Chapter 10 South Coast of Long Island 343 (30) Weesuck Creek, on the north side near the western (38) Seatuck Cove, on the north side of Moriches Bay, end of Shinnecock Bay, is entered through a privately about 1 mile westward of Speonk Point, is entered dredged channel that leads to the head of the cove at through a privately dredged channel that leads north- East Quogue. In 1999, the channel, marked by private ward for about 1.1 miles and then forks into three branch seasonal buoys, had a reported controlling depth of channels: East Branch, the easterly branch; Seatuck about 5 feet. There are two boatyards on the west side Creek, the northerly branch; and Little Seatuck Creek, near the head of the creek. Berths, electricity, water, ma- the westerly branch. In 1981, the controlling depth in rine supplies, storage facilities, and lifts to 30 tons are the entrance channel and in the three branches was 7 available. The largest marine railway can handle craft feet. Private seasonal buoys mark the entrance channel up to 65 feet in length; hull and engine repairs can be to the fork and the channel in East Branch to the small- made. craft facilities just inside the entrance. (31) Quogue Canal connects Shinnecock Bay with (39) A landing at Eastport is on the point just above the Quantuck Bay. The canal is crossed by a highway bas- fork between East Branch and Seatuck Creek. In 1981, cule bridge with a clearance of 15 feet and by overhead depths of 2 to 3 feet were reported at the landing. Berths, power and TV cables with clearances of 75 feet. (See moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), some marine supplies, and a pump-out are available at chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) A 5 mph speed small-craft facilities on East Branch. Lifts to 15 tons can limit is enforced in the canal. handle craft for engine and hull repairs. Depths of 3 feet are reported alongside. (32) Quantuck Bay joins Quogue Canal with Quantuck Canal. Quantuck Creek, at the head of the bay, is crossed (40) Hart Cove, westward of Seatuck Cove, is entered by a fixed bridge, which is the head of navigation except through a privately dredged channel, marked by private for small pulling boats. seasonal buoys, that leads to the head of the cove. In 1981, the channel had a reported controlling depth of 4 (33) Quantuck Canal connects Quantuck Bay and feet. Moriches Bay. The canal is crossed by two highway bascule bridges with a least clearance of 10 feet. (See Small-craft facilities 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), (41) Small-craft facilities are near the head on the west chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations). The overhead power cable at the westernmost bridge has a clearance side of the cove. Gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine of 77 feet. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the canal. supplies, a launching ramp, and a 30-ton mobile hoist are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. (34) About 300 yards northeast of the westernmost of the two bridges, a privately dredged channel leads to a yacht basin at Westhampton Beach. The channel is along the west bank in the bight and is marked by pri- (42) Tuthill Cove, locally known as West Cove, on vate seasonal lights and buoys. A dredged cut leads up to the north side of Moriches Bay, 1.5 miles westward of Main Street in Westhampton Beach. A reported depth of Seatuck Cove, is entered through a privately dredged about 4 feet can be carried to the yacht basin just before and partially marked channel that leads to the head of reaching the Stevens Lane Bridge, which has a fixed the cove; in 1986, the channel had a reported control- span with a clearance of about 7 feet. Berths, electricity, ling depth of 2 feet. Several privately dredged channels and a launching ramp are at the yacht basin. Gasoline, lead from the main channel to small-craft facilities on ice, and marine supplies are available at a marina on the east side of the cove. (See the small-craft facilities the east bank of the bight; engine and hull repairs can tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies be made. A forklift can handle craft to 6 tons. In 1981, available.) A Coast Guard Sector Field Office and Sta- a reported depth of 2 feet was available at the marina. tion is on the east side of the entrance to Tuthill Cove. East Moriches is on the north side of the cove. (35) Moriches Bay extends for about 8 miles from Quan- tuck Canal to Narrow Bay and provides an inside passage (43) Tuthill Point is on the west side of the entrance to for small boats. The general depths in the bay range Tuthill Cove. from 5 to 7 feet and as low as 1 to 2 feet at low tide, but the southern part is shoal. The marked channel may be (44) Moriches Inlet, 44 miles westward of Montauk shifted significantly to the north in order to mark best Point, is a shallow entrance from seaward to the deeper water. water in Moriches Bay. Weather continuously changes the jettied entrance which is subject to extreme shoal- (36) When navigating the Long Island Intracoastal Wa- ing. Both east and west jetties are marked by a light and terway through Moriches Bay northeast of Moriches the approach to the inlet is marked by a lighted whistle Inlet, extreme care must be taken as this area is prone buoy. Due to rapidly changing shoaling conditions and to extreme shoaling. existing dangers in Moriches Inlet, it is considered unsafe for mariners to navigate this inlet at any time. (37) Speonk Point, near the eastern end of Moriches Buoys are not maintained in this inlet. Bay on the north shore, is marked by several bulkheaded jetties and a prominent flagstaff.
344 South Coast of Long Island Volume 2 (45) A fish haven, marked by a buoy, is about 2.5 miles thence for about 0.2 mile to the head of navigation. In south-southwestward of Moriches Inlet East Breakwa- 1981-1999, the reported controlling depth was 6 feet ter Light. from the Intracoastal Waterway to the head of naviga- tion. Favor the east side of the channel at the entrance. COLREGS Demarcation Lines The channel is marked to the turning basin by private (46) The lines established for Moriches Inlet are de- seasonal lighted and unlighted buoys. The town dock is available only to the local residents, however, overnight scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. transient berths are available. (55) Old Neck Creek empties into the easterly side of Forge River about 0.5 mile above the entrance. A pri- vately dredged channel leads from the river to the head (47) Fire Island extends west from Moriches Inlet for of the creek. In 1981, the channel had a reported con- about 28 miles along the south shore of Long Island to trolling depth of 7 feet. A marina, just inside the easterly Fire Island Inlet. With the exception of the State park entrance to the creek, has berths, electricity, gasoline, occupying its westernmost 4.6 miles, all of Fire Island diesel, water, ice, marine supplies, lifts to 90 tons, and is part of the Fire Island National Seashore, a Marine storage; hull, engine, and electrical repairs can be made. Protected Area (MPA). In 2009, an approach depth of 5 feet was reported with 8 feet alongside. (48) Orchard Neck Creek, 1.7 miles west of Tuthill (56) Narrow Bay extends for about 3 miles from Moriches Point, is extensively used by local small craft as a moor- Bay to Bellport Bay, and provides a continuation of the ing basin. A reported depth of about 3 feet is available to inside passage for small boats. The bridge across the the head of navigation. A private seasonal lighted buoy bay eastward of Smith Point has a bascule span with a marks the entrance. clearance of 18 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), chapter 2, for drawbridge reg- Small-craft facility ulations.) Caution is recommended when in the vicinity (49) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the creek of the bridge because of the piling near the channel. The bridge is an excellent radar target from 5 to 10 miles. near its head. Gasoline, water, marine supplies, and a (57) Bellport Bay extends for about 3 miles from Nar- 12-ton lift are available; hull and engine repairs can be row Bay to Great South Bay and provides a continuation made. In 1981, a depth of about 2 feet was reported of the inside passage for small boats. The bay is shoal alongside the facility. in its southern part, but has depths of 5 to 7 feet in the northern part. (58) Carmans River, on the northeast side of Bellport Bay, has a depth of about 2 feet through the entrance. (50) Areskonk Creek, immediately westward of Orchard Sometimes bush stakes are placed on each of the shoals Neck Creek, is used as a harbor by yachtsmen. A private- making off from the points at the entrance. Enter in ly dredged channel, marked by private seasonal buoys, midriver between these stakes, favor the east side for leads to the head of the creek. In 1981, the channel had a distance of 0.5 mile, and then follow midriver; cau- a reported controlling depth of 8 feet. tion is advised. The river, marked at the entrance by private seasonal lighted buoys, is entered between Long (51) Senix Creek, 0.6 mile westward of Orchard Neck Point on the west and Sandy Point on the east. Some Creek, has a narrow entrance. With local knowledge, of the land areas on both sides of the river just above a reported depth of about 4 feet can be carried in the the entrance are part of the Werthein National Wildlife channel to about 0.5 mile above the entrance. Refuge, a Marine Protected Area (MPA); landing is not permitted. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. Small-craft facilities (52) Small-craft facilities near the head of the creek Small-craft facility (59) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the river have berths, electricity, storage, and a 6-ton lift; hull and engine repairs can be made. A marine railway can about 0.6 mile above the entrance. Electricity, water, haul out vessels up to 32 feet in length. some marine supplies, a 12-ton lift, and storage facilities are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. (53) Mud (West Senix) Creek, westward of Senix Creek, had a reported controlling depth of about 5 feet in 1981. (60) Beaverdam Creek, on the north side of Bellport Bay The creek is used mostly by local residents. A marina on about 1.5 miles westward of Carmans River, is entered the east side of the creek near the head has berthage, through a privately dredged approach channel marked electricity, gasoline, diesel, water, ice, marine supplies, by private seasonal buoys. In 1999, the channel had a sewage pump-out, surfaced launching ramp, and stor- reported controlling depth of 7 feet. age; hull and engine repairs can be made. In 2009, ap- proach and alongside depths of 6 feet were reported. (54) Forge River, at the northwest end of Moriches Bay about 0.5 mile westward of the common entrance to Senix and Mud Creeks, is entered through a privately dredged channel that leads from the Intracoastal Water- way to the town dock and turning basin at Mastic, about 1.5 miles above the entrance west of Masury Point,
Chapter 10 South Coast of Long Island 345 Small-craft facility (69) Patchogue River, on the north side of Great South (61) A small-craft facility is at the head of the creek and Bay, 3.7 miles west of Bellport and 0.9 mile westward of Swan River, is entered through a dredged channel that can provide berths, storage, supplies, and a 30-ton lift; leads from Great South Bay, thence through Patchogue engine repairs can be made. Bay, and thence to the head of river navigation about 1 mile above the mouth. In 2006, the midchannel control- ling depth was 5.8 feet in the entrance channel to the west breakwater light, thence 2.2 feet in the channel (62) The wharf of a yacht club is on the northwest side through the harbor to the head of navigation. The chan- of Bellport Bay at the town of Bellport, about 0.5 mile nel is marked by a lighted and unlighted buoys from the westward of the entrance to Beaverdam Creek. In 1981, bay to the jettied entrance. The west side of the entrance depths of 6 to 8 feet were reported in the basin behind is protected by a breakwater with a light on the outer the wharf with about 2½ to 3 feet alongside. Water and end, and the east side by a bulkhead and short jetty a launching ramp are available. A seasonal passenger extending southward from it; a private light is near the ferry operates between the yacht club and Bellport end of the jetty. Beach on Fire Island. (70) Patchogue, on Patchogue River, is the principal (63) A dockmaster manages the village dock adjacent to town on Great South Bay. Depths at the wharves and the yacht club. piers at Patchogue range from 3 to 9 feet. (64) Great South Bay, on the south shore of Long Is- (71) Passenger ferry service, summer only, is main- land, extends from Bellport Bay on the east to South tained from Patchogue to Davis Park and Watch Hill Oyster Bay on the west. It is about 20 miles long and on Fire Island. about 4 miles across its widest part. It can be entered through Fire Island Inlet, from Great Peconic Bay via Small-craft facilities the inside route, and from westward through Hemp- (72) Several marinas and boatyards are on both sides stead Bay. The southeast and southwest portions of the bay are shoal. The central portion has, for the most part, of the river at Patchogue. (See the small-craft facili- depths ranging from 6½ to 10 feet. In 2010, there was ties tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies shoaling to less than 1 foot in the channel between Fire available.) Island Inlet and Farm Shoals Channel. Lights, daybea- cons, and lighted and unlighted buoys mark the chan- nels. (73) Corey Creek, 0.6 mile westward of Patchogue River, (65) Abets Creek and Mud Creek, on the northeast side is entered between two jetties each marked by a private of Great South Bay, had reported depths of 4 feet in 1981 seasonal light. In 1981, depths of 3 feet were available and 6 feet in 1999, respectively. The entrance to each in the creek. A marina, on the east side of the creek creek is marked by a private seasonal lighted buoy and just inside the entrance, has berths, electricity, gasoline, stakes. A 5-mph speed limit is enforced in Abets Creek. marine supplies, water, ice, storage, and a 16-ton lift; hull, engine, and electronic repairs can be made. Depths Small-craft facilities of 5 feet were reported at the marina in 1985. (66) Small-craft facilities in the creeks can provide (74) Brown Creek, locally known as Browns River, 3 berths, gasoline, water, storage, and hull and engine miles westward of Patchogue, is entered between two repairs. A 7-ton marine railway is available in Abets short jetties extending out to a depth of about 4 feet. Creek, and mobile lifts up to 30 tons are available in The jetties are marked by lights. In 2011, the midchan- Mud Creek. Diesel fuel, ice, and a pumpout station are nel controlling depth was 2.4 feet to the first bend (at available in Mud Creek. Browns River Road), thence 2.9 feet at midchannel to the upstream limit of the project. Local interests advise that mariners steer a centerline course from a point about 0.75 mile south of the jetty light through the (67) Swan River, about 0.4 mile westward of Mud Creek, entrance channel. is entered through a privately dredged channel that leads to the head of navigation about 1 mile above the Small-craft facilities mouth. In 1981, the channel had a reported control- (75) There are several small-craft facilities on the creek. ling depth of 4 feet. In 1985, a shoal was reported to be encroaching from the west side of the channel at Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, marine the mouth of the river. A private seasonal lighted buoy supplies, mobile hoists to 80 tons, and hull and engine marks the entrance, and poles mark the channel above repairs are available. A marine railway can handle ves- the entrance. sels to 15 feet long. Small-craft facilities (68) Several small-craft facilities are on Swan River. (76) Passenger ferry service, summer only, is available (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 from Sayville to Fire Island Pines, Sailors Haven, Cherry for services and supplies available.) Grove, and Barrett Beach on Fire Island.
346 South Coast of Long Island Volume 2 (77) Green Creek, about 1 mile west of Brown Creek, is (85) On the north shore of Great South Bay, in the vi- used by many clam boats. Depths of about 5 feet were cinity of Nicoll Point, is Heckscher State Park. A boat reported available in the creek in 1981. Mariners are basin and a small-craft launching ramp are at the park advised to use care when entering the creek, especially in a cove about 1.6 miles west of Nicoll Point. The park during strong southwest winds. Inside the creek, gaso- is open during daylight hours only. A 5 mph speed limit line, water, marine supplies, storage, a 30-ton lift, and is enforced. complete hull, engine, and electronic repairs are avail- able. A 4-mph speed limit is enforced in the creek. (86) Sailors Haven, across Great South Bay from Nicoll Point, is part of the Fire Island National Seashore. A (78) Green Harbor is a privately maintained two-part privately dredged and marked channel with a depth of harbor just westward of the entrance to Green Creek. about 4 feet leads from Great South Bay to a seasonally The entrance to the outer basin and the connecting operated marina at which berthing, water, ice, and some channel between the outer and inner basins are very supplies are available. A seasonal passenger ferry oper- narrow. In 1985, depths were reported to be about 6 ates between Sailors Haven and Sayville. feet. Limited berthing is available in the outer basin. A boatyard is in the inner basin. Weather, Great South Bay and vicinity (87) Islip is on the south side of Long Island just inland (79) Connetquot River, locally known as Great River, is 3 miles westward of Brown Creek. In 1981, a reported from Great South Bay and opposite the Fire Island Na- depth of 5 feet (with local knowledge) could be carried tional Seashore, about halfway between New York city from Nicoll Bay to the boatyards on the east side of the and Montauk Point. river, thence about 2 feet to the head of navigation at (88) At Islip the average annual temperature is 53°F the railroad; favor the east bank of the river above the (11.7°C). The average high is 61°F (16.1°C) and the av- boatyards. A shoal with depths of 2 feet extends north- erage low is 44°F (6.7°C). July is the warmest month east from Nicoll Island on the southwest side of the river with an average high of 82°F (27.8°C) and an average entrance. A private light marks the entrance to the river. low of 67°F (19.4°C). January is the coolest month with A prominent mansion with a tower, now part of a private an average high of 39°F (3.9°C) and an average low of school, is on the north shore of the entrance. 24°F (-4.4°C). The warmest temperature on record for Islip is 101°F (38.3°C) recorded in July 1991 and the Small-craft facilities coldest temperature on record is -7°F (-21.7°C) record- (80) There are several small-craft facilities on the east ed in January 1984. On average, seven days each year record high temperatures in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) side of the river. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation and 98 days record minimum temperatures below 32°F on chart 12352 for services and supplies available.) (0°C). An average of only two days each year has an extreme minimum below 5°F (-15°C). (89) Precipitation is both moderate and distributed evenly throughout the year. August is the wettest (81) Great River is a village on the west side of the river. month with an average precipitation total of five inches (82) Watch Hill, part of Fire Island National Seashore, (127 mm) and February the driest with just over three inches (76 mm). Average annual precipitation is about is across Great South Bay from Patchogue. A privately 45 inches (1143 mm). Most of the rainfall from June dredged channel with a reported depth of 3 feet in 1999, through September comes from thunderstorms; there- leads from Great South Bay to a seasonally operated ma- fore, it is usually of brief duration, but relatively intense. rina. The channel is marked by private seasonal lighted Thunderstorm days average 25 each year. From October buoys and a lighted range. Berths, electricity, water, ice, to April, however, precipitation is generally associated some supplies, and a pumpout station are available. A with widespread storm areas, so that day-long rain or passenger ferry operates between Watch Hill and Pa- snow is common. tchogue. (90) Snow falls an average 30 days each year and aver- (83) Cherry Grove, a summer resort across Great South ages 21 inches (533 mm) in any given year. The snowi- Bay from Connetquot River, has a boat landing extend- est month is February with an average of six inches ing out to a depth of 5 feet. Seasonal ferry service is (152 mm). Snow has fallen in each month, November maintained with Sayville. through April. The greatest 24-hour total snowfall was (84) Point o’ Woods, Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, and eight inches (203 mm) which fell in March 1993. Saltaire are summer resorts on Great South Bay west- (91) Tropical storms have influenced the area several ward of Cherry Grove. Provisions are available at most times since 1871. Hurricane Gloria passed within 10 of these resorts. Year-round ferry service is maintained miles west of Islip in September 1985. Gloria made between Ocean Beach, Saltaire, and Bay Shore, a town landfall about halfway between Kennedy and Islip and northwestward on the north shore of Great South Bay. provided sustained winds of 75 knots at time of landfall Seasonal service is available between the surrounding for the Islip area. Only two days earlier, Gloria was a towns and Bay Shore. A privately dredged channel with 125-knot hurricane. a reported depth of 9 feet in 1981 leads southward to Fair Harbor. A private light marks the channel.
