Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay ■ Chapter 5 ■ 243
244 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 245 Narragansett Bay (1) This chapter describes the Sakonnet River, (6) The Scheme is composed basically of directed traf- Narragansett Bay, Mount Hope Bay, and Taunton and fic lanes each with one-way inbound and outbound Providence Rivers. Also discussed are the ports of New- traffic lanes separated by a defined traffic separation port, Fall River, and Providence, as well as the numer- zone, and two precautionary areas, one at the southern ous other yachting and fishing centers in this area. end and the other at the northern end of the directed traffic lanes and separation zones. The Scheme is rec- COLREGS Demarcation Lines ommended for use by vessels approaching or departing (2) The lines established for this part of the coast are from Narragansett Bay, but is not necessarily intended for tugs, tows, or other small vessels which tradition- described in 80.145, chapter 2. ally operate outside of the usual steamer lanes or close inshore. Charts 13221, 13218 (7) The Traffic Separation Scheme has been designed (3) Narragansett Bay, opening into the north side of to aid in the prevention of collisions at the approaches Rhode Island Sound 17 miles westward of Buzzards to major harbors, but is not intended in any way to su- Bay entrance, is the approach to the cities of Newport, persede or alter the applicable Navigation Rules. Sepa- Providence, Fall River, and Taunton, as well as numer- ration zones are intended to separate inbound and ous towns and villages. Rhode Island (Aquidneck Is- outbound traffic lanes and be free of ship traffic, and land), the largest island in the bay, forms the eastern should not be used except for crossing purposes. Mar- shore of the bay proper. The entrance is between iners should use extreme caution when crossing traf- Brenton Point, the southwestern part of Rhode Island, fic lanes and separation zones. (See Traffic Separation on the east, and Point Judith Neck on the west. The bay Schemes, chapter 1, for additional information.) is about 18 miles long from the entrance to the mouth of Providence River. Navigation of the bay is easy dur- (8) The southern precautionary area in the southwest ing day or night in clear weather as it is marked by navi- part of Rhode Island Sound has a radius of 5.4 miles gational aids. The large Conanicut Island and centered on 41°06'06\"N., 71°23'22\"W., excluding those Prudence Island, and several smaller islands, divide areas of the circle bounded by imaginary lines extend- the bay into two passages. Sakonnet River, although ing between the outer limits of the inbound and out- not a part of Narragansett Bay, is included with it in the bound traffic lanes. (Note that the southern following discussion. precautionary area is common to the Traffic Separation Schemes for the approaches to both Narragansett Bay (4) East Passage is good for a least depth of about 60 and Buzzards Bay.) The Traffic Separation Scheme for feet for about 11 miles up the marked channel to the the approach to Buzzards Bay is described in chapter 5. entrance of the dredged channel to Providence. West Passage is the approach to Dutch Island Harbor, (9) The separation zone is a 2-mile-wide zone centered Wickford, Greenwich Bay, and Providence River. Ves- upon the following positions: sels of over 16-foot draft rarely go above Dutch Island Harbor without a pilot, but vessels of 16-foot draft or (10) (i) 41°22'39\"N., 71°23'22\"W., less should have no difficulty in going to the head of the (11) (ii) 41°11'07\"N., 71°23'22\"W. bay and Providence River. Sakonnet River is good for a (12) The inbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane with depth of 18 feet from the mouth to Mount Hope Bay. a length of about 11.5 miles. Entering the traffic lane at (5) Traffic Separation Scheme Narragansett Bay has a point in about 41°11'06\"N., 71°21'24\"W., a course of been established in the approach to Narragansett Bay 000° follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junc- through Rhode Island Sound. (See charts 13223, 13221, tion with the northern precautionary area. 13218, 12300.) (13) The outbound traffic lane is a 1-mile-wide lane with a length of about 11.5 miles. Entering the traffic lane at a point in about 41°22'39\"N., 71°25'24\"W., a course of 180° follows the centerline of the traffic lane to a junction with the southern precautionary area.
246 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 (14) The northern precautionary area has a 3.55-mile Security Broadcast System, Narragansett Bay radius centered on a point in about (41°25'35\"N., (21) In conjunction with various maritime interests, 71°23'22\"W.), excluding those areas of the circle bounded by imaginary lines extending between the the Coast Guard has developed a system of recom- outer limits of the inbound and outbound traffic lanes. mended radiotelephone procedures for Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays that is designed to supplement (15) A 2-mile-wide restricted area extends from the the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Regula- northern limits of the Narragansett Bay Approach traf- tions (33 CFR 26) (see chapter 2). These voluntary pro- fic separation zone to 41°24.7'N. This restricted area cedures consist of Security calls to be made by vessel within the precautionary area will only be closed to ves- masters, pilots, or operators on VHF-FM channel 13 sel traffic by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Divi- (156.65 MHz) at designated points. The procedures are sion, Newport, during periods of daylight and optimum designed to give notice of unseen vessels, give notice of weather conditions for torpedo range use. The closing intended movement, clear channel 13 of traffic unre- of the restricted area will be indicated by the activation lated to navigation, give each vessel information on all of red flashing lights on naval vessels supporting the others in the immediate vicinity, and to do so at little torpedo range activities. There would be no vessel re- cost and with as little radiotelephone traffic as possible. strictions expected during inclement weather or when These recommendations do not relieve a master, pilot, the torpedo range is not in use. or operator of any requirements of law or regulation. There is no guarantee that every vessel will follow (16) The Traffic Separation Scheme is not buoyed. A them. group of buoys within the separation zone and the pre- (22) Inbound vessels should make Security calls when cautionary area mark the torpedo range; these buoys abeam of Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle are not related to the Scheme. Buoy NB, when off Castle Hill Light, and when at the south end of Prudence Island (state whether bound for (17) Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy Providence or Fall River). The call at Castle Hill Light NB (41°23'00\"N., 71°23'24\"W.) is at the north end of alerts outbound vessels so that they can pass East Pas- the separation zone and is equipped with a racon. sage Lighted Bell Buoy 11 close aboard, as during ebb current they tend to be set toward the center of the (18) A safety zone has been established about 2 miles channel. Vessels bound for Providence should make ad- northward of Buoy NB for Liquefied Petroleum Gas ditional Security calls when off Popasquash Neck and (LPG) vessels. (See 165.20, 165.23, and 165.121, when approaching Bullock Point Light BP. Vessels chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) bound for Fall River should call Brightman Street Bridge when they enter Mount Hope Bay to allow suffi- (19) Recommended Vessel Route (Narragansett Bay) cient time for opening of the bridge. has been established in the approach to Narragansett (23) Vessels outbound from Providence should make Bay through Rhode Island Sound. Security calls when leaving their dock and when off Popasquash Neck. Vessels outbound from Fall River (20) The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Provi- should make calls when leaving their dock, when ap- dence, in cooperation with the Southeastern Massa- proaching Mount Hope Bridge, and when off Gould Is- chusetts and Rhode Island Port Safety and Security land. Committees, has established a Recommended Vessel Route for deep draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting Anchorages Rhode Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, and Buzzards (24) The principal anchorages for vessels seeking shel- Bay. Deep draft vessels and tugs/barges are requested to follow the designated routes. These routes were de- ter are Newport Harbor in the East Passage and Dutch signed to provide safe, established routes for these Island Harbor in the West Passage. These harbors af- vessels, to reduce the potential for conflict with recre- ford anchorage with good holding ground for ational boaters, fishing gear, and other small craft, and deep-draft vessels, and are sometimes used by coasting to reduce the potential for grounding or collision. Ves- vessels on the passage between Vineyard Sound and sels are responsible for their own safety and are not re- Long Island Sound. Good anchorage will be found al- quired to remain inside the route nor are fisherman most anywhere in the bay under the lee of islands or the required to keep fishing gear outside the route. Small shore, where vessels becalmed or at night frequently vessels should exercise caution in and around the Rec- anchor. Point Judith Harbor of Refuge is just west of ommended Vessel Routes and monitor VHF channels Point Judith. General and explosives anchorages are in 16 or 13 for information concerning deep draft vessels Narragansett Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.145, chapter 2, and tugs/barges transiting these routes. for limits and regulations.)
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 247 Routes brought in by winds from east through south to south- (25) Vessels approaching from eastward should shape west and are cleared off by northerly and westerly winds. The usual duration of the fog is 4 to 12 hours, their approach to pass well south of Seal Ledge and but periods of 4 to 6 days have been known with only Brenton Reef. Brenton Reef and other dangers on the short clear intervals. The head of the bay will some- easterly side of the entrance will be avoided by keeping times be free from fog while the entrance is completely Castle Hill Light bearing eastward of 003° and passing shut in. westward of the lighted whistle buoy and the gong buoy (29) Navigation of the bay and its tributaries is some- off Brenton Reef and the bell buoy off Butter Ball Rock. times impeded by floating ice and in severe winters by Approaching from westward, from a position with packs of field ice. The ice which breaks up in Provi- Point Judith Light bearing 344° distant 2 miles, vessels dence River and Mount Hope Bay is set by north and may steer 028° for about 9 miles to a position 0.5 mile northeast winds down the bay through East Passage. If west of Castle Hill Light, thence follow the navigational there is much ice, a gorge is sometimes formed at Fort lights in the bay. The recommended route, however, for Adams, but it is of short duration. The passages are deep-draft vessels is via the Narragansett Bay Approach rarely closed for any length of time below Gould Island Traffic Separation Scheme, which is described earlier in the East Passage and Dutch Island in the West Pas- in this chapter. sage. During January and February, Mount Hope Bay, Bristol Harbor, Warren, Providence River, Greenwich Tides Bay, and Wickford are usually closed to sailing vessels (26) The tidal movement in Narragansett Bay with its unaided by power. The inner harbor of Newport is also sometimes closed during these months with the excep- vertical and horizontal constituents–tide and current, tion of a channel kept open by vessels. It can get nasty respectively–is a continuation of the tide wave of the at the mouth of Narragansett Bay when strong winds Atlantic Ocean. This wave sweeps into the three en- oppose the currents. Rounding Point Judith can be trances between Sakonnet Point and Point Judith and rough or interminable, due to the confluence of tidal continues up the bay and into each of its tributaries un- currents. Also local wind conditions can cause the tide til stopped by rapids or other obstructions. As is usual to turn earlier or later than predicted in the tables. when oceanic tidal movements enter inland waterways, the nature of the movement is modified by the hydro- North Atlantic Right Whales graphic features encountered. In this area the local fea- (30) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur tures are such that the current movement in particular is subject to considerable distortion. The mean range of in the Narragansett/Buzzards Bay Traffic Separation the tide varies from about 3.5 feet at the entrance to 4.6 Scheme (peak season: November though April). The feet at Providence. (See the Tide Tables for predictions.) Northeast Marine Pilots distribute educational mate- rial to mariners in an effort to reduce right whale ship Currents strikes. (See North Atlantic Right Whales, indexed as (27) The flood current in Narragansett Bay frequently such, in chapter 3 for more information on right whales and recommended measures to avoid colli- has two maximums of velocity separated by a minimum sions.) velocity which at times becomes an ebb flow. Over the (31) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall greater part of the bay, the usual maximum flood or ebb (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United velocity is from 0.2 knot in the broad portions of the States are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the waterways to 1.5 knots in the more constricted sec- Block Island Sound Seasonal Management Area be- tions. Velocities of about 1.4 knots occur at the bridges tween November 1 and April 30. The area is defined as in Seekonk River, a velocity of about 1.7 knots in the the waters bounded by: narrows at the mouth of Kickamuit River, and a veloc- (32) 40º51'53.7\"N., 70º36'44.9\"W.; ity of 2.3 to 2.7 knots at the bridges in Sakonnet River. (33) 41º20'14.1\"N., 70º49'44.1\"W.; In Sakonnet River, from the highway bridge to its (34) 41º04'16.7\"N., 71º51'21.0\"W.; mouth, current velocities are small, being generally (35) 40º35'56.5\"N., 71º38'25.1\"W.; thence back to start- less than 0.5 knot. (See the Tidal Current Tables for ing point. (See 50 CFR 224.105 in chapter 2 for regu- predictions, and the Tidal Current Charts, lations, limitations, and exceptions.) Narragansett Bay, for hourly velocities and directions of the current.) Weather, Narragansett Bay and vicinity (36) The Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Re- (28) In the entrance to the bay and its approaches, fogs search Reserve, a Marine Protected Area (MPA), in- cludes the waters around Prudence, Patience, Dyer, are more prevalent from April to October. The fogs are
248 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 and Hope Islands in Narragansett Bay. Cape Cod South and white superstructure. The boats monitor VHF-FM Closure Area includes inshore waters of Narragansett channels 16 and 13, 2 hours prior to the vessel’s sched- Bay and offshore Federal waters of the south coasts of uled ETA, and work on channel 10. The pilots meet Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (See Appendix C, for ships bound for Narragansett Bay at any point south or additional information.) east of the Point Judith Pilot Station, centered on 41°17.0'N., 071°30.5'W., and outside the waters of the Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode State of Rhode Island. Island Waters (48) Vessels to be boarded should provide a ladder 3 feet (37) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign vessels and U.S. above the water on the lee side. vessels under register when entering and departing (49) Pilot services are generally arranged at least 24 Narragansett Bay and all ports of the waters of the State hours in advance through ships’ agents or directly by of Rhode Island. shipping companies. (38) Federal and State pilots for Narragansett Bay are available from Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., Newport, Chart 13221 RI 02840; http://www.nemarinepilots.com; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216; FAX 401- (50) Sakonnet River, on the easterly side of 847-9052; email: [email protected]. Narragansett Bay, is between the mainland and the (39) Pilots board vessels about 1.5 miles eastward of eastern shore of Rhode Island. The width of the river Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB varies from 0.7 to 2 miles except at its northern end within an area bounded by where a least width of 0.3 mile is found. The river is lit- (40) 41°23.6'N., 71°22.4'W., tle used except by fishing vessels and small craft. (41) 41°22.6'N., 71°22.0'W., Sakonnet Light (41°27'11\"N., 71°12'09\"W.) is on the (42) 41°24.2'N., 71°20.0'W., eastern side of the southern entrance and marks the (43) 41°22.6'N., 71°20.6'W. This pilot boarding area is western end of the foul ground west-southwest of southward of a line extending from Point Judith to Sakonnet Point. Sakonnet Point. Vessels arriving from sea should ap- proach this boarding station via the Narragansett Bay (51) The channel of Sakonnet River is good for a depth Traffic Separation Scheme inbound traffic lane. of 18 feet from the mouth to Mount Hope Bay. There (44) Vessels bound for Long Island Sound ports may are numerous shoals and outlying rocks, but the dan- board pilots at any point south or east of the Point Ju- gers are well marked by buoys. Except for the breakwa- dith Pilot Station, centered on 41°17.0'N., 071°30.5'W., ter light off Sakonnet Harbor, no lighted aids are in the and outside the waters of the State of Rhode Island. river, and strangers should not attempt to navigate it at (45) Pilots board from the Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc. night. pilot boats NORTHEAST II, NORTHEAST III and NORTHEAST IV. NORTHEAST II is a 47-foot boat and (52) Good anchorage for vessels drawing up to 17 feet NORTHEAST IV is a 52-foot boat; both have unpainted can be had in midriver just below High Hill Point in aluminum hulls and superstructures with the word depths of 21 to 28 feet. Although open to the south- PILOT in red on both sides. NORTHEAST III is a ward, a heavy sea seldom reaches as far as this anchor- 33-foot boat with black hull and white superstructure. age. In southeasterly gales the water is comparatively A vessel should confirm her ETA by VHF-FM radio at smooth inside the mouth of the river. Fishermen seek- least 2 hours before arrival. All Northeast pilot boats ing shelter frequently anchor on the flats in the bight monitor VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 10, and work on northward of Fogland Point in depths of 10 to 14 feet. 10. (46) Pilots for Narragansett Bay serving U.S. enrolled (53) Sakonnet Point, at the eastern entrance to vessels in coastwise trade are available from the North- Sakonnet River, is surrounded by bare and submerged east Marine Pilots (see above for contact information) rocks. Several islets and islands are south of the point. and the Connecticut State Pilots (a division of Schuyler Ledge, with a least depth of 8 feet, is about 0.8 Interport Pilots Agency, Inc.), address: State Pier, New mile southward of the point, and is marked by a bell London, CT, telephone 800-346-4877 or 908-787-5554 buoy. A seasonal fishtrap area marked by private buoys (24 hours), cable PORTPILOTS Port Monmouth, NJ. is about 0.7 mile southwest of the point. (47) Connecticut State Pilots board vessels from the pi- lot boat CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65 feet long with blue (54) Cormorant Rock, a bare dark rock off the western hull and white superstructure, and from pilot boat side of the entrance to the river, is about 0.8 mile south CONNECTICUT PILOT II, 47 feet long with blue hull of Sachuest Point, the southeastern extremity of Rhode Island. Vessels should not pass between Cormo- rant Rock and Cormorant Reef, 0.3 mile southward of
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 249 the rock. The least depth on the reef is 4 feet; it is (62) The eastern side of Sakonnet River is bolder than marked by a bell buoy. the western side. The east shore should be given a berth (55) The mean range of tide at Sakonnet Point is 3.1 of 0.7 mile from Sakonnet Point to Church Point, a flat feet. (See the Tide Tables for predictions.) point with bluffs at the water, about 2.8 miles north- (56) The two bridges and the remains of the abandoned ward of Sakonnet Point. Old Bull, with a depth of 1 highway bridge at the north end of Sakonnet River act foot, is about 0.5 mile southward of Church Point and as dams to maintain the water at different levels on ei- marked by a buoy. A church spire at Little Compton, ther side of them, causing dangerous currents through about 1.7 miles east of Church Point, is prominent. the openings. The currents change with great rapidity High Hill Point, about 3 miles north of Church Point, both in velocity and in direction, and are characterized is a prominent small hill with bluffs at the water. by a double flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables for pre- Fogland Point, about 0.9 mile northward of High Hill dictions, and the Tidal Current Charts, Narragansett Point, is a projecting prominent point; the westerly and Bay, for hourly velocities and directions of the current.) northerly sides should be given a berth of over 200 Vessels usually pass through the draws near the times yards. Almy Rock, bare at low water, is 0.3 mile south- of slack water. west of Fogland Point. The broad bights between (57) The river north of Fogland Point is usually closed Fogland Point and the bridge are shoal. by ice for short periods each winter. Ice packs occur at the railroad bridge. (63) Nannaquaket Pond, on the east side of Sakonnet (58) Vessels proceeding up Sakonnet River should fol- River eastward of Gould Island, has a narrow entrance 8 low a midriver course to the constricted part of the feet deep crossed by a fixed bridge with a clearance of 12 river, thence follow the channel marked by buoys into feet. The deeper water in the entrance is along the Mount Hope Bay. northern shore; several rocks are off the southern (59) Sakonnet Harbor, a small-boat harbor on the shore. The currents have considerable velocity. The northerly side of Sakonnet Point, about 2 miles north- northern part of the pond has depths up to 26 feet; the eastward of the entrance lighted whistle buoy, is pro- remainder has depths of about 3 feet. tected by an 800-foot breakwater extending in a northerly and easterly direction from Breakwater (64) The Cove, on the western side of the river south of Point. A light marks the outer end. In 2001, the harbor the bridges, has a depth of about 9 feet in the entrance; had a controlling depth of 6.7 feet except for shoaling to the 31-foot-wide fixed highway bridge across the en- 4.8 feet along the southern edge and 1.5 feet along the trance has a clearance of 25 feet. Depths are generally 3 NW edge. The holding ground in the harbor is reported to 4 feet in the cove. to be poor. A marina on the southwest side of the har- bor provides berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, and electric- (65) Tiverton is a town on the eastern bank of Sakonnet ity. In August 1981, depths of 6 feet were reported River north and south of the bridges. Oil tankers call at alongside the berths. Tiverton. The oil piers northward of the bridges have (60) The western shore of Sakonnet River from the en- reported depths of about 32 to 35 feet alongside. trance to Sandy Point should be given a berth of 0.4 mile to avoid shoals with depths of 7 to 17 feet. Rocks (66) There are small-craft facilities at Tiverton, across extend up to 500 yards offshore between Sachuest the Sakonnet River at Almy Point, and at Cedar Island Point and Flint Point, about 1 mile northward. Flint Pond approximately 1.1 miles north of Almy Point. The Point Ledge, about 0.5 mile north-northeast of Flint facilities provide berths and mooring, electricity, gaso- Point, has a least depth of 7 feet; a buoy marks the line, diesel fuel, water, ice, pumpout facilities, a ledge. Black Point is a rocky bluff on the western side of launching ramp, a lift to 60 tons, storage, and full re- the river, 2.6 miles northward of Flint Point. Sandy pairs. The facility at Tiverton has an approach depth of Point and McCorrie Point, low and backed by high 35 feet with 12 feet alongside, at Almy Point has an ap- land, are 3.9 and 5.4 miles, respectively, northward of proach depth of 25 feet with 11 feet alongside, and at Flint Point. Cedar Island Pond has an approach depth of 12 feet (61) The channel passes eastward of Gould Island, a with 8 feet alongside. high wooded island, 2.5 miles north-northeastward of McCorrie Point. This Gould Island should not be con- (67) The channel at the north end of Sakonnet River, 0.6 fused with one of the same name in East Passage. A mile above Gould Island, is restricted to a width of 100 rock with a depth of 1 foot is northwestward of the is- feet between the abutments of a former highway land and is marked by a buoy. bridge. The fixed highway bridge, 0.8 mile to the north- ward, has a clearance of 65 feet. About 200 feet north of the highway bridge, a railroad bridge across the river has a swing span with a clearance of 12 feet in the west opening. (See 117.1 through 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) In July 1991, the bridge was
