United States Coast Pilot 2 Atlantic Coast - Cape Cod, MA to Sandy Hook, NJ 2011

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 343 (211) Echo Bay, about 1 mile southwestward of Umbrella side of the island. Two bare rocks and a long bare ledge Point and 2 miles northwestward of Execution Rocks are southwestward of the island. Light, is the principal approach to New Rochelle. The bay is entered between Premium Point on the north- Charts 12366, 12364 east and Davenport Neck on the southwest. Hicks Ledge, about 0.5 mile off the entrance, is covered 6 feet (221) Davids Island, southward of Davenport Neck, is and marked on the south side by a buoy. owned by the city of New Rochelle. Reefs, partly bare at low water and marked by a lighted buoy, extend about (212) Middle Ground, an extensive shoal with a reef that 0.2 mile northward of the island. Davids Island is sur- uncovers 6 feet, lies about 0.5 mile south-southwest- rounded on its east and south sides by a foul area of is- ward of Hicks Ledge. Emerald Rock, covered 9 feet, is lands and rocks, the passages between which should off the west side of the shoal and marked by a buoy. A not be used by strangers, even in small craft. Huckle- buoy marks the north end of the shoal. berry Island, at the eastern end of the group, is wooded. Pea Island, about 0.3 mile southeastward of Davids Is- (213) Bailey Rock, which uncovers 4 feet, is near the end land, is grass covered, and rocks bare at low water are of a reef that extends about 200 yards off the point of southeastward of it. Columbia Island has been im- Davenport Neck. The rock is marked by a lighted buoy. proved by a seawall, making it about 150 feet square, with a pier 150 feet long on the west side. (214) The bay is an anchorage for small craft and gener- ally is fully occupied during the summer. Depths range (222) An obstruction, covered 17 feet, has been reported from 4 to 15 feet. Small craft can anchor in the shallow in about 40°52.4'N., 073°45.4'W. about 0.3 mile cove on the northeast side of the harbor, entering be- south-southeastward of Pea Island. Mariners are ad- tween Harrison Island and the rocky, grassy islet off vised to exercise caution while navigating in this area. the northwest side of Echo Island. Vessels can anchor in the general anchorages on either side of the en- (223) Execution Rocks, about 1.4 miles eastward of trance, in depths of 20 to 24 feet. (See 110.1 and Davids Island, consist of many boulders and shoals of 110.155 (a) (2), (a) (3), and (1), chapter 2, for limits considerable extent, marked by a light and buoys. Bro- and regulations.) Vessels should not anchor near the ken bottom, covered 5 to 19 feet, extends about 0.7 mile sewer outlet in the middle of the bay. A special anchor- northward from the light. age is in Echo Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (b-1), chap- ter 2, for limits and regulations.) (224) Execution Rocks Light (40°52'41\"N., 73°44'16\"W.), 62 feet above the water, is shown from a white stone (215) A 4 mph speed limit is enforced in Echo Bay. tower with a brown band midway of its height, attached (216) A dredged channel, on the northwest side of Echo to a granite dwelling. Bay, leads to a municipal wharf and turning basin at (225) Middle Reef, 0.5 mile southward of Davids Island, Beaufort Point. The channel is marked by buoys to the has some boulders which show at high water. East turning basin. In 1985, the controlling depth was 8½ Nonations and South Nonations are rocks that un- feet at midchannel to the basin, with 6½ to 7 feet in the cover 4 feet between Middle Reef and Hart Island. basin. South Nonations is marked on its south side by a (217) The area northward of the turning basin, locally lighted bell buoy. known as Ferris Creek, is shoal with extensive mud flats that bare at low water. Southwesterly of the turn- (226) Aunt Phebe Rock, 300 yards west of Davids Island, ing basin, the depth varies from 9 feet to bare at the is bare at half tide and marked by a light. In 1976, an ob- head of the harbor. struction covered 4 feet was reported about 400 yards (218) New Rochelle is a city on the western shore of Echo northwestward of the light. Mariners are advised to ex- Bay. ercise caution while navigating in this area. (219) The municipal wharf is on the northeast side of Beaufort Point. The city police patrol boats usually (227) Goose Island, between Davids Island and Glen Is- moor alongside the wharf. A small-craft facility and a land, is almost completely surrounded by a rock break- municipal marina are in the northern part of Echo Bay. water, and has several bare rocks to the westward and Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and southward. A house on pilings is prominent on the is- lifts to 25 tons are available; hull and engine repairs can land. be made. The municipal marina monitors VHF-FM channel 16. (228) Glen Island, 0.4 mile west of Davids Island, is a (220) Pine Island, between Davenport Neck and Middle public park used as a pleasure resort. Special permits Ground, is rocky, covered with brush, and occupied by are required prior to using the launching ramp on the several cottages. A small private landing is on the west island. A light is on the north end of the island. A beach protected by two jetties is on the southeast end of the island. The channel on the northwest side of Glen

344 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 Island is much used as an anchorage by small craft, par- water areas off the crescent beach are a swimming area ticularly those bound to the club on Travers Island to and are closed to general navigation. The swimming the westward. The channel has a depth of about 7 feet. A area is marked by private buoys. A bathing pavilion and no wake speed limit is enforced. Glen Island Channel, a flagstaff are prominent. Chimney Sweeps, two promi- marked by buoys, is on the south-southwest side of the nent bare rocks, are about 0.4 mile east of the beach. island. The channel entrance is between Hog Island (235) Hart Island, about 1.8 miles southwest of Execu- and Glen Island and runs along the southwest edge of tion Rocks Light, is the site of a New York Department Glen Island to the channel between Travers Islands and of Correction facility. A stack on the southern part of Glen Island. In 1990, the controlling depth in the chan- the island and the buildings on the island are promi- nel was 6½ feet except for a 2½ foot shoal spot in the nent. A reef extends about 200 yards southeastward west side of the channel about 100 yards northwest of from the south end of the island and is marked by a Glen Island Channel Buoy 6. light. Caution is advised to avoid the 9-foot obstruction (229) New Rochelle Harbor lies between the mainland, and the wreck with 13 feet over it which are 0.3 mile and westward of Davenport Neck, and Glen Island; it is west of the light. off the southerly part of the city of New Rochelle. How- (236) Rat Island is a high bare rock about 0.4 mile west of ever, the main access of New Rochelle is through Echo Hart Island. The Blauzes, 13 feet high, are a part of the Bay, previously discussed. reef which extends 0.3 mile northwestward from the (230) New Rochelle Harbor is entered between Glen Is- north end of Hart Island. land and Davenport Neck. An approach channel, with a (237) City Island, on the northeast side of Eastchester depth of about 13 feet, leads from south-southwest of Bay, is narrow and over 1 mile in length. It is thickly Davids Island northward to a point abreast the former settled and has a commercialized appearance. The west ferry wharf on the island, thence through deeper natu- side is residential and the east side is industrialized ral water between Aunt Phebe Rock and Corning Rock with several shipyards and other marine-related northward to the entrance to the harbor. A reef, bare at facilities. low water, makes off the west side of Davids Island op- posite the buoy marking Corning Rock. Another ap- Pilotage, City Island proach channel, through deeper water, leads from the (238) A pilot boat of United New York New Jersey Sandy northeast between Davids Island and Davenport Neck to the entrance. Both channels are well marked. In Hook Pilot Association moors at City Island. See Pilot- 1990, the narrow dredged channel in the harbor had a age, New York Harbor from Long Island Sound (in- controlling depth of 5½ feet (6½ feet at midchannel) to dexed as such), chapter 11. within 100 yards of the dam at the head. (239) High Island is 200 yards northeastward of the north end of City Island to which it is connected by a Anchorage fixed footbridge with a clearance of 11 feet. The ground (231) Anchorage is not recommended in the harbor be- under the bridge is reported to bare about 1 foot at low water. A 528-foot-high radio tower, marked on top by cause of its congestion. General and special anchorages red lights, is prominent on High Island. are in adjacent waters southerly, extending as far as City Island and Locust Point. (See 110.1, 110.60 (b), Anchorages (c), (c-1), and (d) through (f), and 110.155 (a) (1), (240) The usual anchorage for deep-draft vessels is (a) (4), and (1), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) southeastward of City Island, southward of a line join- (232) Several yacht clubs, marinas, and boatyards are in ing the south ends of Hart and City Islands. When an- New Rochelle Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities choring, avoid Deep Reef, a small rocky patch covered tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies 29 feet. Other general and special anchorages are in available.) the vicinity. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (233) A bascule bridge connecting Glen Island with Nep- tune Island has a clearance of 13 feet. (See 117.1 through (241) A long pier in ruins and a wide stone pier, the top of 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Just which is used as a parking area, are at the south end of south of the bridge is a yacht club on the east side of City Island at Belden Point. The western shore of Hart Neptune Island. Island and the wharves on City Island should be given a berth of about 150 yards. (234) Orchard Beach, about 1 mile southwestward of Davids Island, is a park developed by the State of New (242) The channel between City Island and Rodman Neck York on the filled-in area between Hunter Island, to the is used extensively as an anchorage by small pleasure north, and Rodman Neck, to the south. The inshore craft during the summer. A no wake speed limit is

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 345 enforced. Boat clubs and railways for small craft are on (252) A channel marked by buoys leads through the northwest side of City Island. The shores are gener- Eastchester Bay from 1.1 miles west of Belden Point to ally fringed with boulders and should be approached the mouth of Hutchinson River. A dredged channel with caution. The north shores of High Island and City marked by buoys leads from the mouth for about 2.8 Island northeastward of the bridge are very foul, and miles to the head of navigation at the city of Pelham. boats should avoid the shoals with depths less than 12 feet on that side. (253) In 2009, the midchannel controlling depths were (243) City Island is connected with Rodman Neck by a 4.2 feet from Eastchester Bay Channel Lighted Buoy 2 highway swing bridge, kept in the closed position, with to the Hutchinson River Parkway Bridge, thence to a clearance of 12 feet. (See 117.779, chapter 2, for bare; mariners are cautioned that depths along the drawbridge regulations.) Currents at the bridge are sides of the channel are considerably less than variable and at times exceed 1.5 knots. (See the Tidal midchannel. Current Tables.) (244) City Island Harbor, also called Hart Island Roads, Anchorages is between Hart Island and City Island. It is well shel- (254) Special anchorages are in Eastchester Bay. (See tered from easterly and westerly winds and is an impor- tant anchorage for coasting vessels in the western end 110.1 and 110.60 (d), (e), and (f), chapter 2, for lim- of Long Island Sound. Besides serving as a harbor of its and regulations.) refuge, it is often used by vessels desiring pilots or towboats, or awaiting orders. A spire in the center of (255) The dangers in Eastchester Bay include Big Tom City Island and a steeple in the northerly part of the is- on the east side near the entrance, covered 2 feet and land are conspicuous objects. marked by a buoy on the east end, and Cuban Ledge, covered at half tide and marked by a daybeacon and Cu- Tides ban Ledge Lighted Buoy 2 close southwestward. Nu- (245) The mean range of tide is 7.2 feet. merous rocks and shoals are on both sides of the channel near the entrance to Hutchinson River. Currents (246) The tidal current has a velocity of about 0.3 knot. (256) Bridges and overhead cables crossing Hutchinson River are listed by type, distance above the dredged (247) Ice seldom interferes with navigation of powered channel entrance, and clearance as follows: bascule, vessels. 0.35 mile, 13 feet; rolling lift, 0.5 mile, 8 feet; overhead power cable at bridge, 130 feet; bascule, 0.9 mile, 30 Supplies feet; fixed, 1.9 miles, 50 feet; fixed, 2.1 miles, 50 feet; (248) Gasoline, lubricants, and marine supplies of all overhead pipeline, 2.5 miles, 130 feet; bascule, 2.6 miles, 6 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and kinds are available at City Island. Water is piped to 117.793, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) some of the wharves; ice, electrical connections, guest moorings, and dry and wet storage are readily available. (257) The Pelham Parkway bascule bridge, 0.35 mile above the entrance and the Amtrak lift bridge, 0.5 mile Small-craft facilities above the entrance, are equipped with radiotelephones. (249) Many boatyards are on the east and northwest sides The bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KU–9758, KU–6095, and KXS–298, respectively. of City Island. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) (258) Eastchester is a village on the west side of the Hutchinson River about 1.5 miles above Pelham High- Communications way Bridge. Commerce on the river to Eastchester is in (250) Buses serve the subway system of New York City. building materials, fuel oil, and petroleum products. Pelham is on the east side of the river above (251) Eastchester Bay, between City Island and Throgs Eastchester. Neck, has general depths of 7 to 10 feet in the lower part and 3 to 5 feet in the upper part. The shores of the bay (259) Weir Creek is a bight on the west side of the bay are fringed with boulders, and there are many shoals near the entrance. and several wrecks. Caution is essential, especially where the depths are not more than 3 feet greater than (260) There are numerous small-craft facilities in the drafts. Hutchinson River empties into the north Eastchester Bay. (See the small-craft facilities tabula- end of the bay. tion on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) (261) Locust Point is about 0.8 mile southeastward of Weir Creek. A cove just southwestward of the point

346 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 provides small-boat shelter. Rocks, bare at low water, northwestern end of the harbor; gasoline is available at are on the north side of the approach. The entrance has both clubs. In 1994, a depth of 6 feet was reported in a depth of about 5 feet. Inside the cove, depths range both the southwesterly channel and Porpoise Channel. from 20 feet at the south end to about 4 feet at the The channels are marked by private seasonal lighted north end. A yacht club and marina are in the cove. A and unlighted buoys and a private seasonal daybeacon. marina at the head of the cove has a mobile hoist that The buoys are periodically moved to mark the best wa- can handle craft to 30 tons for engine and hull repairs. ter. Gasoline, water, ice, and marine supplies are available (268) A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in Stony Brook at the marina; depths of about 7 to 10 feet are reported Harbor and Porpoise Channel. at the wharf. (262) The northern approach viaduct of the Throgs Neck (269) Small-craft facilities are in the harbor. (See the Bridge crosses the cove from Locust Point to Throgs small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- Neck. The fixed spans of the viaduct have a minimum vices and supplies available.) clearance of 123 feet. Tides and currents (270) The railroad station is about 1 mile from the wharf (263) The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. Tidal cur- at Stony Brook. rents have a velocity of 0.4 knot in the vicinity of Big (271) A high bluff is between Stony Brook Harbor and Tom, and 0.8 knot at Pelham Bridge. Nissequogue River, another between Nissequogue River and Sunken Meadow Creek, and bluffs in places Charts 12363, 12364 between Sunken Meadow Creek and Northport Bay. (264) Old Field Point, about 5 miles southward of (272) Nissequogue River, a shallow crooked stream Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light, is a low bluff about 4 miles westward of the entrance to Stony Brook with a light and an abandoned tower on its summit. Harbor, is entered through a privately dredged channel Boulders extend a short distance off the point, and the that leads southward from Smithtown Bay for about light should be given a berth of about 0.3 mile, even by 1.4 miles into the river. In 1995, the channel had a re- small craft. A gong buoy is 0.6 mile northward of the ported controlling depth of 8 feet. Rocks and shoals, point. Depths of 14 to 18 feet are found about 0.4 mile bare at low water, are on the bar outside the entrance. northward of the light. Private seasonal lighted buoys mark the channel. Strong tidal currents are reported in the channel. A (265) Crane Neck Point, 2 miles westward of Old Field speed limit of 5 mph is enforced on the river. Guest Point, is a bare conspicuous bluff about 90 feet high moorings, gasoline, water, and limited supplies are and covered on top with brush. available at a marina on the west side of the river, about 0.9 mile above the channel entrance. In 1995, a depth (266) Smithtown Bay, a broad open bight on the south of 3 feet was reported alongside the marina. A State side of the sound, extends 7 miles westward from Crane hospital, a group of buildings with green roofs, and two Neck Point. Rocky shoals extend 1 mile in places from large red brick chimneys are prominent about 0.5 mile the shore, the water shoaling abruptly from 51 feet in southwestward of the river entrance. Farther west- places. A good summer anchorage in 30 to 50 feet shel- ward, a brick building and a stack are also prominent. tered from easterly winds is found about 1 mile south- The railroad station is at Kings Park. ward of Crane Neck Point. Charts 12365, 12364 (267) Stony Brook Harbor is a narrow shallow bay in the southeastern part of Smithtown Bay. The approach to (273) Northport Basin, about 10.5 miles westward of Old the harbor from the bay is over a bar which extends 0.8 Field Point Light and 2.7 miles southeastward of Ea- mile off the entrance; the outer end of the bar is marked tons Neck Point, is a small privately maintained basin by a seasonal lighted buoy and the approach to the har- with general depths of 7 to 20 feet, and formed by gravel bor is marked by private lighted buoys. In 1981, 3½ feet dredges working into the high bank; greater depths are was reported over the bar. A private seasonal daybeacon available. In 1977, the privately dredged entrance chan- is on the east side of the entrance to the harbor. Two nel had a controlling depth of 12 feet. The channel is branch channels lead from the entrance into the har- marked by a private lighted buoy and unlighted buoys; bor; one leads southwestward to a steel bulkheaded submerged jetties extend northward from the east and yacht club wharf and pavilion at the village of Stony west sides of the entrance. A dangerous rock is close Brook, 0.5 mile inside the entrance, and the other, Por- poise Channel, leads westward to a yacht club at the

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 347 northward of the seaward end of the west jetty. The four The basin is entered through a privately dredged cut stacks of a power and light company on the east side of between two small riprap jetties about 0.5 mile south- the basin are prominent. A town launching ramp is in westward of the light; the jetties are covered at half the basin. tide. The channel between the jetties is buoyed, and (274) An aquaculture site, marked by a private buoy, is there are buoys farther inside the basin. The basin is about 1.2 miles northwestward of the entrance to subject to frequent changes and the buoys in the basin Northport Basin. are not charted because they are frequently shifted in position. In 1994, depths of 10 feet could be carried Offshore Terminal, Northport through the entrance. In 1987, shoaling to an un- (275) An offshore platform for the receipt of oil, is off known depth was reported in the entrance channel. Northport. The terminal is owned and operated by Caution Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO), Northport, (282) Eatons Neck Basin Channel is maintained ex- NY. The platform, with off-lying mooring buoys, is about 1.6 miles northward of the entrance to Northport pressly to enhance the Eatons Neck Coast Guard Sta- Basin and about 2.4 miles eastward of Eatons Neck tion’s rescue response. Further, Eatons Neck Basin has Light. Submerged pipelines extend from the shore to become one of the most congested small-boat anchor- the platform. The platform is marked at its eastern end ages in the area in the summer. Mariners are cautioned by a private light, and at the western end by a private that heavy wakes from rescue craft departing the sta- light and fog signal. tion may be experienced by small craft anchoring in (276) Upon the scheduled approach of an incoming ves- this area. sel, the platform, voice call “LILCO Northport Power (283) Shoals with depths of 4 to 18 feet extend about 0.9 Station” or “LILCO Dock at Northport”, monitors mile northward of Eatons Neck, and broken ridges ex- VHF-FM channel 19. tend northward for another 1.8 miles. The northern end of each area is marked by a buoy. Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northport (277) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in (284) Huntington Bay, just westward of Eatons Neck, is the approach to Northport Bay and Harbor, Centerport Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- Harbor, Huntington Harbor, and Lloyd Harbor. The sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign bay, protected against all but northerly winds, is an ex- trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- cellent anchorage for large vessels. Depths range from lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, 36 to 25 feet, fairly close to its southern end, and an- Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI chorage can be selected according to draft and wind di- 02840; telephone 401-487-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- rection. 1216; FAX 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- sels engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to (285) An obstruction covered by 23 feet is about 0.8 mile have a U.S. Coast Guard Federally Licensed pilot unless southwestward of Eatons Neck Light. the master has recency for the intended area. See Pilot- age, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8 (286) A 017°56'–197°56' measured half nautical mile is and Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches on the west side of Eatons Neck. Triangular orange (indexed as such), chapter 11. shore ranges mark the ends of the course. Tugs (287) Anchorage with shelter from northwesterly winds (278) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- can be had for small vessels at the southwesterly end of Huntington Bay, 0.4 mile northeastward of Hunting- dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. ton Harbor Light, in 18 to 36 feet. The arms of the bay provide secure harbors; Northport Bay is used gener- (279) Eatons Neck is a prominent wooded headland with ally by the larger vessels. elevations of 100 feet or more, and marked at its north end by a light and tower of Eatons Neck Coast Guard Tides Station. (288) The mean range of tide is 7.4 feet. (280) Eatons Neck Light (40°57'14\"N., 73°23'43\"W.), 144 Currents feet above the water, is shown from a 73-foot white (289) In Huntington Bay the velocity of the tidal current stone tower; a fog signal is at the light. is 0.5 knot off East Fort Point and 0.4 knot in the en- (281) The northwest end of the neck is a spit in the form trance to Northport Bay. (See the Tidal Current Tables of a hook which encloses Eatons Neck Basin. Eatons for predictions.) Neck Coast Guard Station is at the head of the basin.

