U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 195 the buoy. Caution must be exercised in passing between through Pollock Rip Channel. The buoyed channel has a this shoal and the shoal making out southwestward from controlling depth of about 27 feet between Great Round Halfmoon Shoal. Shoal and Nantucket Shoals. Great Round Shoal and (80) Horseshoe Shoal, about 7.5 miles long, bares in Great Round Shoal Channel are subject to continual places at extreme low water. Its western side is marked change. by two buoys and its northern and southeastern sides by lighted buoys. The main channel passes between the (89) southeastern lighted buoy and the lighted gong buoy marking Cross Rip Shoal. ENC - US4MA43M (81) L’Hommedieu Shoal, covered 3 feet, and Hedge Fence, covered 5 feet, lie in an east-west direction in the Chart - 13237 western end of Nantucket Sound and the eastern end of Vineyard Sound. The water deepens abruptly at the edge (90) The Main Channel of Nantucket Sound leads of these shoals, and soundings will give little warning of southward of Halfmoon Shoal, through Cross Rip approaching dangers. The main channel passes southward Channel, southward of Horseshoe Shoal, through the of Hedge Fence Shoal. L’Hommedieu Shoal is marked by fairway between Hedge Fence and Squash Meadow, buoys at its north, east and west ends. Hedge Fence is and thence into the eastern end of Vineyard Sound. The marked by a lighted gong buoy on its southeastern side channel is used by most of the vessels bound through and a buoy on its western end. Nantucket Sound and is well marked by navigational (82) The numerous other shoals in Nantucket Sound are aids. With care a least depth of 30 feet can be carried discussed with the land features near them. through the channel, but the draft of the vessels using it seldom exceeds 24 feet. (83) (91) Cross Rip Lighted Gong Buoy 21 (41°26'51\"N., Channels 70°17'30\"W.), marks the northern edge of Cross Rip (84) Two principal channels lead from the eastward Shoal. into Nantucket Sound. The northerly one is through (92) North Channel leads along the north side of Pollock Rip Channel and Butler Hole and the southerly Nantucket Sound, on either side of Bishop and Clerks, one through Great Round Shoal Channel. Between the northward of Horseshoe Shoal, between Wreck Shoal and numerous shoals in Nantucket Sound are two well- Eldridge Shoal, northward of L’Hommedieu Shoal, and marked channels leading to the eastern end of Vineyard through one of the openings in the shoals westward of Sound. Muskeget Channel, discussed later in this chapter, L’Hommedieu Shoal into Vineyard Sound. This channel leads into the sound from the southward, eastward of is used mostly by craft bound to points on the north Chappaquiddick Island. shore of Nantucket Sound and by vessels bound through the sound during northerly winds or in winter when the (85) prevailing northerly winds keep the north shore of the sound free from drift ice. The least depth in the channel ENC - US5MA42M is about 16 feet. Lighted and unlighted buoys mark the channel. Chart - 13244 (86) Pollock Rip Channel and Butler Hole form the (93) most direct channel leading from points northward of Cape Cod to Nantucket Sound. The channel leads Anchorages between Bearse Shoal and Pollock Rip, thence eastward of Handkerchief Shoal. Since large-vessel traffic may be (94) Sailing vessels working through the sound against a encountered in this channel, fishing vessels and small craft head wind usually anchor during the night, or if becalmed should avoid the area during thick or foggy weather. The and drifting toward the shoals it is best to anchor and channel is well marked by navigational aids. Mariners wait for a favorable current or change of wind. The should consult the chart and seek local knowledge before only anchorages for vessels of over 10-foot draft that entering Pollock Rip Channel and Butler Hole because afford shelter from all winds are Nantucket Harbor, numerous shoals exist in this channel. Caution is advised Hyannis Harbor and Edgartown inner harbor. Vineyard when transiting the area. Haven, the anchorage most used by coasters, is exposed to northeasterly winds. In northerly winds the best (87) Submerged piling, the remains of the former anchorages are off Dennis Port and Hyannis Port and Monomoy Point Light structure, may exist about 0.3 mile along the north shore. The anchorage off Falmouth is southward of Monomoy Point. An abandoned lighthouse used in most winds by vessels with good ground tackle. about 1.2 miles northward of the point is prominent. In easterly winds vessels sometimes anchor in smooth water westward of Handkerchief Shoal or inside Great (88) Great Round Shoal Channel, about 10 miles Point. Good shelter from easterly winds can also be southward of Pollock Rip Channel, is used by many large found in Chatham Roads and Edgartown outer harbor. fishing vessels transiting Nantucket Sound from New In southerly and westerly winds Edgartown Harbor and Bedford to Georges Bank and sometimes by sailboats Vineyard Haven are the best anchorages. With the aid of that are headed by the wind so as to prevent their working the chart and the directions given under the discussion of these harbors, strangers can enter the anchorages.
196 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 (95) Several general anchorages are in Nantucket (106) At the eastern entrance to Pollock Rip Channel the Sound and its eastern approaches. (See 33 CFR 110.1 flood current sets about 053° and the ebb 212°. and 110.140(c)(3) through (c)(7) and (d), Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (107) Daily predictions for Butlers Hole at the western end of Pollock Rip Channel are published in the Tidal Current (96) Tables. Routes (108) Off the southeast end of Great Round Shoal, the tidal (97) Because of the numerous shoals, strong tidal current is rotary, turning clockwise. The average velocity at strength is 1.3 knots, and the average minimum velocity currents, thick fog at certain seasons and vessels that is 0.3 knot. Tide rips and water surface agitation caused by may be encountered in the narrow parts of the channel upwelling may be observed across the 10-fathom contour through Nantucket Sound, the navigator must use more east of the entrance to Great Round Shoal Channel. (See than ordinary care when in these waters. Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) (98) In clear weather, day or night, the aids are readily distinguished and sufficiently numerous to enable a (109) From the eastern entrance of Nantucket Sound to the stranger to follow the channel without difficulty. The lighted gong buoy off Hedge Fence, the time of current strongest currents will be encountered in Pollock Rip becomes gradually later; the average velocity at strength Channel, between Pollock Rip Channel Lighted Buoy varies from about 1 to 2 knots. 8 and Handkerchief Shoal Buoy 14, and off East and West Chop. In some places the current sets directly on (110) the shoals, and in a calm, sailing vessels are sometimes obliged to anchor to prevent going aground. Most of the Weather, Nantucket Sound and vicinity shoals rise abruptly from deep water and the bottom is (111) Winter winds and waves along with spring and early very irregular, so soundings alone cannot be depended upon to keep clear of danger. Sailing vessels with a summer fogs provide weather hazards in these waters. favorable current and with some local knowledge beat From October through March gales can be expected through the sound against a head wind in clear weather. about 3 to 6 percent of the time and are frequently If they find they are losing ground, they come to anchor out of the west and northwest. Some wind and current within the prescribed anchorages under the lee of one interactions can also create problems. The most severe of the shoals, or in one of the harbors until the wind or of these is found at the west entrance to the Cape Cod current changes. Canal. Rough seas can develop here when the tide ebbing (99) Vessels off Pollock Rip Channel entrance desiring to out of the canal opposes a brisk southwest wind. Another anchor, wind and sea permitting, should stand westward well known “rough spot” is the West Chop off the north and anchor west of a line joining Pollock Rip Channel corner of Martha’s Vineyard. At a maximum ebb or flood Buoy 2A and Chatham Beach Lighted Whistle Buoy C. the current runs 3.5 knots here, and when it is opposed by Anchorage may also be had in depths of 5 to 10 fathoms the wind a nasty chop is set up. about 1 mile northeastward of Broken Part of Pollock (112) In general, over open waters, waves of 12 feet (3.7 m) Rip. or more can be expected 5 to 15 percent of the time from (100) In Great Round Shoal Channel, the tidal currents are November through February. In the shallow portions of not as strong as in Pollock Rip Channel. Easterly winds Nantucket Sound these frequencies drop, but waves may make high tides and strong westerly currents. Westerly break before reaching these heights. winds make low tides and strong easterly currents. (113) The characteristic advection fog, formed by warm (101) Pollock Rip Channel and Great Round Shoal Channel air over cool water, is most frequent from April through are subject to change; vessels of deep draft should wait August.At this time visibilities drop below 2 miles 10 to 18 for a favorable tide. percent of the time; May, June and July are the worst and (102) The Main Channel through Nantucket Sound is well caution is advised, particularly near the numerous shoal marked, and strangers should experience little difficulty areas in these waters. In addition to affecting visibility, in navigating it. Vessels must take care to avoid the 24- fog also distorts sound so the direction of warning bells foot shoal extending 1.2 miles eastward of the buoy and horns may be difficult to discern accurately. marking Cross Rip Shoal and the 17- to 22-foot shoals 2.5 (114) Thunderstorms can occur in any season but are most and 1.5 miles, respectively, southeastward of Halfmoon likely in spring and summer. Sometimes they appear as Shoal. squall lines with strong, gusty winds preceding the rain. (103) The North Channel through Nantucket Sound has Occasionally winds can gust to 60 knots. broken ground with depths of 16 to 17 feet in some places. Strangers should not attempt this channel at night. (115) (104) Pilotage, Nantucket Sound (116) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels of 350 Currents (105) The Tidal Current Tables contain detailed current gross tons or more, U.S. vessels under register of 350 gross tons or more and tank barge towing vessels carrying information for many locations in this area. 6,000 barrels or more of petroleum cargoes. Pilotage is available from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, RI, 02840; telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours),
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 197 (124) N Chatham Roads and Stage Harbor, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) 800–274–1216; FAX 401–847–9052; email: dispatch@ (122) nemarinepilots.com. (117) Vessels requiring a tow usually take a tug from the ENC - US5MA20M port of their departure. Chart - 13229 (123) Chatham Roads, at the northeast end of Nantucket (118) Monomoy Island, a National Wildlife Refuge Sound, is between the extensive shoals that extend on the northeastern side of Nantucket Sound, is a low, northwestward from the northern end of Monomoy Island narrow spit covered with sand dunes. Vessels sometimes and the shoals extending 1.6 miles from the shore of Cape anchor off the east shore of the island in depths of 4 to Cod at Harwich Port. The Roads is the approach to Stage 6 fathoms to await a favorable current for entering the Harbor and the prominent summer resort of Chatham sound. Off Monomoy Point, the south end of the island, on the hilly ground at the northeast shore of Nantucket shoals make off up to 5 miles eastward. Sound. (119) Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, a Marine (125) Stage Harbor Light (41°39'30\"N., 69°59'04\"W.), Protected Area (MPA), extends 1 mile offshore from 28 feet above the water, is shown from a modular tower Monomoy and Morris Islands. on the northeast side of Chatham Roads on the north side of the entrance to Stage Harbor. (120) Tidal currents average about 2 knots at strength in the channel 0.2 mile west of Monomoy Point. The flood (126) Among the conspicuous landmarks approaching current sets 170°, and the ebb 346°. Chatham Roads and Stage Harbor are the domes of the National Weather Service’s installation on the eastern (121) The large bight formed by Monomoy Island and side of Morris Island, a radio tower at South Chatham, the north shore of Nantucket Sound, eastward of Point church spires, Chatham Light and Stage Harbor Light. Gammon, has extensive shoals scattered throughout and bordering the shores. Not all of the shoals are marked by (127) A dredged channel, marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. buoys, leads from Chatham Roads into Stage Harbor. The entrance is in an area of shifting sandbars and is subject to shoaling. A narrow, natural channel continues northerly from Stage Harbor through Mitchell River to Mill Pond; the channel is marked by private buoys. A highway bridge
198 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 (139) Saquatucket Harbor, Massachusetts N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) crossing Mitchell River between Stage Harbor and Mill 28 feet. Boats continuing to Stage Harbor will pick up the Pond has a bascule span with a horizontal clearance of channel entrance buoys about 800 yards southwestward 25 feet and a vertical clearance of 6 feet. of Stage Harbor Light. The channel is well marked. (128) Anchorage (132) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (129) Good anchorage for vessels up to 18-foot draft can (133) The harbor is closed by ice for short periods each be had in Chatham Roads in depths of 21 to 30 feet, good winter. Local fishermen will act as pilots for craft desiring holding ground. This anchorage is insecure for small craft one. in heavy southwesterly gales. Small craft can find a well- (134) The commercial fish piers in Stage Harbor are on sheltered anchorage in Stage Harbor. The Neck at the head of the dredged channel opposite Stage Island and on the west bank of Oyster Pond River (130) just above the first bend about 0.7 mile above the entrance to the river. Routes (135) There are a marina and boatyard on the north side (131) Vessels approaching Chatham Roads from the of Stage Harbor adjacent to the fish piers and a marina on Mitchell River just west of the bridge. The marine southward should pass westward of Handkerchief Shoal railway at the boatyard can haul out craft up to 50 and the extensive shoals westward of Monomoy Island. feet for hull and engine repairs or dry open or covered Approaching from the westward, pass either side of storage. Storage is also available at the bridge. Gasoline, Bishop and Clerks and thence southward of the seasonal diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies and moorings are lighted whistle buoy off Kill Pond Bar, a shoal covered available at Stage Harbor and at the bridge. The marina 4 to 11 feet off the northwest entrance to Chatham Roads. at the bridge has a 10-ton lift; berthage in 6 feet of water, When off the entrance to Chatham Roads, steer 063° with gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage facilities, some Stage Harbor and Chatham Lights in range. This course marine supplies and a launching ramp are also available. will lead about 500 yards southeastward of Chatham A launching ramp is on Sears Point. Roads Bell Buoy 3 and north of the buoy marking (136) Oyster Pond River extends from Stage Harbor for Common Flat, the shoal on the eastern side of the roads, about 0.7 mile in a northwesterly direction, thence for to the Stage Harbor approach buoy about 0.8 mile west- 0.8 mile in a northeasterly direction into Oyster Pond. southwestward of Stage Harbor Light. An anchorage may be had northward of the approach buoy in depths of about
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 199 Private seasonal aids mark the channel at the bend in the (143) Allen Harbor, about 4.8 miles west of Stage Harbor river. Shoaling to 2 feet was reported at the bend in 1981. Light, has a narrow entrance between two jetties into On the west bank at the bend there are a town wharf, a Doanes Creek. Allen Harbor is at the head of the creek. launching ramp and a fish wharf. At 0.3 mile and 0.5 The west jetty is marked by a private seasonal light. mile above the bend on the west bank are two boatyards An elevated water tank north of the harbor is a good and marinas. The largest marine railway at the yards can landmark. haul out craft up to 44 feet for hull and engine repairs or dry open or covered storage. Gasoline, diesel fuel, (144) In 1979, the controlling depth in the entrance channel water, ice, marine supplies, launching ramps, berthage was 5 feet. Private seasonal buoys mark the channel. The and moorings are available. harbor affords good shelter for small craft. (137) Mill Creek, 1.6 miles northwestward of Stage Harbor Light, is used only at high water by small local (145) A town landing and launching ramp at the west end craft. The entrance between the jetties was reported to of the bridge were reported to have about 6 feet alongside. have 1½ feet in 1964. The tall radio tower of Chatham A marina and boatyard on the west side at the head of the Radio Station WCC is prominent about 0.4 mile west of harbor has a 7-ton forklift and a hydraulic trailer that can the jetties. Cockle Cove has been entered by small boats handle craft up to 34 feet for hull, engine and electronic through one of the breakthroughs in the sandbar. repairs. Open and covered storage, electricity, gasoline, (138) Saquatucket Harbor is entered about 3.5 miles diesel fuel, water, ice, a pump-out station, marine supplies westward of Stage Harbor Light. A dredged channel leads and a launching ramp are available. In 2008, the reported from Chatham Roads to an anchorage basin at the head alongside depth was 5 feet. The harbormaster who of the harbor. The entrance is protected by jetties. Buoys supervises Allen Harbor has his office at Saquatucket mark the channel, and a light marks the outer end of the Harbor. He can be reached at 508–430–7532 for local east jetty. A marina is on the north side of the anchorage information. basin. Berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, a pump-out station and a launching ramp are available. In 2008, an (146) Herring River, 6 miles west of Stage Harbor Light, approach depth of 6 feet was reported at the marina berths has a large prominent hotel on the west side and windmill with an alongside depth of 10 feet. The marina monitors on the east side of the entrance. The entrance, between VHF-FM channel 68. The harbormaster here also two small jetties, is subject to shoaling. The approach is supervises Wychmere Harbor, Allen Harbor, Herring marked by private seasonal buoys, and the outer end of River and Round Cove in Pleasant Bay. A 5 mph speed the west jetty is marked by a private seasonal light. In limit is enforced in these areas. The harbormaster can be 1973, the midchannel controlling depth was 6 feet in the contacted at 508–430–7532. entrance channel. A basin dredged in the river just below (140) Wychmere Harbor, 3.7 miles westward of Stage the bridge has moorings for craft drawing up to 3 feet. Harbor Light, is a circular basin with a bulkheaded The fixed bridge, about 0.3 mile above the mouth, has a entrance protected by two jetties. The west jetty is hook 14-foot fixed span with a clearance of 10 feet. State Route shaped and marked on the end by a light. The east jetty 28 highway bridge about 0.8 mile above the mouth has is short. The harbor is used by fishing and pleasure craft. a 20-foot fixed span with a clearance of 7 feet. Limited The village of Harwich Port is west of the harbor. A supplies may be obtained at Dennis Port about 0.7 mile church spire about 0.5 mile westward of the harbor and a westward of the river. hotel on the west bank of the entrance are conspicuous. (141) In 1994, the reported controlling depth across the bar was 8 feet. Inside the jetties, the channel has a depth of 6 feet to the harbor. The channel is subject to shoaling. The (147) Swan Pond River, about 1.9 miles west of Herring outer anchorage basin, known locally as Harwich Port River, is a narrow shallow creek bordered by marsh, Harbor, has a depth of about 8 feet with good holding which drains Swan Pond. Fishermen and pleasure craft ground. enter at high water. Fish wharves are on the east bank just (142) There is a large summer club-hotel and wharf on above the bridge about 0.3 mile above the mouth. the west side of the jettied entrance. A town wharf is on the east side. A boatyard is at the inner end of the (148) Bass River, 9.6 miles westward of Stage Harbor channel. Berthage, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, a Light, is entered between two jetties. A light is on the pump-out facility, marine supplies and storage facilities west jetty. A seasonal lighted buoy, 1.1 miles southward are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. A of the jetty light, marks the approach. A channel marked patrol boat enforces a speed limit of 5 mph; the patrol by private seasonal buoys leads over the bar from about boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16, 22 and 68. The 0.4 mile southward of the jetty light through the jetties harbormaster who supervises Wychmere Harbor has his to an anchorage basin in the lower part of the river, and office at Saquatucket Harbor. He can be reached at 508– thence to the highway bridge at South Dennis, 3.1 miles 430–7532 for advice on moorings or local conditions. above the mouth. The bridge has a 25-foot fixed span with a clearance of 10 feet. The entrance to the anchorage basin and the channel over the bar are subject to shoaling. In 2001, the dredged entrance channel had a reported controlling depth of 4.6 feet to the river mouth, just inside the jetties; thence in 1981, the river channel had a reported depth of 5 feet to South Yarmouth, thence 2 feet to the
200 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 bridge at South Dennis. In 1992, severe shoaling was fixed highway bridge crosses the river about 1 mile above reported across the mouth of the river. Private seasonal the entrance. buoys mark the channel to Follins Pond, about 6.1 miles (158) Local fishermen and pleasure craft enter and moor above the mouth. in dredged slips on the east side of the river. An unnamed (149) State Route 28 highway bridge crossing the river creek, about 0.2 mile above the mouth, leads westward between West Dennis and South Yarmouth, about 1.5 0.5 mile to Lewis Pond. Small craft can enter the creek miles above the mouth, has a 30-foot fixed span with a only at high water. Small craft may enter the pond but clearance of 15 feet. there are no moorings or services available. A marina is (150) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. on the east side of the river just below the highway bridge; (151) About 0.8 mile above the mouth, a channel leads berths are available. eastward to a lagoon; a dredged depth of 10 feet was (159) Point Gammon, 12 miles west-northwestward of reported in the channel and lagoon. West Dennis Yacht Monomoy Point, is the eastern entrance point to Hyannis Club is at the head of the lagoon. Harbor. The point, prominent and wooded, is marked (152) A marina and boatyard, about 0.4 mile below the by an abandoned lighthouse tower. A reef, partly bare first highway bridge, has a lift that can haul out craft up at low water, extends about 0.3 mile south of the point. to 45 feet for hull and engine repairs or dry open and Extensive flats with rocks awash at low water extend 1 covered storage. Electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, mile northwestward of the point. Gazelle Rock, covered ice, marine supplies, a pump-out station and a launching 5 feet and marked by a seasonal lighted buoy, is about ramp are available. In 2008, 6 feet was reported alongside 0.5 mile south-southeastward of the point. Senator the dock. The marina monitors VHF-FM channel 16. Shoal, covered 11 feet and unmarked, is about 1 mile Town landings and launching ramps are on both sides of southeastward of the point. Hallets Rock, covered 17 the river at and below the bridge. feet, is about 1 mile south of the point and another rock, (153) Rental boats, gasoline, bait and tackle can be obtained covered 13 feet, is about 1.2 miles south-southeast of the at a fishing pier just north of the east end of the bridge. A point in the vicinity of Hallets Rock. There are several marina, above the pier, has berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, submerged rocks in this area, which extends in a general water, ice, a pump-out station, a 35-ton lift and storage line running northwest and southeast between Hallets facilities; hull and engine repairs can be made. Rock and Gazelle Rock to a private seasonal light 0.5 (154) Two fixed bridges, railroad and highway, cross the mile west of the point; the light marks a fishtrap. In 1990, river about 0.7 mile above the highway bridge at South a sunken wreck was reported about 0.2 mile southward Dennis. Least clearances are: 25 feet horizontal and 8 feet of Hallets Rock in about 41°35.3'N., 70°15.7'W. vertical. (160) Bishop and Clerks, about 2.2 miles southward of (155) In 1981, it was reported that about 4 feet could be Point Gammon, is an extensive shoal area. The center of carried at high water to a marina and boatyard on Kellys the shoal is marked by a light. Several rocks awash at Bay, about 0.3 mile above the railroad and highway low water are on the arm of the shoal that extends about bridges. A mobile lift at the yard can haul out craft to 28 0.9 mile south of the light. A rock, covered 5 feet, is 0.7 feet for hull and engine repairs or dry open or covered mile south-southeastward of the light. The rest of the storage. Gasoline, water, moorings and berths are shoal is covered 8 to 18 feet. A lighted gong buoy, about available. In 1981, depths of 5 to 6 feet were reported at 1.15 miles southward; an unlighted buoy, about 0.75 the boatyard. mile westward; and a lighted bell buoy, about 0.7 mile (156) Dogfish Bar, an extensive shoal area off Bass River northeastward of the light, mark the limits of the shoal entrance, is covered 1 to 6 feet. A small breakwater, area. Caution should be exercised when in the vicinity of formerly used as a shelter for small craft, is on the easterly this shoal. end of the bar, about 1 mile southeastward of Bass River (161) Broken Ground, a shoal area westward of the south West Jetty Light 11. The area around the breakwater and end of Bishop and Clerks, has depths of 14 to 18 feet. northeasterly of it has shoaled. Rocks awash at low water West Southwest Ledge, 1.6 miles southwest of Point are about 0.4 mile northwestward of the breakwater. These Gammon and northwest of Bishop and Clerks, has depths rocks are marked by a private seasonal buoy. A fish haven, of 15 to 18 feet. A lighted bell buoy is northward of the marked by a private buoy, is about 2 miles south of the ledge and marks the approach to Hyannis Harbor. A group breakwater, and a fishtrap marked by a private seasonal of dangerous rocks and obstructions are on the edge of light is 1.8 miles southwest of the breakwater. the flat that extends northwestward from Point Gammon (157) Parkers River, about 1.2 miles west of Bass River, and into the approach to Hyannis Harbor. A rock, covered is entered between two jetties and extends 1.3 miles 11 feet in about 41°37'02.9\"N., 70°17'21.1\"W., is the northward to Seine Pond. A motel on the east side of westernmost and marked close West by Hyannis Harbor the entrance is prominent. Local knowledge should be Lighted Buoy 4. obtained before entering the river. In 2000, the entrance (162) Hyannis Harbor, protected by a breakwater, is used channel had a reported controlling depth of 4.1 feet. The as a harbor of refuge by coasting vessels and pleasure entrance is reported to shoal quickly after dredging. A craft of less than 14-foot draft. A light is on the end of the breakwater. The harbor is the approach to Hyannis Port,
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 201 (170) N Hyannis, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) on the west side of the harbor, Lewis Bay, and Hyannis at (167) Ice seldom interferes with the movement of vessels the head of the northwest arm of Lewis Bay. in Hyannis Harbor during normal winters; the prevailing (163) The most prominent objects when approaching northerly winds keep the harbor clear. However, during the harbor are the daybeacon on Great Rock, two red severe winters or persistent southwesterly winds, the and white checkered standpipes, a light blue tank, the harbor may be temporarily closed to navigation. During breakwater light, the abandoned lighthouse tower on particularly severe winters, the harbor has been closed by Point Gammon and the square gray stone church belfry ice for up to 3 months. on the hill overlooking Hyannis Port to the westward. (168) Hyannis Port is a summer resort with many (164) prominent homes. A privately dredged channel, with reported depths of 6 feet in 2005, leads to the Hyannis Routes Port Yacht Club landing on the west shore of the harbor. (165) Vessels approaching Hyannis Harbor from the (169) Lewis Bay, with depths of 2 to 12 feet, extends eastward should shape a course to pass about 1,000 northeastward from Hyannis Harbor. In the northwest yards south of Hallets Rock, exercising caution to avoid corner of the bay is the channel to the summer resort of the reported wreck mentioned earlier, thence about 317° Hyannis. The town has a hospital. Hyannis Yacht Club to a point about 0.6 mile southwestward of Great Rock is on the west of the bay. A channel, marked by private Daybeacon 4A, and thence about 012° to pass about 100 seasonal buoys, leads westward to Hyannis Yacht Club. yards or more eastward of the breakwater light. Vessels The club can accommodate craft to 140 feet; a reported may anchor inside the breakwater on the east edge of the dockside depth of 8 feet is available. mooring area in depths of 15 to 20 feet, soft bottom. Small craft can anchor in the northern portion of the harbor in (171) A dredged channel leads from Hyannis Harbor depths of 4 to 8 feet, but care must be taken to keep clear into Lewis Bay, thence to an anchorage basin north of of a charted, submerged wreck, marked by a buoy. Harbor Bluff, thence to the town wharf at Hyannis, at (166) Approaching from the westward, from a position the westernmost end. The channel is well marked but is about midway between Horseshoe Shoal Buoy 7 and subject to shoaling, especially in the vicinity of Lewis Wreck Shoal Bell Buoy 8 (chart 13237), steer about 054° Bay Approach Channel Buoy 9. Vessels entering Lewis to pass about 1400 yards east of Hodges Rock Buoy 2, Bay must be guided by the buoys marking the dredged and thence about 012° to pass about 100 yards eastward channel and by the color of the water, deepest where of the breakwater light in entering the harbor. it is darkest. Heavy vessel traffic should be expected