250 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 reported to be maintained in the open position. The (75) Hull Cove, about 1 mile northeastward of overhead power cable at the railroad bridge has a clear- Beavertail Light, is rocky and exposed to southerly ance of 81 feet. winds. Castle Hill, the westernmost point of Rhode Is- land, is marked by Castle Hill Light; a fog signal is at Chart 13223 the light. Castle Hill Coast Guard Station is close east of the light. Butter Ball Rock, about 0.2 mile south of (68) The southern shore of Rhode Island is rocky with the light and marked by a bell buoy, uncovers 1 foot. numerous offlying rocks and ledges. Numerous promi- nent residences are on the eastern side of Newport (76) Mackerel Cove indents the southern shore of Neck, the southwestern part of Rhode Island. A large Conanicut Island about 1.6 miles northeastward of brick residence with several towers is on the southeast- Beavertail Light. A house with a cupola is prominent on ern point of Newport Neck. Easton Point is about 1.3 Southwest Point, the eastern entrance point of the miles eastward of Newport Neck. A stone tower with a cove. The cove is exposed to southerly weather and is short spire at each corner can be seen from offshore, seldom used. The Jamestown Bridge shows promi- about 0.7 mile northward of Easton Point. Westward of nently over the bar at the head of the cove on entering Easton Point is a bathing beach with a prominent pavil- East Passage. Kettle Bottom Rock, about 0.2 mile ion. Several private landings are northward of Goose- southeastward of Southwest Point, is bare and marked berry Island, a small islet south of Newport Neck. Local by a gong buoy. knowledge is required to proceed to the landings. (77) Bull Point, the southeastern point of Conanicut Is- (69) East Passage, the principal passage in Narragansett land, is rugged and rocky, and fringed by shoals which Bay, extends between Rhode Island on the east and are marked by buoys. Fort Wetherill is on the point. Conanicut and Prudence Islands on the west. It is the The Dumplings, northeast of Bull Point, are numerous most direct route to Newport, Bristol, Providence, bare and covered rocks and islets. The most southerly Mount Hope Bay, and Taunton River. islet has a tall house on it, covering almost the entire islet. (70) The Newport Bridge, a fixed highway suspension bridge, crosses East Passage about 3.6 miles above the (78) Fort Adams is on a peninsula off the north side of entrance, between Jamestown and Newport. Clear- Newport Neck. The buildings and masonry of the fort ances through the 1,500-foot center span are 213 feet are prominent on the western slope of the peninsula. A at the center, 205 for the mid 1,000 feet, and 194 feet for dock extending northward from the fort is marked by a the remainder of the center span. A racon is at the light and fog signal. bridge. (79) Newport Harbor, on the western shore of Rhode Is- (71) Brenton Point is the southwestern extremity of land and the eastern side of East Passage, 3.5 miles Rhode Island and the eastern entrance point of East above Beavertail Light, is an important harbor of ref- Passage. uge for coasters, tows, and yachts. Its approach is well marked by navigational aids, and the harbor is of easy (72) Brenton Reef, bare in places, extends 0.5 mile access day and night. A State regulatory buoy in the en- south-southwestward of the point and is marked by a trance to the inner harbor marks a “5 mph no wake” gong buoy. Another reef extends 0.5 mile offshore just zone. Goat Island, 0.6 mile long in a north-south direc- eastward of the point; Seal Rock is at the southeastern tion, is a major pleasure boating center and divides end of the reef. Newport Harbor into an outer and inner harbor. The outer harbor, on the western side of Goat Island, is (73) Seal Ledge, about 0.5 mile south of Seal Rock, has northward of The Dumplings and southward of Gould depths of 12 to 30 feet and is marked by a bell buoy. Island. The inner harbor is on the eastern side of Goat Haycock Ledge, 0.4 mile eastward of Seal Rock, has a Island and extends along the western front of Newport. least depth of 11 feet. (80) A marina, hotel, recreational and service facilities, (74) Beavertail Point is the southern extremity of and marine supplies are available on Goat Island. Conanicut Island, on the western side of the entrance to East Passage. Beavertail Light (41°26'58\"N., (81) Newport, a city on the inner harbor, is one of the 71°23'58\"W.), 64 feet above the water, is shown from a principal summer resorts on the Atlantic Coast. Some square granite tower attached to a white dwelling at coastwise traffic uses the port, but few foreign vessels Beavertail Point. A fog signal is at the light. Several an- enter it. A Naval Education and Training Center is here, tennas and radar towers are north of the light. Newton from which several Navy ships operate. Rock, a covered rock, is about 0.1 mile southward of the point; a bell buoy is about 0.2 mile southwestward Prominent features of the rock. (82) The following objects are prominent when ap- proaching Newport Harbor either from the southward
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 251 or northward: a hotel on Goat Island; a white building gong buoy, is about 0.1 mile southeast of the dock on of the yacht club near Ida Lewis Rock in the southerly the southeast side of the island. Citing Rock, 2 feet part of the harbor; church spires in the town; and the high, is 350 yards east of the north end of the island and buildings of the Naval Education and Training Center on the edge of the shoal surrounding Rose Island. and Naval War College on Coasters Harbor Island in the Tracey Ledge, covered 10 feet, is about 0.3 mile east- north part of the harbor. To the westward on Conanicut ward of Rose Island and marked by a buoy. Island are several large hotels and a standpipe. Numer- (91) Gull Rocks are about midway between Rose Island ous navigational aids mark the passages through the and Coasters Harbor Island. Buoys mark the ends of the harbor. shoals and rocks that extend northward and southward (83) The entrance to the outer harbor from the south- of the rocks. There is deep water between Gull Rocks, ward is unobstructed; the entrance from northward, Rose Island, and Coasters Harbor Island. A rock, cov- passing either side of Gould Island, is clear, but the pas- ered 17 feet and marked by a buoy, is about 0.3 mile sage eastward of Rose Island is partly obstructed by the north-northwestward of Gull Rocks. rocks and ledges between Rose and Coasters Harbor Is- (92) Off the northern and southern sides of Coasters lands. Harbor Island are numerous rocks and ledges. A pri- (84) The inner harbor has two entrances north and vate light marks an obstruction in the channel south of south of Goat Island. A fixed highway bridge with a the island. St. Patrick Rock, covered 5 feet, is about 0.3 40-foot span and a clearance of 14 feet connects the mile southeastward of the island. The island has nu- Newport mainland to the northern part of Goat Island. merous buildings. Two highway bridges connecting the This bridge limits the size of vessels that can enter the island to Newport have 31-foot fixed spans with clear- inner harbor from the northern approach. ances of 3 feet. Overhead power cables of unknown (85) General anchorages are in the outer and inner har- clearance cross the harbor 0.1 mile north of the north- bor and, except in emergencies, vessels must anchor in ern bridge. these areas. (See 110.1 and 110.145, (a) (1), (a) (3) (93) The western portion of the outer harbor is gener- through (a) (5), and (d), chapter 2, for limits and reg- ally free of dangers northward of The Dumplings. ulations.) Special anchorages are in Brenton Cove and in the inner harbor east and northeast of Goat Island. Tides (See 110.1, 110.1a, and 110.46, chapter 2, for limits (94) The mean range of tide is 3.5 feet. (See the Tide Tables and regulations.) Vessels of more than 18-foot draft an- chor in the outer harbor in depths of 36 to 100 feet with for predictions.) good holding ground. (86) Good anchorage is in Brenton Cove, the bight east- Currents ward of Fort Adams, which is used frequently by yachts. (95) In the entrance off Bull Point the flood current is When entering, the western shore should be given a berth of 200 yards. often irregular. There may be a long period of slack wa- (87) In 1981, the harbormaster requested that transient ter preceding the flood, or there may be a double flood. craft anchor only in the northern part of the Brenton The flood reaches a strength of about 1.2 knots; the ebb Cove anchorage and in the anchorage northeast of Goat is regular and averages 1.5 knots at strength. Island. (96) Northward of Bull Point, tidal current velocities (88) Shoals with little water over them make out nearly seldom exceed 1 knot. In the inner harbor they are usu- 300 yards from the southern shore of the inner harbor ally less than 0.5 knot. (See the Tidal Current Tables for to Ida Lewis Rock and Little Ida Lewis Rock; the latter predictions, and the Tidal Current Charts, Narragansett is marked by a daybeacon. Bay, for hourly velocities and directions of the current.) (89) Goat Island is marked by a light at its northern end and a lighted bell buoy at its southern end. Buoys mark Weather, Newport and vicinity the shoals along the southeasterly and southwesterly (97) The prevailing winds are southwesterly in the sum- sides of the island. (90) Rose Island, privately owned, is surrounded by a mer and northwesterly in the winter. The heaviest gales shoal with little water over it. The shoal extends about are usually from the northwest and northeast. 0.4 mile northeastward of the island where it rises (98) The harbor and its approaches are navigable abruptly from deep water. A rocky area extends south- throughout the year, although in severe winters ice ward from Rose Island and is marked by a buoy. A pri- may interfere with navigation in the inner harbor for vate light marks the southwest point of the island. short periods. Vessels and tugs keep ice well broken up Mitchell Rock, with a depth of 14 feet and marked by a in the main channel through the inner harbor. (99) July is the warmest month with an average maxi- mum of 79°F (26.1°C) and average minimum of 63°F (17.2°C). January is the coldest month, having normal
252 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 mean temperatures near freezing, that is, average max- Supplies imum of 38°F (3.3°C) and average minimum of 23°F (109) Gasoline, diesel oil, diesel fuel, water, provisions, (-5°C). The extreme maximum temperature for New- port is 98°F (36.7°C) recorded in August 1975 while the and marine supplies may be obtained at Newport. extreme minimum is -9°F (-22.8°C) recorded in Janu- (110) Launch services are available in the harbor. ary 1982. (100) Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed through- Repairs out the year averaging about 45 inches (1143 mm) in (111) Newport has a commercial shipyard specializing in any given year. The wettest month is November averag- ing 4.57 inches (116 mm) and the driest month is July repair, construction, and conversion of steel and alumi- averaging only 2.94 inches (75 mm). Total snowfall for num vessels. The marine railway is at the shipyard in the winter season averages about 20 inches (508 mm); the inner harbor and can handle vessels to 330 feet however, melting is usually rapid and snow cover rarely long, 63 feet wide, and 21.6 feet in draft. Cranes to 60 lasts more than a few days. The greatest snowfall in a tons are available. 24-hour period was 20.0 inches (508 mm) in February 1978. January is the snowiest month averaging over Small-craft facilities seven inches (178 mm). Snow is absent from May (112) There are numerous facilities in Newport harbor. through September. An average of only five days each year has snowfall amounts greater than 1.5 inches (38 Mobile hoists up to 60 tons are available. Complete mm). small-craft hull and engine repairs can be made. (101) See Appendix B for the Newport climatological ta- ble Communications (113) Newport has bus and rail transportation. In the summer the ferry between Block Island and Providence calls at Newport. Pilotage, Newport (114) Jamestown is a town on the east side of Conanicut (102) See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode Is- Island in a bight on the west side of East Passage. A standpipe in the southern part of the town and a hotel land Waters (indexed as such), early this chapter. near the waterfront are prominent. The bight is a popu- lar summer anchorage for local craft. A marina basin Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural protected by a detached breakwater is in the center of quarantine the bight. Jamestown has two boatyards. The largest (103) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Ap- marine railway can handle craft to 80 feet, and the larg- pendix A for addresses.) est lift is 50 tons. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel (104) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- fuel, water, ice, some marine supplies, and complete tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public hull, engine, and electronic repairs are available. Health Service, chapter 1.) (105) Newport is a customs port of entry. (115) Potter Cove is about 1 mile above the marina basin (106) The Coast Guard vessel documentation office at just north of Taylor Point. This cove should not be con- Providence serves Newport. (See Appendix A for ad- fused with the Potter Cove off Prudence Island. About 1 dress.) mile north of Taylor Point are the ruins of a pontoon pier. Harbor regulations (107) The harbormaster, under the supervision of the (116) Coddington Point is about 0.5 mile northward of Coasters Harbor Island on the east shore of East Pas- Recreation Department, is charged with the enforce- sage. Bishop Rock Shoal, 0.6 mile southwestward of ment of harbor regulations, the movement of vessels, the point, is covered 9 feet and marked by a lighted bell and assignment of moorings and anchoring. The buoy. The Sisters, rocks awash westward of the point, harbormaster may be contacted through the Police De- are marked by a buoy. partment. The speed limit inside the harbor is 5 mph. (117) Coddington Cove, eastward of Coddington Point, is Wharves protected on its north side by a curving breakwater 0.7 (108) Facilities include a city wharf and numerous pri- mile long, marked at its end by a light and fog signal. Two long finger piers are inside the cove; the north side vate piers. The depths alongside the principal piers of the northerly pier is used by the Navy, and the south- range from about 7 to 18 feet. erly pier is used by a shipyard. Depths of 30 feet are re- ported alongside both piers. Navy buildings on shore and buildings at the shipyard are conspicuous.
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 253 Restricted Area Chart 13224 (118) Coddington Cove is within a naval restricted area. (127) Hog Island, about 1 mile north of Arnold Point, lies (See 334.81, chapter 2, for limits and regulations). in the entrance to Bristol Harbor, dividing the waters into two channels. The island has a rolling wooded ter- Danger Zone rain on which are a few houses and cottages. Shoal wa- (119) A prohibited area surrounds Gould Island and ex- ter surrounds the island extending as much as 0.4 mile southward and 0.8 mile northward. The shoal area is tends north to include waters between Conanicut Is- marked by lights and buoys. land and Prudence Island. (See 334.80, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (128) About 0.6 mile east-northeastward of Hog Island Shoal Light is Musselbed Shoals, marked on the outer (120) Gould Island, a military reservation, is about 2 end by a light. From the light structure a directional miles north of Rose Island and 0.8 mile east of light is shown to mark the channel to Mount Hope Bay. Conanicut Island. A light is on the south end of the is- land. The island is sparsely wooded. Charts 13221, 13227 (121) Halfway Rock and Fiske Rock are about 1.8 miles (129) Mount Hope Bay, in the northeastern part of northeastward of Gould Island, on a small ledge bare at Narragansett Bay, is the approach to the city of Fall its southern end. Halfway Rock is marked by a daybeacon River and Taunton River. There are two approaches to and Fiske Rock by a buoy. Strangers should not pass be- the bay. The approach from the Sakonnet River, previ- tween these aids. ously discussed, is little used. The approach from East Passage is well marked, and with care 34 feet can be (122) A mussel farming area is about 1.3 miles northeast carried in the channel into the bay. of the breakwater at Coddington Cove in the vicinity of the pier at Lawtons. Submerged equipment and nu- (130) Fall River, on the eastern shore of the mouth of merous buoys extend several hundred yards offshore Taunton River and head of Mount Hope Bay, is an im- and for about 0.5 mile north of the pier. Caution is ad- portant manufacturing center as well as distribution vised in the area. point of petroleum products. Principal products han- dled through the port are petroleum products, latex, (123) Dyer Island, about 0.8 mile eastward of the south- shellac, cotton, and some lumber. ern portion of Prudence Island, is low and brush cov- ered. A reef, partly bare, extends 0.4 miles southward (131) Somerset, about 5.3 miles, and Dighton, about 7.5 and southwestward of the island, and is marked by a miles above the Fall River, are towns on the west side of buoy. Between the shoal area south of Dyer Island and Taunton River. Taunton, a manufacturing city, is at the Rhode Island is a bar with depths of 9 to 18 feet over it. head of navigation about 12.5 miles above Fall River. North of Dyer Island is a reef with depths of 6 to 18 feet. (132) Mount Hope Bridge crosses the entrance to Mount (124) Melville, a military fueling facility, is on the west Hope Bay between Bristol Point and Rhode Island. The shore of Rhode Island, east of Dyer Island. Depths bridge has two lighted towers which are visible for alongside the fuel piers range from 30 to 35 feet. An ele- many miles in clear weather and a racon. It is a high- vated spherical tank, about 0.6 mile south-southeast- level suspension highway bridge with a clearance of ward of the fuel facility, is prominent. 135 feet. (125) A small-craft facility is in a basin at Coggeshall (133) Mount Hope is a prominent hill on the western side Point, just north of Melville. Berths, gasoline, diesel of the bay 2 miles northeastward of the suspension fuel, electricity, water, ice, complete marine supplies, bridge. The eastern and western slopes are wooded. and a 50-ton mobile hoist are available; engine, hull, Spar Island is a small, low island near the center of and electronic repairs can be made. In July 1981, Mount Hope Bay. depths of 9 to 15 feet were reported in the basin. A lighted wind turbine is about 0.9 mile northeast of (134) Borden Flats, the shoal area northward of the Coggeshall Point. channel in Fall River Harbor, is marked by a light equipped with a fog signal. (126) Near Arnold Point, about 2 miles north of Melville on Rhode Island, is a large prominent lumber mill with (135) Three shallow streams that empty into the north- a conspicuous stack. A privately dredged channel with a ern part of Mount Hope Bay are entered only by local reported depth of about 29 feet in July 1981 leads to a small craft. Kickamuit River, the westerly one, has a 600-foot pier at the mill. In July 1981, the pier was not narrow buoyed entrance through which the currents in use and was reported to be in disrepair. have considerable velocity. The buoyed channel has a depth of about 6 feet. Cole River, the middle of the
254 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 three, is buoyed on the east side of the entrance. South Mount Hope Bay where depth and bottom are suitable; Swansea, on the west shore of Gardners Neck, has a the chart is the best guide. boatyard with a 25-ton mobile hoist and a marine rail- way that can handle craft up to 50 feet for hull, engine, Bridges and electronic repairs or storage. Berths, electricity, (142) At Fall River, two highway bridges cross Taunton gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and marine supplies are available. In August 1981, a reported depth of 6 feet River. The first, a fixed bridge at State Pier, has a clear- could be carried to the boatyard. ance of 135 feet; a privately maintained fog signal is (136) A highway bridge, about 1.5 miles above the en- sounded from the bridge. The second, Brightman trance, has a 41-foot fixed span with a clearance of 7 Street Bridge, about 1.1 miles above the fixed bridge at feet. Lee River, the easterly stream, is navigable to a State Pier, has a bascule span with a clearance of 27 fixed bridge about 1.2 miles above the entrance. A shoal feet. The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 16 in midchannel just north of the narrow opening and works on channel 13; call sign WQA-833. In Octo- through the fill, 0.8 mile above Brayton Point, has a ber 2000, a replacement bascule bridge was under con- depth of 1 foot. struction about 0.2 mile above the existing Brightman Street Bridge with a design clearance of 60 feet. Channels (143) Between Fall River and Taunton, the river is (137) A Federal project provides for a channel 35 feet crossed by three bridges. The highway bridge at Berkley, about 5 miles above Fall River, has a swing deep through Mount Hope Bay to about 0.9 mile above span with a clearance of 7 feet. Weir Bridge, the fixed the Brightman Street Bridge across Taunton River at highway bridge at Taunton, has a clearance of 10 feet; Fall River. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of the fixed railroad bridge, about 0.2 mile upstream from the charts for controlling depths.) Weir Bridge, has a clearance of 9 feet. (See 117.1 (138) A dredged side channel, about 0.2 mile north of through 117.59 and 117.619, chapter 2, for draw- Common Fence Point (41°39.3'N., 71°13.3'W.) at the bridge regulations.) The overhead power cables cross- north end of Rhode Island, leads eastward from the ing Taunton River have least clearances of 145 feet at main channel into North and South Branch channels. Fall River and 65 feet near Taunton. In April-June 2004, the side channel had a reported controlling depth of 33.1 feet, with 20.7 feet available in Caution the North Branch channel, along the North Tiverton (144) The fender protection on the southeast side of the waterfront, and 23.7 feet available in the South Branch channel. Brightman Street bridge has been destroyed, and the (139) A privately dredged side channel, about 3.3 miles Captain of the Port, Providence, has ordered that out- northeastward of Common Fence Point and marked by bound barges in excess of 1,000 gross tons pass buoys and a 326° private lighted range, leads through the bridge only on the flood tide. northwestward from the main channel to a powerplant wharf on the east side of Brayton Point. In July 1998, Tides the channel had a reported controlling depth of 34 feet, (145) The mean range of tide is 4.4 feet at Fall River and except for shoaling to 33 feet in the entrance widening and 24 feet along the west edge of the widening. 2.8 feet at Taunton. (See the Tide Tables for predic- (140) A dredged channel in Taunton River leads from tions.) Somerset to Peters Point, 6.7 miles above the Brightman Street Bridge, thence to Taunton, 12.5 Currents miles above Fall River. In May 2001, the channel had a (146) In Taunton River the currents generally follow the controlling depth of 6.4 feet to Peters Point, thence 4 feet was reported to be available to Taunton. Local direction of the channel and, except at bridges, do not knowledge is required from Dighton to Taunton. Buoys hinder navigation. The ebb is usually stronger than the mark the channel to about a mile beyond the Berkley flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions, and Bridge, about 3.5 miles below Taunton. the Tidal Current Charts, Narragansett Bay, for hourly velocities and directions of the current.) Anchorages (141) Fall River Harbor has no designated anchorages. Weather, Narragansett Bay and vicinity (147) The prevailing winds are northeasterly for all but Vessels may anchor on either side of the dredged ap- proach channel in the outer harbor or at any locality in the summer months, when the direction is southwest- erly. The heaviest gales are usually from the northwest. The approach channel and harbor are generally free from ice and are navigable throughout the year. Taunton River is commonly closed from December to
