United States Coast Pilot 2 Atlantic Coast - Cape Cod, MA to Sandy Hook, NJ 2010

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 293 Eastern Long Island Sound (1) This chapter describes the eastern portion of Long Anchorages Island Sound following the north shore from Thames (6) New London Harbor is the most important of the River to and including the Housatonic River, and then the south shore from Orient Point to and including anchorages sought for shelter in the eastern part of Port Jefferson. Also described are the Connecticut Long Island Sound. Niantic Bay and the approach be- River; the ports of New London, New Haven, and tween Bartlett Reef and Hatchett Reef are used to some Northville; and the more important fishing and yacht- extent by small vessels when meeting unfavorable ing centers on Niantic River and Bay, Westbrook Har- weather or reaching the eastern part of the sound. bor, Guilford Harbor, Branford Harbor, and Mattituck Small vessels can select anchorage eastward or west- Inlet. ward of Kelsey Point Breakwater, also in Duck Island Roads. Off Madison there is anchorage sheltered from COLREGS Demarcation Lines northerly winds. New Haven Harbor is an important (2) The lines established for Long Island Sound are de- harbor of refuge. scribed in 80.155 chapter 2. No-Discharge Zone (7) The State of Connecticut, with the approval of the Chart 12354 Environmental Protection Agency, has established a (3) Long Island Sound is a deep navigable waterway No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Eastern Long Island lying between the shores of Connecticut and New York Sound. The area covered extends from the western bor- and the northern coast of Long Island. der of Greenwich at Byram Point, southeastward fol- lowing the boundary between Connecticut and New (4) In this region are boulders and broken ground, but York to a point in Long Island Sound, thence easterly little or no natural change in the shoals. The waters are following the boundary between Connecticut and New well marked by navigational aids so that strangers York to a point due south of Hoadley Point at the east- should experience no difficulty in navigating them. As ern border of Branford, thence due north to Hoadley all broken ground is liable to be strewn with boulders, Point at the eastern border of Branford. This portion of vessels should proceed with caution in the broken ar- Long Island Sound includes: Greenwich Harbor, Cap- eas where the charted depths are not more than 6 to 8 tain Harbor, Stamford Harbor, Norwalk Harbor, feet greater than the draft. All of the more important Bridgeport Harbor, Black Rock Harbor, Housatonic places are entered by dredged channels; during fog, River, New Haven Harbor and Branford Harbor. (See vessels are advised to anchor until the weather clears charts 12363 and 12354 for limits). before attempting to enter. The numerous oyster (8) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether grounds in this region are usually marked by stakes treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. and flags. These stakes may become broken off and Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by form obstructions dangerous to small craft. Mariners 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). should proceed with caution especially at night. Tides Caution (9) The time of tide is nearly simultaneous throughout (5) Submarine operating areas are in the approaches Long Island Sound, but the range of tide increases from to New London Harbor, Connecticut River, and off the about 2.5 feet at the east end to about 7.3 feet at the northern shore of Long Island. As submarines may be west end. Daily predictions of the times and heights of operating submerged in these areas, vessels should high and low waters for New London, Bridgeport, and proceed with caution. Willets Point are given in the Tide Tables. (10) The effect of strong winds, in combination with the regular tidal action, may at times cause the water to fall several feet below the plane of reference of the charts.

294 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 Currents Weather, Long Island Sound and vicinity (11) In the eastern portion of Long Island Sound the (16) Weather is most favorable from mid-May to current turns from ½ to 1½ hours earlier along the mid-October, when the most common hazards are north shore than in the middle of the sound. thunderstorms and fog. There is also a rare threat of a (12) Proceeding westward from The Race in the middle tropical cyclone. During June, July and August on the of the sound, the velocity of current is 1.8 knots off average, there are 20 to 25 days per month with condi- Cornfield Point, about 1 knot off New Haven, 1 knot off tions generally considered ideal even for small boaters. Eatons Neck, 0.4 knot between Peningo Neck and Fog is most likely in spring and early summer. Fog, or Matinecock Point, and 0.5 knot eastward of Hart Island. the lack of it, at inland locations is not a guide to condi- (13) About 1.5 miles east-southeastward of Bartlett tions in the Sound or its approaches. Areas along the Reef, the velocity of flood is 1.2 knots and ebb 1.6 knots. coast, at the heads of bays and within rivers may be rel- The flood current sets 285° and the ebb 062°. atively clear, while offshore the fog is thick. For exam- (14) At a point about 3 miles southward of Cornfield ple, on exposed Block Island heavy fog is encountered Point, the flood current sets 256° with a velocity of 2 about 10 to 12 percent of the time from April though knots and the ebb sets 094° with a velocity of 1.7 knots. August compared to 1 to 3 percent at Westhampton. (15) About 1 mile north of Stratford Shoal (Middle Thunderstorms on the other hand are more likely over Ground) Light, the velocity is 1 knot, the flood setting land, but can be viscous in the Sound, especially in a westward and the ebb eastward. (See Tidal Current Ta- squall line preceding a cold front in spring and early bles for predictions.) Current directions and velocities summer. Winter winds are mostly out of the west at various places throughout the eastern portion of through north, but gales blow less than 5 percent of the Long Island Sound for each hour of the tidal cycle are time in these somewhat sheltered waters. Waves are re- shown on the Tidal Current Charts, Block Island Sound stricted by limited fetch except to the east. However, and Eastern Long Island Sound. choppy conditions can create problems.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 295 Ice (25) Vessels to be boarded should provide a ladder 3 feet (17) In ordinary winters the floating and pack ice in above the water on the lee side. Long Island Sound, while impeding navigation, does (26) Pilot services must be arranged at least 24 hours in not render it absolutely unsafe, but in exceptionally se- advance through ships’ agents or directly by shipping vere winters the reverse is true; none but powerful companies. steamers can make their way. (18) Drift ice, which is formed principally along the (27) Pilotage, in the waters of Long Island Sound for en- northern shore of the sound under the influence of the rolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels engaged in coastwise prevailing northerly winds, drifts across to the south- trade), is available from, but not limited to: ern side and accumulates there, massing into large fields, and remains until removed by southerly winds, (28) Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., 243 Spring Street, which drive it back to the northerly shore. Newport, RI 02840; http://www.nemarinepilots.com; (19) In ordinary winters ice generally forms in the west- telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216; ern end of the sound as far as Eatons Neck; in excep- FAX 401-847-9052. Pilot boats are NORTHEAST IV, tionally severe winters ice may extend to Falkner Island 52-foot, gray hull and superstructure, word PILOT on and farther eastward. both sides and NORTHEAST II, 47-foot, gray hull and superstructure, word PILOT on both sides. The boats Effects of winds on ice monitor VHF-FM channels 16, 10, 13, 14; work on 10. (20) In Long Island Sound northerly winds drive the ice (29) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc./Connecticut State Pi- to the southern shore of the sound and southerly winds lots, P.O. Box 236, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758; carry it back to the northern shore. Northeasterly http://www.interportpilots.com; telephone 732-787- winds force the ice westward and cause formations 5554 (24 hours); email: [email protected]. Pilot heavy enough to prevent the passage of vessels of every boats are CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65-foot with blue hull description until the ice is removed by westerly winds. and white superstructure and KEN JOHNSON, 48-foot These winds carry the ice eastward and, if of long dura- with blue hull and white superstructure. These boats tion, drive it through The Race into Block Island monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13, work on 11, and Sound, thence it goes to sea and disappears. are equipped with AIS. (21) In New Haven Harbor, the influence of the north- erly winds clear the harbor and its approaches unless (30) Constitution State Pilots Association, 9 Notting- the local formation is too heavy to be moved. Southerly ham Drive, Old Lyme, CT 06371, telephone 203-627- winds force the drift ice in from the sound and prevent 5057. Pilot boat is CONSTITUTION, 65-foot with black the local formations from leaving the harbor. Tides hull and white superstructure displaying the word have little effect upon the ice. Additional information PILOT on both sides. The boat monitors VHF-FM chan- concerning ice conditions in the waters adjoining Long nels 16, 13, and 9A; works on 13 or 9A. Island Sound is given under the local descriptions. (22) Vessel Traffic Service, New York, operated by the (31) Connecticut River Pilots Association (CRPA), P.O. U.S. Coast Guard, serves New York Harbor (see Box 107, Old Saybrook, CT 06475; telephone 161.501 through 161.580, chapter 2, for regulations). 860-388-4167. Pilot boat TRUDEE II is 36-foot, with black hull, white superstructure, and with the word Pilotage, Long Island Sound PILOT on the house, forward. The boat monitors (23) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in VHF-FM channels 16 and 13; works on 13. Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- (32) See Pilotage, New London-Groton (indexed as sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign such), this chapter; Pilotage, New Haven (indexed as trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- such), this chapter; Pilotage, Bridgeport (indexed as lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, such), chapter 9; Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI Northville-Riverhead (indexed as such), this chapter; 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- and Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northport (indexed as 1216; FAX 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- such), chapter 9. sels engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to have a U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless No-Discharge Zone the master has recency for the intended area. (33) The State of Connecticut, with the approval of the (24) The pilot boat sets radio guard at least 1 hour be- fore a vessel’s ETA. Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the waters between East- ern Point in Groton to Hoadley Point in Guilford. The area covered extends from Groton Point due south to the border between Connecticut and New York, then west following the state border to a point on that line due south of Hoadley Point, then due north to Hoadley

296 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 Point, and includes the navigable reaches of the (42) Winthrop Cove, northward of Shaw Cove, is part of Hammonasset River, Menunketesuck River, Niantic the main waterfront channel. The fixed railroad bridge River and Thames River that drain into Long Island near the head of this cove has a clearance of 4 feet. Sound, and the Connecticut River within state bound- aries (see chart 12354 for limits). Prominent features (34) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether (43) New London Ledge Light (41°18'18\"N., 72°04'42\"W.), treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by 58 feet above the water, is shown from a red brick build- 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). ing on a square white pier on the west side of New Lon- don Ledge; a fog signal is sounded at the station. Charts 13213, 13212, 12372 (44) Other prominent features in approaching New London Harbor are: New London Harbor Light, on the (35) New London Harbor, near the east end of Long Is- west side of the entrance channel; the monument at land Sound at the mouth of the Thames River, is an im- Fort Griswold; the microwave tower atop a building in portant harbor of refuge. Vessels of deep draft can find downtown New London; the large sheds at the shipyard anchorage here in any weather and at all seasons. on the east side of the river opposite Fort Trumbull State Park and the highway bridge at New London. (36) Waterborne commerce in New London Harbor and on the Thames River is chiefly in petroleum products, Channels chemicals, coal, copper, lumber, seafood products and (45) A U.S. Navy project for New London Harbor pro- general cargo. vides for a channel 40 feet deep to Fort Trumbull, (37) Security Zones have been established in New London thence 38 feet to State Pier No. 1, thence 36 feet to the Harbor. (See 165.1 through 165.7, 165.30, 165.33, and U.S. Navy Submarine Base. A Federal project provides 165.140, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) for a channel 23 feet deep in the waterfront channels north of Fort Trumbull and in Winthrop Cove. (See No- (38) New London is a city on the west bank of Thames tice to Mariners and latest editions of the charts for River about 2.5 miles above the mouth. The town of controlling depths.) Lighted and unlighted buoys and a Groton on the east bank is connected to New London by 354° lighted range mark the channel. The range does a highway bridge and a railroad bridge. The main har- not mark the center of the lower end of the channel. bor comprises the lower 3 miles of Thames River from (46) Pine Island Channel, northeastward of New Lon- Long Island Sound to the bridges, and includes Shaw don Ledge Light, between Pine Island and Black Ledge, Cove, Greens Harbor, and Winthrop Cove. It is ap- has a rocky and very broken bottom on which the least proached through the main entrance channel extend- found depth is 9 feet. It is used some by local vessels be- ing from deep water in Long Island Sound to deep tween New London Harbor and Fishers Island Sound, water in the upper harbor. The harbor is generally used but should be avoided by any vessel drawing more than by vessels drawing 9 to 30 feet; the deepest draft enter- 10 feet. ing is about 36 feet. Petroleum products, seafood prod- ucts, copper, lumber and other forest products are the Anchorages principal waterborne commodities handled at the port. (47) General and naval anchorages are in the ap- (39) Greens Harbor, a small-craft shelter just north of proaches to, and in, New London Harbor. (See 110.1 the entrance, has general depths of 6 to 17 feet. Special and 110.147, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) anchorages are in the harbor. (See 110.1 and 110.52, Special anchorages are in Greens Harbor and in the vi- chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) cinity of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. (See 110.1 and 110.52, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (40) New London Coast Guard Station and Fort Trumbull State Park are on the west side of the main Dangers channel northward of Greens Harbor. (48) On the west side of the approach to New London (41) Shaw Cove is a dredged basin about 0.8 mile north- Harbor, foul ground extends about 1 mile from shore in ward of Greens Harbor. In February 1986, the control- the vicinity of Goshen Point (chart 13211). The south- ling depth was 15 feet in the entrance channel through erly and southeasterly limits of this area are marked by the south draw of the bridge, thence depths of 11 to 15 buoys. The area has numerous rocky patches and boul- feet were available in the basin. The railroad bridge ders, some showing above water, and should be avoided over the entrance has a swing span with clearances of by small craft. Rapid Rock, marked by a buoy on its 6½ feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.223, southeast side, is about 1.6 miles southwestward of chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) New London Ledge Light; it has a least depth of 10 feet.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 297 An unmarked ledge covered 35 feet is about 100 yards velocity is 0.4 knot, and at Stoddard Hill, about 6.5 south by eastward of Rapid Rock and is the outermost miles above New London, 0.7 knot on the flood and 0.4 shoal to the southward. Sarah Ledge, 0.7 mile north- knot on the ebb. During freshets or when the river is eastward of Rapid Rock and marked by a buoy, has a high and the wind is from the north, the current can least depth of 14 feet and is the easternmost shoal on have considerable southerly set even on the flood. Cur- the west side of the main channel approach. rent directions and velocities at various places on the (49) On the east side of the main channel foul ground Thames River for each hour of the tidal cycle are shown extends about 1 mile offshore. New London Ledge, on the Tidal Current Charts, Block Island Sound and marked by New London Ledge Light, has a least depth Eastern Long Island Sound. of 7 feet. Black Ledge, just to the northeastward of New (56) Ice obstructs navigation about 2 months each year London Ledge, has a rocky islet, 2 feet high, on it. above the naval station, which is some 5 miles above Depths are 5 to 18 feet on the ledge. Buoys mark the New London Ledge Light, but seldom forms below the shoal area. station. In extremely severe winters, however, heavy ice (50) Broken ground fringes the shore southwestward of from the sound, driven in by winds, has been known to New London Harbor Light. A rock with 3 feet over it is extend about 1.8 miles above the entrance. Between located about 0.1 mile from shore in the bight just New London and the mouth of the river small vessels southward of the light and shoal soundings extend as may navigate with comparative safety in ordinary win- far as 0.2 mile from shore where an 8-foot sounding is ters; and even in severe weather it is rare that naviga- located. tion for small vessels stops for more than a week. (51) White Rock, an islet in Greens Harbor, is 250 yards Steamers can nearly always enter and leave with safety. from the 18-foot curve on the western edge of the chan- Drift ice sometimes forms a decidedly dangerous ob- nel. Hog Back, a small ledge awash at low water, is 150 struction in the approaches through Long Island yards southwestward of White Rock and about 0.3 mile Sound during severe winters, especially during Febru- from the western shore, and is marked by a buoy. ary and March; and small vessels are much hindered in Rocks, covered 2 to 6 feet, are in the middle of the their movements during January, February, and northern part of Greens Harbor. Melton Ledge, north- March. ward of White Rock, with one-half foot over it, is 125 (57) Freshets usually occur in the river in the spring. It yards eastward of Powder Island and is marked by a is reported that they seldom exceed 2 feet above high buoy; a rock awash is close westward of Melton Ledge. water at Norwich. (58) New London Harbor and Thames River are easy of Bridges access by day or night, but local knowledge is required (52) Four bridges cross the Thames River below to take drafts greater than 20 feet above the submarine base. Norwich: three near Winthrop Point and one about 0.2 miles southward of Fort Point. The first is the railroad Pilotage, New London-Groton bridge, which has a bascule span with a clearance of 30 (59) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.224, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender of the Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- railroad bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign KT-5473. In 1998, it was reported that cross currents of trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- 1 to 2 knots can be encountered in the vicinity of this lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, bridge. Just above it are two high-level fixed bridges Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI with clearances of 135 feet, and 7.9 miles farther up the 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- Thames is a fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 75 1216; FAX 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- feet. A RACON is in the center of the main channel span sels engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to on the southernmost of two high-level fixed bridges. have a U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless (53) Overhead power cables with a clearance of 160 feet the master has recency for the intended area. See Pilot- cross the river about 5.5 miles below Norwich. age, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. Tides and currents Towage (54) The mean range of tide at New London is 2.6 feet. (60) Tugs to 3,200 hp are available at New London. Ves- Daily predictions are given in the Tide Tables. sels usually proceed to the upper harbor without assis- (55) The tidal currents follow the general direction of tance, although a tug may be required when entering with a head wind and contrary current. Large vessels the channel and usually are not strong. At Winthrop normally require tugs for docking and undocking. Point, on the west side of the river at New London, the

298 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 (61) New London is a customs port of entry. Repairs (69) A shipbuilding company at New London can per- Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural quarantine form all kinds of repairs on steel-hulled vessels. The (62) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Ap- company has floating drydocks with lifting capacities pendix A for addresses.) from 1,000 to 10,000 tons. The company’s largest (63) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- drydock is on the west side of the river, and has a maxi- tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public mum pontoon length of 300 feet, a width between Health Service, chapter 1.) New London has several wingwalls of 110 feet, and is about 0.9 mile north of the hospitals. Thames River bridges. (64) Harbor regulations are in force for New London (70) Cranes to 70 tons and floating derricks to 25 tons Harbor. The harbormaster has authority to berth ves- are available at New London. sels, shifting them if necessary, but occasion for doing (71) Several companies in New London are in the busi- so seldom arises. ness of wrecking, salvage, and marine contracting work. They are equipped with pumps, divers’ outfits, Wharves floating equipment, and other gear. (65) New London Harbor has more than 30 wharves and Small-craft facilities piers. Most of these facilities are used as repair berths, (72) There are numerous small-craft facilities in Greens and for mooring recreational craft, fishing vessels, barges, ferries, and government vessels. Depths along- Harbor and Shaw Cove. (See the small-craft facilities side these facilities range from 10 to 40 feet. Only the tabulation on chart 12372 for services and supplies deep-draft facilities are described. For a complete de- available.) scription of the port facilities refer to Port Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- Communications neers. (See Appendix A for address.) The alongside (73) New London has good railroad and bus communi- depths are reported; for information on the latest depths contact the private operator. cations. Automobile-passenger ferry service is available (66) Amerada Hess Corp. Wharf (41°20'09\"N., to Block Island, Fishers Island, and to Orient Point, 72°04'58\"W.): on the east side of the river opposite Long Island. Greens Harbor; T-head pier with 55-foot face, 960 feet of berthing space with dolphins; 40 feet alongside; deck (74) Thames River above New London has a dredged height, 8 feet; pipelines to storage tanks; fresh water channel to Norwich, the head of navigation. In July-Au- connection; railroad and highway connections; receipt gust 2006, the controlling depth was 25 feet from the and shipment of petroleum products and receipt of mo- bridges at New London to the north end of the turning lasses; bunkering vessels; owned and operated by Hess basin opposite Smith Cove, thence 7.1 feet (14.9 feet at Oil and Chemical Division, Amerada Hess Corp. midchannel) to Stoddard Hill, thence 15 feet to the (67) Admiral Shear State Pier: the more easterly of the turning basin at Norwich with 12 feet in the turning two long piers southwestward of the Thames River basin except for shoaling to lesser depths near the up- bridges, about 1.3 miles northward of Amerada Hess per limits of the basin. The channel is well marked by Corp. Wharf; 200-foot face, 26 feet alongside; west side navigational aids. 1,000 feet, 23 to 27 feet alongside; east side 1,020 feet, 34 to 38 feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; 90,000 Caution square feet of covered storage, 20 acres of open storage; (75) The dikes along the Thames River from Easter electricity, potable and feed water connections on pier; railroad and highway connections; receipt and ship- Point (41°28.2'N., 72°04.5'W.) to Norwich are sub- ment of general cargo, copper, zinc, steel and wood merged at half tide. products; owned by the State of Connecticut and oper- ated by Logistec U.S.A. Inc., a division of Logistec Ste- Pilotage, Thames River vedoring of Montreal. (76) For Pilotage for the river see Pilotage, New Lon- (68) Supplies of all kinds are available. Gasoline and die- sel oil can be obtained from oil companies on 48 hours’ don-Groton (indexed as such) earlier this chapter. notice by tank truck. Water is available at most of the piers, wharves, and marinas. (77) The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is on the west side of Thames River about 1 mile north of the center of New London. The administration building, with its white tower and clock, and the lighted chapel spire are very prominent, but are not visible until almost abeam of the academy. Depths alongside the 410-foot-long

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 299 academy pier were reported in 2005, to be 30 feet at the with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark, is face, 30 feet along the south side, and 30 to 34 feet on about 3.3 miles southwestward of New London Ledge the north side. Light and marks the south end of Bartlett Reef. A fog (78) The U.S. Naval Submarine Base is on the east side signal is at the light. The reef, about 1.3 miles long in a of the Thames River about 2.5 miles above New Lon- general north-south direction and about 0.3 mile wide, don. is covered 2 to 18 feet and has rocks awash near its (79) A restricted area is off the U.S. Naval Submarine northern end. The north end of the reef is marked by a Base. (See 334.75, chapter 2, for limits and regula- buoy. A lighted bell buoy and an unlighted buoy are tions.) about 0.9 mile southward and about 0.3 mile eastward (80) Just below Gales Ferry, on the east side about 4 of the light, respectively. miles above the bridges, are the crew training quarters (88) A general anchorage is about 0.8 mile northeast- and boathouses of Harvard and Yale Universities. Oppo- ward of Bartlett Reef Light. (See 110.1 and 110.147 site Gales Ferry is the town of Bartlett, site of a promi- (a) (4), and (b), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) nent power plant with two tall and conspicuous stacks. (89) Twotree Island, small and bare, about 1.4 miles A privately dredged channel with depths of about 19 northwestward of Bartlett Reef Light, is surrounded by feet leads to the dock and coal tipple. shoals. A buoy marks rocks awash that extend off the (81) At Montville Station, just above Bartlett, is a dock northern end of the island. with a depth of 23 feet at the face. The northeast end of (90) Twotree Island Channel leads northward of Bart- the dock is in ruins. Overhead power cables with a lett Reef and Twotree Island. With an adverse current in clearance of 160 feet cross the river 0.5 mile above the the sound, this channel is used to some extent by light station near Kitemaug. tows and sailboats with a leading wind in the daytime, (82) Allyn Point, on the east side about 5 miles above as the tidal currents turn about 1 hour earlier along the New London, is the site of a large private pier for receiv- north shore than in the middle of the sound. About 0.3 ing liquid chemicals, with a reported depth of about 30 mile southwestward of Seaside, the tidal currents have feet alongside. It is marked by an elevated water sphere a velocity of 1.2 knots, and ebb 1.6 knots. Flood sets and several small tanks on the pier. westerly and the ebb easterly. The channel is buoyed, (83) Fort Point, on the east side 8 miles above New Lon- but strangers are advised to use it with caution and don, has a long fuel pier marked by privately main- should never attempt to beat through. tained red lights, and on shore is a building with (91) From Goshen Point (41°18.0'N., 72°06.8'W.) west- several stacks. Numerous piles are in the water south- ward, there are scattered boulders which extend off- ward of the pier. The fixed highway bridge crossing the shore as much as 0.2 mile in places. Jordan Cove, 1.5 river about 0.2 miles south of Fort Point has a clear- miles west of Goshen Point, is foul in its northerly half, ance of 75 feet. and the southerly part is obstructed by Flat Rock, bare (84) The red brick buildings of the Norwich State Hos- at low water and marked by a buoy, and High Rock, pital are on a bluff just north of Fort Point and are a which shows at high water and is marked by a buoy. conspicuous landmark. (92) Millstone Point, on the east side at the entrance of (85) At Thamesville, on the west side of the river about Niantic Bay, is occupied by the buildings of the Mill- 1 mile below Norwich, are two finger piers each with stone Nuclear Power Station. A 389-foot red and white breasting dolphins used to receive petroleum products stack at the station and a radio tower on the point are from barges. Depths of 20 to 25 feet are reported along- the most conspicuous landmarks in the area. A cove side the face of the piers. with depths of 2 to 17 feet is on the west side of the (86) Norwich, a city at the head of navigation on point. A rock with 1 foot over it lies 60 feet off the Thames River at its junction with Shetucket River and mouth of the cove. The station maintains channel Yantic River, is about 11 miles above New London. In markers and a range for occasional barge traffic. A 1981, waterborne commerce to Norwich consisted of pe- dredged area for the power station’s water intakes is 0.2 troleum products. Small boats generally anchor in mile northwest of the cove. Shetucket River just above the fixed bridges at Norwich, which have a minimum clearance of 11 feet. Charts 13211, 12372 Charts 13211, 13212, 12372 (93) White Rock is an islet on the east side of the en- trance to Niantic Bay 0.5 mile westward of Millstone (87) Bartlett Reef Light (41°16'28\"N., 72°08'14\"W.), 35 Point. Little Rock, two rocks partly bare at low water, is feet above the water and shown from a skeleton tower 150 yards east of White Rock. Rocks with a least depth