202 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 during summer months. A riprap jetty extends 1,000 feet southwestward of Bearse Rock. Collier Ledge, 1.5 miles southerly from Dunbar Point. west-southwestward of Southwest Rock Daybeacon, is awash at low water. It is marked by a lighted buoy in the (172) summer and an unlighted buoy in the winter. (182) Gannet Ledge, covered 5 feet and marked by a Anchorages buoy, is 1.1 miles southwest of Hyannis Point. Gannet (173) Vessels with drafts up to 13 feet may anchor in the Rocks, 0.3 mile north of Gannet Ledge, include two unmarked rocks 7 and 3 feet high and a rock covered 4 anchorage northeast of Hyannis Breakwater. Small craft feet. Spindle Rock, awash at low water and marked by a can anchor in Lewis Bay west of the channel, off Hyannis buoy, is near the head of Centerville Harbor. A rock awash Yacht Club and north of Dunbar Point. Limited anchorage at low water and a rock covered 2 feet are 200 yards north is reported available in the basin north of Harbor Bluff. of the buoy. Two unmarked rocks covered 6 feet are 1.7 miles southwestward of Hyannis Point. (174) (183) Centerville Harbor is a bight 2 miles wide in the north shore of Nantucket Sound westward of Hyannis Small-craft facilities Point. A church spire and an elevated tank in Centerville, (175) Several small-craft facilities and launching ramps the village inland from the head of the harbor, are used as guides for entering the harbor. Craigville Beach, on are along the northwestern arm of Lewis Bay northward the north side of the harbor, is a popular bathing beach. of Harbor Bluff. Limited berths are also available at the The approach to Centerville Harbor is obstructed by town marina on the west side at the head of the arm. A the previously mentioned rocks and shoals. The natural dockmaster is usually in attendance at this marina and channel with depths of 9 to 10 feet leads to the anchorage. can be reached at 508–790–6327 or VHF-FM channel 16. Anchorage with good holding ground may be had in depths of 14 to 20 feet; however, vessels seldom anchor here for shelter as the harbor is exposed to southerly winds. The shoals off the entrance somewhat break the (176) For local information on moorings and berthings, force of the seas from southward, but not sufficiently the harbormaster can be contacted at 508–790–6273, to make it a safe anchorage. Strangers should not enter through the Barnstable police department at 508–775– except in the daytime with clear weather. Ice may close 0387, or VHF-FM channels 16 and 9. A police boat from the harbor in the winter. the town of Barnstable and a Yarmouth Harbor Patrol boat (184) East Bay, on the west side of Centerville Harbor, patrol Hyannis Harbor during the summer. A 6 mph speed has depths of 1 to 4 feet. Small pleasure boats enter the limit is enforced in Lewis Bay north of Harbor Bluff and bay en route to Centerville River. The entrance to East in Hyannis Harbor in the channel leading to the yacht Bay, protected by a jetty on the southwestern side, had a club. reported controlling depth of about 5 feet in 1981 but is subject to shoaling. A private light marks the end of the (177) Ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard berth jetty. Centerville River, which enters the northeast side in the harbor at Hyannis. Barnstable Municipal Airport of the bay, has been privately dredged for a width of 30 is just north of the town. feet to the head of navigation. In 2005, a reported depth of about 3 feet could be taken over the bar into Centerville (178) Westward of Hyannis Harbor breakwater the water River. Small boats moor in the river off Centerville or tie is shoal with numerous rocks extending well offshore. up to private piers. A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in Eddie Woods Rock, covered 4 feet and unmarked, is 0.6 East Bay and Centerville River. mile southwestward of the breakwater light. A fishtrap (185) A conspicuous stone tower with a mushroom-shaped marked by a private light is about 0.4 mile south of the top is on the north side of the river. A town landing is on rock. the north side just above the tower. A launching ramp is on the west shore of East Bay. A conspicuous wooden (179) Squaw Island, 1 mile westward of Hyannis Harbor tower with a balcony on top is 0.3 mile southwestward Breakwater Light H, is marked by a tower. Hyannis of the jetty. Point, the southerly tip of the island, is on the eastern (186) CotuitAnchorage, 6.5 miles west of Point Gammon, side of Centerville Harbor. is an anchorage for small craft between the shoals that make off the shore. The anchorage is exposed to southerly (180) Southward of Hyannis Point and Centerville Harbor winds and is seldom used except by local craft. The are numerous shoals and rocks. Southwest Ground, the channel to the anchorage is marked by buoys, and vessels area about 1.5 miles south of Hyannis Point, has numerous of less than 6-foot draft should experience no difficulty rocks and shoal spots necessitating extreme caution for in keeping in the best water. Lone Rock, covered 4 feet vessels navigating the area. Southwest Rock, about 1.1 and marked by a buoy, is near the southern side of the miles south of Hyannis Point, is marked by a daybeacon. anchorage. A long shoal, covered 4 feet and marked by Unmarked rocks, some awash at low water and others covered 2 to 6 feet, are between the buoy and Hyannis Point. (181) Hodges Rock, covered 5 feet and marked by a buoy, is 1 mile southward of Southwest Rock Daybeacon. An unmarked rock covered 8 feet is 300 yards east of Hodges Rock. Bearse Rock, covered 5 feet and marked by a buoy, is 0.5 mile southwestward of Southwest Rock Daybeacon. Channel Rock, covered 5 feet and marked by a buoy, is 0.4 mile west of Bearse Rock. Gallatin Rock, covered 4 feet and marked by a buoy, is 0.4 mile
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 203 a buoy at its southeast end, is 0.5 mile northeastward of Highlands; thence in 2001, a winding channel, with a Lone Rock and about 0.7 mile south of the entrance to depth of 6 feet, curves between Sampsons Island and West Bay. Bluff Point into Cotuit Bay. The channels into Cotuit Bay (187) West Bay, on the north side of Cotuit Anchorage and North Bay are marked by private seasonal buoys. A and 19 miles west of Stage Harbor, has a jettied entrance reported depth of about 6 feet was in the channel from about 150 feet wide and is the approach to the village Cotuit Bay to North Bay in 2005. Seapuit River, south of Osterville, on the east side of the bay. A private light of Osterville Grand Island, connects Cotuit Bay and West marks the end of the east jetty. A seasonal lighted bell Bay. The privately dredged channel in the river had a buoy about 1 mile southeastward of the entrance marks reported controlling depth of 6 feet in 2004. Cotuit Bay the approach. Private seasonal buoys mark the channel is usually closed by ice each winter. through West Bay. In 1981–2001, a depth of 2.9 feet was (194) Popponesset Bay, west of Cotuit Anchorage, is available in the entrance channel, thence 6 feet to the shoal with depths of 1 to 4 feet in the greater part of highway bridge. The channel is subject to shoaling, and the bay. In 2001, a controlling depth of 3.3 feet was strangers should obtain local information before entering reported in the narrow entrance channel north-northwest the bay. of Thatch Island. (188) Ice closes the bay for about 2 months each year. (195) A small marina is on Daniels Island near the bridge The wharves at Osterville have reported depths of 6 feet to Popponesset Island. A launching ramp, a pump-out alongside. station, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, some marine supplies and some services are available. A privately (189) marked channel with a reported depth of about 3 feet leads to a marina on Mashpee Neck. Gasoline, water and Small-craft facilities engine repairs are available. A flatbed trailer at the marina (190) Small-craft facilities are on either side of the channel can haul out craft to 30 feet. (196) Wreck Shoal, about 3 miles south of Cotuit north of the highway bridge. Berths, moorings, electricity, Anchorage, is about 1.4 miles long in an east-west gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, a pump- direction and about 0.3 mile wide. Depths on the shoal out station and storage facilities are available. Marine range from 4 to 13 feet. A lighted bell buoy marks the railway to 40 feet, lifts to 70 tons, and hull and motor east end of the shoal and another lighted bell buoy repairs are available on the east side of the river with an southwestward of the shoal marks the channel between approach depth of 7 feet and alongside depth of 13 feet Wreck Shoal and Eldridge Shoal. An unmarked shoal reported in 2009. Lifts to 75 tons and hull, engine and covered 8 to 15 feet is about 1.5 miles northeast of Wreck electronic repairs are available on the west side with an Shoal and southward of Cotuit Anchorage approach. approach depth of 5 feet and alongside depth of 6 feet Broken ground with a least known depth of 13 feet is reported in 2009. between this shoal and Wreck Shoal. (197) Eldridge Shoal, about 0.9 mile south of Wreck Shoal, is about 1 mile long in a northeasterly direction and about 0.2 mile wide. Depths on the shoal range from (191) Little Island, about 1 mile northward of the entrance 5 to 14 feet. A buoy marks the northern side. A channel to West Bay, separates West Bay from North Bay to between Eldridge and Wreck Shoals has depths of 23 the northward. In 1981, a reported depth of 5 feet was to 41 feet. A channel between Eldridge and Horseshoe available in the narrow channel eastward of Little Island Shoals has depths of 21 feet or more. into North Bay. Strangers should obtain local information (198) Succonnesset Shoal extends about 2.4 miles before navigating in North Bay, which has depths of about westward from Wreck Shoal to the shoal area off the 6 to 17 feet. The harbormaster can be contacted for local shore southwestward of Succonnesset Point. Depths of information on moorings and berthings, telephone 508– 1 to 5 feet are on the shoal. A lighted buoy is off the 790–6273. A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in Cotuit, west end. Between Succonnesset and Wreck Shoals is a North and West Bays by the Barnstable harbormaster and narrow unmarked channel. Between Succonnesset and police. L’Hommedieu Shoals, a shoal area with a least depth of 9 feet is marked by a buoy. (192) The highway bridge across the channel between (199) Waquoit Bay, 5 miles southwestward of Cotuit Osterville and Little Island has a 31-foot bascule span with Anchorage, has depths of 1 to 8 feet. The entrance, about a clearance of 15 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.49 250 feet wide, is between two stone jetties. A private and 117.622, Chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) seasonal light marks the end of each jetty. In 1971, the Advance arrangements for bridge openings can be made controlling depth in the entrance channel was reported through the Department of Public Works. to be 4 feet. A seasonal lighted bell buoy, about 0.6 mile west-southwestward of the jetties, marks the approach, (193) Cotuit Bay, northwestward of Cotuit Anchorage, is and buoys mark a 5-foot channel for about 0.8 mile separated from West Bay by Osterville Grand Island. Cotuit is a village on the west side of the bay. A church spire and two elevated water tanks are prominent. A town wharf, with a depth of about 5 feet at its face, and a small- craft launching ramp are at the village. In 1981–2001, a privately dredged channel, with a reported controlling depth of 4 feet, leads from Cotuit Anchorage to off Cotuit
204 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 through the bay. The Waquoit Yacht Club is on the west (209) The village of Davisville, on the east side of Green side at the head of the bay. Pond, and the village of Acapesket, on the west side of (200) The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research the pond, are principally summer resorts. Reserve, a Marine Protected Area (MPA), includes Waquoit Bay and associated waters and protected (210) Menauhant Road highway bridge crossing Green wetlands. Pond about 0.3 mile inside the entrance has a 33-foot span with a clearance of 6 feet. In 2002, a reported depth (201) of 3 feet was in the approach to and inside the marina on the west side of Green Pond just north of the bridge. Small-craft facility Berths, diesel fuel, water, ice, repairs and marine supplies (202) Great River and Little River empty into the are available at this facility. southeasterly side of Waquoit Bay. A marina is on the (211) Chapter 5 describes other ports on the south side of west side of Little River, about 0.5 mile above its junction Cape Cod westward of Green Pond. with Great River. Gasoline, water, ice, a launching ramp, limited marine supplies and storage facilities are available. (212) Hull, engine, and electrical repairs can be made; lift to 11 tons. A reported depth of about 3 feet can be carried to the ENC - US5MA41M marina. Chart - 13241 (213) NantucketIsland,onthesoutheastsideofNantucket (203) Between Waquoit Bay and Falmouth Inner Harbor Sound, is about 13 miles long, hilly, partly wooded, and about 3.6 miles to the westward are several ponds formed covered with vegetation that flourishes in sandy soil. The by the barrier beach, some of which have outlets. Many highest part of the island, about 100 feet high, is in the jetties or groins are built out from the shore for beach eastern part; the eastern and southern sides have steep and erosion control. sand bluffs. The northern shore is fringed with shoals for a distance of about 1 mile. The island was for more than a (204) Eel Pond, about 0.8 mile westward of the entrance century a principal seat of the whaling industry and since to Waquoit Bay, is entered through a narrow jettied has become a famous summer resort. entrance. A private seasonal light on the west jetty and a midchannel buoy about 500 yards southeastward of the (214) Great Point, the northeastern end of Nantucket light mark the approach. The privately marked channel Island, is a long, low, sandy point marked by Nantucket into the pond had a reported controlling depth of 5.1 (Great Point) Light (41°23'25\"N., 70°02'54\"W.), 71 feet feet in 2000. The channel is subject to shoaling; extreme above the water and shown from a white tower. caution and local knowledge is advised. (215) Point Rip is a shoal extending 3.8 miles east- (205) A boatyard is on the west side of the northeasterly northeastward of Great Point. For 2 miles from the point, arm of Eel Pond at the mouth of Childs River. In 2009, the shoal has little water over it; farther eastward the depths a reported approach depth of 4 feet was available. Berths, range from 12 to 18 feet. Buoys mark the northeasterly electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine and easterly sides of the shoal. Shoal water with depths supplies, pump-out station, launching ramp, 40-foot of 16 to 22 feet extends about 1 mile northward from marine railway, 50-ton marine lift and storage facilities these buoys; a lighted bell buoy marks the northern side are available at the boatyard; hull and engine repairs can of the shoal water. A rock, covered 11 feet, is 2.2 miles be made. southeastward of Nantucket Light. (206) Seapit River, about 0.8 mile southward of the mouth (216) Squam Head is a summer resort on the east side of Childs River, connects the northeasterly arm of Eel of Nantucket Island, about 5 miles south of Great Point. Pond with the upper part of Waquoit Bay. A reported Several large houses show prominently from seaward. depth of about 3 feet can be carried in Seapit River. The river is marked by private seasonal buoys. (217) Sesachacha Pond, 6.3 miles southeastward of Great Point, has a nonnavigable cut into it through the shore. (207) Menauhant is a summer resort on the west side of From seaward, breakers mark the cut. In the winter the Eel Pond and the east side of Bournes Pond. Menauhant entrance fills in, and each spring it is cut through for Yacht Club is on the west side of Eel Pond. A bridge, drainage purposes. crossing the entrance to Bournes Pond, has a 45-foot fixed span with a clearance 5 feet. (218) Sankaty Head Light (41°17'04\"N., 69°57'58\"W.), 158 feet above the water, is shown from a 70-foot white (208) Green Pond, about 1 mile westward of Eel Pond and tower, with a red band in the middle, on a high bluff on 4.2 miles eastward of Nobska Point, has a narrow jettied the east side of the island. entrance which, in 2001, had a reported controlling depth of 3.5 feet. The entrance is reported to shoal rapidly after (219) Siasconset, a village on the southeast end of the dredging; local knowledge is advised. A private seasonal island, is marked by a prominent standpipe. The village light marks the west jetty. A seasonal lighted buoy marks has seasonal bus service with Nantucket. the approach, and private seasonal buoys mark the channel above the jetties. (220) The south shore of Nantucket Island has no harbors and is frequented only by local fishermen. A LORAN tower about 0.6 mile southward of Siasconset and a tank
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 205 (233) N Nantucket Harbor, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) and several towers along the south coast are prominent season: November through April). The Northeast Marine from offshore. Pilots distribute educational material to mariners in an (221) The thorofare between the western point of Esther effort to reduce right whale ship strikes. (See North Island and Tuckernuck Island is full of shifting unmarked Atlantic right whales, indexed as such, in Chapter 3 for shoals. The passage is used only by small fishing vessels more information on right whales and recommended and a few pleasure craft. Private seasonal aids mark the measures to avoid collisions.) channel. (226) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall (LOA) (222) Tuckernuck Island, Esther Island, and Muskeget and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are Island are low sandy islands extending westward from restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the Block Island Nantucket Island. They are separated by sandbars, some Sound Seasonal Management Area between November 1 bare at low water, which are constantly shifting. and April 30. The area is defined as the waters bounded (223) Madaket Harbor and Hither Creek, immediately by: to the southward, are on the western side of Nantucket (227) 40°51'53.7\"N., 70°36'44.9\"W.; Island. Madaket Harbor is shoal with depths of 2 to 10 (228) 41°20'14.1\"N., 70°49'44.1\"W.; feet. The channel that leads southward from over the (229) 41°04'16.7\"N., 71°51'21.0\"W.; bar in Nantucket Sound is marked by private seasonal (230) 40°35'56.5\"N., 71°38'25.1\"W.; thence back to buoys, floats and markers. With local knowledge, a depth starting point. (See 50 CFR 224.105 in Chapter 2 for of about 3½ feet can be carried over the bar and channel regulations, limitations and exceptions.) to Hither Creek. Local knowledge is also required to enter the harbor from the southwest. A public boat landing and (231) a boatyard are in Hither Creek. Gasoline, berths, a 10-ton mobile hoist, a pump-out station, storage facilities, ice, ENC - US5MA40M provisions, water and marine supplies are available at the boatyard; hull and engine repairs can be made. Chart - 13242 (224) (232) Nantucket Harbor is near the middle of the north shore of Nantucket Island. A shallow lagoon about 5 North Atlantic right whales miles long extends northeastward from the harbor. The (225) Endangered North Atlantic right whales have been harbor is the approach to the town of Nantucket on the western shore. The principal industry is fishing. Small reported off the southern coast of Nantucket Island (peak
206 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 coastal tankers carry fuel to Nantucket. Year-round Shoal Buoy 14 (41°29'09”N., 70°05'05”W.) to the passenger, vehicle and cargo ferry service is maintained lighted bell buoy off the entrance. Approaching from between Nantucket and the mainland, to either Woods the channel northward of Cross Rip Lighted Gong Buoy Hole or Hyannis. A passenger ferry also operates from 21 (41°26'51”N., 70°17'30”W.), pass to the eastward of Falmouth and Oak Bluffs during the summer. Tuckernuck Shoal Lighted Bell Buoy 1, and then head for the lighted bell buoy off the entrance to Nantucket (234) Prominent from offshore are a radio tower about 1.2 Harbor. miles east of Madaket Harbor; a standpipe (chart 13241) about 1.5 miles west of Nantucket; a gilded cupola atop a (244) church clock tower, and a church belfry about 500 yards northwestward of it; the spire of a large white church in Currents the town; and the navigational lights at the entrance to (245) The tidal current off the Nantucket Harbor entrance Nantucket Harbor. has a velocity of 0.3 knot; the flood setting eastward (235) Brant Point Light (41°17'24\"N., 70°05'25\"W.), 26 and the ebb westward. The tidal current in the entrance feet above the water, is shown from a white cylindrical channel sets into the harbor at a velocity of 1.2 knots and tower connected to the shore by a footbridge on the west outward on the ebb at a velocity of 1.5 knots. side of the entrance near to the harbor. A sound signal is at the light. Brant Point Coast Guard Station is on the (246) point. Weather, Nantucket and vicinity (236) (247) The climate of Nantucket is influenced directly by Channels the proximity of the ocean and is characterized by cool (237) A dredged channel leads from Nantucket Sound summers and comparatively mild winters. Extremes of either maximum or minimum temperatures are very between two submerged breakwaters to deep water rare. The mild temperatures of the winter season are in Nantucket Harbor off Brant Point. (See Notice to neutralized to a degree by sustained periods of high wind. Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling The summers, though cool, are very humid. Heavy fogs depths.) Shallow water extends about 1 mile offshore are frequent, particularly during the spring and summer. on both sides of the channel. A lighted bell buoy marks There is a marked lag in the seasons as compared with the approach and the channel is marked by lighted and inland areas. unlighted buoys and a 161.9° lighted range. A light and (248) July and August are relatively cool with average sound signal mark the outer end of the east jetty, and a maximum temperatures around 75 °F and average buoy marks the outer end of the west jetty. A 6 mph speed minimums about 61 °F. The average temperature for limit is enforced in the harbor. the island is about 50 °F. January and February are the coldest months, having normal mean temperatures near (238) freezing that is, average maximum of 38 °F and average minimum of 25 °F. The extreme maximum temperature Anchorages for Nantucket is 100 °F recorded in August 1975 while (239) Anchorage in Nantucket Harbor may be had in depths the extreme minimum is -3 °F recorded in December 1962. An average year sees 100 days with temperatures of 6 to 17 feet off the south and southwest sides of Brant below 32 °F and only one day with a temperature below Point or in depths of 12 to 17 feet in the general anchorage 5 °F. Seldom do temperatures exceed 90 °F, a fact that south of Brant Point. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.142, has occurred only during June, July and August. Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) In general, the (249) The average wind velocity is about 11 knots with bottom is sticky. Although shelter is afforded to vessels the highest monthly averages during December through it is advisable for small craft to use heavy tackle as the April. Gales have occurred during every month except harbor becomes choppy with easterly winds. Caution June and July. Coast storms are frequent during the winter should be exercised to avoid anchoring in the fairway with winds of 40 knots or more. Hurricanes, during the and maneuvering area to the ferry wharf or the cable area late summer and fall, may cause high winds. Since 1871, northeast of Brant Point. forty tropical storms or hurricanes have passed within 50 (240) The long sweep of strong northeast winds down the nautical miles of Nantucket. There have been ten direct harbor makes anchorage for small craft off the wharves hits. The latest was tropical storm Esther in 1961. Esther dangerous and uncomfortable. Small craft may find more had been a 125-knot hurricane earlier but was dissipating sheltered anchorage under these conditions in Head of the at the time it crossed the island. Harbor (chart 13241) or, with local knowledge, in Polpis (250) Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout Harbor (chart 13241). the year averaging about 41 inches (1,041 mm) in any (241) Launch service is available to craft at moorings or given year. An average of 180 days each year records at anchor in the harbor. precipitation with 28 days having greater than 0.50 inches (13 mm). The wettest month is December averaging 4.35 (242) inches (111 mm) and the driest month is June averaging only 2.2 inches (56 mm). Total snowfall for the winter Routes (chart 13237) (243) Vessels approaching Nantucket Harbor from Pollock Rip Channel can set a direct course from Handkerchief
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 207 season averages about 30 inches (762 mm); however, (257) melting is usually rapid and snow cover rarely lasts more than a few days. The greatest snowfall in a 24-hour period ENC - US5MA41M was 14.9 inches (397) in February 1952. February is the snowiest month averaging nearly nine inches (229 mm). Chart - 13241 Snow is absent from May through September. An average five days each year record greater than 1.5 inches (38 (258) A narrow unmarked channel leads through the mm) of snowfall. An average of 18 thunderstorms affect lagoon northeast of Nantucket Harbor to Head of the the island in a given year with the greatest frequency Harbor. In 1981, a reported depth of about 3 feet could occurring during July and August. Fog is present about be carried with local knowledge as far as the village of 200 days each year. Wauwinet on the southeast shore of Head of the Harbor. (251) Except in severe winter, the harbor is seldom closed Unmarked shoals and foul areas extend off the several by local formation of ice. However, the harbor is points. frequently closed by drift ice from the sound that packs and remains across the entrance during northerly winds. (259) Polpis Harbor is at the east end of the harbor just south of Head of the Harbor.The entrance channel, marked by private seasonal buoys, had a reported controlling depth of 6 feet in 1994. (253) Nantucket Boat Basin, on the west side of Nantucket Harbor, is entered about 0.4 mile south-southwestward of (E26N0)Cs - US5MA21M, US5MA29M, US5MA41M, US- Brant Point Light. The basin is enclosed on the north and 4MA43M south sides by Straight Wharf and Commercial Wharf, respectively, and its entrance is protected by two long Charts - 13238, 13233, 13241, 13237 bulkheads on the east and southeast sides. Depths in the basin range from 3 to 10 feet. About 180 slips are (261) Muskeget Channel is an opening 6 miles wide on available in the basin, and yachts 100 feet long and larger the south side of Nantucket Sound between Muskeget can be accommodated. The outer end of the north side and Chappaquiddick Islands. The channel is subject of Straight Wharf is used by excursion boats. A private to numerous shifting shoals. Although this channel is seasonal light is shown off the end of the wharf and is partly buoyed, strangers should never attempt it as tidal operated only when tour boats are approaching the wharf currents with velocities of 2 to 5 knots make navigation in fog. Gasoline, diesel fuel and ice can be obtained on the dangerous. The currents through the channel are strong, south side of Commercial Wharf. Water and electricity having a velocity of 3.8 knots on the flood and 3.3 knots are available at each slip. The basin’s dockmaster has on the ebb about 1.5 miles east of Wasque Point. The flood his office on the outer end of Commercial Wharf. The sets north-northeastward and ebbs south-southwestward. dockmaster can be contacted on VHF-FM channel 16. (262) Wasque Shoal extends southward of Wasque Point, (254) The Woods Hole-Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket the southeastern extremity of Chappaquiddick Island. Steamship Authority Wharf is about 0.1 mile northward The shoal, which dries about 2 miles south of Wasque of the boat basin. A private light is shown from the roof Point, rises abruptly from the deep water of Muskeget of a shed on the northeast end of the wharf and is operated Channel. only when Authority vessels are approaching the wharf in fog. The submerged ruins of a pier that uncover at (263) Mutton Shoal, 0.6 mile east of Wasque Shoal, has low water are between the boat basin and the Steamship a least depth of 5 feet and is marked on its southwestern Authority Wharf. A buoy marks the ruins. Unpainted pile side by a lighted bell buoy. The best water in Muskeget dolphins mark the former pierhead. Mariners are advised Channel is between Mutton and Wasque Shoals. Eastward to exercise caution in this area. of Mutton Shoal are numerous shoals covered 2 to 6 feet. (255) A boatyard, about 0.2 mile southward of Nantucket (264) Between Muskeget Channel and the main channel Boat Basin, has moorings, gasoline, a 23-ton mobile north of Cross Rip Shoal are numerous shoals, some of hoist, storage facilities, water and marine supplies; hull which are separated by unmarked channels. Tuckernuck and engine repairs can be made. The channel leading to Shoal, northeast of Muskeget Channel, has a least depth the boatyard, marked by private seasonal buoys, had a of 2 feet; it is marked on the northeastern end by a lighted reported controlling depth of 6 feet in 1981. bell buoy and a buoy on the northern side. Shovelful Shoal, westward of Tuckernuck Shoal, is covered 3 to (256) Nantucket maintains ferry service with the mainland 17 feet. Long Shoal, northwestward of Shovelful Shoal, and daily airline service with New York and Boston. is covered 3 to 16 feet. Edwards Shoal, south of Cross Seasonal bus and taxi service is also available. Rip Shoal, has a least known depth of 10 feet. Norton Shoal, southwestward of Cross Rip Shoal and covered 8 feet, is marked by a buoy on its north side. Hawes Shoal, westward of Norton Shoal, has a least depth of 1 foot; buoys mark its northwestern and southwestern ends.