348 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 (290) Duck Island Harbor is a shallow cove on the north (299) A special anchorage is in Northport Harbor. (See side of Northport Bay westward of Duck Island Bluff. 110.1 and 110.60 (a-2), chapter 2, for limits and regu- Depths range from 6 to 9 feet in the entrance. The lations.) south side of Duck Island Bluff and the southeast side of Winkle Point should be given berths of 300 and 400 (300) Northport is a village with bus communications on yards, respectively, to avoid shoal water and inshore the eastern shore of Northport Harbor. Depths at the rocks. principal wharves are about 6 to 8 feet. The greatest depth that can be taken to Northport is about 14 feet at (291) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in Duck Island Har- high water. bor. Small-craft facilities (292) Northport Bay, which opens off the southeast end (301) Several small-craft facilities are on the east side of Huntington Bay, provides good anchorage in 20 to 50 feet in its western part, and in 8 to 11 feet in the eastern and the head of the harbor, and a yacht club is on the half. The entrance to the bay is marked by a lighted west side. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on buoy, and the entrance channel, privately dredged to chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) about 12 feet, is buoyed. (302) Centerport Harbor is a shoal bight on the south (293) An amber light, maintained at the public landing shore of Northport Bay just eastward of the entrance. by the town of Northport, is a conspicuous mark at The harbor serves the small-boat interests of the village night for vessels making the wharves at Northport. of Centerport. In 1981, a reported depth of about 7 feet could be taken through the privately dredged channel (294) A privately dredged channel at the eastern end of to the spit extending southwesterly from Little Neck, Northport Bay leads to a dredge basin formerly used by thence about 3 feet to a boatyard on the west side of the a sand and gravel company on the north side of Bluff harbor just below the bridge. The channel is marked by Point. Several private landings and moorings are in the private seasonal buoys. Berths, moorings, electricity, basin. In 2008, the channel had a reported controlling water, storage, marine supplies, and a launching ramp depth of 4.2 feet with shoaling to 1.8 feet along the are available. A flatbed trailer can haul out craft to 32 channel limits. feet; hull and engine repairs can be made. (295) Northport Harbor is at the southeastern end of Anchorage Northport Bay and is entered by a dredged channel that (303) A special anchorage is in Centerport Harbor. (See leads along the waterfront of Northport and an anchor- age basin west of the village. The channel is marked by 110.1 and 110.60 (a-1), chapter 2, for limits and regu- private seasonal buoys. In 1994, the controlling depth lations.) was 5 feet in the channel with 5 to 6 feet available in the anchorage basin. A channel leads from the town land- (304) Huntington Harbor, at the southwest end of Hun- ing to a boatyard and marina at the southeast end of the tington Bay, is entered through a marked channel that harbor and is marked by private seasonal buoys. In leads to an anchorage off Huntington Town Dock, 1995, reported depths of 5 feet were available in the about 2 miles above the channel entrance. A depth of channel. The boatyard channel is marked by buoys and about 8 feet can be carried in the channel. Huntington by a lighted buoy at the entrance; these aids are sea- Harbor Light (40°54'39\"N., 73°25'52\"W.), 42 feet above sonal and privately maintained. An alternate channel, the water and shown from a square concrete tower at- marked by private buoys, with a reported controlling tached to a dwelling on a rectangular pier, is on the depth of 2 feet in 1990, leads from opposite the public west side of the entrance to Huntington Harbor and on landing along the west side of the harbor to the head. A the south side of the entrance to Lloyd Harbor. A fog 5 mph speed limit marker is in the entrance to the har- signal is at the light. bor. (305) The channel is marked by a light and by lighted, (296) Bird Island, a bird sanctuary in the southern part unlighted, and private unlighted buoys. Some of the of the harbor, is a low, grass-covered, man-made island. private buoys are seasonal. Ice (306) The wharf just southward of Huntington Town (297) During severe winters, ice may close the harbor for Dock South is used by sand and gravel barges. The bay constable has an office at the head of the harbor imme- about 2 months. diately southward of Huntington Town Dock North. Anchorage (307) A boulder reef, on the west side of the entrance, ex- (298) Vessels select anchorage according to draft in the tends out to Huntington Harbor Light. An obstruction, harbor; bottom is soft.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 349 reported covered 4½ feet, is 0.35 mile eastward of the (318) Oyster Bay, on the south side of Long Island Sound light. about 5 miles westward of Eatons Neck Light, lies be- (308) In 1991, a dangerous wreck was reported between tween Lloyd Neck and Rocky Point and is the approach Buoys 9 and 11 in about 40°53'54.9\"N., 73°25'46.1\"W. to Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay Harbor. The har- bor is marked by Cold Spring Harbor Light Currents (40°54'48\"N., 73°29'36\"W.), 37 feet above the water, (309) The tidal currents in the entrance channel have an and shown from a skeleton tower on a caisson with a red triangular daymark. The entrance and harbor are estimated velocity of 2 knots. characterized by extensive shoals, boulder reefs, and broken ground making off from the shores. Vessels Anchorage should proceed with caution if obliged to approach or (310) A special anchorage is in Huntington Harbor. (See cross shoal areas. The bay south of Cold Spring Harbor Light is a secure harbor, available for vessels of less 110.1 and 110.60 (a), chapter 2, for limits and regula- than 18-foot draft. tions.) (319) Lloyd Neck, between Huntington and Oyster Bays, No-Discharge Zone is high and wooded, and has a high, yellow bluff on its (311) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- north side 0.8 miles eastward of Lloyd Point. Many patches of boulders having least depths of 2 to 8 feet ex- vironmental Protection Agency, has established a tend 0.2 to 0.5 mile offshore from East Fort Point to No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Greater Hunting- Lloyd Point. Small craft skirting this shore should keep ton-Northport Bay Complex. The water bodies included well outside the line of buoys. are Lower Huntington Bay, Northport Bay, Centerport Harbor, Northport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor and (320) Lloyd Point, the north end of Lloyd Neck, is a low Price Bend. The northern boundary line extends from spit. A rocky shoal extends 0.5 mile north-northeast- the southernmost point at East Beach (Lloyd Harbor) ward from Lloyd Point. A seasonal lighted gong buoy easterly to the southernmost point at West Beach about 1 mile northward of Lloyd Point marks the (Sand City Beach) (see chart 12365). northern limit of the 30-foot curve in this vicinity. (312) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. (321) Morris Rock, about 0.5 mile eastward of Lloyd Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by Point, is covered by a least depth of 2 feet. The rock is 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). marked by a buoy. (313) A 5-mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (322) The long jetty, about 0.6 mile southwestward of (314) Huntington and Halesite are villages at the head of Lloyd Point, forms the southern entrance point to The Sand Hole, a pond that has been dredged into the spit the harbor. The yacht club landing on the east side of by a sand and gravel company. The pond is State con- the harbor has a depth of about 10 feet alongside. Gaso- trolled and may be entered by steering a midchannel line, diesel fuel, berths, electricity, water, and ice can be course through the entrance. It is used considerably by obtained here. Yachts may anchor off the landing, but local boats as an anchorage and harbor of refuge. The must keep clear of the channel. holding ground is good. (315) Coindre Hall, a large brick building with a red roof and numerous chimneys at the entrance to the harbor, (323) In 1981, reported depths of about 12 feet were in and Huntington Hospital, well lighted at night, at the the entrance channel and about 4 to 22 feet in the ba- head of the harbor are prominent. sin. Small-craft facilities (324) Rocky Point, the northern promontory of Centre (316) There are several marinas, boatyards, and private Island, is a small bluff on whose summit is a large prominent house. An extensive foul area with depths of boat clubs in Huntington Harbor. (See the small-craft 2 to 17 feet extends about 1 mile northward of Rocky facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and Point. A bell buoy marks the northern end of this foul supplies available.) area. This area is dangerous and should be avoided. (317) Lloyd Harbor extends westward from Huntington (325) A shoal area with depths of 4 to 11 feet extends east- Bay nearly to Oyster Bay, from which it is separated by a ward from Rocky Point nearly across Oyster Bay and is narrow strip of land. Vessels can anchor just inside the marked near its eastern end by Cold Spring Harbor entrance, in depths of 7 to 11 feet. The entrance to the Light. Small craft with local knowledge cross the shoal harbor is marked by buoys. A speed limit of 5 mph is at a distance of about 0.4 mile westward of the light, but enforced in the harbor. strangers should not attempt it.

350 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 Tides (336) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether (326) The mean range of tide is 7.4 feet. treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by Currents 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). (327) About 0.4 mile northwest of Cold Spring Harbor (337) Oyster Bay Harbor, a long, crooked arm in the Light the velocity is about 0.5 knot; about 0.2 mile western side of Oyster Bay, has a channel with a depth north of Cove Point, 1.2 miles southwestward, it is over 30 feet leading into the area westward of Moses about 0.8 knot. For predictions, the Tidal Current Ta- Point. Good anchorage is available southward of Moses bles should be consulted. Point. West of this point, the channel is narrow and suitable only for vessels drawing less than 10 feet. Ves- Ice sels of less than 7-foot draft can anchor in the bight be- (328) During severe winters ice has been known to ex- tween Cove Neck and the wharf at Oyster Bay, and also in West Harbor, the large bight on the northwest side of tend the full length of the bay during part of January Centre Island. and February. (338) A speed limit of 5 m.p.h. is enforced in the harbor. (329) Plum Point, the easternmost point of Centre Is- (339) The village of Oyster Bay, on the shore south of land, is marked at its south end by a small stone tower; boat landings are on the southwest side of the point. A Oyster Bay Harbor, has rail communication. A channel, yacht club with a prominent flagstaff is about 0.3 mile marked by private seasonal buoys, leads southwestward west of Plum Point. The yacht club landing has re- from deep water in Oyster Bay Harbor to an oyster ported depths of about 9½ feet. wharf in about 40°52'37\"N., 73°31'32\"W., thence west to a boat basin. The oyster wharf has reported depths of (330) Cooper Bluff, at the northeast end of Cove Neck is about 10 feet along the face and southeast side. Parallel prominent. A boulder reef extends nearly 0.3 mile to and about 200 feet off the northwest side of the wharf northward from Cove Point at the northwest end of is a row of sunken barges. An oil receiving wharf is Cove Neck, and is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. about 125 yards southward of the oyster wharf. (340) Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a Marine (331) Cold Spring Harbor, the southeasterly end of Oys- Protected Area (MPA), includes the waters of Oyster ter Bay, extends about 2.3 miles southward of Cooper Bay and Mill Neck Creek. (See Appendix C, for addi- Bluff. The tower on top of a dome of a seminary on the tional information.) hill of West Neck, on the east side of the harbor, is prominent. A depth of about 14 feet can be carried to Small-craft facility near the head of the harbor by giving the shores a berth (341) Two small-craft facilities are close eastward of the of about 0.3 mile. entrance to the boat basin. Berths and moorings, elec- (332) The village of Cold Spring Harbor is on the eastern tricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, a pump-out shore near the head of the harbor. An oil company pier facilities, a launching ramp, lifts to 15-tons, storage, at the village has a depth of about 13 feet alongside. A and full repairs are available. small-craft facility is on the east side of the cove at the head of Cold Spring Harbor. Gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- (342) Brickyard Point, about 0.5 mile westward of Moses ter, ice, marine supplies, berthings, and dry storage are Point, should be given a berth of at least 0.2 mile off its available. A reported depth of about 3 feet is available westerly side to avoid several dangerous rocks to the alongside the facility. A town launching ramp is avail- northwestward of the point. None of these rocks is able in the harbor. marked. Extensive privately owned oyster beds, marked by stakes, are in this area. (333) A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in the harbor. (343) Mill Neck Creek, at the northwest end of Oyster Bay Anchorages Harbor, is crossed by a highway bridge having a bascule (334) Special anchorages are in Cold Spring Harbor and span with a clearance of 9 feet. The area westward of the bridge has depths of 2 to 13 feet. (See 117.1 through Oyster Bay Harbor. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (t), (u), 117.59 and 117.800, chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- (u-2) and (u-3), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) tions.) No-Discharge Zone (344) Oak Neck Creek, northwest of Mill Neck Creek, is (335) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- entered at high water as the creek is practically bare at low water. vironmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Complex (see chart 12365).

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 351 Charts 12367, 12364 Anchorage (352) A special anchorage is in Hempstead Harbor. (See (345) Oak Neck Point (40°54.9'N., 73°34.1'W.), 4 miles west-southwestward of Lloyd Point, is marked by many 110.1 and 110.60 (u-1), chapter 2, for limits and reg- large residences. Several stone jetties extend a short ulations.) distance from the shore just westward of the point. A shoal, strewn with boulders and marked by a buoy, ex- No-Discharge Zone tends 0.3 mile from the shore for part of the distance (353) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- between Oak Neck Point and Matinecock Point to the westward. vironmental Protection Agency, has established, a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Hempstead Harbor south (346) Frost Creek, locally known as Guthries Creek, 2 of Mott Point (see chart 12366). miles westward of Oak Neck Point, has a channel at the (354) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether entrance which is well defined when the water is below treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. half tide. The creek is protected by a stone jetty that ex- Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by tends a short distance from the shore about 50 yards 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). eastward of the channel. The channel has a reported depth of about 1 foot near the entrance. The creek is (355) Weeks Point, on the eastern side near the entrance, not recommended without local knowledge. is marked by a breakwater which protects a private boat landing. Nearly 0.5 mile southward of Weeks Point is (347) Peacock Point is just west of Frost Creek. A stone the entrance to a basin protecting a private wharf jetty to protect a private boat landing extends a short which has a reported depth of 8 feet at the end. The ba- distance from the west side of the point. sin shoals to the head, and there are rocks bare at low water near the northern end. (348) Matinecock Point, 1.1 miles westward of Frost Creek, is marked on its western side by a stone pier in (356) Glen Cove is a city with rail and bus communica- ruins. A shoal extends about 600 yards off the point and tion on Glen Cove Creek, about 1 mile back from the is marked at its end by a lighted gong buoy which is re- eastern shore of the bay. The breakwater extends 500 moved if endangered by ice. yards west-southwestward from Glen Cove Landing and is marked at its end by a light. The anchorage be- Charts 12366, 12364 hind the breakwater is known as Glen Cove Harbor, the depths ranging from 18 to 22 feet behind its outer half (349) Hempstead Harbor, 4 miles wide at the entrance and 7 to 9 feet near shore. between Matinecock Point and Prospect Point, is free from dangers if the shores, between the entrance and (357) Glen Cove Creek, 0.6 mile southward of the break- Mosquito Cove, are given a berth of 0.3 mile. It is much water, has a dredged channel from Mosquito Cove to used by vessels seeking shelter in any but strong north- the head. In 2010, the midchannel controlling depth erly winds and affords excellent anchorage with good was 7.7 feet with shoaling to 0.3 foot in the last 0.1 holding ground. Vessels can anchor in any part of the mile. An overhead power cable near the head has a harbor according to draft and direction of wind. A good clearance of 65 feet. The entrance is buoyed. anchorage for vessels drawing less than 20 feet is just inside a line from Mott Point to the breakwater at Glen Small-craft facilities Cove Landing. Small vessels can anchor behind the (358) There are several small-craft facilities in Glen Cove breakwater. Vessels should avoid anchoring in the pipe- line area between Glenwood Landing and Bar Beach. Creek. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on On the western shore above and below Bar Beach are chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) large sand and gravel plants. On the eastern shore are several villages. (359) A dredged channel, entered between Bar Beach and Glenwood Landing, leads alongside Glenwood Landing (350) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. to South Glenwood Landing at Motts Cove. In 1991, the (351) Waterborne commerce in the harbor is in sand, controlling depth in the dredged channel was 7 feet. A natural channel continues south through extensive gravel, petroleum products, and building material. Ves- flats for about 0.5 mile with a depth of about 5 feet. Lo- sels engaged in this commerce usually draw from 3 to cal knowledge is advised. 12 feet. (360) Sea Cliff is a village on the steep hill on the south side of Glen Cove Creek. From Sea Cliff southerly to the northerly wharves at Glenwood Landing, a shoal ex- tends 300 yards from the east side of the harbor and is marked by a buoy at the north end and a light at the

352 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 south end. A dredged entrance channel, marked by two The boulders show at low water for a distance of about private lights, leads from deep water in the harbor 300 yards from shore. A stone tower is a prominent ob- northeastward to a municipal marina just north of ject on this point. Glenwood Landing. In November 1999, the reported (369) Barker Point, about 1 mile south-southwest of controlling depths were 8 feet in the entrance channel, Sands Point, is a high bluff on the northeast side of the thence 7 feet in the marina basin. entrance of Manhasset Bay. Gangway Rock, marked by (361) Glenwood Landing is a village on the eastern shore a light and gong buoy, is at the northwesterly end of a abreast Bar Beach. The stacks of a powerplant are broken line of rocks and shoal water which extends 0.6 prominent. A private light is shown from the outer end mile northwestward from Barker Point. Success Rock, of an unloading boom when the boom is in operation. awash at low water and marked by a buoy, is about 0.2 An overhead power cable crossing from the powerplant mile southeastward of the light. to Bar Beach has a clearance of 90 feet. Depths of about (370) Manhasset Bay, between Barker Point and Hewlett 8 to 10 feet are available at the Glenwood Landing Point, affords excellent shelter for vessels of about 12 wharves. feet or less draft, and is much frequented by yachts in (362) A boatyard, reached only at high water, is at South the summer. The depths in the outer part of the bay Glenwood Landing. Craft to 30 tons can be hauled out range from 12 to 17 feet, and 7 to 12 feet in the inner for minor hull repairs. part inside Plum Point. The extreme south end of the bay is shallow with extensive mudflats. Depths of about Tides 6 to 2 feet can be taken through a natural channel al- (363) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. most to the head of the bay. A 5 mph speed limit is en- forced. Currents (371) Waterborne commerce is in petroleum products, (364) In the channel west of the breakwater the tidal cur- carried in vessels drawing 6 to 10 feet. rents are weak and variable. At Bar Beach the tidal cur- Anchorages rents have a velocity of about 0.8 knot through the (372) General and special anchorages are in Manhasset narrow channel. (See the Tidal Current Tables for pre- dictions.) Bay. (See 110.1, 110.60 (g) through (j), and 110.155 (a) (6) and (l), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Ice The bottom is soft and affords good holding ground. (365) In severe winters ice has been known to close navi- (373) A seaplane restricted area is off Manorhaven. (See gation for about 6 weeks during January and February. 162.15, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (366) The shore between Prospect Point and Mott Point Tides (40°51.4'N., 73°40.6'W.), to the southeastward, is marked (374) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. by prominent bluffs. A shoal with boulders extends 0.2 mile from shore between the points and for a short dis- (375) Plum Point is a low spit extending southward from tance south of Mott Point. Buoys mark the limits of the the eastern shore about 0.6 mile southward of Barker shoal eastward and northeastward of Mott Point. Picket Point. A seasonal lighted entrance buoy is about 150 Rock, with 2 feet over it, is 350 yards offshore north- yards southward of Plum Point. The bight eastward of ward of Mott Point. An obstruction covered 16 feet is Plum Point is shoal. about 0.7 mile north-northwestward of the point in 40°52'05.5\"N., 73°40'59.1\"W. (376) Port Washington is a village with rail communica- tion on the south side of a shoal bight about 1.2 miles (367) Prospect Point, marked by prominent houses on southeastward of Plum Point. An apartment complex the bluff, has a rocky shoal making out nearly 0.4 mile on Toms Point, 0.9 mile east of Plum Point, is promi- northward from it. The shoal rises abruptly from a nent. Depths of about 8 feet can be carried in the depth of 60 feet. The north end of the shoal is marked buoyed approach from the lighted buoy off Plum Point by a lighted gong buoy that is 0.8 mile eastward of Exe- to the docks at Port Washington, thence through the cution Rocks Light. About 0.2 mile eastward of the unmarked channel along the east side of the bight to its buoy are rocky patches with depths of 17 to 18 feet. An north end northeastward of Toms Point. In 1979, shoal- obstruction with 23 feet over it is east-northeastward ing to 1½ feet was reported in the approach to the from the buoy. wharves east of Toms Point in about 40°50'04\"N., 73°42'17\"W. In 1981, depths of 5 feet were reported on (368) Sands Point, 0.7 mile west of Prospect Point, is the north side of the town dock with 2 and 4 feet on the marked by a daybeacon. A boulder reef extends about 0.3 mile off the point and is marked by a lighted buoy.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 353 west and south sides, respectively. Depths at the other Small-craft facility wharves are reported to range from 4 to 9 feet. The (385) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the bay. town’s Bay Constable monitors VHF-FM channels 9 and 16 from the town dock. Water, ice, and limited marine supplies are available. In 1981, the facility had a reported depth of 4 feet along- Small-craft facilities side. (377) There are extensive small-craft facilities at Port Anchorages Washington and to the eastward and westward of Toms (386) General and special anchorages are in Little Neck Point at Manorhaven. (See the small-craft facilities tab- ulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- Bay. (See 110.1, and 110.60 (k), and 110.155 (a)(7) able.) and (l), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (378) Hewlett Point (40°50.3'N., 73°45.2'W.) is on the Charts 12366, 12339, 12335 west side of the entrance to Manhasset Bay. A boulder reef, mostly bare at low water and marked by a lighted (387) East River is a 14-mile-long tidal strait that con- buoy at its northern end, extends about 0.2 mile north- nects Long Island Sound with New York Upper Bay and ward from the point. separates the western end of Long Island from the New York mainland. The Sound entrance is between Throgs Anchorages Neck and Willets Point; the Upper Bay entrance is be- (379) General and special anchorages are between tween The Battery and Governors Island. Hell Gate, about halfway between Throgs Neck and The Battery, is Hewlett Point and Elm Point, about 1.3 miles south- noted for its strong tidal currents. Harlem River ex- eastward of Stepping Stones Light. (See 110.1, 110.60 tends northward from Hell Gate to the Hudson River. (j)(1), and 110.155 (a)(6) and (l), chapter 2, for lim- Both sides of the East River, from The Battery to Port its and regulations.) Morris, a distance of 9 miles, present an almost contin- uous line of wharves except where shoals or currents (380) Stepping Stones Light (40°49'28\"N., 73°46'29\"W.), prevent access. 46 feet above the water, is shown from a red brick struc- ture on a granite pier, with a white horizontal band on Channels the southwest face, 1.3 miles southwest of Hewlett (388) A Federal project provides for main-channel depths Point. The Stepping Stones, a dangerous boulder reef which dries in places, extend 0.8 mile southeastward of 35 feet from Throgs Neck to the inactive New York from the light to the Long Island shore. In 1976, a sub- Naval Shipyard, about 2 miles from the western en- merged rock, covered 18 feet, was reported 100 yards trance, and thence 40 feet to deep water in New York west-northwestward of Stepping Stones Light. Upper Bay. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest edi- tion of the chart for controlling depths.) (381) Kings Point Coast Guard Station is located at the northern end of the Kings Point boat basin. Caution (389) Mariners transiting East River in the vicinity of (382) Kings Point, marked by a private light, is 1.6 miles south-southwestward of Hewlett Point and is the site of Rikers Island and/or South Brother Island Channel are the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The 172-foot advised of the following: unguyed steel flagpole at the academy is said to be the (390) East River Main Channel Lighted Buoy 5 has been country’s tallest; the top of the pole is 216 feet above established northeast of Rikers Island in 40°47'47\"N., the water. A boat basin, partially enclosed by an 73°51'59\"W. to assure that no vessel penetration of air L-shaped pier, is at the point. In 1991, the basin had re- space exists over that portion of the East River which ported depths of 12 to 14 feet. coincides with the glide path of the northeast-southwest runway of La Guardia Airport. Vessels with mast (383) Little Neck Bay is entered between Kings Point and heights in excess of 125 feet shall pass 100 yards to the Willets Point, 1.2 miles to the south-southwestward. north of this buoy so as to avoid interference with the Depths are 10 to 12 feet in the entrance, decreasing glide path. gradually to the head, about 2 miles inland, where the (391) Vessels transiting South Brother Island Channel bay divides into two branches which almost dry; there and using the turning basin at its southern terminus are boulders in places close to the shores. shall ballast prior to entry, and are cautioned that mast heights in excess of 125 feet may penetrate the glide (384) The shores of Little Neck Bay are thickly settled, path to the northwest-southeast runway to La Guardia and there are many private boat landings. A much used anchorage, in depths of 2½ to 7 feet, is in the cove mid- way along the east side of the bay.