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 255 March. During severe winters the harbor and Mount products; owned by Texaco, Inc.; not being operated in Hope Bay are occasionally frozen over, but the chan- 1983. nels to the principal wharves are kept open by vessels (159) Northeast Petroleum Corp., Pier 1: about 250 yards and tugs operating in the harbor. north of Texaco Inc. Terminal; 120-foot face, 700 feet with dolphins; 32 feet alongside; deck height, 9 feet; re- Pilotage, Fall River ceipt of petroleum products; owned and operated by (148) See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode Is- Northeast Petroleum Corp. (160) Northeast Petroleum Corp., Pier 2: about 250 yards land Waters (indexed as such), early this chapter. north of Northeast Petroleum Corp., Pier 1; 40-foot face, 700 feet with dolphins; 34 feet alongside; deck Towage height, 9 feet; receipt of petroleum products; owned (149) Tugs to 2,200 hp are available at Fall River and tugs and operated by Northeast Petroleum Corp. (161) Fuel Storage Co., Tiverton Terminal Pier: east side to 3,300 hp are available from Providence for use at Fall of Mount Hope Bay, 1.5 miles northward of Northeast River. Vessels are usually met 2 miles below their berth. Petroleum Corp., Pier 2; 50-foot face, 795 feet with dol- Large vessels normally require tugs for docking and phins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 9 feet; receipt of undocking. Arrangements for tug service should be petroleum products; owned and operated by Fuel Stor- made at least 6 hours in advance, usually through age Co. ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. Tugs (162) Facilities at Fall River, east side of Taunton River are dispatched 24 hours a day. The tugs monitor (chart 13227): Borden and Remington Corp. Wharf: VHF-FM channels 10, 13, 16, and 18A, and use channel (41°42'10\"N., 71°10'09\"W.); 380-foot face, 28 feet 7A as a working frequency. alongside; deck height, 10 feet; receipt of latex and caustic soda; owned by Tillotson Co. and operated by Quarantine, customs, immigration, and Borden and Remington Corp. agricultural quarantine (163) State Pier: 0.2 mile northeast of Borden and (150) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Ap- Remington Corp. Wharf; 398-foot face, 18 to 35 feet pendix A for addresses.) alongside; lower side 620 feet long, 35 feet alongside; (151) Fall River is a customs port of entry. deck heights, 17 feet; 85,000 square feet covered stor- (152) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- age, about 7 acres of open storage; receipt and ship- tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public ment of general and roll-on/roll-off cargo; owned by Health Service, chapter 1.) Fall River has several hospi- the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, operated by Fall tals. River Line Pier, Inc. (153) The Coast Guard vessel documentation office at (164) The battleship USS MASSACHUSETTS, World New Bedford, MA, serves Fall River. (See Appendix A for War II memorial, and three other U.S. Navy vessels are address.) berthed just northward of the State Pier. (154) The harbormaster can be contacted through Fall (165) Shell Oil Co. Wharf: about 2 miles above State Pier; River City Hall. 570-foot face, 700 feet with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum Wharves products, receipt of naphtha; owned and operated by (155) The piers and wharves at Fall River are along the Shell Oil Co. (166) Facilities on west side of Taunton River (chart Taunton and Sakonnet Rivers and in Mount Hope Bay. 13227): Only the deep-draft facilities are described. For a com- (167) Brayton Point Station Dock: (41°42'33\"N., plete description of the port facilities refer to Port Se- 71°11'21\"W.); 1,017 feet long; 34 feet alongside; deck ries No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of height, 15 feet; coal unloading tower serves conveyor Engineers. (See Appendix A for address.) The alongside belt system, unloading rate 1,000 tons per hour; receipt depths are reported; for information on the latest of fuel oil and coal; owned and operated by New Eng- depths contact the operator. All the facilities described land Power Co. have highway connections. Fresh water is available at (168) Montaup Electric Co. Wharf: about 2.5 miles above most of the piers and wharves. Cargo in the port is usu- Brayton Station Dock; 645 feet long, 34 feet alongside; ally handled by ship’s tackle. deck height, 10 feet; two coal unloading towers serve (156) The speed limit is 5 knots in the channel off the conveyor belts, combined unloading rate 1,200 tons piers and wharves. per hour; receipt of coal and fuel oil; owned and oper- (157) Facilities at Tiverton, RI (chart 13221): ated by Montaup Electric Co. (158) Texaco Inc. Tiverton Terminal: (41°38'50\"N., 71°12'40\"W.); 50-foot face, 721 feet with dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt of petroleum
256 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 Supplies feet extends on each side of the island. Excellent an- (169) Provisions, marine supplies, gasoline, and water chorage may be found in the harbor abreast the town in depths of 15 to 17 feet, soft bottom. A general anchor- can be obtained in Fall River. Water is available at most age is in Bristol Harbor. (See 110.1 and 110.145 (c) of the berths. and (d), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (177) Usher Rocks, about 0.7 mile northeastward of Repairs Popasquash Point, are bare at low water. A buoy is east- (170) Fall River has no drydocking or major repair facili- ward of the rocks and a lighted bell buoy is on the west- ern side of the western passage to the harbor. ties for deep-draft vessels; the nearest such facilities are (178) The mean range of tide at Bristol is 4.1 feet. at Boston, MA. (179) Depths alongside the piers and wharves range from (171) Fall River has two small shipyards, on the west side 9 to 13 feet. of the harbor about 0.6 mile above the fixed bridge and (180) A Coast Guard vessel is moored at Bristol. The on the east side of the harbor about 0.9 mile below the Coast Guard pier is marked by a light. fixed bridge. The northerly shipyard has a marine rail- (181) A marina and yacht club are on the west side of the way that can handle vessels to 100 feet long with drafts harbor. Guest moorings, electricity, water, ice, marine of 7 feet forward and 13 feet aft. The yard can make re- supplies, and hull and engine repairs are available. A pairs to wooden, steel, and aluminum vessels at their mobile hoist at the marina can handle craft to 42 feet berths. The southerly yard specializes in the construc- long. Launching ramps are available on the east side of tion and conversion of steel vessels. Cranes to 250 tons the harbor. In 1993, a reported depth of about 8 feet are available for hauling out vessels. In August 1981, could be carried to the marina. depths of 22 to 23 feet were reported alongside. (182) Potter Cove, on the northeast side of Prudence Is- land, is a small nearly landlocked harbor. Buoys mark Small-craft facilities the entrance channel off Gull Point. In November (172) Small-craft facilities are at Fall River, Somerset 2002, a sunken wreck in about 41°38.2'N., 71°19.2'W. was about 0.75 mile southeast of the entrance to Potter opposite Fall River, Taunton, and at Dighton. Berths, Cove. The north and south ends of Prudence Island are electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, launching a State park. Ohio Ledge, about 2.5 miles northward of ramps, marine supplies, storage, and hull, engine, and Potter Cove, has a least depth of 8 feet and is marked on electronic repairs are available. The largest marine its southeast side by a bell buoy. railways, at Dighton, can handle craft to 55 feet. Mobile (183) Warren River, emptying into the head of hoists and lifts to 35 tons are at Fall River, as is a Narragansett Bay westward of Bristol Neck, is the ap- pumpout facility. proach to the towns of Warren and Barrington, and Barrington River, which joins Warren River at Warren. Communications A church spire in Warren is prominent. (173) Fall River has railroad freight service and bus ser- (184) From the bay, the channel to Warren passes be- tween numerous shoals and rocks and is crooked and vice. winding, but well marked. A depth of about 9 feet is in the channel to the lower wharves at Warren, and the Chart 13224 same depth is in Barrington River to the fixed highway bridge about 0.5 mile above the entrance. (174) Bristol Harbor, between Bristol Neck on the east (185) In November 2002, a sunken wreck in about end and Popasquash Neck on the west, is in a cove 41°43.65'N., 71°17.25'W. is on the west side of Warren about 2 miles long and 1.3 miles wide at its southern River. end, narrowing to 0.4 mile wide at its northern end. (186) A State regulatory buoy, about 0.9 mile above the The harbor proper, the northern part of the cove, has mouth of Warren River, marks a “Slow no wake” zone. depths of 15 to 17 feet. (187) An excellent anchorage may be found at the mouth of the Warren River about 0.2 mile from the eastern (175) Bristol is a town on the eastern side of the harbor. shore in depths of 14 to 15 feet, soft bottom. There is In approaching the harbor the most prominent mark is not room for anchorage in the river for any but small Mount Hope Bridge. Also prominent are the navigation craft. Abreast the lower end of Warren the channel is lights, a stone tower, a stack, and an elevated tank on about 0.1 mile wide, with depths of 13 to 17 feet in high ground back of the town. The town has bus ser- midchannel, and small vessels can anchor temporarily vice. A ferry operates daily from Bristol to Prudence Is- at this point. land, and summer ferry service is available to Hog Island. (176) Hog Island is in the middle of the entrance to Bris- tol Harbor. A natural channel with depths of 19 to 25
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 257 (188) Vessels approaching the river must take care to commerce is in petroleum products, cement, lumber, avoid Rumstick Shoal, which extends nearly 0.6 mile steel scrap metal, general cargo, and automobiles. south of Rumstick Point, the southernmost point of (196) Occupessatuxet Cove, on the west side of the river Rumstick Neck and the western entrance point of the north of Conimicut Point, is a shallow bight south of river. The shoal has depths of 2 to 12 feet and is marked Gaspee Point. The cove is frequented only by small by buoys. Rumstick Rock, 6 feet high, and Rumstick craft with local knowledge. Ledge, with rocks that uncover 1 to 5 feet, are on the (197) Pawtuxet Cove, used by pleasure and fishing craft, westerly side of the shoal. on the west side of Providence River, is entered about 1 mile northward of Gaspee Point through a dredged (189) About 0.5 mile above the mouth of Barrington channel. The entrance channel leads westward to the River is a fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 9 cove, thence the channel turns northward and leads to feet. In 2004, the highway bridge was being demol- a turning basin at the head of the cove. An anchorage ished; a new fixed highway bridge with a design clear- basin extends southward from the entrance channel. ance of 10 feet was under construction at the same The entrance channel is marked by lighted and location; upon completion it will replace the demol- unlighted buoys. A State regulatory buoy, at the junc- ished bridge and a temporary highway bridge. The tem- tion of the entrance channel and the channel to the porary highway bridge is in use just south of the head, marks a “Slow-no-wake” zone. In February 2006, demolished bridge, and has a clearance of 9 feet. About the controlling depths were 6 feet in the entrance 100 yards upstream from the highway bridge is a fixed channel, thence 3.9 feet (6 feet at midchannel) to the bicycle bridge with a 30-foot span on the east side of the turning basin at the head of the cove with 4.7 to 6 feet river and a clearance of 5 feet. In 1978, rocks were re- in the basin; 3.6 to 6 feet was available in the anchorage ported under the bicycle bridge. basin southward of the entrance channel. In 1976, a rock awash was in about 41°45'25\"N., 71°23'10\"W., on (190) The mean range of tide at Warren is 4.6 feet. The the west edge of the anchorage basin. A 12-foot-high tidal current off the town of Warren has a velocity of protective dike along the east side of the anchorage ba- about 1 knot. Strong currents may be encountered in sin extends southward from Marsh Island, on the Barrington River. south side of the entrance channel, to Rock Island. Pawtuxet is a village on the west side of the cove. (191) The harbormaster controls docking, mooring, and (198) The harbormaster in the cove controls anchoring anchoring, and can be contacted through the Warren and berthing; he can be contacted through the Police Department. Warwick City Hall. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, and a 15-ton mobile (192) A shipyard on the east side of the Warren River at hoist are available. A flatbed trailer can haul out craft to Warren has a hydraulic lift that can handle vessels to 50 feet long for complete hull and engine repairs. 300 tons or 130 feet long. In August 1981, a reported (199) A yacht club is on the west side of Providence River depth of 7 feet could be carried to the shipyard. about 1 mile northward of the entrance to Pawtuxet Cove. Gasoline and guest berths are available. (193) Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, (200) A privately dredged channel leads from the main and marine supplies are available in Warren. Depths re- channel in Providence River, eastward of Pawtuxet, to a ported alongside the major wharves range from 7 to 20 small-craft facility about 0.45 mile southwestward of feet. Small craft facilities are also available on the point Fields Point (41°47.2'N., 71°22.9'W.). The channel is near the confluence of the two rivers. Several boatyards marked by buoys and, in December 1998, had a re- are in the vicinity; mobile hoists to 25 tons are avail- ported controlling depth of 8 feet. The ruins of the piers able. Covered storage and complete engine, electronic, of a former Naval Reserve facility are on the south side and hull repairs are available. of Fields Point immediately eastward of the yacht club; this area should be avoided. Charts 13224, 13225 (201) Bullock Cove, on the east side of Providence River 2 miles north of Conimicut Point, is the scene of con- (194) Providence River, which empties into the head of siderable pleasure boat activity. A dredged channel Narragansett Bay between Nayatt Point and Conimicut leads from the Providence River to a mooring basin on Point, is the approach to the city of Providence, numer- the east side of Bullock Point, thence northward 0.5 ous towns and villages, and to Seekonk River. mile to a mooring and turning basin. In March 2002, the controlling depths were 0.2 feet in the east half and (195) Providence is at the head of navigation on the Prov- 6.1 feet in west half of the entrance channel to the idence River, about 7 miles above the entrance, at the junction of the Providence and Seekonk Rivers. The port area includes both sides of the upper navigable channel of the river. The port’s chief waterborne
258 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 mooring basin east of Bullock Point, thence 3.3 to 6 above Cold Spring Point. The lower section of the river, feet in the basin, thence 3.8 feet to the upper basin and from Fox Point to Cold Spring Point, is crooked and 1.3 to 3.9 feet in the basin. The entrance channel is winding and marked by buoys. Local knowledge and marked by buoys and daybeacons. In September 1982, a use of the chart are required to carry the best water. sunken wreck was reported on the west side of the Three areas of submerged boulders with angle iron channel at Bullock Point. There are numerous protrusions, the remains of the approaches and pivot small-craft facilities in Bullock Cove. The largest ma- pier of a former swing bridge, are in the river channel rine railway, on Bullock Neck about 300 yards north- at Cold Spring Point in about 41°49'36\"N., 71°22'49\"W., ward of Bullock Point, can handle craft up to 60 feet; 41°49'36.5\"N., 71°22'50\"W., and 41°49'37\"N., 71°22'51\"W. berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- The shoreward areas have a least depth of 3½ feet, and age, launching ramps, marine supplies, a pump-out fa- the area at about midchannel has a least depth of 12 cility, a 45-ton mobile crane, a 99-ton mobile hoist, and feet. In May 2006, the controlling depths were 4.7 feet hull, engine and electronic repairs are available. Sail (7.7 feet at midchannel) to Buoy 27, thence 4.3 feet (5.5 repairs can be arranged nearby. feet at midchannel) to the head of the project just be- (202) Seekonk River, which branches off northeasterly low Division Street Bridge. A 5 mph no wake zone, from Providence River at Providence, is the approach marked by State regulatory buoys, is in the entrance to Phillipsdale and Pawtucket. The head of navigation channel and above Cold Spring Point. is at Pawtucket, 5 miles above the mouth. Commerce on the river is chiefly in petroleum products. A marina Anchorages at Pawtucket can provide berths, electricity, water, gas- (207) Vessels anchor as directed by the harbormaster on oline, storage facilities, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs. A flatbed trailer at the marina can haul the edge of the channel between Fields Point and Fox out craft to 40 feet long. In July 1981, a reported depth Point. Eastward of Fox Point, a few vessels may anchor of 12 feet was available alongside the marina berths. in the area where a portion of Green Jacket Shoal was removed. Preferred small-craft anchorages are in Bull- Prominent features ock Cove and Pawtuxet Cove. (203) Conimicut Light (41°43'01\"N., 71°20'42\"W.), 58 Dangers feet above the water, is shown from a white conical (208) Numerous rocks and ledges border Providence tower on a brown cylindrical pier on the west side of the entrance to Providence River. A fog signal is sounded at River Channel on either side. Navigational aids mark the light station. An abandoned lighthouse on Nayatt the shoal areas off Bullock Point, about 1.5 miles above Point is also prominent in the approach to the river. the mouth; off Sabin Point, about 3 miles above the Mouth; off Pomham Rocks, about 3.5 miles above the Channels mouth; off Fuller Rock, about 5 miles above the mouth (204) The Federal project for Providence River provides and Green Jacket Shoal, east of Fox Point about 7.4 miles above the mouth. for a channel 40 feet deep from just below Prudence Is- land Light to Fox Point near the junction of Provi- (209) Providence River channel, between Narragansett dence and Seekonk Rivers. (See Notice to Mariners and Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB and Fox Point, latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) The is a regulated navigation area. (See 165.1 through channel is well marked with navigational aids. 165.13, and 165.122, chapter 2, for limits and regula- (205) A hurricane barrier crosses the Providence River tions.) about 200 yards above Fox Point. The barrier includes three gates which normally will be kept in the opened Bridges position until the approach of hurricane weather. The (210) There are no bridges over Providence River be- clearances at each of the three river gates are: horizon- tal, 20 feet; vertical (gate fully opened), 21 feet at mean tween the mouth and the principal wharves. In Novem- high water; and depth over the gate sill, 12.9 feet at ber 2003, a fixed highway bridge with a design mean low water. Red lights mark the channel ends of clearance of 35 feet was under construction close south each gate. of the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. Point Street Bridge, (206) Seekonk River empties into the easterly side of about 0.3 mile above Fox Point, has a fixed span with a Providence River at Fox Point. A marked dredged chan- clearance of 7 feet. Two overhead power cables cross nel leads from Cold Spring Point, about 1.3 miles the river between this bridge and the Fox Point Hurri- above Fox Point, to a point about 150 yards southward cane Barrier; least clearance is 60 feet. A fixed highway of Division Street Bridge at Pawtucket, about 2.9 miles bridge about 300 yards north of Point Street Bridge has a clearance of 26 feet.
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 259 (211) In Seekonk River, an overhead power cable cross- all-time minimum is -13°F (-25°C) recorded in January ing at India Point, 0.5 mile above the mouth, has a 1976. clearance of 130 feet. Just above India Point several (216) Measurable precipitation occurs on about 178 days bridges cross the river within 0.9 mile. The name of the each year. November is the wettest month averaging bridge, type, and clearance follows: Washington Bridge 4.48 inches (114 mm) and June the driest averaging South, bascule span maintained in closed position, 40 2.89 inches (74 mm). Average annual precipitation is feet; Washington Bridge North, fixed span, 42 feet; Tun- 45.12 inches (1144 mm). nel Bridge, bascule span, 17 feet; and New Red Bridge, (217) Thunderstorms are responsible for much of the fixed span, 42 feet. Just below the State Pier at rainfall from May through August. They usually pro- Pawtucket are overhead power cables with clearances duce heavy, and sometimes even excessive, amounts of of 125 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.49, chapter 2, for rainfall but since the duration is relatively short, dam- drawbridge regulations.) age is ordinarily light. The summer thunderstorms are frequently accompanied by extremely gusty winds, Tides which may cause some damage to property, especially (212) The mean range of tide at Providence is 4.6 feet, small pleasure and fishing craft. (218) The first measurable snowfall of winter usually co- and the maximum range due to the combined effect of mes in October. The month of greatest snowfall is usu- wind and other causes may reach 8 feet or more at ally February which averages about ten inches (254 times. mm). It is unusual for the ground to remain well cov- ered with snow for any long period of time. The average Currents annual snowfall total is 45 inches (1143 mm). Snow has (213) Tidal currents are weak in the approach channel fallen in every month, October through May. About seven days each year have snowfall greater than 1.5 and the harbor, except in the constricted parts of inches (38 mm). Seekonk River. At India Street Bridge the tidal currents (219) In early fall, severe coastal storms of tropical origin have velocities of about 1.4 knots. In Seekonk River the sometimes bring destructive winds to this area. Even at double flood is very pronounced. The velocity near the other times of the year, it is usually coastal storms that middle of the flood period is generally less than 0.5 produce the most severe weather. Between 1871 and knot and is sometimes in an ebb direction. (See the 1996, twelve tropical storms have come within 25 miles Tidal Current Tables for predictions, and the Tidal Cur- of Providence. In August 1991, Hurricane Bob passed rent Charts, Narragansett Bay, for hourly velocities and within 20 miles east of the city with 85-knot winds. directions of the current.) Only twelve hours earlier, Bob was packing winds in ex- cess of 100 knots. In September 1960, Hurricane Weather, Providence and vicinity Donna passed about 20 miles west of the city. At the (214) The proximity of Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic time, Donna had maximum winds of 90 knots. Coastal areas of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Long Island Ocean plays an important part in determining the cli- were raked with winds in excess of 100 knots compli- mate for Providence and vicinity. In winter, the temper- ments of Hurricane Donna. atures are modified considerably, and a good many of the major storms drop their precipitation in the form Ice of rain, rather than snow. In summer, many days that (220) The approach channel and the harbor are generally would otherwise be uncomfortably warm are cooled by refreshing seabreezes. At other times of the year, sea free of ice and navigable throughout the year. During fog may be advected over land by onshore winds. In severe winters, the harbor and several miles of Provi- fact, most cases of dense fog are produced in this way; dence River and Upper Narragansett Bay are occasion- but the number of such days is few, averaging 2 or 3 ally broken over, but the ice is usually broken up in the days per month. channels to the principal wharves by the traffic in the (215) The temperature for the entire year averages harbor. around 51°F (10.6°C). January is the coldest month av- (221) The National Weather Service maintains an office eraging 29°F (-1.7°C), and July the hottest month aver- at the T.F. Green State Airport; barometers may be aging 73°F (22.8°C). Freezing temperatures occur on compared here. (See Appendix A for address.) the average about 117 days per year and the days with (222) (See Appendix B for the Providence climatological minimums below 5°F (-15°C) average six each year. An table.) average nine days each year record maximums in ex- cess of 90°F (32.2°C). The all-time maximum for Provi- dence is 104°F (40°C) recorded in August 1975 and the