300 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 of 8 feet extend 0.25 mile northwest from Millstone passage at the entrance, and thence to a point about Point. A rock, covered 11 feet, is about 300 yards 300 yards northward of the entrance to Smith Cove. In south-southeast of White Rock and is marked by a 2004-February 2006, the controlling depths were 4.6 lighted bell buoy. feet (7.9 feet at midchannel) to the highway bascule (94) Niantic Bay, 4.5 miles westward of New London bridge about 0.4 mile above the channel entrance, Harbor, is a good anchorage sheltered from easterly, thence 5.4 feet at midchannel to the head of the chan- northerly, and westerly winds. It is a harbor of refuge in nel. The channel is marked by daybeacons and seasonal northerly gales and can be used by small vessels and buoys. Two bridges cross the narrow passage at the en- tows. The general depth of the bay is about 19 feet; the trance. The more southerly is the Amtrak bridge, with a water shoals gradually northward. The entrance is 1.5 45-foot bascule span and a clearance of 11 feet; the miles wide, and the dangers are marked by buoys or State Route 156 highway bridge, about 0.1 northward, show above water. has a bascule span with a clearance of 32 feet. (See (95) Niantic and Crescent Beach are summer resorts 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.215, chapter 2, for with railroad communication at the north end and drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender at each northwest side of the bay. bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call signs (96) The Niantic Bay Yacht Club basin at Crescent KGA-511 and KXR-911, respectively. Beach is protected on the south, east, and partially on (99) Strangers attempting to enter Niantic River are the north side by a U-shaped breakwater; a private sea- cautioned to pass through the bridges either at slack sonal light is near the outer end of the breakwater. water or against the current. (97) A special anchorage is on the west side of Niantic (100) Above the head of the dredged channel, small craft Bay off Crescent Beach. (See 110.1 and 110.53, chap- can navigate for about another 1.5 miles to Golden ter 2, for limits and regulations.) Spur (East Lyme) with local knowledge. The river (98) Niantic River empties into the northeast end of from westward of Sandy Point to the stone bulkhead at Niantic Bay and is entered through a dredged channel Golden Spur is deep and clear; vessels generally follow that leads from the bay, thence through a narrow

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 301 the west bank. Pine Grove, Sandy Point, and Saunders (109) Strangers entering the bight should proceed with Point are summer resorts on Niantic River. caution, as the bottom is broken; the best route is to pass southward and westward of the buoy southward of Tides and currents Blackboys, and pass on either side of South Brother. (101) The mean range of tide is about 2.7 feet in Niantic Seal Rock, 160 yards south of the end of Giants Neck, is marked by a buoy on the south side. Bay. (102) The tidal currents through the bridges set fair with Anchorage (110) A special anchorage is east of Giants Neck. (See the channel; the flood velocity is 1.6 knots and the ebb velocity, 0.8 knot. It has been reported that much 110.1 and 110.54, chapter 2, for limits and regula- greater velocities may be expected under storm and tions.) An unmarked rock is within the anchorage area, freshet conditions. (See Tidal Current Tables for pre- about 0.1 mile south of Giants Neck; depth over the dictions.) Current directions and velocities for the en- rock is not known. trance to the Niantic River for each hour of the tidal cycle are shown on the Tidal Current Charts, Block Is- (111) Hatchett Point has several large dwellings. A reef land Sound and Eastern Long Island Sound. extends about 0.2 mile off the southwest side of the point. (103) Ice generally closes the river to navigation for about 3 months during the winter. (112) Hatchett Reef, 0.6 to 1 mile south-southwestward of Hatchett Point, has a least depth of 5 feet and is (104) Smith Cove is on the west side of Niantic River marked by buoys. Close to the southeast side of the reef about 1.5 miles above the channel entrance. A channel, the depths are 30 to 48 feet. A bar with 10 to 16 feet over marked by private daybeacons, leads westward from the it extends westward from Hatchett Reef to Saybrook river channel into the cove. In February 1999, the Bar. channel had a reported depth of 5 feet. Small-craft facilities Charts 12375, 12377, 12378, 12372 (105) There are several small-craft facilities just above (113) Connecticut River rises in the extreme northern the entrance at Niantic and Waterford, on the west side part of New Hampshire, near the Canadian border, and and east side of Niantic River, respectively, and in flows southerly between the States of Vermont and New Smith Cove. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation Hampshire and across Massachusetts and Connecticut on chart 12372 for services and supplies available.) to Long Island Sound. It is approximately 375 miles long and is one of the largest and most important rivers in (106) Harbormasters are at Niantic and Waterford. A 6 New England. The head of commercial navigation is at mph speed limit is enforced on the river. Hartford, about 45 miles from the mouth. Waterborne commerce on the river is mostly in petroleum products (107) Black Point, on the west side at the entrance to and chemicals. Niantic Bay, is flat with bluffs at the water and is occu- pied by many summer cottages. Broken ground with a (114) The river water is fresh at and above Deep River. least found depth of 20 feet extends 0.6 mile south of Each year after the spring freshets, shoals with least the southwest side of the point. depths of 10 feet are found in places on bars in the up- per river; dredging to remove such shoals is begun as (108) The bight between Black Point and Hatchet Point, soon as the water subsides. about 2.3 miles to the westward, has many rocks show- ing above high water. Griswold Island, on the north- (115) Between the entrance and Middletown the river east side of the bight, is high and prominent. Rocks banks are hard and in some places rocky, but between extend 0.35 mile southward and 0.2 mile southwest- Middletown and Hartford the river flows through allu- ward of the island. The southwest rocks are marked by a vial bottom land, where freshets and ice jams may buoy. South Brother, in the center, and North Brother, cause shoaling. in the northwestern part of the bight, are prominent bare rocks. A rock, covered 6 feet, is 250 yards off the Channels west side of Black Point. Blackboys, two rocks awash (116) A Federal project for Connecticut River provides are 0.4 mile southward of Griswold Island. A rock, cov- ered 3 feet and marked by a buoy, is about 0.2 mile for a 15-foot jettied entrance channel and 15-foot southward of Blackboys. Johns Rock, covered 5 feet, is dredged cuts across the bars to Hartford, 45 miles 0.3 mile off the northwest side of the bight, about 0.5 above the entrance. (See Notice to Mariners and the lat- mile west-southwestward of South Brother. est editions of the charts for controlling depths.)

302 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 (117) The channel above the jettied entrance channel Amtrak bascule railroad bridge at mile 3 monitors usually follows the banks on the outside of the curves of VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KT-5414. Vessels re- the river, except through the dredged cuts across the questing the opening of this bridge are cautioned to bars which are marked by navigational aids. confirm by radiotelephone that the bascule span is safely raised and stabilized before making passage. The (118) Saybrook Breakwater Light (41°15'48\"N., bridgetender of the highway swing bridge at East 72°20'34\"W.), 58 feet above the water, is shown from a Haddam at mile 14.6 monitors VHF-FM channel 13; white conical tower on a brown cylindrical pier on the call sign KXR-913. south end of the west jetty at the entrance to Connecti- (123) Overhead power cables across the Connecticut cut River. A fog signal is at the light. River have a least clearance of 100 feet, except for the one at Laurel, 24.2 miles above the mouth, which has a Anchorages clearance of 65 feet. (119) Secure anchorage can be had eastward or north- Tides eastward of Lynde Point Light. Farther up anchorage (124) The time of tide becomes later and the range di- can be selected in the wider parts of the channel. Spe- cial anchorages are at Old Saybrook, Essex, Chester, minishes in progressing up the river. High water and Lord Island, Eddy Rock Shoal in the vicinity of Con- low water at Hartford occur about 4.5 and 6 hours later, necticut River Light 45, and Mouse Island Bar vicinity. respectively, than at the entrance. The mean range of (See 110.1 and 110.55, chapter 2, for limits and regu- the tide is 3.5 feet at Saybrook jetty, 2.5 feet at Haddam, lations.) and 1.9 feet at Hartford. Dangers Currents (120) Saybrook Outer Bar, which obstructs the mouth of (125) At the entrance the currents have considerable ve- the Connecticut River, is shifting, with depths of 4 to 12 locity at times and always require careful attention, as feet extending nearly 2 miles off the mouth; it is the tidal current of the sound often sets directly across marked off its southeastern end by a lighted bell buoy. the direction of the current setting out or in between (121) In March 1976, obstructions were reported in the jetties. This condition is reported to be especially dan- channel at the railroad bascule bridge 3 miles above the gerous during the first 3 hours of ebb tide. (Consult the mouth of the Connecticut River; a least depth of 13 feet Tidal Current Tables for times and velocities of cur- is reported in the channel in area 40 to 50 feet from the rents at a number of locations in Connecticut River. In east abutment of the bridge. Mariners requiring addition, see Tidal Current Charts and Tidal Current greater depths are advised to avoid this area of the Diagrams, Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound, channel during passages. for current directions and velocities at various places in the Connecticut River for each hour of the tidal cycle.) Bridges (126) During the ebb, a strong current runs from the (122) Several drawbridges and fixed bridges cross Con- Lyme Landing toward the center of the railroad bridge. Towboats with vessels in tow should steer for the east necticut River between the entrance and Hartford. The pier of the draw and should not swing out for the draw distance above the mouth, type, and clearance of each until almost in it, to avoid being set to the west side of bridge follows: 3 miles, Amtrak railroad with bascule the channel. Because of river discharge, the ebb cur- span, 19 feet; 3.5 miles, Raymond E. Baldwin (IS 95) rent usually will be considerably stronger than the Bridge, fixed highway, 81 feet; 14.6 miles, State Route flood. Ebb current velocities of 1 knot or more have 82 highway with swing span at East Haddam, 22 feet; been observed under normal conditions on the bars in 27.8 miles, ConRail railroad with swing span at Connecticut River between Higganum and Hartford; Middletown, 25 feet; 32.2 miles, Arrigoni Bridge (State the velocities of the flood currents are much less. Route 66), fixed highway, 89 feet; 41.2 miles, Wm. H. Putnam Bridge (State Route 3), fixed highway near (127) Freshets occur principally in the spring, when the Wethersfield, 80 feet over main channel; 44 miles, snow is melting, although occasional floods have oc- Charter Oak Bridge (U.S. 5/State Route 15), a fixed curred in every month of the year except July and Sep- highway bridge at Hartford, 69 feet for a width of 215 tember. At Hartford the usual rise due to spring feet; 44.9 miles, Founders Bridge, fixed highway, 49 freshets is between 16 and 24 feet. The highest freshets feet; 45.2 miles, Bulkeley Bridge (I-84), fixed highway, are generally of short duration, but the period during 39 feet; and 46 miles, Conrail fixed railroad, 28 feet. which the river at Hartford is at the level of 8 feet or (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.205, chapter 2, more above mean low water averages nearly 2 months for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender of the

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 303 of each year. Below Middletown the height of the crest excess of 100°F (37.8°C). An average of 18 days each of a freshet decreases rapidly. At the mouth the varia- year records temperatures in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) tion in water level is due to the tides. and an average of 134 days each year has a temperature (128) Ice closes the river to navigation a part of every of 32°F (0°C) or cooler. An average of eleven days each winter for wooden hull boats. The duration of closing is year has temperatures of 5°F (-15°C) or lower. about 2 months. (133) The average annual precipitation for Hartford is 44.20 inches (1123 mm). Precipitation is fairly uniform Weather, Hartford and vicinity with the difference between the wettest and driest (129) Hartford is well inside the northern temperate cli- month being less than one inch (25.4 mm). The wettest month is November, averaging 4.07 inches (104 mm) matic zone in a prevailing west to east movement of air and the driest month is February averaging 3.13 inches carrying the majority of weather systems into Connect- (80 mm). Average snowfall, on an annual basis, totals icut from the west. The average wintertime position of 44 inches (1118). February 1961 holds the record of the the “Polar Front” boundary between cold dry polar air greatest snowfall in a 24-hour period with 14.3 inches and warm moist tropical air is just south of New Eng- (363 mm). land, which helps to explain the extensive winter storm (134) The National Weather Service office is at Bradley activity and the day-to-day variability of local weather. International Airport, northwest of Hartford. (See Ap- In the summer, the “Polar Front” has an average posi- pendix B for Hartford climatological table.) tion along the New England-Canada border and Hart- ford has a warm and pleasant climate. Routes (130) The location of Hartford, relative to the continent (135) To enter Connecticut River from eastward, pass and ocean, is also significant. Rapid weather changes result when storms move northward along the southward of Hatchett Reef and Saybrook Bar, until Mid-Atlantic Coast, frequently producing strong and Saybrook Breakwater Light bears 315°. Steer for persistent northeast winds associated with storms Saybrook Breakwater Light on this course through the known locally as “coastals” or “northeasters”. Sea- buoyed opening between the south end of Saybrook Bar sonally, weather characteristics vary from the cold and and the east end of Long Sand Shoal to the entrance dry continental-polar air of winter to the warm, mari- channel between the jetties. times air of summer, the one from Canada, the other (136) To enter from westward, pass 1 mile southward of from the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, or Atlantic Falkner Island Light on course 076°. This will lead Ocean. about 0.4 mile northward of the lighted bell buoy on (131) Summer thunderstorms develop in the Berkshire the western end of Long Sand Shoal and about 0.2 mile Mountains to the west and northwest, and move over southward of the lighted bell buoy southward of Corn- the Connecticut Valley and, when accompanied by field Point. Then steer about 067°, with Saybrook wind and hail, sometimes cause considerable damage Breakwater Light a little on the port bow to the en- to crops. Thunderstorm days average 20 each year. trance channel between the jetties. June, July, and August are the most favored months. (137) Boating regulations for waters within the State of During the winter, rain often falls through cold air Connecticut can be found at http://www.dep.state.ct.us trapped in the valley and creates extremely hazardous /rec/boating/guide.htm. ice conditions. On clear nights in the late summer or early autumn, cool air drainage into the valley and the Pilotage, Connecticut River moisture from the Connecticut River produce steam (138) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in and/or ground fog which becomes quite dense throughout the valley and temporarily hampers trans- Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- portation. An average 162 days each year report fog. sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign (132) The average annual temperature for Hartford is trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- 50°F (10°C). The warmest month is July with an aver- lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, age temperature of 74°F (23.3°C) and the coolest is Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI January with an average temperature of 26°F (-3.3°C). 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- The warmest temperature on record is 102°F (38.9°C) 1216; Fax 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- recorded in July 1966 and the coolest temperature on sels engaged in coastwise trade) see Pilotage, Long Is- record is -26°F (-3.3°C) recorded in January 1961. Each land Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. month, except June, July, and August has recorded (139) Pilot services are arranged in advance through temperatures below freezing. Each month, June ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. A through September, has recorded temperatures in 24-hour advance notice is requested. (140) Hartford is a customs port of entry.

304 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 Wharves (148) The passage to the east and north of Calves Island, (141) The Connecticut River has more than 20 commer- about 1 mile above the railroad bridge crossing Con- necticut River, is used extensively for mooring small cial piers and wharves, most of which handle petroleum craft in the summer. This passage is subject to shoal- products from barges or coastal tankers. Most of the fa- ing, particularly on the north side of Calves Island; cau- cilities below Rocky Hill, about 34 miles above tion is advised. A small-craft facility is on the east side Saybrook Point, are marginal-type wharves, while of the passage just above the entrance. Berths, electric- those above Rocky Hill are finger-type piers with ity, water, ice, marine supplies, storage facilities, a breasting dolphins. Depths of 11 to 15 feet are reported 25-ton lift, and some repairs are available. In July 2002, alongside these facilities. depths of 18 feet were reported at the facility. Supplies and repairs (149) Lord Cove has its entrance about 300 yards north- (142) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and marine sup- ward of Calves Island. In July 1981, a depth of 3½ feet was available through the unmarked entrance. The plies are available at the principal towns and landings marshlands surrounding Lord Cove and the other along the Connecticut River. Boatyards along the river coves between Essex and the river mouth at Saybrook can make engine, hull, and electronic repairs. are frequented by duck hunters in October and Novem- ber. Because of danger of gunfire, mariners are cau- Charts 12375, 12372 tioned not to stray too close to the numerous duck blinds that exist in this area. (143) Old Saybrook is a village on the west side of Con- necticut River, about 1.4 miles northward of Saybrook (150) The dredged section of the main channel in Con- Breakwater Light. There are several small-craft facili- necticut River westward of Calves Island has numerous ties along the west side of the river from Saybrook obstructions and sunken rocks close to its edges; mari- Point to Ferry Point, about 2 miles to the northward. ners are advised to exercise caution and to avoid the (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 edges of the channel. for services and supplies available.) (151) Haydens Point, about 4.6 miles above Saybrook (144) A “Slow no-wake” speed limit is enforced at Old Point, is marked by a light. Foul ground is between the Saybrook between the railroad bridge and Buoy 20, light and the shore. 0.25 mile above the Connecticut Turnpike Bridge. (152) Essex, a town on the west bank about 5 miles above (145) North Cove, a dredged small-boat basin that affords Saybrook Point, is the scene of considerable small-boat excellent anchorage, is entered through a dredged activity. Depths alongside the town landing are about 6 channel that leads westward from the main channel feet. Essex Cove is the area off the main river channel about 0.4 mile northward of Saybrook Point. In Febru- skirting the waterfront at Essex. A dredged channel, ary-March 1999, the controlling depths were 2.2 feet (5 marked by private buoys, leads from the main channel feet at midchannel) in the entrance channel to the ba- through the cove, and thence rejoins the main channel sin, thence in September 2005, depths of 2 to 4 feet to the northward. In February-March 1999, a control- were in the basin. The entrance channel is marked by ling depth of 5.8 feet was available in the buoyed chan- private buoys. nel. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced. A privately marked small-boat channel leads westward from the dredged (146) From Saybrook Point to Hartford local knowledge buoyed channel in Essex Cove to a yacht basin in Mid- is required to carry the best water. Small craft should dle Cove, northward of Thatchbed Island. In November have no difficulty in following the channel. 2008, the small-boat channel had a reported mid- channel controlling depth of 4½ feet to the marina at (147) Lieutenant River, leading to Old Lyme, enters the the north end of the cove. east side of Connecticut River about 1.4 miles north- ward of Saybrook Point. Pipe stakes mark the south Small-craft facilities side of the channel across the bar at the entrance. A (153) There are several small-craft facilities at Essex. The midchannel depth of about 3 feet can be carried over the bar to about 0.2 mile above the second bridge. A facilities provide berths and mooring, electricity, gaso- railroad bridge with a 33-foot fixed span and a clear- line, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, sewage ance of 11 feet crosses the river 0.4 mile above the en- pumpout, storage, and full repairs. The marina just trance. An overhead power cable with a reported north of the entrance to Middle Cove has an approach clearance of about 10 feet is on the north side of the depth of 8 feet and an alongside depth of 11 feet. bridge. About 0.3 mile above that bridge is a highway bridge with a 24-foot fixed span and a clearance of 6 feet. A harbormaster is at Old Lyme.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 305 Anchorages Anchorages (154) Special anchorages are at Essex. (See 110.1 and (160) Special anchorages are off Chester Creek. (See 110.55 (a), (a-1), (b), and (c), chapter 2, for limits 110.1 and 110.55 (e–1) and (e–2), chapter 2, for lim- and regulations.) its and regulations.) (161) The Chester-Hadlyme vehicular ferry crosses the (155) Hamburg Cove and Eightmile River, which emp- river near Fort Hill, 2 miles above Eustasia Island. The ties into the north end of the cove, indent the east side ferry operates from April through November. of Connecticut River, 6 miles above Saybrook Point. A (162) Special anchorages are northeastward of Connect- dredged channel leads from Connecticut River to a icut River Light 45 (41°26.2'N., 72°27.6'W.), about 12.8 turning basin at Hamburg, a village at the head of navi- miles above Saybrook Point. (See 110.1 and 110.55 gation. In June 2002, the controlling depth was 4.5 feet (d) and (e), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) in the channel with 1.9 feet in the basin except for shoaling at the north end and along the east edge. (163) On the east side of the river, the turret of the opera There are boulders in places outside the dredged chan- house at East Haddam, 13.3 miles above Saybrook nel, and the entrance channel is outlined by grassy flats Point, is prominent. A marina is on the west side of the on each side. Buoys mark the entrance, and private sea- river just above the swing bridge between East Haddam sonal buoys and daybeacons mark the remainder of the and Tylerville. Limited guest berths, limited marine channel to Hamburg. The center of the turning basin supplies, electricity, water, and ice are available. In has piles used for moorings. March 1990, a reported depth of 5 feet was available in the marina basin. Small-craft facility (156) A small-craft facility, on the east side of the basin, (164) The shoal off the west side of the river, just north of East Haddam, is reported to be increasing. has sewage pump-out, water, ice, and some marine sup- plies. A 35-ton travel lift is available for hull and engine (165) Salmon Cove, on the east side of the river, 1 mile repairs. above East Haddam, is reported to be navigable only by small craft at high tide. The entrance to the cove is sub- Charts 12377, 12378 ject to shoaling. Considerable grass in the channel and cove makes boat operation difficult. (157) Eustasia Island, 8.5 miles above Saybrook Point, divides the Connecticut River into two channels. A (166) Overhead power cables with a least clearance of 86 light off the southeast end of the island marks the junc- feet cross the cove about 1.2 miles above the mouth. tion of the two channels. The eastern channel crossing Potash Bar through a dredged cut is better marked and Small-craft facility easier to follow. The western channel leads to Pratt (167) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the river Creek, westward of the southerly end of Eustasia Is- land, and to the landing at Deep River and thence about 1.1 miles above East Haddam. Berths, electricity, crosses Chester Creek Bar through a swash channel to water, ice, a 10-ton mobile hoist, and a launching ramp Chester Creek. A sand shoal and a rocky reef, both bare are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. In at low water, are north of Eustasia Island, between the March 1990, a depth of 6 feet was reported at the facil- main channel east of the island and Chester Creek. ity. (158) A rock, covered 3 feet, is on the south side of the en- (168) Haddam Island divides the Connecticut River trance to Chester Creek in about 41°24'24.1\"N., about 3.2 miles above East Haddam. The main river 72°25'46.6\"W. channel leads eastward of the island through a dredged cut known as Haddam Island Bar Channel. A pinnacle Small-craft facilities rock, covered 13 feet, is in the approach to Haddam Is- (159) There are several small-craft facilities on Pratt land Bar Channel in 41°29'31\"N., 72°30'49\"W. Creek and Chester Creek. Berths and moorings, elec- (169) The passage westward of Haddam Island is closed tricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, marine supplies, a by a bare sand shoal lying between the island’s south- pump-out, storage and a launching ramp are available erly tip and the westerly shore of the river. in the area. Lifts to 55 tons are available for complete hull, engine, and electronic repairs. (170) The shoal off the east side of the river opposite Higganum Creek, 5.5 miles above East Haddam, is ex- tending westward. (171) A rock breakwater extends southward from the east side of the river, 1 mile above Higganum Creek. In 1969, the shoal, about 200 yards southward of the breakwater, was found to be extending southward.

