About 0.5 mile above the mouth of Barrington River a turning basin at the head of the cove. An anchorage is a fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 9 feet. In basin extends southward from the entrance channel. 2004, the highway bridge was being demolished; a new The entrance channel is marked by buoys. In 2011, the fixed highway bridge with a design clearance of 10 controlling depth was 6 feet in the entrance channel feet was under construction at the same location; upon and the turning basin; 5 to 6 feet was available in the completion it will replace the demolished bridge and anchorage basin. A 12-foot-high protective dike along the a temporary highway bridge. The temporary highway east side of the anchorage basin extends southward from bridge is in use just south of the demolished bridge, and Marsh Island, on the south side of the entrance channel, has a clearance of 9 feet. About 100 yards upstream from to Rock Island. Pawtuxet is a village on the west side of the highway bridge is a fixed bicycle bridge with a 30-foot the cove. span on the east side of the river and a clearance of 5 feet. In 1978, rocks were reported under the bicycle bridge. (238) The harbormaster in the cove controls anchoring (229) The tidal current off the town of Warren has and berthing; he can be contacted through the Warwick a velocity of about 1 knot. Strong currents may be City Hall. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, encountered in Barrington River. ice, marine supplies, and a 15-ton mobile hoist are (230) The harbormaster controls docking, mooring, and available. A flatbed trailer can haul out craft to 50 feet anchoring, and can be contacted through the Warren long for complete hull and engine repairs. Police Department. (231) A shipyard on the east side of the Warren River at (239) A yacht club is on the west side of Providence River Warren has a hydraulic lift that can handle vessels to 300 about 1 mile northward of the entrance to Pawtuxet Cove. tons or 130 feet long. In 1981, a reported depth of 7 feet Gasoline and guest berths are available. could be carried to the shipyard. (232) Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, (240) A privately dredged channel leads from the main and marine supplies are available in Warren. Depths channel in Providence River, eastward of Pawtuxet, to reported alongside the major wharves range from 7 to 20 a small-craft facility about 0.45 mile southwestward of feet. Small craft facilities are also available on the point Fields Point (41°47.2'N., 71°22.9'W.). The channel is near the confluence of the two rivers. Several boatyards marked by buoys and, in 1998, had a reported controlling are in the vicinity; mobile hoists to 25 tons are available. depth of 8 feet. The ruins of the piers of a former Naval Covered storage and complete engine, electronic, and Reserve facility are on the south side of Fields Point hull repairs are available. Mariners are cautioned of immediately eastward of the yacht club; this area should a reported rock, covered 2 feet, just off the gas dock be avoided. of the Barrington Yacht Club in about 44°44’00”N., 71°17’37”W. (241) Bullock Cove, on the east side of Providence River 2 miles north of Conimicut Point, is the scene of (233) considerable pleasure boat activity. A dredged channel leads from the Providence River to a mooring basin on Charts 13224, 13225 the east side of Bullock Point, thence northward 0.5 mile to a mooring and turning basin. In 2010, the controlling (234) Providence River, which empties into the head of depths were 8 feet in the entrance channel to the mooring Narragansett Bay between Nayatt Point and Conimicut basin east of Bullock Point except shoaling to 6.8 feet Point, is the approach to the city of Providence, numerous within 10 feet of the channel limit, thence 5.7 feet in towns and villages, and to Seekonk River. the basin, thence 6 feet to the upper basin and 5.9 feet in the basin. The entrance channel is marked by buoys (235) Providence is at the head of navigation on the and daybeacons. In 1982, a sunken wreck was reported Providence River, about 7 miles above the entrance, at the on the west side of the channel at Bullock Point. There junction of the Providence and Seekonk Rivers. The port are numerous small-craft facilities in Bullock Cove. The area includes both sides of the upper navigable channel largest marine railway, on Bullock Neck about 300 yards of the river. The port’s chief waterborne commerce is in northward of Bullock Point, can handle craft up to 60 petroleum products, cement, lumber, steel scrap metal, feet; berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, general cargo, and automobiles. storage, launching ramps, marine supplies, a pump-out facility, a 45-ton mobile crane, a 99-ton mobile hoist, and hull, engine and electronic repairs are available. Sail repairs can be arranged nearby.