260 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 Pilotage, Providence (234) Amoco Oil Co. Wharf: at Kettle Point about 0.9 mile (223) See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode Is- above Mobil Oil Corp. Wharf; 500-foot face, 700 feet with dolphins; 36 feet alongside; deck height, 12 feet; land Waters (indexed as such), early this chapter. receipt and shipment of petroleum products, bunker- ing vessels; owned by Amoco Oil Co., operated by Towage Amoco Oil Co. and Atlantic Richfield Co. (224) Tugs up to 3,300 hp are available at Providence. (235) Wilkes-Barre Pier: about 2 miles above Mobil Oil Large vessels normally require tugs for docking and Corp. Wharf; 75-foot face, 700 feet of berthing space undocking. Arrangements for tug service should be with dolphins; 40 feet alongside; deck height, 9 feet; re- made 4 hours in advance, and usually through ships’ ceipt of petroleum products and naphtha; owned by agents or directly by shipping companies. Tugs are dis- Providence and Worcester Railroad Co., operated by patched 24 hours a day. Tugs monitor VHF-FM chan- Union Oil Co. of California, Getty Refining and Mar- nels 10, 13, 16, and 18, and use channel 7A as a working keting Co., and Astroline Corp. frequency. (225) Providence is a customs port of entry. (236) In January 1982, fill operations and pier construc- tion were in progress at the site of the future rail/ship Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural cargo terminal just south of the Wilkes-Barre Pier. quarantine (226) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Ap- (237) Facilities on the west side of Providence River pendix A for addresses.) (238) Municipal Wharf, Berths 5 and 6: (41°47'25\"N., (227) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public 71°22'54\"W.); 1,283-foot face; 35 to 40 feet alongside; Health Service, chapter 1.) deck height, 10½ feet; two 45-ton container cranes; 60 (228) Providence has several hospitals. acres open storage; electrical shore power connections; receipt and shipment of general and containerized Coast Guard cargo and heavy equipment; owned by city of Provi- (229) A marine safety office is in Providence. (See Ap- dence, operated by Cranes Associates. (239) Municipal Wharf, Berths 1, 2, 3, and 4: immediately pendix A for address.) NW of Berths 5 and 6; 2,190-foot face, 35 to 40 feet (230) Harbor regulations are enforced by the harbor- alongside; deck height, 10½ feet; cranes to 200 tons; 47,000 square feet of covered storage; 12 acres open master/port director, whose headquarters are at the storage; electrical shore power connections; receipt municipal wharf. The harbormaster regulates the and shipment of general cargo, lumber, paper products, movement and anchoring of vessels in the harbor. The automobiles, petroleum products, liquefied petroleum speed limit in the harbor is 5 knots. gas, scrap metal, pig iron, and caustic soda; owned by city of Providence; various operators. Wharves (240) New England Bituminous Wharf: about 500 yards (231) The piers and wharves of the port of Providence are above Municipal Wharf; 384-foot face, 30 feet along- side; deck height, 10½ feet; receipt of asphalt; owned along both sides of the Providence River below Fox and operated by New England Bituminous, Division of Point. Only the deep-draft facilities are described. For a John J. Hudson, Inc. complete description of the port facilities refer to Port (241) Lehigh Portland Cement Co. Wharf: about 600 Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps yards above Municipal Wharf; 350-foot face, 20 feet of Engineers. (See Appendix A for address.) The along- alongside; deck height, 10½ feet; receipt of bulk ce- side depths are reported; for information on the latest ment; owned by city of Providence, operated by Lehigh depths contact the operator. All the facilities described Portland Cement Co. have highway connections, and most have rail connec- (242) Lone Star Industries Wharf: about 750 yards above tions. Water is available at most of the piers and Municipal Wharf; 210-foot face, 28 to 30 feet alongside; wharves. Cargo in the port is usually handled by ship’s deck height, 12 feet; receipt of bulk cement; owned and tackle. Cranes to 200 tons are available. operated by Lone Star Industries, Inc. (232) Facilities on the east side of Providence River: (243) Algonquin LNG Wharf: about 0.4 mile above Mu- (233) Mobil Oil Corp. Wharf: (41°46'56\"N., 71°22'19\"W.); nicipal Wharf; 450-foot face, 25 feet alongside; deck 1,225-foot face, 700 feet of berthing space; 20 to 38 feet height, 12 feet; receipt of liquefied natural gas; owned alongside; deck height, 8 feet; pipelines to storage by Providence Gas Co., operated by Algonquin LNG, tanks; receipt and shipment of petroleum products, Inc. bunkering vessels; owned and operated by Mobil Oil (244) Texaco U.S.A., Harbor Junction Pier: about 0.7 mile Corp. above Municipal Wharf; 80-foot face, south side 1,040
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 261 feet long, 720 feet usable, 32 feet alongside; north side reported in the approach to the marina, with 3 to 6 feet 1,040 feet long, 600 feet usable, 25 feet alongside; deck alongside. height, 9 feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum prod- ucts, bunkering vessels; owned and operated by Texaco, Communications Inc. (252) Providence is served by rail, bus, and air. A ferry op- (245) Promet Marine Services Pier: about 1 mile above Municipal Wharf; 120-foot face, 37 to 31 feet alongside; erates daily in the summer to Newport and Block Is- south side 596 feet long, 22 feet alongside; north side land. 596 feet long, 37 feet alongside; deck height, 12 feet; cranes to 100 tons; 11 acres of open storage; receipt and Chart 13223 shipment of general cargo and dry bulk materials; re- pairs to vessels; owned and operated by Promet Marine (253) West Passage, between Conanicut and Prudence Services Corp. Islands on the east and Boston Neck on the west, is the (246) Northeast Petroleum Corp. Pier: about 1.2 miles approach to Dutch Island Harbor, Wickford, Quonset above Municipal Wharf; south side 620 feet long, 600 Point, and East Greenwich. Vessels may also go to Prov- feet of berthing space; 30 feet alongside; deck height, idence by West Passage, although the route through 11 feet; receipt of petroleum products; owned and oper- East Passage is deeper and generally used. The follow- ated by Northeast Petroleum Corp. ing directions for West Passage to Providence River are (247) C. H. Sprague & Son Co. Pier: about 1.25 miles good for a draft of 19 feet, but local knowledge is re- above Municipal Wharf; north side 500 feet long, 520 quired for a draft greater than 12 feet. Approaching feet with platforms, 37 feet alongside; deck height, 12 from the eastward, pass clear of Brenton Reef Light and feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum products; steer for the lighted gong buoy off Whale Rock until bunkering vessels; owned and operated by C. H. southwest of Beavertail Light, and thence lay down a Sprague & Son Co. northerly course in midchannel with Dutch Island (248) The principal wharves at Pawtucket have depths of ahead. On the southward approach from off Point Ju- 9 to 14 feet alongside. dith Light, a north-northeasterly course will bring the vessel to the lighted gong buoy off Whale Rock. (See Supplies also chart 13218). At night a careful study of the light (249) Gasoline, diesel fuel, diesel oil, bunker fuels, provi- characteristics is necessary as the lights marking East Passage will be seen on the starboard bow when ap- sions, and marine supplies of all kinds are available. Oil proaching from Point Judith. bunkering facilities, for deep-draft vessels, are available at most of the petroleum companies facilities in Provi- (254) The course should pass westward of, and 500 yards dence. Fuel tank barges are also available for bunkering off, Dutch Island; thence through the James- vessels anywhere in the harbor. Water is available at town-North Kingston Bridge opening; and thence most of the wharves and piers. northerly until about 0.8 mile westward of, and abeam, the south tangent of Hope Island. From here a Repairs north-northeasterly course will make the buoys mark- (250) Providence has no facilities for drydocking deep- ing the entrance of the natural channel westward of Pine Hill Point on Prudence Island. Then a heading to- draft vessels; the nearest such facilities are at Boston, ward Warwick Light until abeam the lighted bell buoy Mass. Repairs to boilers, machinery, electrical equip- off Northwest Point on Patience Island will bring the ment, and hull can be obtained in the port. Several vessel in position to swing northeasterly and easterly to well-equipped machine and welding shops are also the dredged channel to Providence. available. Some of these concerns also maintain porta- ble equipment for making above-waterline repairs to (255) Narragansett Pier, on the west side of West Passage vessels at their berths. about 3 miles west-southwestward of Beavertail Point, is a summer resort. The large hotels and a square gran- Small-craft facilities ite tower are prominent. A municipal bathing beach (251) Small-craft facilities at Bullock Cove and Pawtuxet and pavilion at the Upper Pier are prominent from an easterly direction. have been discussed earlier in this chapter. A marina on the west side of Providence River between Pawtuxet (256) River Ledge, about 0.9 mile northeastward of and Fields Point can provide berths, electricity, gaso- Narragansett Pier, has a least depth of 9 feet and is line, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, marked by a buoy. Whale Rock, on the western side of and hull and engine repairs; a flatbed trailer can haul the passage about 0.8 mile northeast of River Ledge, is out craft to 60 feet long. In July 1981, 10 feet was marked by a lighted gong buoy to the eastward. Little
262 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 Whale, covered 4 feet, is about 200 yards north of Whale (265) A bell buoy marks the shoal area off the northern Rock. Strangers should pass eastward of the lighted side of Dutch Island. The piers off the east side of the is- gong buoy off Whale Rock. land are in ruins. A shoal extends about 200 yards west- (257) Bonnet Shores Beach is on the north shore of the ward and 350 yards northward of Beaverhead. At its bight formed by Bonnet Point, the point about 1.5 northern extremity this shoal rises abruptly from miles north of Whale Rock. A bathing pavilion at the depths of about 40 feet to a depth of 8 feet; a buoy marks beach is prominent from a southeasterly direction. the shoal. The southeastern part of the harbor has a (258) The Bonnet, a prominent hill with the shoreward shallow cove. face bold and rocky, is north of Bonnet Point. The shore between Bonnet Point and South Ferry, 1.3 miles (266) Tidal currents of 1 to 1.5 knots may be encountered northward, should be given a berth of 400 yards. Pil- in the vicinity of Dutch Island. Elsewhere in West Pas- ings extend 130 yards eastward just south of the old sage velocities are usually less than 1 knot. (See the pier at South Ferry. A 200-foot L-shaped pier of the Uni- Tidal Current Tables for predictions, and the Tidal Cur- versity of Rhode Island is about 150 yards southeast- rent Charts, Narragansett Bay, for hourly velocities and ward of the old pier. In July 1981, depths of 20 feet were directions of the current.) reported along the outer face with 10 feet reported along the inner face. The buildings of the university, a (267) Saunderstown is on the western shore of West Pas- church spire, and a standpipe are prominent from sage abreast Dutch Island. A former ferry dock off the southward to north of Dutch Island. town is in ruins. A yacht club is at Saunderstown. (259) Fox Hill, on the southern side of the entrance to Dutch Island Harbor, 2.5 miles north of Beavertail (268) The Jamestown-North Kingstown Bridge crossing Point, is a point which terminates to the northward in the passage from just north of Plum Beach has a fixed Beaverhead, a bluff rocky face. span with a clearance of 135 feet; a private fog signal is (260) Dutch Island Harbor is in the West Passage of sounded from the west pier of the main channel open- Narragansett Bay about 3 miles north of Beavertail ing. A replacement fixed highway bridge with a clear- Light. The harbor is a semicircular indentation 0.5 by 1 ance of 135 feet is about 300 feet north of the mile in extent in the west side of Conanicut Island. aforementioned highway bridge. The northerly fixed (261) A boatyard in the southeastern part of the harbor highway bridge will replace the current southerly fixed has a marine railway that can handle craft up to 50 feet highway bridge at an unspecified future date. for hull and engine repairs. Berths, electricity, gaso- line, diesel fuel (by truck), water, ice, storage, a launch- (269) From the bridge northward, Great Ledge extends ing ramp, some marine supplies, and a 20-ton lift are along the west shore of Conanicut Island for about 1.5 available. miles. This ledge is from 175 to 500 yards offshore, cul- (262) Dutch Island, a State park about 3.2 miles north of minating in America Ledge at its northern end. Nu- Beavertail Point, is surrounded by shoals and foul merous rocks are on Great Ledge. Between Plum Beach ground. A bell buoy is off the northern end of the island and Rome Point, on the west side of the passage, 1.2 and a lighted gong buoy is off the southern end. A miles north of the bridge, are several rocks, including square white tower on the southern end of the island is Red Rock and Old Sergeant. Bare and covered rocks prominent marked by a light. are northeastward and eastward of Rome Point. (263) Dutch Island Harbor may be approached from northward or southward. The southward entrance is (270) Fox Island, 0.4 mile northeast of Rome Point and good for a depth of about 28 feet; the northern entrance southward of Wickford Harbor, is small and low. A shoal has an extensive shoal with depths of 15 to 18 feet. As with numerous submerged rocks including Seal Rock the harbor is of easy access, it is frequently used as a extends southward of the island. A narrow channel, harbor of refuge. Excellent anchorage may be had in suitable only for small craft, is between this shoal and depths of 12 to 48 feet, sticky bottom. A harbormaster the shoals extending northeastward of Rome Point. controls all mooring and berthing. Vessels of over Halfway Ledge with a depth of 18 feet is about 0.5 mile 18-foot draft seeking anchorage should give the eastern east of Fox Island. shore of the harbor a berth of at least 0.4 mile. The east- ern shore of Dutch Island should be given a berth of (271) Wickford Harbor, on the western side of 100 yards. Narragansett Bay 8 miles above Beavertail Light, com- (264) General anchorages are in West Passage of prises an outer and an inner harbor. The outer harbor is Narragansett Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.145 (b) and (d), a broad bight between Quonset Point on the north and chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Wild Goose Point, about 0.6 mile westward of Fox Is- land, on the south. The entrance is about 2 miles wide. Depths in the middle and southern parts of the outer harbor average 13 to 17 feet. The inner harbor entrance is between Poplar Point, 1.3 miles northwest of Fox Is- land on the south, and Sauga Point, about 0.4 mile north of Poplar Point, on the north. The harbor is used
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 263 chiefly by recreational craft, and by oyster and lobster (278) In severe winters the inner harbor is closed by ice, boats. The town of Wickford is on the southwestern but the outer harbor is usually open although drift ice side of the inner harbor. is occasionally encountered. (272) Several prominent landmarks are visible when ap- proaching Wickford Harbor. A standpipe at North (279) Wickford has several small-craft facilities and Kingston (chart 13221), and a church spire in Wickford boatyards. The largest marine railway, on the east of may be seen for many miles. An abandoned lighthouse Wickford Cove, can handle craft up to 60 feet. Berths, on Poplar Point and the light off the point are promi- electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine sup- nent. plies, pumpout facilities, a launching ramp, mobile (273) The channel to the inner harbor, marked by buoys, hoists to 30 tons, lifts to 70 tons, and hull, engine, and is restricted to a width of about 150 yards by the break- electronic repairs are available; wet and dry storage is waters and the shoals off Sauga and Poplar Points. The also available. In July 1981, a reported depth of about 7 north breakwater is marked by a light. The channel feet could be carried to the marine railway at Wickford leads to the junction of three coves, Fishing Cove to Cove. the northward, Mill Cove to the northwestward, and Wickford Cove to the southwestward. A State regula- (280) Quonset Point, on the north side of Wickford Har- tory buoy just inside the jetties marks a “Slow no bor, is marked by elevated tanks. Near the eastern end wake” zone. of the point are the conspicuous buildings of the Quon- (274) Wickford Cove is the scene of considerable plea- set Point Industrial Park. The piers at Quonset Point, sure-boat activity. A dredged channel in the cove ex- and at Davisville, about 1.5 miles northward, are usu- tends between flats, many of which are dry at low water, ally approached from East Passage until north of to a highway bridge about 0.9 mile above the breakwa- Conanicut Island, thence through a buoyed dredged ters. Numerous piles, used as moorings, border the channel to a turning basin off the point from which a channel for about 0.35 mile below the highway bridge. channel leads to the piers at Davisville. A depth of about In March 2001, the channel had a controlling depth of 33 feet can be carried in the channel to the turning ba- 5.3 feet. sin. With the exception of 27- and 30-foot spots, depths (275) A marked dredged channel in Mill Cove leads to an of 32 to 35 feet are available throughout the basin; anchorage basin about 0.7 mile above the breakwaters. depths of 30 feet are reported alongside the pier. In De- In March 2001, the channel had a controlling depth of cember 1965, the controlling depth in the channel to 11.3 feet to the dock off of Cedar Tree Point, thence 6.6 Davisville was 31 feet, thence 27 feet in the turning ba- feet to the head of the project except for gradual shoal- sin or 28 feet for a middle width of 800 feet through the ing to bare in the north half of the channel between basin to the piers; depths of 29 feet were available on Cornelius Island and Point Wharf. The anchorage basin the southwest side of Pier 1 and in the slip between had depths of 4½ to 6 feet. Piers 1 and 2. (276) Good anchorage may be had in the middle and southern parts of outer Wickford Harbor in depths of (281) Hope Island, about 1.6 miles north of Conanicut 14 to 17 feet. The northern part of the outer harbor has Point, has low grassy hills with a few trees. The island is numerous rocks and ledges with a depth of 6 feet. Gen- a State estuarine sanctuary and is off limits to visitors eral Rock, with a depth of 9 feet over it, is the southerly during the bird nesting season. Bare and submerged limit of this shoal, 0.9 mile north-northeastward of Fox rocks surround the island for about 0.2 mile. Despair Island. A rock with a depth of 8 feet over it is about 500 Island is on the outer end of a rocky ledge extending 0.2 yards westward of General Rock. Brig Ledge, about 0.5 mile northeastward of Hope Island; a buoy is off the mile north of General Rock, is covered 9 feet. The northeast side of the ledge. Scup Rock and Round Rock southern shore of the outer harbor is foul. Charles are off the eastern side of Hope Island, and Gooseberry Rock, with a depth of 4 feet, is just inside of the north- Island and Seal Rock are off the western side. A hazard- ern breakwater and marked by a buoy. ous reef with piles and a boiler awash on it is about 0.4 (277) Vessels approaching Wickford Harbor from the mile southwestward of the southwest point of Hope Is- southward, after passing through the main span of the land; a lighted buoy marks the area. Jamestown-North Kingston Bridge, steer 340°. When northeastward of Fox Island, steer for Wickford Harbor (282) Allen Harbor is 2 miles north of Quonset Point. Light on any bearing between 313° and 290°, anchor- The harbor is entered through a buoyed channel which ing 0.2 mile or more southeastward of the light in has a depth of about 8 feet. Depths of 8 to 10 feet are in- depths of 13 to 15 feet, soft bottom. side. A town launching ramp is on the southeast side of the harbor. (283) Calf Pasture Point is on the north side of the en- trance to Allen Harbor. Abreast the point and for some distance northward of it, a shoal extends 0.5 mile from shore.
264 ■ Chapter 6 ■ Volume 2 Chart 13224 northeast end. The cove is the scene of considerable pleasure boat activity. (284) Potowomut River, entering the west side of West (291) The harbormaster in the cove controls berthing Passage, 1.7 miles north of Calf Pasture Point, is sepa- and anchorage; contact can be made through the rated from Greenwich Bay on the north by Potowomut Warwick City Hall. The cove has several marinas and Neck. A dredged channel leads through the entrance of boatyards. Berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, stor- the river. In December 2004, the channel had a control- age, launching ramps, marine supplies, and hull and ling depth of 2.7 feet. Caution is necessary to avoid engine repairs are available. The largest lift, on the east rocks with depths of 1 foot over them in the entrance. side of the cove about 0.3 mile above the mouth, can Strangers should not enter the river. handle craft up to 70 tons. (292) Brush Neck Cove, about 0.5 mile west of Warwick (285) Round Rock, about 0.7 mile eastward of Potowomut Cove, is fronted by a flat with a general depth of about 2 River entrance, uncovers 3 feet and is marked by a sea- feet. This channel is used by small local craft at high sonal lighted buoy close eastward. Several other rocks, water as far as the pier at Oakland Beach. Oakland awash and submerged, lie between Round Rock and the Beach, on Horse Neck, between Brush Neck and Warwick entrance to the river; caution is advised. Coves, is a summer resort with bus communication. (293) Apponaug Cove, in the northwestern part of Green- (286) The natural channel of West Passage extends be- wich Bay, is entered through a marked dredged chan- tween the shoal area eastward of Round Rock and the nel that leads from the bay to an anchorage basin on shoal area westward of Patience Island. The channel the southwest side of the channel just below a fixed has depths of 21 to 70 feet. Buoys mark the entrance railroad bridge about 0.7 mile above the channel en- from the southward, and a lighted bell buoy marks the trance. A State regulatory buoy at the entrance to the northwestward edge of the shoal off Patience Island. cove marks a 5 mph speed zone. In September 2005, The channel is the approach from southward to Green- the controlling depth was 6 feet to Buoy 8, thence 2.5 wich Bay, Warwick Point, and the channel from West feet to the head of the channel, about 150 yards below Passage to Providence River. the railroad bridge. The anchorage basin had depths of 5.2 to 6 feet. In 1979, depths of less than 1 foot were (287) Patience Island, 0.2 mile west of the northern end above the bridge. Small-craft facilities can be found in of Prudence Island, is surrounded by shoals and foul the cove and at the west end of Greenwich Bay south- ground. The island is a State park and estuarine sanctu- west of the entrance channel to the cove. (See ary. small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 13221 for ser- vices and supplies available.) (288) Warwick Point, the southernmost point of Warwick (294) Chepiwanoxet Point, on the western side of the bay Neck, 0.7 mile northwest of Patience Island, is marked northward of the entrance to Greenwich Cove, is a by a light and fog signal. small neck of land with a yellow bluff facing eastward. From this island, shoals with little water over them ex- (289) Greenwich Bay, at the northwestern end of tend about 500 yards northward and 300 yards east- Narragansett Bay, is entered between Warwick Neck ward and southeastward. Shoals extend about 300 and Potowomut Neck. Shoal water borders the shore of yards northward and westward of Long Point, the the bay, but the general depths are 10 feet or more. northwestern extremity of Potowomut Neck. (295) Greenwich Cove, in the southwest end of Green- (290) Warwick Cove, between Warwick Neck and Horse wich Bay, is about 1.3 miles long and 300 to 600 yards Neck, is in the northeastern part of Greenwich Bay. A wide. Buoys mark the entrance channel into the cove. marked dredged channel leads from the bay to an an- State regulatory buoys at the entrance mark a “Slow chorage basin at the head of the cove; other anchorage no wake” zone. On the western shore is the town of basins in the cove are on the west side of the channel, East Greenwich. Depths of about 7 to 11 feet are avail- 0.5 mile above the channel entrance, and on each side able in the cove to about 0.5 mile from the head. Good of the channel 0.7 mile above the channel entrance. A anchorage may be had off some of the small-craft facili- State regulatory buoy off Horse Neck marks a 5 mph ties on the west side of the cove in depths of 8 to 11 feet. speed limit. In August-September 2003, the control- (296) The mean range of tide is 4.0 feet. ling depths were 3.5 feet (6.0 feet at midchannel) from (297) The cove has several boatyards. Berths, electricity, the entrance to the anchorage basin at the head of the gasoline, water, diesel fuel, ice, marine supplies, wet cove, except for shoaling to 0.8 foot in the left outside and dry storage, launching ramps, lifts to 21 tons, and quarter of the channel just above Buoy 5. The anchor- complete engine and hull repairs are available. The age basin, 0.5 mile above the entrance, had depths of 4.7 to 6.0 feet and the two anchorage basins, 0.7 mile above the entrance, had depths of 5.6 feet to 6.0 feet. The anchorage basin at the head of the cove had a depth of 5.1 feet with gradual shoaling to 2.2 feet towards the
Narragansett Bay ■ Chapter 6 ■ 265 harbormaster in the cove controls anchoring and Chart 13218 berthing; contact can be made through the Warwick City Hall. (300) The shoreline of Point Judith Neck between West (298) From Sandy Point, the eastern extremity of Passage and Point Judith should be given a berth of at Potowomut Neck, shoals with depths of 2 to 9 feet ex- least 0.6 mile. From Narragansett Pier to Black Point, a tend northeasterly for about 0.6 mile. Extensive shoals rocky promontory 1.9 miles southward, the shoreline extend off the eastern side of Warwick Neck to Ohio is a rugged rocky ledge with deep water close inshore. Ledge. Rocky Point is on the eastern side of the neck, The waters between Black Point and Point Judith are 1.7 miles north-northeastward of Warwick Point. boulder-strewn and shoal up gradually. (299) The natural channel between the shoals off Warwick Neck and the shoals northward of Patience (301) Three very prominent landmarks are Point Judith and Prudence Islands has depths of 19 to 50 feet. A buoy Light, the elevated water tank 1.7 miles north of Point marks the shoal off Providence Point, the northern- Judith, and Hazard’s Tower, a high, square stone tower most point of Prudence Island. 0.5 mile south of Narragansett Pier. Closer inshore the stone bathing pavilion at the State-operated Scar- borough Beach, 0.5 mile south of Black Point, and an open stone tower on a house 0.4 mile north of Black Point are prominent.