354 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 Airport. If mast heights cannot be lowered below 125 Charts 12366, 12364 feet, La Guardia Air Traffic Control Tower shall be noti- fied by telephone (212-779-0242) prior to terminal de- (401) Throgs Neck, on the northwest side of the entrance parture or channel entry. to East River, is marked by a light. Throgs Neck Light (40°48'16\"N., 73°47'26\"W.), 60 feet above the water, is Anchorages shown from a skeleton tower with a black and white di- (392) Several general and special anchorages are in East amond-shaped daymark on the outer end of the neck. The shoal ground which extends 0.1 mile southward River. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, chapter 2, for and eastward from the light is marked by a lighted bell limits and regulations.) buoy. Tides (402) Fort Schuyler, on the outer end of Throgs Neck, is (393) The mean range of tide in East River is 7.1 feet at used as a base for the State University of New York Maritime College. The 550-foot-long wharf, on the Willets Point, 5.1 feet in Hell Gate, and 4.6 feet at The southwest side of the fort, is used to moor the school’s Battery. (See the Tide Tables for daily predictions for training ship. Depths of about 25 feet are reported The Battery.) alongside the face. Currents (403) Throgs Neck Bridge, a highway suspension bridge (394) In East River the flood current sets eastward and with a channel clearance of 138 feet and 152 feet at the center, crosses East River from Throgs Neck to the the ebb sets westward. Note: this is the direct opposite Long Island Shore. of conditions in Long Island Sound where the flood is generally westward and the ebb eastward. (404) Willets Point, 0.7 mile southeastward across the (395) The velocity of current is 0.7 knot at Throgs Neck, entrance to East River from Throgs Neck, is marked by 1.6 knots at Port Morris, 4 knots in Hell Gate, 3 knots at Fort Totten, the granite walls of which are prominent. Brooklyn Bridge, and 1.5 knots north of Governors Is- Little Bay, westward of Willets Point, has general land. In Hell Gate (off Mill Rock) the velocity is 3.4 depths of 6 to 10 feet and is used by local small craft. knots for the eastward current and 4.6 knots for the Depths of about 9 feet can be taken in the buoyed chan- westward current. nel to the piers on the Little Bay side of Willets Point. (396) The direction and velocity of the currents are af- fected by strong winds which may increase or diminish Anchorage the periods of flood or ebb. The currents generally set (405) A general anchorage is in Little Bay. (See 110.1 with the channel, but heavy swirls are found in Hell Gate. and 110.155 (b)(2) and (1), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Tides and currents (397) (See the Tidal Current Tables for the daily predic- (406) The southern approach viaduct of the Throgs Neck Bridge crosses the west part of Little Bay. The fixed tions of slack water and times and velocities of spans of the viaduct have a minimum clearance of 30 strengths of currents in Hell Gate and at other places feet. on the East River.) (398) Mariners should exercise caution and discretion in (407) Whitestone Point, 2 miles westward of Willets the use of published tidal current predictions. Also, Point, is a small bluff marked by a light. The town of previously available Tidal Current Charts for New York Whitestone is between Little Bay and Whitestone Harbor have been withdrawn. Point. Several private boat clubs are at Whitestone. In 1981, reported depths alongside the boat club docks Pilotage, East River ranged from ½ to 6 feet. (399) See Pilotage, New York Harbor from Long Island (408) The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge is a suspension Sound (indexed as such), chapter 11. structure that crosses East River from Old Ferry Point on the Bronx side to a Long Island landing 0.4 mile Towage southwestward of Whitestone Point; the channel clear- (400) Vessels intending to employ a tug should arrange ance is 135 feet. to do so before proceeding westward of Rikers Island. (409) Powell Cove, between the Long Island end of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and Tallman Island, 0.6 mile to the westward, has general depths of 2 to 5 feet. Pier ruins are on the east side of the cove entrance. Tallman Island, now joined to the Long Island shore, is marked

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 355 by the prominent tanks of the NYC DEP Water Pollu- the entrance. Waterborne traffic on the creek consists tion Control Plant. chiefly of petroleum products, sand and gravel, and (410) Old Ferry Point is on the north side of East River 2 crushed rock. miles westward of Throgs Neck. The bight between (413) Several highway bridges, three fixed and one bas- Throgs Neck and Old Ferry Point affords anchorage, cule, cross Westchester Creek at Unionport, 1.5 miles with good holding ground, in depths of 15 to 35 feet; above the channel entrance. The Bruckner Expressway the water shoals abruptly from 18 feet, 0.3 mile from bascule bridge has a clearance of 14 feet, and the fixed shore, to depths of 4 to 5 feet. Several private landings bridges have a least clearance of 52 feet. (See 117.1 are on the north side of this bight. Tug and barge com- through 117.59 and 117.815, chapter 2, for draw- panies maintain unlit commercial mooring buoys in bridge regulations.) The bridgetender at the Bruckner Anchorage Ground 6 for their own vessels. Expressway bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call (411) Numerous obstructions exist in East River between sign KX-8289. Throgs Neck and the entrance to Westchester Creek. Mariners are advised to use the chart as a guide. Small-craft facilities (412) Westchester Creek, on the north side of East River, (414) There is a small-craft facility on the west side of the is entered through a dredged channel that leads north- ward through a shallow bight between Old Ferry Point creek at Unionport. Water, limited supplies and storage and Clason Point (chart 12339), 0.7 mile to the west- facilities are available. ward, to the head of navigation at Westchester, about 2.3 miles above the channel entrance. In 2009, the con- Chart 12339 trolling depth was 2.0 feet at midchannel from the en- trance to the Bruckner expressway bascule bridge, (415) Clason Point (40°48.3'N., 73°50.9'W.) is on the thence 4.3 feet to just below the head of the project. north side of East River about 3 miles west of Throgs The channel is buoyed to a point about 1 mile above Neck. Pugsley Creek, which empties into Westchester Creek and East River along the east side of Clason

356 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 Point, is very shallow and should not be entered with- (423) A restricted area is in a portion of the southern part out local knowledge. Small boats anchor on the flats of the channel through Flushing Bay. (See 162.20, west of Clason Point. A flagstaff at the yacht club on chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Clason Point is prominent. (416) College Point is on the Long Island side of East (424) A 0.6-mile-long dike, covered at high water and River opposite Clason Point. College Point Reef, cov- marked at either end by a light, runs close along the ered 6 feet and marked by a light, is 0.2 mile west side of the channel to within 0.3 mile of the head north-northeastward of the point. of the bay. (417) The town of College Point is south of the point and on the east side of the entrance to Flushing Bay. The (425) The L-shaped pier at the head of Flushing Bay par- wharves on the west side of the town have depths tially encloses a small-boat basin. In 2004, depths of 9 alongside ranging from ½ to 10 feet. The shallow bight to 12 feet, with shoaling near the western edge, were north of the town has depths of 2 to 5 feet and is used as available in the turning basin just west of the a small-boat anchorage. small-boat basin. Inside the small-boat basin, depths of about 7 feet were reported in 1981. The marina to the Small-craft facilities westward has a reported depth of about 5 feet inside. (418) Several small-craft facilities are at College Point. Gasoline, diesel fuel, berths, electricity, water, ice, stor- age, and a 30-ton hoist are available; limited electronic Marine railways to 45 feet, mobile cranes to 35 tons, and engine repairs can be made. water, ice, marine supplies, storage, and hull and en- gine repairs are available. Ice (426) Ice generally obstructs navigation in Flushing Bay Tides (419) The mean range of tide at College Point is 6.5 feet. and Flushing Creek during a part of January and Feb- ruary. (420) Flushing Bay extends southeast between the town of College Point and La Guardia Airport, 0.6 mile to the (427) The twin fixed Whitestone Expressway highway southwest. Flushing Creek flows into the east side of bridges over Flushing Creek, 0.2 mile above the mouth, the head of the bay. A dredged channel, marked by have a clearance of 34 feet. The Northern Boulevard buoys and lights, extends from East River through the Bridge, 0.4 mile above the mouth, has a fixed span with bay to the mouth of the creek and thence upstream for a clearance of 35 feet. about 0.8 mile to the I.R.T. (Roosevelt Ave.) railroad bridge. A turning basin is on the west side of the (428) Flushing is on the east side of Flushing Creek. dredged channel west of the entrance to Flushing Waterborne traffic consists chiefly of sand, gravel, Creek. A small-craft anchorage area extends northwest crushed rock, and petroleum products. Drafts of in- from the turning basin. In 2009, the controlling depths bound and outbound vessels seldom exceed 12 feet. were 8.7 feet (14.1 feet at midchannel) through the bay Vessels must go directly to the marginal wharves be- channel to the turning basin, thence 7.5 to 15 feet in cause the creek has no room for anchorage. the turning basin and 3.2 to 6 feet in the anchorage area except shoaling to 1.4 feet within 75 feet of the (429) The east entrance to Rikers Island Channel, be- limits, thence 10.3 feet at midchannel to the Northern tween Rikers Island and the mainland, is obstructed by Boulevard bridge, thence shoaling to bare to the I.R.T. a lighted runway approach to La Guardia Airport. The railroad bridge. There is shoaling northwest of Buoy 2, approach to Bowery Bay is from westward of Rikers Is- in the eastern part of the anchorage area. Flushing Bay land. is mostly shallow, with depths of less than 6 feet outside the channel. (430) Bronx River, on the north side of East River, has a project depth of 10 feet and is subject to shoaling (421) Depths of 8 to 14 feet are between the east side of throughout. It is entered through a dredged channel the channel and the town of College Point. Small craft that leads north-northwestward through a shallow anchor south of College Point in depths of 4 to 8 feet. bight between Clason Point and Hunts Point, 1.1 miles to the westward, to the head of river navigation at East Anchorages 172nd Street, about 2.3 miles above the channel en- (422) General and special anchorages are in Flushing trance. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) Bay. (See 110.1, 110.60 (1) through (1–2), (m) through (m–2), and 110.155 (b–5), chapter 2, for (431) Waterborne traffic on the Bronx River consists limits and regulations.) chiefly of sand, gravel, and crushed rock. Tides (432) The mean range of tide is 6.9 feet at Hunts Point and at Westchester Avenue Bridge.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 357 (433) Bronx River is crossed by four bridges to East has a controlling depth of about 25 feet. Shoaling to 16 172nd Street. Bruckner Expressway Bridge, 1.7 miles feet exists on the south side of the channel in about above the entrance, has a bascule span with a clearance 40°47'54\"N., 73°53'47\"W. The channel is marked by a of 27 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.771, light off the north side of South Brother Island. The chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Westchester Av- channel is narrow and subject to strong currents and enue Bridge, 2 miles above the entrance, has a fixed should not be used by vessels of limited maneuverabil- span with a clearance of 18 feet. The elevated railway ity. structure over Westchester Avenue Bridge has a fixed (440) A ledge, partly bare at low water, extends 0.2 mile span with a clearance of 61 feet. The railroad bridge, 2.1 southward from South Brother Island; the outer part of miles above the entrance, has a rolling-lift span with a the ledge is marked by a light. clearance of 8 feet, but the draw is no longer opened. (441) Port Morris, 0.2 mile westward across East River (See 117.771(b), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- main channel from North Brother Island, has rail ter- tions.) The Bruckner Expressway Bridge is equipped minals to and from which car floats are taken through with radiotelephone. The bridgetender can be con- East River. tacted on VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KX–8189. (442) South Brother Island Channel, project depth 35 feet, leads from deep water east of North Brother Island (434) Hunts Point is on the north side of East River and along the west side of Rikers Island to a turning ba- about 4 miles west of Throgs Neck. A marginal wharf sin on the west side of Bowery Bay. The channel is extends 0.3 mile northeastward from the point; depths marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. (See Notice to of 17 to 24 feet are reported alongside. Small craft an- Mariners and the latest editions of charts for control- chor in depths of 9 to 17 feet on the flats east of the ling depths.) wharf. Caution (435) Rikers Island, in the middle of East River between (443) Vessels transiting South Brother Island Channel Hunts Point and La Guardia Airport, is partly occupied by buildings of the Department of Correction of New and using the turning basin at its southern terminus York. The island is about a mile long, southeast to shall ballast prior to entry, and are cautioned that mast northwest, and 0.6 mile wide. The larger part of the is- heights in excess of 125 feet may penetrate the glide land, southeast of the buildings, is used as a trash path of the northwest-southeast runway of La Guardia dump. Airport. If mast heights cannot be lowered below 125 feet, La Guardia Air Traffic Control Tower shall be noti- (436) East River main channel leads northward of Rikers fied by telephone (212-779-0242) prior to terminal de- Island. A much-used general anchorage, with depths of parture or channel entry. 21 to 30 feet, is between the south side of the channel and the flats off the north side of the island. (See 110.1 (444) Bowery Bay, across Rikers Island Channel from and 110.155 (b) (6) and (1), chapter 2, for limits and Rikers Island, has depths of about 10 feet. A special an- regulations.) chorage is in the west part of the bay. (See 110.1, 110.60 (n) and 110.155 (b) (5) and (1), chapter 2, for Caution limits and regulations.) A pipeline area is in the south- (437) East River Main Channel Lighted Buoy 5 has been east part of the anchorage area. A fixed highway bridge crosses Rikers Island Channel and Bowery Bay and con- established northeast of Rikers Island in 40°47'47\"N., nects Rikers Island with the Borough of Queens, New 73°51'59\"W. to assure that no vessel penetration of air York; clearance over the channel is 52 feet for a width of space exists over that portion of the East River which 125 feet. coincides with the glide path of the northeast-south- west runway of La Guardia Airport. Vessels with mast (445) Bowery Bay may be approached from the East River heights in excess of 125 feet shall pass 100 yards to the main channel from the northward through South north of this buoy so as to avoid interference with the Brother Island Channel and from the northwestward glide path. through a 100-yard-wide channel which leads between the ledges that make off from Lawrence Point on the (438) North Brother Island, 0.3 mile northwest of Rikers southwest and South Brother Island on the northeast. Island, is occupied by the ruins of former municipal The controlling depth in the 100-yard-wide channel is buildings. East River main channel leads northward about 19 feet. Caution is advised in the northwestern and westward of the island; a light marks the main approach as the channel is narrow, the bottom is rocky channel side of the island. and uneven, and tidal currents are strong. (439) The buoyed channel between North Brother Island and South Brother Island, 0.1 mile to the southward,

358 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 (446) Lawrence Point, on the southeast side of East River (456) Mill Rock, on the northwestern side of the main 0.7 mile westward of Rikers Island, is occupied by an channel through Hell Gate, is 0.2 mile southwest of extensive gas and electric plant. A light marks the outer Wards Island and the same distance northwest of part of the ledge, partly bare at low water, which ex- Hallets Point. The islet is marked by lights on its north tends 0.3 mile northeastward from the point. and south ends. (447) Randalls Island and Wards Island are on the north- Charts 12339, 12342 western side of East River between Port Morris and Hell Gate, separating that river from Harlem River, which is (457) Harlem River, which joins East River in Hell Gate described later. The islands provide recreational facili- between Wards Island and Manhattan Island, extends ties for the residents of the city of New York. northward about 7 miles and connects with Hudson River through Spuyten Duyvil Creek. The channel (448) Bronx Kill, which separates Randalls Island from through Harlem River is narrow, tortuous, and naviga- Port Morris, is a narrow passage that extends westward ble only for powered vessels. By taking care to avoid from the East River to the Harlem River. A fixed rail- several isolated 11- to 13-foot spots, a depth of about 14 road bridge with a clearance of 68 feet and a fixed high- feet can be carried to the Hudson River; the chart is the way bridge with a clearance of 51 feet cross the passage. guide. Bronx Kill is navigable but not recommended as a route of travel. It is shoal and obstructed throughout. (458) Traffic is heavy in Harlem River. Vessels with heights too great to pass under the closed drawbridges (449) Sunken Meadow is the reclaimed area now joined should make the passage against the current. to the northeast end of Wards Island and southeast end of Randalls Island. Bridges (459) There are more than a dozen draw and fixed bridges (450) Little Hell Gate, which formerly separated Wards Island from Randalls Island and formed a passage from over Harlem River. The minimum clearance under East River to Harlem River, has been mostly filled in closed drawspans is 24 feet except at the railroad bridge and together with Sunken Meadow joins Wards Island over the entrance from Hudson River where it is only 5 with Randalls Island. feet. Clearance under raised vertical-lift spans exceed 100 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.789, (451) Hell Gate Bridge, which crosses East River from chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Minimum Wards Island to Long Island 7.1 miles from The Battery, clearances under fixed bridges exceeds 100 feet at the has a fixed railroad span with a clearance of 134 feet. center of the spans. (460) Four bridges over the Harlem River, the 103rd (452) Negro Point is the southernmost point of Wards Is- Street lift bridge, the Triborough lift bridge, the Park land. Triborough Bridge, which crosses East River Avenue lift bridge, and the Conrail swing bridge at from Negro Point to Long Island 6.8 miles from The Spuyten Duyvil, at 0.1 mile, 1 mile, and 1.7 miles, and Battery, has a highway suspension span with a clear- 6.7 miles, respectively, above the entrance, are ance of 138 feet. equipped with radiotelephones. The bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KIL-820, (453) Holmes Rock and Hog Back are two bare rocks, KGW-326, and KA-5059, and KU-9797, respectively. which are on the eastern and northern parts, respec- The Conrail bridge is maintained in the open position tively, of a reef in the bight on the south side of Wards except for the passage of trains or for maintenance. Island westward of Negro Point. The western extremity of this reef is marked by a light. Tides (461) The mean range of tide in Harlem River is 5.1 feet (454) Hallets Point, on the Long Island side of East River about 0.3 mile southwestward of Negro Point, is in Hell Gate and 3.6 feet at the entrance from Hudson marked by a light. There are main-channel depths close River. to the point. Currents (455) Hell Gate is the part of East River between Wards (462) The tidal currents in Harlem River run southward Island and Roosevelt Island, 0.7 mile to the southwest. The crooked channel, the strong tidal currents, and the from Hudson River to East River while the east-going heavy traffic in Hell Gate require extra caution on the current is running in Hell Gate; and the reverse. The part of the navigator to avoid accident or collision. Ves- south-going current in Harlem River is considered the sels navigating Hell Gate on a rising tide sometimes flood. The times of slack water are subject to variations find it necessary to pass starboard-to-starboard because of the strong currents between Negro Point and Hallets Point. This situation may arise when one of the vessels does not maneuver readily or is handling a tow. North- eastward of Negro Point and southwestward of Hallets Point, the customary port passings are made.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 359 depending upon freshet conditions in Hudson River. English Kills, which extends westward and southward The velocity of the current is 2 knots or more in the from the East Branch entrance and forms the last 0.8 narrower parts of the channel. (See the Tidal Current mile of Newtown Creek. Tables for predictions.) Channels Chart 12339 (470) A Federal project provides for a 23-foot channel in (463) Roosevelt Island (Welfare Island), 1.6 miles long Newtown Creek from the East River to and in a turning and 0.1 mile wide, is in the middle of East River south- basin about 240 yards above the Kosciusko Memorial west of Hell Gate. A gray stone tower is on the north Bridge, thence 20 feet in East Branch and in English end of the island. Kills to the Metropolitan Avenue bridge, and thence 12 feet in English Kills to the head of the project at (464) The currents on both sides of Roosevelt Island are Montrose Avenue. (See Notice to Mariners and latest strong, and caution is advised while navigating in these edition of chart for controlling depths.) areas. Tides (465) The 36th Avenue highway bridge which crosses the (471) The mean range of tide in Newtown Creek is 4.1 feet. eastern channel from Roosevelt Island to Long Island 5.6 miles from The Battery has a vertical-lift span with Currents clearances of 40 feet down and 99 feet up. (See 117.1 (472) The tidal current is weak and variable. through 117.59 and 117.781, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM chan- (473) Pulaski Bridge, which crosses Newtown Creek 0.5 nel 13; call sign KX–8184. mile above the mouth, has a bascule span with a clear- ance of 39 feet at the fenders and 46 feet at the center. (466) Queensboro Bridge, which crosses from Man- The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call hattan Island to Roosevelt Island and thence to Long Is- sign KX–8178. land 5.0 miles from The Battery, has fixed spans with clearances of 131 feet over the main channel and 133 (474) Dutch Kills, which is about 0.5 mile long, is feet over the eastern channel. An overhead cable car crossed by the following drawbridges: Long Island Rail- with overhead power cables crosses the main channel road bridge, Borden Avenue bridge, and Hunters Point immediately north of the bridge. The low point of travel Avenue bridge. Minimum clearance under the closed of the cabin is not less than 135 feet. drawspans is 2 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.801, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) In Chart 12335 2002, Long Island Railroad bridge was reported inoper- able as a swing bridge and closed to vessel traffic. Clear- (467) Roosevelt Island Reef (Welfare Island Reef), with ance under the fixed bridge is 83 feet. bare islets, rocks awash, and submerged rocks, extends 0.3 mile southwestward from the island. Belmont Is- (475) Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, 1.1 miles above the land, near the southwest end of the reef, is marked by a mouth of Newton Creek, has a bascule span with a light. clearance of 24 feet at the fenders and 30 feet at the cen- ter. Kosciusko Memorial Bridge, 1.8 miles from the Chart 12338 mouth, has a fixed span with a clearance of 125 feet. Metropolitan Avenue Bridge, which crosses English (468) Newtown Creek is entered on the eastern side of Kills 3 miles from the mouth of Newtown Creek, has a East River 3.6 miles from The Battery. The creek ex- bascule span with a clearance of 10 feet at the center. tends 3.3 miles eastward and southward and has several Montrose Avenue Bridge, at the head of English Kills, short tributaries or basins. Traffic is fairly heavy and has a swing span with a clearance of 4 feet. The consists chiefly of petroleum products, sand, gravel, bridgetenders at the Greenpoint Avenue and Metropol- and crushed rock; drafts of vessels navigating the creek itan Avenue bridges monitor channel 13; call signs seldom exceed 15 feet. KX–8182 and KX–8179, respectively. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.801, chapter 2, for draw- (469) Tributary basins are Dutch Kills, on the north side bridge regulations.) of Newtown Creek 0.8 mile from East River; Whale Creek, on the south side opposite Dutch Kills; Maspeth (476) Grand Avenue Bridge, which crosses East Branch, Creek, on the east side 2.2 miles from East River; East has a swing span with a clearance of 8 feet. (See 117.1 Branch, on the east side 2.5 miles from the river; and through 117.59 and 117.801, chapter 2, for draw- bridge regulations.) The bridgetender can be contacted on VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KX–8187.