208 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 (252) CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA – NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS (41°15'N, 70°04'W) 43 feet (13.1 m) WEATHER ELEMENTS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR YEARS OF RECORD SEA LEVEL PRESSURE (station pressure reduced to sea level) Mean (millibars) 1016.0 1015.6 1014.0 1014.6 1015.6 1014.7 1015.6 1015.9 1018.1 1017.7 1016.4 1017.1 1016.0 29 TEMPERATURE (°F) 34 34 Mean 31.5 31.6 36.8 44.5 52.8 61.8 68.5 68.5 62.7 54.3 45.9 36.4 49.6 34 34 Mean daily maximum 38.0 37.9 42.9 51.0 59.7 68.5 75.1 74.9 69.4 61.0 52.2 42.9 56.1 34 Mean daily minimum 24.5 24.7 30.2 37.4 45.4 54.5 61.4 61.6 55.5 47.0 39.1 29.4 42.6 29 Extreme (highest) 63 58 62 77 84 90 92 100 86 82 74 60 100 29 29 Extreme (lowest) -1 0 7 20 28 35 47 39 34 22 18 -3 -3 29 29 RELATIVE HUMIDITY 34 Average percentage 35.5 30.7 15.1 21.4 31.2 22.2 30.9 34.5 56.1 51.7 38.7 45.8 34.5 34 34 CLOUD COVER 34 28 Percent of time clear 20.6 21.7 22.7 21.9 20.4 17.7 16.3 20.9 25.0 26.4 18.3 18.7 20.9 28 Percent of time scattered 14.3 16.1 16.0 15.8 16.8 20.1 20.5 20.9 19.6 20.0 18.4 18.7 18.1 28 28 Percent of time broken 12.8 13.7 13.5 14.0 16.2 19.3 20.1 19.3 17.2 16.8 16.8 14.8 16.2 28 28 Percent of time overcast 52.3 48.6 47.9 48.3 46.5 42.9 43.0 39.0 38.2 36.8 46.4 47.9 44.8 29 PRECIPITATION (inches) 29 Mean amount 4.0 3.6 3.7 3.5 3.2 2.2 2.5 3.2 3.4 3.4 4.1 4.3 41.4 29 29 Greatest amount 8.2 7.9 8.8 8.4 10.3 6.8 7.4 6.7 9.4 7.4 7.8 9.7 60.3 29 29 Least amount 1.1 0.7 0.6 1.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 1.2 1.3 25.3 29 29 Maximum amount (24 hours) 2.7 2.2 2.3 3.1 6.4 2.6 4.3 3.3 4.9 3.0 4.9 4.2 6.4 29 29 Mean number of days 19 16 18 15 15 12 12 13 12 13 16 19 180 29 29 SNOW 7.7 8.7 6.3 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 0.2 5.9 29.6 29 Mean amount 29 29 Greatest amount 38.9 35.1 40.2 9.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 2.7 24.7 73.4 29 29 Least amount T T T 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T T 29 29 Maximum amount (24 hours) 12.8 14.9 13.6 7.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 2.2 15.5 14.9 29 Mean number of days 11 10 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 Miss 2 9 42 29 29 WIND 29 29 Percentage with gales 0.22 0.42 0.41 0.34 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.17 0.14 0.28 0.27 0.38 29 29 Mean wind speed (knots) 12.4 12.8 12.9 12.4 11.1 10.2 9.4 9.3 10.0 11.0 11.4 12.0 11.3 29 29 Direction (percentage of observations) 29 29 North 8.1 7.8 7.3 6.8 5.1 3.5 3.6 4.9 6.0 7.1 7.6 7.6 6.3 29 29 North Northeast 3.6 4.1 5.0 7.0 5.2 4.7 3.2 5.4 8.1 7.4 5.8 3.8 5.3 29 29 Northeast 2.9 4.4 4.4 4.7 5.1 4.9 3.5 5.3 8.1 7.9 4.6 3.4 4.9 29 East Northeast 3.0 3.7 4.4 4.1 5.1 3.7 2.6 3.3 6.1 5.9 4.1 3.7 4.1 28 East 2.7 3.6 4.6 3.8 3.9 3.1 2.9 3.4 4.9 5.0 3.7 3.8 3.8 East Southeast 2.6 3.5 4.0 3.3 4.0 3.1 2.9 3.5 3.5 4.2 3.5 2.8 3.4 Southeast 2.9 3.0 3.6 3.9 5.2 4.1 3.8 3.8 3.4 3.5 3.9 2.8 3.7 South Southeast 3.2 3.5 3.4 4.3 5.0 5.0 5.3 5.2 5.0 4.2 4.2 3.6 4.3 South 4.0 4.0 4.9 6.1 6.9 8.5 9.3 8.8 7.1 5.4 5.6 5.0 6.3 South Southwest 4.6 3.9 4.6 6.7 9.9 12.9 13.1 11.8 7.4 5.3 4.6 3.7 7.4 Southwest 4.6 5.6 6.5 10.4 13.9 18.6 18.8 15.0 11.0 8.6 6.4 4.4 10.3 West Southwest 6.2 6.9 7.8 12.0 12.5 13.1 14.6 12.7 9.7 9.0 6.5 6.3 9.8 West 7.9 8.4 8.0 7.7 5.5 5.8 6.7 6.4 6.1 6.4 7.1 7.0 6.9 West Northwest 14.3 13.4 10.5 6.3 3.7 3.3 3.3 3.8 4.1 6.7 11.5 13.6 7.9 Northwest 16.3 13.6 11.1 6.2 3.5 2.2 2.4 2.6 3.5 6.0 11.6 16.3 8.0 North Northwest 11.4 8.8 8.9 6.0 4.2 2.4 2.5 3.1 4.5 5.5 7.6 10.5 6.3 Calm 2.1 1.6 1.2 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.7 1.7 1.8 2.0 1.7 2.0 1.6 Direction (mean speed, knots) North 11.9 12.4 12.9 13.2 11.2 10.1 9.8 9.8 11.2 11.8 11.6 11.8 11.7 North Northeast 13.3 14.1 15.1 15.0 13.0 12.1 11.0 11.5 11.9 12.5 11.7 11.8 12.8 Northeast 13.9 13.4 13.9 13.0 12.9 11.8 10.0 10.5 10.3 12.3 10.2 11.0 11.9 East Northeast 12.9 12.6 13.5 12.7 11.7 10.4 9.1 9.4 10.3 10.8 11.0 11.5 11.4 East 12.3 12.8 13.1 12.2 10.4 9.3 7.9 8.4 9.0 9.6 10.6 11.3 10.6 East Southeast 11.7 13.7 14.0 12.3 11.0 9.8 8.6 9.2 10.3 11.5 12.0 13.0 11.5 Southeast 12.8 13.4 12.9 12.4 10.9 9.5 8.6 8.5 9.6 10.6 11.5 13.3 11.0 South Southeast 12.8 13.4 12.7 12.2 10.4 9.6 8.5 9.0 10.0 9.6 10.9 12.8 10.7 South 11.4 12.1 12.1 11.8 9.8 9.4 9.2 8.8 9.5 9.5 11.6 11.3 10.3 South Southwest 12.7 12.7 13.0 12.4 11.1 10.2 10.1 9.6 10.6 10.7 11.7 12.1 11.0 Southwest 12.3 12.0 11.5 11.9 11.3 10.4 10.1 9.5 9.8 11.3 11.7 12.0 10.8 West Southwest 12.6 12.7 13.0 12.8 12.1 10.9 10.0 9.9 10.5 11.7 12.5 13.5 11.6 West 12.4 13.6 12.9 12.0 10.4 10.1 9.2 8.8 8.8 10.6 11.3 12.2 11.2 West Northwest 13.0 13.8 13.1 11.8 9.9 9.9 8.7 7.9 9.0 10.6 11.9 12.2 11.9 Northwest 12.8 13.0 13.4 12.2 10.5 9.9 8.5 8.2 9.4 11.9 11.6 12.4 12.1 North Northwest 13.1 12.5 13.2 12.1 11.4 10.1 9.6 10.5 11.4 12.2 12.4 12.6 12.2 VISIBILITY Mean number of days with fog 14 12 15 16 19 21 23 22 17 14 14 13 200 T = trace (not measurable) amount of precipitation Miss or blank is a missing value
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 209 (265) (274) ENCs - US5MA21M, US5MA29M Prominent features (275) Edgartown Harbor Light (41°23'27\"N., Charts - 13238, 13233 70°30'11\"W.), 45 feet above the water, is shown from (266) Martha’s Vineyard and Chappaquiddick Island a white conical tower on the west side of the head of have a combined length of 18 miles; the two islands are Edgartown outer harbor. Also prominent are a church separated by Edgartown Harbor, Katama Bay and the belfry in the town, a microwave tower 1 mile to the narrow slough connecting them. The northern extremity west-southwestward of the light, a standpipe about 1 of Martha’s Vineyard is about 3 miles southeastward of mile southwestward of the light and the numerous beach the western end of Cape Cod. Martha’s Vineyard is well cabanas on Chappaquiddick Point. settled, especially along its northern shore, and is popular as a summer resort. Along the northern shore the island (276) presents a generally rugged appearance. The southern shore is low and fringed with ponds, none of which has Channels navigable outlets to the sea. Approaching from the south, (277) The buoyed channel through the outer harbor has the principal landmarks are a standpipe at Edgartown, an aerolight near the center of the island, a church spire near depths of 20 to 36 feet until nearly to Edgartown Harbor Chilmark in the western part, a tall radar tower north of Light. Near the light, the channel narrows and makes Chilmark and Gay Head on the west side. a sharp bend westward, leading to the wharves at the town. Abreast the town, the channel narrows and curves (267) Communication with the mainland is by ferry, southward to Katama Bay, bordered on the eastern side airline, cable and telephone. The principal towns are by Middle Ground. Katama Bay is subject to frequent Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. changes, as is the shoreline between the bay and the ocean. (268) CapePoge,thenortheasternpointofChappaquiddick Island, is a bare, bluff, precipitous head, which may (278) appear from a distance to be a small island. Cape Poge Light (41°25'10\"N., 70°27'08\"W.), 65 feet above the Anchorages water, is shown from a white conical tower on the cape. (279) Anchorage with good shelter from easterly gales is (269) Cape Poge Flats, extending about 1.5 miles found westward of Cape Poge on the eastern side of the northeastward from Cape Poge, are marked at the outer harbor. In westerly and southerly gales vessels find northeast end by a bell buoy. The southerly edge of the shelter in the southern end of the outer harbor about 0.4 white sector of West Chop Light is about 0.9 mile north mile eastward or east-southeastward from Edgartown of the buoy. Shoal water extends about 0.4 mile offshore Harbor Light. In northerly or northeasterly gales vessels westward and northwestward of Cape Poge. A buoy, 1 usually go to Woods Hole or Tarpaulin Cove for sheltered mile west-northwestward of Cape Poge Light, marks the anchorage. Vessels should not anchor in the channel western side of the shoal water. abreast the town where the bottom is hard sand, the channel narrow and tidal currents strong. Southeast of the (270) Cape Poge Bay, a lagoon of considerable size in town, anchorage may be found south of Middle Ground, the northern part of Chappaquiddick Island, is entered muddy bottom. from Edgartown Harbor. The unmarked entrance is used (280) Small craft usually anchor in the special anchorage mostly by local pleasure and fishing craft. In 1981, it was in the vicinity of Middle Ground. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and reported that 4 feet could be carried through the entrance 110.38, Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) channel with local knowledge. (281) (271) Edgartown Harbor, on the eastern side of Martha’s Vineyard and westward of Cape Poge, is divided into an Dangers outer and an inner harbor. The outer harbor is used (282) On the western side of the outer harbor is a shoal principally as a harbor of refuge in southerly and easterly winds and as a night anchorage. At the head of the outer area extending 2.8 miles northward of Edgartown Harbor harbor, a narrow arm makes southward into Katama Bay, Light. A bell buoy marks the northern edge of the shoal; forming the inner harbor. The inner harbor affords good vessels entering or leaving the harbor pass eastward of anchorage and is the approach to Edgartown, a fishing this buoy. The depths over the remainder of the shoal and resort town on the western shore. Many yachts and are irregular, and there are a rock awash and several pleasure craft use the harbor during the summer. rocks covered 3 to 5 feet. Strangers should never attempt to pass across this shoal. The channel into Edgartown (273) Katama Bay, used by local fishermen and small Harbor is marked by a lighted buoy and unlighted buoys. pleasure craft, is large and shallow. Extensive shoaling An obstruction, covered 19 feet, is at 41°23'32\"N., has been reported in the southerly end of the bay. A 4 mph 70°29'28\"W. speed limit is enforced in the bay. (283) Sturgeon Flats, covered 2 to 18 feet, extend about 600 yards off the southeastern shore of the outer harbor between the narrow entrance to Cape Poge Bay and the entrance to the inner harbor.
210 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 (272) N Edgartown Harbor, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (284) A sandbar is making off eastward from Edgartown or ebb period there is an approximate slack preceded Harbor Light. A buoy is on the eastern end of the shoal. and followed by maximum of velocity. The average Except for this shoal, the entrance to the inner harbor is velocity is about 1 knot. (See the Tidal Current Tables not difficult to navigate. Middle Ground, in the inner for predictions.) In 2007, it was reported that a breach harbor south of the town, has a least depth of 10 feet. had occurred on South Beach just southward of Katama Bay. The breach has affected the published tide and tidal (285) current predictions so that mariners are cautioned about the accuracy of the information. Routes (chart 13237) (286) Vessels approaching Edgartown Harbor from the eastward, from a position about 400 yards north of Cross (290) Fogs are prevalent during the summer and at times Rip Lighted Gong Buoy 21, can steer 267°, heading for appear without warning. Drift ice from the sound, driven the standpipe on Martha’s Vineyard southward of Oak into the entrance by the wind, obstructs the entrance to Bluffs, passing northward of Nantucket Sound Channel sailing vessels during a part of the winter. It is reported that Lighted Bell Buoy 21A. When Cape Poge Light bears the harbor is normally closed by ice during January and 155°, head south-southwestward into the harbor. February. The Chappaquiddick ferry channel is usually (287) Vessels approaching from the westward and passing kept open. The tidal currents keep the inner harbor open northward of Squash Meadow can head on a 180° course except for a few days at a time during severe winters. from a position about 0.5 mile southward of Hedge Fence Lighted Gong Buoy 22 to enter the harbor. In the daytime, (291) There are no pilots for Edgartown Harbor. Tugs are the channel southward of Squash Meadow is sometimes seldom used and none are available. Fishing craft or the used. Strangers in sailing vessels seldom enter the inner harbormaster’s vessel will act as tugs in an emergency. harbor, as a fair wind is necessary to keep in the channel. (292) (288) Harbormaster Currents (293) The harbormaster has control of the anchorage of (289) The tidal current in the narrow part of the channel vessels in the harbor. He will usually be found at the inside Edgartown Harbor Light and off the town has a Edgartown Yacht Club and can be contacted on VHF- double flood and a double ebb and in general follows the FM channel 16 or at 508–627–4746. Copies of harbor direction of the channel. Near the middle of each flood regulations may be obtained from the harbormaster.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 211 (302) Oak Bluffs Harbor, Massachusetts N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (298) Harthaven is a small pond northward of Sengekontacket Pond. The entrance is through a privately (294) The depth at the Town Wharf is 25 feet. Depths at dredged channel between two short jetties. In 2000, a the other wharves are about 11 feet. A marina, boatyard depth of 4 feet was reported in the entrance. The pond has and a yacht club are at Edgartown. The boatyard has a depths of 2 to 6 feet. There are no services or landings in marine lift that can handle craft to 9 tons for hull and the pond. engine repairs and dry open or covered storage. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies and moorings are (299) Lone Rock, covered 4 feet, is 350 yards offshore available. Launch service to moored craft is available. about 750 yards southeastward of Oak Bluffs wharf. (295) A small ferry operates between Edgartown and (300) Rhode Island Rock, covered 14 feet, is about 700 Chappaquiddick Island. No schedule is maintained, but yards northward of the breakwater light. the ferry runs on call. There is seasonal bus service to Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and other island points. Ferries (301) Oak Bluffs Harbor, 4.8 miles northwestward of connect Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven with Woods Edgartown Harbor Light, is a landlocked basin frequented Hole, Falmouth, Hyannis and Nantucket. by pleasure craft and some fishing vessels. The entrance is protected by two breakwaters. A light is on the end of (296) Sengekontacket Pond, about midway between the north breakwater. Oak Bluffs is a summer resort and Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, has two entrances that are fishing village on the harbor. Prominent are a church subject to shoaling. The southerly entrance is the main dome and a cupola in the village and the bluff north of entrance and had a reported controlling depth of 10 feet the entrance. in 1981. There are no public landings in the pond and it is used by local and fishing craft only. The south entrance (303) Numerous submerged rocks, covered 10 to 14 is crossed by a fixed highway bridge with a vertical feet, are in the harbor approach, in an area within 0.4 clearance of 6 feet. The fixed highway bridge over the mile of shore bounded on the north by a line extending north entrance has a vertical clearance of 5 feet. northeasterly from the breakwaters and on the south by Lone Rock. The chart is the best guide for approaching (297) Squash Meadow is a shoal south of the main channel the harbor; however, it is advised that mariners transiting through Nantucket Sound and about 4 miles northwest of the area exercise extreme caution as other uncharted Cape Poge. The hard sand shoal has depths of 13 to 18 rocks may exist. feet and is marked on its southeastern end by a bell buoy and on its western end by a buoy. (304) East Chop Yacht Club is on the north side of the harbor, and several private piers are on the west side. The
212 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 town wharf extends along the bulkhead on the south and service from the wharf to Woods Hole and Nantucket. east sides of the harbor. The town maintains berths with Seasonal ferry service is also maintained between electricity, a launching ramp, a pump-out station, and Falmouth, Hyannis and New Bedford. Seasonal fast ferry guest moorings. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice and some service is maintained from Quonset, RI, and year-round marine supplies are available; hull and engine repairs can fast ferry passenger service is maintained from New be made. Bedford. Oak Bluffs is a port of call for cruise ships. The (305) Martha’s Vineyard hospital is on the beach road Vineyard Transit Authority provides island-wide transit close westward of the town. The harbormaster monitors service year-round. There is air service from Martha’s VHF-FM channel 71; telephone 508–693–4355. Vineyard Airport about 4.5 miles southwestward of the (306) A no-wake speed limit is enforced in the harbor. town. (307) Oak Bluffs Wharf, about 0.2 mile southward of the (308) A 530-foot groin, marked at its outer end by a breakwater light, is reported to have a depth of 13 feet daybeacon and partially submerged at high water, is about at the head. Several obstructions with lesser depths have 650 yards south of the ferry wharf; caution is advised. been reported about 400 yards northeast of the wharf face. (309) Other ports on the north side of Martha’s Vineyard, A private seasonal light and sound signal are operated westward of Oak Bluffs Harbor, are described in Chapter from the seaward end of the wharf when ferry vessels 5. are approaching the wharf in fog. There is seasonal ferry
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 4 ¢ 213
214 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 71°W 70°30'W Chart Coverage in Coast Pilot 2—Chapter 5 NOAA’s Online Interactive Chart Catalog has complete chart coverage http://www.charts.noaa.gov/InteractiveCatalog/nrnc.shtml 42°N MASSACHUSETTS 13230 CAPE COD CANAL Onset Marion Mattapoisett 13236 New Bedford RMHASOSDAECISHLUASENTDTS BUZZARDS BAY 13229 Falmouth 13232 13235 Woods Hole 41°30'N Naushon Island VINEYARD SOUND Vineyard Haven Pasque Island 13228 Nashawena Island Edgartown Martha’s Vineyard 13229 Cuttyhunk Island 13238 Gay Head Nomans Island 13233 RHODE ISLAND SOUND 13237 13218 41°N
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 215 Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay (1) This chapter describes Vineyard Sound and Buzzards and generally free of dangers. Deep-draft vessels entering Bay following the Massachusetts coast of Vineyard or leaving Vineyard Sound should stay at least 3.5 miles Sound, the northwestern shore of Martha’s Vineyard, the southward of the southwest end of Cuttyhunk Island. eastern shore of Buzzards Bay, the Cape Cod Canal and the western shore of Buzzards Bay. Also described are (10) Woods Hole, Cuttyhunk, Onset, Wareham and the port of New Bedford, as well as the numerous fishing and Anchorages yachting centers along the sound and bay. (11) Woods Hole is the only anchorage providing shelter (2) from all winds for vessels drawing more than 10 feet. In northerly and westerly winds, good anchorage may be COLREGS Demarcation Lines had in Tarpaulin Cove. In southerly winds, shelter can (3) The lines established for this part of the coast are be had in Menemsha Bight, although Vineyard Haven is generally used. Several general anchorages are in described in 33 CFR 80.145, Chapter 2. Vineyard Sound. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.140(c)(1), (c)(2), and (d), Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (4) (12) No-Discharge Zone (5) The State of Massachusetts, with the approval of Currents (13) The time of current becomes somewhat earlier from the Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in all coastal waters of Hedge Fence westward through Vineyard Sound. The Massachusetts covered by this chapter except a small area current velocity increases from 1.2 knots at Hedge Fence from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven, extending about 3 Lighted Gong Buoy 22 to about 2.4 knots off Nobska miles offshore (see charts 13246 and 13237). Point and then gradually diminishes to 1.6 knots off Gay (6) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether Head Light. (See Current Diagram–Vineyard and treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Nantucket Sounds in the Tidal Current Tables.) Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by (14) At the western entrance to Vineyard Sound, west- 40 CFR 140 (see Chapter 2). northwestward of Gay Head Light, the tidal current is rotary, turning clockwise. The velocity is only 0.2 to 0.5 (7) knot. Since the tidal current is weak, winds greatly affect it and the current frequently sets approximately with the ENCs - US5MA25M, US4MA43M, US4MA23M winds. Charts - 13230, 13237, 13218 (8) Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay are deep and (15) easily navigated day or night. Vineyard Sound, together with Nantucket Sound, provides an inside route from New Weather: Vineyard Sound, Buzzards Bay and vicinity York to Boston that avoids Nantucket Shoals. Buzzards Bay, together with Cape Cod Canal and Cape Cod Bay, (16) Buzzards Bay is open to winds out of the south and provides the shortest deep-draft route between New York southwest, which are common from spring through fall. and Boston. Winds increase as they move from the surrounding land out over the Bay. Its northeast-southwest orientation (9) Vineyard Sound is bounded on the north by the causes southwesterlies to strengthen as they funnel up southwestern part of Cape Cod and the Elizabeth Islands from the mouth of the Bay to its head. The result is that and on the south by part of Martha’s Vineyard, which speeds are often double those at nearby land stations, and presents a rugged and generally inaccessible shoreline. southwesterlies may prevail even when land stations are To the west, it joins Rhode Island Sound on a line reporting west or northwest winds. However, as a general between Cuttyhunk Island and Gay Head. To the east, it rule southwesterlies blow harder close to the Elizabeth joins Nantucket Sound on a line between Nobska Point Islands than in the middle of the Bay. The relatively and West Chop and provides an inside passage clear of shallow water of the Bay increases the steepness of waves Nantucket Shoals. The navigational aids are colored and their closeness to one another; this can cause a stiff and numbered for passing through the sound from the chop. With southerly or westerly gales there is a heavy eastward. The channel through the sound is well marked sea in the westerly entrance to Vineyard Sound, and heavy seas occur at times off the entrance to Quicks Hole.