306 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 (172) A boatyard is on the north side of the river at Co- channel into the marina basin had a reported control- balt, about 3.5 miles above Higganum Creek. Storage ling depth of 7 feet. facilities and a 15-ton hoist are available. In October (182) At Rocky Hill, 1 mile above Belamose, a seasonal 1990, a reported depth of 7 feet could be carried to the vehicular ferry crosses the river to South Glastonbury. facility. A small-craft launching ramp is just above the ferry landing. (173) After passing through the channel in Paper Rock (183) The cove at Crow Point, on the west side of the Shoal, 9.7 miles above East Haddam, favor the south river about 5.7 miles above Belamose, is used to obtain side of the river to about 300 yards southeastward of land fill. Dredging in the cove is uneven, but the bot- Bodkin Rock, then cross to the north side and pass it tom is soft ooze. In July 1981, it was reported that the close-to. entrance had shoaled to bare and could be used only by small outboards. (174) About 0.5 mile westward of Bodkin Rock, a dredged (184) A rock, covered 5 feet, is on the south side of the section of the channel leads along the southerly shore dredged channel about 0.8 mile above Crow Point in of Connecticut River and southward of Mouse Island about 41°42'43.0\"N., 72°37'46.5\"W.; and a shoal that Bar. bares is in 41°43'11\"N., 72°38'52\"W., on the west side of Connecticut River, about 1.9 miles above Crow Point. Anchorages (185) Wethersfield Cove, on the west side of the river 14 (175) Special anchorages are along the north and east miles above Portland, is entered through a narrow dredged channel that leads to a dredged anchorage ba- sides of the river, between Bodkin Rock and Portland. sin about 0.3 mile above the entrance. In 1986, the con- (See 110.1 and 110.55 (f) and (g), chapter 2, for limits trolling depth was 4.9 feet (5.1 feet at midchannel); and regulations.) thence in 1983, 6 feet were available in the basin. The channel is marked by daybeacons. The Interstate 91 Caution highway bridge over the entrance has a fixed span with (176) Caution is recommended when rounding the point a clearance of 38 feet. The speed limit in the channel and cove is 5 knots. Ice, transient berthing, and some on the south side of the river, about 1.5 miles above supplies can be obtained at the yacht club on the south Bodkin Rock, to avoid a submerged crib that extends side of the cove. A town marina is on the east side of the northward from the point. cove; a launching ramp is available at the facility. The Wethersfield harbormaster can be contacted through (177) Portland, 26.3 miles above Saybrook Point, has the local police department or town hall. several boatyards with marine railways; the largest rail- (186) The only remaining commercial docks at Hartford way can handle craft to 60 feet for engine and hull re- are the bulk fuel handling facility of the Hartford Elec- pairs. Gasoline, water, berths with electricity, ice, tric Light Company’s powerplant on the west side of the storage facilities, marine supplies, a pump-out station, river, about 0.2 mile below the Charter Oak Bridge, and launching ramps, and lifts to 50 tons are available at the Hartford Gas Company’s barge unloading facilities Portland. In March 1990, depths of 7 to 9 feet were re- on the west side of the river, about 0.5 mile above the ported available. Charter Oak Bridge. A public facility with floating docks is on the west side of the river just below the (178) Berthing and water are available at Harbor Park in Founders Bridge. A flood control dike is along the west Middletown, across the river from Portland. Depths of side of the river from just north of the Charter Oak 18 feet are reported to be available along the wharves. Bridge to the Bulkeley Bridge. (187) Connecticut River above Hartford is practically un- (179) Two small-craft facilities are on the east side of the improved, but is navigable about 30 miles to Holyoke river at Gildersleeve, about 2.5 miles above Portland. for boats not exceeding 3-foot draft, when the river is Gasoline, diesel fuel, berths with electricity, water, ice, not low. The channel is constantly shifting. storage facilities, marine supplies, a launching ramp, and 15- and 35-ton lifts are available, and hull and en- Chart 12354 gine repairs can be made. (188) Long Sand Shoal extends 6 miles westward from (180) From Belamose, 6.5 miles above Portland, north- off the entrance of Connecticut River and has a greatest ward to Hartford, the land is much lower, and the Con- width of nearly 0.3 mile. The general depths on the necticut River narrows, its curves become more pronounced, and both of its shores have numerous wood-stake-and-rock groins. (181) A marina on the east side of the river opposite Belamose has gasoline, berths, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, and a 15-ton lift; engine and hull re- pairs can be made. In July 1983, the privately marked

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 307 shoal are 4 to 15 feet; bottom is hard and lumpy. Shoal- (195) Westbrook, a town on the north side of Westbrook ing is abrupt on both sides, but especially on the south Harbor, is marked on its east side by an elevated tank. A side, where the 5-fathom curve is only 100 yards from it harbormaster is at Westbrook and can be contacted in places. The shoal is marked at its eastern end by a through the town hall. buoy, and on the south side and west end by lighted sound buoys. (196) Menunketesuck Island is the outermost of several (189) A fairway lighted whistle buoy is 4.5 miles south of low narrow islands connected to the mainland at low Cornfield Point. water on the west side of Westbrook Harbor. It has (190) At the western end of Long Sand Shoal and 1 mile boulders at the south end. A boulder reef extends nearly southward is an area about 0.6 mile long with rocky 0.5 mile south-southeastward from the point to the and broken bottom, and with a least found depth of 21 18-foot curve. Tide rips frequently occur on this reef. A feet. private seasonal buoy is about 0.3 mile southeastward (191) Sixmile Reef, about 3 miles southwestward of of Menunketesuck Island. Long Sand Shoal, is an area of migrating sandwaves about 2.5 miles long in a west-northwesterly direction (197) Between Menunketesuck Island and Hammonasset with depths of 22 to 32 feet. Shoaling is abrupt in Point, about 4 miles westward, broken ground extends places. A lighted bell buoy is off the southerly edge of about 1.5 miles offshore. A boulder reef extends 0.5 this reef. With extreme low tides, due to northerly and mile southward from Duck Island to the 18-foot curve westerly winds, this shoal may be dangerous to vessels and is marked by a buoy. A rock with 1 foot over it is on with 15-foot draft. Tide rips occur on the reef whenever this reef about 300 yards south of Duck Island. Tide rips the direction of the tidal currents is opposed to that of have been reported to extend from the vicinity of these the wind. This is especially true during spring tides and rocks to the buoy. During strong flood currents and a a southwest wind. southwest wind, tide rips extend from the shoal water (192) A ridge with depths of 29 to 37 feet is near the mid- southwest of Duck Island to the vicinity of Southwest dle of Long Island Sound southward of Sixmile Reef Reef over 1 mile southwestward. Caution is advised and 5 miles north-northwestward of Horton Point when navigating small boats in this vicinity during Light. It is marked by a lighted whistle buoy equipped these conditions. with a racon. (198) Duck Island Roads, between Menunketesuck Is- Charts 12375, 12372 land and Kelsey Point, is a harbor of refuge protected by breakwaters 1,100 feet northward and nearly 0.5 (193) Cornfield Point, 2 miles westward of Saybrook mile westward from Duck Island, with the added pro- Breakwater Light, is marked by a large red-roofed stone tection of Kelsey Point Breakwater on Stone Island building. Rocky shoals and foul ground extend about Reef. A prominent landmark on Duck Island is a stone 0.5 mile southerly from this point and for about 1.9 chimney. Both breakwaters extending from Duck Is- miles westerly. Cornfield Point Shoal, a small rocky land are marked by lights. patch covered 3 feet, is about 0.4 mile south of the point. Westward of this shoal are Hen and Chickens, (199) The dredged anchorage enclosed by the breakwa- bare in spots at low water, and Crane Reef, an area of ters extending northward and westward from Duck Is- broken ground with a least depth of 3 feet. These dan- land is subject to shoaling. General depths of 3 to 8 feet gers are buoyed. About 0.5 mile westward of the point is are in the protected area, and 4 to 16 feet in the western Halftide Rock, surrounded by foul ground and marked end. In addition to the area inside the breakwaters, a by a private daybeacon. small area northward and northeastward of Duck Is- land North Breakwater Light can be used as an anchor- age in southwesterly weather. (200) The western entrance of Duck Island Roads is easy of access and should be used by vessels with greater draft than 8 feet. Charts 12374, 12372 Routes (201) Pass southward of Duck Island and keep the light (194) Westbrook Harbor is the western part of the open bight between Cornfield Point and Menunketesuck Is- on the end of Kelsey Point Breakwater bearing north- land. It has many unmarked submerged rocks and is ward of 264° until Duck Island West Breakwater Light seldom used as an anchorage; the anchorage in Duck 2DI bears 010°, then steer northward. Approaching Island Roads is better. The bight is characterized by from westward, the only dangers are the two 16-foot boulders. spots south-southwestward of Kelsey Point Breakwater Light, the southerly of which is marked by a buoy.

308 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 (202) The eastern entrance of Duck Island Roads is ob- at the north end of the breakwater, is mostly covered at structed by a sand shoal with a least depth of 8 feet high water. Some rocks bare at low water are between about 0.3 mile eastward of Duck Island, and by boulder the island and the shore. Tide rips frequently occur in reefs which extend about 0.2 mile off the western side the area southwestward from the end of the breakwater of Menunketesuck Island. This entrance is easy of ac- to the bell buoy. Depths of 18 feet or less near Kelsey cess for vessels drawing up to 8 feet. Point Breakwater indicate areas of broken rocky bot- tom which should be avoided in anchoring. The broken (203) Anchorage in 18 to 24 feet, bottom generally sticky, ground east of the breakwater includes depths of 12 can be had between the Duck Island West Breakwater feet close to it; the 18-foot patch 0.2 mile Light 2DI and the 17-foot rocky patches southeastward east-northeast of the end of the breakwater; East Ledge of Kelsey Point. This anchorage is exposed to winds with depths of 2 to 17 feet, which extends 0.4 mile southward of east and west. southward from Kelsey Point; and the broken ground with depths of 8 to 17 feet which extends over 0.4 mile (204) Patchogue River, used chiefly by fishing and recre- southeastward from Kelsey Point. ational craft, empties into Duck Island Roads just west (209) The bight at the entrance of Clinton Harbor and of Menunketesuck Island. A channel leads from deep westward of Kelsey Point Breakwater affords anchor- water in Duck Island Roads to the first fixed highway age, but is exposed to southeasterly and southwesterly bridge, about 0.6 mile above the mouth. The approach winds. channel is marked by buoys, and the river channel is (210) Clinton Harbor, the bight westward of Kelsey Point marked by private aids. A light is on the outer end of the Breakwater, is the entrance to Hammonasset River, a breakwater on the west side of the river mouth. In De- stream used chiefly by fishing and recreational craft. cember 2008, the controlling depth was 3.3 feet (6.0 Wheeler Rock, with 1 foot over it, just outside the bar, feet at midchannel) to the head of the project about 60 is marked by a lighted buoy. The channel is marked by yards below the first fixed highway bridge, except buoys to Cedar Island and thence by seasonal private shoaling to bare in the eastern half of the channel near buoys to the anchorage basin at Clinton. Buoys are Buoy 6. The anchorage basin had a controlling depth of shifted often due to changing channel conditions. Lo- 5.0 feet. cal knowledge is advised. Depths of 5 to 8 feet were available in the anchorage basin on the northeast side Small-craft facilities of the channel east of the wharves at Clinton. From op- (205) Several small-craft facilities are on the river. (See posite the basin to the upstream limit of the Federal project, the southwest and south side of the channel is the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for obstructed by a series of pilings. Boats may be moored services and supplies available.) between the pilings, caution is advised. Above the dredged channel, the midchannel controlling depth is (206) Menunketesuck River, sharing the same entrance about 2 feet in the Hammonasset River to the overhead channel as Patchogue River, is a shallow stream west- pipeline and bridge crossing about 2 miles above ward of Patchogue River. In July 1981, a depth of about Clinton. Private daybeacons mark this section of the 8 feet was reported to the first fixed highway bridge channel. crossing the river above which depths of less than 1 (211) Several boatyards and marinas are in the harbor. foot are reported. A shoal was reported extending south (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 from shore at the junction of Patchogue and for services and supplies available.) Mooring facilities Menunketesuck Rivers; caution is advised. The junc- are available by arrangement with the town dockmaster tion is marked by a private seasonal buoy. Small-craft who can be contacted through the town hall or police facilities on the river can provide berths, electricity, department. A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in the har- gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, marine sup- bor. The town maintains a fireboat at Clinton Harbor. plies, a pump-out station, and engine, hull and elec- The vessel can be contacted through the Clinton Police tronic repairs; a 12-ton mobile hoist and a 75-ton lift Department or the Coast Guard. are available. The privately maintained channel in the (212) Northeastward of Cedar Island in Clinton Harbor river is reported to be marked by seasonal private aids; are two narrow crooked channels close together, with local knowledge is advised. depths of about 1 foot. The eastern one is usually marked by bush stakes; it leads to a marina and (207) A 6 mph speed limit is enforced on both rivers. boatyard just inside the mouth of Hammock River. The (208) Kelsey Point Breakwater extends on Stone Island western channel, marked by a private range, leads to a boatyard on Indian River. Reef over 0.6 mile south-southeastward from Stone Is- land and is marked by a light. The least depth on the rocky broken ground southwestward of the light is 16 feet. The outer spot is marked by a buoy. Stone Island,

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 309 (213) Hammonasset Point, on the southwest side of Charts 12373, 12372 Clinton Harbor, is a low marshy area with many wooded knolls. The end of the point is a rocky knoll. (220) Guilford Harbor, a bight 5.5 miles westward of Hammonasset State Park is marked by a conspicuous Hammonasset Point, is used only by small craft. East flagstaff and the buildings at the recreational center. In River and Sluice Creek empty into Guilford Harbor the summer it is an active resort. Broken ground with from the northward. The approach to the harbor is ob- rocky irregular bottom and least depths of 10 to 11 feet structed by rocks and foul ground. The outermost dan- extends 0.5 mile southward of Hammonasset Point. gers are: Half Acre Rock, about 0.8 mile southeastward of the entrance channel, which shows at high water; (214) West Rock is the outermost of the bare rocks which scattered rocks, some bare at low water and others with extend a short distance off the east end of Ham- 7 to 16 feet over them, extending about a mile eastward monasset Point. A reef, with two bare rocks and a groin from Half Acre Rock; Outer White Top, about 0.6 mile on its inner part, extends 0.3 mile southwestward from southwestward of Half Acre Rock, and several rocks the point and is marked by a buoy, northeastward of northward of it bare at low water; and Indian Reef, ex- which tide rips frequently occur. When rounding the tending about 1 mile southwestward of Outer White point, vessels should not pass between the buoy and Top, the highest part of which is covered at high water. Hammonasset Point. Indian Reef is marked on its south and southwestern sides by buoys. Stakes and fish traps may exist north- (215) Madison Reef, over 2 miles westward of Hammo- ward of Riding Rock, 0.6 mile northwestward of Half nasset Point, extends over a mile east and west. This Acre Rock. reef consists of several rocky patches with depths of 4 to 17 feet, with deeper water between them. Charles Reef, (221) The approach channel to Guilford Harbor, marked with a least depth of 7 feet, is about 0.5 mile southwest by buoys, leads along the southeasterly side of Indian of Madison Reef and marked by a buoy. Reef, thence westward of Half Acre Rock to a dredged channel about 0.5 mile northwestward of Half Acre (216) Kimberly Reef, about 1.9 miles southward of Rock. The dredged channel leads northward through Charles Reef, is an area of broken ground with a least the harbor and eastward of Guilford Point to a junction depth of 12 feet. Rocks with a least depth of 20 feet, with Sluice Creek and East River, about 0.6 mile above marked by a lighted bell buoy, are about 0.2 mile south the channel entrance. At the junction, the dredged of the shoal. A bank with depths of 14 to 28 feet extends channel leads northwesterly into Sluice Creek for about 1.5 miles west of Kimberly Reef to Falkner Is- about 0.1 mile and northeasterly into East River for land. about 0.4 mile to an anchorage basin. Buoys and a pri- vate range mark the dredged channel to the junction. (217) Vessels of 10-foot draft can anchor northward of In August 2004, the controlling depths in the dredged Madison Reef, but should proceed with caution to avoid channel were 3.2 feet to the junction of East River and the rocky patches at lesser depths. Sluice Creek, thence 1.5 feet in Sluice Creek, thence 6 feet in the left half of the channel and 2.2 feet in the (218) Tuxis Island, northward of Madison Reef and 0.2 right half, to the anchorage basin with 1 to 6 feet in the mile south of Middle Beach, is high and rocky. Between basin except for shoaling to bare toward the northeast the island and the shore the water is shallow and the limit and in the south half of the entrance into the ba- ground foul. Rocks awash are 200 to 600 yards eastward sin. Deeper water is available with local knowledge. of the island, and an islet is 100 yards westward of the island. A steel bulkhead in ruins, the top of which is (222) In 1988, a submerged obstruction was reported awash at high water, extends from shore to Gull Rock, a about 0.3 mile southwest of Half Acre Rock in about high bare ledge about 300 yards east-northeastward of 41°15'06\"N., 72°39'36\"W. Tuxis Island. (223) At high water and with local knowledge, small (219) Madison, a town on the railroad, has one landing boats can go above the anchorage basin in East River to which bares alongside at low water and is in disrepair. A the fixed railway bridge, about 1.3 miles above the ba- few small craft moor in the cove on its north side. sin. The bridge has a clearance of 4 feet. An overhead Rocks, bare at low water, are 100 yards eastward of the power cable with a clearance of 45 feet is about 0.3 landing. A beach club building, with a small stone land- miles below the bridge. A town marina, just above the ing, is northward of Tuxis Island. A church with a entrance to Sluice Creek, has berths with electricity, prominent tower and gilded dome is 0.8 mile north- water, ice and a launching ramp. In 1993, depths of 1½ ward of Tuxis Island. to 6 feet were reported alongside the marina. (224) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor.