360 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 Chart 12335 maintenance platform installed at the west channel edge is 115 feet. (477) From abreast the entrance to Newtown Creek, the (481) Brooklyn Bridge, which crosses East River 0.7 mile 35-foot-project main channel of the East River crosses northeast of The Battery, has a suspension span with a from the west side of the river to the east side. Poor- clearance of 127 feet. house Flats Lighted Range (Front Light; 40°43.5'N., (482) East River Deepwater Lighted Range (Front Light; 73°57.8'W.), bearing 161°, is on the Brooklyn side of 40°41.9'N., 74°00.1'W.), bearing 078°, is on the Brook- the river and marks the best water in the crossover. lyn side of the river and marks the best water in the 40-foot-project main channel which leads from deep (478) Williamsburg Bridge, which crosses East River 2 water in New York Upper Bay to the East River. The miles northeast of The Battery, has a suspension span range line passes about midway between The Battery with a clearance of 133 feet. and Governors Island, 0.5 mile to the southward. (483) The channel between The Battery and Governors (479) The site of the inactive New York Naval Shipyard is Island is very congested and subject to strong currents. in Wallabout Bay, on the Brooklyn side of East River 1.7 Caution should be exercised while navigating in the miles northeast of The Battery. area. (480) Manhattan Bridge, which crosses East River 1 mile northeast of The Battery, has a suspension span with a clearance of 134 feet. The clearance under the

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 361

362 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 363 South Coast of Long Island (1) This chapter describes the south coast of Long Is- including the approaches to New York Harbor (peak land from Shinnecock Inlet to and including East season: November through April). (See North Atlantic Rockaway Inlet; several other inlets making into the Right Whales, indexed as such in chapter 3, for more beach along this part of the coast; and the canals, bays, information on right whales and recommended mea- and tributaries inside the beach. Also described are the sures to avoid collisions.) towns of Patchogue and Oceanside, including Ocean- (8) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall side oil terminals; Bay Shore, a large fishing center; (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United and the many smaller communities which support a States are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in a large small-craft activity. Seasonal Management Area existing around the Ports of New York/New Jersey between November 1 and April Caution 30. The area is defined as the waters within a 20-nm ra- (2) Eelgrass is found in most of the waters described in dius of 40°29'42.2\"N., 73°55'57.6\"W. (See 50 CFR 224.105 in chapter 2 for regulations, limitations, and this chapter. Eelgrass nets are often placed at the en- exceptions.) trances to canals and are sometimes difficult to see. (3) Fishtrap areas are in Moriches, Shinnecock, Tiana, Chart 12300 Quantuck, and Great South Bays. (4) South shore inlets and bays are prone to extreme (9) The south coast of Long Island has a general trend shoaling and depths as low as 1 to 2 feet at low tide. The of 247° for 68 miles from Montauk Point to Fire Island location of marked channels is subject to change in or- Inlet, and thence trends 263° for 36 miles to the west- der to mark best water. ern end of Coney Island in the Lower Bay of New York Harbor. It is a clear shore and may be safely approached COLREGS Demarcation Lines as close as 1 mile with not less than 30 feet anywhere (5) The lines established for this part of the coast are between Montauk Point and Rockaway Inlet, except off Fire Island Inlet and the inlet’s westward side where described in 80.160, chapter 2. the shore should be given a berth of at least 1.5 miles. When viewed from seaward it presents only a few prom- Weather, South Coast of Long Island and vicinity inent features. It is composed of a series of sand dunes (6) The south coast of Long Island is open to weather backed by low dark woods. from the south and southeast, but somewhat sheltered (10) Shinnecock, Moriches, Great South, and Hemp- to the west through north. Waves of 8 feet (>2.5 m) or stead Bays are inside the beach along the south coast of more are most likely in winter when they may be en- Long Island and form an inside route for boats of about countered about 6 to 10 percent of the time near the 3-foot draft. The three main inlets from the sea to these coast. During this period gales are encountered less bays are Fire Island Inlet, Jones Inlet, and East than 5 percent of the time but are more likely a few Rockaway Inlet. These inlets and all auxiliary channels hundred miles out to sea. Fogs are more apt to occur in within the south coast of Long Island have numerous late spring and early summer with a June maximum. wrecks, obstructions, frequent and extensive changes, Visibilities of less than 2 miles are observed about 5 to and, although marked in many areas, should not be 10 percent of the time from May through July. These used without local knowledge. frequencies are higher at the eastern end in May and June and between Westhampton and Ambrose in July. (11) Two small inlets, Shinnecock Inlet and Moriches Locally, Shinnecock Inlet is particularly rough when Inlet, which broke through in 1938 and 1931, respec- southerly winds climb to 15 knots or more during ebb tively, are also used by small boats for entrance to these tide; breakers fill the entrance. bays, but their use is not advisable without local knowl- edge. North Atlantic Right Whales (7) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur within 30 miles of the south coast of Long Island,

364 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2 No-Discharge Zone the south end of the lock southerly for approximately (12) The State of New York, with approval of the Envi- 200 yards. Tidal currents throughout the entire canal can be dangerous; caution is advised. ronmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the South Shore Estuary (18) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the canal. Reserve (SSER) and its harbors, bays and creeks (see (19) On the east side of Shinnecock Canal just south of chart 12352). The waterbodies included in the SSER are Shinnecock Bay (East and West), Quantuck Bay, the jetties is a boat basin in which the depth ranges Moriches Bay (East and West), Bellport Bay, Patchogue from 7 to 10 feet. There are several small-craft facilities Bay, Nicoll Bay, Great South Bay (West, on both sides of the canal. (See the small-craft facilities (13) East and Great Cove), South Oyster Bay, East Bay tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies Complex, Middle Bay Complex and Western South available.) Shore Bay. (20) Hampton Bays, a station on the Long Island Rail- (14) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether road just west of Shinnecock Canal, is the nearest post treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. office. Canoe Place, the settlement at the canal, has Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by gasoline and some supplies. Small craft and fishing ves- 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). sels berth in the basins along both sides of the canal. (21) Long Island Intracoastal Waterway.–A Federal Chart 12352 project provides for a 6-foot channel from Shinnecock Canal to Great South Bay. The cuts provide an inland (15) Shinnecock Canal, 31.5 miles southwestward of waterway along the south side of Long Island. This wa- Montauk Point, is about 1 mile long and connects terway, from the south end of Shinnecock Canal to a Great Peconic Bay with Shinnecock Bay. The canal is point in Great South Bay opposite Patchogue, a dis- owned and maintained by Suffolk County of New York. tance of about 29.2 miles, is subject to frequent shoal- It is a partly dredged cut and is protected at the north ing; mariners are advised to obtain local knowledge. entrance by two jetties; the east jetty is marked by a (22) Shinnecock Inlet, 31 miles westward from Montauk light. In 1985, the east timber jetty was reported to be Point along the south coast of Long Island, is the east- deteriorating. Protruding timbers and floating debris ernmost entrance from the Atlantic to Shinnecock Bay may be encountered; caution is advised. A lock about and the inland water route along the south shore of midway in the canal is 250 feet long, 41 feet wide, with a Long Island. The approach to the inlet is marked by a depth of 12 feet over the sills. Tide gates are parallel to lighted whistle buoy. The inlet should not be attempted and westward of the lock. The lock gates and tide gates without local knowledge because of the frequent are constructed so that tidal action opens them to allow changes in channel depths. the current to set south through the canal and closes them to prevent water from Shinnecock Bay to flow Currents back into Great Peconic Bay. The lock gates are tended (23) Tidal currents through the inlet can be dangerous; 24 hours and are opened mechanically when the tidal current is flowing northward to allow the passage of caution is advised. boats. Red and green traffic lights are at each end of the lock. Vessels are allowed to enter the lock only on the (24) In 1988, an obstruction was reported about 175 green signal. yards east of Shinnecock Inlet West Breakwater Light 1A. (16) The fixed bridges and overhead power cables across the canal have a least clearance of 22 feet. Mast-step- COLREGS Demarcation Lines ping cranes are available at both ends of the canal. (25) The lines established for Shinnecock Inlet are de- scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. Currents (26) Shinnecock Light (40°50'31\"N., 72°28'42\"W.), 75 (17) The maximum recorded current is 4.3 knots, feet above the water, is shown from a red skeleton tower on the west side of the inlet. A fog signal is at the light. southerly, through the lock and tide gates at peak flow Private lights are on the jetties at the entrance to the when the gates are open. At the railroad bridge, the inlet, and uncharted buoys mark the channel. current has an average speed of 1.5 knots, but it has been reported that greater speeds may be experienced. (27) The jetties extend about 120 yards beyond the (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) At times of lights marking them. high southerly current i.e., when the gates are open, there exists a dangerous eddy system extending from

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 365 Small-craft facilities 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), (28) There are small-craft facilities just westward of chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the canal. Shinnecock Light. Berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, (37) Quantuck Bay joins Quogue Canal with Quantuck ice, and some marine supplies are available. Canal. Quantuck Creek, at the head of the bay, is crossed by a fixed bridge, which is the head of naviga- (29) A fish haven and a U.S. Naval Oceanographic plat- tion except for small pulling boats. form painted orange and white, are about 2.4 miles (38) Quantuck Canal connects Quantuck Bay and south and 3.4 miles south-southwestward, respec- Moriches Bay. The canal is crossed by two highway bas- tively, of Shinnecock Inlet entrance. cule bridges with a least clearance of 10 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), (30) Ponquogue Point, low and sandy, is 1.2 miles chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations). The overhead northwestward of Shinnecock Light. The west channel power cable at Potunk Point has a clearance of 77 feet. from inside Shinnecock Inlet enters the Long Island A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the canal. Intracoastal Waterway southeast of the point and has a (39) About 300 yards northeastward of the bridge at depth of about 8 feet. The Ponquogue Bridge, a high- Potunk Point, a privately dredged channel leads to a way bridge crossing Shinnecock Bay at Ponquogue yacht basin at Westhampton Beach. The channel is Point, has a fixed span with a clearance of 55 feet. along the west bank in the bight and is marked by pri- vate seasonal lights and buoys. A dredged cut leads up (31) Shinnecock Coast Guard Station is on Ponquogue to Main Street in Westhampton Beach. A reported Point. An antenna tower, 229 feet above the water and depth of about 4 feet can be carried to the yacht basin marked by red lights, is also on the point. just before reaching the Stevens Lane Bridge, which has a fixed span with a clearance of about 7 feet. Berths, (32) Entrances to the small coves on the northeast side electricity, and a launching ramp are at the yacht basin. and the east end of Shinnecock Bay have depths of Gasoline, ice, and marine supplies are available at a ma- about 3 feet. rina on the east bank of the bight; engine and hull re- pairs can be made. A forklift can handle craft to 6 tons. Small-craft facilities In 1981, a reported depth of 2 feet was available at the (33) There are numerous small-craft facilities along the marina. (40) Moriches Bay extends for about 8 miles from shore and in the creeks making into the north shore of Quantuck Canal to Narrow Bay and provides an inside Shinnecock Bay from Ponquogue Point to West Point, passage for small boats. The general depths in the bay the eastern entrance point to Tiana Bay. (See the range from 5 to 7 feet and as low as 1 to 2 feet at low small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for ser- tide, but the southern part is shoal. The marked chan- vices and supplies available.) nel may be shifted significantly to the north in order to (34) Pine Neck, 2.3 miles westward of Ponquogue Point mark best water. and on the west side of Tiana Bay, is low, flat, and sandy. (41) When navigating the Long Island Intracoastal Wa- A shoal extends southward from Pine Neck Point and is terway through Moriches Bay northeast of Moriches marked on the south end by a lighted buoy. About 0.5 Inlet, extreme care must be taken as this area is prone mile east of Pine Neck, a privately dredged channel to extreme shoaling. marked by private buoys leads to a basin at Tiana (42) Speonk Point, near the eastern end of Moriches Beach, a small summer resort on the south side of Bay on the north shore, is marked by several Shinnecock Bay. In 1981, depths of about 2 feet were bulkheaded jetties and a prominent flagstaff. reported in the channel and basin. (43) Seatuck Cove, on the north side of Moriches Bay, (35) Weesuck Creek, on the north side near the western about 1 mile westward of Speonk Point, is entered end of Shinnecock Bay, is entered through a privately through a privately dredged channel that leads north- dredged channel that leads to the head of the cove at ward for about 1.1 miles and then forks into three East Quogue. In 1999, the channel, marked by private branch channels: East Branch, the easterly branch; seasonal buoys, had a reported controlling depth of Seatuck Creek, the northerly branch; and Little about 5 feet. There are two boatyards on the west side Seatuck Creek, the westerly branch. In 1981, the con- near the head of the creek. Berths, electricity, water, trolling depth in the entrance channel and in the three marine supplies, storage facilities, and lifts to 30 tons branches was 7 feet. Private seasonal buoys mark the are available. The largest marine railway can handle entrance channel to the fork and the channel in East craft up to 65 feet in length; hull and engine repairs can be made. (36) Quogue Canal connects Shinnecock Bay with Quantuck Bay. The canal is crossed by a highway bas- cule bridge with a clearance of 15 feet and by overhead power and TV cables with clearances of 75 feet. (See

366 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2 Branch to the small-craft facilities just inside the en- (52) Fire Island extends west from Moriches Inlet for trance. about 28 miles along the south shore of Long Island to (44) A landing at Eastport is on the point just above the Fire Island Inlet. With the exception of the State park fork between East Branch and Seatuck Creek. In 1981, occupying its westernmost 4.6 miles, all of Fire Island depths of 2 to 3 feet were reported at the landing. is part of the Fire Island National Seashore, a Marine Berths, moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- Protected Area (MPA). (See Appendix C, for additional ter, ice, some marine supplies, and a pump-out are information.) available at small-craft facilities on East Branch. Lifts to 15 tons can handle craft for engine and hull repairs. (53) Orchard Neck Creek, 1.7 miles west of Tuthill Depths of 3 feet are reported alongside. Point, is extensively used by local small craft as a moor- (45) Hart Cove, westward of Seatuck Cove, is entered ing basin. A reported depth of about 3 feet is available to through a privately dredged channel, marked by pri- the head of navigation. A private seasonal lighted buoy vate seasonal buoys, that leads to the head of the cove. marks the entrance. In 1981, the channel had a reported controlling depth of 4 feet. Small-craft facility (54) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the creek Small-craft facilities (46) Small-craft facilities are near the head on the west near its head. Gasoline, water, marine supplies, and a 12-ton lift are available; hull and engine repairs can be side of the cove. Gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine made. In 1981, a depth of about 2 feet was reported supplies, a launching ramp, and a 30-ton mobile hoist alongside the facility. are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. (55) Areskonk Creek, immediately westward of Orchard (47) Tuthill Cove, locally known as West Cove, on the Neck Creek, is used as a harbor by yachtsmen. A pri- north side of Moriches Bay, 1.5 miles westward of vately dredged channel, marked by private seasonal Seatuck Cove, is entered through a privately dredged buoys, leads to the head of the creek. In 1981, the chan- and partially marked channel that leads to the head of nel had a reported controlling depth of 8 feet. the cove; in 1986, the channel had a reported control- ling depth of 2 feet. Several privately dredged channels (56) Senix Creek, 0.6 mile westward of Orchard Neck lead from the main channel to small-craft facilities on Creek, has a narrow entrance. With local knowledge, a the east side of the cove. (See the small-craft facilities reported depth of about 4 feet can be carried in the tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies channel to about 0.5 mile above the entrance. available.) A Coast Guard Station is on the east side of the entrance to Tuthill Cove. East Moriches is on the Small-craft facilities north side of the cove. (57) Small-craft facilities near the head of the creek (48) Tuthill Point is on the west side of the entrance to have berths, electricity, storage, and a 6-ton lift; hull Tuthill Cove. and engine repairs can be made. A marine railway can haul out vessels up to 32 feet in length. (49) Moriches Inlet, 44 miles westward of Montauk Point, is a shallow entrance from seaward to the deeper (58) Mud (West Senix) Creek, westward of Senix Creek, water in Moriches Bay. Weather continuously changes had a reported controlling depth of about 5 feet in the jettied entrance which is subject to extreme shoal- 1981. The creek is used mostly by local residents. A ma- ing. Both east and west jetties are marked by a light and rina on the east side of the creek near the head has the approach to the inlet is marked by a lighted whistle berthage, electricity, gasoline, diesel, water, ice, marine buoy. Due to rapidly changing shoaling conditions and supplies, sewage pump-out, surfaced launching ramp, existing dangers in Moriches Inlet, it is considered un- and storage; hull and engine repairs can be made. In safe for mariners to navigate this inlet at any time. 2009, approach and alongside depths of 6 feet were Buoys are not maintained in this inlet. reported. (50) A fish haven, marked by a buoy, is about 2.5 miles (59) Forge River, at the northwest end of Moriches Bay south-southwestward of Moriches Inlet East Breakwa- about 0.5 mile westward of the common entrance to ter Light. Senix and Mud Creeks, is entered through a privately dredged channel that leads from the Intracoastal Wa- COLREGS Demarcation Lines terway to the town dock and turning basin at Mastic, (51) The lines established for Moriches Inlet are de- about 1.5 miles above the entrance west of Masury Point, thence for about 0.2 mile to the head of naviga- scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. tion. In 1981-1999, the reported controlling depth was 6 feet from the Intracoastal Waterway to the head of

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 367 navigation. Favor the east side of the channel at the en- by private seasonal buoys. In 1999, the channel had a trance. The channel is marked to the turning basin by reported controlling depth of 7 feet. private seasonal lighted and unlighted buoys. The town dock is available only to the local residents, however, Small-craft facility overnight transient berths are available. (66) A small-craft facility is at the head of the creek and (60) Old Neck Creek empties into the easterly side of Forge River about 0.5 mile above the entrance. A pri- can provide berths, storage, supplies, and a 30-ton lift; vately dredged channel leads from the river to the head engine repairs can be made. of the creek. In 1981, the channel had a reported con- trolling depth of 7 feet. A marina, just inside the east- (67) The wharf of a yacht club is on the northwest side of erly entrance to the creek, has berths, electricity, Bellport Bay at the town of Bellport, about 0.5 mile gasoline, diesel, water, ice, marine supplies, lifts to 90 westward of the entrance to Beaverdam Creek. In 1981, tons, and storage; hull, engine, and electrical repairs depths of 6 to 8 feet were reported in the basin behind can be made. In 2009, an approach depth of 5 feet was the wharf with about 2½ to 3 feet alongside. Water and reported with 8 feet alongside. a launching ramp are available. A seasonal passenger (61) Narrow Bay extends for about 3 miles from ferry operates between the yacht club and Bellport Moriches Bay to Bellport Bay, and provides a continua- Beach on Fire Island. tion of the inside passage for small boats. The bridge across the bay eastward of Smith Point has a bascule (68) A dockmaster manages the village dock adjacent to span with a clearance of 18 feet. (See 117.1 through the yacht club. 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Caution is recommended (69) Great South Bay, on the south shore of Long Is- when in the vicinity of the bridge because of the piling land, extends from Bellport Bay on the east to South near the channel. The bridge is an excellent radar tar- Oyster Bay on the west. It is about 20 miles long and get from 5 to 10 miles. about 4 miles across its widest part. It can be entered (62) Bellport Bay extends for about 3 miles from Nar- through Fire Island Inlet, from Great Peconic Bay via row Bay to Great South Bay and provides a continua- the inside route, and from westward through tion of the inside passage for small boats. The bay is Hempstead Bay. The southeast and southwest portions shoal in its southern part, but has depths of 5 to 7 feet of the bay are shoal. The central portion has, for the in the northern part. most part, depths ranging from 6½ to 10 feet. In 2008, (63) Carmans River, on the northeast side of Bellport there was shoaling to less than 1 foot in the channel be- Bay, has a depth of about 2 feet through the entrance. tween Fire Island Inlet and Farm Shoals Channel. Sometimes bush stakes are placed on each of the shoals Lights, daybeacons, and lighted and unlighted buoys making off from the points at the entrance. Enter in mark the channels. midriver between these stakes, favor the east side for a distance of 0.5 mile, and then follow midriver; caution (70) Abets Creek and Mud Creek, on the northeast side is advised. The river, marked at the entrance by private of Great South Bay, had reported depths of 4 feet in seasonal lighted buoys, is entered between Long Point 1981 and 6 feet in 1999, respectively. The entrance to on the west and Sandy Point on the east. Some of the each creek is marked by a private seasonal lighted buoy land areas on both sides of the river just above the en- and stakes. A 5-mph speed limit is enforced in Abets trance are part of the Werthein National Wildlife Ref- Creek. uge, a Marine Protected Area (MPA); landing is not permitted. (See Appendix C, for additional informa- Small-craft facilities tion.) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. (71) Small-craft facilities in the creeks can provide Small-craft facility berths, gasoline, water, storage, and hull and engine re- (64) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the river pairs. A 7-ton marine railway is available in Abets Creek, and mobile lifts up to 30 tons are available in about 0.6 mile above the entrance. Electricity, water, Mud Creek. Diesel fuel, ice, and a pumpout station are some marine supplies, a 12-ton lift, and storage facili- available in Mud Creek. ties are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. (72) Swan River, about 0.4 mile westward of Mud Creek, (65) Beaverdam Creek, on the north side of Bellport Bay is entered through a privately dredged channel that about 1.5 miles westward of Carmans River, is entered leads to the head of navigation about 1 mile above the through a privately dredged approach channel marked mouth. In 1981, the channel had a reported controlling depth of 4 feet. In 1985, a shoal was reported to be en- croaching from the west side of the channel at the mouth of the river. A private seasonal lighted buoy