216 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (25) N Vineyard Haven Harbor, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (17) (23) East Chop Light (41°28'13\"N., 70°34'03\"W.), 79 feet above the water, is shown from a white tower on the Pilotage,Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay east side of the entrance to Vineyard Haven. East Chop (18) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels of 350 Flats, covered 5 to 18 feet, extend 0.2 mile northward and 0.5 mile eastward of East Chop. A lighted bell buoy, gross tons or more, U.S. vessels under register of 350 about 0.5 mile east-northeastward, and a buoy, about 350 gross tons or more and tank barge towing vessels carrying yards northward of the light, mark the flats. 6,000 barrels or more of petroleum cargoes. Pilotage is available from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, (24) Vineyard Haven Harbor is a funnel-shaped bight RI, 02840; telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800– in the northern side of Martha’s Vineyard between East 274–1216; FAX 401–847–9052; email: dispatch@ Chop and West Chop, about 1.4 miles long in a southwest nemarinepilots.com. direction and about 1.3 miles wide at the entrance. This haven, easy of access, is the most important harbor of (19) refuge for coasters between Provincetown and Narragansett Bay. The depths range from 46 feet at the ENCs - US5MA21M, US5MA29M, US5MA20M entrance to 15 feet near the head of the harbor. Charts - 13238, 13233, 13229 (26) Although Vineyard Haven Harbor is exposed to northeasterly winds, vessels with good ground tackle can (20) East Chop and West Chop are prominent points on ride out most blows. The greatest danger encountered by the north side of Martha’s Vineyard and on the east and vessels at anchor in a northeast gale is from vessels with west side of the entrance to Vineyard Haven. Both points poor ground tackle, which are likely to drift, foul other terminate in high wooded bluffs that show prominently vessels and then go ashore. from the sounds; each is marked by a light. (27) The harbor is the approach to the village of (21) West Chop Light (41°28'51\"N., 70°35'59\"W.), 84 Vineyard Haven. A detached breakwater, marked on its feet above the water, is shown from a white conical tower; southeastern end by a light, is on the flats on the western a sound signal is at the light. side of the harbor near the head. The natural channel is clear; soundings are the best guide for finding anchorage. (22) A lighted gong buoy, 0.5 mile northeastward of the When well inside the entrance, the water shoals gradually light, and a buoy, 0.5 mile eastward of the light, mark shoal water and rocks awash to the eastward of West Chop. It has been reported that during strong tidal currents, the buoy may be submerged.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 217 toward the western shore, but the eastern shore is steep (41) Lagoon Pond, eastward of the town of Vineyard and should be given a berth of about 0.2 mile. Haven, has its entrance about 0.5 mile northeastward of Vineyard Haven Breakwater Light 10. A short jetty, (28) marked by a light, extends from the northwestern end of the jutting point on the northerly side of the entrance. Anchorage In 2004, the controlling depth through the entrance was (29) Vessels anchor according to draft, anywhere from 6.3 feet (7.9 feet at midchannel). The channel is marked by private buoys and daybeacons. The pond is primarily the points at the entrance to the head of the harbor. used by local fishing craft. Robbins Rock, marked by Shallow-draft vessels favor the western shore. a daybeacon, is off the west shore, about 1 mile above (30) Vessels entering the harbor with a head wind or the entrance. The highway bridges across the entrance light breeze, at the end of a favorable current through the are divided by two channels. Channel A (west side) is sound, should continue on in the channel until the harbor crossed by a bascule bridge and has a horizontal clearance is well opened before standing in for the anchorage. This of 30 feet and a (closed) vertical clearance of 15 feet. will help clear the entrance points. Approaching from the Channel B (east side) is crossed by a fixed bridge and has eastward, vessels will keep clear of Squash Meadow and a horizontal clearance of 30 feet and a vertical clearance East Chop Flats by keeping in the white sector of West of 19 feet. Chop Light. The anchorage basin behind the breakwater has depths of 5 to 12 feet and is usually filled to capacity (42) during the summer. When anchoring in the harbor, care must be taken to avoid obstructing the approach to the ENCs - US5MA25M, US5MA20M ferry slip and the approach to the oil wharves on the southerly side of the harbor. Charts - 13230, 13229 (31) (43) Falmouth Harbor, the open roadstead off the south shore of Cape Cod eastward of Nobska Point Light, Dangers affords an anchorage for vessels in 24 to 36 feet about (32) Flats, partly bare at low water and marked by a buoy, 0.8 mile from shore. Smaller vessels can anchor closer to the shore in 15 to 18 feet. The bottom is generally sticky make off 300 yards from the eastern shore of the harbor and good holding ground; the depths shoal gradually about 1 mile inside East Chop Light. A rock, covered 9 toward the shore. The anchorage affords a lee in northerly feet, is 0.3 mile northward of the breakwater light. winds; in southerly winds the sea is somewhat broken by L’Hommedieu Shoal and the shoals westward of it so that (33) a vessel with good ground tackle can ride out a gale in comparative safety. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.140(c) Currents (5), and (d), Chapter 2, for limits and regulations of the (34) The tidal currents have little velocity in the harbor; anchorage area.) however, care should be taken on the ebb, which sets (44) Falmouth Harbor is frequently used by vessels westward, not to approach too closely to West Chop as with good ground tackle that prefer this anchorage to the current in that vicinity sets on the ledges eastward and the anchorage in Vineyard Haven Harbor, which may northward of the point. be crowded in bad weather. Vessels approaching the anchorage are cautioned to stay clear of the two shoal areas with depths of 10 to 16 feet marked by buoys that extend westward of L’Hommedieu Shoal. (35) The harbormaster has control of the anchoring of vessels in the inner harbor; he will usually be found at (45) Vessels can enter Falmouth Harbor from the the town dock on the west side of the harbor and can be southward on a course of 344° with West Chop Light contacted on VHF-FM channel 16 or at 508–693–1368. astern and pass about 0.1 mile westward of Falmouth A 4 mph speed limit is enforced inside the breakwater Harbor East Shoal Buoy 17. Vessels in the vicinity of and within 150 feet of moored craft. Nobska Point Light can pass 0.4 mile eastward of the light on a north-northeasterly course, and when Tarpaulin (36) Pilots are not available at Vineyard Haven. A twin- Cove and Nobska Point Lights are nearly in range, stand screw, 500-hp tug, also equipped for salvage work, is eastward to an anchorage. based in the harbor. (46) Falmouth Heights, about 3 miles east-northeast of (37) A ferry terminal, several wharves, two marinas and a Nobska Point Light and east of the town of Falmouth, boatyard are in the harbor. A yacht club is on the west side is a prominent yellow bluff on the summit of which are of the harbor, about 0.3 mile northward of the breakwater. numerous homes and a large hotel. (38) Guest moorings, maintained by the town, are (47) Falmouth Inner Harbor, westward of Falmouth available off the municipal wharf, 200 yards northward Heights, is a dredged basin about 0.7 mile long and less of the ferry terminal; other moorings can be hired from than 0.1 mile wide, on the north side of Falmouth Harbor. the boatyard and marinas. The yacht club dock and flagpole, just inside the entrance (39) The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital is on the beach road near Oak Bluffs. (40) The Woods Hole-Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority maintains year-round ferry service from Woods Hole. Air service is available from Martha’s Vineyard Airport, about 4 miles south of the town.
218 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (48) N Falmouth Harbor, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) on the east side of the harbor, are conspicuous from close (55) inshore. The harbor is entered through a dredged channel between two jetties; a light marks the end of each jetty. ENCs - US5MA29M, US5MA20M Charts - 13233, 13229 (49) (56) Middle Ground, covered 6 to 18 feet, is the easterly half of a narrow, somewhat shifting ridge. The ridge Currents extends for about 9 miles westward from West Chop. A (50) The tidal current in the sound about 1.5 miles south buoy is at the northeast end and a lighted bell buoy off the northwest edge. Lucas Shoal, with a least depth of 17 of the harbor sets east-northeastward on the flood at a feet, is the southwestern end of the ridge. It is separated velocity of 2.3 knots and west-southwestward on the ebb from the Middle Ground by a natural channel with a depth at 1.7 knots. of 31 feet. (51) (57) Lake Tashmoo, a landlocked pond on the northwest side of Martha’s Vineyard, is entered through a narrow Small-craft facilities jettied entrance that had a reported controlling depth of (52) There are several small-craft facilities in Falmouth 2½ feet in 1981. The lake, only used by local craft, has general depths of 3 to 10 feet. A private seasonal light Inner Harbor. marks the east jetty and private seasonal buoys mark the channel through a shoal area just inside the entrance. (58) A 4 mph speed limit is enforced in the pond. (53) The harbormaster is at the town-operated Falmouth Anchoring is prohibited in the entrance channel. Marina, on the west side halfway up the harbor; telephone 508–548–9796. The harbormaster monitors VHF-FM (59) A small boatyard is on the easterly side of the lake; channels 16, 12 and 9. A ferry operates in the summer to a flatbed trailer can handle craft up to 30 feet for hull and Oak Bluffs from the wharf at the head of the harbor. engine repairs. Guest moorings and limited supplies are available. (54) NobskaPoint,about29mileswestwardofMonomoy Point, is a bluff with Nobska Point Light (41°30'57\"N., (60) Norton Point and Cape Higgon are prominent 70°39'18\"W.), 87 feet above the water, shown from a bluffs on the northwest side of Martha’s Vineyard about white tower, at the south end. A sound signal is at the light. Nobska Point Ledges, partly bare at low water, extends 150 yards eastward and southwestward from the point.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 219 3 and 8 miles, respectively, southwestward of West Chop Several rocks exist between Gay Head and the lighted Light. gong buoy. (61) Menemsha Bight, on the northerly side of the (70) Devils Bridge is a reef making off 0.8 mile western end of Martha’s Vineyard 2.5 miles east of Gay northwestward of Gay Head. The reef has a depth of 2 Head, affords shelter from southerly and easterly winds feet about 0.4 mile offshore and 17 feet at its end. in depths of 25 to 60 feet, sticky bottom. (See 33 CFR (71) Nomans Land, about 5.5 miles southward of Gay 110.1 and 110.140(c)(1) and (d), Chapter 2, for limits and Head, is a prominent, high, and rocky island. Except for a regulations for the anchorage area.) There are no dangers small section on its northwestern side, the shore consists in the bight if the shore is given a berth of 0.3 mile. of clay and gravel cliffs 10 to 18 feet high with boulders (62) Menemsha Creek, on the northwestern shore of lining the shores. In the interior of the island are many Martha’s Vineyard and about 3 miles eastward of Gay hills, the highest over 100 feet high, with considerable Head Light, is entered from Menemsha Bight through a marshy area between the hills. A danger zone surrounds dredged channel that leads southeastward to Menemsha Nomans Land. (See 33 CFR 334.70, Chapter 2, for limits Basin, on the north shore just inside the entrance. From and regulations.) the basin, the dredged channel continues southward (72) Several sunken rocks and ledges are in the passage through the creek to Menemsha Pond, about 1 mile above between Nomans Land and Martha’s Vineyard. Lone the entrance. The entrance to the creek is protected by Rock, covered 8 feet, and Old Man, a ledge covered jetties. The east jetty is marked by a light. A bell buoy, 4 feet, are marked by buoys. A buoyed channel about about 300 yards northwestward of the light, marks the 0.7 mile wide between the islands may be used by small channel approach, and buoys and daybeacons mark vessels in the daytime. Shoal water extends 0.5 mile the channel. The channel south of Menemsha Basin is southward of Squibnocket Point, the southernmost point reported to shoal rapidly after dredging; mariners are of Martha’s Vineyard. advised to seek local knowledge before attempting to go beyond Menemsha Basin. (73) (63) Menemsha is a small fishing village on Menemsha Basin. Menemsha Pond, a rectangular basin about 1 mile ENCs - US5MA25M, US5MA20M long and 0.7 mile wide, has general depths of 2 to 18 feet, with the deepest water in the southern half of the pond. Charts - 13230, 13229 (64) (74) Elizabeth Islands, including Nonamesset, Uncatena, Weepecket, Naushon, Pasque, Nashawena, Currents Penikese and Cuttyhunk Islands, extend about 14 miles (65) The tidal currents through the entrance have an west-southwest from the southwest end of Cape Cod. The islands, forming part of the northern shore of Vineyard estimated velocity of 3 knots or more. Slacks are reported Sound, separate the sound from Buzzards Bay. They to occur 45 minutes after local high and low waters. are hilly and partly wooded; the shores are, in general, low bluffs. Westward of Woods Hole are several buoyed channels between the islands, but Quicks Hole is the only one recommended for strangers. (66) Guest moorings are available in Menemsha Basin, and anchoring is permitted in the pond. Berths are also (75) available at the public facilities at Dutcher Dock, on the northeast side of the basin. Commercial fishing and charter ENCs - US5MA28M, US5MA20M boats berth at the dock or at the private piers on the west side of the basin. Menemsha Coast Guard Station is on Charts - 13235, 13229 the south side of the basin. The harbormaster controls all berthing and mooring in the basin. The harbormaster (76) Woods Hole is that water area lying between the has an office at Dutcher Dock and can be contacted by southwest tip of Cape Cod and Uncatena and Nonamesset radiotelephone on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone Island, the easternmost of the Elizabeth Islands, with at 508–645–2846. Buzzards Bay on the northwest and Vineyard Sound on the southeast; it includes Great and Little Harbors in (67) A marina is on the east side of Menemsha Basin. the eastern part and Hadley Harbor in the western part. Repairs and hauling of craft to 45 feet can be arranged. Woods Hole is also the approach to the town of Woods Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, a launching ramp and Hole on the northeastern shore of Great Harbor. The town marine supplies are available. is a busy commercial center and a transshipping point for passengers and freight to and from Nantucket and (68) Seasonal bus service is available from Menemsha to Martha’s Vineyard. During the summer it is an active Vineyard Haven and other points on the island. resort and frequently a port of call by yachts passing through to Vineyard Sound or Buzzards Bay. There is (69) Gay Head, the westerly end of Martha’s Vineyard, is considerable waterborne commerce in seafood products a prominent high bluff. It is marked by Gay Head Light and general cargo. (41°20'54\"N., 70°50'04\"W.), 175 feet above the water, shown from a 51-foot red brick tower on the head. A lighted gong buoy is 1.6 miles northwestward of the light.