266 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 267 Block Island Sound (1) This chapter describes Block Island Sound, Fishers vessels. The shoreline is marked by many indentations Island Sound, Gardiners Bay, Little Peconic Bay, Great and shallow harbors. These waters are much used by Peconic Bay, and the ports and harbors in the area, the commercial fishing vessels and small pleasure craft be- more important of which are Point Judith Harbor, cause of the protection afforded and the many anchor- Great Salt Pond, Stonington, Mystic Harbor, and ages. Greenport. (8) Recommended Vessel Route (Block Island Sound) COLREGS Demarcation Lines has been established for Block Island Sound. (2) The lines established for this part of the coast are (9) The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Provi- described in 80.150 and 80.155, chapter 2. dence, in cooperation with the Southeastern Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island Port Safety and Security Charts 13205, 13215 Committees, has established a Recommended Vessel Route for deep draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting (3) Block Island Sound is a deep navigable waterway Rhode Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, and Buzzards forming the eastern approach to Long Island Sound, Bay. Deep draft vessels and tugs/barges are requested to Fishers Island Sound, and Gardiners Bay from the At- follow the designated routes. These routes were de- lantic Ocean. The sound is a link for waterborne com- signed to provide safe, established routes for these ves- merce between Cape Cod and Long Island Sound. It has sels, to reduce the potential for conflict with two entrances from the Atlantic: an eastern entrance recreational boaters, fishing gear, and other small from Rhode Island Sound between Block Island and craft, and to reduce the potential for grounding or col- Point Judith, and a southern entrance between Block lision. Vessels are responsible for their own safety and Island and Montauk Point. The sound is connected are not required to remain inside the route nor are fish- with Long Island Sound by The Race and other pas- erman required to keep fishing gear outside the route. sages to the southwestward, and with Fishers Island Small vessels should exercise caution in and around Sound by several passages between rocky reefs from the Recommended Vessel Routes and monitor VHF Watch Hill Point to East Point, Fishers Island. channels 16 or 13 for information concerning deep draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting these routes. (4) The north shoreline of Block Island Sound and Fishers Island Sound from Point Judith to New London (10) Block Island North Reef is a sand shoal with is generally rocky and broken with short stretches of depths of 14 feet or less extending 1 mile northward sandy beach. Many inlets and harbors, especially in the from Sandy Point at the north end of Block Island. The vicinity of Fishers Island, afford harbors of refuge for shoal should be avoided by all vessels; its depths change vessels. Most of the rocks and shoals near the channels frequently, and its position is also subject to a slow are marked with navigational aids. change. It is practically steep-to on all sides, so that soundings alone cannot be depended on to clear it. A (5) The southern part of Block Island Sound is lighted bell buoy is 1.5 miles northward of the point. bounded by Block Island on the east, the eastern ex- tremity of Long Island, and Gardiners Island on the (11) Southwest Ledge, 5.5 miles west-southwestward of west. Plum Island and Fishers Island are at the western Block Island Southeast Light, has a least known depth end of the sound. of 21 feet and is marked on its southwest side by South- west Ledge Lighted Whistle Buoy 2. Rocky patches with (6) The deep water in the central part of Block Island least depths of 27 and 29 feet extend 1.5 miles north- Sound will accommodate vessels of the greatest draft. eastward from the ledge. The sea breaks on the shoaler places on the ledge in heavy weather. (7) Westward of Gardiners Island, enclosed between the northeastern and eastern ends of Long Island, are (12) Several other dangers that must be guarded Gardiners Bay, Shelter Island Sound, Little Peconic against are northward and westward of Southwest Bay, and Great Peconic Bay. This area is well protected Ledge Lighted Whistle Buoy 2. These dangers are: but generally shallow, and is not suited for deep-draft
268 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 37-foot sounding, marked by a lighted buoy, about 2.2 (19) The tidal currents throughout Block Island Sound miles 280° from the lighted whistle buoy, and two rocks have considerable velocity; the greatest velocities oc- covered 21 and 22 feet, about 0.75 mile north of the cur in the vicinity of The Race and in the entrances be- lighted whistle buoy. tween Montauk Point, Block Island, and Point Judith. (13) The deepest passage in the southern entrance to Soundings alone cannot be depended upon to locate Block Island Sound is just westward of Southwest the position; the shoaling is generally abrupt in ap- Ledge and has a width of over 2 miles; this is the best proaching the shores or dangers. passage for deep draft vessels. The area between South- west Ledge Lighted Whistle Buoy 2 and Block Island (20) In the middle of the passage between Point Judith Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted Buoy BIS and Block Island, the velocity is 0.7 knot. The flood sets is known locally as Montauk Channel. Mariners should westward, and the ebb eastward. keep in mind that vessels with a draft in excess of 38 feet will not be allowed to transit this area. Further, pi- (21) In the passage between Block Island and Montauk lots using Montauk Channel shall consider draft, sea Point, the flood sets generally northwestward and the and swell, wind, visibility, current and vessel traffic. ebb southeastward. In the middle of the passage the ve- When these conditions pose a threat to the safety of any locity is 1.5 knots on the flood and 1.9 knots on the ebb. person, vessel, prudent navigation or safety of the envi- About 1.2 miles eastward of Montauk Point, the flood ronment, Montauk Channel shall not be used. sets 346°, ebb 162°, with a velocity of 2.8 knots. (14) Between the inner patch of rocks and the shoals, which extend 0.9 mile from Block Island, is a channel (22) In Block Island Sound and in the eastern part of 1.3 miles wide, with a depth of about 34 feet. Vessels us- Long Island Sound, fogs are generally heaviest with ing this channel should round the southwest end of southeast winds. In these waters the usual duration of a Block Island at a distance of 1.5 miles. It is not advis- fog is from 4 to 12 hours, but periods of from 4 to 6 days able to use this passage during heavy weather. have been known with very short clear intervals. In the (15) The entrance between Point Judith and Block Is- autumn, land fogs, as they are termed locally, some- land is used by vessels coming from the bays and times occur with northerly breezes, but are generally sounds eastward to Long Island Sound. The route gen- burned off before midday. erally used is through The Race. Tows of light barges and vessels of 14 feet or less draft sometimes go (23) The Race may be said to be the only locality where through Fishers Island Sound, especially during day- tidal currents have any decided influence on the move- light with a smooth sea. This entrance is clear with the ments of the ice. Large quantities of floe ice usually exception of Block Island North Reef and the numerous pass through The Race during the ebb, especially if the large boulders extending about 4 miles south-south- wind is westerly, and in severe winters this ice causes eastward of Point Judith. The coast from Point Judith some obstruction in Block Island Sound and around nearly to Watch Hill should be given a berth of over 1 Montauk Point. These obstructions are the most exten- mile, avoiding the broken ground with depths less than sive around the middle of February. 30 feet. Weather, Block Island Sound and vicinity Tides and currents (24) Land influences the weather only at the northern (16) (Full tidal information, including daily predic- edge of the Sound, with a northerly wind. Otherwise tions, is given in the Tide Tables.) the waters are open, similar to the nearby ocean. Winds (17) The effect of strong winds, in combination with the from all other directions have ample time to increase in strength and the Sound can be as turbulent as any wa- regular tidal action, may at times cause the water to fall ter off the coast. Wind speeds can be double those found several feet below or rise the same amount above the on the coast, especially in winter, when average speeds plane of reference of the chart. The mean range of tide of 16 to 17 knots are common. Gales occur up to 5 per- throughout Block Island Sound varies from about 3 cent of the time in winter and are most likely from the feet at Point Judith to 2 feet at Montauk Point. west and northwest. Seas built by winds from the (18) Tidal current data for a number of locations in southeast through southwest are usually highest since Block Island Sound are given in the Tidal Current Ta- there is no land to interfere with the fetch. Seas of 10 bles. Current directions and velocities throughout the feet (3 m) or more are likely 5 to 7 percent of the time in sound for each hour of the tidal cycle are shown on winter. Tidal Current Charts, Block Island Sound and Eastern (25) Because of relatively cold water, summer fog oc- Long Island Sound. curs two to three times more often in these waters than in either Narragansett or Buzzard Bays. For example, in June visibilities drop below ½ mile nearly 9 percent of the time.
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 269 North Atlantic Right Whales Hence, the climate is typically maritime, but under (26) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur conditions of extreme cold or heat the effect is felt on the island as well as on the mainland. Temperatures of in Block Island Sound, in particular in the Narra- -10°F (-23.3°C, February 1992) and 95°F (35°C, August gansett/Buzzards Bay Traffic Separation Scheme. They 1948) have been recorded. may also occur 30 miles south of Block Island Sound (35) Summers are usually dry. Recorded rainfall for any (peak season: November through April). The Northeast one month ranges from a trace to 11.51 inches (292 Marine Pilots distribute educational material to mari- mm). November is the wettest month averaging 4.08 ners in an effort to reduce right whale ship strikes. (See inches (104 mm) and June is the driest averaging 2.46 North Atlantic Right Whales, indexed as such, in chap- inches (64 mm). ter 3 for more information on right whales and recom- (36) The warmest month is July with an average high of mended measures to avoid collisions.) 76.5°F (24.7°C) and an average low of 63.7°F (17.6°C). (27) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall The coolest months are January and February. Each av- (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United erage 32°F (0°C). The island is too small to build up cu- States are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the mulonimbus clouds, and local thunderstorms do not Block Island Sound Seasonal Management Area be- occur. Fog occurs on one out of four days in the early tween November 1 and April 30. The area is defined as summer, when the ocean is relatively cold and foggy the waters bounded by: days average about 22 each year. (28) 40º51'53.7\"N., 70º36'44.9\"W.; (37) Winters are distinguished for their comparative (29) 41º20'14.1\"N., 70º49'44.1\"W.; mildness; maximums average 36°F to 42°F (2.2°C to (30) 41º04'16.7\"N., 71º51'21.0\"W.; 5.6°C) and minimums average 26°F (-3.3°C) in January (31) 40º35'56.5\"N., 71º38'25.1\"W.; thence back to start- and February. Since the surface winds are usually east- ing point. (See 50 CFR 224.105 in chapter 2 for regu- erly when snow begins it soon changes to rain or melts lations, limitations, and exceptions. rapidly after it piles up. The ocean temperatures are of course always somewhat above freezing and not far off Pilotage: Block Island Sound and Long Island Sound shore are relatively high. (32) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign flag vessels and (38) The ocean has a dampening effect on hot winds in summer and an accelerating effect on cold winds from U.S. vessels which are under register (i.e. engaged in the mainland in the winter. Katabatic winds from foreign trade) in Block Island Sound and Long Island Narrangansett Bay and Long Island reach as high as 35 Sound. Vessels should not enter Block Island Sound or knots when anticyclonic conditions prevail on the Long Island Sound without a state licensed pilot. See mainland in winter. The wind velocity averages 15 Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter knots for the year, but the mean is 17 knots in the win- 8. The Point Judith Pilot Station is the primary pilot ter, when gales are frequent. In the early fall most of the boarding location for entry into Block Island Sound tropical storms moving up the coast affect the island to and Long Island Sound. Vessels bound for Long Island some extent. Since 1871 and 1996, 13 storms have Sound ports may board pilots at the Point Judith Pilot come within 25 miles of Block Island. In August 1991, Station, centered on 41°17.0'N., 71°30.5'W. There is a the center of Hurricane Bob passed about ten miles to secondary pilot station which may be used with special the west of the island with 85- knot winds. arrangement at any point south of the Montauk Point (39) (See Appendix B for Block Island climatological ta- Pilot Station, centered on 41°02.0'N., 71°42.0'W. ble.) Chart 13217 Communications (40) A ferry operates daily from Galilee to Great Salt (33) Block Island, 5 miles long, is hilly with elevations up to about 200 feet. The shore of the island is fringed Pond or Old Harbor, carrying mail, passengers, freight, in most places by boulders and should be given a berth and vehicles. There is summer ferry service from Old of over 0.5 mile even by small craft; the shoaling is gen- Harbor to Providence, via Newport, and to New Lon- erally abrupt in approaching the island. don. The island has telephone service to the mainland. Air service is also available. Weather, Block Island and vicinity (34) Block Island, formed by glaciers, consists of nearly (41) Block Island Southeast Light (41°09'10\"N., 71°33'04\"W.), 67 feet above the water, is shown from a 7,000 acres (2,830 hectares) and lies in the Atlantic red-brick octagonal, pyramidal tower attached to a Ocean about 12 miles east-northeast of Long Island and about the same distance south of Charlestown, RI.
270 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 dwelling to Mohegan Bluffs on the southeast point of (49) Small-craft facilities in Great Salt Pond can provide the island. berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and (42) About 0.2 mile southeast of the light is the wreck of marine supplies. The marina about 0.3 mile westward the large tanker SS LIGHTBURNE. The wreck is of the ferry landing had a reported depth of 16 feet at marked by a buoy. At Clay Head, on the northeast side the face of the dock in July 1981. Sail and engine re- of Block Island, is a lone white house on top of the bluff. pairs are available nearby. Two nearby silos are conspicuous. (43) Block Island North Light (41°13'39\"N., 71°34'33\"W.), Tides and currents 58 feet above the water, is shown from a brown tower (50) The mean range of tide is about 2.6 feet. on a gray granite dwelling on Sandy Point at the north (51) Tidal currents in the entrance to Great Salt Pond end of the island. (44) Old Harbor, frequently used as a harbor of refuge, have a velocity of 0.3 knot. (See Tidal Current Tables for is an artificial harbor formed by two breakwaters on the predictions.) east side of Block Island, 1.4 miles northward of Block Island Southeast Light. In June 2009, the controlling No-Discharge Zone depths were 12.6 feet at midchannel in the entrance (52) The State of Rhode Island, with the approval of the channel, thence 10.9 feet in the basin except shoaling to 2.9 within 25 feet of the eastern limit. The inner har- Environmental Protection Agency, has established a bor anchorage area had a controlling depth of 13.1 feet No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Great Salt Pond. The except for shoaling to 4.8 feet within 35 feet of the west- NDZ includes all waters east of a line from the landward ern limits. The harbor is occupied by pleasure craft end of the jetty located at the northwestern channel en- during the summer. The eastern part of the inner har- trance to the red marker located approximately 600 feet bor is left clear for the passage of the ferry to the wharf. northwest of the United States Coast Guard facility The basin in the southeast corner of the inner harbor is dock (see chart 13217 for limits). usually occupied by fishing boats and local craft which (53) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether tie up along the sides. Gasoline, diesel fuel, and berths treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. are available. The harbormaster has an office at the Old Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by Harbor town dock. 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). (45) The east breakwater extends about 300 yards northward of the entrance of the inner harbor, and is Chart 13219 marked at its end by a light and fog signal. A bell buoy is 0.55 mile northward of the breakwater. A light marks (54) Point Judith Light (41°21'39\"N., 71°28'53\"W.), 65 the end of the breakwater on the west side at the en- feet above the water, is shown from an octagonal tower, trance to the inner harbor. 51 feet high, with the lower half white, upper half (46) Great Salt Pond (New Harbor), on the west side of brown. The station has a fog signal. About 100 yards Block Island, is the best harbor in Block Island Sound north of the light is Point Judith Coast Guard Station. for vessels of 15-foot draft or less. In easterly gales A lighted whistle buoy is about 2.4 miles southward of when the sea is too heavy to enter Old Harbor, a landing the light. (See chart 13218.) can be made at Great Salt Pond. The entrance, about 2 miles south-southwestward of Block Island North (55) The area around Point Judith, including the ap- Light, is a dredged cut through the narrow beach. The proaches to Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, is irregular southwestern side of the entrance is protected by a with rocky bottom and indications of boulders. Caution jetty, which is marked by a light and a fog signal at its is advised to avoid the shoal spots, even with a smooth outer end. sea, and to exercise extra care where the depths are not (47) In June 2009, the controlling depth was 10.9 feet in more than 6 feet greater than the draft. the left half of the channel and 4.1 feet in the right half, except shoaling to bare in the right outside quarter just (56) Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, on the west side of seaward of the inner end of the breakwater to Buoy 10. Point Judith, is formed by a main V-shaped breakwater Local knowledge is advised before entering. and two shorearm breakwaters extending to the shore. (48) The usual anchorage in Great Salt Pond is near the The harbor is easy of access for most vessels except with southeast end, off the ferry landing, in 15 to 48 feet, a heavy southerly sea. It is little used by tows. The only taking care to leave a fairway to the landing. A channel soft bottom in the harbor is found in the southern part with a reported depth of about 8 feet in July 1981 leads of the deeper water enclosed by the main breakwater. to Trim Pond, where local fishing craft are moored. On the north side the shoaling is gradual; the 18-foot curve is about 0.3 to 0.5 mile offshore. (57) Near the central part of the harbor are two shoals; the northernmost one has depths of 14 to 18 feet, and
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 271 the southernmost one has depths of 14 to 16 feet and is chiefly used by fishermen. A State fisheries laboratory marked by a buoy. is just above the State pier at Jerusalem. A State pier (58) The area within the V-shaped breakwater affords superintendent controls the State piers at Galilee and protected anchorage for small craft. The breakwater Jerusalem; his office is at the head of the Galilee State should be given a berth of 200 yards to avoid broken Pier. and hard bottom; a rocky shoal area about 100 yards (66) A channel with three dredged sections marked by wide, paralleling the west side of the main breakwater buoys and a daybeacon extends from Point Judith Har- northward from the angle should be avoided. A good bor of Refuge along the west side of the pond to the berth for a vessel is on a line between Point Judith Har- State Pier at Jerusalem, and thence northerly to the bor of Refuge East Entrance Light 3 and Point Judith turning basin at Wakefield. A branch channel, on the Harbor of Refuge West Entrance Light 2, midway be- east side, extends northeasterly from the entrance to the tween them in 22 to 30 feet. This position falls on the pond to the State Pier at Galilee, and into anchorage ar- edge of the east-west thorofare used by pleasure craft eas westward of Galilee and southward of Little Com- and fishing boats. fort Island. (59) In August 1984, a submerged obstruction was re- (67) In March 2006-April 2007, the controlling depths ported about 270 yards southeast of Point Judith Har- were 11.8 feet (13.7 feet at midchannel) to the junction bor of Refuge West Entrance Light 2 in about with the Galilee branch channel, thence 13.1 feet to the 41°21'37\"N., 71°30'40\"W. A dangerous wreck, covered State Pier at Jerusalem, thence 2.3 feet to the turning 4½ feet, is about 450 yards westward of Point Judith basin at Wakefield with 5.5 to 6 feet in the basin; deeper Harbor of Refuge East Entrance Light 3 in 41°21.6'N., water can be carried in the channel from Jerusalem to 71°29.1'W. Wakefield; however, local knowledge is advised. The (60) The southern entrance to the Harbor of Refuge, east branch channel had a controlling depth of 14.7 feet known locally as the East Gap, is 400 yards wide; in July to the State Pier at Galilee, thence 14.1 feet to the end 1981, it had a reported controlling depth of about 24 of the project at Buoy 3 southward of Little Comfort Is- feet with deeper water in the western half of the chan- land; the anchorage westward of Galilee had depths of nel. 10 feet. (61) The western entrance to the Harbor of Refuge, known locally as the West Gap, is 500 yards wide; in Tides and Currents July 1981, it had a reported controlling depth of about (68) The mean range of tide in the pond is 2.8 feet and 18 feet, with lesser depths on the north side of the en- trance. occurs later than in the Harbor of Refuge by about 10 minutes just inside the entrance and 30 minutes at the Tides and Currents north end. The tidal currents in the entrance have a ve- (62) The mean range of tide in the Harbor of Refuge is locity of 1.8 knots on the flood and 1.5 knots on the ebb, and cause slight rips and overfalls at changes of tide. 3.1 feet. The tidal currents have a velocity of about 0.7 Higher current velocities are reported to occur. (See knot at the south entrance. The currents off the west Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) entrance are rotary, with a velocity at strength of 0.5 (69) Several boatyards and marinas are at Galilee, Jeru- knot. (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) salem, Wakefield, and at Snug Harbor, on the west side (63) Considerably stronger currents have been reported of the pond about 0.8 mile above the entrance. Berths, to develop especially when the tide is ebbing. electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine sup- plies, storage, launching ramps, and hull and engine (64) Point Judith Pond is a saltwater tidal pond entered repairs are available. The largest marine railway in the between two rock jetties at The Breachway in the area, at the southern end of the waterfront at Snug northwestern part of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge. Harbor, can handle craft up to 150 feet long or 400 tons. The east jetty is marked near its seaward end by a In July 1981, a reported depth of 12 feet could be car- daybeacon. The pond extends 3.3 miles northerly to the ried to the railway. town of Wakefield. It is used extensively by small fish- (70) Daily ferry service is available to Block Island from ing vessels and pleasure craft, and numerous fish Galilee. Daily bus service is operated to Providence. wharves are inside the entrance. The north end of Point (71) Potter Pond, shallow and landlocked, is joined with Judith Pond affords good anchorage for boats of 4 feet Point Judith by a narrow channel near Snug Harbor. draft or less during a heavy blow. Local knowledge should be obtained before using this channel, which has depths of 2 to 4 feet and is crossed (65) The village of Galilee on the east side of the en- by overhead power and telephone cables with a clear- trance and Jerusalem on the west side at Succotash ance of 30 feet at the channel entrance and by a fixed Point have State piers and numerous small piers
272 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 highway bridge with a clearance of 5 feet about 0.4 mile (74) Charlestown Breachway, 4.5 miles westward of above the entrance. A current of more than 3 knots de- Matunuck Point, is a narrow inlet which leads to velops through the channel on the ebb. The mean Ninigret Pond, also known as Charlestown Pond, to range of tide in the pond is about 1 foot, and it occurs the westward, and the village of Charlestown to the about 2.5 hours later than in the Harbor of Refuge. northward. In 1994, a reported depth of about 1½ feet could be taken in the inlet, with depths of about 3 to 6 Chart 13215 feet inside. The southern part of Ninigret Pond is mostly mud flats. Local knowledge is required in enter- (72) From Point Judith to Watch Hill the shore is low ing and moving about inside. A small-craft facility is at and for the most part consists of sandy beaches which Charlestown, and one is at the western end of Ninigret are broken by several projecting rocky points. Back Pond; berths, gasoline, electricity, marine supplies, and from the immediate shore are areas of cultivation in- launching ramps are at both facilities. terspersed with rolling grass-covered or wooded hills. Except for Point Judith Pond, most pond outlets are (75) Quonochontaug, 10.8 miles westward of Point Ju- used only by small local craft. The coast is fringed by dith, is a summer settlement at the outlet of broken ground and boulders in places, which should be Quonochontaug Pond. In July 1981, a reported depth avoided by deep-draft vessels where the depths are less of about 3 feet could be carried in Quonochontaug than 36 to 42 feet. Breachway, with depths of 15 to 20 feet reported in the pond. Vessels favor the west side of the entrance to (73) Matunuck is a summer resort about 3 miles west of avoid rocks in the easterly half of the entrance. Point Judith. Southwest of Matunuck Point is Ne- braska Shoal, a patch of boulders covered 18 feet and (76) Weekapaug Point, 12.5 miles west of Point Judith, marked by a buoy. The shoal is at the south end of bro- is bold, rocky, and prominent from the southwest and ken ground, with depths less than 30 feet offshore; the southeast. Two stone jetties, 1,500 feet long, protect water deepens abruptly around the patch. the entrance to Winnapaug Pond just westward of the point. In July 1981, a reported depth of about 5 feet could be carried in Weekapaug Breachway to the pond;
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 273 vessels favor the west side of the breachway above the (81) Watch Hill Passage is the principal entrance to bridge. Reported depths in Winnapaug Pond vary from Fishers Island Sound from eastward, and the only one bare to 10 feet. There are numerous shoals and sand- used by strangers. It has a least depth of about 17 feet. A bars. Southerly winds cause breakers at the ends of the spot with 12 feet over it in the passage is marked by a jetties; extreme caution is advised. The fixed bridge buoy; the best channel is northward of this buoy, giving over the entrance has a clearance of 6 feet. it a berth of about 150 yards. (77) Old Reef, with a depth of 5 feet over it, is about 1.5 miles west of Weekapaug Point and about 0.5 mile off- (82) Watch Hill Reef, on the southwest side of Watch shore. Hill Passage, has rocks that bare and is marked by a gong buoy. Chart 13214 (83) Sugar Reef Passage, between Watch Hill Reef and (78) Watch Hill, about 17.5 miles west of Point Judith, Sugar Reef, has a width of 0.3 mile; the least depths are is a high bare bluff on its easterly side with several large about 22 feet. hotels and summer houses. (84) Sugar Reef, some 500 to 600 yards in extent, is cov- (79) Watch Hill Light (41°18.2'N., 71°51.5'W.), 61 feet ered 2 to 12 feet and should be avoided; it is marked by a above the water, is shown from a square gray granite buoy off its north side. tower, 45 feet high, attached to a white building with a red roof, on Watch Hill Point. (85) Catumb Passage, between Sugar Reef and Catumb Rocks, has a width of 150 yards; its least depth is 13 feet. (80) Gangway Rock, awash at low water, is part of a boulder reef extending about 0.2 mile southward from (86) Catumb Rocks, the highest of which are awash, are Watch Hill Light. A lighted bell buoy marks the south marked by buoys on the north, southeast, and south- end of the reef. A submerged rock is about 50 yards west sides. Rocks covered 1 to 18 feet extend 0.8 mile northward of the buoy. westward of Catumb Rocks to the buoy that marks the east side of Lords Passage. This passage, about 0.3 mile wide, has a least depth of 16 feet. (87) Wicopesset Rock, on the northwesterly side of Lords Passage, is the easterly part of foul ground
274 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 extending about 0.3 mile to Wicopesset Island, which on Fishers Island from seaward. The south side of the is low and rocky. island is fringed with foul ground which rises abruptly (88) Wicopesset Passage, between Wicopesset Island from depths of 42 to 48 feet, but by giving the shore a and East Point, is narrow and is obstructed by a rock in berth of 0.5 mile, all dangers will be avoided. the middle marked by a buoy; it is suitable only for (91) Race Point Ledge, partly bare at low water, extends small craft and should not be used by strangers. A bell about 0.2 mile southwestward from Race Point, the buoy marks the southern entrance. Extreme caution is southwest extremity of Fishers Island, and is marked at recommended when using the passage as the ebb cur- its end by a buoy. Inside the buoy are boulders with 2 to rent is apt to set boats on the foul ground. 9 feet over them. The passage between the buoy and (89) Information about the tides and tidal currents in Race Rock Light has very irregular bottom; the least the passages is given with the discussion of Fishers Is- depth is about 20 feet. It is suitable only for small ves- land Sound. sels with a comparatively smooth sea. (92) Race Rock, on the northeast side of The Race, is Charts 13214, 13212 nearly 200 yards in diameter, with a depth of 8 feet. A ridge with a least depth of 28 feet extends about 120 (90) Fishers Island, 6 miles long, is hilly and sparsely yards SSW of Race Rock. Another ridge, extending in a wooded. Chocomount, 136 feet high, is the highest north-south direction with a least depth of 38 feet is point on the island. East Point, at the east end of the is- about 320 yards east of Race Rock. land, is marked by several large houses. The former (93) Race Rock Light (41°14'37\"N., 72°02'49\"W.), 67 Coast Guard station at East Harbor, about 1 mile from feet above the water, is shown from a granite tower at- East Point of Fishers Island, is prominent; numerous tached to a dwelling on a granite pier on the rock. A fog buildings on the western part of Fishers Island and a signal is sounded at the station. The fog signal is re- large yellow hotel building are conspicuous. The radar ported at times to be inaudible when a vessel is ap- antenna on Mount Prospect, near the west end of the proaching from eastward and is close southward of island, south shore, is the most prominent landmark Fishers Island.