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 241 (242) Seekonk River, which branches off northeasterly (249) from Providence River at Providence, is the approach to Phillipsdale and Pawtucket. The head of navigation Anchorages is at Pawtucket, 5 miles above the mouth. Commerce on (250) Vessels anchor as directed by the harbormaster on the river is chiefly in petroleum products. A marina at Pawtucket can provide berths, electricity, water, gasoline, the edge of the channel between Fields Point and Fox storage facilities, marine supplies, and hull and engine Point. Eastward of Fox Point, a few vessels may anchor repairs. A flatbed trailer at the marina can haul out craft in the area where a portion of Green Jacket Shoal was to 40 feet long. removed. Preferred small-craft anchorages are in Bullock Cove and Pawtuxet Cove. (243) (251) Prominent features (244) Conimicut Light (41°43'01\"N., 71°20'42\"W.), Dangers (252) Numerous rocks and ledges border Providence 58 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical tower on a brown cylindrical pier on the west side of the River Channel on either side. Navigational aids mark the entrance to Providence River. A sound signal is sounded shoal areas off Bullock Point, about 1.5 miles above the at the light station. An abandoned lighthouse on Nayatt mouth; off Sabin Point, about 3 miles above the Mouth; Point is also prominent in the approach to the river. A off Pomham Rocks, about 3.5 miles above the mouth; off white masonry conical tower, approximately 20 feet high, Fuller Rock, about 5 miles above the mouth and Green is west of the channel, 0.7 mile above Sabin Point. Three Jacket Shoal, east of Fox Point about 7.4 miles above wind turbines are prominent on the west side of the river, the mouth. about 0.6 mile above Fields Point. (245) (253) Providence River channel, between Narragansett Channels Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB and Fox Point, (246) The Federal project for Providence River provides is a regulated navigation area. (See 33 CFR 165.1 through 165.13, and 165.122, chapter 2, for limits and for a channel 40 feet deep from just below Prudence regulations.) Island Light to Fox Point near the junction of Providence and Seekonk Rivers. (See Notice to Mariners and latest (254) editions of the charts for controlling depths.) The channel is well marked with navigational aids. Bridges (247) A hurricane barrier crosses the Providence River (255) There are no bridges over Providence River between about 200 yards above Fox Point. The barrier includes three gates which normally will be kept in the opened the mouth and the principal wharves. In 2003, a fixed position until the approach of hurricane weather. The highway bridge with a design clearance of 35 feet was clearances at each of the three river gates are: horizontal, under construction close south of the Fox Point Hurricane 20 feet; vertical (gate fully opened), 21 feet at mean high Barrier. Point Street Bridge, about 0.3 mile above Fox water; and depth over the gate sill, 12.9 feet at mean low Point, has a fixed span with a clearance of 7 feet. Two water. Red lights mark the channel ends of each gate. overhead power cables cross the river between this bridge (248) Seekonk River empties into the easterly side and the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier; least clearance is of Providence River at Fox Point. A marked dredged 60 feet. A fixed highway bridge about 300 yards north of channel leads from Cold Spring Point, about 1.3 miles Point Street Bridge has a clearance of 26 feet. above Fox Point, to a point about 150 yards southward (256) In Seekonk River, an overhead power cable crossing of Division Street Bridge at Pawtucket, about 2.9 miles at India Point, 0.5 mile above the mouth, has a clearance above Cold Spring Point. The lower section of the river, of 130 feet. Just above India Point several bridges cross from Fox Point to Cold Spring Point, is crooked and the river within 0.9 mile. The name of the bridge, type, winding and marked by buoys. Local knowledge and use and clearance follows: Washington Bridge South, bascule of the chart are required to carry the best water. Three span maintained in