Chapter 10 South Coast of Long Island 347 (92) (See Appendix B for the Islip climatological table.) privately maintained and for the exclusive use of the (93) The Long Island U.S. Courthouse (40°45’35\"N., local property owners. (102) Fire Island Inlet, about 28 miles westward along 73°11’25\"W.), is prominent feature in East Islip, across the south coast of Long Island from Moriches Inlet, Champlin Creek from Islip. The building is rectangular is the only direct entrance from the Atlantic to Great with a cone-shaped entrance and is constructed of white South Bay. The inlet is subject to extreme shoaling and and gray panels and is 281 feet high; reported to be vis- has been moving westward for many years. Mariners ible from 20 miles offshore. are warned to beware of extreme tidal turbulence es- pecially during times of tidal change and should seek local knowledge of the latest conditions before entering. Navigation of the inlet is difficult even with relatively (94) Great Cove, on the north side of Great South Bay calm seas, and for small craft it can be extremely dan- about 4 miles westward of Nicoll Point, has depths of 4 gerous. During heavy weather, the entrance usually is to 8 feet. A line of private orange and white spar buoys obstructed by breakers. across the mouth of Great Cove marks a shellfish clo- sure area. COLREGS Demarcation Lines (103) The lines established for Fire Island Inlet are de- (95) Orowoc Creek, which enters the northeast part of the cove, leads to the boat basin and wharves at the scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. town of Islip. The channel in the cove is sometimes marked by stakes, and had a reported depth of about 6 feet in 1981. A private light marks the westerly edge of the 3-foot shoal on the east side of the channel near the (104) Fire Island Light (40°37'57\"N., 73°13'07\"W.), 167 entrance to the creek. feet above the water, is shown from a black and white horizontally banded tower about 4 miles east-north- Small-craft facilities eastward of Democrat Point. Fire Island Coast Guard (96) Small-craft facilities on the creek can provide gaso- Station is about 1.9 miles west-southwestward of the light. A water tower, about 208 feet high, marked by line, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and complete floodlights and visible for 16 miles, is about 0.1 mile engine and hull repairs. A 55-foot marine railway and a southwest of the Fire Island Coast Guard Station. 25-ton mobile hoist are available. (105) The Robert Moses Causeway Bridge over Fire Is- land Inlet, 2.1 miles inside the entrance, has a clearance of 65 feet at the 464-foot center span. The bridge is an (97) Several fish packing plants are on the creek. excellent radar target at a range of more than 12 miles. (98) Penataquit Creek and Watchogue Creek, locally (106) Two boat basins at the Robert Moses (Fire Island) known as West Creek, about 0.5 mile westward of Oro- State Park are entered just westward of the southern woc Creek, empty into the northwest end of Great Cove end of the bridge. Berths and water are available in the through a common entrance. Bay Shore is a large fish- basins between sunrise and sunset. In 1981, depths of ing center on the northwest shore of Great Cove at the 7 feet and 6 feet were reported available in the east and head of the creeks. The common entrance is protected west basins, respectively. on its westerly side by a bulkheaded sandspit, which forms a well-protected boat basin. The entrance channel Currents leads between the northeast end of the sandspit and the (107) The currents in Fire Island Inlet, after crossing the point to the east. A private light marks the entrance to the creeks. The channel had a reported depth of 6 feet bar, have a velocity of about 2.4 knots at full strength in 1981. A 4 mph speed limit is enforced on the creeks. and are influenced greatly by the force and direction of (99) The ferry landing near the entrance of Penataquit the wind. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for predic- Creek had a reported depth of about 5 feet at its end tions.) In the bay, currents have little velocity except in in 1981. From the landing, ferries connect with Ocean the narrow channels between the shoals and within a Beach and Saltaire year round and with Point o’ Woods, radius of 3 miles from Fire Island Coast Guard Station Kismet, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Atlantique, Sea View where their estimated velocity is 1 to 1.5 knots. and Ocean Bay Park during the summer. Small-craft facilities (100) There are several small-craft facilities in Penata- (108) Fire Island Inlet remains open throughout the year, but ice does become a problem in the inland channels quit and Watchogue Creeks. (See the small-craft facili- through Great South Bay from early January through ties tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies about mid-March. Several channels lead from Fire Is- available.) land Inlet to places in Great South Bay and connect- ing inside waterways. These channels are marked with buoys that are shifted in position with changing condi- tions. (101) There are several creeks and a dredged boat basin between Watchogue Creek and Conklin Point to the southwestward. These waterways are for the most part
348 South Coast of Long Island Volume 2 (109) The area between Fire Island Inlet and Jones Inlet West Channel. These connecting channels are discussed is characterized by low, sandy beaches and numerous is- later in this chapter. lands fringed by vast stretches of marshy ground. Many (117) Babylon is a town on the north shore of Great shallow areas, irregular in outline, are a serious menace South Bay. A flag pole and a church spire are promi- to the navigation of light-draft vessels. An extensive net- nent. The public landing, about 0.3 mile northward of work of bays, creeks, coves, channels, and inlets covers Sampawams Point and at the mouth of Sampawams the entire area. Creek, had a reported depth of 6 feet at the end in 1993. Approaching around Sampawams Point, give the point (110) The channel connecting Great South Bay with a berth of 0.3 mile when southeastward of it and head Jones Inlet, East Bay, and South Oyster Bay is narrow, northwestward to the wharf. treacherous, and has numerous short bends. Caution (118) Sampawams Creek, just northward of the wharf, should be exercised when navigating in these areas in has been dredged to reclaim adjacent lands and is bulk- small boats. headed on the west side. The entrance is marked by private seasonal buoys and a private light. It is used as (111) From Fire Island Inlet the State Boat Channel leads an anchorage by small craft and has a depth of about westward through Great South Bay and South Oyster 5 feet through the entrance and greater depths inside. Bay to Zacks Bay at Jones Beach State Park, thence west- Boats also anchor between the public landing and Sam- ward in Hempstead Bay through winding channels, well pawams Point. This anchorage becomes choppy during marked by lights, buoys, and daybeacons to Reynolds easterly or southeasterly winds. Channel at Point Lookout, just west of Jones Inlet. Two buoys mark submerged obstructions on the south side Small-craft facilities of the entrance to the channel. In 2005, shoaling was (119) There are several small-craft facilities on the creek. reported in the channel just E of Buoy 76. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 (112) The speed of vessels is limited to 10.4 knots (12 for services and supplies available.) mph) in the channel and 3.5 knots (4 mph) in the areas designated as basin or anchorage. (113) A marina on the south side of the channel at the (120) Carlls River, westward of Sampawams Point, in eastern end of Captree Island has berthage, gasoline, 1981, had a reported controlling depth of 5 feet in the diesel fuel, water, and ice. privately dredged entrance channel leading northward from East West Channel. In 1982, shoaling to an un- (114) The Robert Moses Causeway Bridge over the State known extent was reported in the channel. Boat Channel, connecting Oak Beach with Captree Is- land, has twin bascule spans with a clearance of 29 feet Small-craft facilities at the center. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (121) Small-craft facilities on the river have berthage, (a) through (c) and (i), chapter 2, for drawbridge regu- lations.) The twin fixed spans of this bridge and cause- gasoline, water, marine supplies, a 9-ton lift, and a 40- way over the inside passage in Great South Bay between ton mobile hoist; hull and engine repairs can be made. Captree Island and Conklin Point have a clearance of 60 In 1993, depths of 5 to 6 feet were reported alongside at feet for a middle width of 460 feet. the facilities. (115) A shellfish closure area, marked by private yellow buoys, extends from the Robert Moses Causeway at Conklin Point westward for about 6.8 miles to Narras- (122) West Babylon Creek, locally known as Mud Creek, katuck Creek. is about 1 mile westward of Sampawams Point. In 1981, the privately dredged and marked entrance channel (116) Oak Island Channel, locally known as Baby- leading northward from East West Channel had a re- lon Cut, extends northwestward from the State Boat ported controlling depth of 4 feet. Channel from a point opposite the northeastern end of Oak Island to Great South Bay and Babylon Cove. Small-craft facilities In 1981, the channel, marked by seasonal buoys, had a (123) Several small-craft facilities are on the creek. (See reported controlling depth of 6 feet except for shoaling to an unknown extent in the channel opposite Grass the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for Island. From a point about 1.7 miles above the State services and supplies available.) Several creeks to the Boat Channel, Oak Island Channel connects with a westward have been improved in a similar manner. privately dredged and marked channel, locally known as East West Channel, that leads westward and paral- lels the northern shore of Great South Bay for about 6 miles to South Oyster Bay. In 1981, East West Channel (124) In 1980, a submerged obstruction was reported had a reported controlling depth of about 4 feet. Several about 0.55 mile southwest of the mouth of West Baby- channels, some leading northward into the waterways lon Creek in about 40°40'00\"N., 73°20'38\"W. on the north side of Great South Bay and some leading southward to the State Boat Channel, connect with East (125) Oak Beach is primarily a summer resort and fish- ing village on the north side of Fire Island Inlet. The channel to the village pier, passing eastward of Oak
Chapter 10 South Coast of Long Island 349 Island, has a depth of about 9 feet. A tall lighted mast on (135) Narraskatuck Creek, 0.5 miles westward of Ami- the south side of Oak Beach is prominent. tyville Creek had a reported depth of about 3 feet in (126) Cedar Beach and Gilgo Beach, westward of Oak 1981. Beach, are maintained and operated by the County and Township authorities and are not part of the Long Island Small-craft facilities State Park System. A tower is prominent east of Cedar (136) The small-craft facilities on the creek have gaso- Beach. (127) Neguntatogue Creek, on the north side of Great line, berths, electricity, water, ice, storage, and marine South Bay at the town of Lindenhurst, has several supplies. Mobile hoists can handle craft up to 20 tons; small-craft facilities. In 2000, the reported controlling hull, engine, and electrical repairs can be made. depth in the entrance to the creek was 4 feet. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, and marine supplies are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. (137) Carman Creek, about 0.8 mile westward of Ami- (128) Fox Creek Channel, privately dredged and marked tyville Creek, is used by boats drawing 4 to 5 feet. by private seasonal aids, leads from the mouth of Negun- tatogue Creek across Great South Bay to a junction with (138) South Oyster Bay, lying between Great South Bay the State Boat Channel just eastward of Cedar Island. In and Hempstead Bay, is shoal over its greater part. A 1982, the reported controlling depth was 3 feet. channel marked by buoys and daybeacons, good for a (129) Strongs Creek, westward of Neguntatogue Creek, draft of 4 feet at high water, extends through the bay. in 1981, had a controlling depth of 7 feet in the privately Through traffic uses the State Boat Channel and con- dredged entrance channel leading northward from East necting lanes on the south side of the Bay. West Channel. (139) Gilgo Heading, a channel and basin between the Small-craft facilities State Boat Channel and Gilgo Beach, has a depth of (130) Small-craft facilities in the creek have storage and about 7 feet. a 12-ton mobile hoist; hull and engine repairs can be (140) Hempstead Bay is on the south side of Long Island made. inside the beach extending from the west end of Great South Bay to Far Rockaway. The bay has many sloughs that are subject to change in the vicinity of the inlets and where dredging is done to reclaim land. Navigational (131) Great Neck Creek, westward of Strongs Point, has aids marking the main channels of the bay are main- a depth of about 7 feet in the privately dredged entrance tained by the town of Hempstead. Many shoal spots, channel leading northward from East West Channel; some to a foot or less, have been reported at several areas greater depths are inside. of the rivers and channels. (132) Woods Creek is westward of Howell Point and How- (141) Jones Beach State Park, on the south coast of Long ell Creek. In 2005, the reported controlling depth in Island, comprises about 2,500 acres and is under the the entrance was 3 feet. Gasoline is available just inside jurisdiction of the Long Island State Park and Recre- the entrance and a small-craft facility at the head of the ation Commission. A prominent red brick water tower, creek can provide limited berths, electricity, gasoline, with a pyramid top, 3.5 miles eastward of Jones Inlet, is water, some marine supplies, a pump-out station, win- the center of Central Mall. The tower, flood-lighted at ter storage, and a 30-ton lift; hull, engine and electrical night, is visible for 16 miles. The eastern part of Zachs repairs can be made. Bay, a dredged basin just east of Jones Beach State Park, is used as an anchorage; a swimming area marked by (133) Amityville Creek, on the north side of the western private buoys is in the western part of the bay. extremity of Great South Bay, had a reported controlling depth of about 3 feet in 1981. The entrance to the creek (142) The Wantagh State Parkway bridge crosses Sloop is marked on the west side by a private light. Several Channel from Jones Beach State Park to Green Island boatyards on the creek have marine railways, the largest and has a fixed span with a clearance of 15 feet; the bridge of which can handle craft up to 50 feet in length; gaso- is temporary. A permanent bascule bridge is being built line, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and complete close southwest of the existing temporary bridge with a engine and hull repairs are available. design clearance of 14 feet. In 2009, the middle Wantagh State Parkway bridge over Goose Creek between Green (134) Amityville is a small town on the north shore of Island and Great Island was under construction; upon Great South Bay at its western extremity. The village completion a fixed highway bridge with a design clear- wharf bares at low water at its face. Amityville Cut ex- ance of 16 feet will replace the bascule span. (See 117.1 tends southward from Amityville Creek and joins the through 117.59 and 117.799(a) through (c) and (i), State Boat Channel near Gilgo Beach. The privately chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The northern maintained and marked channel had a reported con- fixed bridge of the Wantagh State Parkway spans Island trolling depth of 8 feet in 1993. Creek with a clearance of 12 feet.
350 South Coast of Long Island Volume 2 Caution the principal entrance from the Atlantic to the inside (143) The current is reported to be swift during periods passages and towns in Hempstead Bay. The inlet, which is used mostly by pleasure craft and fishermen, should of maximum flood and ebb at the bridge crossing the not be attempted without local knowledge because the Sloop Channel from Green Island to Jones Beach State channel and depths are constantly changing. Park, and has a tendency to set boats into the bridge (152) The approach to Jones Inlet is marked by a lighted abutments. Mariners are advised to avoid this part of the whistle buoy and a light is at the outer end of the jetty channel during these periods and to use the secondary on the east side of the entrance. A small-craft basin is route in Goose Creek, north of Green Island. inside the inlet on the north side of Jones Beach; berths, electricity, water, and a pump-out station are available. Jones Beach Coast Guard Station is in the small-craft basin. (144) A privately marked channel, locally known as Race- horse Channel, leads northward from Sloop Channel Currents and westward of Green Island to the western entrance (153) The tidal current in the inlet has a velocity of about of Island Creek. Olivers Channel, marked by private buoys and daybeacons, leads westward from near the 3 knots. (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) north end of Racehorse Channel to East Bay. (145) A fish haven is near the middle of East Bay. Small-craft facilities COLREGS Demarcation Lines (146) On the north side of East Bay, there is a small-craft (154) The lines established for Jones Inlet are described facility on the west side of Nicks Point. Berths, electric- in 80.160, chapter 2. ity, gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, a pump-out station, a lifts to 25-tons, and full repairs are available. An approach depth of 6 feet was available in February 2010 with 6 feet alongside. (155) Point Lookout is a village on the east end of the bar- rier beach on the west side of Jones Inlet. A large lighted tank in the western part of the town is prominent. (147) Sloop Channel, the main channel leading east from Small-craft facilities Jones Inlet, extends along the north side of Short Beach (156) Small-craft facilities are on either side of the bridge. and Jones Beach State Park. The channel is marked by buoys and daybeacons; shoaling has been reported in (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 several areas. for services and supplies available.) (148) A channel joins Haunts Creek east of East Crow Island and leads northward through Broad Creek Chan- nel to East Bay, thence to Merrick Creek. The channel (157) Long Creek, marked by seasonal lighted and un- joining Sloop Channel just west of the Meadowbrook lighted buoys, leads northward from Jones Inlet be- State Parkway Bridge leads north through Swift Creek tween Alder Island and Meadow Island, and between and Neds Creek to East Bay. The channel between False Smith Meadow and Pine Marsh to Freeport. The chan- Channel Meadow and Pettit Marsh leads to Freeport nel below the Loop Parkway Bridge has been improved Creek. by dredging. The channel above the bridge at the in- tersection with Sea Dog Creek is subject to frequent (149) The Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge has the change; local information should be obtained before following clearances: 21 feet for the bascule span across using these waters. Sloop Channel between Jones Beach State Park and Jones Island, 14 feet for the 29-foot fixed span between (158) Hudson Channel extends northward to the piers West Crow Island and Pettit Marsh, and 12 feet for the at Freeport, a city on the north shore of Baldwin Bay. 29-foot fixed span between Pettit Marsh and Fighting Freeport has rail and bus service to New York City and Island. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) other points on Long Island. through (c) and (h), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- tions.) Small-craft facilities (159) Many small-craft facilities are at Freeport. (See the (150) The Loop Parkway Bridge has the following clear- ances: 20 feet for the fixed span over Swift Creek be- small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for ser- tween West Crow Island and Meadow Island, 21 feet vices and supplies available.) for the bascule span between Meadow Island and Alder Island, and 20 feet for the 29-foot fixed span over Reyn- Anchorages olds Channel between Alder Island and Point Lookout. (160) A general anchorage is in Randall Bay at the north- (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (f), chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) east end of Baldwin Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.156, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (151) Jones Inlet, about 12 miles westward along the south coast of Long Island from Fire Island Inlet, is (161) Reynolds Channel extends westward from Jones Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet and is the main thorofare
Chapter 10 South Coast of Long Island 351 of the route between the inlets. The channel is crossed along the east and west sides, respectively, of the north- by several bridges. ern part of East Rockaway Channel. (171) Mariners of vessels transiting Hog Island Channel Currents in the vicinity of the public beach at the village of Island (162) Strong currents exist in the western portion of Park are requested to proceed at a speed that will create minimum wave wash and wake, and avoid damage to the Reynolds Channel, and caution must be exercised when beach facilities. approaching the drawbridges, particularly with a fair (172) There are numerous marginal-type petroleum current; the signal to open the bridge should be given wharves along the eastern side of Hog Island Channel sufficiently in advance so the bridge can be cleared of between 1.75 and 2.25 miles above the junction with traffic and the draw opened before the vessel arrives Reynolds Channel. In 1981, depths of 6 to 10 feet were there. The currents of the two inlets meet at the en- reported alongside the wharves; oil barges and coastal trance of the channel leading west from Cinder Creek. tankers berth at or near high tide and ground out at low tide when alongside. (173) Woodsburgh Channel joins Broad Channel about 0.5 mile northward of Hicks Beach and leads north- (163) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the channel westward to Woodsburgh. The two fixed bridges over between Middle Island and Point Lookout. Woodmere Channel northwestward of Brosewere Bay have a least clearance of 11 feet. (164) A secondary channel extends northwestward (174) Atlantic Beach is an oceanfront and bayside com- through Cinder Creek and westward of Parsonage Is- munity on the east side of East Rockaway Inlet. Facili- land to Middle Bay; the channel is not marked. Garrett ties for mooring are eastward and westward of the high- Lead, the primary channel extending northeastward way bridge. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, provisions, and from Reynolds Channel to Middle Bay, is marked by other supplies are available. buoys and daybeacons. (175) Bannister Creek is just east of the Atlantic Beach Bridge. Bridge Creek extends west just above the mouth (165) Barnums Channel, heading west from Garrett of Bannister Creek. A small boatyard on the creek can Lead, leads to a small-craft facility providing berths, haul out craft up to 6 tons for hull and engine repairs; electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine sup- water, a pump-out, and some marine supplies are avail- plies, a pumpout facility, a lift to 35 tons, storage, and able. full repairs. The facility has an approach depth of 17 feet (176) The highway bridge crossing Reynolds Channel to and an alongside depth of 14 feet. Atlantic Beach just inside East Rockaway Inlet has a bascule span with a clearance of 25 feet. (See 117.1 (166) Long Beach is a seaside resort on the outer beach through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (e), about 4 miles west of Point Lookout. The waterfront on chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetend- the bayside is bulkheaded. er monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KFL–348. (177) East Rockaway Inlet, about 8 miles westward along (167) The highway bridges crossing Reynolds Channel the south coast of Long Island from Jones Inlet, is the between Long Beach and Island Park have bascule westernmost entrance from the Atlantic to Hempstead spans with clearances of 20 feet. The railroad bridge Bay and the inland water route along the south shore about 0.2 mile westward of the highway bridges has a of Long Island. The inlet is subject to frequent changes, bascule span with a clearance of 14 feet. (See 117.1 but is reported to be usually safer to navigate than Jones through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (g), or Fire Island Inlets. The aids marking the inlet are peri- chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) odically moved to mark the best water; local knowledge is advised. (168) A dock of the Long Beach Hospital is on the south (178) Two large identical apartment buildings are promi- side of Reynolds Channel about 0.3 mile eastward of nent about 0.8 mile north-northeastward of the jetty the highway bridge; medical aid to boatmen is available light. here. The dock is marked by a square white sign with a large red cross. Currents (179) The tidal current in the inlet has a velocity of about (169) Just westward of the railroad bridge, a dredged channel passes through Island Park. The fixed foot- 2.3 knots. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) bridge and highway bridge crossing the channel have Caution should be exercised when passing through the a least clearance of 7 feet. Several wharves are available inlet and bridge at times of maximum current. at Island Park. (170) Hog Island Channel, the main route to the towns of Oceanside and East Rockaway, joins Reynolds Chan- nel southwestward of Island Park and leads westward of Island Park, then eastward of West, East, and North Meadows. East Rockaway Channel, privately marked and an alternate and shallower route to the towns, joins Hog Island Channel about 0.8 mile and 2.4 miles above Reynolds Channel. Oceanside and East Rockaway are
352 South Coast of Long Island Volume 2 TIDAL INFORMATION Chart Station LAT/LONG Mean Mean High Mean Low Higher High Water* Water* Water* 0.1 0.1 12352 Shinnecock Inlet 40°50'N/72°29'W 3.7 3.5 0.1 0.1 12352 Ponquogue Bridge, Shinnecock Bay 40°51'N/72°30'W 2.6 2.4 0.1 0.1 12352 Democrat Point, Fire Island Inlet 40°38'N/73°18'W 2.9 2.7 0.2 0.2 12352 Fire Island Coast Guard Station, Great South Bay 40°38'N/73°16'W 2.3 2.1 0.2 0.2 12352 Amityville, Great South Bay 40°39'N/73°25'W 1.3 1.2 0.1 0.1 12352 Jones Inlet (Point Lookout) 40°35'N/73°35'W 4.0 3.8 0.1 0.1 12352 Deep Creek Meadow, Hempstead Bay 40°36'N/73°32'W 2.7 2.5 0.1 12352 Long Beach, Hempstead Bay 40°36'N/73°39'W 4.3 4.1 12352 Woodmere, Brosewere Bay, Hempstead Bay 40°37'N/73°42'W 4.3 4.1 12352 East Rockaway Inlet 40°36'N/73°45'W 4.6 4.3 12352 Bay Shore, Watchogue Creek Entrance 40°43'N/73°14'W 1.2 1.1 12352 Patchogue, Patchogue River 40°45'N/73°00'W 1.4 1.2 12352 Shinnecock Yacht Club, Penniman Creek 40°49'N/72°33'W 2.9 2.7 12352 Moriches Coast Guard Station 40°47'N/72°45'W 2.5 2.3 12352 Smith Point Bridge, Narrow Bay 40°44'N/72°52'W 1.5 1.3 * 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 August 2011
Chapter 10 South Coast of Long Island 353
74°30' 74°15' 74° 73°45' 354 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 Index of Chart Coverage in Chapter 11 RIVER 12337 ACK RIVER HUDSON PASSAIC RIVER Hoboken M ANHATTAN HACKENS C Newark Jersey City ITY YORK 12334 LONG ISLAND 12333 UPPER BAY NEW JAMAICA BAY Elizabethport NEW JERSEY KILL VAN KULL KILL Brooklyn 12331 ART H U R ROCKAWAY INLET Great Kills LOWER BAY Perth Amboy 12350 RARITAN RIVER 40° 12402 40° 30' 30' 74°30' RARITAN BAY NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN 12332 Port Monmouth 12401 74°15' 74° 73°45'
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 355 New York Harbor and Approaches (1) This chapter describes New York Harbor, its ap- and summer resorts at the eastern end, and amusement proaches, and the areas adjacent to it, bounded by and parks and densely settled communities at the western including Jamaica Bay to the eastward and Sandy Hook end. Bay to the southward. Included in the text, in addition (6) The shoreline is broken by three prominent and to the facilities at New York City and Staten Island, are navigable inlets which lead to the inland waterway along the New Jersey ports of Perth Amboy, Port Elizabeth, the south shore of Long Island. Fire Island Inlet is at the Port Newark, Bayonne, and others which are accessible eastern extremity, and its entrance is marked by lights through tributaries that empty into New York Harbor, and buoys. Jones Inlet is about 12 miles to the west of such as Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, Passaic River, and Fire Island Inlet. The entrance is prominently indicated Hackensack River. The Hudson River above New York by the 202-foot lighted tower at Jones Beach on the east- City is discussed in chapter 12, and the East River, the ern side and by an elevated tank at Point Lookout on approach to New York Harbor from Long Island Sound, the west side of the inlet. Jones Beach State Park is on is discussed in chapter 9. the east side of the inlet; a lighted tower in the park is a conspicuous landmark. COLREGS Demarcation Lines (7) East Rockaway Inlet, about 8 miles westward of (2) The lines established for New York Harbor are de- Jones Inlet, is the extreme western entrance to the in- land waterway. The inlet entrance is marked by a break- scribed in 80.165, chapter 2. water with a light on its seaward end. The shoreline between the two inlets is closely built up with large Charts 12326, 12327, 12401 communities. Elevated tanks, towers, and other tall structures are prominent in this area. (3) The approach to New York Harbor from seaward (8) A fish haven is about 2 miles offshore midway be- is generally along the south coast of Long Island or the tween East Rockaway Inlet and Rockaway Point. east coast of New Jersey, although the harbor is easily (9) Rockaway Point, 17 miles westward of Jones Inlet, approached from any direction between east and south. is the southwestern extremity of Long Island and the During the approach, the south shore of Long Island eastern entrance to New York Lower Bay. A breakwater, will be seen to northward and the low sandy beaches of marked at its seaward end by a light, extends southward the New Jersey shore will be observed to westward. The from the point. Rockaway Inlet forms a large deep en- Long Island shore is readily identified by sand hillocks trance to Jamaica Bay. and densely populated beach communities, whereas the (10) Sandy Hook, the southern entrance point to New New Jersey shore is characterized by long sandy stretch- York Harbor, is low and sandy. A Coast Guard station es and many summer resort settlements. and two radio towers are near the northern extremity of Sandy Hook. The towers and a large green stand- Prominent features pipe to the southeast are the most prominent objects (4) The four most prominent landmarks, which can on the northern end of Sandy Hook. Southward of the standpipe are several houses and Sandy Hook Light be seen for a long distance at sea, are the Fire Island (40°27'42\"N., 74°00'07\"W.), 88 feet above the water and Light, a tower at Jones Beach on the Long Island shore, shown from a white stone tower, 85 feet high. This light, the Highlands of Navesink, and the microwave tower at established in 1764, is the oldest in continuous use in Atlantic Highlands on the north end of the New Jersey the United States. coast. When nearing the Lower Bay of New York Harbor, (11) The most prominent landmark southward of the Ambrose Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy A, equipped entrance to New York Harbor is the high wooded ridge with a racon, will be seen; it marks the entrance to Am- forming the Highlands of Navesink. A tall condomini- brose Channel which is the principal deepwater passage um on the ridge and a microwave tower at Atlantic High- through the Lower Bay. lands to the west are also prominent. The brownstone (5) The south coast of Long Island from Fire Island towers of the abandoned Navesink Lighthouse on the Inlet to Rockaway Inlet has a general 263° trend for easternmost spur of the highlands are 73 feet above the 30 miles. It is a clean shore and may be approached as ground and about 246 feet above the water. The norther- close as 1 mile, with not less than 30 feet except off the ly tower is octagonal, and the southerly tower is square. inlets where the shore should be given a berth of at least 1.5 miles. This coast is characterized by sandy beaches
356 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 A private seasonal light is shown from the northerly Caution tower. (18) Telegraphic companies report serious interrup- COLREGS Demarcation Lines tions of international telegraphic communications (12) The lines established for New York Harbor are de- resulting from repeated breaking of their cables by ves- sels anchoring southeastward and eastward of the Pilot scribed in 80.165, chapter 2. Cruising Area for Ambrose and Sandy Hook channels. The companies state that they will be glad to compen- sate any vessel, which, having fouled the cable, cuts away its anchor and chain in order to save the cable (13) Soundings will be found most useful to warn ves- from interruption. Vessels making New York in thick sels of too close an approach to the shore in approaching weather and finding it necessary to anchor before enter- New York Harbor. Many vessels have been wrecked on ing Ambrose Channel should anchor in the area south- the coast of New Jersey and Long Island through fail- ward of Scotland Lighted Whistle Buoy S (40°26'33\"N., ure to take frequent soundings when the position was 73°55'01\"W.) and westward of 73°48'00\"W. uncertain. Depth is a better indication of position off this part of the coast than the character of the bottom, Currents as the same characteristics may be found in widely dif- (19) The important currents affecting navigation in the ferent positions. A frequent use of soundings and close study of the charts will always give sufficient warning approach to New York Harbor are those due to winds. of danger. If a vessel is not certain of her position, the The largest velocity likely to occur under storm condi- depth should not be shoaled to less than 15 fathoms on tions is about 1.5 knots. A sudden reversal in the di- the south coast of Long Island eastward of Fire Island rection of the wind produces a corresponding change Light, or 11 fathoms between Fire Island Light and Bar- in the current, either diminishing or augmenting the negat Lighted Buoy B (39°45'48\"N., 73°46'04\"W.), or 9 velocity. Sustained winds do not maintain the currents fathoms southward of Barnegat Lighted Buoy B. at the maximum velocities. The velocity is about 0.2 knots near the Ambrose Channel entrance. The largest (14) From the position of the two shores relative to each velocity likely to occur is 2 knots. other and to the entrance to New York Harbor it follows (20) Between Nantucket and Cape May away from the that a course of 215° will deepen the water if the vessel immediate vicinity of the shore, the tidal currents are is on the Long Island side of the approach and will shoal generally rotary. They shift direction, usually clockwise, if she is off the New Jersey coast. A course of 035° will at an average rate of about 30° an hour, and have ve- deepen the water if the vessel is off the New Jersey side of locities generally less than 0.3 knot except in the vi- the approach and will shoal if she is off the Long Island cinities of the entrances to the larger inland waterways coast. where the velocities increase as the entrances are ap- proached. For a considerable distance from the inlets, (15) Eastward of Fire Island Light the water shoals strengths of flood and ebb set respectively toward and quite rapidly toward the Long Island shore, but inside a away from those entrances, and minimums of velocity, line drawn from Nantucket Traffic Lane Lighted Whis- corresponding to the slacks of reversing currents, set at tle Buoy NA to Barnegat Lighted Buoy B, there is no right angles to the direction of flood and ebb strengths. marked difference in the soundings as either shore is (21) Offshore and away from the influence of the tidal approached except in Mud Gorge. flow into and out of the larger bays, the tidal current maintains an approximately uniform velocity. Shifting (16) Modern surveys show the existence of a canyon, its direction continuously to the right, it sets all di- evidently cut by the Hudson River in prehistoric days, rections of the compass during each tidal cycle of 12.4 across the Continental Shelf, extending about 120 miles hours. (See the Tidal Current Tables for the predicted southeastward from off Sandy Hook. The inshore sec- times and velocities of the tidal currents at a number of tion is called the Mud Gorge and the offshore section the locations in the coastal waters.) Hudson Canyon. In some sections of this cut the depths (22) Between Nantucket Island and Sandy Hook there are considerably greater than those adjacent to it and is a general drift of the sea south-southwestward. The the walls are very steep. The use of soundings permits a average velocity of this movement is about 0.1 knot. very accurate determination of a ship’s position by the (23) Approaching New York Harbor from the vicinity of comparison of the soundings with the depth curves on Nantucket Shoals, a slight allowance should be made for the charts. The bottom of the Mud Gorge is usually of a southwesterly set of the current. With an easterly wind mud; on both sides of it sand predominates. it is customary to allow, in order to make the course good, a set of the current with it of at least 0.5 knot. (17) Cholera Bank, about 11 miles southeastward of (24) The effect of the wind on the current should always Ambrose Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy A, is about 2 be considered. The largest velocities likely to occur dur- miles long in an east-west direction and has a least depth ing storms are 2.5 knots southward of Nantucket Shoals of 10 fathoms. The bank is raised very little above the general level of the bottom, however, because the bot- tom is rocky in character, soundings will give useful indications in thick or foggy weather. During the sum- mer numerous vessels may be seen on this bank.