220 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (84) N Woods Hole, Massachusetts Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (77) Hole Passage Junction Buoy SB at the intersection of The Strait and Broadway. Before attempting to transit Prominent features the passage, mariners should carefully consult the current (78) The most prominent landmark approaching Woods edition of nautical charts for the area and the most recent Local Notice to Mariners. Mariners are further cautioned Hole is Nobska Point and light. A light marks the south to always use extreme care and prudent speed when end of Juniper Point, the finger of land separating transiting the passage. Tidal currents are strong in the Little and Great Harbors. Also prominent is the house passage; buoys in the narrowest part of the channel are high on Juniper Point, a standpipe 0.7 miles north- sometimes towed under by the current. Strangers to the northwestward of Nobska Point, the dome of the Woods area should attempt transit only at slack water. Hole Oceanographic Institution and the buildings of (82) The channels through Woods Hole Passage are the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Marine marked by buoys and lights, but extreme caution and slack Biological Laboratory. water are required to safely navigate them with drafts greater than 8 feet. Mariners entering from Buzzards (79) Bay should keep in mind that the buoys are colored and marked for passage from Vineyard Sound to Buzzards Channels Bay. (80) Woods Hole Passage, a dredged section through the (83) A lighted bell buoy and gong buoy mark the entrance to Great Harbor from Vineyard Sound, and a directional northern part of Woods Hole, connects Vineyard Sound light, lighted and unlighted buoys mark the channel. and Great Harbor with Buzzards Bay and consists of The Mariners should guard against the current from Buzzards Strait and a spur channel known as the Branch at the Bay, which has a tendency to set vessels eastward. western end of The Strait, and Broadway, the southerly entrance to The Strait from Vineyard Sound. (See Notice (85) to Mariners and latest edition of charts for controlling depths.) The northerly entrance from Great Harbor into Anchorages The Strait is preferred over Broadway with its sharp turn, (86) An anchorage about 0.2 mile square, with poor which is difficult in strong currents, especially for low- powered vessels and vessels under sail. holding ground and irregular depths ranging from 19 to (81) Woods Hole Passage is a dangerous waterway 62 feet, is at the head of Great Harbor. Shoals covered 5 surrounded by treacherous shoals, ledges and severe east/ west currents. Particular attention should be given to the navigational aids that mark the passage, especially Woods
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 221 to 9 feet are northwest of the anchorage. Good anchorage the bay. Small craft may experience difficulty in severe in depths of 29 to 36 feet is also available about 200 winters, but powered vessels usually proceed through the yards northwest of the National Marine Fisheries ice. The strong tidal currents usually keep Great Harbor Service’s wharf. Small craft can find good anchorage in open. Little Harbor and Hadley Harbor. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.140, Chapter 2, for limits and regulations of the (94) deepwater anchorages in the vicinity of Woods Hole.) Pilotage: Woods Hole (87) (95) Pilotage service is available for the harbor. (See Dangers Pilotage, Vineyard Sound, this chapter.) (88) Numerous ledges and shoals border the channel (96) through Woods Hole. Great Ledge, an extensive rocky shoal awash at low water with a full northwest gale, lies Routes between the entrances to Little and Great Harbors; it is (97) The following directions are good for medium-draft marked by a buoy. Coffin Rock, eastward of Great Ledge and covered 5 feet, is marked by a lighted buoy 120 yards vessels entering Woods Hole at slack water. Approaching eastward of the rock. Nonamesset Shoal, covered 10 feet, from the eastward, pass about 0.3 mile southward of extends about 0.2 mile eastward from Nonamesset Island, Nobska Point on a west-southwesterly course until in at the entrance to Great Harbor. Parker Flats extend as the white sector of the Great Harbor Directional Light, much as 200 yards off the eastern shore of Great Harbor or from a point close to Nobska Point Lighted Bell Buoy northward of Juniper Point. Most of these dangers are 26, steer 279° until in the white sector. Approaching from marked by buoys. the westward in Vineyard Sound, give the south side of (89) Fringing the passage westward of Great Harbor are the Elizabeth Islands a berth of about 0.5 mile and steer many other ledges and shoals. Red Ledge, grassy, and for Nobska Point Light on any bearing between 045° and Grassy Island, with its surrounding ledge marked by a 051° until in the white sector. light, are on the western side of Great Harbor Channel. Middle Ledge, which uncovers 1 foot in places and is (98) marked by buoys, is on the south side of The Strait. A ledge, awash at low water and marked by a light, is about Towage 250 yards westward of Middle Ledge. Hadley Rock, (99) Tug service is available at Woods Hole. covered 5 feet, is some 500 yards west-southwestward of the light west of Middle Ledge. A rocky shoal area (100) extends more than 0.3 mile westward of Penzance Point, the southern extremity of Penzance, which is the curving Wharves peninsula sheltering the west and northwest sides of (101) The ferry pier of the Woods Hole-Martha’s Vineyard Great Harbor. Most of the dangers adjoining the passage channel are marked by navigational aids. and Nantucket Steamship Authority is on the eastern side of Great Harbor. When a ferry is approaching in fog, a (90) private sound signal is sounded, a private quick flashing white light is shown from the southwest corner of the Currents pier, and a private quick flashing yellow light is shown (91) The current velocity at times exceeds 4.5 knots in the from the southwest corner of the ferry slip. The ferry to Naushon Island lands at the service wharf about 60 narrow part of Woods Hole Passage. Velocities as high as yards north of the ferry pier. The buildings and wharf 5.0 knots have been reported by the U.S. Coast Guard. of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are For daily predictions of the current, see the Tidal Current northwestward of the ferry pier. Northwestward of the Tables. Oceanographic Institution are the wharves of the Marine (92) The velocity of the current is about 3.5 knots in Biological Laboratory; the wharf, basin and buildings of The Strait southward of Penzance Point. (See the Tidal the National Marine Fisheries Service; the town pier; and Current Tables for predictions.) Both the velocity of the several private buildings. current and time of slack water are affected by strong (102) Depths at the principal piers vary from 11 to 30 feet. winds. At the north entrance to Woods Hole in Buzzards A breakwater extends about 90 yards southwestward Bay, the velocity of the tidal current is 0.8 knot, whereas from the south end of the National Marine Fisheries at the eastern entrance to The Strait in Great Harbor, it Service wharf. Foul ground extends about 50 yards is about 1.3 knots. In the upper part of Great Harbor, northwestward of the outer end of the breakwater. near the National Marine Fisheries Service’s wharf, the currents are barely perceptible, and vessels at anchor lie head to wind. (93) Drift ice is brought through from Buzzards Bay but (103) Eel Pond, an extension of Great Harbor to the seldom interferes with navigation except in unusually northeastward, is a basin with depths of 10 to 20 feet. severe winters, when it may close the entrance from In 2001, the narrow entrance to the pond had a reported controlling depth of 6 feet. A highway bridge over the entrance channel has a 31-foot bascule span with a clearance of 5 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.598, Chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The piers of the Marine Biological Laboratory are along the southwest side of the pond. A boatyard in Eel Pond
222 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 has water, some marine supplies and limited berths with Deep-draft vessels should anchor farther out in depths of electricity and can do engine repairs. The harbormaster 36 feet or more. The eastern and northern shores should has an office in Falmouth. be given a berth of 200 yards. Rocks are near the western (104) Seasonal ferry service is available from Woods shore and should be given a berth of over 300 yards; Hole to Nantucket and Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard. buoys mark the dangers. Year-round ferry service is available to Vineyard Haven, (116) Robinsons Hole is a narrow buoyed passage from Martha’s Vineyard. Vineyard Sound to Buzzards Bay between the western end (105) Woods Hole Coast Guard Station is on the west of Naushon Island and the eastern end of Pasque Island. It side of Little Harbor about 450 yards northward of has numerous rocks and ledges and strong tidal currents. Juniper Point. A federal project provides for a depth of The buoys often tow under, and the passage should never 12 feet from Vineyard Sound through a turning basin off be attempted by strangers; it is used occasionally by local the Coast Guard wharf on the west shore. (See Notice fishermen. It has been reported that currents sometimes to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling reach a velocity of 5 knots in the passage. The velocity depths.) The channel is marked by lighted buoys. The in the narrow part is about 3 knots. The flood sets east side of the harbor is used as a mooring area for southeastward and the ebb northwestward into Buzzards local craft. Numerous rocks awash are in this part of the Bay. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) harbor; extreme caution is advised. A 6 mph speed limit (117) QuicksHole,betweenPasqueIslandandNashawena is enforced in the harbor by the Falmouth Harbormaster. Island, is the only passage between Vineyard Sound and (106) Hadley Harbor, in the western portion of Woods Buzzards Bay eastward of Cuttyhunk available for vessels Hole at the northwest end of Nonamesset Island, is of over 10-foot draft. The clearly defined entrance from suitable only for small craft. It is reached by a narrow, Vineyard Sound, about 0.6 mile wide, is about 4 miles crooked channel. The deeper entrance, marked by buoys, southwestward of Tarpaulin Cove and about 5 miles north is between ledges on both sides. The inner harbor forms of Gay Head. The passage is used considerably by tows, a well-sheltered anchorage for small craft. especially during westerly or southerly winds, to avoid (107) Two wharves, with depths of about 9 feet at their the very heavy sea in the entrance to Vineyard Sound, and ends, are on the western side of Hadley Harbor. A private also because a secure anchorage from these winds can be wharf, with a depth of about 7 feet at its end, is at the had, if necessary, on the north side of Nashawena Island. western end of Nonamesset Island. The passage is considered unsafe for a long tow at night, but otherwise it may be used by steamers either night or (108) day. (118) Vessels should follow a midchannel course through ENCs - US5MA29M, US5MA25M, US5MA20M the passage. The channel is nearly straight with a width of about 0.2 mile. General depths are 30 feet or more, Charts - 13233, 13230, 13229 but there are several shoaler spots. Rocks covered 27 to 37 feet are near the center of the channel. Because (109) Naushon Island, the largest of the Elizabeth of the broken nature of the bottom, the passage is not Islands, extends west-southwestward from Uncatena and recommended for a stranger drawing more than 21 feet. Nonamesset Islands. Buoys mark the channel. (119) The aids in Quicks Hole are colored and numbered (110) Weepecket Islands, in Buzzards Bay off the for passage from Vineyard Sound to Buzzards Bay. northeastern part of Naushon Island, are bare and rocky. (120) The eastern side of Quicks Hole is foul, and no attempt should be made to pass eastward of the lighted (111) Weepecket Rock, on a rocky ledge about 0.7 mile buoy. Felix Ledge, 0.2 mile off the eastern shore of northeastward of the northernmost of the Weepecket Nashawena Island, is covered 15 feet and marked by a Islands, is covered 8 feet and is marked by a lighted gong buoy. buoy. (121) A sunken wreck, covered 30 feet, is on the west side of the passage in about 41°26.6'N., 70°51.1'W. (112) Lackeys Bay, between Nonamesset Island and Jobs (122) Lone Rock, covered 8 feet and marked by a Neck, the southeastern extremity of Naushon Island, is lighted buoy, is off the northern entrance, about 0.7 mile shoal with numerous bare rocks. northward of North Point, the northeastern extremity of Nashawena Island. Tide rips have been observed between (113) North Point and Lone Rock during spring tides. Note (123) (114) In 1990, unexploded World War II ordnance was Currents reported about 0.5 mile southeastward of Lackeys Bay (124) The tidal currents have considerable velocity in in about 41°29'34.5\"N., 70°41'15.0\"W. Quicks Hole, about 2 to 2.5 knots, and a sailing vessel should not attempt to pass through unless with a strong (115) Tarpaulin Cove, about 5 miles west-southwest of Nobska Point, is a bight about 0.5 mile in diameter, in the south shore of Naushon Island. The cove affords shelter from northerly and westerly winds and is frequently used. A light is on the southwest side of the cove. Anchorage in depths of 14 to 18 feet, good holding ground, is in the cove with the light bearing between 212° and 189°.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 223 favorable wind on a favorable current. Deep-draft vessels is marked by a light on the north jetty and by a buoy off should be careful not to be set off their courses. With a the end of the submerged south jetty. A bell buoy marks strong westward current through Vineyard Sound, there the entrance to the channel. is a northward current through Quicks Hole; with a strong eastward current in Vineyard Sound, the current sets (132) southward through Quicks Hole. Strong winds affect the regularity of the currents. (See the Tidal Current Tables Anchorage for predictions.) (133) Limited anchorage with reported poor holding ground may be found in depths of 10 to 24 feet in Cuttyhunk Harbor. The shores on both sides of the harbor (125) Penikese Island, grassy and hilly, is about 1.3 are foul, and the anchorage is in the middle. miles northwestward of Knox Point, the northwestern extremity of Nashawena Island. Shoal water extends (134) from Penikese Island to Gull Island, a small islet 0.5 mile southeastward. No attempt should be made to pass Dangers between them. Rocky ledges extend southward and (135) Shoals extend 0.6 mile northeastward of Cuttyhunk westward from Gull Island; buoys are on the southern edge of this area. The channels to Cuttyhunk Harbor from Island. Whale Rock and Pease Ledge uncover at low Buzzards Bay are southward of the ledges. water. Middle Ground, covered 9 feet, is 0.5 mile north of Copicut Neck in the northwestern approach to the (126) Cuttyhunk Harbor is formed by the bight harbor. Middle Ledge, covered 15 feet, is about 0.4 mile between Nashawena Island and Cuttyhunk Island, the east of Middle Ground. Edwards Rock, covered 7 feet, is westernmost of the Elizabeth Islands. Northward of the 250 yards northeastward of Whale Rock. These dangers, harbor are Penikese and Gull Islands and several ledges, except for Middle Ledge, are buoyed. An unmarked which shelter the harbor from winds from that direction. rocky shoal, covered 12 feet, is in the middle of the The harbor is exposed to winds from the northeastward. northwestern approach about 0.2 mile southeastward of Weather-bound coasting vessels and fishermen sometimes Middle Ledge. Numerous other rocks and ledges covered use the anchorage in the harbor. The harbor is the approach 4 to 12 feet are between Cuttyhunk Island and the ledges to the village of Cuttyhunk and to Cuttyhunk Pond; the southwestward of Penikese and Gull Islands. The eastern latter is entered through a dredged cut in the eastern end point at the entrance and the eastern shore of the harbor of Cuttyhunk Island. Copicut Neck forms the northerly should be given a berth of over 300 yards. side of Cuttyhunk Pond. (136) (127) Prominent from offshore is a 50-foot-high monument on an island in Westend Pond on the western end of Routes Cuttyhunk Island. (137) In approaching Cuttyhunk Harbor from eastward in (128) Vessels bound for Cuttyhunk Harbor generally Buzzards Bay, take care to avoid Lone Rock, 0.7 mile approach from Buzzards Bay. The principal dangers northward of the northeastern end of Nashawena Island. are marked by buoys. Strangers should not enter except Thence pass northwestward of Cuttyhunk East Entrance in the daytime with clear weather. If entering from the Lighted Bell Buoy CH (41°26.6'N., 70°53.4'W), and northwestward, a greater draft than 10 feet should not be thence to anchorage according to draft in the harbor. taken in. The approach from northeastward is deeper. (138) In approaching from westward, from a position about midway between Ribbon Reef and the Cuttyhunk (129) Canapitsit Channel, between the east end of Island monument (41°24.8'N., 70°56.8'W.), steer 051° Cuttyhunk Island and Nashawena Island, is used by until abeam of Middle Ground Buoy MG, distance small boats and is partially marked by buoys. In 2012, 600 yards. Pass midway between Middle Ground and the channel had a controlling depth of 4 feet. The buoys Penikese Island, passing northward of Middle Ledge and at this entrance are often dragged off station by strong the 12-foot spot southeastward of it, and then swinging currents and heavy seas. The channel should never be southeasterly to the harbor anchorage, or southward to used during a heavy ground swell. With southerly winds, the entrance to Cuttyhunk Pond. heavy seas will break across the entrance. (139) (130) Currents Channels (140) The current velocity in Canapitsit Channel is 2.6 (131) A federal project provides a 10-foot channel from knots on the flood, which sets south-southeastward, and Cuttyhunk Harbor into Cuttyhunk Pond to a turning 1.7 knots on the ebb, which sets northwestward. In the basin at the western terminal in the pond and a 10-foot channel southward of Penikese Island, the flood sets anchorage basin in the eastern part of the pond north of eastward and the ebb westward at about 0.8 knot. (See the channel. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest edition Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) of the chart for controlling depths.) The jettied entrance (141) Drift ice is carried into Cuttyhunk Harbor with northerly winds and closes the harbor during severe winters.
224 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (142) and outbound traffic lanes and be free of ship traffic and should not be used except for crossing purposes. Small-craft facilities Mariners should use extreme caution when crossing (143) There is a service wharf on the south side of the traffic lanes and separation zones. (See 33 CFR 167.1 through 167.15 and 167.100 through 167.103,Chapter 2, channel at the entrance to the pond and a marina on the for limits and regulations and Traffic Separation Schemes, south side of the basin at the head of the channel in the Chapter 1, for additional information.) pond. A yacht club and a fishing club are on the island. (152) The precautionary area in the southwest part of Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, berths with electricity Rhode Island Sound has a radius of 5.4 miles centered and some marine supplies are available. Limited lodging on 41°06'00\"N., 71°23'18\"W., excluding those areas of in cottages is available on the island. The harbormaster the circle bounded by imaginary lines extended between can be reached at 508–966–9295. There is daily launch the outer limits of the inbound and outbound traffic service with New Bedford in the summer and twice lanes. (Note that this precautionary area is common to weekly in the winter; seaplane service is also available. the Traffic Separation Schemes for the approaches to both Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay. The Traffic E(14N4)Cs - US4MA23M, US5MA24M, US5MA25M, US- Separation Scheme for the approach to Narragansett Bay 5MA20M is described in Chapter 6.) (153) The separation zone is a 1-mile-wide zone centered Charts - 13218, 13228, 13230, 13229 in the following positions: (154) (i) 41°10'12\"N., 71°19'06\"W., (145) Buzzards Bay is the approach to New Bedford, (155) (ii) 41°21'48\"N., 71°07'06\"W. many small towns and villages and the entrance of (156) The inbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane with Cape Cod Canal. The bay indents the south shore of a length of about 14.8 miles. Entering the traffic lane at Massachusetts, extending in a northeasterly direction a point in about 41°09'36\"N., 71°18'00\"W., a course of from Rhode Island Sound. The bay is enclosed on the 038° follows the centerline of the traffic lane to its end, south side and separated from Vineyard Sound by the thence steer usual courses to destination. Elizabeth Islands. (157) The outbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane with a length of about 14.8 miles. Entering the traffic lane (146) The shores are irregular, rocky in character and at a point in about 41°22'25\"N., 71°08'06\"W., a course of broken by many bays and rivers. Large boulders are 218° follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junction common, in places extending a considerable distance with the precautionary area. from shore, thus making close approach to the shore (158) The Traffic Separation Scheme is not buoyed. dangerous. (159) Buzzards Bay has six entrances, but two of these are so narrow and dangerous as to exclude their use (147) The bottom in the main part of the bay and approach except by small craft with local knowledge. The four is very broken with boulder reefs in places. Vessels major entrances are the main channel, from westward, should proceed with caution when crossing shoal areas passing north of Cuttyhunk Island; Cape Cod Canal in the tributaries of the bay where the depths are not more from northeastward; and Quicks Hole and Woods Hole than about 6 feet greater than the draft. Caution must also from the southward. The two hazardous entrances are be exercised in the vicinity of the wrecks shown on the Canapitsit Channel, between Cuttyhunk and Nashawena chart. Deep water prevails as far as Wings Neck, above Islands, and Robinsons Hole, between Pasque and which the bay is full of shoals. Naushon Islands. (160) The western entrance has a clear width of 4.3 miles (148) Cape Cod South Closure Area, a Marine Protected between Sow and Pigs Reef and Hen and Chickens. The Area (MPA), includes the inshore waters of Buzzards bottom in this entrance is irregular and rocky, and there Bay and offshore federal waters of the south coast of are spots with depths of 17 to 34 feet. Because these shoal Massachusetts. areas are surrounded by deeper water, vessels of 16-foot draft or more must exercise extra caution when entering (149) Traffic Separation Scheme (Buzzards Bay) has the bay. In heavy southwest gales the sea breaks over been established in the approach to Buzzards Bay through some of these spots. Rhode Island Sound. (See charts 13218 and 12300.) (161) The best guides for entering the bay from westward are Buzzards Bay Entrance Light and the lighted buoys in (150) The scheme is composed basically of directed traffic the entrance. Gay Head Light and Buzzards Bay Entrance lanes, each with one-way inbound and outbound traffic Light are the guides for vessels approaching from the lanes separated by a defined traffic separation zone and southward. a precautionary area. The scheme is recommended for (162) Buzzards Bay Entrance Light (41°23'49\"N., use by vessels approaching or departing from Buzzards 71°02'05\"W.), 67 feet above the water, is shown from a Bay but is not necessarily intended for tugs, tows or tower on a red square superstructure on red piles about other small vessels that traditionally operate outside of the usual steamer lanes or close inshore. (151) The Traffic Separation Scheme has been designed to aid in the prevention of collisions at the approaches to the major harbors, but is not intended in any way to supersede or alter the applicable Navigation Rules. Separation zones are intended to separate inbound
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 225 4 miles 255° from the southwest corner of Cuttyhunk Cuttyhunk Island. Its outer end is marked by a lighted Island. The name BUZZARDS is painted in white on the bell buoy. An unmarked rock strewn shoal, covered 20 sides. A racon is at the light and a mariner activated sound feet, is 0.9 mile westward of Cuttyhunk Island. Numerous signal at the light is initiated by keying the microphone obstructions and rocks were reported to extend as much five times on VHF-FM channel 83A. as 3 miles southward of Sow and Pigs Reef. (163) Recommended Vessel Route (Buzzards Bay) has (170) Ribbon Reef, a detached ledge covered 18 feet, been established in the approach to Buzzards Bay through is about 1.5 miles northwestward of Cuttyhunk Island. Rhode Island Sound. Coxens Ledge, covered 28 feet and marked by a lighted (164) TheU.S.CoastGuardCaptainofthePort,Providence, bell buoy, is 1.2 miles northward of Ribbon Reef. in cooperation with the Southeastern Massachusetts and (171) Mishaum Ledge, a group of several rocky spots with Rhode Island Port Safety and Security Committees, has a least depth of 8 feet, extends about 1.7 miles southward established a Recommended Vessel Route for deep draft of Mishaum Point. It is marked by a lighted gong buoy vessels and tugs/barges transiting Rhode Island Sound, off its southeast end. A lighted bell buoy marks a rocky Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay. Deep draft vessels shoal covered 22 feet about 1 mile north-northwestward and tugs/barges are requested to follow the designated of the north end of Penikese Island. An unmarked rocky routes. These routes were designed to provide safe, shoal covered 18 feet is 0.5 mile north of the island. established routes for these vessels to reduce the potential for conflict with recreational boaters, fishing gear, and (172) other small craft and to reduce the potential for grounding or collision. Vessels are responsible for their own safety Currents and are not required to remain inside the route nor are (173) The tidal currents in the passages between Buzzards fisherman required to keep fishing gear outside the route. Small vessels should exercise caution in and around the Bay and Vineyard Sound have considerable velocity and Recommended Vessel Routes and monitor VHF channels require special attention. At Buzzards Bay Lighted Gong 16 or 13 for information concerning deep draft vessels Buoy 3, the tidal current is rotary, turning clockwise. and tugs/barges transiting these routes. Tide rips occur when a sea is running against the current. Maximum velocities are about 0.5 knot. Minimum (165) velocities average about 0.2 knot. (See the Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) Anchorages (166) New Bedford Inner Harbor affords anchorage (174) for vessels of 25-foot draft. Cuttyhunk Harbor affords Ice anchorage in depths of 10 to 24 feet; except for the small- (175) The head of Buzzards Bay and the harbors in that craft inner harbor, it is exposed to northerly winds. A good anchorage sheltered from all southerly winds may vicinity are generally closed to navigation during the be had off the north shore of Nashawena Island eastward winter. The approaches to the harbors on the eastern shore of Penikese and Gull Islands in depths of 40 to 48 feet. are rendered dangerous by drift ice. In severe winters This anchorage, frequently used by tows, is available the drift ice extends across the bay and joins the local for vessels of any draft; however, care must be taken to formations on the western shore, forming an impassable stay clear of the fishtrap area in the vicinity. Two general barrier for short periods. Ice forms more rapidly in the bay anchorages are off the western entrance to Cape Cod with winds from north to west as the western shore forms Canal. (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.140(b)(1), (b)(2) and a shelter from such winds. When the field ice extends (d), Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) sufficiently out toward the channel as to be affected by the winds from north to west, the outer edges are broken up (167) and carried off to the eastern or southern shore where they form drift ice. Under ordinary circumstances a northeast Dangers wind, if continued for 48 hours, will clear the bay of ice. (168) Hen and Chickens, extending 1.4 miles southward Southerly winds, especially southeastern, diminish the extent and weaken the strength of the pack. Some of the of Gooseberry Neck, is a reef consisting of many large lighted buoys are removed from station or replaced by boulders, most of them baring a foot or less. The reef is unlighted buoys when endangered by ice. in two large groups; the southerly group is the larger. Numerous covered rocks are well away from the visible part of the danger. A narrow ledge covered 5 to 14 feet extends about 0.4 mile northward from the visible part (176) The southern side of Buzzards Bay from Cuttyhunk of Hen and Chickens. A buoy is north of the ledge. Old to Woods Hole has been discussed previously in this Cock, a rock awash, and The Wildcat, covered 5 feet and chapter. unmarked, are in the southern shoal area. The south edge of the shoal is marked by a buoy. Strangers are advised (177) to stay outside the 5-fathom curve in this vicinity. (169) Sow and Pigs Reef, much of which is dry or awash, ENCs - US5MA25M, US5MA20M extends about 1.5 miles west-southwestward from Charts - 13230, 13229 (178) Quissett Harbor, 1.7 miles northeastward of the western entrance to Woods Hole, is used by small pleasure
226 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 craft. The Knob, a small hillock on the north point of the easterly winds. A tower on Nyes Neck is prominent. The entrance, and the homes on the eastern shore of the harbor entrance is clear in midchannel, with depths of 13 to 20 are prominent. A standpipe, 1.2 miles northeastward of feet inside. A seasonal lighted buoy marks the entrance, the entrance, is conspicuous. and buoys mark the shoals extending from the entrance (179) A seasonal lighted buoy marks the entrance, and points. The shores are foul, and the easterly part of the buoys mark the entrance channel, thence private seasonal harbor is shoal. The reported depth in the privately aids mark the best water to the northeast end of the harbor. dredged channel into Silver Beach Harbor to a small In 1981, a depth of about 8 feet was reported available in basin is about 3 feet, but is subject to shoaling. A stone the channel. Mariners are advised to steer a midchannel jetty extends off the south side of the entrance to the basin. course through the entire entrance channel to avoid The basin is a special anchorage. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and numerous rocks on both sides of the channel. 110.40, Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (180) Anchorage can be found in the middle of the harbor (186) A town wharf and surfaced ramp are in the basin. In in depths of 11 to 18 feet, sticky bottom. Local craft 1981, depths of 4 feet to bare were reported alongside the generally moor in the northeastern part of the harbor off wharf. Ice and provisions are available. the boatyard at the town of Quissett. The boatyard has (187) Megansett Harbor, the approach to the towns of an L-shaped pier and a float that was reported to have North Falmouth, Megansett and Cataumet, is entered about 15 feet alongside. Water, ice, moorings, some between Nyes Neck on the south and Scraggy Neck on marine supplies, storage facilities and marine railways the north. The natural channel is buoyed as far as the up to 40 feet are available; hull and engine repairs can be rock breakwater at Megansett. The breakwater is marked made. The harbormaster can be contacted through the at the end by a light. A yacht club and a town wharf are boatyard. just inside the breakwater. In 1981, depths of 4 to 5 feet (181) Hamlin Point, 2 miles north-northeastward of were reported alongside the wharf; water is available. The Quissett Harbor, is marked by a prominent hotel with harbor has extensive shoals and ledges, but by following twin cupolas. A shoal, covered 10 feet near its outer end, the buoyed channel a draft of about 8 feet can be carried extends about 1 mile westward of the point. Gifford to an anchorage in the outer harbor in depths of 10 to 22 Ledge, covered 9 feet, is 1.4 miles north-northwestward feet. Inside the breakwater, anchorage is available in 6 of Hamlin Point. Great Sippewisset Rock, awash and to 12 feet, taking care to avoid the shoals on the north marked by a private seasonal daybeacon, is 0.4 mile side of the harbor and the rock awash near the center in offshore about 1.1 miles northward of Hamlin Point. A 41°39'27\"N., 70°37'31\"W. Cataumet Rock, covered 6 shoal area, foul with rocks awash and covered, extends feet and marked by a buoy, is on the south side of the 0.3 mile offshore eastward of the daybeacon. entrance; Seal Rocks are on the north side and marked (182) West Falmouth Harbor, 5 miles northward of by a seasonal lighted buoy. Woods Hole, has depths of 1 to 6 feet and bares in places (188) Fiddlers Cove (41°38.9'N., 70°38.2'W.) is a small- at low water. The entrance is protected by a breakwater craft harbor on the south shore of Megansett Harbor, extending about 700 feet southward of Little Island, the about 0.5 mile east-southeastward of Cataumet Rock. A north point of the entrance, and by a short jetty on the channel, privately dredged to a reported depth of 7 feet, northwest end of Chappaquoit Point. A tower and the leads southward to a marina and boatyard in a dredged summer homes on Chappaquoit Point are prominent. The basin on the east side of the cove. A seasonal lighted buoy entrance is marked by a seasonal lighted bell buoy and marks the approach, and private buoys mark the channel. an unlighted buoy on the south side and by an unlighted Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, a pump-out station and wet buoy on the north side; these buoys mark reefs that extend and dry storage are available; lift capacity, 35 tons. Hull, westward from both entrance points. Seasonal private engine and electronic repairs can be made. In April 2002, buoys mark the channel in the harbor. the reported approach and alongside depth was 7 feet. (183) In 1981, it was reported that 4 feet could be taken (189) HalftideRock,awashatlowwater,isabout500yards through the narrow, privately marked channel in the southwestward of the end of the Megansett breakwater. harbor to the anchorage basin off the town wharf at the Rands Harbor, about 0.3 mile east of Fiddlers Cove, is village of West Falmouth on the east shore of the harbor. a private boat basin with little or no water. Depths of 5 feet were reported alongside the wharf in (190) Squeteague Harbor, northward of Megansett, 1981. The harbormaster has an office at the town wharf. is entered through a narrow channel from the head of A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. Megansett Harbor. The privately marked channel had a reported depth of about 2 feet in 1981; however, depths (184) of 5 to 7 feet are reported to be available in the channel to the harbor; local knowledge is advised. The village of ENCs - US5MA27M, US5MA20M Cataumet is on the northerly shore of the harbor. (191) Seal Rocks, about 0.3 mile southwestward of Charts - 13236, 13229 Scraggy Neck, on the north side of Megansett Harbor entrance, are partly bare at half tide and marked by a (185) Wild Harbor (41°38.3'N., 70°38.9'W.), 7 miles buoy about 300 yards southwest of their southern end. northward of Woods Hole, is a small cove on the south side of Nyes Neck affording anchorage in northerly or