closed position, 40 feet; Washington areas of submerged boulders with angle iron protrusions, Bridge North, fixed span, 42 feet; Tunnel Bridge, bascule the remains of the approaches and pivot pier of a former span, 17 feet; and New Red Bridge, fixed span, 42 feet. swing bridge, are in the river channel at Cold Spring Point Just below the State Pier at Pawtucket are overhead power in about 41°49'36.5\"N., 71°22'48.5\"W. The shoreward cables with clearances of 125 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 areas have a least depth of 3½ feet, and the area at about through 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) midchannel has a least depth of 12 feet. In 2006, the controlling depths were 4.7 feet (7.7 feet at midchannel) (257) to Buoy 27, thence 4.3 feet (5.5 feet at midchannel) to the head of the project just below Division Street Bridge. A 5 Currents mph no wake zone, marked by State regulatory buoys, (258) Tidal currents are weak in the approach channel and is in the entrance channel and above Cold Spring Point. the harbor, except in the constricted parts of Seekonk River. At India Street Bridge the tidal currents have velocities of about 1.4 knots. In Seekonk River the double flood is very pronounced. The velocity near the middle of the flood period is generally less than 0.5 knot and is sometimes in an ebb direction. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.)
242 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (259) winds in excess of 100 knots compliments of Hurricane Donna. Weather, Providence and vicinity (266) (260) The proximity of Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean plays an important part in determining the climate Ice for Providence and vicinity. In winter, the temperatures (267) The approach channel and the harbor are generally are modified considerably, and a good many of the major storms drop their precipitation in the form of rain, rather free of ice and navigable throughout the year. During than snow. In summer, many days that would otherwise severe winters, the harbor and several miles of Providence be uncomfortably warm are cooled by refreshing River and Upper Narragansett Bay are occasionally seabreezes. At other times of the year, sea fog may be broken over, but the ice is usually broken up in the advected over land by onshore winds. In fact, most cases channels to the principal wharves by the traffic in the of dense fog are produced in this way; but the number of harbor. such days is few, averaging 2 or 3 days per month. (268) The National Weather Service maintains an office at the T.F. Green State Airport; barometers may be (261) The temperature for the entire year averages around compared here. (See Appendix A for address.) 51°F (10.6°C). January is the coldest month averaging (269) (See Appendix B for the Providence climatological 29°F (-1.7°C), and July the hottest month averaging 73°F table.) (22.8°C). Freezing temperatures occur on the average about 117 days per year and the days with minimums (270) below 5°F (-15°C) average six each year. An average nine days each year record maximums in excess of Pilotage, Providence 90°F (32.2°C). The all-time maximum for Providence is (271) See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode 104°F (40°C) recorded in August 1975 and the all-time minimum is -13°F (-25°C) recorded in January 1976. Island Waters (indexed as such), early this chapter. (262) Measurable precipitation occurs on about 178 days (272) each year. November is the wettest month averaging 4.48 inches (114 mm) and June the driest averaging 2.89 Towage inches (74 mm). Average annual precipitation is 45.12 (273) Tugs up to 3,300 hp are available at Providence. inches (1144 mm). Large vessels normally require tugs for docking and (263) Thunderstorms are responsible for much of the undocking. Arrangements for tug service should be made rainfall from May through August. They usually 4 hours in advance, and usually through ships’ agents or produce heavy, and sometimes even excessive, amounts directly by shipping companies. Tugs are dispatched 24 of rainfall but since the duration is relatively short, hours a day. Tugs monitor VHF-FM channels 10, 13, 16, damage is ordinarily light. The summer thunderstorms and 18, and use channel 7A as a working frequency. are frequently accompanied by extremely gusty winds, (274) Providence is a customs port of entry. which may cause some damage to property, especially small pleasure and fishing craft. (275) (264) The first measurable snowfall of winter