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 357 and 1.5 knots, 3 miles north of Nantucket Traffic Lane (31) Information about the coast south of Sandy Hook Lighted Whistle Buoy NA and off Five Fathom Bank. is contained in United States Coast Pilot 3, Atlantic (25) Between Gay Head and Montauk Point the tidal Coast, Sandy Hook to Cape Henry. currents set northward on the flood and southward on the ebb. The estimated velocity at strength where the Charts 12326, 12327, 12401, 12402 depth is about 25 fathoms is 0.5 knot; closer inshore and near the entrance this velocity increases. (32) New York Harbor is the principal entrance by wa- (26) Three miles north of Nantucket Traffic Lane Light- ter to New York City and the surrounding ports. The ed Whistle Buoy NA the tidal currents have a mean ve- harbor is divided by The Narrows into Lower Bay and locity at strength of about 0.2 knot in a westward direc- Upper Bay. The Battery, the southern tip of Manhattan, tion on the flood and an eastward direction on the ebb. is at the junction of East River and Hudson River. The main channel from the sea to the deepwater terminals Weather, New York Harbor and approaches in Hudson River has a project depth of 45 feet. (27) Winds play an important role by affecting currents (33) Traffic Separation Scheme Off New York has been in the harbor. During the winter west and northwest established in the approaches to New York Harbor from winds prevail with northerlies and southwesterlies in the sea. (See charts 12300 and 12326.) (See also 167.1 secondary roles. The strongest winds are out of the through 167.155, chapter 2, for limits and regula- west through northwest at 13 to 15 knots, from Janu- tions.) ary through April. The sheltering effect of the land is apparent when looking at frequencies of winds of 28 (34) (See Traffic Separation Schemes, chapter 1, for ad- knots or more. They blow near the Ambrose Channel ditional information, and chapter 3 for a discussion of entrance about 8 to 9 percent of the time compared to North Atlantic Lane Routes.) 1 percent at Kennedy Airport and Floyd Bennett Field. Summer winds are often out of the south and southwest Pilot Boat Cruising Area, New York Harbor with a 10 to 12 knot afternoon peak. Fog in the harbor (35) The pilot boat maintains station approximately area is more closely related to land type fogs. In winter it is common on clear, calm mornings and more frequent 1.5 miles southeast of the Ambrose Channel Lighted than in the approaches. Southerlies can also bring win- Whistle Buoy A. See Pilotage, New York Harbor and Ap- ter fogs of the advection type. During the spring and proaches (indexed as such), this chapter. early summer the harbor as well as its approaches are susceptible to advection fog, riding in on east through Caution south winds. A morning peak still exists in the harbor, (36) Numerous fishing floats have been reported in the while the approaches exhibit an afternoon maximum. approach to New York Harbor in the Traffic Separation North Atlantic Right Whales Scheme precautionary area. (28) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur within 30 miles of the New York and New Jersey coasts in the approaches to New York Harbor (peak season: (37) Shipping safety fairways have been established November through April). (See North Atlantic Right connecting the eastern approach off Ambrose of Traffic Whales, indexed as such, in chapter 3 for more infor- Separation Scheme Off New York and the eastern ap- mation on right whales and recommended measures to proach off Nantucket of Traffic Separation Scheme Off avoid collisions.) New York. (See 166.100 through 166.500, chapter 2, (29) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall for limits and regulations.) (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in a Vessel Traffic Service, New York Seasonal Management Area existing around the Ports of (38) New York Harbor has a Vessel Traffic Service. (See New York/New Jersey between November 1 and April 30. The area is defined as the waters within a 20-nm radius §161.1 through §161.25, chapter 2, for regulations.) of 40°29'42.2\"N., 73°55'57.6\"W. (See 50 CFR 224.105 in (39) Recommended minimum under-keel clearance for chapter 2 for regulations, limitations, and exceptions.) selected areas of the Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee of the Port of New York and New Jersey.–In order to prevent groundings and to (30) Gateway National Recreation Area and harbor por- promote the safety and environmental security of the poise protection Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) extend waterway resources of the Port of New York and New from the waters off Long Island along the New Jersey Jersey, the Harbor Operations Committee of the Port shoreline. of New York and New Jersey recommends that all enti- ties responsible for the safe movement of vessels in and through the waters of the Port of New York and New Jersey operate vessels in such a manner as to maintain a minimum clearance of two feet between the deepest draft of their vessel and channel bottom in the following named channels:
358 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 (40) Lower Bay: (80) If at any time a vessel’s under-keel clearance is not (41) 1) Ambrose Channel (3 ft minimum under-keel in conformance with this recommendation and own- ers, masters, or others in charge of the vessel desire to clearance due to wave and sea action) proceed against the pilot’s recommendation, pilots are (42) 2) Sandy Hook Channel urged to report this to the USCG Captain of the Port via (43) 3) Chapel Hill Channel VTS New York. Through VTS New York, the COTP will (44) Upper Bay: foster communications between the concerned parties (45) 1) Anchorage Channel (The Narrows to The Bat- in effort to arrive at agreed upon conditions for safe vessel passage. tery) (46) 2) Bay Ridge Channel (81) It should be recognized that there may be instances (47) 3) Red Hook Channel when the master, pilot and COTP evaluate a situation (48) 4) Buttermilk Channel and agree that a vessel movement can be made safely (49) North River: even though inconsistent with this recommendation. (50) 1) The Battery to 79th Street Such movements may be allowed and should be coor- (51) East River: dinated through VTS NY so as to insure the transit of (52) 1) The Battery to Throgs Neck Bridge the vessel in question can be assisted as appropriate. (53) Kill Van Kull: (54) 1) Constable Hook Reach (82) If at any time VTS NY believes a proposed vessel (55) 2) Bergen Point Reach transit may not conform to this recommendation, they (56) 3) North of Shooters Island Reach will request an assessment be conducted prior to grant- (57) 4) Elizabethport Reach ing a vessel permission to transit within the VTS NY (58) Newark Bay: Area. This assessment process will include a review of (59) 1) Newark Bay Reach - Bergen Point to Droyers real-time water level information from the PORTS®. Point (83) Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (60) Hackensack River: (PORTS) is an information acquisition and dissemina- (61) 1) Droyers Point to the turning basin at Marion tion technology developed by NOAA. The Port of New (62) Passaic River: York and New Jersey PORTS can be contacted at 866- (63) 1) Kearney Point 217-6787 or http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov. (64) Arthur Kill: (65) 1) Gulfport Reach (84) Also to be considered are the vessel’s intended (66) 2) Pralls Island Reach track, including particular areas of inadequate water (67) 3) Tremley Point Reach depth with the pilot’s plan for their avoidance, any oth- (68) 4) Fresh Kills Reach er local conditions which might further restrict vessel (69) 5) Port Reading Reach movement, as well as special traffic routing measures (70) 6) Port Socony Reach that might be required. If VTS NY deems this assess- (71) 7) Outer Bridge Reach ment to be necessary, the VTS Watch Officer will request (72) Raritan Bay: on VHF-FM that the pilot contact VTS via land-line or (73) 1) Raritan Bay West Reach cellular telephone. Discussion on under-keel clearance (74) 2) Raritan Bay East Reach plans shall not be conducted on VHF-FM. It is in the best (75) 3) Seguine Point Bend interest of all parties to insure situations of marginal (76) 4) Red Bank Reach under-keel clearance are identified and thoroughly (77) 5) Ward Point Reach discussed well prior to a vessel’s underway time. These (78) A recommended standard of “always afloat” will guidelines became effective in 1996. apply to all other areas, including berths, in the Port Traffic in New York Harbor District that abut the above listed channels. Ship related (85) In the East River between the Brooklyn Bridge and factors such as squat, turning heel and other dynamic motions should be considered and, if expected, added to Poorhouse Flats Range, shallow-draft vessels customar- this figure to ensure a minimum clearance of two feet ily keep to the west (Manhattan) side of the channel will be maintained throughout a given transit. whether northbound or southbound, thereby reserving the east (Brooklyn) side of the channel for deep-draft Conformance vessels. Vessels transiting East River should be aware (79) The owner, master, or person in charge of each of this practice and anticipate northbound shallow- draft vessels crossing from east to west in the vicinity vessel has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining of Corlears Hook, and from west to east in the vicinity this minimum recommended under-keel clearance. of Newtown Creek. Additionally, persons directing the movement of ves- (86) The New York City Department of Transportation sels share this responsibility and are expected to advise ferries generally follow a prescribed route between The owners, operators and persons in charge of vessels if, Battery and St. George on Staten Island, placing them in their judgement, a vessel is not in conformance with to the extreme right-hand side of the channel. All mari- these standards. ners are strongly encouraged not to transit close aboard
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 359 of the ferry slips at The Battery and St. George due to Local magnetic disturbance ferries maneuvering. (110) Differences of as much as 5° from the normal varia- Channels tion have been reported in Lower Bay in the vicinity of (87) Ambrose Channel, the principal entrance, extends 40°29.6'N., 74°04.2'W. from the sea to deep water in Lower Bay. Thence, An- chorage Channel, an extension of Ambrose Channel leads through Upper Bay to The Battery. Hudson River (111) Sandy Hook Channel, project depth 35 feet, pro- Channel continues northward from The Battery for vides a secondary route from the sea to deep water in about 5 miles to West 59th Street, Manhattan. Project Lower Bay; it connects with Raritan Bay Channel to depth for these channels is 45 feet. the westward, Chapel Hill Channel to the north, and (88) In addition to the usual aids, Ambrose Channel in Terminal Channel to the south. Chapel Hill Channel its outer portion is also marked by West Bank Light, has a project depth of 30 feet; numerous obstructions shown from a brown conical tower on a black cylindrical with lesser depths are in the channel. The entrance to pier, in range with Staten Island Light, which is shown Sandy Hook Channel is marked by Scotland Lighted from a light-colored octagonal brick tower on a gray Whistle Buoy S, equipped with a radar beacon (Racon). limestone base on the high ground of Staten Island at The channels are well marked with navigational aids. Richmond. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of charts (89) Lower Bay is that part of New York Harbor extend- for controlling depths.) ing from Sandy Hook westward to Raritan River and northward to The Narrows. (112) Swash Channel is a natural buoyed passage be- tween Ambrose Channel and Sandy Hook Channel. Recommended Vessel Tracks, Ambrose Channel Numerous rocks and obstructions are in the entrance (90) Recommended vessel tracks for coastwise tug and to and within the channel; mariners are advised to use the chart as a guide. A lighted range, the rear marker of barge vessels approaching from or leaving toward the which is Staten Island Light, leads on a bearing of 305° south and transiting to New York Harbor via Ambrose to the junction with Chapel Hill Channel. Channel, while not mandatory, are recommended by the Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee of (113) False Hook Channel, along and close to the eastern the Port of New York as follows: shore of Sandy Hook, joins Sandy Hook Channel east- (91) Tugs Inbound: ward of the north end of Sandy Hook. Strangers should (92) 40°25'20.5\"N., 73°52'57.0\"W.; not use the channel. (93) 40°25'48.6\"N., 73°52'48.7\"W.; (94) 40°26'31.2\"N., 73°52'40.2\"W.; (114) Fourteen Foot Channel enters Lower Bay just (95) 40°27'09.2\"N., 73°52'38.9\"W.; north of Ambrose Channel. The channel has a depth of (96) 40°28'05.2\"N., 73°52'54.9\"W. about 16 feet and is unmarked. A shoal area with a least (97) Tugs Outbound: depth of 6 feet is north of the channel in 40°31'55\"N., (98) 40°28'26.4\"N., 73°53'54.2\"W.; 73°59'00\"W. (99) 40°27'52.4\"N., 73°53'42.4\"W.; (100) 40°27'32.7\"N., 73°53'37.8\"W.; Anchorages (101) 40°27'05.5\"N., 73°53'36.0\"W.; (115) General, explosives, naval, and special anchorages (102) 40°25'42.2\"N., 73°53'34.4\"W.; (103) 40°25'22.6\"N., 73°53'35.6\"W. have been prescribed for the Port of New York by Federal Regulations. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, chap- Area to be avoided ter 2, for limits and regulations.) (104) To avoid the risk of pollution and damage to the (116) Vessels are especially cautioned against anchoring in the vicinity of the pipeline and cable areas as shown environment, all vessels carrying petroleum, dangerous on the charts. The pipeline area across The Narrows sup- or toxic cargoes, or any other vessel exceeding 1,000 plies the water for Staten Island. Extensive cable areas tons, should avoid the area enclosed by the following are in the vicinity of Governors Island, The Battery, and pints: Ellis Island. (See also chart 12334.) (105) 40°25'44.1\"N., 73°52'40.6\"W.; (117) The Harbor Safety, Operations and Navigation (106) 40°25'51.2\"N., 73°50'51.9\"W.; Committee of the Port of New York and New Jersey has (107) 40°25'28.4\"N., 73°50'51.9\"W.; issued the following recommendations to address the (108) 40°24'43.0\"N., 73°51'48.2\"W.; inadequate number of inshore anchorages within the (109) 40°25'13.9\"N., 73°52'40.7\"W. harbor: (118) Ships awaiting berths will use the offshore anchor- ages at Ambrose; (119) All vessels will limit use of Stapleton, Bay Ridge and Gravesend Bay anchorages to the following operations: lightering or loading, bunkering, receiving stores or parts, repairs, Coast Guard inspections, crew changes, or emergencies;
360 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 (120) Ships will return to the offshore anchorage upon take special care in navigating the channel. It is reported completion of these operations to await berth; that the most dangerous time is about 2 hours after high water at The Battery. At this time the current is (121) Tugs and barges not engaged in operations de- setting north in the Hudson River and westward from scribed above will refrain from using the deep water the East River. The effect on a large vessel coming from anchorages at Stapleton, Bay Ridge (south of Buoy 26) southward and turning into the East River is to throw and Gravesend Bay (west of Buoys “A”, “B” and “C”) her stern to port and her bow to starboard, thus causing when there is suitable room east of the Gravesend Bay a sheer to starboard toward the shoals off the north end buoys, north of Buoy 26 in Bay Ridge, in the North of Governors Island. When coming from northward in River Anchorage, or suitable anchorage in Raritan Bay the Hudson River the same effect tends to prevent the or Perth Amboy. vessel from turning and to cause her to overrun her course. These cross currents are known locally as The (122) These recommendations are intended to minimize Spider. vessel delays and allow efficient use of current anchor- (129) At the seaward end of Ambrose Channel the velocity age areas. All vessels are requested to observe these rec- of the flood current is 1.7 knots and of the ebb current ommendations. 2.3 knots. (130) When the ebb is strong the currents in both Am- Dangers brose and Swash Channels tend to set toward Romer (123) There are five shoal areas in the entrance to New Shoal. Caution should be maintained to prevent being set onto Romer Shoal when using either channel. On York Harbor which are subject to change in depths and the flood and especially with a westerly wind, caution should be avoided by strangers. False Hook is off the should be exercised to prevent being set onto Romer northeastern side of Sandy Hook. Flynns Knoll is be- Shoal when using Swash Channel. tween Swash, Sandy Hook, and Chapel Hill Channels. (131) In The Narrows the velocity of the flood current Romer Shoal, between Ambrose and Swash Channels, is is about 1.7 knots and of the ebb current 2 knots. (See marked by Romer Shoal Light; a sound signal is sound- Tidal Current Tables for the daily predictions of slack ed from the light station. East Bank is northward and water and strength of current.) eastward of Ambrose Channel. West Bank is westward (132) In the entrance to Hudson River the velocity of the of Ambrose Channel between West Bank (Range Front) flood and ebb currents is 1.4 knots. Off Grants Tomb, Light and Fort Wadsworth. Numerous rocks and ob- the flood and ebb strengths are 1.6 and 1.9 knots, re- structions lie between West Bank and the western limit spectively. of Ambrose Channel. The chart is the best guide. (133) In 1991, tidal currents in The Narrows, Arthur Kill, (124) The tip of Sandy Hook is changeable, and the area Kill Van Kull, and Hell Gate were reported to deviate sig- around it is subject to severe shoaling; caution should nificantly from official predictions published by NOAA. be exercised in the area. Mariners should exercise caution and discretion in the (125) Mariners are cautioned to maintain a sharp lookout use of published tidal current predictions for these loca- for floating debris in the harbor and channels. tions. Currents Ice (126) The flood current entering Lower Bay from the sea (134) Navigation of the channels in the Port of New York attains a velocity of about 2 knots in Ambrose Channel and New Jersey is not restricted by ice. The main chan- entrance, near the outer extremities of Sandy Hook, Co- nels do not freeze over, and any ice in the smaller wa- ney Island, and The Narrows. It sets generally parallel terways is well broken up by tugs and general traffic. to the lower straight section of Ambrose Channel and Freshwater ice is brought down the Hudson River in tends to continue to that direction where the channel large floes during periods of thaws or winter freshets. bends toward The Narrows, setting more or less di- Occasionally there are large accumulations of ice at agonally across the upper straight section of Ambrose Spuyten Duyvil where Harlem River joins the Hudson, Channel. At the beginning of the flood, the current sets and at such times it is difficult for low-powered vessels in at the bottom and near the shores while it is still or tows to make much headway. Under conditions of ebbing at the surface in Ambrose Channel. strong winds the slips on the exposed side of the channel (127) The ebb in Lower Bay is generally stronger than become packed with drift ice, causing difficulty when the flood by 10 percent or more. At its strength it sets maneuvering in the slip or when berthing. During ex- from The Narrows approximately parallel to the upper tremely severe winters navigation is interfered with straight end of the lower straight section. seriously for only short periods of time. (128) In the channel northward of Governors Island, cross currents may be encountered. During the first 2 Weather, New York and vicinity hours of flood in this channel (eastward), the current (135) New York City, an area exceeding 300 square statute in Hudson River is still ebbing (southward). In the first 1.5 hours of ebb (westward) in the channel north of miles (777 square km), is located on the Atlantic coastal Governors Island, the current in Hudson River is still flooding (northward). At such times large vessels must
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 361 plain at the mouth of the Hudson River. The terrain April. The greatest 24-hour total snowfall was 20 inches is flat and diversified by numerous waterways; all but (508 mm) which fell in February 1969. one of the city’s five boroughs are situated on islands. (141) Many tropical storms have influenced the area. Elevations range from less than 50 feet (15.2 m) over Hurricane Gloria passed within 20 nautical miles east most of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to almost of the Kennedy airport in September 1985. Gloria had 300 feet (91.4 m) in the northern part of Manhattan winds approaching 75 knots at time of landfall, about and the Bronx, and over 400 feet (122 m) in Richmond halfway between Kennedy airport and Islip. Only two (Staten Island). days earlier, Gloria was a more respectable 125-knot (136) Despite its nearness to the ocean and the numer- hurricane. ous bays and rivers nearby, New York City has a climate (142) The National Weather Service maintains several of- which more closely resembles the continental type of fices in New York where barometers can be compared. climate than it does the maritime type. Its modified (See Appendix A for addresses.) continental climate follows from the fact that weather (143) (See Appendix B for the Manhattan climatological conditions affecting the city usually approach from a table and the Kennedy Airport climatological table.) westerly direction and not from the ocean on the east. Some important exceptions to this must be noted, since Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches the oceanic influence is by no means entirely absent. (144) Foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register en- During the summer, local “sea breezes,” winds blow- ing onshore from the cool water surface often moderate tering or departing from the Port of New York and New the afternoon heat; and most often in winter, coastal Jersey must employ a pilot licensed by the State of New storms, accompanied by easterly winds, produce, on oc- York or New Jersey. Enrolled vessels must have on board casion, considerable amounts of precipitation. or employ a pilot licensed by the Federal Government. (137) From November through April the prevailing (145) State and Federal pilotage service for vessels enter- winds are from the northwest; for the remainder of the ing the Port of New York and New Jersey through Lower year the prevailing winds are southwesterly. Gales with Bay and intra-harbor movements is available from the velocities of 35 knots or more are predominately from United New York New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilot Associa- the northwest. tion, 201 Edgewater Street, Staten Island, NY 10305, (138) At New York/Kennedy the average annual tempera- telephone 718 448-3900, FAX 718 876-8055 e–mail: ture is 54°F (12.2°C). The average high is 61°F (16.1°C) [email protected]. and the average low is 47°F (8.3°C). July is the warmest (146) The Sandy Hook pilot vessel maintains station ap- month with an average high of 83°F (28°C) and an aver- proximately 1.5 miles southeast of the Ambrose Chan- age low of 69°F (20.6°C). January is the coolest month nel Lighted Whistle Buoy A. All traffic passes through a with an average high of 39°F (3.9°C) and an average precautionary area transiting to the pilot station. Most low of 26°F (-3.3°C). The warmest temperature on re- vessels choose to approach the pilot station directly cord for New York/Kennedy is 104°F (40°C) recorded since Ambrose Light was disestablished. Traffic within in July 1966 and the coldest temperature on record is the precautionary area may consist of vessels making -2°F (-18.9°C) recorded in January 1985. On average, the transition between operating in Ambrose or Sandy ten days each year record high temperatures in excess Hook Channel and one of the traffic lanes. Mariners are of 90°F (32.2°C) and 78 days record minimum tempera- advised to exercise extreme care in navigating within tures below 32°F (0°C). An average of only one day each this area. The pilot vessels have a black hull and white year has an extreme minimum below 5°F (-15°C). superstructure, with the name PILOT NO. 1 or PILOT (139) Precipitation is both moderate and distributed NO. 2 in yellow on each side and are equipped with AIS evenly throughout the year with a spread of only 1.06 and transmit either “PILOT NO.1” or “PILOT NO.2” A inches (28 mm) between the wettest and driest months. pilot vessel is always on station; boarding is made from May is the wettest month with an average precipitation smaller boats which are also AIS equipped and broadcast total of 3.92 inches (991 mm) and February the driest “P/B (name).” The pilot vessel monitors VHF-FM chan- with 2.86 inches (74 mm). Average annual precipitation nels 16, 13, and 73, and works on 73. is about 41 inches (1041 mm). Most of the rainfall from (147) Pilot services are arranged in advance through June through September comes from thunderstorms, ships’ agents. A 24-hour advance notice of ETA, with a therefore, is usually of brief duration, but relatively in- 3-hour update is requested. tense. Thunderstorm days average 24 each year. From (148) Pilotage for these waters for U.S. enrolled vessels October to April, however, precipitation is generally as- in coastwise trade is also available from the Interport sociated with widespread storm areas, so that day-long Pilots Agency, Inc., http://www.interportpilots.com, 906 rain or snow is common. Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758-0236, (140) Snow falls an average 30 days each year and aver- telephone 732-787-5554 (24 hours), email interport@ ages 22 inches (559 mm) in any given year. The snowiest verizon.net. The Interport Pilots office monitors VHF- month is February with an average of eight inches (203 FM channels 16 and 65A during business hours. Pilot mm). Snow has fallen in each month, October through boats are KEN JOHNSON, 47-foot, blue hull and white superstructure with the word PILOT displayed on both