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 275 Charts 13209, 13212 on account of the heavy swirls and rips. A lighted whis- tle buoy is northward of the rock. (94) The Race, the main entrance to Long Island Sound (102) The Sluiceway, the passage between Great Gull Is- from eastward, extends between Fishers Island and Lit- land and Plum Island, has several known dangers and tle Gull Island, between which is a width of about 3.5 very irregular bottom with boulders, and should be miles. The only dangers are Valiant Rock, nearly in the avoided. The velocity of the tidal current in the passage middle, and Little Gull Island with its reefs. is 2.6 knots on the flood, and 3.2 knots on the ebb; flood sets 299°, and ebb 133°. Considerably higher velocities Current occur at times, and tide rips are very bad in heavy (95) In the middle of The Race, the flood sets 295° and weather. Boulders covered 3 to 10 feet are between Old Silas Rock and Plum Island. Old Silas Rock, marked by the ebb 100°, with average velocities of 2.9 knots and a buoy, is awash at high water. Middle Shoal Rock, 0.3 3.5 knots, respectively. There are always strong rips and mile northeastward of Old Silas Rock, has a depth of 8 swirls in the wake of all broken ground in The Race, ex- feet. cept for about one-half hour at slack water. The rips are (103) Bedford Reef is broken ground, on which the least exceptionally heavy during heavy weather, and espe- found depths are 14 to 16 feet, extending about 1.5 cially when a strong wind opposes the current, or the miles southward from broken ground lying between current sets through against a heavy sea. (Predicted Great Gull and Plum Islands. It should be avoided. Con- times of slack water and times and velocities of stellation Rock, on the southeasterly extension on this strength of current are given in the Tidal Current Ta- broken ground, has 17 feet over it, is marked by a buoy, bles.) and lies 1.9 miles southward of Little Gull Island Light. (96) During the flood stage of the tide, a significant eddy exists on the northwest side of Valiant Rock. (97) Little Gull Reef, with little depth and foul ground, Chart 13209 extends 0.3 mile east-northeastward from Little Gull Island and is marked at the northeast end by a buoy. (104) Montauk Point, the easterly extremity of Long Is- Mariners are advised that the buoy is sometimes sub- land, is a high sandy bluff, on the summit of which is merged by the strong current and deep-draft vessels the light. The land is grass covered, with a height of 165 should avoid this locality. Little Gull Island Light feet at Prospect Hill, 2 miles westward of the point. The (41°12'22\"N., 72°06'24\"W.), 91 feet above the water, is south side of the point is bold, the 10-fathom curve is shown from a gray granite tower, 81 feet high, attached about 0.5 mile from shore; depths of 24 feet and less ex- to a red dwelling on a pier. A fog signal is at the light. tend 0.8 mile off the northeast side of the point. The light and Race Rock Light are the guides, as soundings cannot be depended upon. (105) Montauk Point Light (41°04'15\"N., 71°51'26\"W.), 168 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical (98) In passing north of Valiant Rock, vessels should tower with a red band midway of its height and a cov- keep from 0.5 to 0.8 mile southwestward of Race Rock ered way to a gray dwelling. A fog signal is at the light. Light, and craft passing southward of Valiant Rock should hold to a course about 1 mile northeastward of (106) Surrounding Montauk Point for about 4 miles is a Little Gull Island Light. shoal area that has been closely surveyed (see also chart 13215); the bottom is very broken, and extra caution (99) Cerberus Shoal, 6 miles southeast of Race Rock should be observed where the depths are less than 10 Light, is about 0.4 mile in diameter, with a least depth feet greater than the draft. In general, the shoals are a of 19 feet on a small rocky patch near its north end. The series of long narrow ridges, in places only a few yards seas break on this shoal during heavy swells. It is wide, and their positions are indicated by the rips over marked by a lighted gong buoy. Near the shoal, tide rips them at the strength of the tidal currents. are unusually strong. (107) Montauk Shoal, about 2.5 miles south-southeast- (100) Great Gull Island, 0.6 mile southwest of Little Gull ward of the light, has least depths of 30 feet. Great East- Island, was formerly a military reservation, but is now ern Rock, 1.5 miles east-northeast of the light, has a privately owned. The pier on the north side is in ruins. least depth of 25 feet. Phelps Ledge, just northerly of A lookout tower on the island is conspicuous. Great Eastern Rock, is covered by 24 feet. Endeavor Shoals, about 2.3 miles northeast of the light, are cov- (101) Valiant Rock, with a least depth of 20 feet, is sur- ered by 19 to 24 feet on a narrow ridge about 0.4 mile rounded by shoal area, and the 10-fathom curve sur- long. A lighted gong buoy is off the eastern end of the rounding the rock marks the area which should be ridge. avoided by deep-draft vessels and preferably all vessels,
276 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 (108) Vessels drawing up to 20 feet can avoid the dangers of the channel; the boat basin northwestward of Star Is- eastward and northeastward of Montauk Point in land had depths of 7.4 to 10 feet. smooth weather by giving the point a berth of over 1 (113) Star Island, just inside Montauk Harbor, is con- mile and avoiding Great Eastern Rock. nected to the mainland by a causeway. A private light is shown from the eastern side of the island. A privately (109) Broken ground with rocky bottom and boulders ex- marked channel, with a reported controlling depth of 7 tends about 2 miles off the north coast west of Montauk feet in June 1999, leads from beyond the end of the fed- Point. Shagwong Reef, with a least depth of 8 feet and eral channel to the southern part of Lake Montauk marked by a lighted bell buoy, is the northern limit of where there are depths of 6 to 8 feet in the center. this area. Shagwong Rock, with a least depth of 7½ feet and marked by a lighted buoy, and Washington Shoal, COLREGS Demarcation Lines with a least depth of 15 feet, are between the shore and (114) The lines established for Montauk Harbor are de- Shagwong Reef. The principal danger outside Shag- wong Reef is a shoal with a depth of 30 feet, 5.3 miles scribed in 80.155, chapter 2. northwestward of Montauk Point. Tides and Currents Pilotage Pickup Locations Off Montauk Point (115) The mean range of tide is 1.9 feet. (110) Pilots, by special arrangement during favorable (116) Tidal currents at the entrance to Montauk Harbor weather conditions, may meet a ship with less than have a velocity of 1.2 knots on the flood and about 0.5 38-foot draft off Montauk Point bound for Long Island knot on the ebb. They are reported to decrease rapidly Sound. Foreign flag vessels and U.S. vessels which are after entering the harbor and are practically negligible under register can arrange for a state licensed pilot by near the yacht club landing on the east side of Star Is- contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block Is- land. (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) land Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216; (117) Montauk Coast Guard Station is at the northern FAX 401-847-9052. U.S. vessels engaged in coastwise end of Star Island. trade (enrolled work) in need of pilotage services can contact the various pilot organizations directly. For Small-craft facilities telephone number, FAX number, cable address, de- (118) There are several small-craft facilities on both sides scription of the boat, frequencies, etc., consult the name of the association under Pilotage, Narraganset of the entrance to Montauk Harbor, and a yacht club Bay and Other Rhode Island Waters (indexed as such), and several marinas are on the east side of Star Island. chapter 6; Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, and such), chapter 8; and Pilotage, New York Harbor and space for transients are available. Lifts to 80 tons can Approaches (indexed as such), chapter 11 handle craft for complete engine and hull repairs. Gro- (111) Mariners are also reminded that vessels with a draft ceries and other supplies may be obtained at the village in excess of 38 feet are advised to not transit the of Montauk. The yacht club can be contacted at Montauk Channel (as defined by the area between 631-668-5052. Southwest Ledge Lighted Whistle Buoy 2 and Block Is- land Sound South Entrance Obstruction Lighted Buoy (119) Fort Pond Bay is a semicircular bight about 1 mile BIS). Further, pilots using Montauk Channel shall con- wide on the north side of Long Island, 5 miles westward sider: draft, sea and swell, wind, visibility, current and of Montauk Point. The bay is free of dangers, but flats vessel traffic. When these conditions pose a threat to with 8 to 12 feet over them make out 0.2 mile from its the safety of any person, vessel, prudent navigation or eastern shore. The bay affords anchorage in 40 to 50 safety of the environment, Montauk Channel shall not feet, soft bottom, but is exposed to northerly and north- be used. westerly winds; the shoaling is abrupt on its east and south sides. (112) Montauk Harbor, in the northern part of Lake Montauk, is entered through a dredged channel on the (120) Montauk, a summer resort at the southeast end of northern shore about 3 miles west of Montauk Point. the bay, is the terminus of the Long Island Railroad. A The entrance is protected by jetties, each of which is depth of 10 feet was reported alongside the commercial marked by a light, and the west jetty has a fog signal. A pier on the east side of the bay. There are no public lighted bell buoy, about 0.3 mile north of the entrance, piers available. marks the approach to the harbor. In March 2009, the controlling depth in the channel was 9.8 feet to the end (121) Napeague Bay, 8 miles westward of Montauk Point, is shallow in the western and southwestern part. Prom- ised Land Channel, the buoyed passage southward of Gardiners and Cartwright Islands, has a least centerline
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 277 depth of about 14 feet; however, the depth is continu- (130) A restricted anchorage for U.S. Navy submarines is ally changing due to the shifting shoals. about 3 miles eastward of Gardiners Island. (See 110.1 (122) The tidal currents have a velocity of about 1.5 knots and 110.150, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) through all the channels between the shoals. It is not advisable for vessels drawing more than 10 feet to at- (131) Gardiners Bay is at the western end of Block Island tempt the passage without local knowledge, and then Sound from which it is separated by Gardiners Island. only when the buoys can be seen. The bay is an excellent anchorage easily entered day or (123) Napeague Harbor, a small-craft refuge in the night, and is the approach to Shelter Island Sound and southwest part of Napeague Bay, can be entered the Peconic Bays. The principal entrance is northward through privately dredged channels northward and of Gardiners Point. The entrance from Long Island southward of Hicks Island. In June 1981, the reported Sound is through Plum Gut. The entrance southward controlling depths were 4 feet in the northerly and of Gardiners Island is used by fishing vessels. southerly entrances. Depths in the central part of the harbor range from 1½ to 7 feet; the chart is the best (132) The principal guides for the entrance to Gardiners guide. The harbor is especially useful in northeasterly Bay from Block Island Sound are the lighted gong buoy weather when the adjoining bays are unsafe. There are north of Gardiners Point, Little Gull Light, and Orient no landings in the harbor. Point Light. When past the lighted gong buoy north of (124) Promised Land is a former fishing village on the Gardiners Point, vessels can select the anchorage in southwest side of Napeague Bay. A depth of about 4 feet Gardiners Bay which affords the best lee in the prevail- can be carried to the landing at the yacht club, 1.3 ing winds. miles westward of Promised Land. (125) Gardiners Island, 11 miles westward of Montauk (133) The principal dangers in approaching Gardiners Point, is partly wooded and has an elevation of 130 feet Bay from the northward are the broken ground be- near its middle. Cartwright Island is narrow, low, and tween Constellation Rock and Plum Island, and the sandy, and extends 1 mile in a southerly direction off shoal making out to Gardiners Point. In the bay, Crow the south tip of Gardiners Island. Its size and shape are Shoal should be avoided. In general, the shoaling is subject to considerable change by storms. rather abrupt in approaching these dangers and grad- (126) Crow Head is the high bluff at the western end of ual in approaching the shoals on the western side of the Gardiners Island. Shoal water with depths of 9 to 16 bay. feet extends 1.8 miles southwestward from Cherry Hill Point, the westerly end of Gardiners Island, and termi- No-Discharge Zone nates at Crow Shoal. The shoal has depths of 3 to 11 (134) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- feet and is marked by a buoy. An obstruction covered 12 feet is 200 yards eastward of the buoy. vironmental Protection Agency, has established a (127) The bight between the southern part of Gardiners No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Peconic Estuary. The Island and Crow Shoal is Cherry Harbor. It has depths NDZ includes all open waters, harbors and creeks of the of 24 to 27 feet with mud bottom and affords shelter Peconic Estuary west of a line from Orient Point to from northeasterly winds. Bostwick Bay is the bight on Montauk Point (see chart 13209 for limits). the northwest side of Gardiners Island. It affords excel- (135) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether lent anchorage in easterly winds in depths of about 25 treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. feet, but is exposed to all westerly winds. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by (128) Gardiners Point, a low spit, is at the northerly end 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). of a very shoal bar which extends 1.5 miles north- northwestward from Gardiners Island. This shoal is (136) Plum Island, about 2 miles westward of Great Gull steep-to on its north and west sides and is marked by a Island, is 2.5 miles long, hilly, and bare of trees except lighted gong buoy. A rock with a depth of 2 feet over it is near the southwest end and has several large buildings about 0.8 mile eastward of the north point of Gardiners and a prominent tank; it is marked on its western point Island and is marked by a buoy. by Plum Gut Light. The island is a Government reser- (129) The Ruins, a concrete structure on Gardiners vation and closed to the public. Point, is Government property and formerly a naval aircraft bombing target; it is prohibited to the public. (137) The bight in the southeast side of Plum Island is The Ruins and the area within 300 yards radius of it is foul to Plum Island Rock, which is 0.5 mile from shore dangerous due to the possible existence of undetonated abreast of the middle of the island, has 1 foot over it and explosives. is marked by a buoy. (138) Plum Gut Harbor, on the southwest side of Plum Island, has an entrance between jetties with private seasonal lights on dolphins off the outer ends. The lights are shown daily from sundown to 0130. A private fog signal at the west jetty light is sounded occasionally
278 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 when Department of Agriculture vessels are navigating water, ice, and a launching ramp are available. In June in the area. A depth of about 14 feet is in the entrance. 1981, a reported depth of about 6 feet could be carried Small yachts seeking shelter in an emergency lie along- to the facility. side the wharves. The harbor is under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture and the Coast Guard, (146) Acabonack Harbor, at the southeast end of Gardiners and may be used only with permission. Bay, is entered through a privately maintained and marked channel with a reported controlling depth of 8 COLREGS Demarcation Lines feet in the entrance in 1996. (139) The lines established for Plum Gut Harbor are de- (147) Hog Creek Point, on the southerly side of scribed in 80.155, chapter 2. Gardiners Bay, is generally flat, with bluffs approxi- mately 25 feet in height. Lionhead Rock, off the point (140) Plum Gut, the entrance to Gardiners Bay from and marked by a buoy, is awash at high water. Fishtraps Long Island Sound, is nearly 0.6 mile wide and has suf- are westward of the point. ficient water for vessels of the deepest draft; in the pas- sage are several rocks with depths of 15 to 22 feet over (148) Threemile Harbor, on the south side of Gardiners them. A wreck with a least depth of 57 feet is in about Bay 1.7 miles southwestward of Hog Creek Point, is en- 41º10'06\"N., 72º12'59\"W. Tidal currents set through tered through a channel with two privately dredged the passage with great velocity. Steamers, or sailing sections. In September 1980, a portion of the wooden vessels with a strong favorable wind, should have no bulkhead on the west side of the entrance collapsed difficulty in passing through. into the channel. In 1981, it was reported that by favor- ing the east side of the entrance channel a depth of 8 (141) Velocities of the current on flood and ebb are 3.5 feet could be carried to a point opposite Maidstone and 4.3 knots, respectively. The flood sets northwestward Park, thence in 1996, a reported depth of 6 feet could be and the ebb southeastward. Heavy tide rips occur. In carried to the basin at the head of the harbor. The ap- November 1983, NOAA Ships RUDE and HECK re- proach to the harbor is marked by a seasonal lighted ported that during the flood a countercurrent normally bell buoy, and the channel is marked by lighted and develops along the north shore of Plum Island. This unlighted buoys. The jetties at the harbor entrance are countercurrent is most prevalent within 0.5 mile of the marked on the outer ends by private lights. A public island. Caution is recommended when using this pas- commercial landing with reported depths of 8 feet is on sage. the east side of the channel about 0.6 mile above the en- trance. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (142) Oyster Pond Reef, extending about 0.5 mile east- northeastward from Orient Point, is marked by a light Anchorage and fog signal. Caution is recommended regarding the (149) Anchorage is available in Threemile Harbor in fog signal, as it may be difficult to hear at times, partic- ularly with an easterly wind. Numerous boulders and depths of 9 to 14 feet with soft bottom and good holding little depth are between the light and Orient Point. ground; this is a good anchorage during strong winds. Midway Shoal, about 0.5 mile east of the light, has 17 feet over it and is marked by a lighted buoy. Tides and currents (150) The range of tide in the entrance to the harbor is (143) When using Plum Gut it is well to give Plum Island and Orient Point Light a berth of 0.2 mile. The best wa- 2.4 feet. The tidal current has a velocity of about 3 ter in the passage will be found on a 295° course, pass- knots through the entrance. ing Pine Point and the buoy marking Midway Shoal at a distance of 350 yards and passing midway between Ori- Small-craft facilities ent Point Light and Plum Gut Light on the western end (151) Small-craft facilities on the east and south sides of of Plum Island. Threemile Harbor can provide berths, electricity, gaso- (144) A channel, with a reported controlling depth of 7 line, diesel fuel, water, ice, launching ramps, storage, feet in 1999, leads to a research basin operated by the lifts to 40 tons, and hull and engine repair. Provisions U.S. Department of Agriculture on the south side of can be obtained at the town of East Hampton, 3.5 miles Orient Point, about 1 mile southwest of Orient Point south of Threemile Harbor. Light. A ferry operates between here, Plum Island and (152) In June 1989, the public pier maintained by the New London. town of East Hampton at the head of the harbor had re- ported depths of 7 feet at its face and 4 feet on its west Small-craft facility side. (145) A small-craft facility is about 0.1 mile westward of the wharf. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel,
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 279 COLREGS Demarcation Lines buoys and a private seasonal light. In April 1996, the re- (153) The lines established for Threemile Harbor are de- ported controlling depth in the privately maintained entrance channel was 8 feet. The speed limit is 5 mph. scribed in 80.155, chapter 2. A marina and boatyard are in the harbor. A mobile hoist at the boatyard can haul out craft up to 35 tons; gaso- Chart 12358 line, water, ice, diesel fuel, marine supplies, sewage pumpout, berths, guest moorings, storage facilities, (154) Shelter Island Sound and Peconic Bays extend and complete engine and hull repairs are available. In westward from Gardiners Bay about 22 miles to River- June 1981, a reported depth of 5½ feet could be carried head, the head of navigation on Peconic River. They are to the marina and boatyard. In August 2003, a danger- much frequented by yachts and other small craft in the ous rock was reported about 250 yards south of Buoy 10 summer. Fishtraps and oyster stakes are on many of the at 41°04'11.5\"N., 72°18'22.5\"W. Care should be taken to shoals. avoid this hazard. (162) A special anchorage is in Coecles Harbor. (See (155) A depth of about 26 feet can be carried through the 110.1 and 110.60(y), chapter 2, for limits and regula- channel north of Shelter Island and through Little tions.) Peconic Bay as far as Robins Island, and about 13 feet through the channel south of Shelter Island. Across the COLREGS Demarcation Lines bar between Little and Great Peconic Bays about 13 feet (163) The lines established for Coecles Harbor are de- can be carried. With local knowledge greater depths can be carried in the channels and across the bar. A scribed in 80.155, chapter 2. depth of about 6 feet can be taken to South Jamesport and Riverhead. (164) Extensive flats make off from Ram Head and the shore between it and Hay Beach Point, the northern- Tides and currents most point of Shelter Island, which is a low flat with a (156) The mean range of tide is about 2.5 feet. The tidal clump of scrub at its end and backed by wooded high- land. Long Beach Point is a low spit eastward of Hay currents have considerable velocity wherever the chan- Beach Point. A bar with little depth extends southwest- nel is narrowed. The velocity in the narrower places is erly from Long Beach Point to the ruins of a former about 1.8 knots. lighthouse of which only the 10-foot concrete founda- tion remains. A private light marks the ruins. (157) Ice obstructs navigation in the coves and shallow harbors during January and February. In severe win- (165) Shoals with depths of 10 to 12 feet extend 0.5 mile ters, drift ice is reported to interfere with navigation for eastward from Long Beach Point. The south and west short periods of time. In the south arm of Shelter Is- sides of this shoal have depths of 12 to 15 feet, and rise land Sound, the ice is heavy enough at times to destroy abruptly from the channel. The limits of the shoal structures exposed to it. south of the point are marked by buoys. The bar has ex- tended southward enough to be a real danger to small Small-craft facilities craft. (158) Diesel fuel, gasoline, ice, water, marine supplies, COLREGS Demarcation Lines and other provisions can best be obtained at Greenport (166) The lines established for the Long Island bays are and Sag Harbor. Several boatyards, shipyards, marine railways, and enclosed basins with excellent repair fa- described in 80.155, chapter 2. cilities are at Greenport. (167) Orient Harbor, about 4 miles northwestward of (159) Ram Head is a prominent sandy bluff on the west- Ram Head, is an excellent anchorage; the depths range ern shore of Gardiners Bay. A lower bluff is nearly 1.5 from over 20 feet in its southern part to 16 feet at its miles westward of Ram Head with numerous houses northern end. Orient is a village at the northeast end of along the top. A shoal with 7 to 17 feet over it extends Orient Harbor. At the end of the main wharf the depth about 2.4 miles southeastward from Ram Head. is 8½ feet. The eastern part of Orient Harbor has depths of 7 to 9 feet. Fish traps are on the shoals. (160) A boulder with 1 foot over it is 230 yards from shore about 0.3 mile northeastward of the northern point of (168) About 0.4 mile northeastward of Cleaves Point, at the entrance to Coecles Harbor. Other boulders with the southwest end of Orient Harbor, the shore has been little depth are between this boulder and Ram Head. cut through to a small pond which is used as a private basin for small craft. The entrance, between two jetties, (161) The entrance to Coecles Harbor is at the south end has a depth of about 3 feet over the bar, with about 6 of Ram Head; the channel is marked by private seasonal
280 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 feet in the basin. Permission is required before anchor- (177) Dering Harbor, southward of Greenport and at the ing in the basin. Rocks are 0.2 mile south of the en- northwest end of Shelter Island, is a favorite anchorage trance. for yachts and motorboats. The entrance to the harbor, (169) Hallock Bay makes eastward from Orient Harbor marked by private buoys, is partially constricted by a on the north side of Long Beach Point. A channel, disposal area in about mid-entrance and shoal area marked by uncharted private daybeacons, leads into with a reported depth of 4 feet in June 1981 that ex- the bay. The bay is shallow and dangers and shoaling tends from the southwestern entrance point to near have been reported. Local knowledge is advised prior to the disposal area; caution is advised. In April 1989, it entering. was reported that about 10 feet could be carried into (170) Gull Pond is 0.3 mile westward of Cleaves Point at the harbor with local knowledge. Depths of 10 to 14 feet the southwest end of Orient Harbor. In July 1981, a re- are available in the central part of the harbor, with ported depth of 4 feet could be carried through the en- much lesser depths around the edges. Moorings and trance, with depths of 10 to 15 feet reported in the float landings for small craft are in the bight at the pond. A State launching ramp is available in the pond. southwest end of the harbor. Vessels too large to enter (171) Greenport is an important town and the terminus can anchor outside the harbor in depths of 14 to 30 feet. of a branch of the Long Island Railroad. The white The speed limit is 5 mph. church spires, near the northern end of town, and a tank and TV radio tower in the center of town are prom- Small-craft facilities inent. (178) Small-craft facilities, on the west side of the harbor, (172) Greenport Harbor is formed on the northeast by a 5-foot-high breakwater, which extends 0.2 mile south- can provide berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- eastward from Youngs Point, nearly to the 18-foot ter, ice, marine supplies, sewage pumpout, and hull and curve, and is marked at its outer end by a light. The outboard engine repairs. A launching ramp is also depths at the wharves range from 5 to 20 feet. The rail- available. road wharf on the south side of the waterfront can ac- commodate a vessel up to 100 feet. (179) Shelter Island Heights is on the southwestern side (173) Stirling Basin, on the northeast side of Greenport, of Dering Harbor. is a part of Greenport Harbor. In June 2009, Sandy Beach had migrated into the entrance channel, but 6.7 (180) Fanning Point is on the north shore at the south- feet could be carried in the left outside quarter. The an- west end of Greenport. A shoal extends 300 yards off the chorage areas had depths of 5 to 8 feet. The entrance point and is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. Four channel is marked by private seasonal buoys. Two dolphins, part of a former oil facility, are northward of smaller privately dredged channels with depths of the point. Currents of 2 knots, running fair with the about 9 feet reported are in the northeastern part of the channel, have been reported in the vicinity of Fanning basin. Point. (174) The harbormaster for Greenport Harbor controls mooring and berthing in the basin. The speed limit is 5 (181) Conkling Point, on the north shore 1 mile south- mph. westward of Fanning Point, is low and sandy at the end and has deep water as close as 150 yards. A marina on Small-craft facilities the southwest side of the point had a reported depth of (175) Small-craft facilities at Greenport can provide 6 feet in the approach in February 2006. Berths and moorings, electricity, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- supplies, a pump-out, a launching ramp, a 30-ton mo- age, marine supplies, a pump-out facility, and hull and bile hoist and winter storage are available. Hull and en- engine repairs. The largest marine railway, at a ship- gine repairs can be made. building company at the southeast end of the water- front, can handle craft up to 500 tons and 15 feet in (182) Mill Creek is the entrance to Hashamomuck Pond, draft. Mobile hoists to 50 tons are available. A about 1.1 miles westward of Conkling Point. In July well-equipped machine shop is also in the town. 1981, the privately dredged entrance channel into the creek had a controlling depth of 4 feet, thence 3½ feet (176) A ferry operates between Greenport and Shelter Is- was reported in the channel along the northwest shore land. During the summer, bus service is available from of Mill Creek. The entrance channel is marked by pri- Greenport to Orient Point where there is ferry service vate seasonal buoys. About 400 yards eastward of the to New London. creek is a small bight entered through a channel with a depth of about 4 feet and marked by private seasonal lights and buoys. In May 1992, severe shoaling was re- ported across the entrance.