368 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2 marks the entrance, and poles mark the channel above about 0.75 mile south of the jetty light through the en- the entrance. trance channel. (73) Several small-craft facilities are on Swan River. Small-craft facilities (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 (80) There are several small-craft facilities on the creek. for services and supplies available.) Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, marine (74) Patchogue River, on the north side of Great South supplies, mobile hoists to 80 tons, and hull and engine Bay, 3.7 miles west of Bellport and 0.9 mile westward of repairs are available. A marine railway can handle ves- Swan River, is entered through a dredged channel that sels to 15 feet long. leads from Great South Bay, thence through Patchogue Bay, and thence to the head of river navigation about 1 (81) Passenger ferry service, summer only, is available mile above the mouth. In 2006, the midchannel con- from Sayville to Fire Island Pines, Sailors Haven, trolling depth was 5.8 feet in the entrance channel to Cherry Grove, and Barrett Beach on Fire Island. the west breakwater light, thence 2.2 feet in the chan- nel through the harbor to the head of navigation. The (82) Green Creek, about 1 mile west of Brown Creek, is channel is marked by a lighted and unlighted buoys used by many clam boats. Depths of about 5 feet were from the bay to the jettied entrance. The west side of reported available in the creek in 1981. Mariners are the entrance is protected by a breakwater with a light advised to use care when entering the creek, especially on the outer end, and the east side by a bulkhead and during strong southwest winds. Inside the creek, gaso- short jetty extending southward from it; a private light line, water, marine supplies, storage, a 30-ton lift, and is near the end of the jetty. complete hull, engine, and electronic repairs are avail- able. A 4-mph speed limit is enforced in the creek. (75) Patchogue, on Patchogue River, is the principal town on Great South Bay. Depths at the wharves and (83) Green Harbor is a privately maintained two-part piers at Patchogue range from 3 to 9 feet. harbor just westward of the entrance to Green Creek. The entrance to the outer basin and the connecting (76) Passenger ferry service, summer only, is main- channel between the outer and inner basins are very tained from Patchogue to Davis Park and Watch Hill on narrow. In 1985, depths were reported to be about 6 Fire Island. feet. Limited berthing is available in the outer basin. A boatyard is in the inner basin. Small-craft facilities (77) Several marinas and boatyards are on both sides of (84) Connetquot River, locally known as Great River, is 3 miles westward of Brown Creek. In 1981, a reported the river at Patchogue. (See the small-craft facilities depth of 5 feet (with local knowledge) could be carried tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies from Nicoll Bay to the boatyards on the east side of the available.) river, thence about 2 feet to the head of navigation at the railroad; favor the east bank of the river above the (78) Corey Creek, 0.6 mile westward of Patchogue River, boatyards. A shoal with depths of 2 feet extends north- is entered between two jetties each marked by a private east from Nicoll Island on the southwest side of the seasonal light. In 1981, depths of 3 feet were available river entrance. A private light marks the entrance to in the creek. A marina, on the east side of the creek just the river. A prominent mansion with a tower, now part inside the entrance, has berths, electricity, gasoline, of a private school, is on the north shore of the en- marine supplies, water, ice, storage, and a 16-ton lift; trance. hull, engine, and electronic repairs can be made. Depths of 5 feet were reported at the marina in 1985. Small-craft facilities (85) There are several small-craft facilities on the east (79) Brown Creek, locally known as Browns River, 3 miles westward of Patchogue, is entered between two side of the river. (See the small-craft facilities tabula- short jetties extending out to a depth of about 4 feet. tion on chart 12352 for services and supplies available.) The jetties are marked by lights. In 2009, the midchannel controlling depth was 3.2 feet to the first (86) Great River is a village on the west side of the river. bend (at Browns River Road), thence 2.8 feet at (87) Watch Hill, part of Fire Island National Seashore, is midchannel to the upstream limit of the project. In 1976, a large rock, covered 6½ feet, was reported at the across Great South Bay from Patchogue. A privately entrance to the dredged channel. Local interests advise dredged channel with a reported depth of 3 feet in 1999, that mariners steer a centerline course from a point leads from Great South Bay to a seasonally operated marina. The channel is marked by private seasonal lighted buoys and a lighted range. Berths, electricity, water, ice, some supplies, and a pumpout station are

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 369 available. A passenger ferry operates between Watch 45 inches (1143 mm). Most of the rainfall from June Hill and Patchogue. through September comes from thunderstorms; there- (88) Cherry Grove, a summer resort across Great South fore, it is usually of brief duration, but relatively in- Bay from Connetquot River, has a boat landing extend- tense. Thunderstorm days average 25 each year. From ing out to a depth of 5 feet. Seasonal ferry service is October to April, however, precipitation is generally as- maintained with Sayville. sociated with widespread storm areas, so that day-long (89) Point o’ Woods, Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, and rain or snow is common. Saltaire are summer resorts on Great South Bay west- (95) Snow falls an average 30 days each year and aver- ward of Cherry Grove. Provisions are available at most ages 21 inches (533 mm) in any given year. The snowi- of these resorts. Year-round ferry service is maintained est month is February with an average of six inches between Ocean Beach, Saltaire, and Bay Shore, a town (152 mm). Snow has fallen in each month, November northwestward on the north shore of Great South Bay. through April. The greatest 24-hour total snowfall was Seasonal service is available between the surrounding eight inches (203 mm) which fell in March 1993. towns and Bay Shore. A privately dredged channel with (96) Tropical storms have influenced the area several a reported depth of 9 feet in 1981 leads southward to times since 1871. Hurricane Gloria passed within 10 Fair Harbor. A private light marks the channel. miles west of Islip in September 1985. Gloria made (90) On the north shore of Great South Bay, in the vi- landfall about halfway between Kennedy and Islip and cinity of Nicoll Point, is Heckscher State Park. A boat provided sustained winds of 75 knots at time of landfall basin and a small-craft launching ramp are at the park for the Islip area. Only two days earlier, Gloria was a in a cove about 1.6 miles west of Nicoll Point. The park 125-knot hurricane. is open during daylight hours only. A 5 mph speed limit (97) (See Appendix B for the Islip climatological table.) is enforced. (98) The Long Island U.S. Courthouse (40°45’35\"N., (91) Sailors Haven, across Great South Bay from Nicoll 73°11’25\"W.), is prominent feature in East Islip, across Point, is part of the Fire Island National Seashore. A Champlin Creek from Islip. The building is rectangular privately dredged and marked channel with a depth of with a cone-shaped entrance and is constructed of about 4 feet leads from Great South Bay to a seasonally white and gray panels and is 281 feet high; reported to operated marina at which berthing, water, ice, and be visible from 20 miles offshore. some supplies are available. A seasonal passenger ferry operates between Sailors Haven and Sayville. (99) Great Cove, on the north side of Great South Bay about 4 miles westward of Nicoll Point, has depths of 4 (92) Islip is on the south side of Long Island just inland to 8 feet. A line of private orange and white spar buoys from Great South Bay and opposite the Fire Island Na- across the mouth of Great Cove marks a shellfish clo- tional Seashore, about halfway between New York city sure area. and Montauk Point. (100) Orowoc Creek, which enters the northeast part of (93) At Islip the average annual temperature is 53°F the cove, leads to the boat basin and wharves at the (11.7°C). The average high is 61°F (16.1°C) and the av- town of Islip. The channel in the cove is sometimes erage low is 44°F (6.7°C). July is the warmest month marked by stakes, and had a reported depth of about 6 with an average high of 82°F (27.8°C) and an average feet in 1981. A private light marks the westerly edge of low of 67°F (19.4°C). January is the coolest month with the 3-foot shoal on the east side of the channel near the an average high of 39°F (3.9°C) and an average low of entrance to the creek. 24°F (-4.4°C). The warmest temperature on record for Islip is 101°F (38.3°C) recorded in July 1991 and the Small-craft facilities coldest temperature on record is -7°F (-21.7°C) re- (101) Small-craft facilities on the creek can provide gaso- corded in January 1984. On average, seven days each year record high temperatures in excess of 90°F line, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and complete (32.2°C) and 98 days record minimum temperatures engine and hull repairs. A 55-foot marine railway and a below 32°F (0°C). An average of only two days each year 25-ton mobile hoist are available. has an extreme minimum below 5°F (-15°C). (102) Several fish packing plants are on the creek. (94) Precipitation is both moderate and distributed (103) Penataquit Creek and Watchogue Creek, locally evenly throughout the year. August is the wettest month with an average precipitation total of five inches known as West Creek, about 0.5 mile westward of (127 mm) and February the driest with just over three Orowoc Creek, empty into the northwest end of Great inches (76 mm). Average annual precipitation is about Cove through a common entrance. Bay Shore is a large fishing center on the northwest shore of Great Cove at

370 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2 the head of the creeks. The common entrance is pro- (110) The Robert Moses Causeway Bridge over Fire Is- tected on its westerly side by a bulkheaded sandspit, land Inlet, 2.1 miles inside the entrance, has a clear- which forms a well-protected boat basin. The entrance ance of 65 feet at the 464-foot center span. The bridge is channel leads between the northeast end of the an excellent radar target at a range of more than 12 sandspit and the point to the east. A private light marks miles. the entrance to the creeks. The channel had a reported depth of 6 feet in 1981. A 4 mph speed limit is enforced (111) Two boat basins at the Robert Moses (Fire Island) on the creeks. State Park are entered just westward of the southern (104) The ferry landing near the entrance of Penataquit end of the bridge. Berths and water are available in the Creek had a reported depth of about 5 feet at its end in basins between sunrise and sunset. In 1981, depths of 7 1981. From the landing, ferries connect with Ocean feet and 6 feet were reported available in the east and Beach and Saltaire year round and with Point o’ Woods, west basins, respectively. Kismet, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Atlantique, Sea View and Ocean Bay Park during the summer. Currents (112) The currents in Fire Island Inlet, after crossing the Small-craft facilities (105) There are several small-craft facilities in Pena- bar, have a velocity of about 2.4 knots at full strength and are influenced greatly by the force and direction of taquit and Watchogue Creeks. (See the small-craft fa- the wind. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for predic- cilities tabulation on chart 12352 for services and tions.) In the bay, currents have little velocity except in supplies available.) the narrow channels between the shoals and within a radius of 3 miles from Fire Island Coast Guard Station (106) There are several creeks and a dredged boat basin where their estimated velocity is 1 to 1.5 knots. between Watchogue Creek and Conklin Point to the southwestward. These waterways are for the most part (113) Fire Island Inlet remains open throughout the privately maintained and for the exclusive use of the lo- year, but ice does become a problem in the inland chan- cal property owners. nels through Great South Bay from early January through about mid-March. (107) Fire Island Inlet, about 28 miles westward along the south coast of Long Island from Moriches Inlet, is (114) The area between Fire Island Inlet and Jones Inlet the only direct entrance from the Atlantic to Great is characterized by low, sandy beaches and numerous South Bay. The inlet is subject to extreme shoaling and islands fringed by vast stretches of marshy ground. has been moving westward for many years. Mariners Many shallow areas, irregular in outline, are a serious are warned to beware of extreme tidal turbulence espe- menace to the navigation of light-draft vessels. An ex- cially during times of tidal change and should seek lo- tensive network of bays, creeks, coves, channels, and cal knowledge of the latest conditions before entering. inlets covers the entire area. Navigation of the inlet is difficult even with relatively calm seas, and for small craft it can be extremely dan- (115) The channel connecting Great South Bay with gerous. During heavy weather, the entrance usually is Jones Inlet, East Bay, and South Oyster Bay is narrow, obstructed by breakers. treacherous, and has numerous short bends. Caution should be exercised when navigating in these areas in COLREGS Demarcation Lines small boats. (108) The lines established for Fire Island Inlet are de- (116) Several channels lead from Fire Island Inlet to scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. places in Great South Bay and connecting inside water- ways. From the Robert Moses Causeway Bridge, located (109) Fire Island Light (40°37'57\"N., 73°13'07\"W.), 167 just inside the inlet, the channel leads northeastward feet above the water, is shown from a black and white off the eastern tip of Oak Beach. It then connects with horizontally banded tower about 4 miles east-north- Farm Shoals Channel to the southeastward and later eastward of Democrat Point. Fire Island Coast Guard with East Channel, which follows the buoyed channel Station is about 1.9 miles west-southwestward of the along the north side of Great South Beach and joins light. A water tower, about 208 feet high, marked by with the inside passage south of Nicoll Bay. It has a floodlights and visible for 16 miles, is about 0.1 mile depth of about 7 feet although in 2008, there was shoal- southwest of the Fire Island Coast Guard Station. ing to less than 1 foot between Fire Island Inlet and Farm Shoals. Range Channel, just westward of East Channel, has a depth of about 6 feet. West Channel, just westward of Fire Islands, has a depth of about 7 feet. Dickerson Channel, northeastward of Captree Island,

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 371 had a reported depth of 4 feet in 1981. These channels Sampawams Point and at the mouth of Sampawams are marked with buoys that are shifted in position with Creek, had a reported depth of 6 feet at the end in 1993. changing conditions. Approaching around Sampawams Point, give the point (117) From Fire Island Inlet the State Boat Channel a berth of 0.3 mile when southeastward of it and head leads westward through Great South Bay and South northwestward to the wharf. Oyster Bay to Zacks Bay at Jones Beach State Park, (124) Sampawams Creek, just northward of the wharf, thence westward in Hempstead Bay through winding has been dredged to reclaim adjacent lands and is channels, well marked by lights, buoys, and daybeacons bulkheaded on the west side. The entrance is marked by to Reynolds Channel at Point Lookout, just west of private seasonal buoys and a private light. It is used as Jones Inlet. Two buoys mark submerged obstructions an anchorage by small craft and has a depth of about 5 on the south side of the entrance to the channel. In feet through the entrance and greater depths inside. 2005, shoaling was reported in the channel just E of Boats also anchor between the public landing and Buoy 76. Sampawams Point. This anchorage becomes choppy (118) The speed of vessels is limited to 10.4 knots (12 during easterly or southeasterly winds. mph) in the channel and 3.5 knots (4 mph) in the areas designated as basin or anchorage. Small-craft facilities (119) A marina on the south side of the channel at the (125) There are several small-craft facilities on the creek. eastern end of Captree Island has berthage, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, and ice. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 (120) The Robert Moses Causeway Bridge over the State for services and supplies available.) Boat Channel, connecting Oak Beach with Captree Is- land, has twin bascule spans with a clearance of 29 feet (126) Carlls River, westward of Sampawams Point, in at the center. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 1981, had a reported controlling depth of 5 feet in the (a) through (c) and (i), chapter 2, for drawbridge regu- privately dredged entrance channel leading northward lations.) The twin fixed spans of this bridge and cause- from East West Channel. In 1982, shoaling to an un- way over the inside passage in Great South Bay known extent was reported in the channel. between Captree Island and Conklin Point have a clear- ance of 60 feet for a middle width of 460 feet. Small-craft facilities (121) A shellfish closure area, marked by private yellow (127) Small-craft facilities on the river have berthage, buoys, extends from the Robert Moses Causeway at Conklin Point westward for about 6.8 miles to gasoline, water, marine supplies, a 9-ton lift, and a Narraskatuck Creek. 40-ton mobile hoist; hull and engine repairs can be (122) Oak Island Channel, locally known as Babylon Cut, made. In 1993, depths of 5 to 6 feet were reported extends northwestward from the State Boat Channel alongside at the facilities. from a point opposite the northeastern end of Oak Is- land to Great South Bay and Babylon Cove. In 1981, the (128) West Babylon Creek, locally known as Mud Creek, channel, marked by seasonal buoys, had a reported is about 1 mile westward of Sampawams Point. In 1981, controlling depth of 6 feet except for shoaling to an un- the privately dredged and marked entrance channel known extent in the channel opposite Grass Island. leading northward from East West Channel had a re- From a point about 1.7 miles above the State Boat ported controlling depth of 4 feet. Channel, Oak Island Channel connects with a privately dredged and marked channel, locally known as East (129) Several small-craft facilities are on the creek. (See West Channel, that leads westward and parallels the the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for northern shore of Great South Bay for about 6 miles to services and supplies available.) Several creeks to the South Oyster Bay. In 1981, East West Channel had a re- westward have been improved in a similar manner. ported controlling depth of about 4 feet. Several chan- nels, some leading northward into the waterways on (130) In 1980, a submerged obstruction was reported the north side of Great South Bay and some leading about 0.55 mile southwest of the mouth of West Baby- southward to the State Boat Channel, connect with lon Creek in about 40°40'00\"N., 73°20'38\"W. East West Channel. These connecting channels are dis- cussed later in this chapter. (131) Oak Beach is primarily a summer resort and fish- (123) Babylon is a town on the north shore of Great ing village on the north side of Fire Island Inlet. The South Bay. A flag pole and a church spire are promi- channel to the village pier, passing eastward of Oak Is- nent. The public landing, about 0.3 mile northward of land, has a depth of about 9 feet. A tall lighted mast on the south side of Oak Beach is prominent.

372 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2 (132) Cedar Beach and Gilgo Beach, westward of Oak maintained and marked channel had a reported con- Beach, are maintained and operated by the County and trolling depth of 8 feet in 1993. Township authorities and are not part of the Long Is- (141) Narraskatuck Creek, 0.5 miles westward of Amityville land State Park System. A tower is prominent east of Creek had a reported depth of about 3 feet in 1981. Cedar Beach. Small-craft facilities (133) Neguntatogue Creek, on the north side of Great (142) The small-craft facilities on the creek have gaso- South Bay at the town of Lindenhurst, has several small-craft facilities. In 2000, the reported controlling line, berths, electricity, water, ice, storage, and marine depth in the entrance to the creek was 4 feet. Berths, supplies. Mobile hoists can handle craft up to 20 tons; electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, and hull, engine, and electrical repairs can be made. marine supplies are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. (143) Carman Creek, about 0.8 mile westward of Amityville Creek, is used by boats drawing 4 to 5 feet. (134) Fox Creek Channel, privately dredged and marked by private seasonal aids, leads from the mouth of (144) South Oyster Bay, lying between Great South Bay Neguntatogue Creek across Great South Bay to a junc- and Hempstead Bay, is shoal over its greater part. A tion with the State Boat Channel just eastward of Cedar channel marked by buoys and daybeacons, good for a Island. In 1982, the reported controlling depth was 3 draft of 4 feet at high water, extends through the bay. feet. Through traffic uses the State Boat Channel and con- necting lanes on the south side of the Bay. (135) Strongs Creek, westward of Neguntatogue Creek, in 1981, had a controlling depth of 7 feet in the pri- (145) Gilgo Heading, a channel and basin between the vately dredged entrance channel leading northward State Boat Channel and Gilgo Beach, has a depth of from East West Channel. about 7 feet. Small-craft facilities Chart 12352 (136) Small-craft facilities in the creek have storage and (146) Hempstead Bay is on the south side of Long Island a 12-ton mobile hoist; hull and engine repairs can be inside the beach extending from the west end of Great made. South Bay to Far Rockaway. The bay has many sloughs that are subject to change in the vicinity of the inlets (137) Great Neck Creek, westward of Strongs Point, has and where dredging is done to reclaim land. Naviga- a depth of about 7 feet in the privately dredged entrance tional aids marking the main channels of the bay are channel leading northward from East West Channel; maintained by the town of Hempstead. Many shoal greater depths are inside. spots, some to a foot or less, have been reported at sev- eral areas of the rivers and channels. (138) Woods Creek is westward of Howell Point and Howell Creek. In 2005, the reported controlling depth Chart 12352 in the entrance was 3 feet. Gasoline is available just in- side the entrance and a small-craft facility at the head (147) Jones Beach State Park, on the south coast of Long of the creek can provide limited berths, electricity, gas- Island, comprises about 2,500 acres and is under the oline, water, some marine supplies, a pump-out sta- jurisdiction of the Long Island State Park and Recre- tion, winter storage, and a 30-ton lift; hull, engine and ation Commission. A prominent red brick water tower, electrical repairs can be made. 204 feet high, with a pyramid top, 3.5 miles eastward of Jones Inlet, is the center of Central Mall. The tower, (139) Amityville Creek, on the north side of the western flood-lighted at night, is visible 16 miles. Zachs Bay, a extremity of Great South Bay, had a reported control- dredged basin above Jones Beach State Park, has ling depth of about 3 feet in 1981. The entrance to the depths of 4 to 29 feet. The eastern part of Zachs Bay is creek is marked on the west side by a private light. Sev- used as an anchorage; a swimming area marked by pri- eral boatyards on the creek have marine railways, the vate buoys is in the western part of the bay. largest of which can handle craft up to 50 feet in length; gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and com- (148) Stone Creek, marked by seasonal buoys and with a plete engine and hull repairs are available. reported depth of about 2 feet in 1981, leads northward from Sloop Channel and eastward of Green Island to (140) Amityville is a small town on the north shore of the village of Seaford at the head of Seaford Creek. In Great South Bay at its western extremity. The village wharf bares at low water at its face. Amityville Cut ex- tends southward from Amityville Creek and joins the State Boat Channel near Gilgo Beach. The privately

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 373 1992, severe shoaling to an unknown depth was re- (155) Sloop Channel, the main channel leading east ported north of Great Island Channel Lighted Buoy Z2. from Jones Inlet, extends along the north side of Short Beach and Jones Beach State Park. The channel is Small-craft facilities marked by buoys and daybeacons. In 1981, shoaling to (149) There are many small-craft facilities at Seaford and 3 feet was reported on the south side of Sloop Channel from about 0.3 mile southwest of Meadowbrook State in the vicinity. Berthage, electricity, gasoline, water, Parkway Bridge to about 0.45 mile northeast of the ice, marine supplies, a pump-out facility, storage, and bridge. In 2005, shoaling to bare was reported in the launching ramps are available. The largest mobile hoist channel south of Short Beach Island, obstructing the is 30 tons; hull, engine and electrical repairs can be eastern entrance and part of the western entrance. made. (156) A channel with reported depths of 3 to 4 feet in (150) The Wantagh State Parkway bridge crosses Sloop 1981 leads between Snipe Island and Egg Island into Channel from Jones Beach State Park to Green Island Haunts Creek on the western side of Deep Creek and has a fixed span with a clearance of 15 feet; the Meadow and joins Sloop Channel northwestward of bridge is temporary. A permanent bascule bridge is be- Jones Beach State Park. ing built close southwest of the existing temporary bridge with a design clearance of 14 feet. In 2009, the (157) The channel joining Haunts Creek east of East middle Wantagh State Parkway bridge over Goose Crow Island and leading northward through Broad Creek between Green Island and Great Island was un- Creek Channel to East Bay, and thence to Merrick der construction; upon completion a fixed highway Creek, has a depth of about 1 foot. The channel joining bridge with a design clearance of 16 feet will replace the Sloop Channel just west of the Meadowbrook State bascule span. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and Parkway Bridge leads north through Swift Creek and 117.799(a) through (c) and (i), chapter 2, for draw- Neds Creek to East Bay; the channel bares at low water bridge regulations.) The northern fixed bridge of the about 0.7 mile north-northeastward of the bridge be- Wantagh State Parkway spans Island Creek with a tween West Crow Island and Pettit Marsh. The channel clearance of 12 feet. between False Channel Meadow and Pettit Marsh has a depth of about 5 feet and leads to Freeport Creek, dis- Caution cussed later in this chapter. (151) The current is reported to be swift during periods (158) The Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge has the of maximum flood and ebb at the bridge crossing the following clearances: 21 feet for the bascule span across Sloop Channel from Green Island to Jones Beach State Sloop Channel between Jones Beach State Park and Park, and has a tendency to set boats into the bridge Jones Island, 14 feet for the 29-foot fixed span between abutments. Mariners are advised to avoid this part of West Crow Island and Pettit Marsh, and 12 feet for the the channel during these periods and to use the sec- 29-foot fixed span between Pettit Marsh and Fighting ondary route in Goose Creek, north of Green Island. Island. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (h), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- (152) A privately marked channel, locally known as Race- tions.) horse Channel, with a depth of about 6 feet, leads northward from Sloop Channel and westward of Green (159) The Loop Parkway Bridge has the following clear- Island to the western entrance of Island Creek. Olivers ances: 20 feet for the fixed span over Swift Creek be- Channel, marked by private buoys and daybeacons, tween West Crow Island and Meadow Island, 21 feet for leads westward from near the north end of Racehorse the bascule span between Meadow Island and Alder Is- Channel to East Bay. land, and 20 feet for the 29-foot fixed span over Reynolds Channel between Alder Island and Point (153) A fish haven, marked by a private buoy, is near the Lookout. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) middle of East Bay. through (c) and (f), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- tions.) Small-craft facilities (154) On the north side of East Bay, there is a small-craft (160) Jones Inlet, about 12 miles westward along the south coast of Long Island from Fire Island Inlet, is the facility on the west side of Nicks Point. Berths, electric- principal entrance from the Atlantic to the inside pas- ity, gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, a pump-out sages and towns in Hempstead Bay. The inlet, which is station, a lifts to 25-tons, and full repairs are available. used mostly by pleasure craft and fishermen, should An approach depth of 6 feet was available in February not be attempted without local knowledge because the 2010 with 6 feet alongside. channel and depths are constantly changing. (161) The approach is marked by a lighted whistle buoy.