362 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 sides, and INTERPORT PILOT, 50-foot with the same Towage colors. Boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 one (154) The Port of New York and New Jersey has several and a half hours prior to the vessel’s scheduled ETA, work on channel 65A, and are equipped with AIS and towing companies with radio-equipped tugs with over transmit ‘PILOTBOAT (NAME)'. 4,000 hp. Arrangements for tugs are usually made in ad- (149) Vessels are generally boarded in the charted, desig- vance by ships’ agents. Fireboats are stationed through- nated pilot boarding area, located southeast of the Am- out the harbor. brose Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy A at 40°26'47\"N., (155) New York is a customs port of entry and the head- 73°48'27\"W. Arrangements for pilot services are made quarters of the Regional Commissioner. in advance through ship’s agents or directly to Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural quarantine Pilotage, New York Harbor from Long Island Sound (156) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Ap- (150) Foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register en- pendix A for addresses.) (157) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regu- tering or departing from the Port of New York and New lations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public Jersey from Long Island Sound must employ a pilot li- Health Service, chapter 1.) censed by the State of New York. Enrolled vessels must have on board or employ a pilot licensed by the Fed- Coast Guard eral Government. Pilotage service for vessels entering (158) A Coast Guard station is at Rosebank on Staten the Port of New York and New Jersey from Long Island Sound is available from the United New York New Jersey Island. A Coast Guard Command Center including a Sandy Hook Pilot Association (see above). The pilot boat Captain of the Port office and Marine Inspection Of- boarding area is off Execution Rocks. The pilot boat ties fice are at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island. Additional up at a pier on the east side of City Island about 0.4 mile information can be found at http://homeport.uscg.mil/ northward of Belden Point. The pilot station, on the newyork. pier, and the pilot boat monitor VHF-FM channel 13 when vessels are scheduled to arrive. The 48-foot pilot Harbor regulations boat has a black hull with the word PILOT in red letters (159) The administration of the Port of New York and on each side of the house. Arrangements for pilots are made in advance either directly by the vessel or through New Jersey and the enforcement of its laws are vested ships’ agents. Notification is mandatory 24 hours prior in no single body, but are divided among various de- to arrival and ETA updates are required 12 and 6 hours partments of the Federal, State, and Municipal Govern- prior to arrival. ments. (151) Masters of vessels entering the Port of New York and New Jersey are requested, prior to the time of board- Speed ing, to contact the pilot boat to ascertain a proper board- (160) The Coast Guard desires to warn masters and pilots ing speed, make a lee for the pilot boat, and have a pilot ladder over the side about 1 meter above the water. of all types of vessels that possible action may result (152) Pilotage for U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise against their licenses and criminal procedures may be trade is available from the United New York New Jersey exercised, when the wash of a vessel proceeding at ex- Sandy Hook Pilot Association (see above) and Interport cessive speed in confined waters endangers life, limb, or Pilots Agency, Inc. (see above). Pilot boats are KEN property. Damage to vessels moored at docks and termi- JOHNSON, 47-foot with blue hull and white super- nals has been reported. The parting of a mooring line structure with the word PILOT displayed on both sides, may cause a serious oil fire or damage to pipelines or and INTERPORT PILOT, 50-foot with the same colors. barges which are being loaded or discharged at chemi- Boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours cal and petroleum company terminals. Damage caused prior to the vessel’s scheduled ETA, work on channel by excessive speed may also lead to a possible suit by 65A, and are equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots board the injured party against owners, masters, or pilots for vessels bound from Long Island Sound into New York monetary recovery. Harbor via the East River at any LIS port, Montauk Point, Point Judith Pilot Station, or in the vicinity of Execution Rocks. (161) The New York Economic Development Corpora- Pilotage, Hudson River tion administers the piers along the New York City wa- (153) See Pilotage, Hudson River (indexed as such), terfront. The office is at 110 William Street. Additional information can be found at http://www.nycedc.com/ chapter 12. RealEstate/AssetManagement. (162) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is an executive body appointed by the Governors of New York and New Jersey. The Authority’s Port Depart- ment serves as a bistate port development, operations, maintenance, and promotion organization. The Port
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 363 Authority administers piers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, waterfront facilities are engaged in various types of Hoboken, Port Newark, and Port Elizabeth. The office marine repair work. These firms maintain ships and of the Authority is at the 233 Park Avenue South, New portable equipment for making above-waterline repairs York, NY 10003. and for installation of equipment, gear, and machinery on all types of craft at berth. Several salvage companies Wharves also perform all types of salvage work. (163) The Port of New York and New Jersey has over 1,100 (169) The largest floating drydock, east of Red Hook Channel and on the east side of Erie Basin, has a lifting waterfront facilities. Most of these facilities are privately capacity of 16,000 tons, an overall length of 580 feet, a owned and operated, and the rest are owned or oper- maximum clear inside width of 100 feet, and a depth of ated by either the railroads serving the port, the Port 28 feet over the keel blocks. The largest graving dock Authority of New York and New Jersey, the City of New is on the east side of Wallabout Bay at the site of the York, the States of New York and New Jersey, the Federal former New York Naval Shipyard. The dock has a clear Government, or other municipalities. length of 1,092 feet, clear gate width of 143 feet, top and (164) The major steamship passenger terminal, the New bottom inside widths of 150 feet, and 34 feet over the York City Passenger Ship Terminal, is along the east keel blocks; cranes to 200 tons are available. The largest side of the Hudson River (North River) above The Bat- marine railway, on the east side of East Mill Basin in tery. Containership terminals are throughout the port, Jamaica Bay, can handle vessels up to 300 tons of 120 but principally at Elizabeth, Newark, Jersey City, and feet long. Weehawken, NJ. Other containership facilities are at Howland Hook, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Break- Communications bulk general cargo terminals are throughout the port (170) The Port of New York and New Jersey is served by but principally along the east side of Upper New York Bay, on the East River, and at Port Newark. Petroleum three trunkline and one short-line railroads, numerous and other liquid cargo facilities are along Arthur Kill, on trucking firms engaged in long- and short-haul freight the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, and along Newtown service, and several bus companies. Over 100 shipping Creek, Brooklyn. companies connect the port with the principal U.S. and (165) General cargo in the port is usually handled to and foreign ports. from vessels by ship’s tackle. Heavy lifts up to 500 tons, (171) Three major airports, John F. Kennedy (New York) floating cranes up to 500 tons, and derricks are available International, La Guardia, and Newark, provide frequent in port. Most of the waterfront facilities throughout the scheduled service between New York and domestic and port have highway and railroad connections. overseas points. (166) The wharves and piers of New York City along the waterfronts of the Hudson and East Rivers are num- Chart 12350 bered beginning at The Battery and follow in sequence eastward along the East River and northward along the (172) Rockaway Inlet, the entrance to Jamaica Bay, is Hudson River. For a complete description of the water- between Rockaway Point on the southeast side and front facilities throughout the Port of New York and Manhattan Beach and Barren Island on the north side. New Jersey refer to Port Series No. 5, published and sold A breakwater, marked near the outer end by a light, ex- by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A tends south from Rockaway Point. The entrance chan- for address.) nel extends westward of the breakwater and is marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. A shifting sandbar is Supplies located about 0.6 mile southeast of the breakwater light. (167) Provisions and supplies of all kinds are available in A shoal with depths of less than 1 foot and marked by breakers is west of the entrance channel. Numerous ob- the Port of New York and New Jersey. All grades of heavy structions lie from southeast to southwest of the break- marine bunker fuel, lubricants, and diesel fuel can be water light and numerous wrecks are farther inside the obtained. Large vessels are usually bunkered at their inlet; the chart is the best guide. berths by tank barges or self-propelled tankers. Water is available at most of the piers and wharves. (173) In 1980, shoaling to about 3 feet was reported in the inlet about 1.75 miles west of the Gil Hodges Memorial Repairs Bridge in about 40°34'21\"N., 73°55'29.5\"W. (168) The Port of New York and New Jersey has extensive (174) Gil Hodges Memorial (Marine Parkway) Bridge, facilities for making all types of repairs to vessels of all crossing Rockaway Inlet between Rockaway Point and sizes. The shipyards at Brooklyn, Hoboken, Staten Is- Barren Island, has a vertical lift span with a clearance of land and Queens can drydock some of the largest ocean- 55 feet down and 152 feet up. The bridgetender moni- going vessels, and can make major repairs to hull, elec- tors VHF-FM channel 13 (156.65 MHz); call sign, KIL– tronic equipment, machinery, and propulsion plants. 819. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.795, chapter Also within the port area, a number of firms without 2, for drawbridge regulations.)
364 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 N Rockaway Inlet and Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge Image courtesy of Airphoto/Jim Wark (2004) Currents eastern extremity, consisting of parts of Motts Basin and (175) The tidal current In the entrance channel near Head of Bay, is in Nassau County. Rockaway Point has a velocity of about 2.2 knots. The Anchorages ebb attains a greater velocity than the flood and prob- (177) Special anchorages are in Jamaica Bay. (See 110.1, ably exceeds 3 knots at times. In 1975, a strong east-to- west current, believed to have been the result of tidal and 110.60 (s) and (s–1), chapter 2, for limits and flow, was observed at the entrance to Rockaway Inlet regulations.) near the seaward end of the jetty. This current is of suf- ficient strength to cause a vessel to veer suddenly off course when entering or exiting the channel. South of Barren Island the velocity is about 2 knots; east of Bar- (178) The commercial vessel traffic in Jamaica Bay con- ren Island it is about 1.5 knots. (See Tidal Current Tables sists of motor tankers, barges, and tugs. The bay is used for predictions.) extensively by pleasure craft. (179) Jamaica Bay has excellent transportation facilities. Highways connect with all of Long Island and New York (176) Jamaica Bay is on the south shore of Long Island City, and a branch of the New York City subway system about 15 miles southeastward of The Battery, New York crosses the central part of the bay and extends eastward City. The bay is characterized by numerous meadows, and westward along the Rockaway peninsula with sta- hassocks, and marshes. The north and east shores are tions at Far Rockaway and Inwood serving the Motts bordered by marshlands which extend inland for a short Basin area. distance. Several small tidal creeks enter the bay from the north. Channels and basins have been dredged to (180) Ice is a problem in Jamaica Bay, mainly in the project depths of 12 to 20 feet for use of craft operat- tributaries and basins, from early January to about mid- ing in the bay. Rockaway Beach forms the south shore. March. The bay is about 7 miles long and 3.5 miles wide, and covers an area of about 22.5 square miles. The great- (181) Sheepshead Bay, on the northern side of the east- er portion of the bay is in the Boroughs of Brooklyn ern extremity of Coney Island and northward of Manhat- and Queens, New York City, and a small section of the tan Beach, is well protected and is used by numerous pleasure and party fishing craft. The entrance channel is marked by buoys. In 2010, the channel had a depth of 6 feet except for shoaling to 2.2 feet along the west edge of the channel, just north of Buoy 7. In 2002, depths of
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 365 7 to 9 feet were available inside the bay to the bridge (189) Big Fishkill Channel and Pumpkin Patch Channel near the head of navigation except for shoaling to 2 feet lead in a northeasterly direction from Runway Channel along the edges. A private light marks the outer limit just west of Ruffle Bar and join North Channel 0.3 mile of a sewer outfall that extends southward from the bay. west of the North Channel Bridge at Howard Beach. Anchorages (190) Mill Basin is northward of Barren Island on the (182) Special anchorages are in Sheepshead Bay. (See west side of Jamaica Bay. Commercial traffic in the basin consists of occasional barge shipments of petroleum. In 110.1 and 110.60(x), chapter 2, for limits and regula- 1981, a reported depth of 13 feet could be taken to the tions.) north end of the basin. Small-craft facility Small-craft facilities (183) A small-craft facility in the bay can handle craft (191) Small-craft facilities in the basin can provide berths to 1½ tons. Mooring, electricity, diesel fuel, water, ice, with electricity, gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, marine supplies and storage are available. and complete hull and engine repairs; a 50-ton marine railway and lifts to 20 tons are available. (184) Plumb Beach Channel, northward of Rockaway In- let, is the common approach to Gerritsen Inlet, Shell (192) The Shore Parkway bascule highway bridge with Bank Creek, Gerritsen Creek, and Mill Creek. A fixed a clearance of 34 feet crosses Mill Basin between Bar- highway bridge with a clearance of 35 feet crosses the ren Island and Brooklyn. (See 117.1 through 117.59 inlet. The channel is marked by buoys. Mariners are and 117.795, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) advised to follow the buoys through the inlet closely. The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call Two shoal areas are near Plumb Beach Channel Buoy sign KX–8185. Mariners are requested to avoid causing 7. The first is north-northeast of the buoy with a least bridge openings during peak commuter hours of 0700 depth of 2 feet; it extends to midchannel where the least to 0900 and 1600 to 1800 Monday through Friday. depth is 4 feet. The other is about 0.1 mile southeast of the buoy with a least depth of 2 feet. (193) East Mill Basin is about 0.4 mile northeastward of Mill Basin. In 1981, a reported midchannel depth of 13 (185) From the highway bridge over Gerritsen Inlet, feet could be taken to the head of the basin. Small-craft Shell Bank Creek leads westerly and Gerritsen Creek facilities in the basin can provide berths with electricity, and Mill Creek lead northwesterly. There are danger- water, marine supplies, a 15-ton forklift, a 100-ton travel ous pilings and remains of old barges along the south lift and marine railways to 300 tons; complete hull and side of Shell Bank Creek, and several submerged wrecks engine repairs are available. in Gerritsen and Mill Creeks. The fixed highway bridge over Mill Creek is in ruins; mariners are advised to ex- (194) Bergen Beach is a community about 2 miles north ercise caution in this area as some parts of the bridge of Barren Island. Paerdegat Basin, just north of Bergen structure have fallen into the water and are an obstruc- Beach, has a midchannel depth of about 11 feet. A fixed tion to navigation. highway bridge across the basin near the mouth has a clearance of 29 feet; replacement of the bridge was Small-craft facilities under construction in 2010. A marina at the head of (186) Small-craft facilities on Shell Bank Creek can pro- the basin can haul out craft up to 15 tons. Gasoline, marine supplies, and water are available. No repairs are vide berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, available for the public. In 1981, a reported depth of 8 ice, marine supplies, lifts to 60 tons, and a 90-foot ma- feet could be taken to the marina. Several yacht clubs rine railway; complete hull and engine repairs are avail- are also in the basin. able. (195) Canarsie, a town on the northwestern shore of Ja- maica Bay, is a part of New York City. Canarsie Pier, on the northwest shore of Jamaica Bay between Paerdegat (187) Dead Horse Bay makes into the southwest side of Basin and Fresh Creek, has two prominent flagpoles Barren Island eastward of the highway bridge across near its center. The pier is structurally unsafe, and Gerritsen Inlet. A marina, on the north side of the landing is not permitted. The pier is a part of Gateway bay, has berths and moorings. Numerous wrecks and National Recreation Area. obstructions are in the entrance to the bay and in the southwest corner of the marina. The chart is the best (196) Fresh Creek, 0.6 mile northeastward of the pier at guide. Canarsie, has a midchannel depth of about 8 feet. A fixed highway bridge across the creek near the entrance has (188) Island Channel leads northerly from just eastward a clearance of 21 feet. A replacement bridge was under of Barren Island to Bergen Beach, thence northeasterly construction in 2010; a temporary bridge with a design in North Channel to Howard Beach. In 1998, depths clearance of 21 feet was being built just north of the of about 12 feet can be carried to Howard Beach. The existing bridge. Hendrix Creek, 0.4 mile northeastward channels are marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. of Fresh Creek, is the site of a water pollution control
366 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 plant. Sludge vessels operate from the pier at the south- and stone by barge. A small-craft facility in the basin has western entrance to the creek. Old Mill Creek, 1.1 miles berths, electricity, water, open storage, and lifts to 72 northeastward of Fresh Creek, bares at low water just tons. Repairs for fishing boats can be made. above the entrance. Fresh, Hendrix, and Old Mill Creeks (207) Winhole Channel, a natural channel marked by were little used in 1971. buoys, seasonal lights, and a daybeacon, extends 1 mile (197) Howard Beach, about 2.5 miles eastward of Canar- northward to Grassy Bay from the junction of Beach sie, on the north side of Jamaica Bay, has several basins Channel with Grass Hassock Channel. Winhole Channel for boats. North Channel Bridge, just south of Howard has a least depth of about 11 feet, except for reported Beach, has a fixed span with a clearance of 26 feet. shoaling to 4 feet extending into the channel northeast (198) Shellbank Basin, extending northward about from Winhole Channel Light 3 in about 40°36.8'N., 1 mile from North Channel and just west of Howard 73°48.4'W. Winhole Channel Shoal Daybeacon marks Beach, had a reported controlling depth of 5 feet in the center of a shoal near the north end of the channel. 1981. The basin has numerous small piers, float land- The daybeacon should not be passed close aboard. A ings, and other small-craft facilities along the west side. lighted buoy marks the junction of Beach, Grass Has- Berths with electricity, water, a 15-ton lift, and complete sock, and Winhole Channels. hull and engine repairs are available. The bascule span (208) Grass Hassock Channel joins Beach Channel off of a former highway bridge across the basin has been Brant Point and continues in a northeasterly direction permanently removed leaving a channel width of 40 to Head of Bay. In 1998, the controlling depth was 12 feet. feet (15 feet at midchannel). The shallowest water is (199) Hawtree Basin, about 0.2 mile eastward of Shell- abeam Brant Point between Buoy 14 and Buoy 16 and bank Basin, has a depth of about 11 feet. A fixed pe- at the junction with Negro Bar Channel in the vicinity destrian bridge, about 0.3 mile above the mouth, has a of Lighted Buoy 23. clearance of 17 feet. (209) Sommerville Basin, about 1.2 miles eastward of (200) A railroad bridge across North Channel, at Hamil- the railroad bridge at Rockaway Beach, has depths of ton Beach, 0.5 mile east of the North Channel Bridge, 27 to 40 feet inside. In 1981, depths of about 15 feet has a fixed span with a clearance of 26 feet. were reported in the approach. Several charted sunken (201) Rockaway Beach is a popular summer resort on wrecks are in the basin. A boatyard at the head of the the barrier beach forming the southern extremity of basin has berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, limited Jamaica Bay. Train and bus transportation is available marine supplies, storage facilities, a launching ramp, a to New York City. Excursion boats operate between New 45-foot marine railway, and a 7-ton mobile hoist; engine York and Rockaway Beach during the summer only. and hull repairs can be made. (202) Beach Channel is on the north side of Rockaway (210) Motts Basin, a tidal inlet in the eastern part of Ja- Beach. A Federal project provides for a channel 18 feet maica Bay, entered through Negro Bar Channel, par- deep from Rockaway Inlet to about 700 yards above Gil tially separates the communities of Inwood and Far Hodges Memorial Bridge, thence 15 feet deep to the Rockaway. Two branch channels lead from inside the junction with Grass Hassock Channel. entrance to the northeasterly and southeasterly ends of (203) A 056°–236° measured nautical mile is along the the basin. In 1998, the controlling depth was 10 feet (15 south shore of Jamaica Bay parallel with the concrete feet at midchannel) in the entrance channel, thence 11 and wood flood barrier of Beach Channel Drive south- feet (15 feet at midchannel) in the northeastern branch, ward of Nova Scotia Bar. The structures are maintained thence 9 feet (15 feet at midchannel) in the southeast- by the Brooklyn Power Squadron; the front markers are ern branch to just below the head of each channel. Ice black and yellow chevrons, and the rear markers are may obstruct vessel movement in the basin during se- orange squares. vere winters. (204) Cross Bay Memorial Bridge, crossing Beach Chan- (211) Overhead power cables across Motts Basin have the nel at Rockaway Beach, has a fixed span with a clearance following clearances: one over the northerly arm, 70 of 52 feet. The railroad bridge over Beach Channel, 0.5 feet; two over the southerly arm, least clearance 92 feet; mile eastward, has a swing span with a clearance of 26 and one over the cut on the south side of the southerly feet. (See 117.1 through 117.49, chapter 2, for draw- arm, 60 feet. A retractable boom is on the south shore bridge regulations.) East Broad Channel is closed to of the basin about 90 yards northwest of the overhead navigation at the railroad trestle of this bridge. cable tower. A light is shown from the boom when it is (205) Barbadoes Basin is adjacent to the Beach Channel extended into the water. railroad bridge. A facility in the southeast corner of the (212) Depths alongside the wharves in Motts Basin range basin receives broken concrete by barge for recycling. from 10 to 20 feet. Waterborne commerce in the basin (206) Vernam Basin is northeast of Barbadoes Basin. A is chiefly in petroleum products. facility in the southwest corner of the basin receives (213) Head of Bay joins Grass Hassock Channel near petroleum products by barge. In 2007, the controlling Northwest Point and extends in a northeasterly direc- depth at the facility was reported to be 15 feet. A facility tion on the south side of John F. Kennedy (New York) in the southeast corner of the basin receives sand, gravel International Airport. Depths of about 15 feet are in
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 367 N Verrazano Narrows Bridge Image courtesy of Airphoto/Jim Wark (2004) the entrance channel and channel in the bay; aids mark (217) Safety and security zones are in the vicinity of John the channels. In 2007, it was reported that a draft of 16 F. Kennedy International Airport, Bergen Basin, and feet could be taken to the facilities at Uncle Daniels Thurston Basin. (See 165.1 through 165.7, 165.20 Point, 14 feet could be taken to facilities on Motts Creek, through 165.33, and 165.169, chapter 2, for limits and 14 feet could be taken to facilities at Norton Point. and regulations.) Within the safety and security zone, Several small marinas in the bay can provide berths, a boom 1,500 feet in length is approximately 60 feet electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, storage facilities, offshore on the east side of the Bergen basin. and a launching ramp; minor engine and hull repairs can be made. Chart 12402 (214) Thurston Basin, at the northeastern extremity of Head of Bay, has reported depths of 10 feet at the en- (218) Coney Island, on the northern side of the en- trance decreasing to 2 feet at the head. trance to New York Harbor, is a large summer amuse- (215) Grassy Bay, along the southwestern side of John F. ment resort. Numerous stacks, towers, and amusement Kennedy (New York) International Airport in the north- rides, including a red steel parachute tower 303 feet eastern part of Jamaica Bay, is blocked at the southeast- high, are prominent on the island. Coney Island Light ern end by an airport runway. The runway continues (40°34'36\"N., 74°00'42\"W.), 75 feet above the water, is into the marshlands on the southerly side of the bay. shown from a white square skeleton tower on Norton (216) Bergen Basin, at the northern extremity of Grassy Point, the westernmost extremity of the island. Bay, has depths of about 15 feet with lesser depths in the eastern arm of the basin. The entrance is marked (219) Coney Island Channel is a buoyed passage along by buoys. Conspicuous are a yellow brick circular tank the south side of Coney Island that leads from deep wa- about 40 feet high on the southwestern side of the ter in Lower Bay to Rockaway Inlet. It is used principally entrance and the numerous oil storage tanks at the by vessels going to Jamaica Bay and Coney Island. A head of the basin on the eastern shore. Coastal tank- shoal area with a least depth of 6 feet is about 0.1 mile ers and sand-and-gravel barge tows account for most west of Buoy 3. of the commerce in the basin. In 1988, a sunken wreck was reported in the eastern arm of the basin in about (220) Gravesend Bay, northward of Coney Island, affords 40°39.7'N., 73°49.1'W. good anchorage; a general anchorage is in the bay. (See 110.1 and 110.155(e), chapter 2, for limits and regula- tions.)