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 281 (183) Jennings Point, the western end of Shelter Island, from Ram Head to the south shore, the depths on is high and wooded. Rocks are off the point close-to, which vary from 7 to 11 feet about 1.6 miles from Ram and it should be given a berth of over 150 yards. A Head, and thence 13 to 17 feet to the buoys which mark lighted buoy is off the point. A gazebo on the point is the entrance. prominent. (191) Dangerous Rock, awash at low water in surround- ing depths of about 12 feet, is 0.2 mile south of the (184) The town of Southold is at the head of Southold channel. Bay, which is the bight at the western end of Shelter Is- (192) A shoal extends 0.3 to 0.4 mile north of the shore of land Sound westward of Jennings Point. For about a Cedar Point which is marked by a light. The shoal has mile northeastward of the entrance jetty, shoals with boulders, and its edge is marked by buoys. 12 feet or less extend nearly 0.4 mile from shore and are (193) Shoals with boulders and little water over them in generally steep-to. The southwest part of the bay is places extend nearly 0.5 mile southeastward from shoal for about 0.3 mile from shore. Anchorage can be Nicoll Point. Buoys mark the limit of the channel in selected east-southeast of the jetty at a distance of from this area. 0.2 to 0.4 mile, in 12 to 18 feet. (194) Northwest Harbor, between Cedar Island Light and Barcelona Point, is strewn with boulders covered by 4 (185) A small jettied basin is about 0.5 mile northeast of to 6 feet. Southold entrance. The overhead power cable crossing (195) Sand Spit, an extensive shoal partly bare at half- the entrance has a clearance of 31 feet. There are no tide, is between Mashomack Point, the southeastern public landings in the basin. extremity of Shelter Island, and Sag Harbor. The spit is marked by buoys and a light. (186) In April 1989, the reported controlling depth was (196) A group of rocks locally known as Gull Island, about 3 feet in the privately maintained channels in showing bare at half-tide, is nearly 0.4 mile northeast- Town Creek, Jockey Creek, and Goose Creek. The com- ward of the breakwater at Sag Harbor. mon entrance to Town Creek and Jockey Creek is (197) Sag Harbor, about 2.5 miles southwestward of the marked by private seasonal buoys. The highway bridge light on Cedar Point, is protected on the northeast by a at the mouth of Goose Creek has a clearance of 9 feet breakwater marked at the outer end by a light. A spheri- and the bridge that crosses Jockey Creek has a 45-foot cal tank, a radio tower, and several flagpoles are promi- fixed span with a vertical clearance of 6½ feet. nent landmarks. (198) In entering Sag Harbor, do not round the breakwa- (187) On the shore south of Southold entrance jetty is a ter too closely, as a depth of about 6 feet is found near prominent white tower. its end. Anchor eastward or northeastward of the end of the former ferry wharf, locally known as Long Wharf. A Small-craft facilities 5 mph speed limit is enforced. (188) There are several small-craft facilities on the (199) In July 1974, the dredged channel into Sag Harbor had a controlling depth of 8 feet (10 feet at midchannel) creeks and along the west shore of Southold Bay from through the entrance to the turning basin, 9 feet in the Paradise Point to Conkling Point. Berths, electricity, turning basin, 5 feet in the southerly anchorage area, gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, launching ramps, and 7 feet in the main anchorage area. In 1991, the storage, lifts, and cranes are available. Provisions can channel was no longer being maintained. The channel be obtained at Southold. to Sag Harbor Cove is about 8 feet deep; this channel and the cove are marked by private seasonal lights and (189) Paradise Point, on the west side of Shelter Island buoys. A fixed bridge at the entrance has a clearance of Sound, is low and wooded, and from the point a sloping 21 feet. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, stor- sandspit extends about 0.3 mile eastward and is marked age, marine supplies, water, ice, launching ramps, and by a lighted buoy. Southward of Paradise Point, shoals complete engine, hull, rigging, and sail repairs are with depths of 10 to 15 feet extend from the west shore available at Sag Harbor; a 30-ton mobile hoist, near the to midsound; the southeast point of the shoals is inner end of the breakwater, can haul out craft up to marked by a buoy. about 60 feet. (200) Smith Cove, a small bight on the south side of (190) The channel south of Shelter Island has numerous Shelter Island, is a good anchorage for small craft in shoals, but is easily followed by vessels of 13 feet or less northerly weather. Depths range from 11 to 30 feet. A draft when the buoys can be seen. The channel is used marina on the west side of the cove can provide moor- by vessels going to Sag Harbor. Vessels operating be- ings, limited berths, gasoline, electricity, water, and tween Greenport and Sag Harbor prefer the inside route around the western end of Shelter Island. The tidal current in the channel between Shelter Island and North Haven Peninsula has a velocity of about 2.4 knots. The approach from Gardiners Bay is across a shoal or bar which extends in a southeasterly direction
282 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 some marine supplies. In June 1981, a depth of 6 feet times, small craft can avoid the worst of them by favor- was reported alongside the pier at the marina. A ferry ing the shore on the northwest side of the passage. operates between South Ferry on the southwest side of (209) Richmond Creek and Corey Creek are at the head the cove to North Haven Peninsula. of Hog Neck Bay. A depth of about 7 feet can be taken in (201) West Neck Harbor and West Neck Bay are shallow the privately dredged channel leading to a basin in bodies of water on the southwest side of Shelter Island. Richmond Creek; the channel is marked by private sea- In June 1989, it was reported that a depth of 2 feet could sonal buoys. In August 1999, the dredged channel lead- be carried over the bar and into the harbor from Shel- ing into and connecting with small boat channels in ter Island Sound. The entrance is close eastward of the Corey Creek had a controlling depth of 4 feet. In 1964, seaward end of a peninsula, marked by a private lighted controlling depths in the small-boat channels inside buoy, that separates the harbor from the sound, and the Corey Creek were 5½ to 6 feet. The entrance channel is channel follows along the north side of this peninsula. marked by private buoys. The channel is marked by private buoys. The harbor (210) Little Peconic Bay is about 5 miles long. The has numerous private landings. A boatyard with a ma- southerly shore of the bay is clear if given a berth of 0.4 rine railway can handle craft up to 40 feet for hull and mile, but shoals extend 0.6 mile from the south end of engine repairs. Berths, gasoline, water, ice, a launching the bay. ramp, and some marine supplies are available. (211) An aquaculture site, marked by private seasonal buoys, is at the south end of Little Peconic Bay about 1 Anchorage mile north-northwest of the entrance to North Sea (202) A special anchorage is in West Neck Harbor. (See Harbor. (212) A prominent sandy bluff, known locally as Holmes 110.1 and 110.60 (y-1), chapter 2, for limits and regu- Hill, is just west of the entrance to North Sea Harbor. lations.) In 2002, the reported controlling depth through the dredged channel and into the harbor was 7 feet. The (203) Noyack (Noyac) Bay is between North Haven Pen- channel is marked by private seasonal buoys and by a insula and Jessup Neck and southward of the western private seasonal light at the entrance. This is an excel- end of Shelter Island. No dangers will be encountered if lent harbor of refuge for small craft with drafts not ex- the shores are given a berth of 0.4 mile. ceeding 3½ feet. The bottom is soft with good holding ground. (204) Mill Creek, in the southern part of Noyack Bay, is (213) A marina in the harbor has gasoline, ice, water, entered through a privately dredged channel that leads some marine supplies, and a lift that can handle craft to to a basin. The channel is marked by private seasonal 10 tons; hull and engine repairs can be made. lights and buoys. In 1991, the reported controlling (214) Wooley Pond, 1 mile northeastward of North Sea depth was 8 feet in the channel; thence in 1981, 6 feet Harbor, is entered through a dredged channel which, in in the basin. A clubhouse on the west side of the en- 2000, had a reported depth of 8 feet. The channel is trance is prominent. marked by private seasonal buoys and by a private sea- sonal light on the north side of the entrance. Small-craft facilities (215) A marina in the pond can provide berths, electric- (205) Small-craft facilities in the creek can provide ity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs; a 45-foot marine railway and a berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, a 12-ton forklift are available. In June 1981, depths of 5 to launching ramp, marine supplies, and hull and engine 6 feet were reported available at the marina. repairs; a 25-ton mobile hoist is available. (216) Nassau Point, the long neck on the northwest side of Little Peconic Bay, has high bluffs on the eastern (206) Jessup Neck is a long narrow strip, partly high and side. A shoal with little depth over it extends 0.5 mile wooded, separating Noyack Bay from Little Peconic southward from Nassau Point and is marked by a Bay. The north end of the neck is a sandspit from which lighted buoy. a shoal with 4 to 12 feet over it extends nearly 0.4 mile (217) Cutchogue Harbor, between Nassau Point and New north-northwestward. A lighted buoy marks the outer Suffolk, is used by local boats drawing 6 to 10 feet. On end of the shoal area. the east shore of the harbor, northwestward of Nassau Point, three channels leading into the ponds have been (207) A shoal with depths of 5 to 7 feet extends 1.5 miles dredged by private interests. At the middle of the three southwestward from Great Hog Neck, on the north- channels, 0.9 mile northwest of the extremity of west side at the entrance to Little Peconic Bay; this Nassau Point, are several private wharves. The channel shoal is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. (208) Heavy tide rips occur southeast of Great Hog Neck during the flood with a southwesterly wind. At such
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 283 leads between two jetties, and a depth of about 3 feet shoals make off from the shores, except on its south can be carried into the pond and 1 foot to some of the side. Shinnecock Canal, the entrance from the south, is wharves. described in chapter 10. (218) Haywater Cove, Broadwater Cove, Mud Creek, and (227) Rodgers Rock, about 1.3 miles west-southwest- East Creek, used by local interests and sharing a com- ward of Cow Neck and about 1.2 miles south-southwest mon entrance, are at the head of Cutchogue Harbor. of Robins Island, has a depth of 6 feet over it and is The entrance channel and the channels through these marked on the northeast side by a buoy. Robins Island waterways have been privately dredged. In August Rock, 0.8 mile westward of the south end of Robins Is- 1999, a reported depth of 6 feet was available in the en- land, is awash at low water. It is marked by a buoy. Cau- trance channel; thence in 1966, 6 feet in East Creek and tion is recommended in this vicinity. 7 feet in Haywater Cove and Broadwater Cove; thence (228) Sebonac Creek, on the southeast side of Great in 1976, 6 feet in Mud Creek. Shoaling is reported to oc- Peconic Bay, is used extensively by yachts, and serves as cur in these areas; caution is advised. a yacht harbor for the town of Southampton. A pri- (219) A depth of 8 feet can be taken within 100 feet of the vately dredged channel, marked by private seasonal wharves at New Suffolk by passing eastward and about lights and buoys, leads into the creek and had a re- 200 yards northward of the buoy westward of Nassau ported controlling depth of 8 feet in June 1981. The Point and steering westward for the wharves. A small landings are at West Neck, a small settlement north- basin, with a depth of about 8 feet reported in 1981, is eastward of Ram Island in Bullhead Bay. An obstruc- northward of the wharf. In July 1981, shoaling to 2 feet tion buoy is locally maintained during the summer to was reported in the southern part of Cutchogue Har- mark a rock, covered 1½ feet, about 100 feet westward bor, about 0.4 mile east of New Suffolk. of the town landing. In June 1981, a reported depth of 5 (220) A larger basin at the north end of New Suffolk, lo- feet could be carried to the town landing. A 5 mph cally known as School House Creek, extends to the speed limit is enforced. highway. The entrance channel is protected by a short (229) Cold Spring Pond, about 1.6 miles southwestward rock jetty, covered at high water, on the south. The of Sebonac Creek and 1.1 miles eastward of Shinnecock depth to the boatyard at the head of the basin was re- Canal entrance, is entered through a privately dredged ported to be about 4 feet in June 1981. Berths, gasoline, channel which had a reported depth of 6 feet in 2001. In storage, marine supplies, hull and engine repairs, and a May 1992, severe shoaling was reported in the en- 30-ton mobile hoist are available at the boatyard. trance. The entrance channel to the pond is marked by (221) Wickham Creek, locally known as Boatmens Har- a private seasonal light and buoy. An overhead power bor, 0.7 mile north of New Suffolk, is entered through a cable at the entrance to the pond has a clearance of 34 privately dredged entrance channel with a reported feet. controlling depth of 8 feet in 2002. The channel is (230) James Creek, on the north shore of Great Peconic marked by private seasonal buoys and bush stakes. Gas- Bay opposite the entrance to Shinnecock Canal, is en- oline, water, ice, storage, a launching ramp, and some tered through a privately dredged channel that had a marine supplies are available in the basin. A flatbed reported controlling depth of 6 feet in 2008. The en- trailer can haul out craft to 32 feet. trance is marked by private seasonal buoys. Small-craft (222) In southeast gales, local craft of less than 6-foot facilities on the creek can provide berths, electricity, draft seek shelter in the small cove, locally known as gasoline, water, ice, some marine supplies, a pump-out Horseshoe Cove, in the northeast part of Cutchogue station, launching ramps, storage, and hull and engine Harbor. repairs. A flatbed trailer can haul out craft to 30 feet. (223) The through channel in North Race, northward of (231) South Jamesport is a village on Miamogue Point, Robins Island, is marked and used only by light-draft 3.4 miles southwestward of James Creek. Local knowl- boats. South Race, the channel southward of Robins Is- edge is necessary to avoid the shoals in this area, and land, has a controlling depth of about 13 feet and is strangers should take soundings frequently to keep in marked by buoys. the best water. (224) An aquaculture site, marked by private buoys, is 0.6 mile southwest of the south end of Robins Island. Small-craft facility (225) Tide rips occur between the mainland and the (232) A small-craft facility at South Jamesport can pro- south end of Robins Island when the tidal current sets against the wind. vide berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, launching (226) Great Peconic Bay, about 5 miles in diameter, is ramps, storage, marine supplies, and hull and engine used mostly by local motorboats from Shinnecock Canal repairs; a 25-ton mobile hoist is available. In 1999, a re- and by yachts. The bay is generally clear, but extensive ported depth of 6 feet could be taken to the facility. The town has railroad passenger and bus service.
284 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 (233) Peconic River empties into the western end of shoal spots or abrupt changes of depth are indications Flanders Bay, about 1.5 miles westward of South of boulders and should be avoided as anchorages. Jamesport. The river is entered through a dredged channel marked by private seasonal lights that leads Tides and currents from Flanders Bay to the head of navigation at River- (238) In Watch Hill Passage the tidal currents are strong head, about 2.4 miles above the channel entrance. The dredged channel is approached from deep water in and necessitate caution in navigating. Buoys may be Great Peconic Bay through a marked channel. In towed under. The flood current sets nearly in the direc- March 2001, the controlling depth was 4.3 feet (5.7 feet tion of the channel, but has a tendency to northward at midchannel) in the dredged channel. A fixed high- and the ebb a tendency to southward. The northerly way bridge with a clearance of 25 feet crosses the river and southerly set is more marked between Napatree about 0.9 mile above the mouth. Point and Latimer Reef Light. (239) In Sugar Reef and Catumb Passages the tidal cur- (234) Flanders Bay is the scene of considerable small rents set obliquely across the axis of the channel. The boat activity. Small-craft facilities are at Riverhead; flood sets northwestward and the ebb southeastward. limited berths, electricity, gasoline, water and a pump- The tidal currents in Sugar Reef Passage are about the out station are available. same velocity as in Watch Hill Passage, but are stronger in Catumb Passage. (235) Meetinghouse Creek, Terrys Creek, and Reeves (240) In Lords Passage the tidal currents set diagonally Creek, which empty into the northwestern part of across the channel and have a velocity of nearly 2 knots, Flanders Bay, are entered through privately dredged the ebb being greater than the flood. channels. In June 1981, the channels had reported con- (241) In the main channel of Fishers Island Sound, the trolling depths of 5 feet. The entrance channel leading flood sets westward and the ebb eastward. In the main to, and connecting with, Terrys Creek and Meeting- channel between Napatree Point and Wicopesset Is- house Creek is marked by private seasonal buoys and a land, the velocity of flood is 1.7 knots and ebb 2.2 knots. private seasonal light. A marina is on Meetinghouse The flood sets 284° and the ebb 113°. Creek. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, (242) In the channel south of Ram Island Reef, the veloci- ice, marine supplies, launching ramp, a 6-ton forklift, ties of flood and ebb are 1.3 and 1.6 knots, respectively. 55-ton mobile hoist, storage facilities, and hull and en- The flood sets 255° and the ebb 088°. The direction and gine repairs are available. In July 2008, a reported velocity of the current are affected by strong winds that depth of 8 feet was available alongside. The marina may change the duration of flood or ebb. monitors VHF-FM channel 69. (243) The strong tidal currents prevent the formation of heavy local ice, except in shoal tributaries. The only ice (236) Reeves Bay, on the southwest side of Flanders Bay, to give trouble is that set in from Long Island Sound by is entered through a privately dredged channel that wind and current. The ice formations in Little leads to the town of Flanders on the south side of the Narragansett Bay are sufficiently heavy to be destruc- bay. In August 1999, the channel had a reported con- tive to structures exposed to them. trolling depth of 2 feet. Other dredged channels lead from the entrance channel into several arms of the bay. (244) On the south side of Fishers Island Sound, off the A boatyard at Flanders has gasoline, storage facilities, north side of East Point on Fishers Island, are Seal marine supplies, and a 10-ton marine railway; hull and Rocks, partly bare at low water and marked by a buoy. A engine repairs can be made. rocky patch covered 11 feet and marked by a buoy is about 500 yards northeastward of Seal Rocks. Youngs Chart 13214 Rock, about 0.4 mile westward of Seal Rocks, has about 1 foot over it and is marked by a buoy. A rocky patch ex- (237) Fishers Island Sound extends between the main- tends about 400 yards to the east-northeastward. land of Connecticut and Fishers Island, and forms one of the entrances into Long Island Sound that is used to (245) East Harbor and Chocomount Cove, in the north some extent by light tows and other vessels up to shore of Fishers Island, are sometimes used as anchor- 14-foot draft. The sound has numerous shoals and lob- ages by small craft. There is considerable foul ground ster trap buoys, and the entire area is exceedingly in East Harbor and in the approach to Chocomount treacherous, characterized by boulder patches that rise Cove. The harbor and cove are exposed to northerly abruptly from deep water. Vessels should follow the winds. A former Coast Guard Station with a boathouse deeper channels between the shoals and proceed with and dock is prominent near the south side of East Har- caution if obliged to cross shoal areas. In general, all bor. Several small private piers with about 6 feet at their ends are in East Harbor.