310 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 (225) West River empties into the western side of (230) The approach to Sachem Head Harbor for small Guilford Harbor 0.2 mile westward of Guilford Point. A craft from eastward is along the south side of the rocks railroad bridge about 0.7 mile above the mouth has a making off from the south side of Sachem Head. Ap- clearance of 6 feet. Guilford is the town above the rail- proaching eastward of Goose Rocks, give the rocks a road bridge. In September 1988-July 1989, a depth of berth of over 300 yards. The approach from westward is 4½ feet was reported in West River entrance channel; clear between Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. the channel is marked by buoys and a 321° lighted range. (231) Uncas Point, the western extremity of Sachem Head, is marked by a rocky islet on its west side and a (226) There are two boatyards with several marinas and privately maintained seasonal light. Just northward of marine railways on West River. The largest marine rail- the islet a stone jetty with a bulkhead on its north side way can handle craft up to 40 feet; berths with electric- extends about 100 yards in a northwesterly direction ity, water, ice, gasoline, diesel fuel, limited supplies, a from the shore. Vessels can anchor in the angle near 12-ton mobile crane, a 25-ton lift, and complete engine the shore where the depth is about 4½ feet. and hull repairs are available. (232) Joshua Cove, northwestward of Sachem Head, is (227) Falkner Island and Goose Islands, with Stony Is- little used, but affords good anchorage in its entrance land to the southward, are about 3 miles south of for small vessels in northerly or easterly winds in 6 to Guilford Harbor. Each is surrounded by reefs and rocks 10 feet, soft bottom. The approach from southwestward that bare at low water. A depth of about 16 feet can be is clear between Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. carried between Goose Islands and Falkner Island by staying in the middle of the passage and avoiding the (233) Leetes Rocks, midway between Sachem Head and 8-foot and 11-foot spots, about 0.35 mile 244° and 0.4 the north end of The Thimbles, are two rocks bare at mile 300° from the light on Falkner Island, respectively, low water, with an area of broken ground around them. and the shoals and reefs extending from the islands. A 9-foot spot is about 200 yards southward of the south- Falkner Island Light (41°12'43\"N., 72°39'13\"W.), 94 feet erly rock, and a 3-foot spot is 0.3 mile northeast of the above the water, is shown from a 46-foot white octago- southerly rock. nal tower near the center of Falkner Island. A lighted gong buoy marks the shoal off the northern end of (234) Leetes Island Quarry is a prominent feature on the Falkner Island, and a lighted bell buoy is off the south- south side of Hoadley Point; on the north side of the ern end of Stony Island. cove eastward of the point are the ruins of an old dock. (228) From Indian Reef westward are rocky shoals and is- (235) The Thimbles, about 1.6 miles west of Sachem lets extending from 0.2 to 0.7 mile off Vineyard Point Head, comprise many islands, islets, and rocks that and Sachem Head. Chimney Corner Reef, about 0.3 bare. All of the area, extending over 2 miles from mile south of Sachem Head and marked by a buoy, is a Hoadley Point southwestward to East Reef, is foul with rocky broken area on which the least depth is 9 feet. rocky bottom and many shoals. To lesser extent, the Westward of it are Goose Rocks Shoals, on which are area from East Reef for 2 miles westward and Goose Rocks, the northerly of which is bare and the northwestward to Branford Harbor entrance is dotted southerly one covered at high water. The outer limit of with islets and rocks. The whole area is suitable only for Goose Rocks Shoals is marked by a lighted bell buoy. To small pleasure craft, which are very active here in sum- ensure clearing the westerly end of Goose Rocks mer. Many oyster stakes are encountered; these do not Shoals, care must be taken not to round the buoy too mark channels and caution should be used to avoid closely. fouling them. Caution also is advised to avoid fouling the pipelines and cables in the area. (229) Sachem Head Harbor, an anchorage for small craft on the southwest side of Sachem Head, is 0.3 mile long (236) The outermost of The Thimbles proper is Outer Is- and 0.1 mile wide, and has depths of 3 to 8 feet at the land, marked by a house chimney. A boat landing pro- floats and in the moorings; it is sheltered except from tected by a stone jetty is on the northeast side of this westerly winds. The island forming the south point at island, and an unmarked rock, bare at lowest tides, is the entrance is connected with the shore by a bridge. A 200 yards eastward. The reefs southwestward of Outer yacht clubhouse is on the island. From the north point Island, to and including East Reef and Browns Reef, of the island a breakwater extends 100 yards in a north- are buoyed. westerly direction; a rock awash, marked by a private seasonal light, is off the end of the breakwater. A rock (237) From eastward a buoyed channel leads through covered at half tide is 50 yards off the southeast side of The Thimbles. The channel passes between Wayland the harbor, about 350 yards eastward of the end of the Island and a buoy marking the foul area southward of breakwater. Cat Island. The channel extends between Davis Island and Dogfish Island, thence north of East Crib and West Crib into the more open water westward of The Thimbles; it is good for about 13 feet.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 311 (238) Stony Creek, a village on the railroad, extends (243) Rocks bare at low water are eastward of Haycock southward to Flying Point (41°15.5'N., 72°45.1'W.). A Point, and rocks that bare at half tide are off the south- dredged channel west of Flying Point leads north to a east side and southwest end of Green Island. The foul turning basin at Stony Creek. The channel is marked by ground extends about 0.6 mile south-southwestward private buoys. In March 2001, the controlling depth from Haycock Point, including Foot Rocks which are was 4.3 feet in the entrance channel to Buoy 5, thence partly above water. 3.0 feet to the head of the project with 2.7 to 4.5 feet in the basin. Rocks were reported in the northwest corner (244) Branford Reef, about 1.8 miles southward of In- of the basin. Gasoline, marine supplies, inside storage, dian Neck and 5 miles eastward of New Haven entrance, and a small-craft launching ramp are available at mari- is marked by a light. This reef is surrounded by shoal nas eastward of the turning basin; small craft can be water for a distance of 150 to 450 yards from the light. hauled out on a flatbed trailer for hull and engine re- pairs. The village dock is on the southeast side of the (245) Deep water is between Branford Reef and Negro turning basin. Heads, a reef bare in one place at low water about 0.9 mile northward. Shoreward of Negro Heads are Specta- (239) Between the rocks westward of Rogers Island and cle Island, Sumac Island, and Clam Island, together Blackstone Rocks, a privately dredged channel, about with numerous rocks bare and covered. 0.9 mile westward of Flying Point, leads northeastward to a quarry wharf on the west side of a dredged basin. In (246) A private boat landing is on the northwest side of 1995, the reported controlling depths were 14 feet from Clam Island. Small craft can enter Maltby Cove be- the channel entrance to the basin, thence a depth of 14 tween the bare rocks off the southwest end of Clam Is- feet was available in the basin except for lesser depths land and Jeffrey Rock, favoring the northwest side of along the north and west edges. The entrance channel Clam Island. Private markers are sometimes at the en- is marked by a private 028° range consisting of a front trance. The northwest side of the cove is foul, the prin- and middle light and a rear daybeacon. cipal danger being a rock bare at low water near the middle, northwestward of Clam Island; the rock is (240) Thimble Island Harbor, in the western part of The sometimes marked by a seasonal private spindle. Thimbles, affords good shelter for small craft between Pot Island and Money Island on the east and High Is- (247) Jeffrey Point, the eastern point at the entrance of land and West Crib on the west. Although open south- Branford Harbor, has a bare rock close to its western westward, the sea from that direction loses much of its end. force before reaching the inner harbor. A rock with 3 feet over it and marked by a buoy is 80 yards off the east (248) Branford Harbor is a shallow cove between Jeffrey side of High Island, just above its south end. Vessels Point and Johnson Point. Vessels up to 10-foot draft can sometimes anchor near midchannel, between this rock select anchorage in the harbor southward of the Mer- and the north end of Pot Island in depths of 13 to 18 maids in 10 to 14 feet, protected against all but south- feet, soft bottom, but care should be taken to avoid the erly and southwesterly winds. Boats up to 5-foot draft cables in the area. The harbor is easy of access between can select a well-sheltered anchorage in the upper part Outer Island and Inner Reef. of the harbor above the Mermaids. The harbor is used chiefly for recreational boating and by the small local (241) Pine Orchard, about 3 miles westward of Sachem lobster fishing fleet. Head, is a summer resort extending northward and westward of Brown Point. A breakwater extending (249) The dangers in the approach and entrance to about 300 yards southeastward from Brown Point pro- Branford Harbor either show above water or are tects a yacht basin entered through a privately dredged marked by buoys. Cow and Calf, 1.3 miles southwest- channel that leads from southward of St. Helena Island ward of Jeffrey Point, are two boulders close together north-northwestward to the basin. In July 1994, the en- bare at low water. Boulders, reported covered 10 feet, trance channel and basin had reported depths of 5 feet. are about 0.2 mile northward of Cow and Calf. Five The basin approach northward of St. Helena Island has Foot Rock, 0.5 mile northeastward of Cow and Calf, has depths of 3 to 5 feet. Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, and water 5 feet over it. Taunton Rock, 0.9 mile northeastward of may be obtained at the yacht club landing. Cow and Calf near the middle of the entrance to Branford Harbor, is large but low and bare. Blyn Rock, (242) From Brown Point to Branford Harbor, 2.5 miles midway between Johnson Point and Taunton Rock, is westward, bare rocks and shoals extend up to about 2 covered at extreme high tide. Bird Rock, 0.2 mile miles offshore. A seawall extends westward from Brown northward of Blyn Rock, has 5 feet over it. Point, and the shore is thickly settled. A rock bare at half tide is 600 yards westward of Brown Point and 300 (250) Little Mermaid, showing a little above high water, yards from shore. and Big Mermaid, a high rock marked by a light, are near the middle of Branford Harbor. Two bare rocks are near the head of the harbor. A rock, bare at low water

312 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 and usually marked by stakes, is about 100 feet (260) Farm River Gut, a small bight on the west side of north-northeastward of the north end of Lovers Island. the cove, is a good anchorage for small craft. Depths range from 4 to 5 feet in the eastern part of the gut with Routes shoaling to bare in the northern and western parts. Two (251) To enter Branford Harbor from eastward, pass rocks awash are on the north side of the gut about 125 yards inside the entrance. The gut offers good protec- southward of the lighted buoy marking Negro Heads, tion from all but easterly winds, mud bottom. A marine steer about 306° heading for Taunton Rock, and enter railway at a boatyard on the north side of the gut can between Taunton and Jeffrey Rocks; or a 333° course handle boats to 36 feet for hull repairs; storage facilities with Branford Reef Light astern will lead into the har- are available. The yard can be reached only at high tide. bor between Jeffrey and Taunton Rocks. From west- Old Clump is a bare rock about 400 yards south of the ward, pass southward and over 100 yards eastward of bight. the lighted bell buoy marking Cow and Calf, thence westward of the buoys marking Blyn Rock and Bird (261) Farm River, locally known as East Haven River, Rock to the buoyed channel in the harbor. about 1.5 miles westward of Branford Harbor, is used by (252) Local craft pass northwestward of Cow and Calf local craft. In July 1981, it was reported that depths of 3 Shoal and midway between Johnson Point and Blyn feet could be carried in the river to the fixed bridge with Rock. a clearance of 4 feet about 1 mile above the mouth. Sev- eral boatyards on the river provide gasoline, berths, (253) Branford River, narrow and crooked, extends electricity, water, storage, and limited marine supplies; northeasterly from Branford Harbor. In January-Feb- diesel fuel can be delivered by truck. A 10-ton mobile ruary 2001, the controlling depth in the dredged chan- hoist and a 12-ton crane can handle vessels for com- nel was 6.5 feet from Branford Harbor to the upstream plete engine and hull repairs. limit of the dredged channel, except for depths between 5.0 and 6.4 feet in the left half of the channel about (262) East Indies Rocks, about 0.4 mile south of the en- 1,200 feet below the project head. trance to Farm River, cover at half tide and are marked by a buoy to the eastward; a rocky shoal with a least (254) At low water the channel above Branford Point is depth of 5 feet is 0.2 mile to the eastward. A small ledge, defined by bare shoals on each side. During the sum- bare at low water, is midway between East Indies Rocks mer numerous stakes used as moorings mark both and the south side of Mansfield Point, the western en- sides of the channel. A privately dredged channel and trance point to Farm River. Darrow Rocks, a group of basin at a marina 0.5 mile east of Branford Point had re- bare rocks, are on the east side of the entrance to the ported depths of 9 feet in March 1999. river. The westernmost rocky knoll is marked by a flag- staff. A ledge, bare at low water, with a buoy off its (255) The principal waterborne commerce at Branford is southern end, is 200 yards south of the flagstaff. in petroleum products. There are several marinas and boatyards on the river. (See the small-craft facilities (263) Mansfield Point and the shore westward of the en- tabulation on chart 12372 for services and supplies trance to Farm River are thickly settled. Bus communi- available.) cation is available to New Haven. (256) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. Charts 12371, 12372 (257) The harbormaster at Branford controls all moor- (264) New Haven Harbor, an important harbor of refuge, ings and anchoring; he can be contacted through the is about 68 miles from New York, 179 miles from small-craft facilities. Boston via Cape Cod Canal, and 171 miles from (258) Johnson Point is the western entrance point to Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N (LNB). It Branford Harbor; a rock covered 2 feet is about 100 comprises all the tidewater northward of the breakwa- yards off its south side. A small privately dredged basin ters constructed across the mouth of the bay, including on the southwest side of the point is well protected in the navigable portions of the West, Mill, and all but southerly winds. In 1971, it was reported that 4 Quinnipiac Rivers. It is about 2 miles wide. The inner feet could be carried to and in the basin. harbor, northward of Sandy Point and Fort Hale, is (259) Gull Rocks, about 0.3 mile westward of Johnson shallow for the most part, except where the depths have Point, consist of small islets and submerged rocks that been increased by dredging. The main entrance chan- extend about 0.5 mile southwestward from shore on nel, between Middle Breakwater and the East Breakwa- the easterly side of the entrance to a large cove. A rock, ter, leads northward to Tomlinson Bridge at New bare at half tide, is in the northwestern part of the cove Haven. Anchorage basins for medium draft vessels are about 350 yards southward of Short Beach. The north- west end of the cove has a yacht club landing with a re- ported depth of 2 feet alongside.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 313 on the west side of the channel north of Sandy Point. in the west fork for about 480 yards, thence in 1980, 1 Waterborne commerce in the harbor consists of petro- foot at midchannel in the east fork and 1.5 feet at leum products, scrap metal, lumber, automobiles, gyp- midchannel in the west fork to the head of the channel. sum, paper and pulp products, steel products, (271) Quinnipiac River, on the east side of Fair Haven chemicals, rock salt, and general cargo. about 4 miles above Southwest Ledge Light, has a (265) New Haven, at the head of the harbor, is an impor- dredged channel to Grand Avenue Bridge, about 1 mile tant manufacturing city. above the mouth. In 2000, the controlling depth was 15.7 feet at midchannel to the Ferry Street Bridge Prominent features about 0.5 mile above the mouth, thence 8.4 feet at (266) On the approach from well offshore in clear midchannel to the Grand Avenue Bridge. weather, the prominent landmarks are: on East Rock Anchorages (41°19.7'N., 72°54.4'W.), the Soldiers and Sailors Mon- (272) Inside West Breakwater and the southwest part of ument; in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus Build- ing, a tall rectangular structure with circular pillars at Middle Breakwater, anchorage is available for vessels its corners; the lighted stack of the powerplant on the up to a 19-foot draft. Caution should be exercised to east side of the harbor opposite City Point. The lights avoid the fish stakes in this area. Vessels anchoring in on the ends of the breakwaters, the aerolight at the area should also be aware that water levels may Tweed-New Haven Airport, and the abandoned tower drop significantly following a long continuous north- on Lighthouse Point are also prominent. westerly wind. (267) Southwest Ledge Light (41°14'04\"N., 72°54'44\"W.), (273) Vessels may anchor northward of Southwest Ledge 57 feet above the water, is shown from a white octagonal Light in depths of 18 to 20 feet, soft bottom in places. house on a brown cylindrical pier at the westerly end of Care should be taken to avoid the ledges northward of East Breakwater. A fog signal is sounded at the light. the East Breakwater. Deep-draft vessels awaiting berth- ing assignments can anchor about 1 mile southward of Channels the sea buoy; holding ground is excellent. (268) A Federal project for New Haven Harbor provides (274) Morris Cove, on the east side of the main channel just above Lighthouse Point, affords good anchorage for an entrance channel 35 feet deep to a point just be- and is used by yachts, but is rough in westerly and low the junction of Mill River and Quinnipiac River. southerly winds. In July 1981, isolated, uncharted The channel is well marked. (See Notice to Mariners 40-foot spots were reported in the cove. Caution is ad- and latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) vised when anchoring. New Haven Coast Guard Sta- (269) West River, marked by buoys, is located on the west tion is on the north side of the jutting point, about 1.5 side of the main channel about 3 miles above South- miles northward of Lighthouse Point. west Ledge Light. A Federal project provides for a depth (275) An anchorage basin on the west side of the main of 12 feet to a point about 100 feet south of the first channel southward of New Haven Long Wharf is some- highway bridge (Kimberly Avenue Bridge), thence 8 times used, but considerable shoaling is gradually ex- feet to about 0.1 mile above the bridge; an anchorage tending into the anchorage from westward. A sunken area on the south side of the channel about 0.9 mile barge with 5 feet over it is in this anchorage about 550 above the entrance has a project depth of 6 feet. (See yards southward of New Haven Long Wharf. In Febru- Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for con- ary-March 1985, depths of 10 to 5 feet were available in trolling depths.) Principal waterfront facilities are at the anchorage basin with lesser depths along the edges. City Point. (276) Small craft and scows may anchor northward of the (270) Mill River, on the west side of Fair Haven about 4 New Haven Long Wharf (Naval Reserve Pier), northwest miles above Southwest Ledge Light, is entered from of the main channel where depths range from about 5 the main channel through a dredged entrance channel to 6 feet. that branches into an east and west fork to the Grand (277) No special regulations prescribe the limits within Avenue Bridge, 0.6 mile above the mouth. In 2000, the which vessels must anchor, except that the dredged controlling depths were 6.2 feet (8.2 feet at mid- channels must be kept clear. channel) to the Chapel Street Bridge about 0.25 mile above the entrance, thence 9 feet through the east Dangers bridge opening and 6.3 feet through the west bridge (278) Townshend Ledge, 2.7 miles southeastward of opening, thence 6.5 feet to the junction with the east and west forks, thence 1.4 feet at midchannel in the Southwest Ledge Light, has a least depth of 18 feet and east fork for about 320 yards and 4.9 feet at midchannel is marked by a lighted bell buoy.

314 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 (279) Stony Islet, 2.2 miles eastward of Southwest Ledge 0.5 mile farther upstream, has a center-pier swing span Light, is low, bare, and surrounded by ledges bare at with a clearance of 9 feet. Above this are several fixed low water to a distance of about 100 yards. A partly bare bridges and trestles. ledge is about 0.2 mile north-northwestward of Stony (287) Kimberly Avenue Bridge over West River has a fixed Islet. From this ledge and Stony Islet westward to the span with a clearance of 23 feet. entrance of New Haven Harbor, an area of foul ground (288) (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.213, chapter with many rocks bare at low water extends about 0.5 2, for drawbridge regulations.) mile offshore. This area should be avoided. Tides (280) Shoals with 16 to 18 feet over them extend over 0.5 (289) The mean range of tide is 6.2 feet. Extreme tides mile southeastward from the breakwaters on both sides of the dredged entrance channel. A spoil area with re- have been recorded as reaching more than 2.5 feet be- ported depths of 15 feet is on the eastern side of the en- low the plane of mean low water and more than 8 feet trance channel. An 18-foot spot is on the east side of the above the same datum. main channel, at the first turn westward of Southwest Ledge Light. Currents (290) In the entrance between the breakwaters, the tidal (281) The bights on the west shore of New Haven Harbor from Pond Point northward are shoal with bare rocks current has a velocity on flood of 1.4 knots, and ebb 0.9 and foul ground in most of them. The shore is rocky at knot. The flood sets 319° and the ebb 152°. In the draw Woodmont, about 2 miles northeastward of Pond of Tomlinson Bridge, the velocity is 0.4 knot. The flood Point. sets 015° and the ebb 215°. Ebb velocities are increased by freshets. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for pre- (282) Black Rock, bare at low water and marked by a sea- dicted times and velocities of currents.) sonal buoy, is 0.2 mile off the north end of Morris Cove. Opposite, on the west side, is a breakwater, partly cov- Ice ered, extending from Sandy Point and marked by a (291) Ice generally obstructs navigation to some extent light. Shag Bank, a flat extending about 0.5 mile north- ward from Sandy Point, has a sand tip about 0.1 mile for low-powered vessels from December to March and long. sometimes extends to the mouth of the harbor. During severe winters the accumulation of ice is local. Except Bridges in severe weather, powered vessels can always enter and (283) Tomlinson Bridge, at the head of the main harbor leave the harbor without much difficulty. In New Ha- ven Harbor northerly winds tend to clear the harbor of at the confluence of Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers, has a ice if the formation is light; southerly winds are apt to vertical lift span with a clearance of 13 feet down and 61 force in drift ice from the sound. feet up. Just above this bridge is a fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 60 feet. The bridgetender of the Weather, New Haven and vicinity Tomlinson Bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call (292) New Haven’s climate is typical of coastal areas of sign KXJ-688. An overhead power cable with a clear- ance of 91 feet crosses the channel just above the fixed southern New England. It is vigorous without being highway bridge. overly severe. New Haven is located at the widest part of (284) A regulated navigation area is at Tomlinson Bridge. Long Island Sound, and the tempering effect of the wa- (See 165.1 through 165.13, and 165.150, chapter 2, ter is most pronounced in this vicinity. During the for limits and regulations.) summer season, the sea breeze holds temperatures 5 to (285) Over Mill River, about 0.3 mile above the entrance, 15°F (3 to 8°C) lower in the afternoon; during the win- is the Chapel Street Bridge with a swing span having a ter season, minimum temperatures in the southern clearance of 7½ feet. The fixed highway bridge at Grand section of the city are usually 5 to 10°F (3 to 6°C) Avenue has a clearance of 6 feet over the east fork and a higher than those reported from northern sections. clearance of 2 feet over the west fork. Bridges above this The highest summertime temperatures occur with a point have minimum clearance of 2 feet. Small moderate northerly wind. The lowest winter readings unmasted boats go as far as the bridge at State Street, also occur with a northerly wind. The average tempera- 0.5 mile above Grand Avenue. Overhead power cables ture for New Haven is 51.7°F (10.9°C). July is the crossing the west fork have a minimum clearance of 80 warmest month with average extremes of 81°F feet. (27.2°C) and 64°F (17.8°C). January is the coldest (286) The Ferry Street Bridge over Quinnipiac River, 0.6 month with average extremes of 37°F (2.8°C) and 22°F mile above the Tomlinson Bridge, has a bascule span (-5.6°C). The warmest temperature on record is 100°F with a clearance of 25 feet. The Grand Avenue Bridge, (37.8°C) recorded in August 1948 and again in July

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 315 1957. The coldest temperature on record is -7°F enter from westward, pass northward of Stratford (-21.7°C) recorded in January 1961. Shoal Light at a distance of 1.8 miles and head for the (293) Precipitation is quite evenly distributed through- entrance channel. out the year with only a 1.25 inch (32 mm) spread be- (298) The passage eastward of East Breakwater has boul- tween the wettest and driest months. The annual der patches and is very broken, but can be used by small average precipitation is 42 inches (1067 mm). The wet- craft drawing less than 6 feet, taking care to avoid the test month, December, averages 4.24 inches (108 mm) foul ground along the northeast side of the passage. and the driest month, June, averages 2.93 inches (74 This passage is buoyed, and local vessels of 10- to mm). The elevation of the land increases northward 12-foot draft use it at high water. Avoid Quixes Ledge, from the station and results in somewhat higher which extends about 200 yards southeastward from the amounts of precipitation in the northern suburbs as eastern end of the breakwater, and pass about 100 yards well as a few more thunderstorms each year. During eastward of the breakwater. The principal danger inside the winter, a variety of precipitation is found in most the breakwater is the reef, marked by a buoy, that ex- storms. It is common to have rain along the shore, tends 300 yards southwestward from Lighthouse freezing rain and sleet a short distance inland, and Point. Adams Fall, a rock with 5 feet over it and marked snow in the northern parts of the city. Heavy snow is by a buoy, is 0.4 mile southwestward of Lighthouse rather uncommon in the immediate coastal area and Point. usually melts in a few days. Farther inland, the snow becomes progressively heavier and a layer of snow cov- Pilotage, New Haven ers the ground most of the winter. Annual average (299) Pilotage by state licensed pilot is compulsory in snowfall totals 34 inches (864 mm). February is the snowiest month averaging over nine inches (229 mm). Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- Snow has fallen in each month, October through May. sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign The 24-hour record snowfall is 17.1 inches (434 mm) trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- recorded in April 1957. lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, (294) Prevailing wind direction varies with the seasons. Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI From late spring until fall, winds are predominantly 02840; telephone 401-487-9050 (24 hours), south to southwest due to the effect of the sea breeze. 800-274-1216; FAX 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. During the winter, the prevailing winds are northerly. U.S. vessels engaged in coastwise trade) may be re- Strong southeast winds cause unusually high tides and quired to have a U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pi- some local flooding in low-lying coastal areas two or lot unless the master has recency for the intended area. three times a year. See Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), (295) Since 1871, 17 tropical systems have passed within chapter 8. 50 miles of New Haven, Connecticut. The most infa- (300) Pilot services are arranged in advance through mous perhaps, was the hurricane of 1938. This storm ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. passed with 15 miles west of the city on September 21 raking the city with 85-knot winds while moving at a Towage forward speed in excess of 40 knots. Most recently, hur- (301) Tugs up to 1,800 hp are available at New Haven, and ricane Gloria passed within 20 miles to the west on September 27, 1985. Highest winds at time of landfall tugs to 4,000 hp can be obtained by prior arrangement. were barely hurricane strength but two days prior, Glo- Vessels usually proceed to the harbor without assis- ria had been supporting winds in excess of 125 knots. tance. Large vessels normally require tugs for docking Due to geographical orientation, all tropical systems and undocking. Arrangements for tug service should approach the coastline from the south or southwest. be made 24 hours in advance, usually through ships’ (296) The National Weather Service maintains an office agents or directly by shipping companies. The tugs at the Tweed-New Haven Airport, about 3 miles south- monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16 and use channel east of the city. (See Appendix B for New Haven clima- 19A as a working frequency; call sign KEE-234. tological table.) (302) Launch service to ships at anchor is available. Launches monitor VHF-FM channel 16 (156.80 MHz) Routes and use channel 19A (156.95 MHz) as a working fre- (297) To enter New Haven Harbor from eastward, it is quency. (303) New Haven is a customs port of entry. safer for large vessels to pass southward of Branford Reef and Townshend Ledge to the entrance channel. To