usually Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural comes in October. The month of greatest snowfall is quarantine usually February which averages about ten inches (254 (276) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and mm). It is unusual for the ground to remain well covered Appendix A for addresses.) with snow for any long period of time. The average (277) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with annual snowfall total is 45 inches (1143 mm). Snow has regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public fallen in every month, October through May. About seven Health Service, chapter 1.) days each year have snowfall greater than 1.5 inches (38 (278) Providence has several hospitals. mm). (279) (265) In early fall, severe coastal storms of tropical origin sometimes bring destructive winds to this area. Even at Coast Guard other times of the year, it is usually coastal storms that (280) A marine safety office is in Providence. (See produce the most severe weather. Between 1871 and 1996, twelve tropical storms have come within 25 miles Appendix A for address.) of Providence. In August 1991, Hurricane Bob passed (281) Harbor regulations are enforced by the within 20 miles east of the city with 85-knot winds. Only twelve hours earlier, Bob was packing winds in excess of harbormaster/port director, whose headquarters are 100 knots. In September 1960, Hurricane Donna passed at the municipal wharf. The harbormaster regulates the about 20 miles west of the city. At the time, Donna had movement and anchoring of vessels in the harbor. The maximum winds of 90 knots. Coastal areas of Rhode speed limit in the harbor is 5 knots. Island, Connecticut, and Long Island were raked with (282) Wharves (283) The piers and wharves of the port of Providence are along both sides of the Providence River below Fox Point. Only the deep-draft facilities are described. For a complete description of the port facilities refer to Port Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A for address.)
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 243 The alongside depths are reported; for information on height, 12 feet; receipt of liquefied natural gas; owned by the latest depths contact the operator. All the facilities Providence Gas Co., operated by Algonquin LNG, Inc. described have highway connections, and most have rail (295) Texaco U.S.A., Harbor Junction Pier: about 0.7 connections. Water is available at most of the piers and mile above Municipal Wharf; 80-foot face, south side wharves. Cargo in the port is usually handled by ship’s 1,040 feet long, 720 feet usable, 32 feet alongside; north tackle. Cranes to 200 tons are available. side 1,040 feet long, 600 feet usable, 25 feet alongside; (284) Facilities on the east side of Providence River: deck height, 9 feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum (285) Mobil Oil Corp.Wharf: (41°46'56\"N., 71°22'19\"W.); products, bunkering vessels; owned and operated by 1,225-foot face, 700 feet of berthing space; 20 to 38 feet Texaco, Inc. alongside; deck height, 8 feet; pipelines to storage tanks; (296) Promet Marine Services Pier: about 1 mile above receipt and shipment of petroleum products, bunkering Municipal Wharf; 120-foot face, 37 to 31 feet alongside; vessels; owned and operated by Mobil Oil Corp. south side 596 feet long, 22 feet alongside; north side 596 (286) Amoco Oil Co. Wharf: at Kettle Point about 0.9 mile feet long, 37 feet alongside; deck height, 12 feet; cranes to above Mobil Oil Corp. Wharf; 500-foot face, 700 feet 100 tons; 11 acres of open storage; receipt and shipment with dolphins; 36 feet alongside; deck height, 12 feet; of general cargo and dry bulk materials; repairs to vessels; receipt and shipment of petroleum products, bunkering owned and operated by Promet Marine Services Corp. vessels; owned by Amoco Oil Co., operated by Amoco (297) Northeast Petroleum Corp. Pier: about 1.2 miles Oil Co. and Atlantic Richfield Co. above Municipal Wharf; south side 620 feet long, 600 (287) Wilkes-Barre Pier: about 2 miles above Mobil Oil feet of berthing space; 30 feet alongside; deck height, 11 Corp. Wharf; 75-foot face, 700 feet of berthing space with feet; receipt of petroleum products; owned and operated dolphins; 40 feet alongside; deck height, 9 feet; receipt of by Northeast Petroleum Corp. petroleum products and naphtha; owned by Providence (298) C. H. Sprague & Son Co. Pier: about 1.25 miles and Worcester Railroad Co., operated by Union Oil Co. above Municipal Wharf; north side 500 feet long, 520 