368 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 (221) Coney Island Creek is at the southeastern end of west of Anchorage Channel, is much shoaler with a least Gravesend Bay and on the north side of Coney Island. depth of 5 feet. Channels have been dredged through Commercial traffic on the creek consists mainly of oc- these shoal areas to provide access to the piers on both casional barge shipments of sand and gravel. The area sides of the bay. northward of the entrance to the creek is being filled, and piling is along the northern side of the creek at Channels the filling site. Numerous obstructions and wrecks are (227) Bay Ridge Channel, Red Hook Channel, and But- in the creek; mariners are advised to seek local knowl- edge before entering. The creek is crossed by three termilk Channel follow the Brooklyn piers from The fixed bridges having a least clearance of 3 feet. The ru- Narrows to East River. Midchannel depths in these ins of a fourth bridge exist about 0.17 mile above the channels are generally 25 to 40 feet with lesser depths third bridge in about 40°34'49\"N., 73°58'42\"W. A boat- on the sides; the area is subject to shoaling. See the yard about 0.8 mile above the creek entrance provides latest chart for guidance. Caution should be exercised berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine when docking and undocking vessels along the south- supplies, and hull and engine repairs. Lifts to 14 tons easterly side of Bay Ridge Channel because the current are available. In 1981, a reported depth of 4 feet could may flow in a direction opposite to the normal channel be carried to the boatyard. flow, especially between the piers. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is at Pier 12 on Atlantic Basin. Commuter ferry (222) A buoyed channel with a least depth of 10 feet leads services operate extensively in Buttermilk Channel. from deep water northward of Coney Island to off the (228) Gowanus Bay, at the junction of Bay Ridge and Red docks in the eastern part of Gravesend Bay. Hook Channels, is a bight in the Brooklyn shore at the mouth of Gowanus Canal. A dredged channel leads from Small-craft facility Gowanus Bay to the Hamilton Avenue Bridge, about 1 (223) A small-craft facility on Gravesend Bay can provide mile above the mouth of the bay. berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- age, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs. Lifts up to 30 tons are available. In 1981, a reported depth of (229) The improved section of Gowanus Canal above 15 feet could be carried to the marina. Hamilton Avenue has depths of about 8 to 12 feet. The Third Street, Carroll Street, and Union Street bridges Charts 12334, 12402, 12327 across the canal have the following minimum clear- ances: drawbridges, 3 feet; fixed bridges, 90 feet. The (224) The Narrows, connecting Lower Bay and Upper fixed bridge across that part of the canal which extends Bay of New York Harbor, has a clear width of over 0.6 southward along Fifth Street has a clearance of 20 feet. mile at its narrowest point between Fort Wadsworth and (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.787, chapter 2, Fort Hamilton. The Verrazano Narrows Bridge, a fixed for drawbridge regulations.) suspension span, crosses The Narrows at these two points linking Staten Island with Brooklyn. The bridge (230) The Hamilton Avenue and Ninth Street drawbridg- has a vertical clearance of 215 feet for a midchannel es, 1 and 1.2 miles above the entrance of Gowanus Bay, width of 2,000 feet. Note: A traveling maintenance plat- respectively, are equipped with radiotelephones. The form, when in operation, reduces the vertical clear- bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs ances by 15 feet. A sound signal is sounded from the KX–8183 and KX–8186, respectively. eastern end of the bridge. A safety zone is near the east- ern end of the bridge. (See 165.1 through 165.9, (231) Erie Basin, just north of Gowanus Bay, is entered 165.20 through 165.23, and 165.172, chapter 2, for from Red Hook Channel. The entrance is marked by limits and regulations.) a light and the basin is marked by private lighted and unlighted buoys. Coast Guard Station (225) Coast Guard Station New York is on the east side of (232) East River is a 14-mile-long tidal strait that con- nects Upper Bay with Long Island Sound. For descrip- Staten Island about 0.6 mile northwest of the Verrazano tion of East River and the route to New York Harbor Narrows Bridge. from Long Island Sound, see East River (indexed as such), chapter 9. (233) Governors Island is at the Upper Bay entrance to (226) Upper Bay is that portion of New York Harbor East River. The hexagonal-shaped Fort Jay is prominent between The Narrows and The Battery. Anchorage on the northeast side of the island, and the circular Cas- Channel, marked by lighted buoys, is the main passage tle William is on the northwest side. The main channel through the middle of the bay. Bay Ridge Flats is a is westward of the island. Lights and sound signals are shoal area with depths of 8 to 20 feet east of Anchor- near the southern tip and on the northwest side of the age Channel. Gowanus Flats is at the north end of Bay island, on top of Castle William. Ridge Flats. Jersey Flats, the area on the New Jersey side (234) Liberty Island, on the eastern part of Jersey Flats across the main channel from Governors Island, is marked by the Statue of Liberty, a colossal structure
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 369 N Sandy Hook, New Jersey Image courtesy of Airphoto/Jim Wark (2004) more than 305 feet high; the figure faces southeast- The bay is an excellent anchorage, the depths of water ward. In 2000, depths of 15 to 21 feet were available in ranging from 30 feet just inside Sandy Hook to 15 feet the dredged area near the pier on the west side of the near its southern part; the shoaling is gradual and the island. The U.S. Park Police marine unit operates from bottom is good holding ground. The best anchorage a floating platform on the northwest end of Ellis Island. during easterly and southeasterly winds is in the eastern (235) Robbins Reef Light (40°39'27\"N., 74°03'55\"W.) 56 part of the bay. Vessels of more than 24-foot draft will feet above the water, is shown from a conical tower, with not find good anchorage out of the channel until above the lower half brown and the upper half white, on the Fort Wadsworth. Extensive shoals make off northward southeastern part of Jersey Flats. and eastward from Point Comfort, but as the depths of (236) Pierhead Channel leads from the main channel water decrease gradually, soundings will give sufficient about 0.7 mile southward of Liberty Island, thence warning of too close an approach to the shore. Shallow- along the New Jersey pierhead line to Kill Van Kull. draft vessels can reportedly find satisfactory anchorage The channel connects several channels which lead to in Horseshoe Cove, on the east side of the bay. In 1999, various facilities along the New Jersey waterfront in- the spit of land that forms Horseshoe Cove was reported cluding: the Army Corps of Engineers Caven Point Ter- visible only at extreme low water. Shoals extend an ad- minal, New York Waterway Ferry Landing, Claremont ditional 200 yards southeastward from the end of the Terminal, New York Cross Island Railroad Terminal, charted spit to about 40°26.7'N., 73°59.9'W. Mariners Port Jersey Imported Automobile Terminal and Global are cautioned not to navigate over this finger of land. Terminal and Container Services. A Federal project pro- Heavy fish traps extend out to a depth of 20 feet in places vides for a depth of 20 feet in the channel. (See Notice to on the shoals on the southwest side of Sandy Hook Bay Mariners and the latest edition of the chart for control- between Atlantic Highlands and Point Comfort. ling depths.) The channels are well marked with lighted (238) A 110°-290° measured nautical mile is on the and unlighted buoys. south side of Sandy Hook Bay off the Municipal Yacht Basin. The private range markers are reported to be dif- Charts 12327, 12401 ficult to identify. (239) Sandy Hook, the southern point at the entrance to (237) Sandy Hook Bay is the southern part of Lower Bay, New York Harbor and the northern point of the New westward of Sandy Hook and eastward of Point Comfort. Jersey coast, is low and sandy. The hook, including Plum Island at the mouth of the Shrewsbury River, is part of
370 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 N Shrewsbury River, New Jersey Image courtesy of Airphoto/Jim Wark (2004) Gateway National Recreation Area. Large areas of the been abandoned. Mariners are cautioned that the cables park are bird nesting areas, and landing is not permit- remain in place. ted. A light, Sandy Hook Coast Guard Station, stand- pipe and a radio tower on the north end of Sandy Hook No-Discharge Zone are prominent. The area around Sandy Hook is change- (243) The State of New Jersey, with the approval of the able and subject to severe shoaling; extreme caution is advised. Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the waters of the Shrews- Charts 12325, 12324 bury and Navesink Rivers. The NDZ extends south from the Highlands/Route 36 Bridge and covers all waters (240) Shrewsbury River and Navesink River empty of the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers (see chart for through a common entrance into the southern extrem- limits). ity of Sandy Hook Bay eastward of the Highlands of (244) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether Navesink. treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by (241) A Federal project provides depths of 12 feet from 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). Sandy Hook Bay to a point just above the bascule bridge at Highlands, thence 9 feet in Shrewsbury River to the Currents Branchport Avenue Bridge at Long Branch, about 7.4 (245) At Highlands bridge, the currents have a velocity miles above the mouth. The Navesink River has a project depth of 6 feet from where it connects with the Shrews- of about 2.6 knots. At Sea Bright bridge the velocity is bury River to the head of the project at Red Bank, about about 1.6 knots. 4.9 miles above the mouth. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) Ice (246) Navigation in Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers is Caution (242) All submarine cables within the area in about generally suspended because of ice from December to March, inclusive. 40°24'12″N., 73°59'00″W., in Shrewsbury River have
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 371 Supplies (256) The privately dredged and marked channels in Lit- (247) Gasoline, lubricants, marine supplies, and provi- tle Silver Creek, Town Creek, Oceanport Creek, Parker Creek, and Blackberry Creek had controlling depths of sions can be obtained at most of the towns along the about 5 feet in 1965-67. shores of the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers. (257) A fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 24 feet Communications crosses the westerly part of Shrewsbury River, just east- (248) Railroad, ferry, or bus connects with New York to ward of its junction with Parker and Oceanport Creeks. points on the New Jersey coast. (258) The tributaries that empty into the southeasterly and southwesterly sides of Shrewsbury River are crossed by bridges with the following clearances: Manhassett Creek, fixed highway, 6 feet; Troutmans Creek, fixed (249) Highlands is a summer resort on the west side of highway, 6 feet; Oceanport Creek, railroad (Oceanport Shrewsbury River 1.5 miles inside the entrance. There Bridge) with swing span, 4 feet; and Parker Creek, are good small-craft facilities here. (See the small-craft fixed railroad, 4 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and facilities tabulation on chart 12324 for services and sup- 117.736, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) plies available.) (259) The channel in Navesink River is crooked but well (250) The railroad bridge across Shrewsbury River at marked by seasonal buoys. The Oceanic highway bridge Highlands is in ruins; caution is advised. In 2010, the across the river between Rumson and Locust Point has State Route 36 highway bridge (Highlands Bridge) 100 a bascule span with a clearance of 22 feet. (See 117.1 yards above the railroad bridge had been removed and a through 117.59 and 117.734 for drawbridge regula- fixed bridge with a design clearance of 65 feet was under tions.) construction to replace the bascule bridge. The fender system from the center pier of the railroad bridge to the (260) Rumson is a town on the south side about 1.7 miles east side of the highway bascule opening is continuous. above the entrance to Navesink River. Small-craft fa- The east side of the river northward of the bridge and cilities just west of the bridge at Rumson can provide the west side 0.3 mile southward of the bridges are used berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, and storage. Hull as anchorages for small craft. and engine repairs can be made, and a 7-ton mobile hoist is available. In 1981, a reported depth of 5 feet Caution could be carried to the boatyards. (251) Caution should be exercised at the junction of the (261) Fair Haven is on the south side of Navesink River Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers, about 0.6 mile south- about 1 mile above the bridge at Rumson. A boatyard ward of the State Route 36 highway bridge at High- and two yacht clubs are at Fair Haven. The boatyard can lands, to avoid the submerged stone jetty. Craft enter- provide berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, ing Navesink River should pass westward of the lighted marine supplies, and hull, engine, and radio repairs; junction buoy. The submerged jetty is marked by three lifts to 15 tons are available. In 1987, a reported depth seasonal buoys. of about 7 feet could be taken to the boatyard. (262) Red Bank, a town near the head of navigation on the Navesink River, has several small-craft facilities. (252) The State Route 520 highway bridge (Sea Bright (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12324 Bridge) over Shrewsbury River between Rumson and for services and supplies available.) The town has rail- Sea Bright has a bascule span with a clearance of 15 road connections with New York. feet at the abutment. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.755, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (263) The dredged channel that extends for 1.5 miles above the landings at Red Bank had a reported mid- Small-craft facilities channel controlling depth of 2 feet to the second high- (253) There are numerous small-craft facilities at Sea way bridge, and thence less than 1 foot for the rest of the dredged section in 1985. The channel is privately Bright. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart marked by buoys and stakes. The Route 35 highway 12324 for services and supplies available.) bridge crosses the river 4.8 miles above the mouth and has a fixed span with a clearance of 12 feet. A railroad bridge crosses the river 450 yards southwest of the Route 35 bridge and has a fixed span with a clearance (254) Pleasure Bay, at the southeast end of Shrewsbury of 9 feet. River, is crossed by a fixed highway bridge with a clear- ance of 25 feet. Branchport is a small town on the east side of Pleasure Bay at the head of navigation. Small-craft facilities Charts 12327, 12401, 12402 (255) There are numerous small-craft facilities in Plea- (264) Atlantic Highlands is a town on the south side of sure Bay. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on Sandy Hook Bay about 2 miles west of Sandy Hook. A chart 12324 for services and supplies available.) breakwater, marked by a light at its eastern end, forms
372 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 an anchorage basin. In 2009, depths of 4 to 8 feet were the mouth. A Federal project provides for a depth of 12 available in the basin. feet to the first hard bend in the channel, thence 8 feet (265) The basin is used by numerous pleasure and par- to the head of the project. (See Notice to Mariners and ty fishing craft. Numerous piles and ruins of former latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) The wharves are westward of the basin. entrance channel is marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. A passenger ferry terminal is located on the east Small-craft facilities side of the channel with service to Manhattan. The creek (266) Small-craft facilities in the basin can provide is navigable by small boats for about 1 mile. Several fixed bridges over the creek have a minimum clearance of 2 berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- feet. A seasonal auxiliary marine police station is on the age, marine supplies, launching ramps, pump-out sta- east side of the creek. tion and hull and engine repair; mobile lifts up to 50 (273) A boatyard is on the south side of Compton Creek tons are available. about 0.45 mile above the mouth. Marine supplies, hull and engine repair facilities, and a 90-foot marine railway are available. A town dock, supervised by a dockmaster, is just downriver of the boatyard. (267) Terminal Channel, entered from Sandy Hook (274) Port Monmouth, a village at the head of Compton Channel about 1 mile west-southwestward of Sandy Creek, is a shipping point for fresh fish, shellfish, and Hook, leads south-southwestward to a turning basin inedible animal products. Several private landings and and to two deepwater ammunition handling piers of the a town landing are available. U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot at Leonardo, NJ, a town (275) Pews Creek, about 1 mile northwest of Compton on the south side of Sandy Hook Bay. Federal project Creek, is marked at the entrance by a private light. In depth is 45 feet in the channel and turning basin ex- 1981, it was reported that 3½ feet could be carried to cept around piers 2 and 3 where the project depth is 35 a marina in the creek. Berths with electricity, gasoline, feet. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of the water, ice, marine supplies, a pump-out station, storage, charts for controlling depths.) The channel is marked a 15-ton lift, a 40-foot marine railway, and hull and en- by a private 207°30' lighted range and by lighted and gine repairs are available. A highway bridge crosses the unlighted buoys. A dredged and marked side channel creek about 0.2 mile above the mouth and has a 31-foot leads southward from the southeastern end of the turn- fixed span with a clearance of 12 feet. ing basin to an ammunition barge-loading pier; depths (276) Staten Island forms the northwest side of Lower of about 11 feet can be carried to and alongside the pier. Bay. The high wooded ridge of the island has elevations The deepwater piers and barge pier are connected to the of 100 to over 400 feet. South Beach and Midland Beach shore by a trestle that extends 1.6 miles across the flats are summer resorts and amusement areas on the south- from Leonardo. The waters adjacent to the piers and east side of the island. A public pier for small-craft is trestle are prohibited to navigation. (See 110.155 (f) located between the resorts. (1), chapter 2, for rules and regulations.) (277) Staten Island Flats are extensive shoals making off from the southeast side of Staten Island. Parts of (268) Security zones have been established in the vicin- these flats are Old Orchard Shoal and West Bank, which ity of the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot and Terminal border on the main channel up the bay. Hoffman Island Channel. (See 165.1 through 165.7, 165.30, 165.33, and Swinburne Island, artificial islands on West Bank, and 165.130, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) are part of Gateway National Recreation Area; landing is not permitted. A channel, used by local vessels of less (269) A restricted area surrounds Terminal Channel, than 8-foot draft, leads westward of West Bank. From turning basin, and piers of the U.S. Naval Ammunition the gong buoy 2.5 miles southward of Fort Wadsworth, Depot. (See 334.1 through 334.6 and 334.102, chap- steer southwestward through the dredged channel and ter 2, for limits and regulations.) then steer a course for Old Orchard Shoal Light. (270) A dredged channel, about 0.4 mile eastward of the Charts 12331, 12327 trestle at Leonardo, leads southward from Sandy Hook Bay to the entrance and basin of a State marina. A Fed- (278) Raritan Bay is that part of Lower Bay lying west- eral project provides for a depth of 8 feet to the boat ward of Point Comfort and southward of Staten Island. basin. (See Notices to Mariners and latest editions of the The bay is full of shoals with depths of 7 to 18 feet. charts for controlling depths.) The channel is marked by private aids to navigation. Channels (279) A Federal project provides for a 35-foot channel ex- (271) Berths, electricity, and water are available in the basin. A boatyard with a 45-foot marine railway is about tending through Lower Bay, the northern part of Rari- 0.5 mile eastward of the boat basin; complete hull and tan Bay, to the junction with Arthur Kill. (See Notice to engine repairs can be made. (272) Compton Creek, 4 miles westward of Sandy Hook, is used extensively as a harbor of refuge by small fishing craft. The creek is entered through a dredged channel that leads from Sandy Hook Bay, thence through Bel- ford (Shoal) Harbor, and thence to about 0.4 mile above
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 373 Mariners and latest editions of the charts for controlling Anchorage depths.) (287) A special anchorage is in Great Kills Harbor. (See Anchorages 110.1 and 110.60(d)(3), chapter 2, for limits and regu- (280) General anchorages are in Raritan Bay. (See 110.1 lations.) and 110.155 (j) chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Ice (288) Great Kills, on the west side of Great Kills Harbor, (281) In ordinary winters ice does not seriously inter- has several small-craft facilities with berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, and marine sup- fere with navigation in Raritan River or Arthur Kill, plies. A public launching ramp is located in the north- but in severe winters the ice sometimes prevents the east corner of the harbor. movements of vessels for periods of 2 weeks at a time. In easterly winds the drift ice in Lower Bay collects in (289) Lemon Creek, 0.2 mile westward of Seguine Point, Raritan Bay and obstructs navigation, but usually only is a narrow shallow stream used only by local boats for a short time, as the prevailing westerly winds drive which enter at high water. The midchannel controlling the ice out of the bay. depth over the bar is about 2 feet with deeper water inside. The abutment of a former bridge is on the south Pilotage, Raritan River and Arthur Kill side of the creek just inside the mouth. Overhead power (282) Pilotage for ports in the States of New York and New cables crossing the creek at the bridge abutment have a clearance of 47 feet. Jersey is compulsory for foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. Pilotage for vessels bound for Perth Am- (290) A small marina on the creek can haul out craft up boy, South Amboy, or up the Raritan River and Arthur to 8 tons for minor engine and hull repairs; berths, elec- Kill is available from the United New York New Jersey tricity, water, ice, and outside storage are available. Sandy Hook Pilot Association. Pilotage is also available from the Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. See Pilotage, New (291) A prominent tower of a former lighthouse with a York Harbor and Approaches (indexed as such) earlier statue on top is on the south side of Staten Island, 0.8 this chapter. mile westward of Seguine Point. Prominent buildings are near the point at Red Bank, 0.3 mile southwestward Towage of the tower. (283) Tugs are used by the larger vessels and are available (292) Keansburg, on Point Comfort on the south side in New York. (See Towage, New York Harbor, discussed of Raritan Bay, is a summer resort. The wharves on the earlier in this chapter.) west side of Point Comfort are in ruins and no longer (284) Customs, quarantine, immigration, and agricul- used. tural quarantine inspections are discussed earlier in this chapter under New York Harbor. (293) A special anchorage is adjacent to the amusement pier. (See 110.1 and 110.6 (z), for limits and regula- Supplies tions.) (285) Water can be had at most of the wharves in Perth (294) Waackaack Creek and Thorns Creek, about 0.6 Amboy and South Amboy. Provisions and marine sup- mile southwest of Point Comfort, have a common en- plies can be had at Perth Amboy, Tottenville, New Bruns- trance protected by floodgates. The gates are lowered, wick, and South Amboy. thereby closing the harbor, when tides above 4½ feet are sustained for a period of time. An overhead power cable Chart 12331 with a clearance of 32 feet crosses the creek entrance at the floodgates. Small-craft facilities on Thorns Creek (286) Great Kills Harbor, a shallow bight on the south provide berths, electricity, ice, water, gasoline, marine side of Staten Island northwestward of Old Orchard supplies, and a 20-ton forklift and a 12-ton mobile hoist Shoal Light, is used as an anchorage by small craft. for hull and engine repairs. In 1982, the channels into The chart is the best guide for entering the harbor. The the creeks were reported dredged to 7 feet. channel is marked by buoys and a light. Great Kills Light (40°31'18\"N., 74°07'54\"W.), 35 feet above the wa- (295) Keyport Harbor, 3 miles westward of Point Com- ter, is shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white fort, is a shallow harbor on the south side of Raritan diamond-shaped dayboard on a red concrete base east of Bay between Conaskonk Point and Matawan Point. A the channel entrance. buoyed approach channel leads southward from the bay to a dredged marked channel that leads through the harbor to the mouth of Matawan Creek; the Federal project depth is 8 feet. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) (296) Matawan Creek, entered at the head of Keyport Harbor, is used mostly by local craft. In 2010, the con- trolling depth was 3.8 feet to the first highway bridge, thence 1.2 feet to the Route 35 highway bridge, thence in 1981, 2 feet to shoaling to bare was reported to
374 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 Raritan River, New Jersey N Image courtesy of Airphoto/Jim Wark (2004) the railroad bridge about 1.5 miles above the mouth. water. The outer ends of jetties are marked by a light. A Greater depths are available with local knowledge. (See dredged channel leads between the jetties to the railroad chart 12327.) Three fixed bridges, one railroad and two bridge about 0.3 mile above the jetties. In 2009, the highway, cross the creek; least clearances are 49 feet channel was shoal to bare with 4.3 feet available in the horizontal and 6 feet vertical. Least clearance of over- right outside quarter. In 1987, the reported controlling head power cables crossing the creek is 54 feet. depth was 3½ feet in Stump Creek. (297) Keyport is a town on the east side of the entrance (301) Local boats from Lower Bay usually head for a point to Matawan Creek. about 1.6 miles east-northeastward of the jetties, and then shape a course to enter between the jetties at the Small-craft facilities entrance to Cheesequake and Stump Creeks. (298) There are several small-craft facilities on Matawan Caution Creek and on the southeast side of Keyport Harbor at (302) Caution should be exercised to avoid the sunken Keyport. Berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, sewage pump-out, lifts to wrecks, 0.2 mile eastward of the east jetty. 30 tons, marine railways to 40 feet, and complete hull and engine repairs are available. Vessels proceed to the small-craft facilities at Keyport at high water. (303) The State Route 35 highway bridge, 0.2 mile inside the jetties, has a bascule span with a clearance of 25 feet. The overhead power cable just north of the bridge (299) A privately dredged channel, about 25 feet wide has a clearance of 89 feet. The railroad bridge, 0.3 mile in places, leads about 0.3 mile southwesterly from the inside the jetties, has a bascule span with a clearance mouth of Matawan Creek to a marina basin at the en- of 3 feet. The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel trance to Luppatatong Creek. In 1981, a reported depth 13; call sign KT-3859. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and of 4 feet was available to the marina. 117.709, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The twin fixed highway bridges over Cheesequake Creek, 1.1 (300) Cheesequake Creek and Stump Creek, sharing a miles inside the jetties, have clearances of 16 feet. common entrance and leading southwesterly and south- easterly, respectively, are on the south side of Raritan (304) Laurence Harbor is a summer resort on the east Bay 6 miles westward of Point Comfort. The entrance is side of Stump Creek, and Morgan is a settlement on the between two stone jetties. The east jetty is awash at high west side of Cheesequake Creek.