374 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2 (162) A light is at the outer end of the jetty on the east and False Channel Meadow, had a reported depth of side of the entrance to Jones Inlet. A small-craft basin is about 5 feet in 1981. Several boatyards and marinas are inside the inlet on the north side of Jones Beach; along Freeport Creek where gasoline, diesel fuel, water, berths, electricity, water, and a pump-out station are and marine supplies may be obtained; complete engine available. Jones Beach Coast Guard Station is in the and hull repairs can be made. small-craft basin. (171) Hudson Channel, extending northward to the piers at Freeport, had a reported depth of about 4 feet in (163) In 2009, the controlling depth was 11.1 feet in the 1981. Woodcleft Canal, westward of Hudson Channel, channel from Point Lookout (40°35.6'N., 73°34.6'W.) had a depth of about 13 feet. to the Loop Parkway Bridge over Long Creek. The (172) Freeport is a city on the north shore of Baldwin buoys and soundings in Jones Inlet are not charted be- Bay with rail and bus communications to New York cause of continual changes; caution and local knowl- City and other points on Long Island. edge are advised. Currents Small-craft facilities (164) The tidal current in the inlet has a velocity of about (173) Many small-craft facilities are at Freeport. (See the 3 knots. (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for ser- vices and supplies available.) Tides (165) The mean range of tide is 3.6 feet. Anchorages (174) A general anchorage is in Randall Bay at the north- COLREGS Demarcation Lines (166) The lines established for Jones Inlet are described east end of Baldwin Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.156, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) in 80.160, chapter 2. (175) A channel with a reported depth of about 7 feet in (167) Point Lookout is a village on the east end of the 1981, passes through Scow Creek to Baldwin Harbor. A barrier beach on the west side of Jones Inlet. A large channel connecting Baldwin Harbor with Randall Bay lighted tank in the western part of the town is promi- had a reported depth of about 5 feet in 1981. nent. (176) Milburn Creek, a dredged channel extending Small-craft facilities northward to Baldwin from Baldwin Bay, had reported (168) Small-craft facilities are on either side of the depths of about 5 feet in 1981. The entrance to the channel is marked by private seasonal barrel buoys. A bridge. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on dredged channel with a reported depth of about 8 feet chart 12352 for services and supplies available.) in 1981 in the northern part of Middle Bay leads to Par- sonage Cove. (169) Long Creek, marked by seasonal lighted and unlighted buoys, leads northward from Jones Inlet be- (177) Reynolds Channel extends westward from Jones tween Alder Island and Meadow Island, and between Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet and is the main thorofare Smith Meadow and Pine Marsh to Freeport. The chan- of the route between the inlets. The channel is crossed nel below the Loop Parkway Bridge has been improved by several bridges. by dredging as previously mentioned. The channel above the bridge at the intersection with Sea Dog Currents Creek is subject to frequent change; local information (178) Strong currents exist in the western portion of should be obtained before using these waters. The channel above the intersection with Sea Dog Creek had Reynolds Channel, and caution must be exercised a reported depth of about 12 feet in 1981. A channel be- when approaching the drawbridges, particularly with a tween Pine Marsh and Pettit Marsh, with a reported fair current; the signal to open the bridge should be depth of about 12 feet in 1981, joins with The Narrows given sufficiently in advance so the bridge can be and Long Creek about 1 mile northward of the Bay of cleared of traffic and the draw opened before the vessel Fundy. arrives there. The currents of the two inlets meet at the entrance of the channel leading west from Cinder (170) Freeport Creek, leading northward from The Nar- Creek. rows, had a controlling depth of 3½ feet in 1980. In July 1993, a visible wreck was reported near the mouth of (179) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the channel be- the creek, just east of Buoy Q9, in about 40°37'53\"N., tween Middle Island and Point Lookout. 73°33'55\"W. Great Sand Creek, between Pettit Marsh (180) A secondary channel extending northwestward through Cinder Creek and westward of Parsonage

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 375 Island to middle Bay had a reported depth of about 3 Channel had a reported controlling depth of 6 feet to its feet in 1981. The channel is not marked. head. (181) Garrett Lead, the primary channel extending (188) Mariners of vessels transiting Hog Island Channel northeastward from Reynolds Channel to Middle Bay, in the vicinity of the public beach at the village of Island is marked by a lighted buoy, a light, buoys, and Park are requested to proceed at a speed that will create daybeacons. In 1981, the channel had a reported con- minimum wave wash and wake, and avoid damage to trolling depth of 5 feet. Barnums Channel, heading the beach facilities. west from Garrett Lead, leads to a small-craft facility (189) There are numerous marginal-type petroleum providing berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- wharves along the eastern side of Hog Island Channel ter, ice, marine supplies, a pumpout facility, a lift to 35 between 1.75 and 2.25 miles above the junction with tons, storage, and full repairs. The facility has an ap- Reynolds Channel. In 1981, depths of 6 to 10 feet were proach depth of 17 feet and an alongside depth of 14 reported alongside the wharves; oil barges and coastal feet. tankers berth at or near high tide and ground out at low tide when alongside. Chart 12352 (190) Broad Channel, which joins Reynolds Channel eastward of Hicks Beach and leads to Hewlett Bay and (182) Long Beach is a seaside resort on the outer beach Macy Channel, had a reported depth of about 3 feet in about 4 miles west of Point Lookout. The waterfront on 1981. the bayside is bulkheaded. (191) Woodsburgh Channel, which joins Broad Channel about 0.5 mile northward of Hicks Beach and leads (183) The highway bridges crossing Reynolds Channel northwestward to Woodsburgh, had a reported con- between Long Beach and Island Park have bascule trolling depth of 3 feet in 1981. The two fixed bridges spans with clearances of 20 feet. The railroad bridge over Woodmere Channel northwestward of Brosewere about 0.2 mile westward of the highway bridges has a Bay have a least clearance of 11 feet. bascule span with a clearance of 14 feet. (See 117.1 (192) Atlantic Beach is an oceanfront and bayside com- through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (g), munity on the east side of East Rockaway Inlet. Facil- chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) ities for mooring are eastward and westward of the highway bridge. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, provisions, (184) A dock of the Long Beach Hospital is on the south and other supplies are available. side of Reynolds Channel about 0.3 mile eastward of the (193) Bannister Creek, just east of the Atlantic Beach highway bridge; medical aid to boatmen is available Bridge, has depths of 7 to 12 feet. Bridge Creek extends here. The dock is marked by a square white sign with a west just above the mouth of Bannister Creek. A small large red cross. boatyard on the creek can haul out craft up to 6 tons for hull and engine repairs; water, a pump-out, and some (185) Just westward of the railroad bridge, a dredged marine supplies are available. channel passes through Island Park. In 1981, the chan- (194) The highway bridge crossing Reynolds Channel to nel had a reported controlling depth of about 6 feet. Atlantic Beach just inside East Rockaway Inlet has a The fixed footbridge and highway bridge crossing the bascule span with a clearance of 25 feet. (See 117.1 channel have a least clearance of 7 feet. Several through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (e), wharves are available at Island Park. chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KFL–348. (186) Hog Island Channel, the main route to the towns (195) East Rockaway Inlet, about 8 miles westward of Oceanside and East Rockaway, joins Reynolds Chan- along the south coast of Long Island from Jones Inlet, nel southwestward of Island Park and leads westward of is the westernmost entrance from the Atlantic to Island Park, then eastward of West, East, and North Hempstead Bay and the inland water route along the Meadows. East Rockaway Channel, privately marked south shore of Long Island. The inlet is subject to fre- and an alternate and shallower route to the towns, joins quent changes, but is reported to be usually safer to Hog Island Channel about 0.8 mile and 2.4 miles above navigate than Jones or Fire Island Inlets. The aids Reynolds Channel. Oceanside and East Rockaway are marking the inlet are periodically moved to mark the along the east and west sides, respectively, of the north- best water; local knowledge is advised. ern part of East Rockaway Channel. (196) Two large identical apartment buildings are promi- nent about 0.8 mile north-northeastward of the jetty (187) In 1981, the reported controlling depth in Hog Is- light. land Channel was 10 feet to the oil dock at a powerplant about 1.75 miles above the junction with Reynolds Channel, thence about 8 feet to the northern junction with East Rockaway Channel. In 1981, East Rockaway

376 ■ Chapter 10 ■ Volume 2 Currents Tides (197) The tidal current in the inlet has a velocity of about (198) The mean range of tide is 4.1 feet in East Rockaway 2.3 knots. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predic- Inlet and from about 2 to 4 feet in Hempstead Bay. tions.) Caution should be exercised when passing through the inlet and bridge at times of maximum cur- rent.

South Coast of Long Island ■ Chapter 10 ■ 377

378 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2

New York Harbor and Approaches ■ Chapter 11 ■ 379 New York Harbor and Approaches (1) This chapter describes New York Harbor, its ap- miles. It is a clean shore and may be approached as proaches, and the areas adjacent to it, bounded by and close as 1 mile, with not less than 30 feet except off the including Jamaica Bay to the eastward and Sandy Hook inlets where the shore should be given a berth of at Bay to the southward. Included in the text, in addition least 1.5 miles. This coast is characterized by sandy to the facilities at New York City and Staten Island, are beaches and summer resorts at the eastern end, and the New Jersey ports of Perth Amboy, Port Elizabeth, amusement parks and densely settled communities at Port Newark, Bayonne, and others which are accessible the western end. through tributaries that empty into New York Harbor, (6) The shoreline is broken by three prominent and such as Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, Passaic River, and navigable inlets which lead to the inland waterway Hackensack River. The Hudson River above New York along the south shore of Long Island. Fire Island Inlet City is discussed in chapter 12, and the East River, the is at the eastern extremity, and its entrance is marked approach to New York Harbor from Long Island Sound, by lights and buoys. Jones Inlet is about 12 miles to the is discussed in chapter 9. west of Fire Island Inlet. The entrance is prominently indicated by the 202-foot lighted tower at Jones Beach COLREGS Demarcation Lines on the eastern side and by an elevated tank at Point (2) The lines established for New York Harbor are de- Lookout on the west side of the inlet. Jones Beach State Park is on the east side of the inlet; a lighted tower in scribed in 80.165, chapter 2. the park is a conspicuous landmark. (7) East Rockaway Inlet, about 8 miles westward of Charts 12326, 12327, 12401 Jones Inlet, is the extreme western entrance to the in- land waterway. The inlet entrance is marked by a break- (3) The approach to New York Harbor from seaward is water with a light on its seaward end. The shoreline generally along the south coast of Long Island or the between the two inlets is closely built up with large east coast of New Jersey, although the harbor is easily communities. Elevated tanks, towers, and other tall approached from any direction between east and south. structures are prominent in this area. During the approach, the south shore of Long Island will be seen to northward and the low sandy beaches of (8) A fish haven is about 2 miles offshore midway be- the New Jersey shore will be observed to westward. The tween East Rockaway Inlet and Rockaway Point. Long Island shore is readily identified by sand hillocks and densely populated beach communities, whereas (9) Rockaway Point, 17 miles westward of Jones Inlet, the New Jersey shore is characterized by long sandy is the southwestern extremity of Long Island and the stretches and many summer resort settlements. eastern entrance to New York Lower Bay. A breakwater, marked at its seaward end by a light, extends southward Prominent features from the point. Rockaway Inlet forms a large deep en- (4) The four most prominent landmarks, which can be trance to Jamaica Bay. seen for a long distance at sea, are the Fire Island Light, (10) Sandy Hook, the southern entrance point to New a tower at Jones Beach on the Long Island shore, the York Harbor, is low and sandy. A Coast Guard station Highlands of Navesink, and the microwave tower at At- and two radio towers are near the northern extremity lantic Highlands on the north end of the New Jersey of Sandy Hook. The towers and a large green standpipe coast. When nearing the Lower Bay of New York Har- to the southeast are the most prominent objects on the bor, Ambrose Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy A, northern end of Sandy Hook. Southward of the equipped with a racon, will be seen; it marks the en- standpipe are several houses and Sandy Hook Light trance to Ambrose Channel which is the principal (40°27'42\"N., 74°00'07\"W.), 88 feet above the water and deepwater passage through the Lower Bay. shown from a white stone tower, 85 feet high. This (5) The south coast of Long Island from Fire Island In- light, established in 1764, is the oldest in continuous let to Rockaway Inlet has a general 263° trend for 30 use in the United States.

380 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2 (11) The most prominent landmark southward of the to it and the walls are very steep. The use of soundings entrance to New York Harbor is the high wooded ridge permits a very accurate determination of a ship’s posi- forming the Highlands of Navesink. A tall condomin- tion by the comparison of the soundings with the depth ium on the ridge and a microwave tower at Atlantic curves on the charts. The bottom of the Mud Gorge is Highlands to the west are also prominent. The brown- usually of mud; on both sides of it sand predominates. stone towers of the abandoned Navesink Lighthouse on (17) Cholera Bank, about 11 miles southeastward of the easternmost spur of the highlands are 73 feet above Ambrose Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy A, is about 2 the ground and about 246 feet above the water. The miles long in an east-west direction and has a least northerly tower is octagonal, and the southerly tower is depth of 10 fathoms. The bank is raised very little above square. A private seasonal light is shown from the the general level of the bottom, however, because the northerly tower. bottom is rocky in character, soundings will give useful indications in thick or foggy weather. During the sum- COLREGS Demarcation Lines mer numerous vessels may be seen on this bank. (12) The lines established for New York Harbor are de- Caution scribed in 80.165, chapter 2. (18) Telegraphic companies report serious interrup- (13) Soundings will be found most useful to warn ves- tions of international telegraphic communications re- sels of too close an approach to the shore in approach- sulting from repeated breaking of their cables by ing New York Harbor. Many vessels have been wrecked vessels anchoring southeastward and eastward of the on the coast of New Jersey and Long Island through Pilot Cruising Area for Ambrose and Sandy Hook chan- failure to take frequent soundings when the position nels. The companies state that they will be glad to com- was uncertain. Depth is a better indication of position pensate any vessel, which, having fouled the cable, cuts off this part of the coast than the character of the bot- away its anchor and chain in order to save the cable tom, as the same characteristics may be found in widely from interruption. Vessels making New York in thick different positions. A frequent use of soundings and weather and finding it necessary to anchor before en- close study of the charts will always give sufficient tering Ambrose Channel should anchor in the area warning of danger. If a vessel is not certain of her posi- southward of Scotland Lighted Whistle Buoy S tion, the depth should not be shoaled to less than 15 (40°26'33\"N., 73°55'01\"W.) and westward of 73°48'00\"W. fathoms on the south coast of Long Island eastward of Fire Island Light, or 11 fathoms between Fire Island Tides Light and Barnegat Lighted Buoy B (39°45'48\"N., (19) The mean range of tide at Sandy Hook is 4.7 feet. 73°46'04\"W.), or 9 fathoms southward of Barnegat Lighted Buoy B. (See the Tide Tables for daily tide predictions.) (14) From the position of the two shores relative to each Currents other and to the entrance to New York Harbor it follows (20) The important currents affecting navigation in the that a course of 215° will deepen the water if the vessel is on the Long Island side of the approach and will shoal approach to New York Harbor are those due to winds. if she is off the New Jersey coast. A course of 035° will The largest velocity likely to occur under storm condi- deepen the water if the vessel is off the New Jersey side tions is about 1.5 knots. A sudden reversal in the direc- of the approach and will shoal if she is off the Long Is- tion of the wind produces a corresponding change in land coast. the current, either diminishing or augmenting the ve- locity. Sustained winds do not maintain the currents at (15) Eastward of Fire Island Light the water shoals quite the maximum velocities. The velocity is about 0.2 knots rapidly toward the Long Island shore, but inside a line near the Ambrose Channel entrance. The largest veloc- drawn from Nantucket Traffic Lane Lighted Horn Buoy ity likely to occur is 2 knots. NA to Barnegat Lighted Buoy B, there is no marked dif- (21) Between Nantucket and Cape May away from the ference in the soundings as either shore is approached immediate vicinity of the shore, the tidal currents are except in Mud Gorge. generally rotary. They shift direction, usually clock- wise, at an average rate of about 30° an hour, and have (16) Modern surveys show the existence of a canyon, ev- velocities generally less than 0.3 knot except in the vi- idently cut by the Hudson River in prehistoric days, cinities of the entrances to the larger inland waterways across the Continental Shelf, extending about 120 where the velocities increase as the entrances are ap- miles southeastward from off Sandy Hook. The inshore proached. For a considerable distance from the inlets, section is called the Mud Gorge and the offshore sec- strengths of flood and ebb set respectively toward and tion the Hudson Canyon. In some sections of this cut away from those entrances, and minimums of velocity, the depths are considerably greater than those adjacent

New York Harbor and Approaches ■ Chapter 11 ■ 381 corresponding to the slacks of reversing currents, set at (26) Between Gay Head and Montauk Point the tidal right angles to the direction of flood and ebb strengths. currents set northward on the flood and southward on (22) Offshore and away from the influence of the tidal the ebb. The estimated velocity at strength where the flow into and out of the larger bays, the tidal current depth is about 25 fathoms is 0.5 knot; closer inshore maintains an approximately uniform velocity. Shifting and near the entrance this velocity increases. its direction continuously to the right, it sets all direc- tions of the compass during each tidal cycle of 12.4 (27) Three miles north of Nantucket Traffic Lane hours. (See the Tidal Current Tables for the predicted Lighted Horn Buoy NA the tidal currents have a mean times and velocities of the tidal currents at a number of velocity at strength of about 0.2 knot in a westward di- locations in the coastal waters.) rection on the flood and an eastward direction on the (23) Between Nantucket Island and Sandy Hook there is ebb. a general drift of the sea south-southwestward. The av- erage velocity of this movement is about 0.1 knot. Weather, New York Harbor and approaches (24) Approaching New York Harbor from the vicinity of (28) Winds play an important role by affecting currents Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N, a slight al- lowance should be made for a southwesterly set of the in the harbor. During the winter west and northwest current. With an easterly wind it is customary to allow, winds prevail with northerlies and southwesterlies in in order to make the course good, a set of the current secondary roles. The strongest winds are out of the with it of at least 0.5 knot. west through northwest at 13 to 15 knots, from Janu- (25) The effect of the wind on the current should always ary through April. The sheltering effect of the land is be considered. The largest velocities likely to occur apparent when looking at frequencies of winds of 28 during storms are 2.5 knots about 3 miles northward of knots or more. They blow near the Ambrose Channel Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N and 1.5 entrance about 8 to 9 percent of the time compared to 1 knots 3 miles north of Nantucket Traffic Lane Lighted percent at Kennedy Airport and Floyd Bennett Field. Horn Buoy NA and off Five Fathom Bank. Summer winds are often out of the south and south- west with a 10 to 12 knot afternoon peak. Fog in the harbor area is more closely related to land type fogs. In winter it is common on clear, calm mornings and more