316 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural (314) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf: on each quarantine side of harbor, 200 yards south of Tomlinson Bridge; (304) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Ap- 60-foot face, 735 feet of berthing space with dolphins; pendix A for addresses.) 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels normally (305) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of petro- tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public leum products; owned and operated by Gulf Oil Re- Health Service, chapter 1.) fining and Marketing Co. (306) New Haven has many public and private hospitals. (315) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Pier: 100 yards Coast Guard southward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf; (307) The Captain of the Port maintains an office in New north side 400 feet, 25 feet alongside; south side 380 feet, 25 feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; receipt and Haven. The nearest vessel documentation office is in shipment of petroleum products; owned and operated Bridgeport, Conn. (See Appendix A for addresses.) by Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. (308) The harbormaster at New Haven has charge of the anchoring of vessels; he can be contacted through the (316) ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf: 300 yards local police department. southwestward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. (309) The city police maintain a harbor patrol during the Pier; 110-foot face, 760 feet with dolphins; 35 feet summer. alongside; deck height, 15 feet; vessels normally moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of petroleum Wharves products; owned and operated by ARCO Petroleum (310) The deep-draft facilities at the Port of New Haven Products Co. are along the north and east sides of the inner portion (317) New Haven Terminal, Scrap Metal Dock: 275 yards of New Haven Harbor. Facilities for smaller vessels and southward of ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf; barges are along the sides of the harbor and in Mill, 640-foot face; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 14 feet; Quinnipiac, and West Rivers. Depths alongside the fa- two 30-ton traveling gantry cranes, crawler cranes to cilities in Quinnipiac River range from about 5 to 15 250 tons; receipt and shipment of general and feet; Mill River, 12 to 13 feet; and West River about 12 to containerized cargo and steel products, shipment of 18 feet. Only the deep-draft facilities are described. For scrap metal, receipt of copper, zinc, and lumber; owned a complete description of the port facilities refer to Port and operated by New Haven Terminal, Inc. Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A for address.) The along- (318) New Haven Terminal Pier: 50 yards southward of side depths for the facilities described are reported; for Scrap Metal Dock; north and south sides, 650 feet us- information on the latest depths contact the private op- able, can accommodate tankers up to 700 feet; 35 and erator. All the facilities have direct highway connec- 39 feet alongside, north and south sides, respectively; tions, and most have railroad connections. Water and deck height, 13 feet; cranes up to 50 tons; 36,000 electrical shore power connections are available at square feet covered storage; receipt and shipment of most piers and wharves. general cargo, receipt of petroleum products, petro- (311) General cargo at the port is usually handled by chemicals, chemicals, copper, zinc, lumber, and steel ship’s tackle; special handling equipment, if available, products; owned and operated by New Haven Terminal, is mentioned in the description of the particular facil- Inc. ity. Cranes up to 250 tons and warehouses and cold storage facilities adjacent to the waterfront are avail- (319) Exxon Co. Terminal Wharf: 175 yards southward of able. New Haven Terminal Pier; 80-foot face, 700 feet with (312) Wyatt Light Oil Pier: north end of harbor 0.35 mile dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels northeastward of New Haven Long Wharf; 150-foot normally moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment face, 715 feet of berthing space with dolphins, 38 feet of petroleum products; owned and operated by Exxon alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt and shipment of Co., U.S.A. petroleum products; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. (313) Wyatt Heavy Oil Wharf: 50 yards east of Wyatt Light Supplies Oil Pier; west side 210 feet, 480 feet of berthing space (320) Oil bunkering terminals at New Haven are main- with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum products, receipt of tained by the major oil companies. Fuel oil and diesel asphalt; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. oil in the usual commercial grades are obtainable. Barges are available for bunkering in the anchorages outside the breakwaters or at the piers; 24-hour ad- vance notice is required, and arrangements should be made through ships’ agents. Water, provisions, and ma- rine supplies can be procured.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 317 Repairs channel is marked by a light and lighted and unlighted (321) New Haven has no facilities for making major re- buoys. pairs or for drydocking deep-draft vessels; the nearest Small-craft facilities such facilities are at Boston, Mass., and New York. Ma- (328) Milford Harbor has several small-craft facilities. chine shops in the area can make limited repairs to ma- chinery and boilers, and fabricate shafts and other (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 pieces of equipment. for services and supplies available.) Small-craft facilities (329) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (322) There are excellent facilities on the east and west (330) Charles Island, on the southwest side at the en- sides of the harbor and on West and Quinnipiac Rivers. trance to The Gulf, is low and partly covered with trees. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 The island is connected to the mainland by The Bar, a for services and supplies available.) narrow neck about 0.5 mile long and surrounded by rocks awash and shoals. A buoy marks the end of a shoal Charts 12370, 12364 that extends 250 yards east-northeastward from the is- land, and a lighted bell buoy marks the end of a rocky (323) Pond Point, about 5 miles southwestward of the area that extends 0.4 mile southward from the island. New Haven Harbor entrance, has a rocky shoal with lit- Northward of Charles Island is a good anchorage in 10 tle depth over the greater part of it that extends about to 16 feet, sheltered from southerly to southwesterly 0.3 mile southward. It is marked by a buoy. A promi- winds. nent white mast is on the point. (331) Between Charles Island and Stratford Point, about 3 miles southwestward, several summer resorts are (324) Welches Point, 0.8 mile westward of Pond Point, along the shore and the Housatonic River empties into forms the east side of the entrance of the Gulf. A reef ex- Long Island Sound just above the point. The shoals tends 0.2 mile southward from the point and is marked which extend southward from Stratford Point toward by a buoy. Several scattered rocks extend a southeast- Stratford Shoal Light (see chart 12354) consist of nar- erly direction for about 0.5 mile from the buoy. row ridges of hard sand with deeper water between, and have oyster beds marked with stakes. Depths of 12 feet (325) The Gulf, a bight between Welches Point and or less extend 1 mile offshore. Charles Island, about 6.5 miles westward of New Haven (332) Stratford Point Light (41°09'07\"N., 73°06'12\"W.), Harbor entrance, affords anchorage in 6 to 15 feet and 52 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical is sheltered in all but southerly and southeasterly tower, with brown band midway of its height, from the winds. The entrance is clear. The shoaling is gradual, southerly part of the point. and soundings are the best guide on the northwest side of the bight; the western side of Welches Point and the Chart 12370 reefs around Charles Island extending to the mainland should be approached with caution, as the shoaling is (333) Housatonic River rises in the Berkshire Hills of abrupt. The mean range of tide is about 6.6 feet. western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and empties into Long Island Sound about 10 miles southwestward (326) Milford Harbor, comprising the lower portion of of the New Haven Harbor entrance. The river is joined the Wepawaug River, is entered at the mouth of the by the nonnavigable Naugatuck River in the vicinity of river between two jetties at the head of The Gulf. The Derby, Conn. Housatonic River is navigable to a point westerly jetty extends southward from Burns Point, about 1 mile above Shelton, Conn., where it is closed by and the easterly jetty is marked by Milford Harbor a power dam. The head of navigation for all practical Light 10. The harbor is used chiefly for recreational purposes is at the towns of Derby and Shelton, 11.5 boating, and occasionally for the receipt of shellfish miles above the entrance. Small vessels can anchor in and fish. The National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. the river abreast of Stratford, where the channel has an Department of Commerce, maintains a laboratory and available width of about 500 feet. The waterborne com- research vessel base on the west side of the harbor, merce on the river is principally in barge shipments of about 0.2 mile northward of Burns Point. aggregate, fuel oil to the power plant at Devon, and sea- sonal commercial shellfishing. Navigation above (327) A dredged channel leads from The Gulf through the Devon is limited to recreational boating. jettied entrance to a point about 400 feet above the town wharf, 0.6 mile above Burns Point. In June 2008, the controlling depths were 5.6 feet (6.7 feet at midchannel) to the Town Dock and 6.5 feet in the an- chorage basin along the west side of the channel. The

318 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 (334) On the east side of the entrance to Housatonic In 1971, the wharves at Derby and Shelton were in ru- River, a breakwater extends out from Milford Point ins and unsuitable for craft of any size. across the bar and is marked at its south end by Housatonic River Breakwater Light 2A. The inner sec- Bridges tion of the breakwater is awash at high water. (340) About 1 mile above Stratford is U.S. Route 1 high- Channels way bridge with a bascule span having a clearance of 32 (335) A Federal project provides for an 18-foot dredged feet. Two bridges cross the river about 0.3 mile farther up: the first, Interstate Route 95 fixed highway bridge, channel from Long Island Sound between the breakwater has a clearance of 65 feet, and the second, a railroad on the east and Stratford Point on the west upriver for bridge with a bascule span, has a clearance of 19 feet. about 4.3 miles to the lower end of Culver Bar. (See No- The bridgetenders of the U.S. Route 1 bridge and the tice to Mariners and the latest editions of the charts for railroad bridge monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs controlling depths.) Above the lower end of Culver Bar, KXJ-695 and KU-6035, respectively. An overhead power the river channel extends through several dredged sec- cable with a clearance of 135 feet crosses at the railroad tions across river bars to the towns of Derby and bridge. Other cables, near Pecks Mill, 1.5 miles above, Shelton about 11.5 miles above the river entrance. In have minimum clearance of 79 feet. February-September 2005, the controlling depths were (341) The fixed highway bridge about 3.7 miles above 2.2 feet in the buoyed channel from the lower end of Stratford has a clearance of 79 feet. At Shelton, two Culver Bar and across Mill Bar to the naturally deep fixed highway bridges and a fixed railroad bridge have a river channel, thence 5.7 feet in the dredged channels least clearance of 17 feet. In April 1983, the railroad across lower Oronoque Bar and 3.0 feet across upper bridge suffered severe structural damage. The area Oronoque Bar, thence 5.5 feet across Camp Meeting should be avoided, but if transit is necessary, extreme Bar, thence 6.2 feet across Drews Bar except for shoal- caution should be exercised. ing to 3.9 feet in the lower part of the dredged channel (342) (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.207, chapter along the left edge, thence 7 feet across Mouthrops Bar 2, for drawbridge regulations.) and Hidelom Rock Bar, thence 7 feet in the left outside quarter of the dredged channel across Twomile Island Tides Bar with shoaling to bare in the remainder of the chan- (343) The mean range of tide is 5.5 feet at Stratford and 5 nel, thence 7 feet in the dredged channel near Sow and Pigs Jetty. The channel is marked to a point about 2.5 feet at Shelton. The time of the tide becomes later and miles below Derby and Shelton. the range diminishes in progressing up the river. At Stratford the tide is about 0.8 hour later than at the en- (336) Stratford is a town on the west side of the river 2.3 trance whereas at Shelton high water is about 1.8 miles above the entrance. The principal wharf has a hours later and low water about 2.8 hours later than at depth of about 9 feet at its end. The harbormaster at the entrance. The river water is fresh about 6 miles Stratford controls anchorages and moorings, and has above the entrance. jurisdiction from the entrance of the river to the Shelton town line. Harbor regulations may be obtained Currents from the harbormaster who may be contacted through (344) At the entrance near the end of the breakwater the the Stratford police or at the Town Hall. flood has a strong westerly set. Between Milford Point (337) Stratford has several small-craft facilities. (See the and Crimbo Point, flood and ebb have a velocity of small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- about 1.2 knots. The flood sets about 330° and the ebb vices and supplies available.) 135°. Just north of the draw of the railroad bridge above Stratford, the velocity of flood is 1.1 knots and of ebb, (338) Devon is on the east side about 1 mile above 1.3 knots. In the openings of the bridge the flood cur- Stratford. Local small craft anchor near the east bank rent has some easterly set, but the ebb sets fair with the of the river, just north of the highway bridge, in depths openings. Between that bridge and Shelton the tidal up to 10 feet. A 40-foot marine railway at a small–craft current has a velocity of about 1 knot. Because of the facility at Devon can haul out craft for engine and hull drainage flow of the river, the ebb is usually greater and repairs; gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, and stor- the flood less than 1 knot. (Consult the Tidal Current age are available. In July 1981, depths of 4 feet were re- Tables for current predictions and further details.) ported alongside the facility. (345) Spring freshets at Shelton rise 10 feet or more (339) Shelton, a town on the west side of the river about above mean high tide. 11.5 miles above the entrance is connected to Derby by two bridges; the town has several important factories.

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 319 (346) Ice closes the river above Stratford during the (355) Several rocks can be found out to 0.6 mile offshore winter and sometimes extends to the entrance. between Orient Point and Inlet Point. A wreck with a least depth of 29 feet is 0.4 mile north of Inlet Point. Routes (347) The channel in Housatonic River is narrow and (356) Horton Point Light (41°05'06\"N., 72°26'44\"W.), 103 feet above the water, is shown from a white square crooked, with little depth on either side, and across the tower attached to a dwelling on the northwest part of bars in the channel are dredged cuts 100 feet wide. The the point. The former lighthouse tower is close by, tidal currents are strong, especially in the lower part of southwestward of the present light. the river, and strangers are advised to take a pilot. Small craft, without a pilot, should proceed with cau- (357) A rocky shoal with a least found depth of 26 feet is tion and preferably on a rising tide. 1.6 miles northward of Horton Point. The shoal is a (348) When entering the river during a flood current, ridge having a northeast-southwest direction, with care must be taken to avoid being set on the shoals on abrupt shoaling on its northwest and southeast sides. the west side by strong westerly currents. In the vicin- ity of Milford Point care should be exercised to avoid a (358) From Horton Point for about 32 miles to Old Field shoal that reportedly extends from Milford Point to the Point, the shore is fringed with shoals that extend off a eastern edge of the channel. Care should also be exer- greatest distance of 1.5 miles and rise abruptly from the cised off the extreme northern end of Nells Island as a deep water of Long Island Sound. Boulders are found shoal is reported to have encroached into the channel. near the shore on the shoals which extend off 0.5 mile By steering a midchannel course no difficulty should in places. A sand shoal, about 0.5 mile in extent with a be encountered. least depth of 22 feet, is about 1.1 miles northwestward of Duck Pond Point. (349) Pilots and tugs can be obtained at New Haven. (350) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river near (359) The bluffs begin about 1 mile westward of Gold- smith Inlet and reach their greatest elevation just east- anchorage and mooring areas and near boat slips. ward of Duck Pond Point. A valley, formed by a break in the bluffs, is just westward of the point; a bathing pavil- Chart 12354 ion is on the beach. Boulders that bare at low water are on the shoals that fringe the shore between Duck Pond Point and Mattituck Inlet. (351) Stratford Shoal Middle Ground, 5.4 miles south of Chart 12358 Stratford Point and covered 9 to 18 feet, is marked by Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light (41°03'35\"N., (360) Mattituck Inlet, 6.7 miles southwestward of Hor- 73°06'05\"W.), 60 feet above the water and shown from a ton Point Light, is entered between two short jetties. gray granite octagonal tower projecting from a house The inlet is marked by a long break in the bluffs. The on a pier, and by buoys that mark the outer ends of outer end of the west jetty is marked by a light. A gong shoal areas extending 1 mile north, 0.9 mile northeast, buoy about 1 mile north of the jetty light marks the en- and 0.5 mile south of the light. A fog signal is at the trance of the inlet. The sides of the channel are sandy, light. and, although shoaling is liable to occur at the en- trance, strangers can enter the inlet without great dan- North Shore of Long Island ger. In December 2008, the midchannel controlling (352) From Orient Point (41°09.6'N., 72°14.0'W.), for depth was 6.4 feet from the entrance to about 0.3 mile above the mouth of Mattituck Creek; thence in about 11 miles to Horton Point, the south shore of 2006-December 2008, 4.2 feet at midchannel for about Long Island Sound is generally bluff and rocky. The 1.8 miles to the turning basin at Mattituck with 5.5 to 7 10-fathom curve is from 0.3 to 0.8 mile from shore, and feet available in the basin in 2006. The channel is the shoaling is generally abrupt. The outlying dangers marked by buoys and private markers. The overhead are Orient Shoal and the rocky patch northward of power cable about 1 mile above the entrance has a Horton Point. clearance of 78 feet. (353) The prominent features are Browns Hills, a tower at Rocky Point, a tank and television tower at Tides and currents Greenport, and Horton Point Light. (361) The tidal currents have an estimated velocity of (354) Several rocky shoals, including Orient Shoal with a least depth of 6 feet, are offshore in the vicinity of about 3 knots in the narrow parts of the entrance of Rocky Point, about 5 miles westward of Orient Point. Mattituck Inlet. Slack waters occur possibly 1 hour af- The north end of Orient Shoal is marked by a buoy. ter the time of high and low water. With northerly and

320 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 westerly winds, the sea is rough in the entrance. The the pier and should endeavor to arrive or depart at high mean range of tide is 5.2 feet at the entrance. The inlet water. is sometimes closed by ice during portions of cold win- ters. Prominent feature (371) The numerous light green oil storage tanks on (362) Several marinas and a boatyard are inside the inlet. A 70-ton mobile hoist at the boatyard can haul out craft Jacobs Point are prominent. for engine, hull, and radio repairs. Marine supplies, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, and covered and wet storage Communications can be obtained. A transient dock, operated by the (372) Vessels transiting Long Island Sound or approach- Mattituck Park Commission, is at the head of the inlet; depths of about 6 feet are at the dock. A dockmaster is ing the facility may do so through a VHF-FM marine at the dock; water is available. operator. Available marine operator stations’ name and channel are: (363) Mattituck is a village on the railroad at the head of (373) Riverhead 28 the inlet. Provisions can be obtained. (374) New Bedford 26 (375) New London 26 (364) Jacobs Point is about 11 miles southwestward of (376) Bridgeport 24. Horton Point Light. (377) Upon the approach of an incoming vessel, the platform, voice call “TOSCO Corporation Offshore Plat- Offshore Terminal, Riverhead form”, or “Riverhead Platform”, or “TOSCO’s Riverhead (365) An offshore platform for the delivery and receipt of Terminal”, monitors VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 19A; works channel 19A. petroleum products is in open roadstead, off Northville, NY (and Riverhead, NY), about 1.2 miles northward of (378) Vessels calling at the platform are moored at any Jacobs Point. It is owned and operated by TOSCO Cor- time, weather conditions permitting. The tidal current poration, Riverhead, NY. periods are substantially the same as at The Race. (366) A safety zone surrounds the offshore facility. (See Strong winds from the north and northwest are experi- 165.155, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) enced during the winter and spring. Tidal currents dur- (367) The facility consists of a 45- by 100-foot steel plat- ing maximum ebb and flood may reach 3 knots. The form structure with breasting dolphins and mooring mean range of tide is 5.4 feet. dolphins providing two berths; one on the northeast side and one on the southwest side. The deck height is (379) Vessels awaiting berth at the platform will nor- 24.5 feet. The northeast berth has depths alongside of mally anchor north of the platform. A vessel drawing 64 feet, and can accommodate tankers up to 225,000 more than 50 feet of water may wish to anchor in DWT and up to 1,150-foot length, of 62-foot maximum deeper water northwest of the platform. Pilots are fa- draft. miliar with the best anchorages. Holding ground is (368) The southwest berth has depths alongside of 50 good and a scope of 8 shots (120 feet) is considered ade- feet, and can accommodate tankers of up to 42,000 quate. DWT and up to 600-foot length, of 42-foot maximum draft. Barges mooring in this berth must be at least 220 Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northville-Riverhead feet long. (380) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in (369) A private fog signal is on the platform. Private lights are on the northeast and northwest corners, and Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- two lights mark the center of the platform. Lights are sels which are under register (i.e.) engaged in foreign also on each of the dolphins. trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, Wharf Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI (370) An 800-foot barge pier is just east of Jacobs Point 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- 1216; FAX 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- and southward of the platform. The pier is used for re- sels engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to ceipt and shipment of petroleum products and has tank have a U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless storage for 5¼ million barrels. Depth alongside is 13 the master has recency for the intended area. See Pilot- feet. Lesser depths surround the area and a shoal with age, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8 depths of 10 feet is in the recommended southwest ap- and Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches, proach to the west pier berth. Vessels with draft greater (indexed as such), chapter 11. than 12 feet should exercise caution when approaching (381) The pilot serves as docking master and remains on board on standby while the vessel is moored at the

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 321 platform. Pilot services are arranged in advance navigation, had a reported depth of about 12 feet in through ships’ agents or directly by shipping compa- June 1989. nies. (389) Tuttles White Bank is a high white bluff 0.6 mile westward of Wading River. Tugs (382) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- Charts 12362, 12364 dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. (390) Mount Sinai Harbor, 22.5 miles westward of Normally two or three tugs are used for docking and Mattituck Inlet, is marked by a low break in the beach one or two tugs for undocking. nearly 1 mile long. The approach to the harbor is marked by a buoy. The entrance is protected by two jet- Launch service ties which are in ruins. Caution should be exercised (383) J & H Launch Service, Port Jefferson (516-331-5336), when rounding them. The jetties are each marked on the outer end by a private light. In June 1981, a depth of provides transfer service for vessels at anchor or along- about 8 feet was reported available through the en- side the platform. trance. The northern part of the harbor has general depths of 10 to 20 feet. A channel marked by private Supplies buoys leads eastward from the entrance to small-craft (384) Fueling of a ship alongside the platform is not per- facilities on the north shore of the harbor. The south- ern part of the harbor is shoal; the chart is the guide. mitted. A ship may fuel while at anchor from a barge. Water is not available from this facility. Stores may be brought on board via launch while alongside or at an- chor. (385) New York City is the quarantine, customs, immi- (391) Small-craft facilities in the harbor provide berths gration, and agricultural quarantine port of entry for and moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, Northville. Officials are stationed in New York City. ice, marine supplies, pumpout facilities, a lift to 10 (See Appendix A for addresses.) Arrangements for such tons, storage, and hull and motor repairs. The mini- inspections must be made by ships’ agents in advance, mum approach and alongside depths to the facilities usually not less than 24 hours Monday through Friday are 13 feet. and 48 hours on Saturday and Sunday. Officials will board vessels in the anchorage prior to arrival within (392) A speed limit of 6 mph is enforced in the harbor by the vicinity of the offshore mooring facility. the Suffolk County Police. Chart 12354 (393) Mount Misery, 180 feet high, between Mount Sinai Harbor and Port Jefferson, slopes off gradually toward (386) Between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson the the sound where the bluffs are about 60 feet high and shore is fringed with rock shoals extending in places very prominent. Sand banks dug out by sand and gravel 1.5 miles offshore. The outer ends of the shoals are companies are very conspicuous. marked by buoys. (394) Port Jefferson Harbor, on the south shore of Long (387) Horse in Bank, 7.3 miles westward of Mattituck In- Island Sound eastward of Old Field Point, is entered let, is an area of white patches in the brush-covered through a dredged channel that leads between two jet- bluff at Friars Head. The feature is at the western end of ties which are in ruins to a docking area near the south- Roanoke Point Shoal and 14 miles westward of Horton western end of the harbor; the jetties are each marked Point Light. by a light. The approach is marked by a lighted whistle buoy, about 1.1 miles northwest of the entrance. Two (388) The valley of Wading River, about 20 miles west- stacks on the west side near the head of the harbor are ward of Horton Point Light, forms a broad break in the conspicuous landmarks. A 12 mph speed limit is en- high bluffs. The entrance to Wading River is protected forced in the main entrance channel, and a 5 mph by a short jetty on the west side. In July 1981, a re- speed limit is enforced at the head of the harbor in the ported depth of about 3 feet could be carried in the river vicinity of the mooring areas and wharves. to a town launching ramp 0.1 mile above the entrance. A small canal, about 350 yards westward of the en- (395) A 121°-301° measured nautical mile is westward trance to Wading River, leads southward to the site of a of the entrance to Port Jefferson Harbor on Old Field nuclear power station. The canal, closed to general Beach. The front markers are orange posts about 8 feet high; the rear markers are rectangles mounted on legs