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 375 Small-craft facilities power cable at the bridge has a clearance of 140 feet; (305) There are small-craft facilities that can provide Victory Highway Bridge, 1.6 miles, fixed span with a clearance of 110 feet; Thomas Edison Memorial Bridge berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, with two fixed spans, 1.9 miles, 110 feet; Garden State marine supplies, a pump-out station, storage facilities, Parkway with fixed span, 2 miles, 134 feet; overhead lifts to 35 tons, and a 50-foot marine railway; complete power cable near Crab Island, 5.2 miles, 128 feet; New hull and engine repairs are available. Jersey Turnpike with fixed span, 8.7 miles, 45 feet; over- head power cables, 8.9 miles, 114 feet; and U.S. Highway Chart 12332 No. 1 Bridge with two fixed spans, 9.6 miles, 90 feet. The highway bridge over South River at the town of South (306) Raritan River empties into the western end of River has a fixed span with a clearance of 25 feet. The Raritan Bay between Perth Amboy and South Amboy. railroad bridge, 0.4 mile upstream, has a swing span The channel from South Amboy to New Brunswick is with a clearance of 4 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59, 11 miles long and very crooked, but is well marked with 117.747, and 117.756, chapter 2, for drawbridge regu- navigational aids. Waterborne commerce on the river is lations.) In 1987, the fender system of the south draw of in coal, ore, and petroleum products. the railroad swing bridge sustained significant damage and may be protruding into the channel. Mariners are Channels advised to exercise caution and navigate the north draw (307) Vessels enter Raritan River from the east by way of only. Mariners are requested to avoid bridge openings of this bridge during peak commuter hours of 0700 to Great Beds Reach and from the north by way of Arthur 0815 and 1700 to 1815, Monday through Friday. The Kill via Raritan River Cutoff Channel. A Federal project bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign provides for a 20-foot channel in Raritan River Cutoff, KT-4204. a 25-foot channel from Great Beds Reach in Raritan Bay to the head of Red Root Reach about 1.9 miles Currents above Garden State Parkway bridge, and thence a 15- (312) The tidal current has a velocity of about 1.5 knots foot channel to the junction with Washington Canal. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of the charts at the Victory Highway Bridge at Perth Amboy. for controlling depths.) Above Washington Canal, the controlling depth in Raritan River was about 9 feet at midchannel to New Brunswick in 1962. (308) A dredged channel in Titanium Reach and South (313) South Amboy is a city on the south side of the Channel branches south from Raritan River about 0.6 entrance to Raritan River. Waterborne commerce at the mile above Garden State Parkway bridge. The Federal port is in fuel oils, coal, sand, and gravel. Depths along- project depths are 25 feet in Titanium Reach and 15 side the wharves and piers range from about 6 to 30 feet. to 10 feet in South Channel to Crossman Dock. (See Water, provisions, and marine supplies can be obtained Notice to Mariners and latest editions of the charts for here, and berths with electricity, water, ice, and winter controlling depths.) In 1991, the channels were not be- dry storage are available at a boat club. ing maintained near project depth and the project above Crossman Dock was not being maintained. (314) Sayreville is 6 miles above South Amboy on the (309) A dredged channel in Washington Canal branches south bank of the Raritan River. Most of the wharves south from Raritan River about 4.3 miles above Garden are privately owned. State Parkway bridge and connects with South River. A dredged channel leads south for about 3.4 miles (315) South River is a town on the west side of South in South River. In 1961, the midchannel controlling River 7.5 miles above South Amboy. A marina about 200 depths were 12 feet in Washington Canal, thence 10 yards north of the highway bridge at Old Bridge provides feet in South River to the first highway bridge, thence 8 berths, water, marine supplies, a 2-ton lift, and engine feet for about 1 mile, thence ½ foot to a point 800 yards repairs. In 1981, a reported depth of about 1 foot could north of the highway bridge at Old Bridge. be carried to the marina. (310) A sunken drydock, marked by a light, is on the east side of the river, 1.5 miles above the Garden State Park- (316) The Delaware and Raritan Canal, closed to naviga- way fixed bridge. The wreck extends 60 feet into the tion since 1933, had its entrance to the Raritan River at channel and is visible at all stages of the tide. New Brunswick. (317) Highland Park is across Raritan River opposite New Brunswick. In 1981, a reported depth of about 3½ feet was available from the head of the Federal project to Highland Park, the practical head of navigation. Bridges Charts 12333, 12331 (311) Several drawbridges and fixed bridges cross Raritan (318) Arthur Kill is the narrow body of water separating River and South River. The distances above the mouth of Staten Island from New Jersey. The cities of Perth Am- the Raritan River and clearances follow: railroad bridge boy, Tottenville, Elizabeth, many large factories, and oil with center-pier swing span, 0.4 mile, 8 feet, overhead
376 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 refineries and storage facilities are on its shores. North- Supplies ern Arthur Kill and Kill Van Kull are the major channels (329) Diesel oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, water, lubricants, for bulk, containerized, and petroleum cargo in New York Harbor. and marine supplies are available at Perth Amboy. Channels (319) Federal project depth in Arthur Kill is 35 feet. (See (330) Outerbridge Crossing Bridge, 1.7 miles above Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for con- Ward Point, has a fixed span with a clearance of 143 trolling depths.) feet across Arthur Kill between Perth Amboy and Tot- tenville. A racon and private sound signal are at the Caution bridge. A marina at Tottenville provides berths, electric- (320) Numerous sunken and visible wrecks are adjacent ity, water, storage facilities, and a 15-ton mobile hoist for do-it-yourself repairs. In 1981, a reported depth of to both sides of the channel in Arthur Kill; caution is about 5 feet could be carried to the facility. advised. (331) Port Socony, on the east side of Arthur Kill 2.9 miles above Ward Point, is a bulk oil storage terminal. A privately maintained dredged channel leads from the (321) A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) facility is on the main channel in Arthur Kill to the oil company dock. west side of Arthur Kill immediately south of Morses In 2008, a depth of 22 feet was alongside the south half Creek. A moving safety zone has been established of the dock with 12 to 28 feet available alongside the around loaded LPG vessels transiting between Scot- northern half in 2007, except for shoaling to 8 feet along land Lighted Whistle Buoy S at the entrance to Sandy the north edge of the channel. Hook Channel and the LPG facility. (See 165.1 through 165.7, 165.20 through 165.25, and 165.160, chapter (332) Smith Creek enters Arthur Kill from northward 2, for limits and regulations.) about 3.3 miles above Ward Point. The entrance channel is privately marked by buoys. In 1981, a reported depth Anchorages of 3 feet was available to just above the first bend in the (322) General anchorages are in Arthur Kill. (See 110.1 channel. The creek is used principally by small craft. and 110.155 (i), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Small-craft facilities (333) Several small-craft facilities are along Smith Creek. Currents (323) Throughout Arthur Kill the flood sets from Raritan Berths with electricity, gasoline, water, ice, marine rail- ways to 40 feet, and partial hull and engine repairs are Bay to Newark Bay and the ebb in reverse direction. available. Velocities of current vary with the location from about 1 to 1.5 knots. (324) In 1991, tidal currents in Arthur Kill were reported to deviate significantly from official predictions pub- (334) Port Reading, 4.5 miles above Ward Point on the lished by NOAA. Mariners should exercise caution and north side of Arthur Kill, has several oil storage facili- discretion in the use of published tidal current predic- ties. Depths of 18 to 36 feet are reported alongside. tions. (335) Fresh Kills enters Arthur Kills from eastward Chart 12331 about 6 miles above Ward Point. Fresh Kills is used as a New York City garbage landfill and is closed to all navi- (325) Perth Amboy is on the point at the junction of Rari- gation except garbage scows. tan River and Arthur Kill at the western end of Raritan Bay. The principal wharves are along the west bank of Chart 12333 Arthur Kill. The greatest draft entering is about 30 feet. The wharves have depths of 14 to 30 feet alongside. Good (336) Rahway River enters Arthur Kill from westward, anchorage is found abreast some wharves in 30 feet. about 7.2 miles above Ward Point, and extends westward for about 4.5 miles to the town of Rahway. It is used only Anchorage by small craft. In 1981, a reported depth of 5 feet could (326) A special anchorage is south of Perth Amboy. (See be taken to Lamberts Wharf about 2.1 miles above the mouth and about 0.5 mile above the New Jersey Turn- 110.1 and 110.60 (aa), chapter 2, for limits and regula- pike bridge. tions.) (327) Perth Amboy is a customs port of entry. (337) Name or location, type of span, distance above mouth, and clearances of the bridges over Rahway River Repairs are as follows: East Rahway, bascule, 1.7 miles, 6 feet; (328) Several ship and boat repair yards are in Perth Am- Linden and Carteret, fixed, 1.8 miles, 36 feet; Lawrence Street, fixed, 3.8 miles, 6 feet; U.S. Route 1/9, fixed, 3.9 boy. Small-craft engine and hull repairs can be made. miles, 23 feet; Milton Avenue, fixed 42-foot span, 4.2 miles, 4 feet; Monroe Avenue, fixed 30-foot span, 4.4
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 377 N Kill Van Kull and Constable Hook, New Jersey Image courtesy of Airphoto/Jim Wark (2004) miles, 7 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.743, span with a clearance of 5 feet; and Elizabethport rail- chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) road bridge, 0.8 mile above the mouth, has a bascule (338) An overhead power cable with a clearance of 165 span with a clearance of 14 feet. (See 117.1 through feet crosses Arthur Kill about 1.7 miles north of the 117.59 and 117.719, chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- Rahway River entrance. tions.) The bridges above the railroad bridge have a least (339) The Goethals Bridge, 10 miles above Ward Point, clearance of 3 feet. has a fixed span with a clearance of 137 feet over Ar- (343) Kill Van Kull separates the southern shore of the thur Kill just southward of Elizabethport. The railroad city of Bayonne from Staten Island and connects the bridge, 200 yards above Goethals Bridge, has a vertical Upper Bay of New York Harbor with Newark Bay and lift span with a clearance of 31 feet down and 135 feet Arthur Kill. Kill Van Kull is a major channel for petro- up. The bridgetender at the railroad bridge monitors leum and bulk cargo in New York Harbor, and has ex- VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KXS-237. (See 33 CFR tensive through traffic and large factories on its 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.702, chapter 2, for shores. drawbridge regulations.) (340) Elizabethport, about 11 miles above Ward Point, Channels is the eastern part of the city of Elizabeth. It is at the (344) A Federal project provides for a 45-foot dredged northern end of Arthur Kill at its junction with Newark Bay. channel leading through Kill Van Kull and a 35-foot (341) Most of the wharves along the Elizabeth waterfront dredged channel north of Shooters Island to Arthur are of the bulkhead-marginal type. Depths alongside Kill. The dredged channel south of Shooters Island has range from 3 to 32 feet. Waterborne commerce at these a project depth of 30 feet. (See Notice to Mariners and wharves is in petroleum, sand and gravel, chemicals and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) petrochemicals, and vegetable and animal oils. (345) Shoals, obstructions, and numerous wrecks are (342) Elizabeth River enters Arthur Kill from westward along both sides of the dredged channel in Kill Van Kull. at Elizabethport. The overhead power cable just above Numerous sunken and visible wrecks are in the channel the entrance has a reported clearance of 23 feet. South southward of Shooters Island; caution is advised. Kill Front Street Bridge, just above the mouth of the river, Van Kull channel, between Newark Bay and the Upper has a bascule span with a clearance of 3 feet; South First Bay of New York Harbor, is a regulated navigation area. Street Bridge, 0.5 mile above the mouth has a bascule (See 165.1 through 165.13, and 165.165, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)
378 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 (346) Bayonne Bridge, a fixed span with a minimum Anchorages clearance of 138 feet over the channel (151 feet cen- (354) General and special anchorages are in Newark Bay. terline), crosses Kill Van Kull from just east of Bergen Point, the southwestern end of the city of Bayonne, and (See 110.1, 110.60 (q), (r), and 110.155 (h), chapter connects with Staten Island. 2, for limits and regulations.) Currents Ice (347) The flood current sets westward and the ebb east- (355) Ice sometimes closes navigation during a part of ward. In the bight on the south side of the channel be- January and February. tween West New Brighton and Port Richmond there is more or less of an eddy when the current is at strength. (348) In 1991, tidal currents in Kill Van Kull were re- ported to deviate significantly from official predictions (356) The Port Elizabeth Marine Terminal operated published by NOAA. Mariners should exercise caution by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is and discretion in the use of published tidal current pre- on Newark Bay in Elizabeth, NJ, on the south side of dictions. Elizabeth Channel south of Port Newark. The facility is about 8 miles from The Narrows via Kill Van Kull. It is adjacent to the New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Airport in the heart of the New Jersey industrial area, about 25 (349) Constable Hook and Port Johnson, on the north minutes by highway from Manhattan. shore of Kill Van Kull, are parts of the city of Bayonne. They are commercially important for the shipment of (357) The terminal has 25 deep-draft berths with depths petroleum and other products. A dredged channel 23 of 32 to 40 feet reported alongside, and deck heights of feet deep, marked by buoys, leads from the easterly end 12 feet. In 1996, a rock with 36 feet of water over it was of Kill Van Kull to the wharf on the north side of Con- reported in about 40°40'26.6\"N., 74°7'57.1\"W., about stable Hook. 200 yards NNE of Buoy 14. (350) Several private yacht and boat clubs, and a public (358) A large container-handling complex with extensive marina are on the southwestern shore of Bayonne above lift-on/lift-off and roll-on/roll-off systems is at the ter- Bergen Point. A 90-ton crane at the marina can haul minal. Included in this complex are cranes up to 50 tons, out craft for engine and hull repairs; berths, electricity, mobile straddle carriers with 32-ton capacities, cargo- gasoline, water, ice, and marine supplies are available. handling buildings with more than 1-million square feet of storage space, and a large area for open storage. (351) New Brighton, Port Richmond, and Mariners Har- A Class I railroad provides the terminal with direct rail bor are on the south shore of Kill Van Kull. The largest services. Excellent cargo handling and storage facilities of several shipyards and floating drydocks on the south are available. shore can handle vessels up to 6,400 tons, 400 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 26 feet in draft. All kinds of repairs can Channels be made. (359) Federal project depth in Elizabeth Channel, lead- Charts 12333, 12337 ing to the terminal from the main channel in Newark Bay, is 45 feet. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edi- (352) Newark Bay has a length of about 4 miles from Kill tions of charts for controlling depths.) Van Kull to the junction of the two channels leading to Passaic and Hackensack Rivers. The greater part of the bay is very shoal, but a dredged channel leads through the bay to the rivers. The channel is well marked by (360) Port Newark Terminal, operated by the Port Au- lights and buoys. Strangers in small vessels should have thority of New York and New Jersey, is on the western no difficulty when using the chart as a guide. Deep-draft side of Newark Bay 2.7 miles above the south entrance, vessels should employ a pilot. northward of the Port Elizabeth Marine Terminal. It is in the heart of the New Jersey industrial area, adjacent Channels to the New Jersey Turnpike and Newark Airport. There (353) Federal project depth in the main channel to about are 37 deep-draft berths; reported depths alongside, 32 to 35 feet; deck heights, 11 to 12 feet; many transit and 0.3 mile north of the branch channel to the Port Eliza- storage areas and excellent cargo handling facilities, beth Marine Terminal is 45 feet, thence 40 feet to Port used for the receipt and shipment of general cargo, Newark, thence 35 feet to the junction of Passaic and metals, vegetable oils, petroleum, automobiles and ma- Hackensack Rivers. (See Notice to Mariners and latest chinery, and for the receipt of bananas, rubber products, editions of charts for controlling depths.) lumber and pulpwood, and chemicals. A Class I railroad provides the terminal with direct rail service. Channels (361) Federal project depth in Port Newark Channel and Port Newark Pierhead Channel, leading to the terminal from the main channel in Newark Bay, is 40 feet. (See
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 379 Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for con- at mile 2.3 and mile 4.3 are KR-6938 and WRY-593, re- trolling depths.) spectively. The Second Street and Eighth Street bascule span highway bridges and the Gregory Avenue swing span highway bridge at Passaic remain in the closed position with a clearance of 5 feet for the bascule spans (362) The New Jersey Turnpike (IS 78) bridge, 0.7 mile and 12 feet for the swing span. The fixed highway bridge above the entrance to Port Newark Terminal, has a fixed between Passaic and Garfield has a clearance of 5 feet. span with a clearance of 135 feet. The railroad bridge, The minimum clearance of the cables over Passaic River 0.2 mile above the New Jersey Turnpike bridge, has a is 135 feet. vertical-lift span with a clearance of 35 feet down and (367) The center pier and approach spans of a former 135 feet up. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.735, railroad swing bridge remain in Passaic River channel chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetend- about 1.1 miles above the mouth. An obstruction, cov- er at the railroad bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; ered 15 feet, was reported in the channel east of the call sign KS–9968. center pier. Mariners should use extreme caution when passing between the former bridge remains. In 1981, (363) A marina on the east side of Newark Bay about 0.9 the unused railroad swing bridge at Harrison was re- mile above the New Jersey Turnpike bridge provides portedly being maintained in the open position. berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, electricity, ice, stor- (368) Freshets overcome the flood current down as far age, marine supplies, and a 25-ton lift; hull and engine as Newark and sometimes to the mouth of the river. repairs can be made. Ordinary freshets usually of a few hours duration cause a rise of about 2 feet and a current velocity of about 3 Chart 12337 knots at Newark. Destructive freshets occasionally oc- cur at intervals of years, generally in the spring and fall. (364) Passaic River, which flows into the northwest end of Newark Bay, is used by vessels to Passaic, a manu- Small-craft facilities facturing city at the head of navigation 13 miles above (369) There are several boatyards along the Passaic River the mouth. Above the Wall Street bridge at Passaic the river is obstructed by boulders partly showing above between the entrance and Passaic. A marine railway at the water for 1.5 miles to the Dundee Dam. The city of Arlington can handle vessels to 40 feet long for complete Newark extends along the river for a distance of nearly engine and hull repairs. Berths, electricity, gasoline, wa- 5 miles above the mouth. The towns of Belleville, Ar- ter, ice, storage, and marine supplies are available along lington, Rutherford, and Nutley, and several villages are the river below Kearny. on the river between Newark and Passaic. The channel entrance is well marked. Waterborne commerce on the river consists of barge shipments of sand, gravel, and petroleum products. (370) Hackensack River flows into the northeast end of Newark Bay and is navigable for about 17.8 miles to the Channels dams at New Milford. (365) A Federal project provides for a 30-foot channel Channels from Newark Bay to a point about 0.5 mile above the (371) A Federal project provides for a 30-foot channel Lincoln Highway Bridge; thence 20 feet to the Jackson Street bridge; thence 16 feet to the railroad bridge at from Newark Bay to a 25-foot turning basin about 0.3 Arlington; thence 10 feet to the Eighth Street Bridge at mile above the railroad bridge at Marion. (See Notice Passaic. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling charts for controlling depths.) depths.) Above this point in 1971, depths of 11 feet were available for varying widths with local knowledge to the Bridges N.Y.S. & W.R.R. bridge at Hackensack, 14.2 miles above (366) More than 20 draw and fixed bridges cross the Pas- the mouth. The channel is well marked with aids. saic River between the mouth and Passaic. The minimum Bridges clearance of the bridges with fixed spans is 15 feet at the (372) More than 15 draw and fixed bridges cross the Union Avenue Bridge, 13.2 miles above the mouth. In 1980, the draws of the railroad bridge at Arlington, 7.2 Hackensack River between the mouth and Hackensack. miles above the mouth, were so restricted that mariners The minimum clearance of the bridges with fixed spans were advised to utilize the west fixed span, clearance is 49 feet at the fixed bridge above Garretts Reach about 35 feet. The minimum clearance of the bridges with 11.2 miles above the mouth. The minimum clearance drawspans is 7 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and of the bridges with drawspans is 2 feet at Hackensack, 117.739, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The nearly 16 miles above the mouth. (See 117.1 through bridgetenders at the railroad drawbridges 2.3, 4.3, 5.0, 117.59 and 117.723, chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- 7.0, and 10.2 miles above the entrance monitor VHF- tions.) The fixed bridges above Hackensack have a mini- FM channel 13. The call signs for the railroad bridges mum clearance of 2 feet. The minimum clearance of the
380 New York Harbor and Approaches Volume 2 cables over Hackensack River to Hackensack is 89 feet; opposite Secaucus. A mobile hoist at Carlstadt can thence 26 feet to the dams at New Milford. handle boats to 50 tons, and a marine railway can han- (373) In 1980, the fender system of the Court Street dle craft to 32 feet long for complete engine and hull swing bridge 14.1 miles above the mouth was reported repairs. Berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, to be in poor condition. Mariners should exercise cau- and marine supplies are available. tion when transiting the bridge. Only one barge at a time should transit the bridge. (374) The railroad drawbridges over the Hackensack River are equipped with radiotelephones. The bridge- (377) Berrys Creek Canal flows into the Hackensack tenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13. The call signs River from westward 6.8 miles above the mouth. A of the railroad bridges, identified by mileage above the midchannel depth of about 11 feet is available to the mouth, follow: mile 2.6, KQ-7198; mile 2.9, KR-6939; bridge about 1 mile above the entrance. Two fixed high- mile 4.4, KMC-297; mile 4.7, KR-6972; mile 6.0, KR- way bridges with a least clearance of 35 feet cross the 7035; and mile 6.7, KR-7034. To expedite opening of the creek just above the entrance. The bridge about 1 mile railroad bridge 2.6 miles above the entrance, mariners above the entrance has a clearance of 40 feet, and the are requested to give 1 hour advance notice by calling overhead power cable close southward of the bridge has 201-963-2552. a clearance of 45 feet. Currents (378) Overpeck Creek flows into the Hackensack River (375) The river has little freshet flow, and the tidal cur- from eastward 11.1 miles above the mouth. The bridges at the entrance have bascule and swing spans with a rents are rarely affected by it. minimum clearance of 3 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.738, chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- Small-craft facilities tions.) A dam, about 0.8 mile above the mouth, forms (376) There are several boatyards and marinas on the the head of navigation on the creek. Hackensack River at Little Ferry and at Carlstadt,