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 227 Part of an old concrete barge is aground on the rocks. a tower on Wings Neck. (See 33 CFR 207.20, Chapter 2, Southwest Ledge, extending about 0.7 mile westward of for details.) Seal Rocks, consists of two patches of shoals covered by (198) Pocasset River, between the northeastern end of 2 to 18 feet and marked by buoys on its northern, western Wings Neck andBennets Neck, is entered from the north and southern sides. A rock awash is in the northerly shoal. side of Wings Neck through a privately dredged channel (192) Pocasset Harbor and Red Brook Harbor share a that leads southward between two jetties to a highway common entrance between Scraggy Neck and Wings bridge about 0.4 mile above the entrance. In 2001, a Neck. Bassetts Island separates Pocasset Harbor from reported depth of 6 feet could be carried to the bridge. The Red Brook Harbor. Broken ground with depths of 17 to bridge has a fixed span with a clearance of 7 feet. Only 19 feet in places extends across the entrance. Entering very small boats go above the bridge. A boatyard is on about 250 yards north of buoys marking the north side the south side of the river at the bridge. Water, berths with of Southwest Ledge, vessels of about 14-foot draft can electricity, storage facilities, a 35-foot marine railway and anchor westward of Eustis Rock Buoy in depths of 20 a 5-ton lift are available; hull and engine repairs can be to 30 feet. This anchorage is exposed to westerly winds. made. A town wharf and floats are on the north side of Eustis Rock, about 0.2 mile north of Scraggy Neck, is the river at the bridge. covered 5 feet and marked by a buoy. The area eastward (199) Tobys Island, just northward of the entrance of of Eustis Rock to Bassetts Island is shoal. Pocasset River and on the south side of Phinneys Harbor, (193) A narrow buoyed channel, with a reported depth is connected to the mainland by a causeway. of about 8 feet in 1981, leads north of Bassetts Island (200) Phinneys Harbor, between Tobys Island on the to Pocasset Harbor. Barlows Landing, at the northeast east and Mashnee Island on the west, is approached end of the harbor, has a depth of 1½ feet. A small-craft from Buzzards Bay through a buoyed channel that leads launching ramp is just south of the landing. along the northerly side of Wings Neck to another buoyed (194) Hospital Cove, about 0.2 mile southward of the channel into the harbor. A light is at the bend of the southern end of Bassetts Island, is entered through a approach channel. Depths of about 10 feet can be carried natural buoyed channel that leads southeastward from a in the inner channel, and greater depths are available in point about 0.4 mile east-southeastward of Eustis Rock the approach channel. The harbor is used as an anchorage to a small anchorage in the cove. A depth of about 6 feet by small boats. Mashnee Island, once an island, is now can be carried in the channel, and there are depths of 8 to connected with the mainland by a landfill causeway. A 14 feet in the anchorage. In 1981, a shoal at the south tip group of rocks awash, marked by a buoy, is 0.2 mile off of Bassetts Island was reported to be shifting westward the east shore of the harbor, and another rock, covered 4 in the vicinity of Buoy 3; caution is advised. A boulder feet, and marked by a buoy, is 0.1 mile north of Tobys reef extends northeastward from Scraggy Neck in the Island. approach to the cove. Several private piers with depths (201) The village of Monument Beach is on the east of 5 to 8 feet alongside are in the cove. shore. A marina is at the long town pier in the cove in (195) Red Brook Harbor, eastward of Bassetts Island, is the southeastern corner of the harbor. Berthage in 5 feet approached from the northward through the channel that is available at the pier. Gasoline, water, ice, electricity, a leads through Pocasset Harbor and from the southward pump-out station and a surfaced ramp are available. through the channel that leads through Hospital Cove. (202) Back River, a stream that is nearly bare except Hen Cove is immediately northward of Red Brook near its entrance, empties into the north side of Phinneys Harbor. The channels are buoyed. In 1981, reported Harbor. Small craft sometimes anchor in the entrance. A depths of 8 feet and 6 feet could be carried through railroad bridge and a highway bridge crossing the river the north and south channels, respectively. Because of about 0.2 mile above the mouth have fixed spans with a numerous submerged rocks in and near the edges of the minimum clearance of 4 feet. A boatyard is on the south channel, local knowledge is advised. bank between the bridges. In 1981, a depth of about 1½ (196) A marina and boatyard are on the east shore of feet was reported available in the river to the boatyard. A Red Brook Harbor. These facilities can provide berths, forklift is used to haul out boats up to 26 feet at the yard, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, pump-out, water, ice, while boats up to 37 feet in length can be hauled out on marine supplies and boat storage and can make hull a flatbed trailer at a paved ramp at Barlows Landing and and engine repairs; electronic repairs can be made at then brought to the yard for hull and engine repairs or dry the marina. Marine lifts to 60 tons and a 50-ton marine open or covered storage. A launching ramp and marine railway are also available. supplies are available at the yard. (197) Wings Neck, 9 miles northward of Woods Hole, (203) Gray Gables is on the north side of the head of the extends about 2 miles in a west-southwest direction Back River. into Buzzards Bay. The neck is a prominent peninsula, (204) Cape Cod Canal is a deep-draft sea-level waterway irregular and hilly. The anchorage areas southwestward of connecting Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay. The the neck are discussed with the Cape Cod Canal. A yacht waterway is 15 miles long from Cleveland East Ledge club and private piers are on the east shore of the neck. Light to deep water in Cape Cod Bay. The canal shortens Traffic signals for the Cape Cod Canal are displayed from the distance between points north and south of Cape Cod
228 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (209) Cape Cod Canal (east entrance) N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) by 50 to 150 miles and provides an inside passage to initiated by keying the microphone five times on VHF- avoid Nantucket Shoals. The canal is maintained by the FM channel 83A. The most prominent landmark when Federal Government as a free waterway. (See 33 CFR approaching from Cape Cod Bay is the tall lighted stack 207.20, Chapter 2, for the regulations governing the use, of the powerplant about 1.1 miles west-southwestward of administration and navigation of the Cape Cod Canal.) Cape Cod Canal Breakwater Light 6. The high-level (205) Traffic lights (red, green, and yellow) are located highway bridge across the canal at Sagamore, 2.5 miles at the easterly canal entrance at Sandwich; at the Canal west of the breakwater light, is also prominent. The Electric Terminal basin on the south side of the canal at breakwaters at the east entrance to the canal should not Sandwich; and at the westerly entrance of Hog Island be confused with the smaller jetties at Sandwich Harbor, Channel at Wings Neck. These signals apply to all vessels 1 mile to the southeastward, nor should the two white over 65 feet in length that desire to transit the canal. (See church spires back of Sandwich Harbor be mistaken for 33 CFR 207.20(h), Chapter 2, for detailed information the range structure marking the entrance to the canal. on signals.) (206) (211) Prominent features Channels (207) Cleveland East Ledge Light (41°37'51\"N., (212) A federal project provides for a channel 32 feet deep 70°41'39\"W.), 74 feet above the water, is shown from a through the Cape Cod Canal. (See Notice to Mariners white cylindrical tower and dwelling on a red caisson on and latest editions of the chart for controlling depths.) the east side of the entrance channel approaching Cape Deep-draft vessels should obtain the latest information as Cod Canal from Buzzards Bay. A racon and sound signal to available depths so as to pass through the canal during are at the light station. The railroad bridge over the canal maximum stages of high water if the draft of the vessel at the village of Buzzards Bay and the highway bridge at is near the controlling depth. In 1981, it was reported Bourne are also prominent. that the east entrance was being privately maintained to a depth of 40 feet to the New England Petroleum Company (208) Cape Cod Canal Breakwater Light 6 (41°46'47\"N., wharf about 1.2 miles west of Cape Cod Canal Breakwater 70°29'23\"W.), 43 feet above the water, is shown from a Light 6. red cylindrical tower on the end of the north breakwater at the east entrance to Cape Cod Canal from Cape Cod (213) The approach channels from both the west and the Bay. A mariner radio-activated sound signal is at the light, east are marked with lighted ranges and other navigational
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 229 (210) Cape Cod Canal (west entrance) N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) aids. The canal itself is lighted at night on both banks by differences in range and timing of the tide between mercury vapor lights, generally 500 feet apart. Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay cause strong currents in the canal. Tides may lower the canal level 2 feet below (214) mean low water or even more if attended by heavy offshore winds. Anchorages (220) Due to the strong tidal currents in the canal, especially (215) General anchorages are on each side of Cleveland during spring tides, low-powered vessels should await slack water or favorable current. Navigators are warned Ledge Channel between Cleveland East Ledge Light to be on the alert for possible “bank suction” and “bank and Wings Neck. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.140 (b) cushion,” the effects of which may cause a vessel to take and (d), Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) In 1971, a sudden and decided sheer. a dangerous submerged rock was reported just inside the easterly edge of Anchorage D in about 41°40'05\"N., (221) 70°40'17\"W. In 1984, an obstruction was reported in Anchorage C in about 41°40'00\"N., 70°41'35\"W. Weather: Buzzards Bay and vicinity (216) Mooring basins, with tieup dolphins, are at both ends (222) Fog is said to be less dense over Cape Cod Canal than of the canal. One is on the east side of Hog Island Channel abreast of Hog Island, where shoaling to bare in about outside, but at times a water vapor rises from the canal to 41°43'49\"N., 70°37'53\"W. was reported in 1979. The such an extent that traffic has to be suspended. The canal other is just inside the eastern entrance to the canal. A proper never has been closed by ice, but occasionally small-boat basin is on the south side of the channel just Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay become so congested inside the eastern entrance to the canal; depths of 8 to 13 with ice that navigation through the canal is prevented. feet were available in the basin in 1969. (223) (218) North Atlantic right whales Currents (224) Endangered North Atlantic right whales have been (219) Daily predictions for the tidal current in Cape Cod reported within the Cape Cod Canal and in the vicinity of Canal at the railroad bridge are given in the Tidal Current the Canal's east entrance. The Cape Cod Marine Traffic Tables. Under ordinary conditions, the tidal current has Controllers provide information regarding North Atlantic a velocity of 4.0 knots on the flood, which sets eastward, right whale sightings and locations. The Northeast and 4.5 knots on the ebb, which sets westward. Large Marine Pilots distribute educational material to mariners
230 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (217) Structures across Cape Cod Canal Clear Width of Clear Height above Draw or Span Mean High Water Name•Description•Type Location Opening (feet) (feet) Information Railroad Bridge (vertical lift) 41°44'31\"N., 70°36'51\"W. 500 135 (up) Notes 1 and 2 7 (down) Maintained in the raised position Bourne/Route 25 Bridge (fixed) 41°44'51\"N., 70°35'22\"W. 500 135 Overhead power cable 41°46'04\"N., 70°33'58\"W. 160 Overhead power cable 41°46'08\"N., 70°33'54\"W. 165 Sagamore/Route 3 Bridge (fixed) 41°46'33\"N., 70°32'36\"W. 500 135 Note 1 – See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.589, Chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations. Note 2 – See 33 CFR 207.20, Chapter 2, for navigation regulations. in an effort to reduce right whale ship strikes. When all pilotage that is compulsory under M.G.L. C. 103 right whales are present in Cape Cod Bay (peak season: shall be dispatched through the pilot dispatch office December through May), vessels transiting Cape Cod of Northeast Marine Pilots regardless of pilot group Bay are urged to use Recommended Two-Way Whale affiliation. Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, RI Avoidance Routes to reduce the likelihood of collisions 02840; nemarinepilots.com; telephone 401–847–9050 with right whales. (See North Atlantic right whales, (24 hours), 800–274–1216; FAX 401–841–9052; email: indexed as such, in Chapter 3 for more information [email protected]. Boston Coastwise Pilots on right whales and recommended measures to avoid is in Winthrop, MA 02152; telephone 617–510–0082, collisions with whales.) 508–801–4904; email: [email protected]. Twenty- (225) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall (LOA) four hour advance notice and 3 hour updates are requested. and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are (230) The Northeast Marine pilot boats that serve the restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the Cape Cod canal and Buzzards Bay are the NORTHEAST I and Bay Seasonal Management Area between January 1 and NORTHEAST V. The NORTHEAST I is a 37-foot May 15. The area is defined as all waters of Cape Cod Bay boat with a black hull and white superstructure. The with a northern boundary of 42°04'56.5\"N., 70°12'W., to NORTHEAST V is a 38-foot boat with a black hull and 42°12'N., 70°12'W., thence due west back to shore. (See gray superstructure. Both boats have the word PILOT on 50 CFR 224.105, Chapter 2, for regulations, limitations both sides. and exceptions.) (231) The pilot boats NORTHEAST II and NORTH-EAST (226) The waters of Cape Cod Bay lie within the IV serve for boarding eastbound vessels. NORTHEAST WHALESNORTH Mandatory Ship Reporting Area. II is a 47-foot boat and NORTHEAST IV is a 52 foot boat; Each self-propelled ship of 300 gross tons or greater both have unpainted aluminum hulls and superstructures entering WHALESNORTH must participate in the with the word PILOT in red on both sides. All Northeast Mandatory Ship Reporting System (See 33 CFR 169, pilot boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 10 and Chapter 2, for limits and regulations, and Chapter 3 for work on 13 or 10. sample reports). Sovereign immune vessels are exempt (232) Pilots meet westbound vessels off the eastern from the requirement to report but are encouraged to entrance to the Cape Cod Canal in Cape Cod Bay, ½ mile participate. east of Lighted Bell Buoy CC, in approximate position 41°48.6'N., 70°27.0'W. (227) (233) Pilots meet eastbound vessels at the Brenton Reef Pilots Station, about 1.5 miles eastward of Narragansett Pilotage, Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB within an area (228) At the canal, Canal Traffic Control “WUA21” or bounded by: (234) 41°23.6'N., 71°22.4'W., “Cape Cod Canal Control” monitors VHF-FM channels (235) 41°22.6'N., 71°22.0'W., 16, 13 and 14; usually works on 14. The Masters of all (236) 41°24.2'N., 71°20.0'W., vessels required by the Coast Guard to carry a pilot are (237) 41°22.6'N., 71°20.6'W. This pilot boarding area required to notify Canal Traffic Control prior to entering is southward of a line extending from Point Judith to the waterway with information as specified in 33 CFR Sakonnet Point. 207.20(k), Management of Vessels (see Chapter 2). (238) Pilots also meet vessels in the vicinity of Point Judith (229) Pilotage is compulsory for Buzzards Bay for foreign Lighted Whistle Buoy 2, within a 1-mile radius circle vessels of 350 gross tons or more, U.S. vessels under centered in 41°17.2'N., 71°30.4'W. register of 350 gross tons or more and towing vessels in- (239) Eastbound vessels can also meet pilots in the pilot tow with single hull tank barges carrying 5,000 barrels boarding area located about 1 mile northwest of Buzzards or more of petroleum and hazardous cargoes. Federal Bay Entrance Light in about 41°23'48\"N., 71°02'01\"W. and state pilots are available from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc. and from Boston Coastwise Pilots. However,
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 231 (240) Pilot services are generally arranged for in advance traffic controllers. The vessels will be asked to switch to by ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. channel 12 or channel 14 as a working channel to pass information between the traffic controllers and the vessel. (241) However, channel 13 may be used only when the above channels are not available. Launch service (255) The radiotelephone at the Cape Cod Canal Office, (242) Launch service is also available; arrange through Buzzards Bay, MA, is in continuous operation. Call letters are WUA-21, and the frequencies are channels 13, Boston Coastwise Pilots or Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc. 16, 12 and 14. Vessels equipped for communication with the Cape Cod Canal Office are requested to keep their (243) radiotelephone tuned to these frequencies. Towage (244) Tugs to 2,200 hp are based at the village of Buzzards (256) Buttermilk Bay, at the northeast end of Buzzards Bay; arrangements for their services are usually made Bay, has depths of about 1 to 7 feet. A dredged marked through ships’ agents. Tugs monitor VHF-FM channel channel and Cohasset Narrows connect the bay with 13 when expecting a vessel and use channel 18A as a Cape Cod Canal. A railroad bridge crossing Cohasset working frequency. Narrows has a bascule span with a clearance of 6 feet; the bridge is kept in the closed position. A highway bridge, (245) just above the railroad bridge, has a fixed span with a clearance of 8 feet. In 1992, a rock was reported near the Coast Guard railroad bridge in 41°44'46\"N., 70°37'22\"W. A marina (246) Cape Cod Canal Coast Guard Station is on the east is on the east side of Cohasset Narrows just south of the railroad bridge and can provide transient berths, gasoline, side of the entrance to the canal about 1 mile northeastward diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, pump-out and a of Sandwich Harbor. launching ramp. Several small piers for shallow-draft boats are in Buttermilk Bay. (247) (257) Onset Bay, between Sias Point on the north and Wharves Hog Neck on the south, is the approach to the village of (248) State Pier, site of the Massachusetts Maritime Onset. A dredged marked channel leads westward from Cape Cod Canal along the southerly side of the bay to a Academy, on the north side of Cape Cod Canal, 0.6 mile turning basin off the village. Two anchorage areas, one on below the railroad bridge at the village of Buzzards Bay, each side of the channel, are at the head of the channel. is 600 feet long with about 25 feet alongside the berthing face. In 1981, shoaling to 10 feet was reported in the basin (258) Wickets Island is a high and wooded islet in the off the berthing face in about 41°44'15\"N., 70°37'35\"W. middle of the bay. The buoys in the entrance channel are In 1981, the reported controlling depth on the channel frequently towed under because of the strong currents. A side of the pier was 25 feet. Permission to berth at the pier rock, covered 9 feet, is near the channel entrance about 75 must be obtained from the academy. Vessels should not yards northeast of Hog Island Channel Light 21. In 1981, attempt to go alongside or leave the pier except at periods two rocks, covered 4 to 5 feet, were reported on the north of slack water. Passing vessels are requested to proceed edge of the channel between Buoys 2 and 4; caution is slowly to avoid damage to lines and other equipment at advised. the pier. (249) The New England Petroleum Company mooring (259) A special anchorage is in the northern part of Onset platform, on the south side of Cape Cod Canal, 1.2 Bay. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.45, Chapter 2, for limits miles westward of Cape Cod Canal Breakwater Light and regulations.) Additional anchorages are available at 6, provides berthing for tank vessels up to 750 feet long the head of the dredged channel. with drafts of 40 feet. Vessels over 50,000 tons or 32-foot draft moor at high water slack during daylight hours only. (260) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced above Wickets Vessels under 50,000 tons moor at high water slack, day Island. or night. Petroleum products are pumped to storage tanks ashore. (261) The Onset town wharf, on the north side of the turning basin, has depths of about 14 feet at its face. (250) The harbormaster has an office at the wharf. The harbormaster monitors VHF-FM channel 16 and uses Supplies channel 9 as a working frequency; call sign KYQ-833. (251) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies and Several small-craft facilities are on the north side of the bay along the southwesterly side of Long Neck. a paved ramp are available at the boat basin just inside the Cape Cod Bay entrance to the canal. Temporary berthage (262) East River empties into Onset Bay southeast of and anchorage are also available at the basin. Onset. A draft of 4 feet can be taken to Broad Cove above the highway bridge that connects Onset and Long Neck. (252) The bridge has a fixed span with a clearance of 11 feet. Communications (253) Information on operating conditions, widths, depths or other data on the canal is available at all hours, day or night, by calling the canal office at Buzzards Bay at 508–759–4431. (254) Vessels that are to transit the Cape Cod Canal will monitor channel 16 continuously to establish contact with
232 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (275) Sippican Harbor, Massachusetts N Image courtesy of Marblehead Power Squadron (2009) (263) Stony Point Dike, a sandspit breakwater about 5 section near Quahaug Bar, north of Long Beach Point, feet high, extends about 1.8 miles south-southwesterly is subject to shoaling. Depths shoal to 2 and 3 feet close from Cedar Island Point to Abiels Ledge. The to the buoyed channel. Small craft sometimes anchor just breakwater protects Hog Island Channel. Cleveland north of Long Beach Point. Highway and railroad bridges Ledge Channel Range Front Light is on the outer end over the river above the wharves have 22-foot fixed spans of the breakwater. Abiels Ledge, between the channel with a clearance of 2 feet. and the south end of the dike, is covered 3 feet. Dry (265) The velocity of the current at the entrance to Ledge, 1 mile northwestward of Abiels Ledge, bares at Wareham River is not great enough to materially interfere half tide; it is marked by a buoy. Little Bird Island, 0.8 with a sailing vessel having a good breeze. During the mile northward, is surrounded by uneven bottom with first half of the ebb the current below the wharves of the depths of 2 to 19 feet between it and the northerly shore town sets across the flats westward of the channel, and of Buzzards Bay. during the whole of the ebb it sets across the flats eastward of the channel below Long Beach Point. (See the Tidal (264) WarehamRiver,whichemptiesintothenorthernend Current Tables for predictions.) The river ices over for of Buzzards Bay, is the approach to the town of Wareham short periods during most winters. on the west bank. Great Hill, wooded, 124 feet high, (266) Vessels approaching Wareham River from Buzzards and about 1.5 miles southward of Long Beach Point, is Bay pass 0.8 mile east of Bird Island Light and steer prominent when approaching the river. A brick stack and 351° to the buoyed channel. Strangers should obtain local a standpipe in Wareham are conspicuous. The buoyed information regarding channel depths before navigating channel to the town is crooked and twisting; in 2017, the the river. controlling depth was 3.8 feet from about Nobska Point (267) The depth at the Wareham town landing was reported to the upstream limit of the project. A rock covered 6 feet to be about 4½ feet in 1981. The Wareham Harbor Patrol is in the entrance about 350 yards south-southwest of patrols the harbor during the summer boating season and Dry Ledge in about 41°41'59.9\"N., 70°41'41.6\"W., and enforces a speed limit of 5 knots. A boatyard, on the several rocks and shoal spots covered 9 to 14 feet are western side of Wareham Neck about 0.3 mile below the within 0.75 mile west to southwest of the ledge. A shoal bridges, has a marine railway that can handle craft up to makes off southeasterly from Cromeset Point, 0.6 mile 45 feet for hull and engine repairs or storage. Gasoline, southward of Long Beach Point. It was reported that Long diesel fuel, water, marine supplies and a 25-ton mobile Beach Point covers at high water; caution is advised. The
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 233 hoist are available. In 1981, depths of about 6 feet were provide limited guest moorings, electricity, gasoline, reported alongside the boatyard service float. Wareham diesel fuel, water, ice, pump-out, launch ramp, marine lifts has bus service. to 50 tons and boat storage and hull, engine and electronic (268) Marks Cove, on the west side of the channel to repairs can be made. The harbormaster, who controls all Wareham River between Swifts Beach on the north and mooring and anchoring in the harbor, monitors VHF-FM Cromeset Neck on the south, has depths of 2 to 5 feet. channel 68. The cove is used by small boats. In 1961, a 6-foot channel (277) Mendells Rock and Seal Rocks are shoal, rocky was dredged by the state through the cove from the 6-foot areas, northward of Converse Point extending up to 0.2 contour to Cedar Island at the entrance to Cedar Island mile off the west shore of the harbor. Planting Island, Creek. a peninsula extending about 0.6 mile northwesterly (269) Weweantic River, entered southward of Cromeset from Sippican Neck, is on the eastern side of the harbor. Neck, has a narrow and crooked channel partly obstructed At Ram Island, off Marion, the passage between the by rocks. A reported depth of about 3 feet can be carried island and the western shore is less than 275 yards wide. past the rocks and as far as the highway bridge, with local The currents in the narrow portion of the channel have knowledge. The channel is not marked. An overhead considerable velocity at times. Little Island lies on the power cable crossing the river about 1.4 miles above the western side of the channel about 0.2 mile northwestward mouth has a clearance of 61 feet. The highway bridge, of Ram Island. The buoyed channel has a reported depth which is 1.7 miles above the mouth, has two fixed spans of about 12 feet from the entrance to Marion. with a clearance of 5 feet. The channel is through the (278) Blankinship Cove and Planting Island Cove, on the northeasterly 45-foot span. The river is navigable for 2 eastern side of Sippican Harbor, have a common entrance miles above the highway bridge by small craft drawing northward of Ram Island. They have general depths of 3 less than 2 feet. A small marina is just above the bridge. to 5 feet. Meadow Island separates the two coves. Gibbs Gasoline, water, ice, storage facilities, marine supplies, Rock, marked by a private seasonal daybeacon, is 50 and hull and engine repairs are available. A flatbed trailer yards off the north point of Ram Island. A rock awash is at the marina can haul out boats to 25 feet. charted 120 yards north of the daybeacon. (270) From Wareham River to New Bedford the shore is (279) Hammett Cove in the northeastern part of Sippican indented sharply by rocks and ledges extending offshore Harbor is shallow and used only by small local craft. The nearly 2 miles in places. approach to the cove is marked by private seasonal buoys. (271) Wings Cove, between Great Hill Point southeast Charted obstructions are close westward of the buoys. of Great Hill and Piney Point on the eastern side of (280) Ice usually closes Sippican Harbor for about a month Sippican Neck, has depths of 8 to 17 feet in its outer or more each winter. section. The cove affords protection from westerly winds; (281) Aucoot Cove, about 0.8 mile southwestward of it is used only by small local craft. Sippican Harbor, has depths of 10 to 19 feet. A 4-foot (272) Butler Point is at the southern tip of Sippican Neck. spot is near the center of the cove in about 41°40'23.2\"N., Shoal water extends about 0.4 mile southward from the 70°45'23\"W., and the head of the cove is foul. The point to Bird Island, a round, low flat island marked by harbor is protected from all winds except southeast. An a light. unmarked channel with depths of less than 1 foot leads (273) Southward and westward of Bird Island are several to a boatyard west of Haskell Island. Local knowledge buoyed dangers. Bird Island Reef, covered 15 to 18 and a high tide are required to navigate to the boatyard, feet, is about 0.4 mile east-southeastward. About 0.5 mile which can haul out craft up to 40 feet in length. The yard southwestward is Centerboard Shoal, covered 12 feet. does general repairs and machine work. Gasoline, diesel The Bow Bells, isolated shoals covered 11 to 18 feet, are fuel by truck and marine supplies are available. The other about 0.6 to 1 mile southwest of Centerboard Shoal. An coves between Sippican and Mattapoisett Harbors are unlighted gong buoy is about 1.15 miles southward of foul and seldom entered. Bird Island. (274) Sippican Harbor, scene of much pleasure-boat (282) activity, makes into the north shore of Buzzards Bay about 3 miles southward of Wareham River. The harbor ENC - US5MA20M is the approach to Marion, a small town on the western shore. It is entered between Bird Island on the east and Chart - 13229 Converse Point on the west. Prominent features include the lighthouse on Bird Island and the conspicuous house (283) Mattapoisett Harbor, about 3.5 miles southwest and flagpole on Converse Point. The standpipe on of Sippican Harbor and 5 miles northeastward of Sippican Neck can also be seen for a considerable New Bedford Harbor, is the approach to the town of distance. Mattapoisett. The harbor is used by numerous yachts (276) The town dock at Marion, approached through a during the summer. Although exposed to southeasterly channel marked by private seasonal buoys, has reported winds, the ledges at the entrance somewhat break the depths of 4 to 5 feet alongside. Two boatyards at Marion sea from that direction. A light on Ned Point marks the approach. A standpipe is in the town. Vessels anchor between Ned Point and the wharves in 13 to 17 feet.