322 ■ Chapter 8 ■ Volume 2 about 12 feet high, painted red with a 6-inch black ver- (403) Pilot services are arranged in advance through tical stripe in the middle. ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. (396) The approach to Port Jefferson Harbor is clear, tak- ing care to avoid Mount Misery Shoal with depths of 7 Tugs to 12 feet, about 0.8 mile north-northeast of the east (404) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- jetty light. (397) In December 2007, the controlling depth was 23.5 dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. feet (26 feet at midchannel) in the dredged channel Normally, two tugs are used for docking and one for through Port Jefferson Harbor to the docking area off undocking. an oil wharf at the southern end. Shoaling to 10 feet is near the southwest corner of the southern limit of the (405) Port Jefferson is a town at the southern end of the project. The channel is marked by lighted and harbor. The principal industries of the port are the unlighted buoys and a 146° lighted range. In Septem- shipping of sand and gravel and the distribution of pe- ber 1982, it was reported that due to the closeness of troleum products. the range lights it may be difficult to determine when they are in line. It was further reported that the range Small-craft facilities may be obscured by vessels tied up at the oil wharf on (406) There are small-craft facilities at the head of the the west side of the harbor. (398) Shoals with little depth are on both sides of the harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on channel from the entrance to Port Jefferson to Lighted chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) A Bell Buoy 5 inside the entrance. The ground from the launching ramp is at the head of the harbor. east jetty to the lighted bell buoy is broken, with shoals covered 4 to 11 feet. The lighted bell buoy cannot be Wharves seen over the breakwater at low tide by small vessels ap- (407) Depths ranging from 2 to 29 feet are reported proaching the harbor. (399) The mean range of tide is 6.6 feet. alongside the commercial wharves and piers at the head of the harbor. The oil wharf on the west side of the Currents harbor, about 400 yards from the head, has depths of 29 (400) In the channel between the jetties the velocity of feet alongside the face and 20 feet along the north side. The power plant wharf, about 150 yards northwest- the tidal currents is 2.6 knots on flood and 1.9 on ebb; ward, has depths of 29 feet alongside. flood sets 151° and the ebb 323°. It is reported that on the ebb there is a current with a velocity of 1 to 2 knots Communications across the entrance to the harbor. (408) Port Jefferson is served by railroad and bus. A ferry (401) Ice forms over the entire harbor and interrupts operates to Bridgeport, Conn. navigation in very cold weather, but does not endanger shipping in the harbor. (409) Conscience Bay is entered through a long, narrow channel at the northwest end of Port Jefferson Harbor. Pilotage, Port Jefferson The bay and entrance have depths of 1 to 2 feet. (402) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in Strangers should not attempt to enter as there are many rocks at the entrance. Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign (410) Setauket Harbor, on the western side of Port Jeffer- trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- son Harbor, has a narrow crooked channel. In June lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, 1981, a reported depth of about 2½ feet was available in Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI the channel to the boatyard at Setauket. The entrance 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- from Port Jefferson is marked by private seasonal 1216; Fax 401-847-9052.Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- buoys. Gasoline, moorings, and limited marine sup- sels engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to plies are available at the boatyard; a flatbed trailer can have a U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless haul out craft to 32 feet long. the master has recency for the intended area. See Pilot- age, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8 (411) Setauket is a village on the south shore of Setauket and Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches, Harbor about 1 mile above the entrance. (indexed as such), chapter 11. No-Discharge Zone (412) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- vironmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Port Jefferson Harbor Complex. The NDZ includes Port Jefferson Harbor,

Eastern Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 8 ■ 323 Setauket Harbor, Little Bay, the Narrows and Con- (413) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether science Bay. The boundary line extends from the east- treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. ernmost point at Old Field Beach northerly to the Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by westernmost point at White Beach (see chart 12362 for 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). limits).

324 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 325 Western Long Island Sound (1) This chapter describes the western part of Long Is- Harbor is preferred and is sometimes used by tows. land Sound along the north shore from Bridgeport to Westward of Norwalk Islands, seagoing vessels can an- Throgs Neck, the south shore from Old Field Point to chor toward the north shore and, with good ground Willets Point, and the East and Harlem Rivers. Also de- tackle, hold on in northerly winds. Captain Harbor af- scribed are the many bays and their tributaries that fords good shelter, but is rarely used except by local ves- make into this part of the sound including Bridgeport sels. On the south shore, Huntington Bay and Harbor, Stamford Harbor, Captain Harbor, Mamaro- Hempstead Harbor are available for large vessels; Oys- neck Harbor, Norwalk Harbor, Eastchester Bay, Hun- ter Bay is also used, and Manhasset Bay is available for tington Bay, Oyster Bay, Hempstead Harbor, Manhasset light-draft vessels. City Island Harbor is a fine resort for Bay, Flushing Bay, and New Rochelle Harbor, and the coasters. commercial and small-craft facilities found in these waters. No-Discharge Zone (6) The State of Connecticut, with the approval of the COLREGS Demarcation Lines (2) The lines established for Long Island Sound are de- Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Western Long Island scribed in 80.155, chapter 2. Sound. The area covered extends from the western bor- der of Greenwich at Byram Point, southeastward fol- Chart 12363 lowing the boundary between Connecticut and New York to a point in Long Island Sound, thence easterly (3) Western Long Island Sound is that portion of the following the boundary between Connecticut and New deep navigable waterway between the shores of Con- York to a point south of Hoadley Point at the eastern necticut and New York and the northern coast of Long border of Branford, thence due north to Hoadley Point Island westward of the line between Bridgeport and Old at the eastern border of Branford. This portion of Long Field Point. Island Sound includes: Greenwich Harbor, Captain Harbor, Stamford Harbor, Norwalk Harbor, Bridgeport (4) This region has boulders and broken ground, with Harbor, Black Rock Harbor, Housatonic River, New Ha- little or no natural change in the shoals. The waters are ven Harbor and Branford Harbor. (See charts 12363 well marked by navigational aids so that strangers and 12354 for limits). should experience no difficulty in navigating them. As (7) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether all broken ground is liable to be strewn with boulders, treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. vessels should proceed with caution when in the vicin- Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by ity of broken areas where the charted depths are within 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). 8 feet of the draft. All of the more frequented places are entered through dredged channels. During fog, vessels Tides are advised to anchor until the weather clears before at- (8) The time of tide is nearly simultaneous throughout tempting to enter. The numerous oyster grounds in this region are usually marked by stakes and flags. Long Island Sound, but the range of tide increases from These stakes may become broken off and form obstruc- about 2.5 feet at the east end to about 7.3 feet at the tions dangerous to small craft which, especially at west end. Daily predictions of the times and heights of night, should proceed with caution when crossing oys- high and low waters for New London, Bridgeport, and ter areas. Willets Point are given in the Tide Tables. (9) The effect of strong winds, in combination with the Anchorages regular tidal action, may at times cause the water to fall (5) There is anchorage for large vessels in the bight several feet below the plane of reference of the charts. outside Bridgeport Harbor Light. Cockenoe Harbor is sometimes used by small vessels, but Sheffield Island

326 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 Currents Effects of winds on ice (10) About 1.3 miles northward of Eatons Neck Light (18) In Long Island Sound northerly winds drive the ice the ebb runs about 5 hours longer than the flood. The to the southern shore of the sound and southerly winds current has a velocity of 1.4 knots; the flood sets 283° carry it back to the northern shore. Northeasterly and the ebb sets 075°. winds force the ice westward and cause formations (11) The direction and velocity of the currents are af- heavy enough to prevent the passage of vessels of every fected by strong winds which may increase or diminish description until the ice is removed by westerly winds. the periods of flood or ebb. Directions and velocities These winds carry the ice eastward and, if of long from Point Judith to Throgs Neck for each hour of the enough duration, drive it through The Race into Block tidal cycle will be found in Tidal Current Charts, Long Island Sound, from where it goes to sea and disappears. Island Sound and Block Island Sound. Currents in East (19) In Bridgeport Harbor winds from north to north- River are described in the latter part of this chapter. west clear the harbor of drift ice, and those from south- east through south to southwest force the ice into the Weather, Western Long Island Sound and vicinity harbor from the sound. The outer buoys may be carried (12) These waters are more protected than the eastern out of position by heavy ice during severe winters. (20) Additional information concerning ice conditions Sound resulting in fewer gales. However, winters are in the waters adjoining Long Island Sound is given un- colder and summers warmer due to this sheltering ef- der the local descriptions. fect. Fog is not so frequent either and tends to burn off quicker than farther east. Winter winds of 16 knots or (21) Vessel Traffic Service, New York, operated by the more are likely about 12 to 15 percent of the time and U.S. Coast Guard, serves New York Harbor (see are predominantly from the west through northwest. 161.501 through 161.580, chapter 2, for regulations). Harbors such as Cold Spring, Oyster Bay, Hempstead and Manhasset offer additional shelter. In summer Pilotage, Western Long Island Sound thunderstorms may develop on 4 to 5 days per month. (22) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in These are most likely during the afternoon or evening. (13) In Long Island Sound the north and south shores Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- are equally subject to fog, except that on spring and sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign summer mornings, when there is little or no wind, fog trade), Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels engaged in will often hang along the Connecticut shore while it is coastwise trade) may be required to have a U.S. Coast clear offshore and southward. Guard Federally licensed pilot unless the master has (14) In the western end of Long Island Sound, although recency for the intended area. For vessels entering fogs are liable to occur at any time, they are not en- Long Island Sound from the east (from sea via Block Is- countered so often nor do they generally last so long as land Sound) see Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed farther eastward. as such), chapter 8. For vessels entering Long Island Sound from the west (East River) see Pilotage, New Ice York and Approaches to New York (indexed as such), (15) In ordinary winters the floating and pack ice in chapter 11. Long Island Sound, while impeding navigation, does Charts 12369, 12364 not render it absolutely unsafe. In exceptionally severe winters, waterways may become impassable for some (23) Bridgeport Harbor, on the north side of Long Is- vessels. land Sound north-northwestward of Stratford Shoal (16) Drift ice, which is formed principally along the (Middle Ground) Light and about 52 miles from New northern shore of the sound under the influence of the York, consists of two widely separated units. The main prevailing northerly winds, drifts across to the south- harbor and its branches serve the east and central por- ern side and accumulates there, massing into large tions of the city of Bridgeport, and Black Rock Harbor fields, and remains until removed by southerly winds and its tributaries serve the western part. Black Rock which drive it back to the northerly shore. Harbor and Cedar Creek are described under separate (17) In ordinary winters ice generally forms in the west- headings. Waterborne commerce at Bridgeport con- ern end of the sound as far as Eatons Neck; in excep- sists mostly of petroleum products, lumber, sand and tionally severe winters ice may extend to Falkner Island gravel, building materials, and scrap iron. and farther eastward.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 327 Prominent features to the head of the creek. Flats, largely bare at low water, (24) The large red and white horizontally banded stack are on both sides of the channel. The Stratford Avenue highway bridge about 0.3 mile above the entrance has a of a powerplant on Tongue Point is the most prominent bascule span with a clearance of 11 feet. (See 117.1 landmark in this area. Other prominent landmarks in- through 117.59 and 117.225, chapter 2, for draw- clude a group of stacks on Steel Point; the towers of a bridge regulations.) About 0.1 mile above the bascule high-voltage line; several church spires; a gas tank with bridge is a fixed turnpike bridge with a clearance of 39 a red and white checkered band at the top, on the west feet. Depths at the wharves are 8 to 15 feet. side of Pequonnock River; the radio towers at Pleasure (31) Pequonnock River, the most westerly of the tribu- Beach; and Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A. The rays of an taries, is easily followed by small craft, but larger ves- aerolight about 1.3 miles northwestward of Stratford sels may need the assistance of a tug to get around the Point can be seen from offshore. sharp bends. The river is entered through a dredged channel that leads northward from the main channel (25) Bridgeport Harbor Channel Approach Lighted just below Connecticut Turnpike bridge to the head of Whistle Buoy BH (41°06'14\"N., 73°11'44\"W.), is 3.3 miles navigation just below the Berkshire Avenue Dam, south-southwest of Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A and about 1.1 miles above the entrance. Depths at some of marks the entrance to the channel. the wharves are 10 to 15 feet. (26) Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A (41°09'24\"N., Bridges 73°10'48\"W.), 50 feet above the water, is shown from a (32) Type, distance above Steel Point, and clearance of black skeleton tower with small white house, on a black base, on the west side of the entrance channel near the the bridges over Pequonnock River follow: Connecticut end of the west breakwater. Turnpike, fixed, 300 yards, 65 feet; Stratford Avenue, vertical-lift, 500 yards, 8 feet down and 68 feet up, Peck Channels Railroad bridge, bascule, 0.5 mile, 26 feet; Congress (27) From deep water in Long Island Sound the dredged Street bridge, bascule, 0.6 mile, 8 feet; highway bridge, bascule, 0.7 mile, 4 feet; (See 117.1 through 117.59 channel extends north-northeastward between two and 117.219, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) converging breakwaters into the main harbor, and The bridgetender at the railroad bridge monitors thence into the three tributaries, Johnsons Creek, Yel- VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KU–6033. low Mill Channel, and Pequonnock River. Federal pro- ject depth is 35 feet in the main channel to just below Anchorages the Connecticut Turnpike bridge. (See Notice to Mari- (33) Bridgeport Harbor has two anchorage areas inside ners and latest edition of the chart for controlling depths.) the breakwaters. One with depths of 23 to 40 feet is on (28) A powerplant is at Tongue Point. A privately the east side of the main channel northwestward of dredged channel leads from the main channel to the Pleasure Beach, and the other with depths of 15 to 25 powerplant’s offshore oil wharf on the south side of the feet is on the west side of the main channel just north- point. In 1980, the channel, except for a 17-foot depth eastward of Tongue Point. A rock covered 10 feet is in on the southwesterly side of the widener, had a re- the west anchorage in about 41°10'17\"N., 73°10'56\"W. ported controlling depth of about 26 feet; depths of 29 The rest of the harbor area consists of broad and shal- to 35 feet were reported alongside the wharf. Another low sand flats. Vessels seeking shelter from strong privately dredged channel, used by barges, leads from northerly winds sometimes anchor off the entrance; the main channel to the powerplant’s facilities on the the holding ground is good. east side of the point. In July 1978, the controlling (34) A general anchorage is in Johnsons Creek. (See depth in the channel was 10 feet. 110.1 and 110.148, chapter 2, for limits and regula- (29) Johnsons Creek, northward of Pleasure Beach, is tions.) entered eastward of Tongue Point through a marked dredged channel leading to anchorage basins; two on Dangers the west side, and one at the head of the creek. The (35) The entrance is clear, and the only dangers are the highway bridge 0.2 mile above the entrance has a swing span with a clearance of 7 feet. (See 117.1 through previously discussed shoals on the east, south of 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Private Stratford Point, and on the west, the Penfield Reef yacht clubs and two oil-receiving piers are on the creek. shoals. (30) Yellow Mill Channel is entered through a dredged channel that leads for about 0.8 mile north-northeast- ward from just above the first bend in the main channel

328 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 Tides tide) with the approach of a slowly moving, deepening, (36) The mean range of tide is 6.8 feet. (See the Tide Ta- low-pressure system from the south. Severe storms oc- casionally cause inundation of 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m). bles for daily predictions of the times and heights of The average annual precipitation is 41 inches (1041 high and low waters.) mm). Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year with the difference between the wettest Currents (March) and driest month (February) averaging only (37) The velocity of flood or ebb is about 0.7 knot in the 0.89 inches (23 mm). Snowfall averages 26 inches (660 mm) per year and has fallen from October through entrance between the breakwaters. (See the Tidal Cur- May. The greatest 24-hour snowfall on record was 16 rent Tables for predictions.) Inside the harbor the cur- inches (406 mm) recorded in February 1969. rents are generally weak. (42) Bridgeport has been directly affected by many trop- ical storms since 1871. Tropical storm Belle passed (38) Ice does not interfere seriously with navigation in over the site in August 1976. Highest winds were only Bridgeport Harbor, although its tributaries are closed 60 knots. One day earlier, Belle was packing winds of at times. The winds from the north and northwest clear 105 knots. In September 1985, Hurricane Gloria passed the harbor of drift ice, and those from the southeast about five miles west of the Bridgeport weather station through the southwest force the ice into the harbor placing the site in the roughest sector of the storm. from the sound. The outer buoys may be carried out of Highest gusts approached 75 knots and highest sus- position by heavy ice during severe winters. tained winds were 64 knots. Two days earlier, Gloria had supported winds of 125 knots. Weather, Bridgeport and vicinity (43) The National Weather Service maintains an office (39) The terrain of the mainland is of glacial origin and at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport; barometers may be compared here. (See Appendix A for address.) (See rises in a rolling, mostly wooded, manner to the foot- Appendix B for the Bridgeport climatological table.) hills of the Berkshires, 30 miles to the north, and the Catskills, about 60 to 70 miles to the northwest. There Pilotage, Bridgeport is some foehn effect (chinook) with north and north- (44) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in west winds, and the upslope effect with the approach of a coastal low is quite pronounced. The most pro- Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- nounced topographical effect, however, is that of the sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign land-sea breeze which is most pronounced in the trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- spring, summer, and early autumn. The land-sea lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, breeze effect during this period will inevitably cause a Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI shift in the wind direction, even with a moderately 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- strong isobaric flow. 1216; FAX 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- (40) As a result of the sea breeze, mean monthly tem- sels engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to peratures during the summer average 3 to 5 degrees (2 have a U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless to 3°C) lower than nearby inland stations. Likewise, the master has recency for the intended area. See Pilot- temperatures during the fall and winter are moderated age, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. several degrees owing to the proximity of Long Island See also Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other Rhode Sound. The average annual temperature at Bridgeport Island Waters (indexed as such), chapter 6, and Pilotage is 52°F (11.1°C). The average high is 60°F (15.6°C) and Pickup Locations Off Montauk Point (indexed as such), the average low is 44°F (6.7°C). July is the warmest chapter 7. month with average extremes of 82°F (27.8°C) and (45) Pilot services are generally arranged in advance 66°F (18.9°C). January is the coolest with average ex- through ships’ agents or directly by shipping compa- tremes of 37°F (2.8°C) and 23°F (-5°C). The record nies. high temperature is 103°F (39.4°C) set in July 1957 while the all-time low temperature is -7°F (-21.7°C) re- Towage corded in January 1984. (46) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- (41) Precipitation is slightly heavier than at nearby in- land stations the year around since coastal low-pres- dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. sure systems move quite consistently on a track to the Deep-draft vessels usually require tugs for mooring in south of Bridgeport. One of the greater hazards along Bridgeport Harbor. the coastal areas in the vicinity of Bridgeport is the ac- (47) Launch service is available to vessels at anchor. cumulation of water (especially during periods of high (48) Bridgeport is a customs port of entry.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 329 Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural pumice, and shipment of scrap metal; owned and oper- quarantine ated by Cilco Terminal Co., Inc. (49) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and (58) The city-owned recreational pier, seldom used for Appendix A for addresses.) mooring vessels, is on the northwest end of Pleasure (50) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the reg- Beach; the end of the pier has depths of about 20 feet. ulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public (59) The municipal dock, a marginal-type wharf, is on Health Service, chapter 1.) the west side of Pequonnock River, just below the Con- (51) Bridgeport has several hospitals. necticut Turnpike Bridge. A ferry to Port Jefferson ties up at the dock. Harbormaster (52) The control of the port is vested in the harbor- Supplies (60) Diesel oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, bunker fuel No. 6, master, who maintains an office at the Bridgeport City Hall and can also be contacted through the Bridgeport lubricants, water, provisions, and marine supplies can Police Department. be obtained at Bridgeport. Wharves Repairs (53) Bridgeport has three principal privately owned and (61) Bridgeport has no facilities for making major re- operated deep-draft facilities; one is on the south side of pairs or for drydocking deep-draft vessels; the nearest Tongue Point and the other two are on the east side of facilities are at the ports of Boston, Mass., and New the harbor opposite Tongue Point. Facilities for smaller York, N.Y. Bridgeport, however, does have facilities for vessels and barges are along the sides of the harbor, and making above- and below-the-waterline repairs to fish- on Johnsons Creek, Yellow Mill Channel, and Pequon- ing boats, tugs, and recreational craft, and excellent nock River. Most of the facilities at Bridgeport are of the hull and engine repair facilities for small craft. The marginal-type wharf, particularly those in the con- largest marine railway in the area can handle vessels to stricted tributaries. Only the deep-draft facilities are 120 feet and 400 tons. A 10-ton crane is available. Oil described. For a complete description of the port facili- pollution control equipment is also available. ties refer to Port Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A for ad- Communications dress.) The alongside depths for the facilities described (62) Bridgeport is served by air, rail, and bus. Ferry ser- are reported; for information on the latest depths con- tact the private operators. All of these facilities have vice to Port Jefferson is available year round. highway connections, and most have water connec- tions. (63) Black Rock Harbor, part of Bridgeport Harbor, al- (54) Cargo in the port is usually handled by ship’s though not connected with it other than by Long Island tackle; special handling equipment, if available, is men- Sound, is entered through a dredged channel about 2 tioned in the description of the particular facility. miles westward of the main harbor entrance to Bridge- (55) United Illuminating Co. Fuel Oil Dock: on the port. The channel leads northward through Black Rock south side of Tongue Point; an offshore wharf with Harbor, and thence to the head of Cedar Creek where it 345-foot breasting face, 900 feet with dolphins; 31 to 37 divides into East Branch and West Branch. Black Rock feet alongside; deck height, 20 feet; receipt of fuel oil; Harbor and Cedar Creek are the approach by water to owned and operated by United Illuminating Co. the large factories of the western part of the city of (56) Shell Oil Co. Dock: on the east side of the harbor Bridgeport. The Federal project depth in the dredged opposite Tongue Point; 190-foot face, 700 feet with channel is 18 feet from the entrance to the head of the shore moorings; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; project. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of vessels usually moor portside-to; receipt and shipment the chart for controlling depths.) The channel is of petroleum products; owned by Shell Oil Co. and op- marked by buoys and lights for about 1.7 miles above erated by Shell Oil Co. and International Petroleum the entrance. Terminals Co. (57) Cilco Terminal Co. Wharf: 0.3 mile northwestward (64) Anchorage in depths of 18 to 22 feet and exposed to of Shell Oil Co. Dock; 930-foot face; 33 feet alongside; southeasterly and northeasterly winds can be found off deck height, 13 feet; 90,000 square feet covered stor- the entrance, northeast of the bar that makes out from age, 16 acres of open storage; receipt and shipment of Shoal Point to Black Rock. Small craft drawing less general cargo; receipt of lumber, steel products, and than 6 feet can select anchorage on either side of the dredged channel as far as the yacht club on the east side of Grover Hill.