382 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2 frequent than in the approaches. Southerlies can also Pilot Boat Cruising Area, New York Harbor bring winter fogs of the advection type. During the (36) The pilot boat maintains station approximately 1.5 spring and early summer the harbor as well as its ap- proaches are susceptible to advection fog, riding in on miles southeast of the Ambrose Channel Lighted Whis- east through south winds. A morning peak still exists in tle Buoy A. See Pilotage, New York Harbor and Ap- the harbor, while the approaches exhibit an afternoon proaches (indexed as such), this chapter. maximum. Caution North Atlantic Right Whales (37) Numerous fishing floats have been reported in the (29) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur approach to New York Harbor in the Traffic Separation within 30 miles of the New York and New Jersey coasts Scheme precautionary area. in the approaches to New York Harbor (peak season: November through April). (See North Atlantic Right (38) Shipping safety fairways have been established Whales, indexed as such, in chapter 3 for more infor- connecting the eastern approach off Ambrose of Traffic mation on right whales and recommended measures to Separation Scheme Off New York and the eastern ap- avoid collisions.) proach off Nantucket of Traffic Separation Scheme Off (30) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall New York. (See 166.100 through 166.500, chapter 2, (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United for limits and regulations.) States are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in a Seasonal Management Area existing around the Ports Vessel Traffic Service, New York of New York/New Jersey between November 1 and April (39) New York Harbor has a Vessel Traffic Service. (See 30. The area is defined as the waters within a 20-nm ra- dius of 40°29'42.2\"N., 73°55'57.6\"W. (See 50 CFR §161.1 through §161.25, chapter 2, for regulations.) 224.105 in chapter 2 for regulations, limitations, and (40) Recommended minimum under-keel clearance for exceptions.) selected areas of the Harbor Safety, Navigation and (31) Gateway National Recreation Area and harbor por- Operations Committee of the Port of New York and poise protection Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) extend New Jersey.–In order to prevent groundings and to from the waters off Long Island along the New Jersey promote the safety and environmental security of the shoreline. (See Appendix C, for additional informa- waterway resources of the Port of New York and New tion.) Jersey, the Harbor Operations Committee of the Port of New York and New Jersey recommends that all enti- (32) Information about the coast south of Sandy Hook ties responsible for the safe movement of vessels in and is contained in United States Coast Pilot 3, Atlantic through the waters of the Port of New York and New Coast, Sandy Hook to Cape Henry. Jersey operate vessels in such a manner as to maintain a minimum clearance of two feet between the deepest Charts 12326, 12327, 12401, 12402 draft of their vessel and channel bottom in the follow- ing named channels: (33) New York Harbor is the principal entrance by water (41) Lower Bay: to New York City and the surrounding ports. The har- (42) 1) Ambrose Channel (3 ft minimum under-keel bor is divided by The Narrows into Lower Bay and Up- clearance due to wave and sea action) per Bay. The Battery, the southern tip of Manhattan, is (43) 2) Sandy Hook Channel at the junction of East River and Hudson River. The (44) 3) Chapel Hill Channel main channel from the sea to the deepwater terminals (45) Upper Bay: in Hudson River has a project depth of 45 feet. (46) 1) Anchorage Channel (The Narrows to The Bat- tery) (34) Traffic Separation Scheme Off New York has been (47) 2) Bay Ridge Channel established in the approaches to New York Harbor from (48) 3) Red Hook Channel the sea. (See charts 12300 and 12326.) (See also 167.1 (49) 4) Buttermilk Channel through 167.155, chapter 2, for limits and regula- (50) North River: tions.) (51) 1) The Battery to 79th Street (52) East River: (35) (See Traffic Separation Schemes, chapter 1, for ad- (53) 1) The Battery to Throgs Neck Bridge ditional information, and chapter 3 for a discussion of (54) Kill Van Kull: North Atlantic Lane Routes.) (55) 1) Constable Hook Reach (56) 2) Bergen Point Reach (57) 3) North of Shooters Island Reach

New York Harbor and Approaches ■ Chapter 11 ■ 383 (58) 4) Elizabethport Reach coordinated through VTS NY so as to insure the transit (59) Newark Bay: of the vessel in question can be assisted as appropriate. (60) 1) Newark Bay Reach - Bergen Point to Droyers (83) If at any time VTS NY believes a proposed vessel transit may not conform to this recommendation, they Point will request an assessment be conducted prior to grant- (61) Hackensack River: ing a vessel permission to transit within the VTS NY (62) 1) Droyers Point to the turning basin at Marion Area. This assessment process will include a review of (63) Passaic River: real-time water level information from the P.O.R.T.S.®. (64) 1) Kearney Point (84) Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (65) Arthur Kill: (P.O.R.T.S.®) is an information acquisition and dis- (66) 1) Gulfport Reach semination technology developed by the National (67) 2) Pralls Island Reach Ocean Service, NOAA. The Port of New York and New (68) 3) Tremley Point Reach Jersey Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System can (69) 4) Fresh Kills Reach be contacted via telephone (866) 217-6787 or the Inter- (70) 5) Port Reading Reach net at: http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov. (71) 6) Port Socony Reach (85) Also to be considered are the vessel’s intended (72) 7) Outer Bridge Reach track, including particular areas of inadequate water (73) Raritan Bay: depth with the pilot’s plan for their avoidance, any (74) 1) Raritan Bay West Reach other local conditions which might further restrict (75) 2) Raritan Bay East Reach vessel movement, as well as special traffic routing mea- (76) 3) Seguine Point Bend sures that might be required. If VTS NY deems this as- (77) 4) Red Bank Reach sessment to be necessary, the VTS Watch Officer will (78) 5) Ward Point Reach request on VHF-FM that the pilot contact VTS via (79) A recommended standard of “always afloat” will ap- land-line or cellular telephone. Discussion on un- der-keel clearance plans shall not be conducted on ply to all other areas, including berths, in the Port Dis- VHF-FM. It is in the best interest of all parties to insure trict that abut the above listed channels. Ship related situations of marginal under-keel clearance are identi- factors such as squat, turning heel and other dynamic fied and thoroughly discussed well prior to a vessel’s motions should be considered and, if expected, added to underway time. These guidelines were adopted by the this figure to ensure a minimum clearance of two feet Harbor Operations Committee on 20 September 1995 will be maintained throughout a given transit. and became effective 1 January 1996. Conformance Traffic in New York Harbor (80) The owner, master, or person in charge of each ves- (86) In the East River between the Brooklyn Bridge and sel has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining this Poorhouse Flats Range, shallow-draft vessels custom- minimum recommended under-keel clearance. Addi- arily keep to the west (Manhattan) side of the channel tionally, persons directing the movement of vessels whether northbound or southbound, thereby reserving share this responsibility and are expected to advise the east (Brooklyn) side of the channel for deep-draft owners, operators and persons in charge of vessels if, in vessels. Vessels transiting East River should be aware of their judgement, a vessel is not in conformance with this practice and anticipate northbound shallow-draft these standards. vessels crossing from east to west in the vicinity of (81) If at any time a vessel’s under-keel clearance is not Corlears Hook, and from west to east in the vicinity of in conformance with this recommendation and own- Newtown Creek. ers, masters, or others in charge of the vessel desire to (87) The New York City Department of Transportation proceed against the pilot’s recommendation, pilots are ferries generally follow a prescribed route between The urged to report this to the USCG Captain of the Port via Battery and St. George on Staten Island, placing them VTS New York. Through VTS New York, the COTP will to the extreme right-hand side of the channel. All mari- foster communications between the concerned parties ners are strongly encouraged not to transit close in effort to arrive at agreed upon conditions for safe aboard of the ferry slips at The Battery and St. George vessel passage. due to ferries maneuvering. (82) It should be recognized that there may be instances when the master, pilot and COTP evaluate a situation and agree that a vessel movement can be made safely even though inconsistent with this recommendation. Such movements may be allowed and should be

384 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2 Channels Local magnetic disturbance (88) Ambrose Channel, the principal entrance, extends (111) Differences of as much as 5° from the normal varia- from the sea to deep water in Lower Bay. Thence, An- tion have been reported in Lower Bay in the vicinity of chorage Channel, an extension of Ambrose Channel 40°29.6'N., 74°04.2'W. leads through Upper Bay to The Battery. Hudson River Channel continues northward from The Battery for (112) Sandy Hook Channel, project depth 35 feet, pro- about 5 miles to West 59th Street, Manhattan. Project vides a secondary route from the sea to deep water in depth for these channels is 45 feet. Lower Bay; it connects with Raritan Bay Channel to (89) In addition to the usual aids, Ambrose Channel in the westward, Chapel Hill Channel to the north, and its outer portion is also marked by West Bank Light, Terminal Channel to the south. Chapel Hill Channel shown from a brown conical tower on a black cylindri- has a project depth of 30 feet; numerous obstructions cal pier, in range with Staten Island Light, which is with lesser depths are in the channel. The entrance to shown from a light-colored octagonal brick tower on a Sandy Hook Channel is marked by Scotland Lighted gray limestone base on the high ground of Staten Is- Whistle Buoy S, equipped with a radar beacon (Racon). land at Richmond. The channels are well marked with navigational aids. (90) Lower Bay is that part of New York Harbor extend- (See Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of charts ing from Sandy Hook westward to Raritan River and for controlling depths.) northward to The Narrows. (113) Swash Channel is a natural buoyed passage be- Recommended Vessel Tracks, Ambrose Channel tween Ambrose Channel and Sandy Hook Channel. Nu- (91) Recommended vessel tracks for coastwise tug and merous rocks and obstructions are in the entrance to and within the channel; mariners are advised to use the barge vessels approaching from or leaving toward the chart as a guide. A lighted range, the rear marker of south and transiting to New York Harbor via Ambrose which is Staten Island Light, leads on a bearing of 305° Channel, while not mandatory, are recommended by to the junction with Chapel Hill Channel. the Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Commit- tee of the Port of New York as follows: (114) False Hook Channel, along and close to the eastern (92) Tugs Inbound: shore of Sandy Hook, joins Sandy Hook Channel east- (93) 40°25'20.5\"N., 73°52'57.0\"W.; ward of the north end of Sandy Hook. Strangers should (94) 40°25'48.6\"N., 73°52'48.7\"W.; not use the channel. (95) 40°26'31.2\"N., 73°52'40.2\"W.; (96) 40°27'09.2\"N., 73°52'38.9\"W.; (115) Fourteen Foot Channel enters Lower Bay just (97) 40°28'05.2\"N., 73°52'54.9\"W. north of Ambrose Channel. The channel has a depth of (98) Tugs Outbound: about 16 feet and is unmarked. A shoal area with a least (99) 40°28'26.4\"N., 73°53'54.2\"W.; depth of 6 feet is north of the channel in 40°31'55\"N., (100) 40°27'52.4\"N., 73°53'42.4\"W.; 73°59'00\"W. (101) 40°27'32.7\"N., 73°53'37.8\"W.; (102) 40°27'05.5\"N., 73°53'36.0\"W.; Anchorages (103) 40°25'42.2\"N., 73°53'34.4\"W.; (116) General, explosives, naval, and special anchorages (104) 40°25'22.6\"N., 73°53'35.6\"W. have been prescribed for the Port of New York by Fed- Area to be avoided eral Regulations. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, (105) To avoid the risk of pollution and damage to the en- chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (117) Vessels are especially cautioned against anchoring vironment, all vessels carrying petroleum, dangerous in the vicinity of the pipeline and cable areas as shown or toxic cargoes, or any other vessel exceeding 1,000 on the charts. The pipeline area across The Narrows tons, should avoid the area enclosed by the following supplies the water for Staten Island. Extensive cable ar- pints: eas are in the vicinity of Governors Island, The Battery, (106) 40°25'44.1\"N., 73°52'40.6\"W.; and Ellis Island. (See also chart 12334.) (107) 40°25'51.2\"N., 73°50'51.9\"W.; (118) The Harbor Safety, Operations and Navigation (108) 40°25'28.4\"N., 73°50'51.9\"W.; Committee of the Port of New York and New Jersey has (109) 40°24'43.0\"N., 73°51'48.2\"W.; issued the following recommendations to address the (110) 40°25'13.9\"N., 73°52'40.7\"W. inadequate number of inshore anchorages within the harbor: (119) Ships awaiting berths will use the offshore anchor- ages at Ambrose; (120) All vessels will limit use of Stapleton, Bay Ridge and Gravesend Bay anchorages to the following

New York Harbor and Approaches ■ Chapter 11 ■ 385 operations: lightering or loading, bunkering, receiving in at the bottom and near the shores while it is still ebb- stores or parts, repairs, Coast Guard inspections, crew ing at the surface in Ambrose Channel. changes, or emergencies; (129) The ebb in Lower Bay is generally stronger than the (121) Ships will return to the offshore anchorage upon flood by 10 percent or more. At its strength it sets from completion of these operations to await berth; The Narrows approximately parallel to the upper (122) Tugs and barges not engaged in operations de- straight end of the lower straight section. scribed above will refrain from using the deep water an- (130) In the channel northward of Governors Island, chorages at Stapleton, Bay Ridge (south of Buoy 26) cross currents may be encountered. During the first 2 and Gravesend Bay (west of Buoys “A”, “B” and “C”) hours of flood in this channel (eastward), the current when there is suitable room east of the Gravesend Bay in Hudson River is still ebbing (southward). In the first buoys, north of Buoy 26 in Bay Ridge, in the North 1.5 hours of ebb (westward) in the channel north of River Anchorage, or suitable anchorage in Raritan Bay Governors Island, the current in Hudson River is still or Perth Amboy. flooding (northward). At such times large vessels must (123) These recommendations are intended to minimize take special care in navigating the channel. It is re- vessel delays and allow efficient use of current anchor- ported that the most dangerous time is about 2 hours age areas. All vessels are requested to observe these after high water at The Battery. At this time the current recommendations. is setting north in the Hudson River and westward from the East River. The effect on a large vessel coming Dangers from southward and turning into the East River is to (124) There are five shoal areas in the entrance to New throw her stern to port and her bow to starboard, thus causing a sheer to starboard toward the shoals off the York Harbor which are subject to change in depths and north end of Governors Island. When coming from should be avoided by strangers. False Hook is off the northward in the Hudson River the same effect tends to northeastern side of Sandy Hook. Flynns Knoll is be- prevent the vessel from turning and to cause her to tween Swash, Sandy Hook, and Chapel Hill Channels. overrun her course. These cross currents are known lo- Romer Shoal, between Ambrose and Swash Channels, cally as The Spider. is marked by Romer Shoal Light; a fog signal is (131) At the seaward end of Ambrose Channel the veloc- sounded from the light station. East Bank is northward ity of the flood current is 1.7 knots and of the ebb cur- and eastward of Ambrose Channel. West Bank is west- rent 2.3 knots. ward of Ambrose Channel between West Bank (Range (132) When the ebb is strong the currents in both Front) Light and Fort Wadsworth. Numerous rocks and Ambrose and Swash Channels tend to set toward obstructions lie between West Bank and the western Romer Shoal. Caution should be maintained to prevent limit of Ambrose Channel. The chart is the best guide. being set onto Romer Shoal when using either chan- (125) The tip of Sandy Hook is changeable, and the area nel. On the flood and especially with a westerly wind, around it is subject to severe shoaling; caution should caution should be exercised to prevent being set onto be exercised in the area. Romer Shoal when using Swash Channel. (126) Mariners are cautioned to maintain a sharp look- (133) In The Narrows the velocity of the flood current is out for floating debris in the harbor and channels. about 1.7 knots and of the ebb current 2 knots. (See Tidal Current Tables for the daily predictions of slack Tides water and strength of current.) (127) The mean range of tide in New York Harbor is 4.7 (134) In the entrance to Hudson River the velocity of the flood and ebb currents is 1.4 knots. Off Grants Tomb, feet at Sandy Hook and 4.6 feet at The Battery. Daily the flood and ebb strengths are 1.6 and 1.9 knots, re- predictions for both places are given in the Tide Tables. spectively. (135) In 1991, tidal currents in The Narrows, Arthur Kill, Currents Kill Van Kull, and Hell Gate were reported to deviate (128) The flood current entering Lower Bay from the sea significantly from official predictions published by the National Ocean Service. Mariners should exercise cau- attains a velocity of about 2 knots in Ambrose Channel tion and discretion in the use of published tidal current entrance, near the outer extremities of Sandy Hook, predictions for these locations. Also, previously avail- Coney Island, and The Narrows. It sets generally paral- able Tidal Current Charts for New York Harbor have lel to the lower straight section of Ambrose Channel been withdrawn. and tends to continue to that direction where the chan- nel bends toward The Narrows, setting more or less di- agonally across the upper straight section of Ambrose Channel. At the beginning of the flood, the current sets

386 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2 Ice average low of 26°F (-3.3°C). The warmest temperature (136) Navigation of the channels in the Port of New York on record for New York/Kennedy is 104°F (40°C) re- corded in July 1966 and the coldest temperature on re- and New Jersey is not restricted by ice. The main chan- cord is -2°F (-18.9°C) recorded in January 1985. On nels do not freeze over, and any ice in the smaller wa- average, ten days each year record high temperatures terways is well broken up by tugs and general traffic. in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) and 78 days record minimum Freshwater ice is brought down the Hudson River in temperatures below 32°F (0°C). An average of only one large floes during periods of thaws or winter freshets. day each year has an extreme minimum below 5°F Occasionally there are large accumulations of ice at (-15°C). Spuyten Duyvil where Harlem River joins the Hudson, (141) Precipitation is both moderate and distributed and at such times it is difficult for low-powered vessels evenly throughout the year with a spread of only 1.06 or tows to make much headway. Under conditions of inches (28 mm) between the wettest and driest strong winds the slips on the exposed side of the chan- months. May is the wettest month with an average pre- nel become packed with drift ice, causing difficulty cipitation total of 3.92 inches (991 mm) and February when maneuvering in the slip or when berthing. Dur- the driest with 2.86 inches (74 mm). Average annual ing extremely severe winters navigation is interfered precipitation is about 41 inches (1041 mm). Most of the with seriously for only short periods of time. rainfall from June through September comes from thunderstorms, therefore, is usually of brief duration, Weather, New York and vicinity but relatively intense. Thunderstorm days average 24 (137) New York City, an area exceeding 300 square stat- each year. From October to April, however, precipita- tion is generally associated with widespread storm ar- ute miles (777 square km), is located on the Atlantic eas, so that day-long rain or snow is common. coastal plain at the mouth of the Hudson River. The ter- (142) Snow falls an average 30 days each year and aver- rain is flat and diversified by numerous waterways; all ages 22 inches (559 mm) in any given year. The snowi- but one of the city’s five boroughs are situated on is- est month is February with an average of eight inches lands. Elevations range from less than 50 feet (15.2 m) (203 mm). Snow has fallen in each month, October over most of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to al- through April. The greatest 24-hour total snowfall was most 300 feet (91.4 m) in the northern part of 20 inches (508 mm) which fell in February 1969. Manhattan and the Bronx, and over 400 feet (122 m) in (143) Tropical storms have influenced the area fourteen Richmond (Staten Island). times since 1871. Most recently, Hurricane Gloria (138) Despite its nearness to the ocean and the numer- passed within 20 nautical miles east of the Kennedy air- ous bays and rivers nearby, New York City has a climate port in September 1985. Gloria had winds approaching which more closely resembles the continental type of 75 knots at time of landfall, about halfway between climate than it does the maritime type. Its modified Kennedy airport and Islip. Only two days earlier, Gloria continental climate follows from the fact that weather was a more respectable 125-knot hurricane. conditions affecting the city usually approach from a (144) The National Weather Service maintains several of- westerly direction and not from the ocean on the east. fices in New York where barometers can be compared. Some important exceptions to this must be noted, (See Appendix A for addresses.) since the oceanic influence is by no means entirely ab- (145) (See Appendix B for the Manhattan climatological sent. During the summer, local “sea breezes,” winds table and the Kennedy Airport climatological table.) blowing onshore from the cool water surface often moderate the afternoon heat; and most often in winter, Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches coastal storms, accompanied by easterly winds, pro- (146) Foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register en- duce, on occasion, considerable amounts of precipita- tion. tering or departing from the Port of New York and New (139) From November through April the prevailing Jersey must employ a pilot licensed by the State of New winds are from the northwest; for the remainder of the York or New Jersey. Enrolled vessels must have on year the prevailing winds are southwesterly. Gales with board or employ a pilot licensed by the Federal Govern- velocities of 35 knots or more are predominately from ment. the northwest. (147) State and Federal pilotage service for vessels enter- (140) At New York/Kennedy the average annual tempera- ing the Port of New York and New Jersey through ture is 54°F (12.2°C). The average high is 61°F (16.1°C) Lower Bay and intra-harbor movements is available and the average low is 47°F (8.3°C). July is the warmest from the United New York New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilot month with an average high of 83°F (28°C) and an av- Association, 201 Edgewater Street, Staten Island, NY erage low of 69°F (20.6°C). January is the coolest month with an average high of 39°F (3.9°C) and an

New York Harbor and Approaches ■ Chapter 11 ■ 387 10305, telephone 718 448-3900, FAX 718 876-8055 Jersey Sandy Hook Pilot Association (see above). The e–mail: [email protected]. pilot boat boarding area is off Execution Rocks. The pi- (148) The Sandy Hook pilot vessel maintains station ap- lot boat ties up at a pier on the east side of City Island proximately 1.5 miles southeast of the Ambrose Chan- about 0.4 mile northward of Belden Point. The pilot nel Lighted Whistle Buoy A. All traffic passes through a station, on the pier, and the pilot boat monitor VHF-FM precautionary area transiting to the pilot station. Most channel 13 when vessels are scheduled to arrive. The vessels choose to approach the pilot station directly 48-foot pilot boat has a black hull with the word PILOT since Ambrose Light was disestablished. Traffic within in red letters on each side of the house. Arrangements the precautionary area may consist of vessels making for pilots are made in advance either directly by the ves- the transition between operating in Ambrose or Sandy sel or through ships’ agents. Notification is mandatory Hook Channel and one of the traffic lanes. Mariners are 24 hours prior to arrival and ETA updates are required advised to exercise extreme care in navigating within 12 and 6 hours prior to arrival. this area. The pilot vessels have a black hull and white (153) Masters of vessels entering the Port of New York superstructure, with the name PILOT NO. 1 or PILOT and New Jersey are requested, prior to the time of NO. 2 in yellow on each side and are equipped with AIS boarding, to contact the pilot boat to ascertain a proper and transmit either “PILOT NO.1” or “PILOT NO.2” A boarding speed, make a lee for the pilot boat, and have a pilot vessel is always on station; boarding is made from pilot ladder over the side about 1 meter above the wa- smaller boats which are also AIS equipped and broad- ter. cast “P/B (name).” The pilot vessel monitors VHF-FM (154) Pilotage for U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise channels 16, 13, and 73, and works on 73. trade is available from the United New York New Jersey (149) Pilot services are arranged in advance through Sandy Hook Pilot Association (see above) and Interport ships’ agents. A 24-hour advance notice of ETA, with a Pilots Agency, Inc. (see above). Pilot boats are KEN 3-hour update is requested. JOHNSON, 47-foot with blue hull and white super- (150) Pilotage for these waters for U.S. enrolled vessels in structure with the word PILOT displayed on both sides, coastwise trade is also available from the Interport Pi- and INTERPORT PILOT, 50-foot with the same colors. lots Agency, Inc., http://www.interportpilots.com, 906 Boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ prior to the vessel’s scheduled ETA, work on channel 07758-0236, telephone 732-787-5554 (24 hours), email 65A, and are equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots board [email protected]. The Interport Pilots office vessels bound from Long Island Sound into New York monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 65A during busi- Harbor via the East River at any LIS port, Montauk ness hours. Pilot boats are KEN JOHNSON, 47-foot, Point, Point Judith Pilot Station, or in the vicinity of blue hull and white superstructure with the word Execution Rocks. PILOT displayed on both sides, and INTERPORT PILOT, 50-foot with the same colors. Boats monitor Pilotage, Hudson River VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 one and a half hours prior (155) See Pilotage, Hudson River (indexed as such), to the vessel’s scheduled ETA, work on channel 65A, and are equipped with AIS and transmit ‘PILOTBOAT chapter 12. (NAME)'. (151) Vessels are generally boarded in the charted, desig- Towage nated pilot boarding area, located southeast of the (156) The Port of New York and New Jersey has several Ambrose Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy A at 40°26'47\"N., 73°48'27\"W. Arrangements for pilot ser- towing companies with radio-equipped tugs with over vices are made in advance through ship’s agents or di- 4,000 hp. Arrangements for tugs are usually made in rectly to Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. advance by ships’ agents. Fireboats are stationed throughout the harbor. Pilotage, New York Harbor from Long Island Sound (157) New York is a customs port of entry and the head- (152) Foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register en- quarters of the Regional Commissioner. tering or departing from the Port of New York and New Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural Jersey from Long Island Sound must employ a pilot li- quarantine censed by the State of New York. Enrolled vessels must (158) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and have on board or employ a pilot licensed by the Federal Appendix A for addresses.) Government. Pilotage service for vessels entering the (159) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- Port of New York and New Jersey from Long Island tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public Sound is available from the United New York New Health Service, chapter 1.)