234 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 (284) The entrance between Angelica Point and to 6 feet, sticky mud. The entrance is made treacherous Strawberry Point on the east and Mattapoisett Neck by obstructions and wind and should not be attempted on the west is about 1.5 miles wide. A buoyed natural without local knowledge. channel leads through the numerous rocks and ledges (292) Numerous rocks, including Whale Rock, are on in the entrance to the anchorage area off the town. The the east side of West Island at the entrance. A causeway channel has a depth of about 14 feet but because of the connects the western side of West Island with Long broken bottom, vessels should proceed with caution over Island. A fixed span in the causeway has a clearance areas where the charted depths are not more than 6 feet of 5 feet. The depth at the bridge is 6 feet. On the east greater than the draft. Strangers should not attempt to side of Long Island just north of the bridge is a marina enter at night. with reported approach and alongside depths of 4 feet in 2011. Berths, moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, (285) There are many shoals and rocks, most of them water, ice, marine supplies, sewage pumpout, a surfaced buoyed, off the points and in the entrance. Off the west launching ramp, a 40-ton marine lift and boat storage side of the entrance, Mattapoisett Ledge extends about and hull, engine and electronic repairs are available. a mile southeasterly from Mattapoisett Neck. Nye Ledge, The approach from southward to the west side of West covered 7 to 18 feet, about 0.4 mile southeastward of Island runs among many sunken rocks and shoals and Mattapoisett Ledge, is marked by a seasonal lighted bell is very dangerous. The causeway between Long Island buoy. In or near the entrance channel are Gallatin Rock, and Sconticut Neck, the neck of land forming the east covered 10 feet; Sunken Ledge, covered 3 feet; Snow side of New Bedford Harbor, completely blocks passage Rock, covered 5 feet; and Barstow Rock, covered 8 feet. between the two. Near the town wharf, a rock, covered 3 feet, is marked by (293) Bare rocks and shoaling extend about 1 mile a buoy. southerly of West Island, and from there to the New Bedford Harbor entrance are numerous isolated rocks and (286) A special anchorage is in Mattapoisett Harbor. (See ledges, the most dangerous of which are buoyed. Mosher 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.45a, Chapter 2, for limits and Ledge, about 1.1 miles south of Wilbur Point, has a least regulations.) depth of 6 feet. Strangers should stay south of the buoys marking these dangers. (287) The stone wharf at the town has a reported depth of 6 feet alongside. Diesel fuel, gasoline, oil, water, ice, marine supplies and a surfaced ramp are available. A boatyard in town can handle craft to 60 feet long and (294) New Bedford Harbor, a tidal estuary at the mouth 7 feet in draft at the town ramp. A 5 mph speed limit is of Acushnet River on the northwestern side of Buzzards enforced in the mooring areas. Bay, is the approach to the city of New Bedford and the town of Fairhaven. The harbor is about 166 miles from (288) Aboatyard in the harbor, just northwest of Ned Point, The Battery at New York via Long Island Sound and has limited guest berths but can provide gasoline, diesel 83 miles from Boston via Cape Cod Canal. The harbor fuel, electricity, water, ice, pump-out, a 35-ton marine lift includes all the tidewater lying northerly of a line from and boat storage and hull, engine and electronic repairs. Clarks Point at the southern extremity of New Bedford In 2012, a reported depth of 15 feet could be carried to to Wilbur Point at the southern end of Fairhaven and the boatyard with 5 feet alongside. extends to the head of navigation on Acushnet River at Acushnet. The outer harbor consists of the area south (289) Ram Island, about 1.5 miles southwestward of of the hurricane barrier at Palmer Island, and the inner Mattapoisett Harbor, is a low, grassy island connected to harbor consists of the area north of the barrier to a short Mattapoisett Neck by a narrow shoal. Rocks and shoal distance above the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge. water surround the island. (295) New Bedford is a manufacturing city on the west (290) Cormorant Rock, 0.9 mile southeastward of Ram side of the Acushnet River. Fairhaven is on the east Island, bares at half tide and is marked by a daybeacon. side of the river. Principal shipping includes receipt of Ledges with very little water over them surround the general cargo and frozen fish; exports are general cargo. daybeacon at a distance of 150 yards. A rock, covered 12 Commercial fishing craft operate from the ports. The feet, is about 0.2 mile northeastward of the daybeacon; deepest draft entering is about 30 feet at high water. depths of 18 to 21 feet extend 0.2 mile southward. The channel between the rock and Ram Island has depths of (296) The approach from Buzzards Bay and the entrance about 15 feet. to New Bedford Harbor are much obstructed by ledges and shoals, between which are several channels leading (291) Nasketucket Bay is entered between Cormorant to the dredged entrance. The bottom is very broken, Rock on the east and West Island on the west. Northward characterized by large boulders; vessels should proceed and westward of West Island the bay is greatly obstructed with caution when crossing areas off the general track by rocks and small islands. Because of these obstructions, when the charted depths are not more than 6 to 8 feet only small craft proceed through the bay to Little Bay, at greater than the draft. the head, or up Nasketucket River. The edges of Little Bay are foul, but excellent anchorage in all but strong southerly winds is available in the center of the bay in 3
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 235 (319) Structures across Acushnet River Clear Width of Clear Height above Draw or Span Mean High Water Name•Description•Type Location Opening (feet) (feet) Information US 6/New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge 41°38'17\"N., 70°55'14\"W. 95 6 New Bedford to Fish Island (fixed span) 41°38'20\"N., 70°55'04\"W. 94 (east draw) 6 Notes 1 and 2 Fish Island to Popes Island (swing span) 95 (west draw) 41°38'30\"N., 70°54'36\"W. Call sign WHH-238 Popes Island to Fairhaven (fixed span) 95 6 Interstate 195 Bridge (fixed) 41°39'17\"N., 70°55'00\"W. 62 8 Coggeshall Street Bridge (fixed) 41°39'22\"N., 70°55'03\"W. 62 8 Note 1 – See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.585, Chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations. Note 2 – Bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 16 and works on channel 13. (297) Red lights are displayed from 20 minutes before the start of closing the gate through reopening. In addition to Prominent features the traffic lights, three flashing white strobe lights are (298) From the main channel numerous landmarks can shown; two from atop the west barrier operating house, one facing toward the harbor and one facing toward the be seen on the westerly side. Dumpling Rocks Light 7 bay, and a third light facing toward the bay adjacent to off Round Hill Point, about 3 miles west of the channel, the old fort at Clarks Point. These synchronized lights is conspicuous. Clarks Point, on the west side of the flash every 20 seconds, but flash every 2 seconds from channel, is marked by a granite fort. About 0.7 mile 20 minutes before the start of closing the gate through northeast of the point is an abandoned lighthouse. reopening. Although there are no landmarks on Sconticut Neck, Fort (304) The controlling depth above the turning basin to the Phoenix is a promontory fairly conspicuous just east Coggeshall Street Bridge is about 15 feet. Above that of the channel, almost opposite Palmer Island. Several point in Acushnet River there is little traffic except by church spires are prominent in Fairhaven. A tall radio launches and small craft. tower is on Popes Island in the inner harbor. A private light is on the northeast point of Palmer Island, about (305) 0.2 mile inside the hurricane barrier. The lights marking the eastern and western sides of the hurricane barrier are Routes also prominent. (306) The main channel to New Bedford Harbor is from (299) Buzzards Bay Midchannel Lighted Bell Buoy BB (41°30'33\"N., 70°49'54\"W.) through the buoyed channel COLREGS Demarcation Lines eastward of Negro Ledge. (300) The lines established for Buzzards Bay and Vineyard (307) There are several other passages with least depths of about 21 feet that lead from Buzzards Bay to New Sound are described in 33 CFR 80.145, Chapter 2. Bedford Harbor west of the main channel. However, they are not as well marked as the main channel; unmarked (301) shoals with depths of 9 to 18 feet are near the course lines. (308) From a position about 0.3 mile south of Buzzards Channels Bay Lighted Gong Buoy 5 (chart 13230), a course can be (302) A federal project provides for a 30-foot deep channel set to pass about 500 yards east of Dumpling Rocks Light 7 to about 500 yards northwest of Southwest Approach from Buzzards Bay to the turning basin just above the Buoy 12, thence on a 006°course to join the main channel New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge. (See Notice to Mariners near Butler Flats. and latest edition of charts for controlling depths.) The (309) An alternate approach can be made from a position 350-foot-wide channel is constricted to 150 feet by a about 0.3 mile southeastward of Buzzards Bay Lighted hurricane barrier across the inner harbor, protecting New Buoy 7 (chart 13230) on a course of 004° to join the main Bedford Harbor, extending from the western shore over channel near Butler Flats. Palmer Island to Fort Phoenix on the east. The 150-foot (310) Strangers should not attempt to enter New Bedford gated opening will be kept in the open position during fair Harbor except in clear weather when the aids are visible. weather but is closed during periods of high winds or high Vessels should proceed with caution where the charted tides or when a hurricane is expected. Lights marking the depths are less than 6 to 8 feet greater than the draft, eastern and western sides of the opening are shown from because of the broken character of the bottom. the top of each of the two gate operations houses, 48 feet above the water. A sound signal is sounded from the west (311) barrier light. Anchorages (312) Before proceeding into New Bedford Harbor, vessels (303) Hurricane barrier traffic lights are displayed on the occasionally anchor in depths of 20 to 30 feet about 0.7 north side of the smaller, northerly house on the west side of the entrance and adjacent to the old fort at Clarks Point. Green lights are displayed when the gate is open.
236 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 mile south of Clarks Point. Two general anchorages are periods of extreme cold weather the harbor as well as all in the outer harbor. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.140(a) of Buzzards Bay may be closed to navigation because of and (d), Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) In the inner ice. Such conditions are infrequent and of short duration. harbor vessels may anchor in the two dredged anchorage Steamers generally can make their way through the ice in areas on either side of the channel in depths of 25 to 30 the harbor. feet. (326) (313) Pilotage, New Bedford Dangers (327) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels of 350 (314) The entrance to New Bedford Harbor is full of rocks gross tons or more and U.S. vessels under register of 350 and ledges, some covered 3 feet or less. Obstructions near gross tons or more. Pilotage for New Bedford is available the entrance passages are marked with buoys. The chart from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, RI 02840; is the best guide. telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; (315) Dumpling Rocks, bare and covered, extend 0.4 mile FAX 401–847–9052; email: dispatch@nemarinepilots. southeastward from Round Hill Point. A light is on the com. easterly rock and a gong buoy marks the southeastern (328) Pilots meet westbound vessels off the eastern portion of the shoal area around the rocks. entrance to the Cape Cod Canal in Cape Cod Bay, ½ mile (316) Wilkes Ledge, 1.8 miles southeastward of Round east of Lighted Bell Buoy CC, in approximate position Hill Point, is the southernmost danger at the entrance to 41°48.6'N., 70°27.0'W. the harbor. It is covered 9 feet with a wreck near the (329) Pilots meet eastbound vessels at the Brenton Reef easterly part; a lighted buoy is close south-southwestward Pilot Station, about 1.5 miles eastward of Narragansett of the wreck. Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB within an area bounded by (317) (330) 41°23.6'N., 71°22.4'W., (331) 41°22.6'N., 71°22.0'W., Regulated navigation area (332) 41°24.2'N., 71°20.0'W., (318) A regulated navigation area has been established (333) 41°22.6'N., 71°20.6'W. This pilot boarding area is southward of a line extending from Point Judith to south of the western hurricane barrier. (See 33 CFR 165.1 Sakonnet Point. Should weather or other conditions through 165.13 and 165.125, Chapter 2, for limits and prevent pilot boarding in the above location, other regulations.) arrangements may be made with the pilot office. (334) The pilot boats NORTHEAST I and NORTHEAST (320) III serve the canal and are owned and operated by Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc. NORTHEAST I is a 38- Currents foot boat with black hull and white superstructure and the (321) Tidal currents are weak. From a series of current word PILOT on the sides; NORTHEAST III is a 33-foot boat with black hull and white superstructure. observations conducted by the Corps of Engineers over (335) The pilot boats NORTHEAST II, NORTHEAST a 2-day period in 1965 at the center of the navigation III and NORTHEAST IV serve for boarding eastbound opening of the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier, it was vessels. NORTHEAST II is a 47-foot boat and revealed that the maximum flooding and ebbing velocities NORTHEAST IV is a 52 foot boat; both have unpainted were about 2.4 knots; average flood setting 344° and the aluminum hulls and superstructures with the word PILOT ebb 144°. During flooding or ebbing a slight set towards in red on both sides. All Northeast pilot boats monitor the east barrier abutment may be experienced. During VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 10 and work on 13 or 10. this same period it was further revealed that the time of (336) Pilot services are generally arranged for in advance slack water occurred about 30 minutes before the time by ships’ agents. of low or high water, that the maximum ebbing velocity occurred about 2 hours after the time of high tide, that the (337) maximum flooding velocity occurred about 4 hours after the time of low tide, and that, generally, the maximum Towage current occurred at about the same time as the most rapid (338) Oceangoing vessels usually require tug assistance change in the vertical height of the tide was taking place. when docking and undocking. Tugs up to 2,200 hp (322) are based at New Bedford, and arrangements for their services are usually made through ships’ agents. Tugs Weather, New Bedford Harbor and vicinity monitor VHF-FM channel 13 when expecting a vessel (323) The prevailing winds during the winter are from and use channel 18A as a working frequency. (339) New Bedford is a customs port of entry. north to west, and during the summer from south to southwest. Thick fog is reported to close in quickly with little warning in New Bedford Harbor. (324) Ice (325) The channels and anchorage area usually are navigable throughout the year, although in prolonged
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 237 (340) (353) Bridge Terminal Wharf: northeast side of Fish Island; 450 feet long; 28 feet alongside; 500,000 cubic Quarantine, customs, immigration and agricultural feet of refrigerated space; receipt of frozen and chilled quarantine foodstuffs; owned and operated by Bridge Terminal, Inc. (341) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Appendix A for addresses.) (354) Frionor Processing and Distribution Center Wharf: (342) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with 200 yards northwest of Fish Island; 580 feet long; 25 to 28 regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public feet alongside; 63,400 square feet of refrigerated space, Health Service, chapter 1.) 57,500 square feet of freezer space, 34,700 square feet of (343) New Bedford has several hospitals. covered storage space; receipt of frozen fish; owned and (344) Coast Guard vessels moor at the State Pier. operated by Frionor Norwegian Frozen Fish Ltd. (345) (355) New Bedford North Terminal Wharf: 400 yards northwest of Fish Island, 1,000 feet long; 30 feet Harbor regulations alongside, 14 acres of open storage, owned by New (346) TheNewBedfordHarborDevelopmentCommission, Bedford Harbor Development Commission and operated by various tenants. through the harbormaster, enforces the harbor regulations. The state pier traffic manager is the state (356) authority who directs anchoring, berthing and movement of vessels and discharging operations at the state pier. Supplies Vessels are expected to proceed slowly in the vicinity (357) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, provisions, marine of the piers. State laws forbid pollution and dumping of refuse and rocks inside the harbor. The harbormaster has supplies of all kinds and sewage pumpout are available. an office just north of the state pier. Diesel oil and marine bunker fuels are available by truck. The water is excellent for drinking and boiler use; a water (347) boat services craft at anchor. Wharves (358) (348) The New Bedford waterfront has many piers Repairs and wharves. The fishing industry uses most of these (359) There are several boatyards at Fairhaven that facilities. Only the deep-draft facilities are described, and the alongside depths for these facilities are reported; can make hull, engine and electronic repairs; storage for information on the latest depths contact the operator. facilities are also available. The largest marine railway All of the facilities described have highway connections, in the area can handle vessels up to 210 feet. Lifts to 99 and most have rail connections. Water is available at most tons are available. Several repair firms in New Bedford piers and wharves. Cargo in the port is usually handled are available for above-the-waterline repairs and engine by ship’s tackle. A 250-ton floating “A” frame derrick is repairs. Derrick lighters, some with air compressors and available for heavy lifts by prior arrangement. diving equipment, are also available. (349) New Bedford South Terminal Wharf: 500 yards westward of Palmer Island, 1,600 feet long, 30 feet (360) alongside, 250,000 cubic feet of refrigerated storage, receipt of seafood products, owned by several seafood Communications companies. (361) There is only rail freight service to Boston and (350) Commonwealth Edison Co. Pier: 300 yards northward of South Terminal Wharf; north side 740 frequent bus service to Providence, Boston and NewYork. feet long, with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; receipt of Amail and passenger boat makes trips to Cuttyhunk twice petroleum products; vessels usually berth with bow weekly in the winter and daily in the summer. Seasonal inshore; owned by Commonwealth Electric and operated passenger ferry service is also available to Martha’s by New England Petroleum Corp. Vineyard. Air service is available to Boston, New York, (351) State Pier: 500 yards northward of New Bedford Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod. Gas and Edison Light Co. Pier; face 450 feet long, north side 600 feet long, south side 775 feet long; 30 feet alongside; 125,000 square feet covered storage; receipt and shipment of general cargo; owned and operated (362) The coast between New Bedford Harbor and the by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of entrance of Sakonnet River is fringed with extensive Waterways. shoals, many of them rocky and a considerable number (352) Maritime Terminal Wharf: westward of Fish Island; of them well offshore. The entrances to several inlets 600 feet long; 31 feet alongside; 3 million cubic feet of are shoal and are used only by local fishing and pleasure refrigerated storage; receipt of frozen food, fish, and boats. chilled foodstuffs; shipment of general cargo; owned and operated by Maritime Terminal, Inc. (363) Clarks Cove, between New Bedford Harbor and Apponagansett Bay, affords anchorage in depths of 12 to 22 feet. It is exposed to southerly weather and is seldom used. Several small piers can accommodate small craft. Several rocks are off Moshers Point on the west side of the cove. (364) Apponagansett Bay, about 2 miles southwestward of Clarks Point, shelters numerous pleasure craft and a few fishermen in the summer, but the bay is insecure in
238 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 southeasterly gales. Nonquitt and Bayview are villages (374) In addition to Hen and Chickens, numerous rocks on the south side of the entrance and South Dartmouth and reefs surround Gooseberry Neck. Shoal water is on the northerly shore. Padanaram Breakwater is extends 0.6 mile southwestward of the neck to Lumber marked on the southern end by a light. The approach Rock, covered 4 feet and marked by a buoy, and over to the bay is obstructed by numerous ledges and rocks, 0.5 mile westward to Browing Ledge, covered 6 feet. and strangers should enter only in the daytime with clear Little Southwest Rock is about 0.3 mile northeastward weather. Inside the breakwater, the channel is marked of Lumber Rock. by buoys. Dartmouth Rock, covered 4 feet, is on the northeast side of the channel. Private seasonal anchorage (375) Westport River empties into the large bight between buoys mark the area off South Dartmouth, which is Gooseberry Neck and Sakonnet Point (chart 13221). The usually very crowded in the summer. A highway bridge mouth of the river is between Horseneck Point, 2.7 miles at the village has a swing span with a channel width of northwest of Gooseberry Neck, and The Knubble, a 31 feet and a clearance of 8 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 protruding mound of granite marked by a light about 0.2 through 117.59 and 117.587, Chapter 2, for drawbridge mile south of Horseneck Point. The river is the approach regulations.) Above the bridge, small craft anchor in a to Westport Harbor, the area just inside the entrance; the narrow channel near the eastern shore. village of Westport Point, on the north shore of the east (365) The harbormaster controls anchoring and berthing branch of the river; and the village of Acoaxet, westward in the harbor and can be contacted through the police of The Knubble. Fishing and pleasure boats use the river department or VHF-FM channel 16. The speed limit in as far as Westport Point. the harbor is 5 mph. (366) Southward of the bridge is a landing at a yacht (376) A dredged entrance channel leads northwest and club with reported depth of 10 feet alongside. Diesel around Horseneck Point into Westport Harbor. The fuel, gasoline, water, ice and some marine supplies are channel is narrow, crooked and marked by buoys. (See available. Two nearby boatyards and a marina can provide Notice to Mariners and the latest edition of the chart limited guest berths, storage complete marine supplies for controlling depths.) Depths near the entrance are and hull, engine, electronic, rigging and sail repairs. The continually changing; mariners are advised to seek local largest marine railway can handle craft to 55 feet; mobile knowledge. Numerous rocks are in the channel below the hoists to 35 tons are also available. In 1981, depths of 3 bridge at Westport; caution is advised. to 11 feet were reported at the slips. (367) Round Hill Point, about 3.5 miles southwestward (377) Boats should not try to enter during strong southerly of Clarks Point, is marked by a prominent round hill. winds as heavy seas break over the entrance bar. About (368) Between Round Hill Point and Salters Point, 1.1 1 mile above the entrance the river divides into two miles southwestward, Hunts Rock Breakwater extends branches. The west branch is shallow, with a narrow 270 yards in a northeast-southwest direction. channel marked by private seasonal buoys, and is used by (369) Mishaum Point, 1.9 miles southwestward of Round local craft to opposite Toms Point, about 1.6 miles above Hill Point, is the southern point of Smith Neck. Shoal the entrance. Above the Westport Point bridge, the east water extends about 0.2 mile off the point. branch is marked by private seasonal buoys as far as the Hix Bridge, 4.7 miles above Westport Point. A reported (370) depth of about 4 feet can be carried to this bridge with local knowledge. ENC - US5MA24M (378) A highway bridge with a 49-foot bascule span and Chart - 13228 a clearance of 21 feet at the center crosses the river at Westport Point, about 2 miles above the mouth. (See 33 (371) Slocums River, westward of Mishaum Point, has a CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.620, Chapter 2, for bar at the entrance nearly bare at low water. The channel drawbridge regulations.) Hix highway bridge, about 6 inside is narrow, unmarked and little used. Slocums miles above the mouth, has a fixed span with a clearance Ledge, extending 0.6 mile westward of Mishaum Point, of 7 feet. An overhead power cable on the north side of covered 2 to 7 feet, is marked by a buoy. Pawn Rock Hix bridge has a clearance of 37 feet. uncovers 3 feet and is 0.2 mile easterly of Barneys Joy Point, the point on the west side of the river entrance. (379) Approaching Westport River, boats must take care to pass westward of the dangers off Gooseberry Neck and (372) Gooseberry Neck, about 4 miles southwestward of eastward of the dangers off the river entrance. Numerous Mishaum Point, is marked by several prominent towers. rocks and ledges are southward of the entrance to the The neck, irregular and elongated, extends about 1 mile river. Twomile Rock, 1 mile southeastward of Westport southward from Horseneck Beach to which it is joined Harbor Entrance Light 7 on The Knubble, is marked by a narrow roadway over rock fill. The water surrounding by a daybeacon. Shoals with depths of 5 to 18 feet are the neck is very foul. southeasterly of the rock. A buoy is 0.35 mile south- southeast of the rock. Halfmile Rock, 3 feet high, is 325 (373) Hen and Chickens and the dangers southward of yards southeast of the light on The Knubble. The shoal it have been previously discussed under the entrance to water surrounding the rock is marked by a buoy. The Buzzards Bay. area south of The Knubble is very foul. Other unmarked dangers include Twomile Ledge, extending 1 mile south
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 5 ¢ 239 of The Knubble, and covered 2 to 12 feet; Joe Burris the control of the harbormaster, who can be contacted Ledge covered 14 feet, midway between Halfmile Rock through the town hall or police department. and Twomile Rock, and Pinetree Ground, about 1 mile (384) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. south of Twomile Rock, covered 25 to 30 feet. (385) A boatyard and a marina are in the harbor. The (380) The shore in this vicinity should be given a berth boatyard is on Horseneck Point about 0.5 mile west of the of about 1.3 miles to avoid numerous rocks and ledges highway bridge. The marina is on Westport Point about extending about 1 mile offshore for 2.5 miles westward 0.1 mile west of the highway bridge. Berths, moorings, of Westport Harbor. gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, launching ramps and marine supplies are available. The largest marine railway (381) is at the boatyard and can handle craft up to 60 feet for hull and engine repairs and dry open or covered storage. Currents (382) The tidal current in the entrance has a velocity of 2.5 knots, and caution is recommended when navigating the (386) Quicksand Point is about 1.5 miles west of The river. (See the Tidal Current tables for predictions.) Knubble. The boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island is near the point. Cutty Wow Rock, awash at low water, is 1 mile southwestward of the point. (383) Two piers, used by fishing and pleasure boats, are (387) Briggs Point, 2 miles southwestward of Quicksand at Westport Point. These piers have reported depths of Point, is surrounded by shoals and rocks. Halfway Rock, about 10 feet at their faces. Berthing at the piers is under 2 feet high, is 0.4 mile southeastward of the point.