330 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 (65) Depths of 8 to 18 feet are reported alongside some (74) Southport Harbor, about 1 mile westward of Pine of the wharves in Black Rock Harbor. Creek Point, comprises the lower portion of Mill River and is used primarily for recreational boating. A break- (66) To avoid a shoal off the point separating East water, marked at its end by a light, is off the east side of Branch and West Branch at the head of Cedar Creek, the entrance to the harbor. The harbor is entered enter East Branch, pass about 100 feet off the wharf on through a dredged channel that leads from Long Island the southeast side below the entrance, and head up the Sound to a harbor basin and anchorage, about 1.1 miles middle. To enter the West Branch, pass 100 feet off the above the channel entrance. In December 2004-March wharves on the southeast side of the branch. 2005, the controlling depth in the entrance channel was 7.5 feet (8.9 feet at midchannel) to the anchorage (67) Fayerweather Island, on the eastern side of the en- basin, thence 8.8 feet in the anchorage basin except for trance of Black Rock Harbor, is marked at its south end shoaling to 5 feet near the southwestern edge. The by the white tower of an abandoned lighthouse. A channel is marked on its west side by a light, and by breakwater and a seawall connect its northern part buoys up to the breakwater. Caution is advised to avoid with the shore eastward. oyster stakes in the area southeastward of the harbor entrance. The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. A 5 (68) Burr Creek, northward of the town of Black Rock, mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. on the west side of the channel, is the site of a large ma- rina. Berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity, water, ice, (75) Southport is a village on the west side of the har- a lift, and repair facilities are available. In April 1986, bor. A yacht club landing and the town dock are on the depths of about 4 to 5 feet were reported at the face of west side of the harbor; depths of about 6 feet are along- the gasoline dock and alongside the boat slips. Burr side the town dock, and about 6 to 8 feet alongside the Creek has many shoals; mariners are advised to seek lo- yacht club landing. Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, water, and cal knowledge before entering. some marine supplies can be obtained. Minor engine repairs can be made. The harbormaster can be con- (69) Several small-craft facilities are in Black Rock tacted through the Fairfield Police Department. Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) (76) Frost Point, 1 mile westward of Southport en- trance, is marked by many residences and several pri- (70) Ash Creek, about 0.7 mile westward of Fayerweather vate piers in disrepair on its southeast side. A reef partly Island, is entered through a privately dredged channel bare at low water extends about 0.4 mile southward protected on its southwest side by a jetty. The entrance from the point. channel is marked by private buoys and a private sea- sonal 314° lighted range. The channel leads (77) Sherwood Point, a mile westward of Frost Point, is northwestward to the Fairfield Municipal Marina. Gas- marked by a bare boulder on the reef which extends oline, water, and ice are available. In April 1986, depths about 250 yards off the point. A rocky patch, on which of 10 feet were reported in the entrance channel, with 4 the least depth found is 11 feet, is about 0.8 mile south- feet reported alongside the boat slips. A 5 mph speed ward of the point. limit is enforced in the creek. Charts 12368, 12364 (71) Penfield Reef, on which there are rocks bare at low water, is about 1.4 miles south of Black Rock Harbor (78) Saugatuck River, 6 miles westward of Penfield Reef and 1.3 miles eastward of Shoal Point, to which it is Light and northward of Cockenoe Island, has its en- joined by a bar that bares at low water. Black Rock, trance between Cedar Point on the east and Bluff Point marked by a daybeacon, is the outermost danger of this on the west. The river is shallow, full of ledges and boul- reef. A dangerous submerged rock, reported covered 1 ders, and is used chiefly for receipt of petroleum prod- foot, is about 40 yards southward of the daybeacon. The ucts, sand and gravel, and for recreational boating. The Little Cows, about 0.2 mile northward of Black Rock, mean range of tide is 7 feet. Freshets do not appreciably consist of rocks awash, and is marked by a buoy. affect the height of the water in the navigable part of the river. During the winter, ice usually covers the en- (72) Penfield Reef Light (41°07'00\"N., 73°13'18\"W.), 51 tire river to its mouth. feet above the water, is shown from a white tower on a granite dwelling on a pier, on the south side of the reef, (79) Anchorage exposed to southeasterly winds can be south of the entrance to Black Rock Harbor. A fog sig- had in the entrance to Saugatuck River in 12 to 22 feet, nal is sounded at the light. about 0.4 mile southward of Cedar Point. (73) A reef, partly bare at low water and with little depth (80) The channel in Saugatuck River is narrow and over any part of it, extends over 0.5 mile southward crooked; vessels should proceed with caution, preferably from Pine Creek Point, 1.1 miles southwest of Shoal Point. A lighted bell buoy is off the south end of the shoal.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 331 on a rising tide. In August-September 2001, a reported the two approaches to Norwalk River, are good anchor- depth of about 4 feet could be carried in the river from ages for drafts of 9 to 12 feet and are easily made. The the entrance to about 0.7 mile above the Connecticut bottom is very irregular around the islands and rocks Turnpike Bridge at Saugatuck. The 4-foot channel to in the group; vessels should proceed with caution when Westport had a controlling depth of 1 foot, with shoal- crossing shoal areas and avoid all broken ground. In ing to bare in the east branch. The channel is buoyed to the vicinity are some oyster stakes and spars, which oc- Stony Point, about 1.9 miles above the entrance. A 5 casionally are towed under or broken off; caution is rec- mph speed limit is enforced on the river. ommended, especially at night, for small craft. (81) Compo Yacht Basin is in the bight about 0.3 mile (90) Cockenoe Island, at the eastern end of Norwalk Is- northwestward of Cedar Point. In April 1995, the pri- lands, is marked on its south side by two knolls; the re- vately dredged channel that leads to the basin had a re- mainder of the island is low and level. A bar, dry in ported depth of 8 feet with 7 feet reported in the basin. places at low water but with general depths of 1 to 2 The channel is marked by private buoys and a private feet, connects the island with the mainland at Seymour lighted entrance range. A yacht club with landing and Point. mooring facilities is in the basin. Gasoline, berths, (91) Cockenoe Shoal is an extensive and dangerous area electricity, and water are available at the landing. which extends 1.3 miles eastward and east-southeast- (82) A yacht club in a privately dredged basin on the ward from Cockenoe Island. The entire area is exceed- west side of Bluff Point has berths with electricity, gas- ingly broken and should be avoided by strangers, even oline, and ice. In 1982, depths of 7 feet were reported in in small craft. Cockenoe Reef extends about 0.5 mile the approach with 10 feet alongside the berths. eastward from the northern end of Cockenoe Island; (83) Duck Creek, on the west side of the river about 0.6 rocks that uncover about 3 feet are near the outer end mile above Bluff Point, is the site of a private yacht of the reef. Georges Rock, awash at lowest tides, is at club. The reported controlling depth in the creek was the eastern end of the shoal; a lighted buoy is off the about 7 feet in July 1981. The entrance and basin are northeast side of the rock. A lighted bell buoy marks privately marked. the southeast end of the shoal. (84) Bermuda Lagoon, southward of Duck Creek, is a (92) Channel Rock, covered 1½ feet, is about 0.2 mile large privately owned and maintained basin for the use southwestward of Cockenoe Island and is marked by a of the residents in the immediate area. buoy to the southward. Peck Ledge, on the western side (85) Saugatuck, a village in the town of Westport, is 2.5 of Cockenoe Harbor entrance, is marked by Peck Ledge miles above the entrance. Commercial traffic consists Light and Norwalk East Approach Gong Buoy 5. mostly of barges that call at a sand and gravel company (93) Cockenoe Harbor, westward of Cockenoe Island, is at Saugatuck; depths at the wharf are about 5 feet. marked by Peck Ledge Light. The best anchorage is in (86) At Saugatuck the river is crossed by a railroad depths of 12 to 25 feet, northward and northwestward bridge having a bascule span with a clearance of 13 feet. of the light. Overhead power cables at the bridge have a clearance of 192 feet. The Connecticut Turnpike Bridge, 0.1 mile Routes above, has a fixed span with a clearance of 59 feet. (94) To enter Cockenoe Harbor from the eastward, pass About 0.1 mile farther up is a highway swing bridge with a clearance of 7 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 southward of Cockenoe Island Shoal Lighted Bell Buoy and 117.221, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) 24, steer 254° until Peck Ledge Light bears northward (87) Westport is a town at the head of navigation on the of 285°, then steer for the light until up with Norwalk Saugatuck River, about 1.4 miles above Saugatuck. East Approach Buoy 4 that marks Channel Rock, and (88) There are several small-craft facilities on the river then pass eastward and northward of the light at a dis- in the vicinity of the bridges. Gasoline, water, marine tance of 200 to 300 yards. supplies, and a 3-ton lift are available; hull and engine (95) To enter Cockenoe Harbor from the westward, give repairs can be made. Depths of 6 feet are reported the edge of the shoals southward of the Norwalk Islands alongside the facilities. a good berth until Peck Ledge Light bears westward of (89) Norwalk Islands, privately owned with the excep- 348°, and then steer north and pass 400 yards eastward tion of Shea and Grassy Islands, which are owned by the of the light and midway between Norwalk East Ap- city of Norwalk, and Cockenoe Island, which is owned proach Buoy 4 that marks Channel Rock and Norwalk by the town of Westport, are 1 to nearly 2 miles off the East Approach Gong Buoy 5. north shore of Long Island Sound and extend from Georges Rock to Greens Ledge Light, a distance of 6 (96) The islands and rocks on the west side of Cockenoe miles. Cockenoe Harbor and Sheffield Island Harbor, Harbor include Calf Pasture Island, with several houses and a few trees; Sheep Rocks, which uncover 2

332 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 feet; East White Rock, high and white; and Grassy Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling Hammock Rocks, which uncover and are marked by a depths.) The channel is marked by buoys and lights to light. the South Anchorage Basin. (97) The larger islands southwestward are in general hilly and partly settled. Chimon Island is marked by Caution several houses; Copps Island by large boulders that ex- (106) Chemically contaminated material has been buried tend east from it; and Sheffield Island, the western- most of the group, by an abandoned lighthouse tower. in the navigation channel off Oyster Shell Point about (98) Rocks that uncover extend nearly 0.3 mile south- 140 yards below Interstate Route 95 bridge. The mate- westward of Sheffield Island. rial is covered with a layer of noncontaminated dredged (99) Greens Ledge is a rock and sand ridge that extends material not less than 3 feet thick. 1.1 miles southwestward from Sheffield Island. Depths of 10 to 15 feet extend about 400 yards westward and Bridges southwestward from Green Ledge Light. A rocky ledge, (107) Three bridges cross Norwalk River between South on which the least found depth is 21 feet, extends 0.8 mile west-southwestward from the light. Another Norwalk and Norwalk. The first, State Route 136 high- rocky ledge, with a least depth of 20 feet, is about 0.4 way bascule bridge at South Norwalk, has a clearance of mile south-southeastward from the light. 8 feet. The second, the Metro-North railroad swing (100) Greens Ledge Light (41°02'30\"N., 73°26'38\"W.), 62 bridge just above the highway bridge, has a clearance of feet above the water, is shown from a conical tower, the 16 feet; an overhead power cable with a clearance of 203 upper half white and lower half brown, on a black cylin- feet crosses the river near the railroad bridge. The drical pier on the north side of the west end of the third, a turnpike highway fixed bridge, about 0.6 mile ledge. A fog signal is sounded at the light. above the railroad bridge, has a clearance of 60 feet. (101) Cable and Anchor Reef covers an area about 0.4 (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.217, chapter 2, mile in diameter about 2 miles southeastward of for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetenders at the Greens Ledge Light. The least found depth is 25 feet. A State Route 136 bridge and the railroad bridge monitor lighted bell buoy marks the southern side. VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KXJ-707 and KU–6035, (102) Sheffield Island Harbor, entered between Greens respectively. Ledge and the mainland, is the main approach to Norwalk Harbor and Norwalk River. Anchorage in (108) Tavern Island, with several houses and foul ground depths of 12 to 20 feet can be found northwestward of on all sides, is just northwestward of the dredged chan- Sheffield Island. The shoal flats on the north side of the nel entrance to Norwalk Harbor. harbor have rocks and boulders in places. (103) Norwalk River empties through Norwalk Harbor (109) Gregory Point, marked by a clubhouse and wharf, into the north side of Long Island Sound, northward of is on the east side of Norwalk Harbor 1.9 miles above the Norwalk Islands and about 40 miles east of New the channel entrance. The boat basin immediately east- York. ward of Gregory Point, locally known as Norwalk Cove, is entered through a privately maintained channel. In Channels March 1987, the controlling depth was 8 feet in the (104) Norwalk Harbor and River are entered through a channel, thence in July 1981, 6 feet in the eastern part of the basin. A 220-yard-long detached timber breakwa- dredged channel that extends 3 miles northeasterly ter is on the north side of channel entrance. from Sheffield Island Harbor between Manresa Island on the west and White Rock and numerous islets and (110) East Norwalk Harbor, at the town of East Norwalk, foul ground on the east, to the first highway bridge at is on the east side of the river about 2 miles above the South Norwalk, and thence northerly for another 1.3 main channel entrance. The harbor is entered through miles to the basin at the head of navigation at Norwalk. a dredged channel that leads westward of Fitch Point to The tall stack on Manresa Island, marked on top by red the head and to North Anchorage Basin on the westerly lights, is very prominent and can be seen for many side of the harbor. A Federal project provides for a miles from sea. depth of 6 feet from Fitch Point Light 1 to and in an an- (105) A Federal project provides for a depth of 12 feet chorage basin at East Norwalk. (See Notice to Mariners from Sheffield Island Harbor to the State Route 136 and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) bridge, thence 10 feet to a 10-foot basin at the head of The channel is marked to near the southern end of the navigation at Norwalk; an anchorage basin opposite basin. Fitch Point has a project depth of 10 feet. (See Notice to (111) South Norwalk is an important commercial and manufacturing city on the west side of Norwalk River, about 3 miles above the channel entrance. The depths at the wharves below the bridges range from 5 to 10

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 333 feet. Commercial traffic is mainly in building materi- small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- als, petroleum products, and shell fishing. vices and supplies available.) (112) Norwalk, 1.3 miles above South Norwalk, is a city on both sides of the river at the head of navigation. The Communications wharves have depths of about 7 feet alongside. The (120) Rail and bus lines serve the city and area. channel from South Norwalk to Norwalk is winding, with extensive flats on both sides, and requires local (121) Wilson Cove, on the north side of Sheffield Island knowledge to follow it even at high water. Harbor, is entered about 0.6 mile northwestward of the (113) Local regulations provide penalties for exceeding dredged channel entrance to Norwalk Harbor between the posted 5 mph speed limit or for dumping refuse in Wilson Point on the north and Bell Island on the the harbor. These regulations are enforced by the Ma- southwest. The ruins of a former oil-receiving pier are rine Division of the Norwalk Police Department. Police on the southwestern extremity of Wilson Point. A yacht patrol boats operate the year round and are equipped to club is on the east side of the cove, about 150 yards handle radio traffic on VHF-FM channel 16 (156.80 northward of the wharf ruins, and a marina is at the MHz). head of the cove. Gasoline, limited marine supplies, ice, (114) The harbormaster at Norwalk can be reached an 18-ton crane, a 20-ton mobile hoist, and engine and through the police department. hull repair facilities are available at the marina. In 1989, the privately dredged channel leading to the ma- Tides rina had a reported controlling depth of 2½ feet (5 feet (115) The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. at midchannel). Currents (122) Noroton Point, at the southern end of Bell Island, (116) The tidal currents in Long Island Sound off is marked by a flagpole and a prominent house with a cupola. Rocks, bare at low water, are about 300 yards Norwalk have a velocity of about 1 knot. In Norwalk northward of the point. Pine Point, just westward of River, off Gregory Point, the velocity of current is about Noroton Point, has a wharf in ruins at its southern end. 0.6 knot. The currents in the harbor follow the direc- A shoal with depths of 8 to 12 feet extends about 0.3 tion of the channel, the ebb current being somewhat mile from the shore westward of Noroton Point. The stronger than the flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables bottom is broken with boulders in places, and small for predictions.) vessels crossing the shoal should proceed with caution. Ballast Reef, about 0.2 mile westward of Pine Point and (117) The channel up to South Norwalk is navigable off the southeast side of the entrance to Fivemile River, throughout the year. The harbor and river above South is almost bare at low water and extends 300 yards off Norwalk are covered with ice during a part of the win- Roton Point; a buoy marks the outer end of the reef. ter. A channel is ordinarily kept open to the highway bridge, but the East Norwalk Channel and the channel (123) Fivemile River, a narrow inlet about 0.6 mile west- in the river are usually closed for about 6 weeks each ward of Noroton Point and about 0.9 mile northward of winter. Greens Ledge Light, is entered through a dredged channel that leads northward into the river for about Pilotage, Norwalk 0.7 mile. The river is shallow except in the dredged (118) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in channel and rocks exposed 2 feet at low water have been reported on the east side of the channel near the Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. ves- channel edge in about 41°03'37\"N., 73°26'47\"W. In sels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign February-March 2006, the controlling depth was 2.9 trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pi- feet (4.2 feet at midchannel) to the head of the dredged lot by contacting the joint rotation administrator, channel. The channel is marked by buoys at the en- Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI trance and by a buoy on the east side about 0.3 mile 02840; telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274- above the entrance. 1216; FAX 401-847-9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. ves- sels engaged in coastwise trade) see Pilotage, Long Is- (124) In July 1981, depths of 2 to 5 feet were reported land Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. alongside the small-craft facility wharves on the east side of the river. The river is used chiefly by pleasure Small-craft facilities craft. The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. (119) There are excellent small-craft facilities at South (125) A special anchorage is in Fivemile River. (See Norwalk, East Norwalk, and in Norwalk Cove. (See the 110.1 and 110.55a, chapter 2, for limits and regula- tions.)

334 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 (126) Rowayton is a village at the head of Fivemile River. (133) Westcott Cove, just westward of Cove Harbor, has a Several small-craft facilities are on the east side of the dredged channel marked by buoys that leads along its river. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart westerly side to a basin 0.5 mile above the channel en- 12364 for services and supplies available.) trance, thence for 0.2 mile through the south arm of the basin. The east side of the entrance to the basin is (127) Scott Cove, about 0.8 mile westward of Fivemile protected by a jetty marked on the outer end by a pri- River and about a mile northwest of Greens Ledge vate light. In June 1985, the channel had a midchannel Light, is a rocky shelter with a channel good for about 6 controlling depth of 4 feet. A yacht club is in the north- feet to the shallow area northward. There are rocks and westerly arm of the basin, and a municipal marina is in broken ground in the entrance. The channel into the southeasterly arm. Gasoline, diesel fuel, and water Zieglers Cove, just west of Scott Cove and south of are available at a marina on the west side of the south Great Island, is good for about 9 feet. A rock, covered 4 arm of the basin. feet, lies almost in mid-entrance to this cove. Local knowledge is required to navigate both coves. (134) Stamford Harbor, on the north side of Long Island Sound about 33 miles east of New York, comprises the (128) Long Neck Point, about 2 miles southwestward of bay north of a line from Shippan Point on the east Fivemile River, has many summer residences and boat through Stamford Harbor Ledge Obstruction Light to landings on both of its sides. Shoals extend about 0.3 the west shore north of Greenwich Point. The harbor is mile off the point. Numerous obstructions exist up to shoal, and the approach is obstructed to a large extent 1.2 miles west-southwest of Long Neck Point. by ledges and rocks. Shippan Point, the eastern point at the entrance, is surrounded by rocks which show at (129) From Long Neck Point to Shippan Point, about 2.6 low water. Barges and small coastal tankers constitute miles to the southwestward, there are many reefs and the main waterborne traffic in the harbor. Petroleum boulders, and the bottom is very broken, necessitating products, scrap metal, sand and gravel, and crushed caution. This area is the approach to several shallow rock are the principal products handled in the harbor. coves, none of which is commercially important. (135) Stamford is a manufacturing city on the peninsula (130) Goodwives (Darien) River is a small and shallow at the head of the harbor. stream on the west side of Long Neck Point. Foul ground with rocks bare at low water extends nearly 200 Prominent features yards off the west side of Long Neck Point, about 0.3 (136) Stamford Harbor Ledge Obstruction Light mile above the south end of the point. A private sea- sonal, 342° lighted range and buoys mark the best wa- (41°00.8'N., 73°32.6'W.), 80 feet above the water, ter to a yacht club and basin on the southeast side of shown from a white conical tower on a red cylindrical Noroton Neck. In April 2002, a depth of 4.5 feet could pier, is a private light visible from a considerable dis- be carried to the yacht club landing thence in 1981, 3 tance offshore. Also prominent are a microwave tower feet through The Gut to the boat club landing just westward of the city and the large brown office build- above Peartree Point. Above the boat club landing, the ings locally known as Harbor Plaza on Ware Island. river is practically dry at low water. Goodwives River Stamford Harbor West Breakwater Light 3 and its entrance is a special anchorage. (See 110.1 and (41°00'54\"N., 73°32'18'W.), 47 feet above the water, is 110.56, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) A 5 mph shown from a tower with a square green daymark at the speed limit is enforced on the river. east end of the west breakwater. Stamford Harbor East Breakwater Light 4 (41°00.9'N., 73°32.1\"W.), 28 feet (131) Smith Reef, about 0.9 mile southwestward of Long above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a Neck Point, consists of two rocks that uncover 2 feet. triangular red daymark at the west end of the east The south end of the reef is marked by a lighted buoy. breakwater. Bold Rock, which uncovers 4 feet, is on the east edge of the rocky ridge extending northward from the reef. Channels Many oyster stakes are on the ridge. (137) Stamford Harbor is entered through a dredged en- (132) Cove Harbor, northward of Smith Reef and about 1 trance channel that leads northward from Long Island mile westward of Long Neck Point, has depths of about Sound between two detached breakwaters to a point 5 to 10 feet. Local knowledge is necessary to avoid sev- about 1 mile above the entrance to a junction with the eral rocky areas in the approach to the harbor and to dredged channels leading into East Branch and West the basin at the northwestern end of the harbor at Cove Branch. A Federal project provides for depths of 18 feet Mills. A depth of about 1 foot can be carried across the to a point about 0.5 mile below the junction of the bar at the entrance to the basin; private buoys, one of branches, thence 15 feet to the junction, thence in the which is a seasonal speed limit buoy, mark the ap- West Branch 15 feet to and in the turning basin; thence proach. A municipal marina is in the basin.