Chapter 11 New York Harbor and Approaches 381 TIDAL INFORMATION Chart Station LAT/LONG Mean Mean High Mean Low Higher High Water* Water* Water* 0.2 0.2 12325 Atlantic Highlands, Sandy Hook Bay 40°25'N/74°02'W 5.2 4.9 0.1 0.2 12325 Highlands, Route 36 bridge, Shrewsbury River 40°24'N/73°59'W 4.7 4.4 0.1 0.1 12325 Oceanic Bridge, Navesink River 40°23'N/74°01'W 3.8 3.5 0.2 0.2 12325 Sea Bright, Shrewsbury River 40°22'N/73°59'W 3.6 3.3 0.2 0.2 12325 Red Bank, Navesink River 40°21'N/74°04'W 3.9 3.6 0.2 0.2 12325 Gooseneck Point, bridge, Shrewsbury River 40°20'N/74°01'W 3.0 2.7 0.2 0.2 12325 Long Branch (fishing pier) 40°18'N/73°59'W 4.9 4.6 0.2 0.2 12326 East Rockaway Inlet, Long Island 40°36'N/73°45'W 4.6 4.3 0.2 0.2 12327 New York (The Battery) 40°42'N/74°01'W 5.1 4.7 0.2 0.2 12327 Point No Point, Passaic River 40°44'N/74°07'W 5.7 5.4 0.2 0.2 12331 Great Kills Harbor, Raritan Bay 40°33'N/74°08'W 5.2 4.9 0.3 0.3 12331 Princes Bay, Raritan Bay 40°30'N/74°12'W 5.5 5.1 0.2 0.2 12331 Carteret, Arthur Kill 40°35'N/74°13'W 5.7 5.3 0.2 0.2 12331 Keyport, Raritan Bay 40°26'N/74°12'W 5.6 5.3 0.2 0.2 12332 South Amboy, Raritan River 40°30'N/74°17'W 5.7 5.3 12333 St. George, Staten Island, New York Harbor 40°39'N/74°04'W 5.0 4.7 12333 Port Newark Terminal, Newark Bay 40°41'N/74°08'W 5.7 5.3 12333 Chelsea, Arthur Kill 40°36'N/74°12'W 5.6 5.2 12333 Port Elizabeth, Newark Bay 40°40'N/74°08'W 5.6 5.2 12334 Fort Hamilton 40°37'N/74°02'W 5.2 4.9 12334 Governors Island, New York Harbor 40°42'N/74°01'W 4.9 4.6 12337 Newark, Passaic River 40°44'N/74°10'W 5.9 5.5 12337 Hackensack, Hackensack River 40°53'N/74°02'W 6.6 6.3 12337 East Rutherford, Passaic River 40°51'N/74°07'W 6.5 6.1 12350 Barren Island, Rockaway Inlet 40°35'N/73°53'W 5.6 5.2 12350 Beach Channel bridge, Jamaica Bay 40°35'N/73°49'W 5.7 5.3 12350 Norton Point (Head of Bay), Jamaica Bay 40°38'N/73°45'W 6.0 5.4 12350 Canarsie, Jamaica Bay 40°38'N/73°53'W 5.8 5.4 12401 Sandy Hook (Fort Hancock), Raritan Bay 40°28'N/74°01'W 5.2 4.9 12402 Norton Point, Gravesend Bay 40°35'N/74°00'W 5.3 5.0 * 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 August 2011
382 Hudson River Volume 2 74°30' 74° 73°30' Index of Chart Coverage in Chapter 12 Albany Troy 42° 42° 30' 30' 12347 12348 Hudson Saugerties RIVER MASSACHUSETTS CONNECTICUT 42° 42° Kingston HUDSON Poughkeepsie 41° Newburgh 41° 30' 30' West Point N NE WJ EYROS ERYK 12343 CNOENWNYEOCRTKI C U T EW Ossining 41° 12346 LONG ISLAND SOUND 41° 12345 Yonkers 12341 74°30' 12335 73°30' 74°
Chapter 12 Hudson River 383 Hudson River (1) This chapter describes the Hudson River from New Seasonal buoyage York City to Troy, NY, and includes the principal cities (7) The lighted buoys marking the Hudson River chan- of Yonkers, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and Albany. nel are replaced during the winter by smaller lighted ice buoys or unlighted buoys. (2) Mileages shown in this chapter for the Hudson River as Mile 0.9E, Mile 12W, etc., are the nautical miles Bridges above The Battery; the letters N, S, E, and W denote by (8) The bridges over Hudson River from New York to compass points the side of the river where each feature is located. Mile 0.0 is a point at the mouth of the Hudson Albany have either fixed or suspension spans. River in 40°42.1'N., 74°01.5'W. The mileages given are (9) The limiting bridge clearance over the lower Hud- approximations. son River is 139 feet, at the Tappan Zee Bridge (IS 87/287). Charts 12335, 12341, 12345-12346, 12343, The middle Hudson River has a limiting bridge clear- 12347-12348 ance of 134 feet at the Mid-Hudson Bridge (US Route 44) at Poughkeepsie. The upper Hudson River has a limiting (3) Hudson River, sometimes called North River in bridge clearance of 135 feet at the Castleton-on-Hudson New York City, has its source in the Adirondack Moun- Bridge (New York State Thruway/IS 90 E-W). The least tains, about 275 miles along its course from a junction clearance of the overhead cables is 145 feet. with East River at The Battery, NY, and flows in a general southerly direction into New York Upper Bay. Troy Lock Anchorages and Dam, 134 miles above The Battery, permits vessels (10) General anchorages begin 5 miles above The Bat- to pass from tidewater to the upper river and the New York State Canal System. The river water is usually fresh tery and extend upriver for about 10 miles. (See 110.1 as far south as Poughkeepsie, halfway from Troy Lock and 110.155, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) and Dam to The Battery. (11) Vessels proceeding from New York to Albany occa- sionally anchor overnight in the vicinity of Kingston, 79 (4) New York City extends along the eastern bank of miles above The Battery and 47 miles below Albany, to Hudson River for a distance of about 14 miles above The await daylight hours for passing through the constricted Battery. For about 5 miles northward from The Battery, part of the river. the New York waterfront is an almost continuous line (12) A buoyed anchorage, 400 feet wide and 2,400 of wharves and piers, some of which can accommodate feet long, is on the east side of the channel just above the largest transatlantic liners. Stuyvesant (42°23'22\"N., 73°46'53\"W.), about 15 miles below Albany. (5) On the opposite side of Hudson River from New York City are Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, West Dangers New York, Guttenberg, Edgewater, Fort Lee and Engle- (13) Numerous fishtraps are planted each spring, usu- wood Cliffs. The shoreline from Jersey City to Edgewa- ter is lined with ruined piers and piling fields. Mariners ally from about mid-March to mid-May, during the sea- must check with local authorities and property owners sonal run of shad to the spawning grounds in the upper for approval prior to mooring. Hudson. The charts show the fishtrap areas in the 30- mile stretch beginning about 5 miles above The Battery Channels and extending upriver to Stony Point; Corps of Engi- (6) The lower Hudson River has depths of 43 feet or neers permits are required for the placing of shad nets and poles in the charted areas. Outer limits of the nets more in midchannel from deep water in Upper New York usually are marked by flags during the day and by lights Bay off Ellis Island to the upper limit of New York City’s during the night. Caution is advised when navigating major wharves at 59th Street, about 5.3 miles above the a fishtrap area because broken-off poles from previous entrance. Above this point, the Federal project depth traps may remain under the surface. is 32 feet to Albany. (See Notice to Mariners and latest (14) Navigation of the river is easy as far north as Kings- editions of charts for controlling depths.) ton, but above Kingston it is more difficult because of the numerous steep-to shoals and middle grounds. In general tows are apt to follow the shoreline which is most favorable as regards wind and current; with a
384 Hudson River Volume 2 strong northwest wind, tows will follow the west shore No-Discharge Zone regardless of the direction in which they are traveling. (18) The State of New York, with the approval of the Regulated Navigation Area Environmental Protection Agency, has established a (15) The Coast Guard established a regulated navigation No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the waters of the Hudson River. The NDZ extends from the Battery in Manhat- area on the navigable waters of the Hudson River south tan, New York to the federal dam at Troy, New York (see of the Troy Locks, effective during certain ice condi- charts for limits). tions. (See 33 CFR 165.165, chapter 2, for limits and (19) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether regulations.) treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by Recreational Boaters Navigating Near Commercial 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). Shipping Channels (16) Large commercial vessels and tugs with tows are Tides often restricted in their ability to maneuver- as defined (20) The tides in Hudson River are affected by fresh- in Rule 3 of the Inland Navigation Rules- and therefore have the right of way over all recreational boats includ- ets, winds, and droughts. Because of these variables the ing sailboats. In accordance with Rule 9 of the Inland predictions given in the Tide Tables for points above Navigation Rules, vessels less than 20 meters in length George Washington Bridge are based upon averages for shall not cross ahead or otherwise impede the passage of the 6-month period, May to October, when the freshwa- any vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow ter discharge is at a minimum. channel or fairway. Accordingly, recreational vessels should avoid commercial shipping channels and when- Currents ever possible transit them as near to the outer limit of (21) The currents in Hudson River are influenced by the the channel or fairway that lies on the vessel’s starboard as is safe and practical. If it becomes necessary to cross same variables that affect the tides. The times of slack a channel, check for other vessels and pass astern of water and the velocities and durations of flood and ebb oncoming vessels. Be aware that tugs often tow barges are subject to extensive changes; the times of strengths and other objects on long submerged towlines which are less likely to be affected. The currents usually set fair are difficult to see and should never cross between a tug with the channels except in the vicinities of bends and and its tow. Additional information is available at: http:// wharves. www.uscgboating.org/safety/publications.htm (22) Velocities of currents are 1.4 knots flood and 1.4 knots ebb northwest of The Battery, 1.6 and 2.2 knots Speed and Wake Damage at George Washington Bridge, 0.9 and 1.1 knots at New- (17) Speed and wake damage complaints are an ongoing burgh, 1.1 and 1.2 knots at Poughkeepsie, 1.3 and 1.6 knots at Kingston, and 0.3 knot flood and 0.8 knot ebb issue due to the increasing usage by both commercial at Albany. Near Troy Lock and Dam, the current does not and recreational users. While there are no federal regu- flood and the ebb has a velocity of 0.7 knot. These values lations that address vessel speed limits outside of federal are for the summer when the freshwater discharge is at anchorage grounds, all vessel operators are expected to a minimum. operate at a safe speed and in a manner that does not (23) Daily current predictions for The Narrows, New put others at risk. Licensed commercial mariners are York Harbor, are given in the Tidal Current Tables. Pre- further expected to be familiar with ongoing evolutions dictions for places along Hudson River may be obtained within the port and honor the requests of other water- by applying the differences and ratios listed for these way users as a professional courtesy. This information places in the tables. is published at: http://homeport.uscg.mil and in the (24) During the summer of 2004, tidal observations weekly Local Notice to Mariners at: http://www.navcen. were made in the Hudson River near Haverstraw and uscg.gov/lnm/d1/ or by Safety Radio Broadcasts (See it was found that there were significant differences in Chapter Radio: Navigation Warnings, Information and the timing of the tidal current phases as compared with Weather). Title 46 Part 185.304 of the Code of Federal the predicted tidal current phases. The greatest time dif- Regulations, states: \"The operator of a vessel should pay ference was observed in the slack before ebb, which on special attention in regards to the potential caused by average may occur one hour later than the predictions their wake.\" The operation of a vessel in a negligent given in the 2005 Tidal Current Tables. NOAA's Center manner is a violation of federal law that may carry a for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services monetary penalty. In addition, vessel operators may in- issued special daily tidal current predictions for the cur civil liability for the damage caused to other persons Hudson River at eight locations, where data were col- or property. Parties alleging the creation of an excessive lected during 2005, in the 2007 edition of the Atlantic wake may document their concerns via videotape or pic- Coast of North America Tidal Current Tables. Mariners tures. This type of documentation could be the basis for should exercise caution when using the published tidal opening a civil penalty case. current predictions.
Chapter 12 Hudson River 385 Ice is located just south of the pilot station. The pilot sta- (25) In even extremely severe winters, Coast Guard ice- tion is manned only while boarding ships in transit and maintains a watch on VHF-FM channel 13 an hour prior breakers and continuous river traffic maintain an open to ETA for Norrie Point. The Hudson River Pilot office channel to Albany. The ice season usually starts in early may be reached at (718) 448-3900. January and ends in mid-March. Normally shipping is affected most seriously in the Hudson River between Towage Tappan Zee and Albany. Modern vessels experience lit- (33) Tugs are available in New York Harbor and at Al- tle difficulty maneuvering through the ice, but may be slowed by other river traffic. In addition to the problem bany. (See chapter 11, and Albany later in this chapter.) of getting through the ice, aids to navigation are covered or dragged off station by moving ice. Quarantine, customs, and immigration (34) Matters pertaining to these services for places along Freshets (26) During March, April, and May, freshets have Hudson River are handled at the Port of New York or at Albany. (See chapter 11, New York Harbor, and Albany reached heights above normal high water of as much later in this chapter.) as 18 feet at Albany and 25 feet at Troy Lock and Dam. At the time of the larger freshets the tide may be com- Chart 12335 pletely masked, the water continuing to rise and fall for a period of several days without any tidal oscillation. At (35) Hudson River averages about 0.6 mile in width the time of smaller freshets the range of tide is greatly along this 5-mile stretch above The Battery. The chart diminished and the times of high and low waters are covers most of the principal wharves on the New York somewhat delayed. City side and those of Jersey City, Hoboken, and Wee- (27) During the smaller freshets, the flood current dis- hawken on the west, or New Jersey, side. New York Har- appears and the ebb current has a velocity of about 1.5 bor is a commercial/recreational waterway. This section knots. The larger freshets produce an ebb current that of the Hudson River is used by commercial shipping, varies from 1.5 to nearly 5 knots depending on the size tugs and barges, sightseeing vessels, dinner boats, com- of the freshet and the stage of the tide. muter ferries and recreational vessels including hand- powered vessels. Cruise ships operate from the NYC Pilotage, Hudson River Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 88-92. NYC Department (28) Pilotage is compulsory on the Hudson River for of Sanitation vessels operate from Piers 97 and 99. Con Edison receives fuel shipments at Pier 98. foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. Pilotage north of Yonkers is available from Hudson River Pilots Morris Canal Basin Association, 201 Edgewater Street, Staten Island, NY (36) The basin is located north of Liberty State Park. 10305, telephone 718-815-4316, FAX 718-876-8055. The pilot boat, JOHN E. FLYNN, is 40 feet with a black Two marinas, two commuter ferries, one sailing school, hull, white superstructure, and the word PILOT in red one yacht club and various charter boats operate from letters, each side. The boat berths at Yonkers, and when the basin. Commercial operators occupy the northwest underway monitors VHF-FM channel 13, works chan- corner of the basin while tour boats operate from the nels 13 or 18A. The pilot boat meets vessels in midriver Central Railroad of New Jersey Pier at the southeast (40°56'21\"N., 73°54'41\"W.) off Yonkers. Arrangements entrance to the basin. for pilot services are made in advance through ships’ agents; at least 24-hour advance notice is requested. Anchorage (29) Vessels transiting between New York Harbor and (37) There are no special anchorages or commercial Yonkers or between Long Island Sound and Yonkers are serviced by United New York New Jersey Sandy Hook anchorage grounds in this part of the Hudson River. Pilot Association. Vessels anchoring inside of the pierhead line shall be (30) U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise trade transit- lighted in accordance with the Inland Navigation Rules ing between New York Harbor and Yonkers or between and should check with local authorities for any addi- Long Island Sound and Yonkers are also served by In- tional requirements. Hudson River Park extends from terport Pilots Agency, Inc. Battery Park City to 59th Street. They provide mooring (31) On the Hudson River, pilots maintain bridge-to- facilities south of Pier 40. The Hudson River Park dock- bridge communication on channel 13. master may be contacted at (212) 627-2020 for avail- (32) Vessels transiting the river to destinations beyond ability. the city of Kingston, NY will be required to embark an- other pilot at the Hyde Park Pilot Station (41°49'55\"N., Small-craft facilities 073°56'32\"W.) located on the eastern shore of Hudson (38) Facilities at Manhattan are located at North Cove River in Mills-Norrie State Park. For vessels awaiting daylight transits north of Kingston, a federal anchorage Yacht Harbor and Pier 59. Facilities in New Jersey are located in Morris Canal Basin, Jersey City, Hoboken and
386 Hudson River Volume 2 Weehawkin; sailing schools-Jersey City, Hoboken and (47) Spuyten Duyvil Creek, entered at Mile 12E, is Manhattan. marked by the railroad swing bridge over the mouth. The creek is the Hudson River entrance to Harlem River, Caution which is described in chapter 9. Currents are swift and (39) Commuter ferries operate between several sites erratic around the mouth of the creek. in New Jersey and Manhattan. Extra caution should be Small-craft facilities used while transiting during the morning and evening (48) Englewood Boat Basin, on the New Jersey side op- rush hours. Hand-powered vessels operate from the New Jersey and New York shores of the Hudson River. posite Spuyten Duyvil Creek, can accommodate craft Several swimming events are held along the Manhattan to 50 feet long; berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, and wa- shoreline throughout the summer. ter are available. Alpine Boat Basin is located at about 40°56'11\"N., 73°55'05\"W. A boat launching ramp for Chart 12341 registered, trailer-towed boats under 24 feet in length, jet skis and car-top boats (canoes and kayaks) is available (40) On the New Jersey side of the river are Gutten- at Hazard’s Launching Ramp south of the George Wash- berg, Mile 5.5W; Edgewater, Mile 7.5W; and Fort Lee, ington Bridge. On the New York side, Dykman Marina Mile 9.5W. Small-craft facilities at Edgewater can pro- is located at Tubby Hook. The Riverdale Yacht Club and vide berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club are about 200 limited marine supplies, storage, and hull and engine yards north of the Yonkers Municipal Pier. Commuter repairs. The largest mobile hoist can handle craft up to ferries operate between the Yonkers Municipal Pier and 25 tons. Commuter ferries operate between Edgewater Battery Park in Manhattan. and Pier 79 in Manhattan. (41) The New York side of the river is mostly parkway for the length of the chart. The 79th Street Boat Basin, (49) Yonkers, Mile 16E, adjoins the north side of New at Mile 5.5E, opposite Guttenberg, can provide berths, York City. Waterborne commerce is in petroleum prod- electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine sup- ucts, sugar and syrup products, cement, sand, and other plies and minor engine repairs. building materials. (42) Sailors and Soldiers Monument, Mile 6.2E, is a (50) A sugar refining plant (40°55'41\"N., 73°54'21\"W.) prominent landmark at 89th Street and Riverside Drive, has a 400-foot marginal wharf with depths of 30 to 32 Manhattan. feet alongside and a deck height of 10 feet. The plant has 20,000 tons of covered storage and is served by a con- (43) General Grants Tomb, Mile 7.7E, is prominent at veyor system with two 20-ton hoppers for the receipt of 123rd Street and Riverside Drive, Manhattan. raw sugar. Vessels berth outboard of two floating cranes moored at the face of the wharf. (44) George Washington Bridge, Mile 10, crosses Hud- son River from Fort Lee, NJ, to Fort Washington Point, (51) Several other private facilities at Yonkers, used New York City. The suspension span is nearly 0.6 mile mainly by barges, have reported depths of 12 to 30 feet long from shore to shore with a clearance of 195 feet, alongside. and the tops of the towers are about 600 feet above the water. When the traveller platform is in use, the bridge Chart 12346 clearance is reduced to 180 feet. (52) Alpine is a prominent landing at Mile 16W. A boat Anchorage basin here, operated by the Palisades Interstate Park (45) Three anchorage areas are south of the George Commission, affords shelter for numerous small craft; berths, gasoline, electricity, and water are available. In Washington Bridge. (See 33 CFR 110.1, 110.155(c) 1981, 4 feet was reported in the basin. (1), and 110.155(c)(5), chapter 2, for limits and reg- ulations.) A special anchorage is on the north side of Anchorages George Washington Bridge at North Manhattan. (See (53) A special anchorage adjoins a yacht club on the 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.60 (o-3), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Yonkers side of the Hudson River, 17 miles above The Battery; another special anchorage is about 0.5 mile to Chart 12345 the northward. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (o) and (o-1), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (46) From Fort Lee, NJ, the rocky cliffs of Palisades State Park and adjoining Tallman Mountain State Park extend up the west side of the river for about 12 miles to Piermont, NY. The Palisades are 300 to 500 feet high (54) Several private boat clubs are at Greystone Station, and in places are thickly wooded with scrub. just north of Yonkers; guest moorings are available. (55) Hastings-on-Hudson, Mile 19E, has a prominent water tank at its waterfront. A yacht club, north of the waterfront, is adjoined by a special anchorage. (See
Chapter 12 Hudson River 387 110.1 and 110.60 (p), chapter 2, for limits and regula- is atop the center of the main channel span of the south- tions.) Limited guest berths are available. In 1981, a ernmost bridge. reported depth of 4 feet could be carried to the fuel dock. (65) Tarrytown, Mile 24E, has about 1 mile of developed (56) The boundary line between the States of New Jersey waterfront, part of which has been improved by dredg- and New York extends northwestward from a point on ing. the west side of Hudson River at Mile 19. The river is (66) An abandoned lighthouse is a prominent landmark 0.8 mile wide at this point. in Tarrytown. In 2008, the controlling depths in the (57) Dobbs Ferry is a town at Mile 20.5E. A stack on the dredged channel in Tarrytown Harbor were 7.3 feet waterfront and several cupolas are prominent. (7.7 feet at midchannel) in the southwest connecting (58) Irvington, Mile 22E, has a large lumber terminal at channel, thence 6.2 feet (7.1 feet at midchannel) in the the southern end of the waterfront, and a small private northwest connecting channel, and 4.3 feet (6.8 feet at wharf at the northern end. In 1981, alongside depths of midchannel) in the waterfront channel. An obstruction, 7 to 10 feet were reported at the lumber wharf. A private consisting of rocks, is on the east edge of the waterfront boat club is just north of the terminal wharves; guest channel in about 41°04.8'N., 73°52.2'W. Both access moorings are available. channels are buoyed. (59) At Piermont, Mile 22W, an earthen embankment (67) Tarrytown Harbor usually is open to navigation extends 0.8 mile channelward from the shore to Pier- throughout the year, but in severe winters ice floes from mont Pier. There is a Class I railroad terminus at the the upper river may temporarily block the channels. inner end of the embankment; several buildings in Pier- mont are prominent. A T-head pier, used by Columbia Anchorage University to moor its geological research vessels, ex- (68) A special anchorage is at Tarrytown. (See 110.1 tends from the outer end of Piermont Pier; depths of about 16 feet are reported alongside the face. The ruins and 110.60 (p-1), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) of a former ferry slip and other piers and several visible wrecks are on the south side of Piermont Pier. Chart 12343 (69) Several waterfront terminals, with depths of 10 feet alongside, are available at Tarrytown, and there are (60) A foul area extends about 300 yards northward from rail connections nearby. The wharves are used mostly the outer end of Piermont Pier. A sunken wreck is in this for the receipt of petroleum products, sand, gravel, and area about 200 yards northward from the end of the pier; crushed rock. caution is advised. (70) A marina is southward of the principal wharves; (61) In 1981, shoaling to an unknown extent was re- berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity, water, ice, ma- ported in the area from the outer end of Piermont Pier rine supplies, and a 15-ton mobile hoist are available. north to Lower Nyack Landing, Mile 24.6W; caution is Two private boat clubs are southward of the marina; a advised. launching ramp is available. Small-craft facilities (71) Nyack is on the west side of Tappan Zee at Mile 25W. (62) Several small-craft facilities are just northward Small-craft facilities at Nyack include a boatyard with a marine railway that can handle craft to 40 feet long for of Piermont Pier. Berths, electricity, water, ice, stor- complete engine and hull repairs; the railway, just south age, marine supplies, mobile hoists up to 10 tons, and of Lower Nyack Landing, can only be used at high tide. hull and engine repairs are available. In 1981, reported Storage facilities and marine supplies are available. A depths of 4 feet could be carried to the facilities. A scuba boat club on the north side of the waterfront can provide diving team of the Piermont Volunteer Fire Department guest moorings. In 1981, it was reported that 4½ feet is available for underwater search and rescue work. They could be carried to the gasoline dock. can be contacted through the Piermont Police Depart- ment; telephone 914-359-0240. (72) In 1981, shoaling to an unknown extent was re- ported in the area from Lower Nyack Landing south to the outer end of Piermont Pier, Mile 22W. (63) Tappan Zee is the 2-mile-wide part of Hudson Riv- Anchorage er between Piermont and Croton Point, 8 miles to the (73) A special anchorage is at Nyack. (See 110.1 and northward. 110.60 (o-2), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (64) Tappan Zee Bridge (IS 87/287), Mile 23.5, crosses Tappan Zee from Nyack to Tarrytown. The fixed span over the main channel has a clearance of 139 feet. The 470-foot east and west spans, on either side of the main (74) Upper Nyack, about 0.6 mile north of Nyack, has a span, have clearances of 123 feet. Three auxiliary open- boatyard with a 50-ton mobile hoist and a 20-ton fixed ings for small boats have clearances of 11 feet. A RACON crane. The boatyard wharf has depths of about 5 feet at the face. Berths, electricity, gasoline, water, diesel fuel, ice, marine supplies, and complete engine and hull re- pairs are available.