feet of California, Getty Refining and Marketing Co., and with platforms, 37 feet alongside; deck height, 12 feet; Astroline Corp. receipt and shipment of petroleum products; bunkering (288) Facilities on the west side of Providence River vessels; owned and operated by C. H. Sprague & Son Co. (289) Municipal Wharf, Berths 5 and 6: (41°47'25\"N., (299) The principal wharves at Pawtucket have depths of 71°22'54\"W.); 1,283-foot face; 35 to 40 feet alongside; 9 to 14 feet alongside. deck height, 10½ feet; two 45-ton container cranes; 60 acres open storage; electrical shore power connections; (300) receipt and shipment of general and containerized cargo and heavy equipment; owned by city of Providence, Supplies operated by Cranes Associates. (301) Gasoline, diesel fuel, diesel oil, bunker fuels, (290) Municipal Wharf, Berths 1, 2, 3, and 4: immediately NW of Berths 5 and 6; 2,190-foot face, 35 to 40 feet provisions, and marine supplies of all kinds are available. alongside; deck height, 10½ feet; cranes to 200 tons; Oil bunkering facilities, for deep-draft vessels, are 47,000 square feet of covered storage; 12 acres open available at most of the petroleum companies facilities storage; electrical shore power connections; receipt in Providence. Fuel tank barges are also available for and shipment of general cargo, lumber, paper products, bunkering vessels anywhere in the harbor. Water is automobiles, petroleum products, liquefied petroleum available at most of the wharves and piers. gas, scrap metal, pig iron, and caustic soda; owned by city of Providence; various operators. (302) (291) New England Bituminous Wharf: about 500 yards above Municipal Wharf; 384-foot face, 30 feet alongside; Repairs deck height, 10½ feet; receipt of asphalt; owned and (303) Providence has no facilities for drydocking deep- operated by New England Bituminous, Division of John J. Hudson, Inc. draft vessels; the nearest such facilities are at Boston, MA. (292) Lehigh Portland Cement Co. Wharf: about 600 yards Repairs to boilers, machinery, electrical equipment, and above Municipal Wharf; 350-foot face, 20 feet alongside; hull can be obtained in the port. Several well-equipped deck height, 10½ feet; receipt of bulk cement; owned by machine and welding shops are also available. Some city of Providence, operated by Lehigh Portland Cement of these concerns also maintain portable equipment for Co. making above-waterline repairs to vessels at their berths. (293) Lone Star Industries Wharf: about 750 yards above Municipal Wharf; 210-foot face, 28 to 30 feet alongside; (304) deck height, 12 feet; receipt of bulk cement; owned and operated by Lone Star Industries, Inc. Small-craft facilities (294) Algonquin LNG Wharf: about 0.4 mile above (305) Small-craft facilities at Bullock Cove and Pawtuxet Municipal Wharf; 450-foot face, 25 feet alongside; deck have been discussed earlier in this chapter. A marina on the west side of Providence River between Pawtuxet and Fields Point can provide berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs; a flatbed trailer can haul out craft to 60 feet long. In 1981, 10 feet was reported in the approach to the marina, with 3 to 6 feet alongside.
244 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (306) extend 130 yards eastward just south of the old pier at South Ferry. A 200-foot L-shaped pier of the University Communications of Rhode Island is about 150 yards southeastward of the (307) Providence is served by rail, bus, and air. A ferry old pier. In 1981, depths of 20 feet were reported along the outer face with 10 feet reported along the inner face. The operates daily in the summer to Newport and Block buildings of the university, a church spire, and a standpipe Island. are prominent from southward to north of Dutch Island. (315) Fox Hill, on the southern side of the entrance to (308) Dutch Island Harbor, 2.5 miles north of Beavertail Point, is a point which terminates to the northward in Chart 13223 Beaverhead, a bluff rocky face. (316) Dutch Island Harbor is in the West Passage of (309) West Passage, between Conanicut and Prudence Narragansett Bay about 3 miles north of Beavertail Light. Islands on the east and Boston Neck on the west, is the The harbor is a semicircular indentation 0.5 by 1 mile in approach to Dutch Island Harbor, Wickford, Quonset extent in the west side of Conanicut Island. Point, and East Greenwich. Vessels may also go to (317) A boatyard in the southeastern part of the harbor has Providence by West Passage, although the route through a marine railway that can handle craft up to 50 feet for hull East Passage is deeper and generally used. Approaching and engine repairs. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel from the eastward, steer for the lighted gong buoy off fuel (by truck), water, ice, storage, a launching ramp, Whale Rock until southwest of Beavertail Light, and some marine supplies, and a 20-ton lift are available. thence lay down a northerly course in midchannel with (318) Dutch Island, a State park about 3.2 miles north of Dutch Island ahead. On the southward approach from Beavertail Point, is surrounded by shoals and foul ground. off Point Judith Light, a north-northeasterly course will A bell buoy marks the shoal area off the northern end of bring the vessel to the lighted gong buoy off Whale Rock. the island and a lighted gong buoy is off the southern end. (See also chart 13218). At night a careful study of the A square white tower on the southern end of the island is light characteristics is necessary as the lights marking prominent marked by a light. East Passage will be seen on the starboard bow when (319) Dutch Island Harbor may be approached from approaching from Point Judith. northward or southward. As the harbor is of easy access, it is frequently used as a harbor of refuge. Excellent (310) The course should pass westward of, and 500 anchorage may be had in depths of 12 to 46 feet, sticky yards off, Dutch Island; thence through the Jamestown bottom. A harbormaster controls all mooring and Bridge opening; and thence northerly until about 0.8 berthing. Vessels of over 18-foot draft seeking anchorage mile westward of, and abeam, the south tangent of Hope should give the eastern shore of the harbor a berth of at Island. From here a north-northeasterly course will make least 0.4 mile. The eastern shore of Dutch Island should the buoys marking the entrance of the natural channel be given a berth of 100 yards. westward of Pine Hill Point on Prudence Island. Then a (320) General anchorages are in West Passage of heading toward Warwick Light until abeam the lighted Narragansett Bay. (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.145 (b) bell buoy off Northwest Point on Patience Island will and (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) bring the vessel in position to swing northeasterly and (321) A shoal extends about 200 yards westward and easterly to the dredged channel to Providence. 350 yards northward of Beaverhead. At its northern extremity this shoal rises abruptly from depths of about (311) Narragansett Pier, on the west side of West Passage 40 feet to a depth of 8 feet; a buoy marks the shoal. The about 3 miles west-southwestward of Beavertail Point, southeastern part of the harbor has a shallow cove. is a summer resort. The large hotels and a square granite (322) Tidal currents of 1 to 1.5 knots may be encountered tower are prominent. A municipal bathing beach and in the vicinity of Dutch Island. Elsewhere in West pavilion at the Upper Pier are prominent from an easterly Passage velocities are usually less than 1 knot. (See the direction. Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) (323) Saunderstown is on the western shore of West (312) River Ledge, about 0.9 mile northeastward of Passage abreast Dutch Island. A former ferry dock off Narragansett Pier, has a least depth of 9 feet and is the town is in ruins. A yacht club is at Saunderstown. marked by a buoy. Whale Rock, on the western side of (324) The Jamestown Bridgecrossing the passage from the passage about 0.8 mile northeast of River Ledge, is just north of Plum Beach has a fixed span with a clearance marked by a lighted gong buoy to the eastward. Little of 135 feet. The Jamestown-North Kingstown Bridge is Whale, covered 4 feet, is about 200 yards north of Whale about 300 feet south of the aforementioned highway Rock. Strangers should pass eastward of the lighted gong bridge. The southerly fixed highway bridge is being buoy off Whale Rock. removed. (325) From the bridge northward, Great Ledge extends (313) Bonnet Shores Beach is on the north shore of the along the west shore of Conanicut Island for about 1.5 bight formed by Bonnet Point, the point about 1.5 miles north of Whale Rock. A bathing pavilion at the beach is prominent from a southeasterly direction. (314) The Bonnet, a prominent hill with the shoreward face bold and rocky, is north of Bonnet Point. The shore between Bonnet Point and South Ferry, 1.3 miles northward, should be given a berth of 400 yards. Pilings
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