240 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 71°20'W 71°10'W Chart Coverage in Coast Pilot 2—Chapter 6 NOAA’s Online Interactive Chart Catalog has complete chart coverage http://www.charts.noaa.gov/InteractiveCatalog/nrnc.shtml 13224 MASSACHUSETTS 13221 Providence 13226 13225 41°45'N PROVIDENCE TAUNTON RIVER RIV 13227 ER MOUNT HOPE BAY Fall River GREENWICH BAY Bristol Hope Island Prudence Island Quonset Point SAKONNET RMHASOSDAECISHLUASENTDTS Wickford PASSAGE EAST PASSAGE 41°30'N RHODE ISLAND RIVER WEST Conanicut Island Beavertail Point Newport Sakonnet Point 13223 RHODE ISLAND SOUND 13221
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 241 Narragansett Bay (1) This chapter describes the Sakonnet River, Sakonnet River is good for a depth of 18 feet from the Narragansett Bay, Mount Hope Bay and Taunton and mouth to Mount Hope Bay. Providence Rivers. Also discussed are the ports of Newport, Fall River and Providence, as well as the numerous other yachting and fishing centers in this area. (10) Traffic Separation Scheme Narragansett Bay has (2) been established in the approach to Narragansett Bay through Rhode Island Sound. (See charts 13223, 13221, COLREGS Demarcation Lines 13218, 12300.) (3) The lines established for this part of the coast are (11) The scheme is composed basically of directed traffic described in 33 CFR 80.145, Chapter 2. lanes each with one-way inbound and outbound traffic lanes separated by a defined traffic separation zone, and (4) two precautionary areas, one at the southern end and the other at the northern end of the directed traffic lanes and No-Discharge Zone separation zones. The scheme is recommended for use (5) The State of Rhode Island, with the approval of by vessels approaching or departing from Narragansett Bay but is not necessarily intended for tugs, tows or the Environmental Protection Agency, has established a other small vessels that traditionally operate outside of No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) covering all coastal waters the usual steamer lanes or close inshore. of Rhode Island, extending 3 miles offshore (see chart 13221). (12) The Traffic Separation Scheme has been designed (6) Within the NDZ, the discharge of sewage, whether to aid in the prevention of collisions at the approaches treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. to major harbors but is not intended in any way to Outside the NDZs, discharge of the sewage is regulated supersede or alter the applicable Navigation Rules. by 40 CFR 140 (see Chapter 2). Separation zones are intended to separate inbound and outbound traffic lanes and be free of ship traffic (7) and should not be used except for crossing purposes. Mariners should use extreme caution when crossing ENCs - US5RI20M, US4MA23M traffic lanes and separation zones. (See 33 CFR 167.1 through 167.15 and 167.100 through 167.103, Chapter 2, Charts - 13221, 13218 for limits and regulations and Traffic Separation Schemes, Chapter 1, for additional information.) (8) Narragansett Bay, opening into the north side of Rhode Island Sound 17 miles westward of Buzzards (13) The southern precautionary area in the southwest Bay entrance, is the approach to the cities of Newport, part of Rhode Island Sound has a radius of 5.4 miles Providence, Fall River and Taunton, as well as numerous centered on 41°06'00\"N., 71°23'18\"W., excluding those towns and villages. Rhode Island (Aquidneck Island), areas of the circle bounded by imaginary lines extending the largest island in the bay, forms the eastern shore of between the outer limits of the inbound and outbound the bay proper. The entrance is between Brenton Point, traffic lanes. (Note that the southern precautionary the southwestern part of Rhode Island, on the east, and area is common to the Traffic Separation Schemes for Point Judith Neck on the west. The bay is about 18 the approaches to both Narragansett Bay and Buzzards miles long from the entrance to the mouth of Providence Bay. The Traffic Separation Scheme for the approach to River. Navigation of the bay is easy during day or night Buzzards Bay is described in Chapter 5.) in clear weather as it is marked by navigational aids. The large Conanicut Island and Prudence Island, and (14) The separation zone is a 2-mile-wide zone centered several smaller islands, divide the bay into two passages. upon the following positions: Sakonnet River, although not a part of Narragansett Bay, is included with it in the following discussion. (15) (i) 41°22'42\"N., 71°23'18\"W., (16) (ii) 41°11'06\"N., 71°23'18\"W. (9) East Passage is good for a least depth of about 60 feet (17) The inbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane with for about 11 miles up the marked channel to the entrance of the dredged channel to Providence. West Passage is the a length of about 11.5 miles. Entering the traffic lane at approach to Dutch Island Harbor, Wickford, Greenwich a point in about 41°11'06\"N., 71°21'24\"W., a course of Bay and Providence River. Vessels of over 16-foot draft 000°follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junction rarely go above Dutch Island Harbor without a pilot, but with the northern precautionary area. vessels of 16-foot draft or less should have no difficulty in going to the head of the bay and Providence River.
242 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (18) The outbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane (26) with a length of about 11.5 miles. Entering the traffic lane at a point in about 41°22'39\"N., 71°25'24\"W., a course of Security Broadcast System, Narragansett Bay 180° follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junction (27) In conjunction with various maritime interests, the with the southern precautionary area. Coast Guard has developed a system of recommended (19) The northern precautionary area has a 3.55- radiotelephone procedures for Narragansett and Mount mile radius centered on a point in about 41°25'36\"N., Hope Bays that is designed to supplement the Vessel 71°23'18\"W., excluding those areas of the circle bounded Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Regulations (see 33 by imaginary lines extending between the outer limits of CFR 26, Chapter 2). These voluntary procedures consist the inbound and outbound traffic lanes. of security calls to be made by vessel masters, pilots, or operators on VHF-FM channel 13 (156.65 MHz) (20) A 2-mile-wide restricted area extends from the at designated points. The procedures are designed to northern limits of the Narragansett Bay Approach traffic give notice of unseen vessels, give notice of intended separation zone to 41°24.7'N. This restricted area within movement, clear channel 13 of traffic unrelated to the precautionary area will only be closed to vessel navigation and give each vessel information on all traffic by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, others in the immediate vicinity and to do so at little Newport, during periods of daylight and optimum cost and with as little radiotelephone traffic as possible. weather conditions for torpedo range use. The closing of These recommendations do not relieve a master, pilot or the restricted area will be indicated by the activation of operator of any requirements of law or regulation. There red flashing lights on naval vessels supporting the torpedo is no guarantee that every vessel will follow them. range activities. There would be no vessel restrictions (28) Inbound vessels should make security calls when expected during inclement weather or when the torpedo abeam of Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle range is not in use. Buoy NB, when off Castle Hill Light and when at the south end of Prudence Island (state whether bound (21) The Traffic Separation Scheme is not buoyed. for Providence or Fall River). The call at Castle Hill A group of buoys within the separation zone and the Light alerts outbound vessels so that they can pass East precautionary area mark the torpedo range; these buoys Passage Lighted Bell Buoy 11 close aboard, as during are not related to the Scheme. ebb current they tend to be set toward the center of the channel. Vessels bound for Providence should make (22) Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle additional security calls when off Popasquash Neck and Buoy NB (41°23'00\"N., 71°23'21\"W.) is at the north end when approaching Bullock Point Light BP. Vessels bound of the separation zone and is equipped with a racon. for Fall River should call Brightman Street Bridge when they enter Mount Hope Bay to allow sufficient time for (23) A safety zone has been established about 2 miles opening of the bridge. northward of Buoy NB for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (29) Vessels outbound from Providence should make vessels. (See 33 CFR 165.20, 165.23, and 165.121, security calls when leaving their dock and when off Chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Popasquash Neck. Vessels outbound from Fall River should make calls when leaving their dock, when approaching Mount Hope Bridge, and when off Gould Island. (24) Recommended Vessel Route (Narragansett Bay) has been established in the approach to Narragansett Bay (30) through Rhode Island Sound. Anchorages (25) TheU.S.CoastGuardCaptainofthePort,Providence, (31) The principal anchorages for vessels seeking shelter in cooperation with the Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Port Safety and Security Committees, has are Newport Harbor in the East Passage and Dutch established a Recommended Vessel Route for deep draft Island Harbor in the West Passage. These harbors afford vessels and tugs/barges transiting Rhode Island Sound, anchorage with good holding ground for deep-draft Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay. Deep draft vessels vessels and are sometimes used by coasting vessels on and tugs/barges are requested to follow the designated the passage between Vineyard Sound and Long Island routes. These routes were designed to provide safe, Sound. Good anchorage will be found almost anywhere established routes for these vessels, to reduce the in the bay under the lee of islands or the shore, where potential for conflict with recreational boaters, fishing vessels becalmed or at night frequently anchor. Point gear, and other small craft, and to reduce the potential Judith Harbor of Refuge is just west of Point Judith. for grounding or collision. Vessels are responsible for General and explosives anchorages are in Narragansett their own safety and are not required to remain inside Bay. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.145, Chapter 2, for the route nor are fisherman required to keep fishing gear limits and regulations.) outside the route. Small vessels should exercise caution in and around the Recommended Vessel Routes and monitor VHF channels 16 or 13 for information concerning deep draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting these routes.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 ¢ 243 (32) (40) Navigation of the bay and its tributaries is sometimes impeded by floating ice and in severe winters by packs Routes of field ice. The ice that breaks up in Providence River (33) Vessels approaching from eastward should shape and Mount Hope Bay is set by north and northeast winds down the bay through East Passage. If there is much ice, their approach to pass well south of Seal Ledge and a gorge is sometimes formed at Fort Adams, but it is of Brenton Reef. Brenton Reef and other dangers on the short duration. The passages are rarely closed for any easterly side of the entrance will be avoided by keeping length of time below Gould Island in the East Passage Castle Hill Light bearing eastward of 003° and passing and Dutch Island in the West Passage. During January westward of the lighted whistle buoy and the gong buoy and February, Mount Hope Bay, Bristol Harbor, Warren, off Brenton Reef and the bell buoy off Butter Ball Rock. Providence River, Greenwich Bay and Wickford are Approaching from westward, from a position with Point usually closed to sailing vessels unaided by power. The Judith Light bearing 344° distant 2 miles, vessels may inner harbor of Newport is also sometimes closed during steer 028° for about 9 miles to a position 0.5 mile west these months with the exception of a channel kept open by of Castle Hill Light, thence follow the navigational lights vessels. It can get nasty at the mouth of Narragansett Bay in the bay. The recommended route, however, for deep- when strong winds oppose the currents. Rounding Point draft vessels is via the Narragansett Bay Approach Traffic Judith can be rough or interminable, due to the confluence Separation Scheme, which is described earlier in this of tidal currents. Also local wind conditions can cause the chapter. tide to turn earlier or later than predicted in the tables. (34) (41) Tides North Atlantic right whales (35) The tidal movement in Narragansett Bay with its (42) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur vertical and horizontal constituents–tide and current, in the Narragansett/Buzzards Bay Traffic Separation respectively–is a continuation of the tide wave of the Scheme (peak season: November though April). The Atlantic Ocean. This wave sweeps into the three entrances Northeast Marine Pilots distribute educational material between Sakonnet Point and Point Judith and continues to mariners in an effort to reduce right whale ship strikes. up the bay and into each of its tributaries until stopped (See North Atlantic Right Whales, indexed as such, in by rapids or other obstructions. As is usual when oceanic Chapter 3 for more information on right whales and tidal movements enter inland waterways, the nature of recommended measures to avoid collisions.) the movement is modified by the hydrographic features (43) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall (LOA) encountered. In this area the local features are such that the and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are current movement in particular is subject to considerable restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the Block Island distortion. (See the Tide Tables for predictions.) Sound Seasonal Management Area between November 1 and April 30. The area is defined as the waters bounded (36) by: (44) 40°51'53.7\"N., 70°36'44.9\"W.; Currents (45) 41°20'14.1\"N., 70°49'44.1\"W.; (37) The flood current in Narragansett Bay frequently (46) 41°04'16.7\"N., 71°51'21.0\"W.; (47) 40°35'56.5\"N., 71°38'25.1\"W.; thence back to has two maximums of velocity separated by a minimum starting point. (See 50 CFR 224.105, Chapter 2 for velocity that at times becomes an ebb flow. Over the regulations, limitations and exceptions.) greater part of the bay, the usual maximum flood or ebb velocity is from 0.2 knot in the broad portions of the waterways to 1.5 knots in the more constricted sections. Velocities of about 1.4 knots occur at the bridges in (48) The Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Seekonk River, a velocity of about 1.7 knots in the Research Reserve, a Marine Protected Area (MPA), narrows at the mouth of Kickamuit River and a velocity includes the waters around Prudence, Patience, Dyer of 2.3 to 2.7 knots at the bridges in Sakonnet River. In and Hope Islands in Narragansett Bay. Cape Cod South Sakonnet River, from the highway bridge to its mouth, Closure Area includes inshore waters of Narragansett current velocities are small, being generally less than 0.5 Bay and offshore federal waters of the south coasts of knot. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (38) (49) Weather, Narragansett Bay and vicinity Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and other Rhode Island (39) In the entrance to the bay and its approaches, fogs waters (50) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels and are more prevalent from April to October. The fogs are U.S. vessels under register when entering and departing brought in by winds from east through south to southwest Narragansett Bay and all ports of the waters of the State and are cleared off by northerly and westerly winds. The of Rhode Island. usual duration of the fog is 4 to 12 hours, but periods of 4 to 6 days have been known with only short clear intervals. The head of the bay will sometimes be free from fog while the entrance is completely shut in.
244 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 6 (51) Federal and state pilots for Narragansett Bay are (63) available from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, RI 02840;nemarinepilots.com; telephone 401–847–9050 ENC - US5RI20M (24 hours), 800–274–1216; FAX 401–847–9052; email: [email protected]. Chart - 13221 (52) Pilots board vessels about 1.5 miles eastward of (64) Sakonnet River, on the easterly side of Narragansett Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB Bay, is between the mainland and the eastern shore of within an area bounded by Rhode Island. The width of the river varies from 0.7 to 2 miles except at its northern end where a least width of (53) 41°23.6'N., 71°22.4'W., 0.3 mile is found. The river is little used except by fishing (54) 41°22.6'N., 71°22.0'W., vessels and small craft. Sakonnet Light (41°27'11\"N., (55) 41°24.2'N., 71°20.0'W., 71°12'09\"W.) is on the eastern side of the southern (56) 41°22.6'N., 71°20.6'W. This pilot boarding area entrance and marks the western end of the foul ground west-southwest of Sakonnet Point. is southward of a line extending from Point Judith to Sakonnet Point. Vessels arriving from sea should (65) The channel of Sakonnet River is good for a depth approach this boarding station via the Narragansett Bay of 16 feet from the mouth to Mount Hope Bay. There are Traffic Separation Scheme inbound traffic lane. numerous shoals and outlying rocks, but the dangers are (57) Vessels bound for Long Island Sound ports may well marked by buoys. Except for the breakwater light board pilots at any point south or east of the Point Judith off Sakonnet Harbor, no lighted aids are in the river, and Pilot Station, centered on 41°17.0'N., 071°30.5'W., and strangers should not attempt to navigate it at night. outside the waters of the State of Rhode Island. (58) Pilots board from the Northeast Marine Pilots, (66) Good anchorage for vessels drawing up to 17 feet Inc. pilot boats NORTHEAST II, NORTHEAST III can be had in midriver just below High Hill Point in and NORTHEAST IV. NORTHEAST II is a 47-foot depths of 21 to 26 feet. Although open to the southward, boat and NORTHEAST IV is a 52-foot boat; both have a heavy sea seldom reaches as far as this anchorage. In unpainted aluminum hulls and superstructures with the southeasterly gales the water is comparatively smooth word PILOT in red on both sides. NORTHEAST III is a inside the mouth of the river. Fishermen seeking shelter 33-foot boat with black hull and white superstructure. A frequently anchor on the flats in the bight northward of vessel should confirm her ETA by VHF-FM radio at least Fogland Point in depths of 10 to 14 feet. 2 hours before arrival. All Northeast pilot boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 10 and work on 10. (67) Sakonnet Point, at the eastern entrance to Sakonnet (59) Pilots for Narragansett Bay serving U.S. enrolled River, is surrounded by bare and submerged rocks. Several vessels in coastwise trade are available from the Northeast islets and islands are south of the point. Schuyler Ledge, Marine Pilots (see above for contact information) and the with a least depth of 8 feet, is about 0.8 mile southward Connecticut State Pilots (a division of Interport Pilots of the point, and is marked by a bell buoy. A seasonal Agency, Inc.), address: State Pier, New London, CT, fishtrap area marked by private buoys is about 0.7 mile telephone 800–346–4877 or 908–787–5554 (24 hours), southwest of the point. cable PORTPILOTS Port Monmouth, NJ. (60) Connecticut State Pilots board vessels from the (68) Cormorant Rock, a bare dark rock off the western pilot boat CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65 feet long with side of the entrance to the river, is about 0.8 mile south blue hull and white superstructure, and from pilot boat of Sachuest Point, the southeastern extremity of Rhode CONNECTICUT PILOT II, 47 feet long with blue hull Island. Vessels should not pass between Cormorant Rock and white superstructure. The boats monitor VHF-FM and Cormorant Reef, 0.3 mile southward of the rock. channels 16 and 13, 2 hours prior to the vessel’s scheduled The least depth on the reef is 4 feet; it is marked by a bell ETA, and work on channel 10. The pilots meet ships buoy. bound for Narragansett Bay at any point south or east of the Point Judith Pilot Station, centered on 41°17.0'N., (69) The two bridges and the remains of the abandoned 071°30.5'W., and outside the waters of the State of Rhode highway bridge at the north end of Sakonnet River act as Island. dams to maintain the water at different levels on either (61) Vessels to be boarded should provide a ladder 3 feet side of them, causing dangerous currents through the above the water on the lee side. openings. The currents change with great rapidity both in (62) Pilot services are generally arranged at least 24 hours velocity and in direction and are characterized by a double in advance through ships’ agents or directly by shipping flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) companies. Vessels usually pass through the draws near the times of slack water. (70) The river north of Fogland Point is usually closed by ice for short periods each winter. Ice packs occur at the railroad bridge. (71) Vessels proceeding up Sakonnet River should follow a midriver course to the constricted part of the river, thence follow the channel marked by buoys into Mount Hope Bay.
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