388 Hudson River Volume 2 (75) Hook Mountain, 730 feet high, is on the west side a private light, is on the south side of the point; depths of Tappan Zee at Mile 27W. The summit is only 0.3 mile of about 31 feet are reported alongside. inland and is very prominent from the river. Small-craft facilities (76) Ossining is on the east side of Tappan Zee at Mile (86) Numerous small-craft facilities are north and south 29E. In 1981, depths of 5 to 6 feet were reported on the flats off the oil storage receiving facility piers at Ossin- of Grassy Point. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, ing. Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a State peniten- water, ice, storage, marine supplies, a pump-out facility, tiary, is on the low flat shore on the south side of Ossin- lifts to 40 tons, and engine and hull repairs are available. ing. Two water towers near the prison are prominent. In 2001, a reported depth of 17 feet could be carried into A marina at the north end of town can handle craft to the cove south of the point. 15 tons for hull and engine repairs; marine supplies are available. There are also two boat clubs and a yacht club at Ossining; gasoline, water, ice, and guest berths are available. In 1981, a reported depth of 4 feet could (87) Stony Point, Mile 35W, is marked at the outer end be carried to the yacht club gasoline dock. by a light. (77) From Hook Mountain, Mile 27W, northward to (88) Verplanck Point, Mile 35.5E, is marked on its Haverstraw, Mile 33W, the west bank of the Hudson northwestern side by prominent gray eroded banks of River rises precipitously to heights of more than 800 tailings from a trap-rock plant. Two oil receiving facili- feet. ties at Verplanck Point have depths of 8 to 12 feet re- ported alongside. (78) Croton Point, Mile 30E, is a long peninsula that extends 1.5 miles channelward from the main shore. Small-craft facilities Croton Point Park is on the southwest part of the pen- (89) Small-craft facilities on the point can provide insula. There are several prominent brick buildings at Harmon, near the inner end of Croton Point. berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- age, and limited marine supplies; lifts to 30 tons are (79) Haverstraw Bay is the wide stretch of Hudson River available for hull and engine repairs. In 1981, reported between Croton Point and Stony Point, 5 miles to the depths of 4 feet could be carried to the facilities. northward; the greatest width is about 2.5 miles. The extensive flats in the eastern half of the bay have depths of 5 to 9 feet. The dredged channel through Haverstraw Bay is marked by seasonal lighted buoys and two lighted (90) Indian Point, on the east side of Hudson River, ranges. 1.7 miles northward of Verplanck Point, is the site of a nuclear powerplant. A tall red and white banded stack, (80) Croton-on-Hudson, on the east side of Haverstraw lighted on top, and two large domes are conspicuous on Bay at Mile 31.5E, has a yacht club. the point. (81) High Tor, 820 feet high, is on the west side of (91) Tomkins Cove, a town at Mile 36W, has a large Haverstraw Bay at Mile 32W. stone quarry, a rock crusher, and a trap-rock plant. The offshore pier connected to the shore by a conveyor sys- (82) Haverstraw, on the west side of Haverstraw Bay at tem has 700 feet of berthing space with dolphins; depths Mile 33W., has several abandoned brickyards along its of 15 to 25 feet are reported alongside. Crushed rock is waterfront. Prominent on Bowline Point (41°12.2'N., shipped by barge. Numerous beached barges south of 73°57.6'W.) are the cement stacks and large red rectan- the pier are prominent. A powerplant pier, just north- gular buildings of a powerplant. A T-shaped pier, oper- ward of the wharf, consists of four cement steel-filled ated by the powerplant and marked by private lights, cells, the center two of which are connected to each extends off Bowline Point. other and the shore by a steel catwalk. Depths of about 40 feet were reported alongside. (83) Two marginal wharves, used by barges and oper- ated by sand, stone, and gravel companies, are about (92) An overhead power cable with a clearance of 160 0.7 mile southward of Bowline Point. In 1981, depths feet crosses the Hudson River north of Tompkins Cove. of 7½ feet were reported alongside the wharves. A small private boat club is in the cove immediately northward (93) Peekskill is at the head of a shallow bight at Mile of the more northerly wharf. 38E. A dredged U-shaped channel extends northeast- ward from deep water in Hudson River to the wharf Anchorage area and thence northwestward back to deep water. The (84) A special anchorage is at Haverstraw. (See 110.1 southern channel is marked by buoys and a light. In 1990, the controlling depths were 5 feet in the south and 110.60 (p–3), chapter 2, for limits and regula- channel, 4½ feet in the north channel, and 2½ feet in tions.) the channel west of the wharves except for shoaling to 1½ feet near the ramps in the southeast corner of the turn leading from the south channel to the waterfront. (85) Grassy Point is on the west side of Haverstraw Bay (94) A yacht club at Peekskill has guest berths, electric- at Mile 34W. A gypsum pier, marked on its outer end by ity, water, ice, and engine repairs.
Chapter 12 Hudson River 389 Caution and other background lighting in general to avoid vessel (95) In 1985, it was reported that the channel on the grounding. (106) A tower at Highland Falls, Mile 44W, is prominent. north side of Peekskill Bay was obstructed by a sewer Highland Falls has a small marina with transient berths outfall extending across from the entrance to Annsville for small craft up to 35 feet. The reported depth along- Creek; caution is advised. side the dock is 30 feet; electricity and water is available. A launching ramp is at the marina. (107) A yacht club at Garrison, Mile 45E, has depths of about 20 feet alongside its fuel dock. Craft up to 60 feet (96) Annsville Creek is a very shallow creek on the in length can be accommodated at the slips; gasoline, north side of Peekskill. The railroad bridge over the en- water, electricity, and some marine supplies are avail- trance has a bascule span with a clearance of 3½ feet. able. The bridge is maintained in the closed position. (See (108) West Point, Mile 45W, is the site of the U.S. Military 117.805, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The Academy. The academy is easily recognized from the highway bridge about 0.2 mile above the railroad bridge prominence of the buildings and the road leading up has a fixed span with a clearance of 19 feet. the hillside from the railroad station and wharfs on the riverbank. (97) An oil receiving pier at Roa Hook, on the north side of Peekskill, has a reported depth of about 13 feet Anchorage alongside. (109) A special anchorage is at West Point. (See 110.1 (98) Dunderberg Mountain, 1,110 feet high, is a densely and 110.60 (p-2), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) wooded mountain at Mile 38W. The mountain slopes eastward to Jones Point, which is low and flat. (99) The river becomes much narrower at Jones Point (110) The northeastern extremity of West Point descends and has an average width of 0.3 mile for the next 8 to Gees Point, a rocky feature which is marked by a miles between the bases of the highlands on both sides. light. About 0.2 mile south of Gees Point, another light When approaching the sharp turns in this reach, cau- marks the outer edge of a rocky shallow area along the tion should be exercised and a warning signal should be west bank. given. (111) Worlds End, a sharp bend in the Hudson River at (100) Iona Island, formerly a naval depot at Mile 40W, is Mile 46, has depths of more than 100 feet. Extreme cau- controlled by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. tion should be exercised when passing through Worlds A light, shown from a skeleton tower on the north side End; the view is obstructed and vessels should reduce of the island, is conspicuous. speed and sound a warning signal. (101) A rock, with a depth of 10 feet over it and marked (112) Constitution Island is on the upper side of Worlds by a buoy, is 0.2 mile north-northwestward of the north- End at Mile 46.5E. Magazine Point, on the channel side ernmost point of Iona Island. When descending the of the island, is marked by a light. river, particularly with a strong fair current, a careful watch should be maintained to avoid being set on this (113) Crows Nest, Mile 47W, is 1,403 feet high and prom- rock. inent. A boat club is at Cold Spring, Mile 47.3E. (102) Bear Mountain State Route 6, Mile 40.3W, is 1,305 (114) Little Stony Point, Mile 48E, is the site of a rock feet high and has its summit about 1 mile inland. There quarry. are wharves at Day Line Park, on the riverbank at the foot of the mountain. (115) Storm King Mountain, 1,355 feet high, is promi- nent at Mile 49W. (103) Anthonys Nose, 900 feet high, is a steep, thickly wooded hill at Mile 40.5E. (116) Breakneck Point, on the opposite side of Hudson River from Storm King Mountain, is marked by one (104) Bear Mountain Bridge, Mile 40.6 crosses the Hud- highway tunnel and two railroad tunnels; the lights are son River from Bear Mountain to Anthonys Nose. The prominent at night. Behind Breakneck Point is Break- suspension span has a clearance of 155 feet. neck Ridge, 1,196 feet high. (105) Con Hook, a small island at Mile 43W, is marked (117) Cornwall-on-Hudson is at Mile 50W. The wharf on its channel side by a light. A rock, with a depth of at Cornwall is in ruins. A boat club and a yacht club, 7 feet over it and marked by a seasonal lighted buoy, is about 0.6 mile southeastward of the wharf in ruins, can about 0.3 mile southward of Con Hook. When descend- provide gasoline, water, and ice; guest moorings and ing the river, particularly with a fair current, there is a launching ramp are available. In 1981, the reported a tendency to set toward the rock; caution is advised. depths were 10 feet at the gasoline dock and 3 feet in The area 800 yards N of Con Hook and along the west- the basin. ern shoreline is extremely shallow and dangerous and should be avoided due to a large shoal. When south- (118) Pollepel Island, Mile 50E, is a private estate with bound on the Hudson River approaching Con Hook, buildings that resemble a medieval castle. A light is mariners must take care not to confuse the lights on shown from a skeleton tower 0.1 mile off the west side navigation aids with the lights from the railroad track of the island. on the west bank, the lights from bridge in the distance,
390 Hudson River Volume 2 (119) Newburgh, Mile 53W, is a major petroleum distri- 47 feet. An overhead power cable with a clearance of 31 bution center. Most of the piers of the major oil com- feet crosses the creek about 1.5 miles above the mouth. panies are at New Windsor, the southern end of the (127) Diamond Reef, with a depth of 5 feet over it and 2-mile waterfront at Newburgh. Depths at the piers are marked by a seasonal lighted buoy, lies in about the reported to range from about 14 feet at the northern middle of Hudson River 0.2 mile above the entrance to end to 35 feet at the southern end of the waterfront. Wappinger Creek. Between Diamond Reef and Pough- keepsie the west side of the river should be favored to (120) The yacht club landing near the north end of the avoid two 18-foot spots which are buoyed. Newburgh waterfront has reported depths of about 10 (128) A marina at New Hamburg, just north of the en- feet alongside. The marine railways here can handle craft trance to Wappinger Creek, has berths, electricity, gaso- up to 46 feet for minor engine and hull repairs; berths, line, water, ice, a 12-ton lift, and marine supplies; hull electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, launching and engine repairs can be made. In 1981, depths of 20 ramps, and marine supplies are available. A shipbuilding feet were reported alongside the gasoline dock and 3 feet company at Newburgh can make emergency repairs to alongside the berths. commercial vessels. A marine railway at the yard can (129) A boat club at Marlboro, Mile 59.7W, can provide handle vessels to 140 feet, and cranes to 150 tons are gasoline and water. available. (130) Poughkeepsie, Mile 66E, is an important industri- al center specializing in manufactured goods, oil, and (121) Beacon, on the east bank of the Hudson River op- lumber. posite Newburgh, has some manufacturing facilities. (131) Mid Hudson Bridge (U.S. 44), a fixed span with a An oil pier at the southern end of the waterfront has a clearance of 134 feet, and a fixed railroad bridge with reported depth of 5 feet alongside. A seasonal swimming a clearance of 167 feet, 0.5 mile northward, cross the area in the river at Beacon is marked by private buoys. river at Poughkeepsie; both bridges are well lighted at The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge (IS 84), two spanned night. The Mid Hudson Bridge is equipped with a pri- fixed highway bridges, with a clearance of 147 feet for a vate sound signal and a racon in the middle of the span. middle 760-foot width and 172 feet at the center, cross- Submerged pilings, covered 2 feet, are reported to exist es the river between Beacon and Newburgh. A private on the westerly side of the Hudson River between the sound signal is at the bridge and a RACON is atop the second and third abutments of the railroad bridge. center of the main channel span of the southernmost (132) Several bulk oil receiving wharves with reported bridge. depths of 13 to 20 feet alongside are on the east shore about 1 mile south of the Mid Hudson Highway Bridge. (122) Two submerged obstructions are reported about A town park and a small-craft launching ramp are about 150 yards south of seasonal Lower Hudson River Light- 0.2 mile north of the highway bridge. ed Buoy 52, Mile 55. A submerged obstruction, covered (133) A marina, on the east side of the river near Mile 68E, ½ foot, is reported about 700 yards west of Buoy 52. has berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, a launching ramp, marine supplies, and a 20-ton crane; hull, engine, (123) Chelsea, Mile 56.5E, has a boatyard and yacht club; and electronic repairs can be made. In 2001, 17 feet was berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, reported alongside the docks. and complete hull and engine repairs are available. A 12- (134) Hyde Park, Mile 71E, is the birthplace of Frank- ton mobile crane is available for do-it-yourself repairs. lin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. The residence and library are about 0.4 mile in- (124) Danskammer Point, Mile 58W, is marked by a land. conspicuous powerplant with two large buildings, four stacks, a radio tower, and an oil receiving pier. There are numerous brickyards on both sides of the river between Newburgh and Danskammer Point, but most of them have been abandoned. Chart 12347 Anchorage (135) A general anchorage is just west of Hyde Park. (See (125) Wappinger Creek is entered at Mile 58.5E through a channel that leads to just below Wappingers Falls, 1.6 110.1 and 110.155 (c)(6), chapter 2, for limits and miles above the entrance. In 1977, it was reported that regulations.) the creek had silted in and was no longer navigable. (126) The railroad bridge across the mouth of Wappinger Creek has a bascule span with a clearance of 1 foot. (See (136) The Hyde Park Pilot Station (41°49'55\"N., 117.813, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The 073°56'32\"W.) is located on the eastern shore of the nearby overhead cables have a clearance of 43 feet over Hudson River in Mills-Norrie State Park just above the the creek. The fixed highway bridge about 300 yards anchorage. Vessels transiting the river to destinations above the railroad bridge has a clearance of 12 feet. An above Kingston, NY will be required to embark another overhead power cable at the bridge has a clearance of pilot at this point. The pilot station is manned only while boarding ships in transit and maintains a watch on VHF- FM channel 13 an hour prior to ETA for Norrie Point.
Chapter 12 Hudson River 391 The Hudson River Pilot office may be reached at (718) Bridges 448-3900. (144) Rondout Creek is crossed by a fixed highway bridge (137) The Poughkeepsie Yacht Club, about 0.5 mile north of the anchorage area, has berths, electricity, gasoline, with a clearance of 56 feet, about 1 mile above the en- diesel fuel, water, a 15-ton mobile hoist, ice, and a sew- trance, a highway suspension bridge with a clearance of age pump-out facility. In 1981, 8 feet was reported avail- 86 feet, about 0.1 mile above the fixed bridge, and the able alongside the gasoline dock. fixed railroad bridge with a clearance of 144 feet, about (138) Esopus Island, Mile 73, is marked by a light on the 2 miles above the entrance. An overhead power cable south end. A ledge, partly bare at low water and extend- with a clearance of 75 feet crosses the creek about 0.45 ing about 300 yards from the north end, is marked by mile above the railroad bridge. a buoy. The better channel is westward of the island. A prominent large graystone building is on the west side Small-craft facilities of the river above Esopus, about 1 mile north of Esopus (145) There are several small-craft facilities on Rondout Island. (139) Indian Kill flows into the Hudson River at Mile Creek. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, 73.8E. At the entrance to Indian Kill is a small-boat ba- ice, marine supplies, launching ramps, a sewage pump- sin operated by the State of New York as part of Taconic out facility, and wet and dry storage are available as far State Park. Private seasonal lights mark the entrance to upstream as Eddyville. Lifts to 35 tons and a 75-foot the boat basin. In 1981, the reported controlling depth marine railway can handle craft for hull and engine re- was 7½ feet in the entrance channel with 5½ feet avail- pairs. able in the basin. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, a sew- age pump-out facility, and a 20-foot concrete launching Charts 12347, 12348 ramp are available in the basin. Supplies can be obtained nearby. (146) In the Hudson River above Kingston many shoals (140) A shoal about 0.6 mile long and 150 yards wide with with depths less than 3 feet are in midriver or extend a least depth of about 16 feet is just west of the center of from the shore on either side. The bottom is rocky at the channel, about 1.1 miles above Indian Kill entrance. many of the bar crossings. Most of the channels through The shoal is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy about the critical areas are marked with lights and buoys, but midway along the east edge. strangers in all except small boats are advised to take a (141) Esopus Meadows Light, Mile 75.8, 52 feet above pilot. Pilots are engaged at New York. the water, is shown from a white brick lighthouse on the west side of the main channel. Shoals with depths less Chart 12347 than 3 feet extend as much as 0.4 mile from either shore from about 1 mile below the light to Rondout Creek at (147) Kingston Point, Mile 80W, is an oil terminal. Tugs Kingston. The shoal area on the east side of the river is and barges drawing 15 to 20 feet transport petroleum marked by buoys. products both up and down the river from this terminal. (142) Rondout Creek is entered from the Hudson River at Mile 79W through a dredged channel that leads between (148) Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge State Route 199 two long, submerged jetties to Eddyville, about 3 miles crosses the Hudson River at Mile 82.7. The fixed chan- above the channel entrance. The jetties are marked by nel spans have a clearance of 135 feet. A private sound lights at the outer ends and by seasonal daybeacons. signal is at the bridge and a RACON is in the center of In 2008, the controlling depth was 13.9 feet from the the west channel span. entrance to the second highway bridge about 1.1 miles above the mouth, thence 6.6 feet to the southwest end (149) Esopus Creek is entered at Mile 88.5W. The en- of Gumaer Island, thence 4.8 feet to the head of the trance is between two dikes; both are marked by lights. dredged channel at Eddyville. The channel is partially Saugerties is on the north bank of the creek about 1 marked by buoys. The head of practical navigation is at mile above the entrance. In 2008, the controlling depth the lock of the abandoned Delaware and Hudson Canal, was 4.9 feet to the steamboat wharf about 0.7 mile above 3.3 miles above the entrance. The lower 2-mile portion the entrance. Above the steamboat wharf several shoals of Rondout Creek serves as a harbor for Kingston. bare at low water and there are many large boulders. (143) Kingston is partly on the lowlands adjacent to the Small craft, with local knowledge, use this area as an north bank of Rondout Creek and partly on the elevated anchorage, but it should be avoided by strangers. A dam plateau to the north and westward of it. Waterborne traf- crosses the creek about 1.3 miles above the entrance. fic consists chiefly of sand, gravel, crushed rock, brick, and petroleum products. Small-craft facilities (150) Small-craft facilities below the steamboat wharf can provide berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- ter, ice, outside storage, and some marine supplies. A forklift can handle craft to 2 tons for engine and hull repairs; launching ramps are also available. In 1981,
392 Hudson River Volume 2 depths of 15 to 20 feet were reported alongside the fuel (159) Hudson, Mile 102E, is on a slope that rises from the dock. east bank of the Hudson River. Waterborne commerce is in petroleum products. The bulk petroleum pier has reported depths of about 10 feet alongside. Gasoline, berths, electricity, water, and a launching ramp are (151) A rescue vessel of the Ulster County Sheriff’s De- available at a boat club at Hudson. In 1981, depths of partment is at Saugerties. The Sheriff’s office can be 20 feet were reported alongside the gasoline dock. contacted through the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or directly by telephone (845-338-3640). (160) Athens is on the west side of the Hudson River op- posite Hudson. An asphalt receiving facility and a bulk (152) In 2004, shoaling to 9 feet was reported at the petroleum storage facility are at Athens. Barges call at southern boundary of Green Flats. Vessels are advised these facilities, which have reported depths of about 7 to to transit along the centerline of the channel in the 15 feet alongside. In 1981, shoaling to an unknown ex- vicinity of Hudson River Lighted Buoy 94. tent was reported north of Middle Ground Flats; barges approach Athens through the channel south of the flats (153) The Maelstrom is a dangerous whirlpool on the only. In 1990, shoaling to an unknown extent was re- east side of the main channel about 2 miles north of ported in the area between Athens and Middle Ground Esopus Creek. Flats. (154) Several large cement manufacturing plants that Small-craft facility have prominent buildings and elevators are near Ce- (161) A small-craft facility at the north end of town has menton, Mile 92.5W. Another cement factory is at De- witt Point, 2 miles above Cementon. A wharf just below berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, and limited ma- the point has a reported depth of 30 feet at the face. The rine supplies, and can make minor engine repairs. landing for North Germantown is across the river op- posite this wharf. Chart 12348 (155) Catskill Creek, marked at the entrance by buoys, is (162) Coxsackie is at Mile 108W. Berths, gasoline, elec- entered at Mile 97.5W. Catskill is about 1 mile above the tricity, water, and ice are available at a yacht club at mouth. In 2008, the centerline controlling depth was the north end of town. A State-owned 20-foot concrete 6.4 feet to about 100 yards below the highway bridge, launching ramp is also available at Coxsackie. 0.9 mile above the mouth. The bridge has a fixed span with a vertical clearance of 11 feet. An overhead power (163) Cement and coal are shipped and gypsum is re- cable about 200 yards above the bridge has a clearance ceived at facilities about 1 mile above Coeymans; the of 60 feet. The north edge of the channel leads close to marginal wharf has 666 feet of berthing space with dol- the end of the wharf at the entrance, then passes 75 feet phins and 32 feet reported alongside. off the first small pier, lying 200 yards inside the end of the wharf, and then passes close to the next small pier Anchorage on the north side. The best water is then in midcreek (164) A 32-foot buoyed anchorage basin is on the east when approaching the first sharp bend to avoid a rock with 4 feet over it about 50 feet off the western end of bank of the river north of Stuyvesant about 3.1 miles the wharf. The channel then favors the south bank until above Coxsackie. about 350 yards from the highway bridge, then follows the north bank to the highway bridge. (156) A long wharf extends along the north side of Catskill (165) A boatyard at New Baltimore, Mile 113.5W, can Creek from the entrance to Catskill. provide berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, storage, and marine supplies. A launching ramp and a Small-craft facilities 20-ton mobile hoist are available; hull and engine re- (157) Several small-craft facilities are on the creek. pairs can be made. In 1981, a reported depth of 20 feet was available at the fuel dock with 6 feet at the berths. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, storage facili- ties, water, ice, marine supplies, a sewage pump-out fa- (166) Coeymans, Mile 115W, has a boatyard that can pro- cility, and lifts to 20 tons are available; hull and engine vide berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, repairs can be made. and a 12-ton lift; hull and engine repairs can be made. (167) A submerged jetty, marked by daybeacons, is just E of Coeymans. (158) Rip Van Winkle Bridge State Route 23 crosses the Hudson River at Mile 98.7. The fixed span over the chan- (168) The fixed railroad bridge with a clearance of 139 nel has a clearance of 142 feet. A private sound signal is feet crosses the Hudson River at Mile 117.8. An over- at the bridge and a RACON is at the center of the main head power cable just southward of the bridge has a channel span. High-voltage power cables with a clear- clearance of 185 feet. The Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge ance of 145 feet cross the river about 2.4 miles above (New York State Thruway, IS 90 E-W), a fixed highway the bridge. Red lights are atop the suspension towers on bridge, about 150 yards above the railroad bridge has a both sides of the river. clearance of 135 feet.
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