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 335 in the East Branch, 15 feet to Light 1, thence 12 feet to channels are kept open as far as practicable by passing the head of the project about 0.6 mile above the hurri- traffic. cane barrier. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of charts for controlling depths.) The 100-foot-wide (143) Prevailing winds are from the south and southwest channel in East Branch is constricted to 90 feet by a in the summer and from northeast during the winter hurricane barrier that crosses the channel about 300 season. yards northward of Ware Island. The 90-foot gated opening in the barrier will be kept in the open position (144) No particular directions are required. The range fa- during fair weather, but will be closed on the approach vors the west side of the channel and does not show of a storm or unusually high tides. A red light marks plainly until eastward of Stamford Harbor West Break- the channel end of each breakwater. A lighted sign on water Light. In East Branch, caution is advised when either side of the barrier is used to indicate whether the making the turn abreast Ware Island to avoid a rock barrier is in the open or closed position. A flashing red nearly awash at high water, eastward of the channel light is shown from the control tower when the gate is line. about to be closed. The channels are well marked by navigational aids, and, in addition, the entrance chan- (145) The harbormaster at Stamford can be contacted nel is marked by a 358° lighted range. through the Stamford Police Department. A police boat makes routine patrols of the harbor during the boating season. A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. Anchorages Wharves (138) A dredged anchorage area with depths of 10 to 18 (146) The commercial wharves along East Branch and feet is north of the breakwaters and just westward of West Branch are of the bulkhead and apron type, all are the line of the range lights, about 0.1 mile eastward of privately owned, and some are open to the public. Spur Highwater Rock. Small craft can anchor off the yacht tracks from the railroad serve the facilities in East club and southward or southeastward of Rhode Island Branch. Rocks in depths of 5 to 7 feet. All anchorages in the outer harbor are exposed to southerly and southwest- Small-craft facilities erly winds. (147) There are excellent facilities for small craft in both Dangers East and West Branches. (See the small-craft facilities (139) The Cows comprise a cluster of rocks, almost bare tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) at low water, about 0.8 mile south-southeast of Shippan Point. Between them and the point is an area of foul (148) Dolphin Cove, 0.6 mile west of the entrance chan- ground and rocks bare and awash that extends 0.4 mile nel to Stamford Harbor, is a privately owned Lagoon southward of Shippan Point. A lighted bell buoy is and marine facility. No anchoring is allowed. about 0.2 mile south of The Cows. Harbor Ledge, about 200 yards south of the west breakwater, consists of Charts 12367, 12364 rocks and a ledge marked by a private light. (149) Captain Harbor, on the north shore of Long Island Tides Sound westward of Greenwich Point and northward of (140) The range of tide is 7.2 feet. Great and Little Captain Islands, affords shelter from all winds for vessels drawing 12 feet or less. The depths Currents at the anchorage in the deeper part of the harbor, about (141) The flood current at the entrance to the harbor has a 0.5 mile northward of Great and Little Captain Islands, are 15 to 30 feet. Vessels of less than 7-foot draft anchor velocity of 0.4 knot and sets 329°; the ebb has a velocity on the flats. The bottom is soft, but the entire harbor of 0.8 knot and sets 134°. Inside the harbor the cur- and entrances are characterized by boulders. Strangers rents have little velocity and usually set fair with the should proceed with caution, especially on the flats and channel. other shoal areas. The eastern entrance to Captain Har- bor, between Flat Neck Point and Little Captain Island, Ice is the clearer and better one for strangers. The western (142) The channel in West Branch is usually navigable entrance, northwestward of Great Captain Island, is easy of access, but the broken ground there requires throughout the year, but in East Branch it is closed by caution. ice for several weeks during severe winters. Ice forms in the harbor during most winters and usually extends to a point just northward of the breakwaters. The

336 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 (150) Greenwich Point, 1.7 miles southwestward of (158) Several marinas and boatyards are along the west Stamford Harbor West Breakwater Light, is character- side of the river from above the railroad bridge to the ized by a low grassy hill. Reefs extend 0.3 mile south- head of navigation. (See the small-craft facilities tabu- eastward from Greenwich Point. Woolsey Rock near lation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- the easterly end of the reefs is covered 2 feet. A buoy able.) marks these dangers. (159) Mianus, at the head of navigation on the river, is (151) Flat Neck Point, the western end of Greenwich the site of an abandoned sand and gravel wharf. Point, is wooded. A reef with bare and submerged rocks extends nearly 0.3 mile southwestward and westward (160) Indian Harbor is a narrow inlet on the north side of from Flat Neck Point. About 0.2 mile northwestward of Captain Harbor, about 1 mile west of Cos Cob Harbor. A the point, the boiler of a wreck, marked by a private sea- channel with a depth of about 7 feet passes about 200 sonal buoy, shows above high water. feet westward of Tweed Island and follows the west bank to the bulkhead on the west side of the cove 300 yards (152) Greenwich Cove opens into Captain Harbor from above the entrance. Small craft can anchor in the chan- eastward, north of Flat Neck Point. The cove is used for nel just above this point, favoring the bulkhead. A large mooring local craft. Depths decrease from 8 feet in the prominent white residence with red roof and adjacent outer cove to less than 3 feet in the eastern part of the white clock tower is on the point separating Smith cove. Old Greenwich is on Greenwich Cove. Cove and Indian Harbor. A 5 mph speed limit is en- forced in the harbor. (153) Cos Cob Harbor, on the northeast side of Captain Harbor, has a dredged channel through it which ex- (161) Depths of 6 feet or less extend 250 yards southward tends 1.3 miles northward through the Mianus River to from the point separating Smith Cove and Greenwich the head of navigation at Mianus. In August 2003, the Harbor. Bare ledges extend 200 feet southward of the controlling depth was 6 feet at midchannel to the bas- point. The yacht club on the point usually maintains cule railroad bridge, thence 2.8 feet (4.8 feet at lights on a flagstaff during the summer. The depth is midchannel) to the fixed highway bridge, thence 4.8 about 7 feet at the landing of the Indian Harbor Yacht feet at midchannel (except for shoaling to 1.1 feet in the Club. last 300 feet of the dredged channel) to the head of nav- igation at Mianus. Shoaling is reported to be abrupt (162) Greenwich Harbor, on the north side of Captain along both edges of the channel. The channel is buoyed Harbor and northeastward of Field Point, is entered to the first bridge; above this point the channel may be through a dredged channel that leads northward 1.2 followed by steering a midchannel course between the miles to the head. The channel is buoyed for about 0.8 marsh banks. mile. In August 2007, the controlling depth in the channel was 7.2 feet, with shoaling to 5.7 feet at the Anchorages head of the channel. Depths of 1.1 to 5.7 feet were avail- (154) Special anchorages are in Cos Cob Harbor. (See able in the northerly basin, except for shoaling to bare in the northwest corner, and depths of 3.1 to 7.0 feet 110.1 and 110.58, chapter 2, for limits and regula- were available in the southerly basin, except for shoal- tions.) ing to bare along the west edge. (155) There are several dangers off the entrance of Cos (163) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. Cob Harbor that must be avoided; most are buoyed. (164) Greenwich is a city on the railroad at the head of These include Newfoundland Reef, covered 4 feet, a mile northeastward of Little Captain Island; Red Rock, the harbor. The wharves are along the point on the east which uncovers 7 feet, 0.5 mile west of Newfoundland side of Greenwich Harbor. The harbormaster at Green- Reef; Hitchcock Rock, awash at low water, 0.3 mile wich can be contacted through the Greenwich Police northwestward of Newfoundland Reef; and Pecks Rock, Department. A police boat patrols the harbor during bare at low water, 0.2 mile north of Hitchcock Rock. the summer season. (165) Several private yacht and boat clubs are in Green- (156) The Riverside Yacht Club, on the east side of Cos wich Harbor. Gasoline and diesel fuel are available at a Cob Harbor and about 0.5 mile below the first bridge, is small-craft facility on the west side of the harbor at prominent. Grass Island. During the summer, a ferry operates from the town landing at the head of the harbor to Little (157) Mianus River is crossed by the Metro-North rail- Captain Island, Great Captain Island, and Calf Islands. road bascule bridge with a clearance of 20 feet, and by a (166) Byram Harbor, a bight used by small craft, is at the highway fixed bridge with a clearance of 45 feet, about northwest end of Captain Harbor, just northward of 0.4 mile to the northward. (See 117.1 through 117.59 Calf Islands. Wilson Head, 2 feet high, on a reef that and 117.209, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) uncovers, is in the middle of the entrance of the bight

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 337 and is marked by a buoy off the eastern end. The en- (169) Jones Rocks, partly bare at high water, are at the trance to Byram Harbor from eastward lies between Ot- southeast end of the foul ground that extends over 0.2 ter Rocks and Bowers Island. Otter Rocks, which mile southeastward from the south end of Calf Islands. uncover 3 feet, are marked by a lighted buoy about 150 The rocks are marked by a light. yards to the southward; a submerged rock is close northward of the buoy. Bowers Island, just eastward of (170) Cormorant Reef, northward of Great Captain Is- Calf Islands, is marked by a clump of trees and sur- land, partly bare at high water, has a rock 4 feet high on rounded by a drying reef; a buoy marks the north end of the eastern end. A buoy is off the southern end of the the reef. A rocky ledge makes out from the point 300 reef. yards northwestward of Otter Rocks, and is marked by a buoy. Private small-craft facilities are on the west side (171) Great Captain Island, 2.6 miles southwestward of of the harbor. Greenwich Point, is 0.4 mile long, fringed with reefs, (167) The southeastward approach to Byram Harbor is and marked near its southeast end by a light. A munici- buoyed. A narrow channel also leads to the harbor from pal bathing beach and ferry landing are on the island. southwestward, passing southward of Huckleberry Is- The landing has reported depths of about 3 feet. A buoy lands and between the northwest one of the Calf Islands marks the reef making off 0.3 mile from the southwest- and the two nearest rocks, which are sometimes ern end. The passage between Great and Little Captain marked by a private daybeacon. The rocks 90 yards off Islands is foul and not recommended. the southwest end of Huckleberry Islands are bare at low water. (172) Great Captain Island Light (40°58'57\"N., (168) Grassy Rocks, 0.3 mile westward of the southerly 73°37'23\"W.), 62 feet above the water, is shown from a tip of Calf Islands, uncover 7 feet. The four large ledges skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped northwestward and westward of Grassy Rocks generally daymark on the southeast part of the island. A fog sig- show at low water. nal is sounded at the light. (173) Little Captain Island, a summer resort about 0.6 mile northeast of Great Captain Island, has a municipal bathing beach and ferry landing. The landing has re- ported depths of about 8 feet. A reef extends about 250

338 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 yards northeasterly to Wee Captain Island. An area of midchannel to the first fixed bridge about 0.8 mile boulders and broken ground extends 0.4 mile eastward above the entrance (though numerous boats and and northeastward from the island and is marked by a barges in the channel obstructed a full survey of the lighted gong buoy. Hen and Chickens, a group of rocks area), thence 6.0 feet at midchannel to the basin, and boulders about 0.4 mile northeastward of Little thence 6.4 in the basin, thence in 1993, 3 feet at Captain Island, is marked by a buoy on the north side. midchannel to just below the head of navigation about 30 yards below the second fixed bridge (Mill Street fixed Tides bridge). The channel is marked to a point about 0.3 (174) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. mile above the entrance. (181) The New England Thruway fixed bridge, with a Currents clearance of 60 feet, crosses the river about 0.8 mile (175) The tidal current in the entrance between Little above the channel entrance. Captain Island and Flat Neck Point has a velocity of (182) The approach to Port Chester is obstructed by about 0.7 knot. Between Jones Rocks and Cormorant rocks, but is not difficult with the aid of the chart. From Reef the estimated velocity is 1 knot. southward it is safer to pass eastward of Bluefish Shoal. Fourfoot Rocks may be passed on either side, Ice remembering that the buoy is at the south end of the (176) Ice forms in the winter in all the coves and over the rocks. Entering the harbor, pass westward of Great Captain Rocks, eastward of Manursing Island Reef, and greater part of Captain Harbor. It sometimes extends 150 feet southward of Port Chester Light 4 on the end out of the line of Little and Great Captain Islands. of the breakwater. The channel in Byram River is fairly well defined at low water, but requires local knowledge (177) From eastward, a course of about 298° midway be- for the best water; strangers should take it on a rising tween the buoys marking the shoals off Flat Neck Point tide and proceed with caution. on the east and Wee Captain Island on the west will bring a vessel to a point 0.2 mile north of Hen and Tides Chickens Buoy 1A. From here a heading of 250°, with (183) The mean range of tide is 7.2 feet. the southerly tip of Calf Islands ahead, will lead to an- chorage off the entrance of Greenwich Harbor. (184) Principal commerce is in building materials, fuel oil, and petroleum products, carried in vessels drawing (178) From westward, a course of 014° for Jones Rocks 5 to 14 feet. Barges discharge oil cargoes at a terminal Light 3 will lead into the Captain Harbor anchorage. with reported depths of 12 feet alongside. Proceed with caution when crossing the broken rocky area on which the least found depth is 12 feet, extend- Small-craft facilities ing 0.4 mile westward from the western end of Great (185) There are several small-craft facilities in Port Ches- Captain Island. Vessels should pass 100 yards south- eastward of Jones Rocks Light, and over 100 yards ter Harbor, and on the Byram River at Port Chester and northward of the buoy northwestward of Cormorant Byram. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on Reef, and steer 070° in the harbor. chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) (179) Port Chester Harbor, about 1.2 miles westward of (186) The area from Great Captain Island southwestward Great Captain Island, is the entrance to Byram River is fringed with rocks, bare and submerged, and foul which leads to the city of Port Chester and the town of ground. Great Captain Rocks, part of a reef 0.3 mile Byram (East Port Chester). The harbor entrance is be- southeastward of Port Chester Light, uncover 5 to 6 tween the breakwater that extends southward from feet; a buoy marks the southern end of the reef. Trans- Byram Point on the north and North Manursing Is- port Rock, about 0.3 mile south-southwestward of land on the south; a light is on the outer end of the Manursing Island, is part of several ledges generally breakwater. The lower section of the river forms the bare at high water which extend some 0.3 mile off- boundary between New York and Connecticut. shore. An opening suitable for small craft leads to Rye Beach; it is buoyed. (180) The harbor is entered from Long Island Sound through a dredged channel that leads northward for 1.2 (187) Playland, a recreational center at Rye Beach, about miles to a turning basin in Byram River, and thence for 2.4 miles southwest of Great Captain Island, has promi- another 0.15 mile to just below the Mill Street fixed nent twin towers at the entrance which are conspicuous bridge, the head of practical navigation on the river. In June-July 2008, the controlling depths were 9.5 feet at

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 339 from a southeasterly direction. Westward and close to center of the basin. Two boatyards are in the harbor. the north breakwater is a former ferry landing in disre- The largest marine railway can handle craft up to 40 pair. A breakwater extends eastward from the south end feet in length; gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, and of Rye Beach. The area between the former ferry land- complete engine and hull repairs are available. The city ing and the south breakwater is reserved for swim- harbormaster is at the boat basin. ming. (196) Mamaroneck Harbor, an open bight between Hen (188) Forbes Rocks, about 0.4 mile south of the Rye Island and Delancey Point, is exposed to southerly Beach breakwater, are partly bare at low water, on a reef winds, but affords shelter against northerly weather. with depths of 4 to 11 feet that extends 250 yards to the Depths in the outer harbor range from 7 to 12 feet. Im- southward and eastward. A buoy marks the east end of portant dangers are buoyed; these include Outer the reef. A channel good for a depth of 9 feet leads Steamboat Rock, near the dredged channel entrance, southward of buoyed Forlies Rocks to the ruins of a and Ship Rock, about 0.5 mile southeastward of Outer wharf at Oakland Beach. Another channel with a least Steamboat Rock. depth of 8 feet leads southward from Oakland Beach to (197) About 1 mile northwest of Outer Steamboat Rock is the sound. the incinerator tower, a red brick building with a large (189) Porgy Shoal, about 0.8 mile south of the Rye Beach glass tower, which is a prominent landmark. breakwater, has a least found depth of 5 feet; it is (198) The harbor is entered through a dredged channel marked by a lighted buoy. that leads about 0.5 mile west-northwestward to the in- (190) Scotch Caps are three rocky islets 1.4 miles south- tersection with two dredged branch channels leading westward from Porgy Shoal and on the northwest side to basins northward and westward of the junction. The of the extensive reefs which make out 0.9 mile south- entrance channel and the branch channel to the north- westward of Milton Point. The southerly end of the ern basin are marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. reefs is marked by a lighted bell buoy about 0.6 mile (199) In May 2007, the controlling depths in the dredged southward of Scotch Caps. The entire area of the reef channels were 9.7 feet in the entrance channel to the northward and northeastward of the lighted bell buoy junction with the branch channels, thence 8.4 feet in is very broken and should be avoided even by small the channel leading northward to the east basin, craft in the absence of local knowledge. thence 9 feet in the smaller anchorage at the southwest (191) West Rock, just south of the south end of Scotch side of the basin with 6 feet in the larger basin north- Caps, is marked by a buoy. eastward (except for shoaling to 0.5 foot in the far (192) Milton Harbor, between Peningo Neck and Hen Is- northeast corner), thence 6 feet from the junction to land, is used as a summer anchorage by small pleasure the western basin with 6 feet in the basin. The basins craft. It is protected from all but southwesterly winds. are usually filled with moorings of local craft. The harbor depths decrease from 8 feet between Scotch Caps and the southwest end of Hen Island to 6 feet Caution abreast Milton Point. (200) A pipeline covered about 6 feet crosses the western (193) Foul ground is on the northwest side near Hen Is- land; otherwise the principal danger in the harbor is a branch channel about 50 yards above the junction. rock bare at low water and marked by a buoy a little Mariners are advised to exercise caution and reduce northward of midway between Milton Point and the speed while transiting this area. northeast end of Hen Island. The best entrance is be- tween the buoys 0.4 mile southwestward of Scotch Tides Caps. (201) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. (194) A yacht club and landing are near the southwest end of Milton Point. Near the clubhouse is a prominent (202) The harbormaster has an office on the south side of white flagstaff from which lights are exhibited from Harbor Island. The harbormaster controls all moorings sunset to sunrise during the summer. and can be contacted on VHF-FM channel 16; call sign (195) A dredged channel, marked by buoys, leads WZX-8038. A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in the through the harbor from about 400 yards northward of harbor. A village police boat patrols the harbor during Milton Point to the city boat basin and marina below the summer season. Mill Pond. In October 2008, the midchannel control- ling depth was 0.7 foot to the boat basin, thence 1.3 feet (203) The town of Mamaroneck extends from both sides at midchannel in the basin's north channel and 3.6 feet of the harbor. Petroleum products, carried by barges, at midchannel in the basin's south channel; in are the main commerce in the harbor. 1980-1981, depths of 2 to 6 feet were available in the

340 ■ Chapter 9 ■ Volume 2 No-Discharge Zone the outer parts of the reef. About 0.3 mile westward of (204) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- the breakwater light is Dauntless Rock, covered 8 feet, and surrounded by depths of 14 to 16 feet. These dan- vironmental Protection Agency, has established a gers are buoyed. No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Mamaroneck Harbor. The (208) Larchmont Harbor is between Edgewater Point NDZ includes waters north of a line drawn in a north- and Umbrella Point and about 2.5 miles northward of easterly direction from the southern tip of the sea wall Execution Rocks Light. The harbor is the headquarters at Orienta Point to a point on the mainland immedi- of the Larchmont Yacht Club. Anchorage depths range ately north of Spike Island (see chart 12364 for limits). from about 12 feet in the entrance to 5 feet near Great (205) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether Knob, an islet in the north central part of the harbor. In treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. summer the harbor is full of mooring buoys for small Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by yachts. The rocks on the west side are marked, whereas 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). unmarked shoals extend 200 yards from the eastern shore. The anchorage for larger vessels is westward of Supplies and repairs the breakwater. (206) There are numerous boatyards and marinas in (209) Umbrella Rock, marked by a buoy, is 250 yards eastward of Umbrella Point. A few rocks of a breakwa- Mamaroneck Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tab- ter, which was started on Umbrella Rock, are awash at ulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- high water. North Ledge, bare at half tide, is near the able.) western shore southeastward of the yacht club; it is marked by a private daybeacon. The principal landing, (207) Foul ground extends southwesterly from eastward with a reported depth of about 6 feet alongside, is on of Delancey Point to the Larchmont Harbor breakwater the southeast side of the yacht club and is lighted from off Edgewater Point, on the east side of the harbor en- sunset to sunrise. trance; a light is on the end of the breakwater. Hen and Chickens, a reef bare at low water in places, lies off the harbor entrance; surrounding depths are 8 to 17 feet on

Western Long Island Sound ■ Chapter 9 ■ 341 (210) Larchmont Harbor may be entered on either side of lifts to 25 tons are available; hull and engine repairs can Hen and Chickens. The easterly entrance, about 100 be made. The municipal marina monitors VHF-FM yards southwestward of the end of the breakwater, is channel 16. about 300 yards wide and has a depth of about 15 feet. (221) Pine Island, between Davenport Neck and Middle Ground, is rocky, covered with brush, and occupied by (211) Horseshoe Harbor is a small cove just westward of several cottages. A small private landing is on the west Larchmont Harbor. A prominent gray building is at the side of the island. Two bare rocks and a long bare ledge head. The cove is used as a small-boat anchorage. are southwestward of the island. (212) Echo Bay, about 1 mile southwestward of Umbrella Charts 12366, 12364 Point and 2 miles northwestward of Execution Rocks Light, is the principal approach to New Rochelle. The (222) Davids Island, southward of Davenport Neck, is bay is entered between Premium Point on the north- owned by the city of New Rochelle. Reefs, partly bare at east and Davenport Neck on the southwest. Hicks low water and marked by a lighted buoy, extend about Ledge, about 0.5 mile off the entrance, is covered 6 feet 0.2 mile northward of the island. Davids Island is sur- and marked on the south side by a buoy. rounded on its east and south sides by a foul area of is- lands and rocks, the passages between which should (213) Middle Ground, an extensive shoal with a reef that not be used by strangers, even in small craft. Huckle- uncovers 6 feet, lies about 0.5 mile south-southwest- berry Island, at the eastern end of the group, is wooded. ward of Hicks Ledge. Emerald Rock, covered 9 feet, is Pea Island, about 0.3 mile southeastward of Davids Is- off the west side of the shoal and marked by a buoy. A land, is grass covered, and rocks bare at low water are buoy marks the north end of the shoal. southeastward of it. Columbia Island has been im- proved by a seawall, making it about 150 feet square, (214) Bailey Rock, which uncovers 4 feet, is near the end with a pier 150 feet long on the west side. of a reef that extends about 200 yards off the point of Davenport Neck. The rock is marked by a lighted buoy. (223) An obstruction, covered 17 feet, has been reported in about 40°52.4'N., 073°45.4'W. about 0.3 mile (215) The bay is an anchorage for small craft and gener- south-southeastward of Pea Island. Mariners are ad- ally is fully occupied during the summer. Depths range vised to exercise caution while navigating in this area. from 4 to 15 feet. Small craft can anchor in the shallow cove on the northeast side of the harbor, entering be- (224) Execution Rocks, about 1.4 miles eastward of tween Harrison Island and the rocky, grassy islet off Davids Island, consist of many boulders and shoals of the northwest side of Echo Island. Vessels can anchor considerable extent, marked by a light and buoys. Bro- in the general anchorages on either side of the en- ken bottom, covered 5 to 19 feet, extends about 0.7 mile trance, in depths of 20 to 24 feet. (See 110.1 and northward from the light. 110.155 (a) (2), (a) (3), and (1), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Vessels should not anchor near the (225) Execution Rocks Light (40°52'41\"N., 73°44'16\"W.), sewer outlet in the middle of the bay. A special anchor- 62 feet above the water, is shown from a white stone age is in Echo Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (b-1), chap- tower with a brown band midway of its height, attached ter 2, for limits and regulations.) to a granite dwelling. (216) A 4 mph speed limit is enforced in Echo Bay. (226) Middle Reef, 0.5 mile southward of Davids Island, (217) A dredged channel, on the northwest side of Echo has some boulders which show at high water. East Nonations and South Nonations are rocks that un- Bay, leads to a municipal wharf and turning basin at cover 4 feet between Middle Reef and Hart Island. Beaufort Point. The channel is marked by buoys to the South Nonations is marked on its south side by a turning basin. In October 1985, the controlling depth lighted bell buoy. was 8½ feet at midchannel to the basin, with 6½ to 7 feet in the basin. (227) Aunt Phebe Rock, 300 yards west of Davids Island, (218) The area northward of the turning basin, locally is bare at half tide and marked by a light. In May 1976, known as Ferris Creek, is shoal with extensive mud an obstruction covered 4 feet was reported about 400 flats that bare at low water. Southwesterly of the turn- yards northwestward of the light. Mariners are advised ing basin, the depth varies from 9 feet to bare at the to exercise caution while navigating in this area. head of the harbor. (219) New Rochelle is a city on the western shore of Echo (228) Goose Island, between Davids Island and Glen Is- Bay. land, is almost completely surrounded by a rock break- (220) The municipal wharf is on the northeast side of water, and has several bare rocks to the westward and Beaufort Point. The city police patrol boats usually southward. A house on pilings is prominent on the is- moor alongside the wharf. A small-craft facility and a land. municipal marina are in the northern part of Echo Bay. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and

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