388 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2 Coast Guard side of the Hudson River (North River) above The Bat- (160) A Coast Guard station is at Rosebank on Staten Is- tery. Containership terminals are throughout the port, but principally at Elizabeth, Newark, Jersey City, and land. A Coast Guard Command Center including a Cap- Weehawken, N.J. Other containership facilities are at tain of the Port office and Marine Inspection Office are Howland Hook, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Break- at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island. Additional informa- bulk general cargo terminals are throughout the port tion can be found at http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork. but principally along the east side of Upper New York Bay, on the East River, and at Port Newark. Petroleum Harbor regulations and other liquid cargo facilities are along Arthur Kill, (161) The administration of the Port of New York and on the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, and along New- town Creek, Brooklyn. New Jersey and the enforcement of its laws are vested (167) General cargo in the port is usually handled to and in no single body, but are divided among various de- from vessels by ship’s tackle. Heavy lifts up to 500 tons, partments of the Federal, State, and Municipal Govern- floating cranes up to 500 tons, and derricks are avail- ments. able in port. Most of the waterfront facilities through- out the port have highway and railroad connections. Speed (168) The wharves and piers of New York City along the (162) The Coast Guard desires to warn masters and pilots waterfronts of the Hudson and East Rivers are num- bered beginning at The Battery and follow in sequence of all types of vessels that possible action may result eastward along the East River and northward along the against their licenses and criminal procedures may be Hudson River. For a complete description of the water- exercised, when the wash of a vessel proceeding at ex- front facilities throughout the Port of New York and cessive speed in confined waters endangers life, limb, New Jersey refer to Port Series No. 5, published and or property. Damage to vessels moored at docks and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appen- terminals has been reported. The parting of a mooring dix A for address.) line may cause a serious oil fire or damage to pipelines or barges which are being loaded or discharged at Supplies chemical and petroleum company terminals. Damage (169) Provisions and supplies of all kinds are available in caused by excessive speed may also lead to a possible suit by the injured party against owners, masters, or pi- the Port of New York and New Jersey. All grades of lots for monetary recovery. heavy marine bunker fuel, lubricants, and diesel fuel can be obtained. Large vessels are usually bunkered at (163) The New York Economic Development Corpora- their berths by tank barges or self-propelled tankers. tion administers the piers along the New York City wa- Water is available at most of the piers and wharves. terfront. The office is at 110 William Street. Additional information can be found at http://www.nycedc.com/ Repairs RealEstate/AssetManagement. (170) The Port of New York and New Jersey has extensive (164) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is facilities for making all types of repairs to vessels of all an executive body appointed by the Governors of New sizes. The shipyards at Brooklyn, Hoboken, Staten Is- York and New Jersey. The Authority’s Port Department land and Queens can drydock some of the largest serves as a bistate port development, operations, main- ocean-going vessels, and can make major repairs to tenance, and promotion organization. The Port Au- hull, electronic equipment, machinery, and propulsion thority administers piers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, plants. Also within the port area, a number of firms Hoboken, Port Newark, and Port Elizabeth. The office without waterfront facilities are engaged in various of the Authority is at the 233 Park Avenue South, New types of marine repair work. These firms maintain York, NY 10003. ships and portable equipment for making above-waterline repairs and for installation of equip- Wharves ment, gear, and machinery on all types of craft at berth. (165) The Port of New York and New Jersey has over Several salvage companies also perform all types of sal- vage work. 1,100 waterfront facilities. Most of these facilities are (171) The largest floating drydock, east of Red Hook privately owned and operated, and the rest are owned Channel and on the east side of Erie Basin, has a lifting or operated by either the railroads serving the port, the capacity of 16,000 tons, an overall length of 580 feet, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the City of maximum clear inside width of 100 feet, and a depth of New York, the States of New York and New Jersey, the 28 feet over the keel blocks. The largest graving dock is Federal Government, or other municipalities. (166) The major steamship passenger terminal, the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal, is along the east

New York Harbor and Approaches ■ Chapter 11 ■ 389 on the east side of Wallabout Bay at the site of the for- Chart 12350 mer New York Naval Shipyard. The dock has a clear length of 1,092 feet, clear gate width of 143 feet, top and (174) Rockaway Inlet, the entrance to Jamaica Bay, is be- bottom inside widths of 150 feet, and 34 feet over the tween Rockaway Point on the southeast side and keel blocks; cranes to 200 tons are available. The larg- Manhattan Beach and Barren Island on the north side. est marine railway, on the east side of East Mill Basin in The inlet is obstructed by a shifting sandbar located Jamaica Bay, can handle vessels up to 300 tons of 120 about 0.6 mile southeast of the light. A jetty, marked feet long. near the outer end by a light, extends south from Rockaway Point. The entrance channel extends west- Communications ward of the jetty and is marked by lighted and (172) The Port of New York and New Jersey is served by unlighted buoys. The channel has depths of about 18 feet or more at midchannel. The area around Buoy 5 three trunkline and one short-line railroads, numerous has a least depth of 13 feet. A shoal with depths of less trucking firms engaged in long- and short-haul freight than 1 foot and marked by breakers is west of the en- service, and several bus companies. Over 100 steam- trance channel. Numerous obstructions lie from ship companies connect the port with the principal southeast to southwest of the jetty light. The chart is U.S. and foreign ports. the best guide. (173) Three major airports, John F. Kennedy (New York) International, La Guardia, and Newark, provide frequent (175) There are two sunken wrecks farther inside the in- scheduled service between New York and domestic and let; the first, in 40°33'03\"N., 73°56'42\"W., about 0.5 overseas points. mile north-northwest of Rockaway Point, has a depth of 25 feet. The second is in 40°34'30\"N., 73°52'30\"W., about 0.4 mile eastward of the bridge. (176) In 1980, shoaling to about 3 feet was reported in the inlet about 1.75 miles west of the Gil Hodges Me- morial Bridge in about 40°34'21\"N., 73°55'29.5\"W.

390 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2 (177) Gil Hodges Memorial (Marine Parkway) Bridge, (183) Ice is a problem in Jamaica Bay, mainly in the trib- crossing Rockaway Inlet between Rockaway Point and utaries and basins, from early January to about Barren Island, has a vertical lift span with a clearance of mid-March. 55 feet down and 152 feet up. The bridgetender moni- tors VHF-FM channel 13 (156.65 MHz); call sign, (184) Sheepshead Bay, on the northern side of the east- KIL–819. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.795, ern extremity of Coney Island and northward of chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Manhattan Beach, is well protected and is used by nu- merous pleasure and party fishing craft. The entrance Tides and currents channel is marked by buoys. In 2010, the channel had a (178) The mean range of tide at Rockaway Inlet is about 5 depth of 6 feet except for shoaling to 2.2 feet along the west edge of the channel, just north of Buoy 7. In 2002, feet. In the entrance channel near Rockaway Point the depths of 7 to 9 feet were available inside the bay to the tidal current has a velocity of about 2.2 knots. The ebb bridge near the head of navigation except for shoaling attains a greater velocity than the flood and probably to 2 feet along the edges. A private light marks the exceeds 3 knots at times. In 1975, a strong east-to-west outer limit of a sewer outfall that extends southward current, believed to have been the result of tidal flow, from the bay. was observed at the entrance to Rockaway Inlet near the seaward end of the jetty. This current is of sufficient Anchorages strength to cause a vessel to veer suddenly off course (185) Special anchorages are in Sheepshead Bay. (See when entering or exiting the channel. South of Barren Island the velocity is about 2 knots; east of Barren Is- 110.1 and 110.60(x), chapter 2, for limits and regula- land it is about 1.5 knots. (See Tidal Current Tables for tions.) predictions.) Small-craft facility (179) Jamaica Bay is on the south shore of Long Island (186) A small-craft facility in the bay can handle craft to about 15 miles southeastward of The Battery, New York City. The bay is characterized by numerous meadows, 1½ tons. Mooring, electricity, diesel fuel, water, ice, hassocks, and marshes. The north and east shores are marine supplies and storage are available. bordered by marshlands which extend inland for a short distance. Several small tidal creeks enter the bay (187) Plumb Beach Channel, northward of Rockaway In- from the north. Channels and basins have been let, is the common approach to Gerritsen Inlet, Shell dredged to project depths of 12 to 20 feet for use of craft Bank Creek, Gerritsen Creek, and Mill Creek. A fixed operating in the bay. Rockaway Beach forms the south highway bridge with a clearance of 35 feet crosses the shore. The bay is about 7 miles long and 3.5 miles wide, inlet. The channel is marked by buoys. Mariners are ad- and covers an area of about 22.5 square miles. The vised to follow the buoys through the inlet closely. Two greater portion of the bay is in the Boroughs of Brook- shoal areas are near Plumb Beach Channel Buoy 7. The lyn and Queens, New York City, and a small section of first is north-northeast of the buoy with a least depth of the eastern extremity, consisting of parts of Motts Ba- 2 feet; it extends to midchannel where the least depth is sin and Head of Bay, is in Nassau County. 4 feet. The other is about 0.1 mile southeast of the buoy with a least depth of 2 feet. Anchorages (180) Special anchorages are in Jamaica Bay. (See 110.1, (188) From the highway bridge over Gerritsen Inlet, Shell Bank Creek leads westerly and Gerritsen Creek and 110.60 (s) and (s–1), chapter 2, for limits and reg- and Mill Creek lead northwesterly. There are danger- ulations.) ous pilings and remains of old barges along the south side of Shell Bank Creek, and several submerged (181) The commercial vessel traffic in Jamaica Bay con- wrecks in Gerritsen and Mill Creeks. The fixed highway sists of motor tankers, barges, and tugs. The bay is used bridge over Mill Creek is in ruins; mariners are advised extensively by pleasure craft. to exercise caution in this area as some parts of the bridge structure have fallen into the water and are an (182) Jamaica Bay has excellent transportation facilities. obstruction to navigation. Highways connect with all of Long Island and New York City, and a branch of the New York City subway system Small-craft facilities crosses the central part of the bay and extends eastward (189) Small-craft facilities on Shell Bank Creek can pro- and westward along the Rockaway peninsula with sta- tions at Far Rockaway and Inwood serving the Motts vide berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, Basin area. ice, marine supplies, lifts to 60 tons, and a 90-foot ma- rine railway; complete hull and engine repairs are available.

New York Harbor and Approaches ■ Chapter 11 ■ 391 (190) Dead Horse Bay makes into the southwest side of (198) Canarsie, a town on the northwestern shore of Ja- Barren Island eastward of the highway bridge across maica Bay, is a part of New York City. Canarsie Pier, on Gerritsen Inlet. A marina, on the north side of the bay, the northwest shore of Jamaica Bay between Paerdegat has berths and moorings. Numerous wrecks and ob- Basin and Fresh Creek, has two prominent flagpoles structions are in the entrance to the bay and in the near its center. The pier is structurally unsafe, and southwest corner of the marina. The chart is the best landing is not permitted. The pier is a part of Gateway guide. National Recreation Area. (191) Island Channel leads northerly from just eastward (199) Fresh Creek, 0.6 mile northeastward of the pier at of Barren Island to Bergen Beach, thence northeasterly Canarsie, has a midchannel depth of about 8 feet. A in North Channel to Howard Beach. In 1998, depths of highway bridge across the creek near the entrance has about 12 feet can be carried to Howard Beach. The a 43-foot fixed span with a clearance of 21 feet. Hendrix channels are marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. Creek, 0.4 mile northeastward of Fresh Creek, is the site of a water pollution control plant. Sludge vessels (192) Big Fishkill Channel and Pumpkin Patch Channel operate from the pier at the southwestern entrance to lead in a northeasterly direction from Runway Channel the creek. Old Mill Creek, 1.1 miles northeastward of just west of Ruffle Bar and join North Channel 0.3 mile Fresh Creek, bares at low water just above the en- west of the North Channel Bridge at Howard Beach. trance. Fresh, Hendrix, and Old Mill Creeks were little used in 1971. (193) Mill Basin is northward of Barren Island on the west side of Jamaica Bay. Commercial traffic in the ba- (200) Howard Beach, about 2.5 miles eastward of sin consists of occasional barge shipments of petro- Canarsie, on the north side of Jamaica Bay, has several leum. In 1981, a reported depth of 13 feet could be basins for boats. North Channel Bridge, just south of taken to the north end of the basin. Howard Beach, has a fixed span with a clearance of 26 feet. Small-craft facilities (194) Small-craft facilities in the basin can provide (201) Shellbank Basin, extending northward about 1 mile from North Channel and just west of Howard berths with electricity, gasoline, water, ice, marine sup- Beach, had a reported controlling depth of 5 feet in plies, and complete hull and engine repairs; a 50-ton 1981. The basin has numerous small piers, float land- marine railway and lifts to 20 tons are available. ings, and other small-craft facilities along the west side. Berths with electricity, water, a 15-ton lift, and (195) The Shore Parkway bascule highway bridge with a complete hull and engine repairs are available. The bas- clearance of 34 feet crosses Mill Basin between Barren cule span of a former highway bridge across the basin Island and Brooklyn. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and has been permanently removed leaving a channel 117.795, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The width of 40 feet. bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KX–8185. Mariners are requested to avoid causing (202) Hawtree Basin, about 0.2 mile eastward of bridge openings during peak commuter hours of 0700 Shellbank Basin, has a depth of about 11 feet. A fixed to 0900 and 1600 to 1800 Monday through Friday. pedestrian bridge, about 0.3 mile above the mouth, has a clearance of 17 feet. (196) East Mill Basin is about 0.4 mile northeastward of Mill Basin. In 1981, a reported midchannel depth of 13 (203) A railroad bridge across North Channel, at Hamil- feet could be taken to the head of the basin. Small-craft ton Beach, 0.5 mile east of the North Channel Bridge, facilities in the basin can provide berths with electric- has a fixed span with a clearance of 26 feet. ity, water, marine supplies, a 15-ton forklift, a 100-ton travel lift and marine railways to 300 tons; complete (204) Rockaway Beach is a popular summer resort on the hull and engine repairs are available. barrier beach forming the southern extremity of Ja- maica Bay. Train and bus transportation is available to (197) Bergen Beach is a community about 2 miles north New York City. Excursion boats operate between New of Barren Island. Paerdegat Basin, just north of Bergen York and Rockaway Beach during the summer only. Beach, has a midchannel depth of about 11 feet. A fixed highway bridge across the basin near the mouth has a (205) Beach Channel is on the north side of Rockaway clearance of 29 feet; replacement of the bridge was un- Beach. A Federal project provides for a channel 18 feet der construction in 2010. A marina at the head of the deep from Rockaway Inlet to about 700 yards above Gil basin can haul out craft up to 15 tons. Gasoline, marine Hodges Memorial Bridge, thence 15 feet deep to the supplies, and water are available. No repairs are avail- junction with Grass Hassock Channel. able for the public. In 1981, a reported depth of 8 feet could be taken to the marina. Several yacht clubs are (206) A 056°–236° measured nautical mile is along the also in the basin. south shore of Jamaica Bay parallel with the concrete and wood flood barrier of Beach Channel Drive south- ward of Nova Scotia Bar. The structures are maintained

392 ■ Chapter 11 ■ Volume 2 by the Brooklyn Power Squadron; the front markers entrance to the northeasterly and southeasterly ends of are black and yellow chevrons, and the rear markers are the basin. In 1998, the controlling depth was 10 feet (15 orange squares. feet at midchannel) in the entrance channel, thence 11 (207) Cross Bay Memorial Bridge, crossing Beach Chan- feet (15 feet at midchannel) in the northeastern nel at Rockaway Beach, has a fixed span with a clear- branch, thence 9 feet (15 feet at midchannel) in the ance of 52 feet. The railroad bridge over Beach southeastern branch to just below the head of each Channel, 0.5 mile eastward, has a swing span with a channel. Ice may obstruct vessel movement in the ba- clearance of 26 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.49, chap- sin during severe winters. ter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) East Broad Channel (214) Overhead power cables across Motts Basin have the is closed to navigation at the railroad trestle of this following clearances: one over the northerly arm, 70 bridge. feet; two over the southerly arm, least clearance 92 feet; (208) Barbadoes Basin is adjacent to the Beach Channel and one over the cut on the south side of the southerly railroad bridge. A facility in the southeast corner of the arm, 60 feet. A retractable boom is on the south shore basin receives broken concrete by barge for recycling. of the basin about 90 yards northwest of the overhead (209) Vernam Basin is northeast of Barbadoes Basin. A cable tower. A light is shown from the boom when it is facility in the southwest corner of the basin receives pe- extended into the water. troleum products by barge. In 2007, the controlling (215) Depths alongside the wharves in Motts Basin range depth at the facility was reported to be 15 feet. A facility from 10 to 20 feet. Waterborne commerce in the basin in the southeast corner of the basin receives sand, is chiefly in petroleum products. gravel and stone by barge. A small-craft facility in the (216) Head of Bay joins Grass Hassock Channel near basin has berths, electricity, water, open storage, and Northwest Point and extends in a northeasterly direc- lifts to 72 tons. Repairs for fishing boats can be made. tion on the south side of John F. Kennedy (New York) (210) Winhole Channel, a natural channel marked by International Airport. Depths of about 15 feet are in buoys, seasonal lights, and a daybeacon, extends 1 mile the entrance channel and channel in the bay; aids mark northward to Grassy Bay from the junction of Beach the channels. In 2007, it was reported that a draft of 16 Channel with Grass Hassock Channel. Winhole Chan- feet could be taken to the facilities at Uncle Daniels nel has a least depth of about 11 feet, except for re- Point, 14 feet could be taken to facilities on Motts ported shoaling to 4 feet extending into the channel Creek, and 14 feet could be taken to facilities at Norton northeast from Winhole Channel Light 3 in about Point. Several small marinas in the bay can provide 40°36.8'N., 73°48.4'W. Winhole Channel Shoal Day- berths, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, storage beacon marks the center of a shoal near the north end facilities, and a launching ramp; minor engine and hull of the channel. The daybeacon should not be passed repairs can be made. close aboard. A lighted buoy marks the junction of (217) Thurston Basin, at the northeastern extremity of Beach, Grass Hassock, and Winhole Channels. Head of Bay, has reported depths of 10 feet at the en- (211) Grass Hassock Channel joins Beach Channel off trance decreasing to 2 feet at the head. Brant Point and continues in a northeasterly direction (218) Grassy Bay, along the southwestern side of John F. to Head of Bay. In 1998, the controlling depth was 12 Kennedy (New York) International Airport in the feet (15 feet at midchannel). The shallowest water is northeastern part of Jamaica Bay, is blocked at the abeam Brant Point between Buoy 14 and Buoy 16 and southeastern end by an airport runway. The runway at the junction with Negro Bar Channel in the vicinity continues into the marshlands on the southerly side of of Lighted Buoy 23. the bay. (212) Sommerville Basin, about 1.2 miles eastward of (219) Bergen Basin, at the northern extremity of Grassy the railroad bridge at Rockaway Beach, has depths of 27 Bay, has depths of about 15 feet with lesser depths in to 40 feet inside. In 1981, depths of about 15 feet were the eastern arm of the basin. The entrance is marked by reported in the approach. Several charted sunken buoys. Conspicuous are a yellow brick circular tank wrecks are in the basin. A boatyard at the head of the about 40 feet high on the southwestern side of the en- basin has berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, lim- trance and the numerous oil storage tanks at the head ited marine supplies, storage facilities, a launching of the basin on the eastern shore. Coastal tankers and ramp, a 45-foot marine railway, and a 7-ton mobile sand-and-gravel barge tows account for most of the hoist; engine and hull repairs can be made. commerce in the basin. In 1988, a sunken wreck was (213) Motts Basin, a tidal inlet in the eastern part of Ja- reported in the eastern arm of the basin in about maica Bay, entered through Negro Bar Channel, par- 40°39.7'N., 73°49.1'W. tially separates the communities of Inwood and Far (220) Safety and security zones are in the vicinity of Rockaway. Two branch channels lead from inside the John F. Kennedy International Airport, Bergen Basin,