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 285 (246) The north shore of Fishers Island from East Harbor the northwestern end of a long and narrow sand island around into West Harbor has several private landings. in Little Narragansett Bay. An extensive sandspit makes off from the northeasterly and southwesterly sides of (247) East Clump is a cluster of rocks partly bare at high the island; give these areas a good berth. The island is water and marked by a buoy about 0.8 mile north of subject to continual change; caution is advised. Fishers Island. From East Clump for some 2.8 miles (254) Napatree Point Ledge, a boulder reef with little westward to North Dumpling, there are rocky islets and depth, extends nearly 0.4 mile southward of the point. dangers which must be avoided. These are 0.5 to 0.8 It is marked by a lighted bell buoy. A sunken wreck is mile off the Fishers Island shore, and most are buoyed. about 0.3 mile eastward of the ledge in about 41°18'N., North Dumpling, an islet marked by a light and fog sig- 71°53'W. nal, is surrounded by rocks awash and foul ground. (255) The west side of Napatree Point should not be ap- Seaflower Reef, marked by a light, is near the middle of proached closer than 175 yards to avoid a stone jetty the western entrance of Fishers Island Sound and 0.8 which is covered at high water. Between Napatree Point mile northwestward of North Dumpling Light. and the Stonington outer breakwater is an extensive flat on which the depths are 3 to 10 feet, rocky bottom. (248) West Harbor, on the north side of Fishers Island Middle Ground, the western part of the flat, is marked southeastward of North Dumpling Light, affords shel- by the outer breakwater, which has a light at its western ter from southerly winds. In April-May 2002, the end. A fog signal is at the light. dredged channel leading into the harbor along the west (256) A depth of 17 feet can be taken to an anchorage in- shore had a controlling depth of 10.2 feet. Foul ground side this breakwater, giving the light on the breakwater extends across the entrance of West Harbor to near the a berth of more than 250 yards. In anchoring, give the eastern edge of the dredged channel; the northern lim- inside of the breakwater a berth of over 300 yards to its of the foul ground are buoyed. avoid shoals and fishweirs. This anchorage provides good shelter except in southwesterly and westerly (249) A yacht club wharf and another small-craft facility winds, although it is seldom used. are on the southwest side of the harbor. Gasoline, diesel (257) Little Narragansett Bay, at the eastern end of Fish- fuel, water, ice, and hull and engine repairs are avail- ers Island Sound, is entered at its extreme western end able. A marine railway can handle craft up to 40 feet. southward of Stonington Point. The channel, with The head of the harbor is used by boats drawing less dredged sections, extends generally southeasterly than 5 feet which enter by the narrow unmarked chan- across the bay into Pawcatuck River to Westerly. In nel southward of Goose Island. April-May 2007, the controlling depth was 7.5 feet from the entrance to a point just southwest of Little (250) Hay Harbor, at the west end of Fishers Island, is Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Buoy 5 where the used by small craft. channel has been encroached upon by the shoaling off Sand Point. Deep water is available, with local knowl- (251) Silver Eel Cove (Silver Eel Pond) is on the west edge, north of the channel opposite the shoal. The side of Fishers Island, 0.6 mile northeastward of Race channel continues eastward of Little Narragansett Bay Point. The entrance, about 75 feet wide and jettied, is Entrance Lighted Buoy 5 to Little Narragansett Bay marked by a private light and has a depth of about 11 Entrance Buoy 9 with a controlling depth of 5.8 feet, feet, with similar depths inside. Submerged fender pil- thence 7.4 feet to the entrance of Pawcatuck River. ings are reported on both sides of the entrance. Dol- (258) Caution should be exercised in entering Little phins are on the northeast side of the cove, and the Narragansett Bay. Shoal water extends for about 200 channel is clear between them and the wharves on the yards off Stonington Point, and the shoal area north of southwest side. Vessels must go to the wharves as there Sandy Point is subject to continual change. Strangers is no room for anchorage. There is very little dockage are advised to obtain local information before entering available. The entrance is difficult with northwesterly because of rocks and shoal water near the edges of the or westerly winds. A lighted whistle buoy is about 450 channel. yards off the entrance. A ferry which operates between Fishers Island and New London lands here. During the Tides and currents summer, a Coast Guard unit is stationed inside the en- (259) In the dredged channel northward of Sandy Point, trance to the cove. the currents have a velocity of 1.3 knots. The flood sets (252) On the north side of Fishers Island Sound are: Lit- eastward and the ebb westward. (See the Tidal Current tle Narragansett Bay, and Pawcatuck River leading to Tables for predictions and Tidal Current Charts, Block the towns of Westerly and Pawcatuck; Stonington Har- bor and the town of Stonington; and Mystic Harbor leading to the towns of Noank and Mystic. (253) Napatree Beach, 1.3 miles long between Watch Hill Point and Napatree Point, is bare. Sandy Point, about 1.4 miles north-northwestward of Napatree Point, is at
286 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 Island Sound and Eastern Long Island Sound, for about 41°22'12\"N., 71°49'55\"W., thence 3.3 feet at hourly velocities and directions.) midchannel to Westerly. The channel is well-marked. (260) Watch Hill Cove, in the southeastern part of Little Tides and currents Narragansett Bay, is used by small craft. In April -May (264) About 1 mile above the entrance to Pawcatuck 2007, the buoyed dredged channel leading to the cove had a controlling depth of 4.5 feet (5.8 feet at River the tidal current has a velocity of 0.6 knot on the midchannel). Depths of 3.8 to 9.4 feet are inside the flood, and 0.5 knot on the ebb. cove and at the wharves. Ice Anchorage (265) The river is generally closed by ice from January to (261) A special anchorage is in the cove. (See 110.1 and March. 110.47, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (266) Colonel Willie Cove, 0.5 mile above Pawcatuck (262) A yacht club and town dock are in Watch Hill Cove; Point, has a boatyard with a marine railway that can berths, guest moorings, electricity, diesel fuel, and wa- handle craft up to 50 feet for hull and engine repairs. ter are available. In July 1981, a depth of 10 feet was re- Berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, ported at the face of the town dock. storage facilities, a pump-out station, marine supplies, and a 30-ton lift are also available. Mariners enroute to (263) Pawcatuck River, entered just south of Pawcatuck the boatyard should use the chart as a guide. Point, extends about 4 miles to Westerly. In 1997, the controlling depth was 3.9 feet (6.4 feet at midchannel) Anchorage from the entrance channel to Pawcatuck River Channel (267) A special anchorage is in Thompson Cove, 2 miles Buoy 17 (41°20'48\"N., 71°49'48\"W.), thence 3.9 feet (5.1 feet at midchannel) for about 1.6 miles to a point above Pawcatuck Point. (See 110.1 and 110.48, chap- ter 2, for limits and regulations.) A yacht club pier is in
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 287 the cove. Private seasonal buoys mark the approach to (274) From southeastward, the course from south of the pier. Napatree Point Ledge should be west-northwestward until off the buoy at the southwest end of Middle (268) Westerly, 4 miles above Pawcatuck Point, is an im- Ground, from which a northerly course can be shaped portant manufacturing town. past the breakwater lights and into the harbor. Small-craft facilities (275) From southwestward, a northeasterly course can (269) There are numerous small-craft facilities along be shaped from the lighted bell buoy south of Ram Is- land Reef to south of White Rock, and thence eastward both sides of the Pawcatuck River and at the head at past the north side of Noyes Rock to the harbor. Westerly and Pawcatuck, just across the river. The larg- est marine railway in the area is at Avondale and it can (276) The inner breakwater, about 400 yards northward handle craft to 55 feet. Berths, electricity, gasoline, die- of Stonington Point on the east side of the entrance, ex- sel fuel, water, ice, storage facilities, launching ramps, tends westward about 250 yards and is marked by a lifts, some repairs and marine supplies are available. light. Depths of 7 to 9 feet are reported at the town dock at Pawcatuck. (277) Stonington is on the east side of the harbor. Traffic is mostly fishing and recreational craft. The wharves (270) Wequetequock Cove is a shallow cove at the north- have depths of 7 to 12 feet alongside. Following south- ern end of Little Narrangansett Bay. A narrow un- erly weather, a surge is felt by vessels tied to the south- marked channel leads eastward of Elihu Island into the ern side of the seaward pier. cove. A depth of about 4 feet can be taken as far as Goat Island, about a mile above Sandy Point. A fixed railroad (278) A boatyard is in the northeast part of the harbor. bridge with a clearance of 6 feet crosses the cove about Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- 0.2 mile above Goat Island. A small-craft facility is on age, 40-ton lift, marine supplies, and hull, engine, and the west side of the cove near the head. Water, ice, electronic repairs are available. In July 1981, a reported berths, gasoline, storage facilities, launching ramp, depth of 7 feet could be carried to the yard. 4-ton forklift, marine supplies, and hull and engine re- pairs are available. In July 1981, a reported depth of 2 (279) A harbormaster is at Stonington. feet could be carried to the facility. (280) A railroad causeway, with two fixed spans each hav- (271) Stonington Harbor, 3 miles northwestward of Watch ing a clearance of 4 feet, crosses Stonington Harbor 0.4 Hill Point, is protected by breakwaters on each side. mile above Stonington. Overhead power cables at the Each of the breakwaters is marked at its seaward end by openings have clearances of 41 feet. a light. The controlling depth to the inner harbor is (281) Noyes Rock, 0.4 mile southward of Wamphassuc about 11 feet. Anchorage can be selected inside the Point, has a least depth of 7 feet. Noyes Shoal, with 10 west breakwater in depths of 15 to 18 feet, taking care to 18 feet over it, is nearly 1.5 miles long in a to keep the south end of Wamphassuc Point bearing west-northwesterly direction; it is marked by a bell northward of 270°. Vessels drawing up to 8 feet can find buoy near its eastern end. anchorage in the inner harbor. A rock that bares at low water is about 50 yards southward of the fishing wharf No-Discharge Zone and is marked by a private buoy. (282) The State of Connecticut, with the approval of the Anchorages Environmental Protection Agency, has established a (272) Special anchorages are in Stonington Harbor. (See No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Connecticut portion of the Pawcatuck River, Little Narragansett Bay, por- 110.1 and 110.50, chapter 2, for limits and regula- tions of Fishers Island Sound and Stonington Harbor. tions.) The area covered extends from Wamphassuc Point due south past Noyes Shoal to the boundary between Con- (273) Stonington Harbor is approached from southeast- necticut and New York, easterly following the state ward and westward. Vessels with local knowledge boundary to the intersection of the Connecticut, New sometimes cross Noyes Shoal from southwestward. York and Rhode Island State lines, and following the The southeastern approach is best, with fewer dangers, boundary between Connecticut and Rhode Island to and the navigational aids serve as excellent guides to U.S. Route 1 over the Pawcatuck River and including all avoid them. In daytime with clear weather, no difficulty Connecticut waters seaward of U.S. Route 1 (see chart should be experienced in entering any of the ap- 13214 for limits). proaches. (283) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2).
288 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 (284) Latimer Reef, about 0.6 mile south of Noyes Shoal, northwesterly end of Ram Island Shoal. This rock is is a very broken and rocky area 0.4 mile long. It is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. Leading across the marked by a light at its west end and a buoy at its east shoal is the buoyed channel, good for about 11 feet, end. The eastern end of the reef has a least found depth which is used by vessels entering Mystic Harbor from of 6 feet. westward. (293) A rock covered 6 feet is about 0.5 mile SW of Whale (285) Latimer Reef Light (41°18'16\"N., 71°56'00\"W.), 55 Rock; about 0.65 mile SW of that rock is Intrepid Rock, feet above the water, is shown from a white conical with 19 feet over it and marked by a buoy, which should tower, brown midway of its height, on a brown cylindri- be avoided. Mouse Island, marked by several dwellings, cal foundation. A fog signal is at the light. is 150 yards southwestward of Morgan Point. (294) In November 1983, a rock, covered about 2 feet, (286) A detached 11-foot spot, marked by a buoy, is about was reported 0.2 mile west of Mouse Island in about 0.4 mile northeast of Latimer Reef Light. 41°18'52\"N., 71°59'50\"W. (295) Morgan Point is located on the west side at the en- (287) Eel Grass Ground, about 0.8 mile northwestward trance of Mystic Harbor. A privately maintained and of Latimer Reef Light, is a shoal with a least depth of 6 marked channel leading to the piers in West Cove at feet, marked by buoys. White Rock, about 0.8 mile Noank westward of the point had a least depth of 4 feet northeastward of Eel Grass Ground, is bare and promi- reported in July 1981. nent. Red Reef, covered 2 feet, is 0.2 mile north of (296) Groton Long Point, on which is a summer settle- White Rock and marked by a buoy. Ellis Reef, 0.4 mile ment, is about 0.9 mile southwestward of Morgan northwestward of Eel Grass Ground, is marked on its Point. A reef extends nearly 300 yards southwestward east side by a daybeacon. from the point and is marked by a buoy. About 0.3 mile to the west a rock awash at low water is 175 yards off the (288) Mason Island, 2.5 miles west of Stonington Har- southwest end of Groton Long Point. It is marked by a bor, is joined to the mainland by a fixed bridge with an buoy. 18-foot span and a clearance of 3 feet; the sound end of (297) Mystic Harbor, about 6 miles westward of Watch the island is strewn with boulders. A special anchorage Hill Point, is the approach to the towns of Noank and is on the east side of Mason Island. (See 110.1 and Mystic. A dredged channel leads from Fishers Island 110.50a, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) An an- Sound through Mystic Harbor and into Mystic River to chorage for small craft is on the west side of the south Mystic Seaport Museum Wharf, about 0.6 mile above end of Mason Island where depths range from 8 to 11 the bascule bridge. An anchorage basin is on the east feet; caution and local knowledge are required to use side of the river opposite Willow Point. In September this anchorage because of the boulders in the area. A 2006, the controlling depth was 7.3 feet to the head of dangerous rock is off the east side of Mason Point, the the project except shoaling to 5.7 feet on the northwest southern extremity of Mason Island, in 41°19'21.6\"N., edge; the anchorage basin had depths of 4 of 9 feet with 71°58'05.0\"W. lesser depths along the east edge. (289) Enders Island, 0.3 mile eastward of the southern Anchorages end of Mason Island, is connected to it by a fixed bridge (298) Special anchorages are in Mystic Harbor. (See with a 15-foot span and a clearance of 6 feet. 110.1, 110.50b, and 110.50d, chapter 2, for limits (290) Ram Island Reef, 1.8 miles westward of Latimer and regulations.) Reef Light, has two detached parts: the southerly sec- tion is covered 8 feet and marked by a lighted bell buoy, Routes and the northerly section, covered by 6 feet, is marked (299) To enter from eastward, lay a west-northwesterly by a daybeacon. Passage between the reef and island is unsafe because of shoals. course from south of the lighted bell buoy marking Napatree Point Ledge for a little over 3 miles to about (291) Ram Island, about 0.4 mile southwest of Mason Is- 400 yards south of the buoy marking the south end of land, is wooded and grass-fringed. A shoal, on which Cormorant Reef. From here steer 261° for 0.8 mile are two rocky islets, extends about 0.2 mile northeast- until Mason Point is abeam. Then follow the buoyed ward from Ram Island. Ram Island Shoal, extending channel. nearly 0.5 mile westward from Ram Island, has little (300) From westward, proceed cautiously from about water over it and many rocks bare at low water. 100 yards or more southward of the buoy southward of Whaleback Rock and the islet 300 yards northwestward Groton Long Point on an easterly course for about 0.5 of it are bare. mile to Mystic Harbor Channel Buoy 1, then steer a (292) The narrow but deep channel along the north side of Ram Island Shoal is the easterly entrance to Mystic Harbor. Between the shoal and Groton Long Point is an area of foul ground and several dangerous rocks, in- cluding Whale Rock, which bares at low water, at the
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 289 northerly course through the buoyed channel into (304) A channel, privately marked by daybeacons, leads Mystic Harbor, rounding Noank Light 5 at a distance of from the vicinity of Willow Point for 0.3 mile in an east- about 75 yards. erly direction, thence about 0.4 mile northeastward to a marina on the west side of the mouth of Pequotsepos (301) Noank is a town on the west side of the channel Brook, just below the Amtrak railroad bridge. Berths, through Mystic Harbor. The mean range of the tide is electricity, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, a about 2.3 feet. There are several small-craft facilities at 12-ton mobile hoist, and hull and engine repairs are Noank and in West Cove. Berths, electricity, gasoline, available. In July 1981, a reported depth of 4 feet could diesel fuel, water, ice, storage facilities, launching be carried in the channel to the marina. ramps, a pump-out station, 30- and 60-ton lifts, and marine supplies are available; hull, engine, sail, and Small-craft facilities electronic repairs can be made. A harbormaster is at (305) Several small-craft facilities are on the northern Noank. end of Mason Island. Berths with electricity, gasoline, (302) Mystic River flows into Mystic Harbor from north- diesel fuel, water, ice, storage facilities, marine sup- ward just below Mystic. The river is used by recre- plies, a pump-out station, 35-ton lift, and hull and en- ational craft, the local fishing fleet, and by transient gine repairs are available. In 1993, a reported depth of 4 craft visiting Mystic Seaport. An anchorage area with feet could be carried to the facilities. depths of 3½ to 7 feet is in the lower part of the river be- tween Willow Point and Murphy Point. Ice usually (306) The Amtrak railroad bridge over Mystic River be- closes the river during January and February. low Mystic has a swing span with a clearance of 8 feet. The U.S. Route 1 highway bridge at Mystic has a bas- (303) Willow Point, 0.6 mile below Mystic, has several cule span with a clearance of 4 feet. (See 117.1 through small-craft facilities that can provide berths, electric- 117.59 and 117.211, chapter 2, for drawbridge regu- ity, water, ice, some engine parts, and marine supplies. lations.) The bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel A 12-ton crane and 30-ton mobile hoist are available; 13; call signs KJA–842 and KXR–912, respectively. hull and engine repairs can be made.
290 ■ Chapter 7 ■ Volume 2 (307) Mystic, a town about 2 miles above Noank, has sev- depths of about 3 to 7 feet. A submerged jetty extends eral small-craft facilities. Berths, electricity, gasoline, along the channel from the outer end of the east break- diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, storage facili- water. The entrance to the harbor is marked by a light ties, mobile hoists, a 60-ton lift, and marine railways up on the outer end of the west breakwater. to 110 feet are available; hull and engine repairs can be (314) Horseshoe Reef, 0.5 mile southward of Mumford made. Cove entrance, is awash at low water, and is marked by a buoy. Broken and rocky grounds extend from the reef (308) A harbormaster is at Mystic. to the shore eastward of Mumford Point. (309) The Mystic Seaport Museum is about 0.6 mile (315) Vixen Ledge, with a depth of 10 feet and marked by a buoy, is about 1 mile west of Horseshoe Reef. Pine Is- above the highway bridge at Mystic. The whaler land is bluff and grassy, about 1.3 miles west of CHARLES W. MORGAN, full-rigged training ship Mumford Point. It is surrounded by shoal water and JOSEPH CONRAD, and Grand Banks fishing schooner rocky bottom, and is marked off the southwest side by a L. A. DUNTON are permanently moored at the museum lighted bell buoy. A rock, covered 6 feet, in 41°18'35\"N., and open to the public. Along the waterfront of the mu- 72°03'16\"W., is about 0.3 mile northwestward of Vixen seum property, a mid-19th Century coastal village has Ledge. been recreated with shops and lofts of that period. Col- lections of maritime relics are on exhibit in several for- Anchorage mal museum buildings. (316) A special anchorage is on the north side of Pine Is- (310) Above the Mystic Seaport Museum, the channel is very narrow and is marked by privately maintained sea- land. (See 110.1 and 110.51, chapter 2, for limits and sonal buoys; boats of about 5-foot drafts can be taken to regulations.) the Narrows, and thence depths are 1 and 2 feet to Old Mystic. Twin fixed highway bridges crossing the Nar- (317) The cove indenting the mainland northward of rows have clearances of 25 feet. The stream follows the Pine Island and eastward of Avery Point, is entered be- east bank to the next narrows and the west bank to a tween Avery Point and westward of Pine Island. The en- marina in the bight about 0.3 mile below Old Mystic. trance to the cove is marked by two buoys just inside and eastward of Avery Point. Depths shoal from about Charts 13213, 13212, 13214 10 feet in the entrance to about 1 foot at the head of the cove. A breakwater, marked at its end by a private light, (311) Mumford Cove is entered about 2 miles west of extends southeasterly from the east end of Avery Point. Mystic Harbor. A privately dredged channel leads A yacht club, marina, and State launching ramp are in northward from the entrance to the head of the cove; the cove. An unmarked rock awash is about 500 yards two spur channels lead eastward from the main chan- 060° from the former lighthouse tower at Avery Point. nel, about 0.3 mile and 0.6 mile, respectively, above the Berths, guest moorings, gasoline, electricity, water, ice, entrance. The channels are marked by private seasonal marine supplies, and a 14-ton mobile hoist are avail- buoys and daybeacons. In July 1981, the channels had a able at the marina; hull and engine repairs can be reported controlling depth of 2 feet. made. In March 2000, a reported depth of 7½ feet could be carried to the marina. Anchorages (312) Special anchorages are in the cove. (See 110.1 and (318) Special purpose buoys maintained by the City of Groton show a speed limit of 5 m.p.h. in the area. 110.50c, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Anchorage (313) Venetian Harbor is a yacht basin on the east side of (319) A special anchorage is in the cove. (See 110.1 and the entrance to Mumford Cove. A channel 75 feet wide leads through stone breakwaters into a basin with 110.51, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)
Block Island Sound ■ Chapter 7 ■ 291
292 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2
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