United States Coast Pilot 2 Atlantic Coast - Cape Cod, MA to Sandy Hook, NJ 2007

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 293 Airphoto - Jim Wark (30) See Pilotage, New London-Groton (indexed as approached through the main entrance channel ex- such), this chapter; Pilotage, New Haven (indexed as tending from deep water in Long Island Sound to deep such), this chapter; Pilotage, Bridgeport (indexed as water in the upper harbor. The harbor is generally used such), chapter 9; Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, by vessels drawing 9 to 30 feet; the deepest draft enter- Northville-Riverhead (indexed as such), this chapter; ing is about 36 feet. Petroleum products, seafood prod- and Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northport (indexed as ucts, copper, lumber and other forest products are the such), chapter 9. principal waterborne commodities handled at the port. (35) Greens Harbor, a small-craft shelter just north of Charts 13213, 13212, 12372 the entrance, has general depths of 6 to 17 feet. Special anchorages are in the harbor. (See 110.1 and 110.52, (31) New London Harbor, near the east end of Long Is- chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) land Sound at the mouth of the Thames River, is an im- (36) New London Coast Guard Station and Fort portant harbor of refuge. Vessels of deep draft can find Trumbull State Park are on the west side of the main anchorage here in any weather and at all seasons. channel northward of Greens Harbor. (37) Shaw Cove is a dredged basin about 0.8 mile north- (32) Waterborne commerce in New London Harbor and ward of Greens Harbor. In February 1986, the control- on the Thames River is chiefly in petroleum products, ling depth was 15 feet in the entrance channel through chemicals, coal, copper, lumber, seafood products and the south draw of the bridge, thence depths of 11 to 15 general cargo. feet were available in the basin. The railroad bridge over the entrance has a swing span with clearances of (33) Security Zones have been established in New London 6½ feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.223, Harbor. (See 165.1 through 165.7, 165.30, 165.33, and chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) 165.140, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (38) Winthrop Cove, northward of Shaw Cove, is part of the main waterfront channel. The fixed railroad bridge (34) New London is a city on the west bank of Thames near the head of this cove has a clearance of 4 feet. River about 2.5 miles above the mouth. The town of Groton on the east bank is connected to New London by a highway bridge and a railroad bridge. The main har- bor comprises the lower 3 miles of Thames River from Long Island Sound to the bridges, and includes Shaw Cove, Greens Harbor, and Winthrop Cove. It is

294 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 Prominent features Rapid Rock and marked by a buoy, has a least depth of (39) New London Ledge Light (41°18'18\"N., 14 feet and is the easternmost shoal on the west side of the main channel approach. 72°04'42\"W.), 58 feet above the water, is shown from a (45) On the east side of the main channel foul ground red brick building on a square white pier on the west extends about 1 mile offshore. New London Ledge, side of New London Ledge; a fog signal is sounded at marked by New London Ledge Light, has a least depth the station. of 7 feet. Black Ledge, just to the northeastward of New (40) Other prominent features in approaching New London Ledge, has a rocky islet, 2 feet high, on it. London Harbor are: New London Harbor Light, on the Depths are 2 to 16 feet on the ledge. Buoys mark the west side of the entrance channel; the monument at shoal area. Fort Griswold; the microwave tower atop a building in (46) Broken ground fringes the shore southwestward of downtown New London; the large sheds at the shipyard New London Harbor Light. Rocks with 2 to 11 feet over on the east side of the river opposite Fort Trumbull them extend about 0.2 mile from shore in the bight just State Park and the highway bridge at New London. southward of the light. (47) White Rock, an islet in Greens Harbor, is 200 yards Channels from the 18-foot curve on the western edge of the chan- (41) A U.S. Navy project for New London Harbor pro- nel. Hog Back, a small ledge awash at low water, is 150 yards southwestward of White Rock and about 0.3 mile vides for a channel 40 feet deep to Fort Trumbull, from the western shore, and is marked by a buoy. thence 38 feet to State Pier No. 1, thence 36 feet to the Rocks, covered 3 to 6 feet, are in the middle of the U.S. Navy Submarine Base. A Federal project provides northern part of Greens Harbor. Melton Ledge, north- for a channel 23 feet deep in the waterfront channels ward of White Rock, with one-half foot over it, is 125 north of Fort Trumbull and in Winthrop Cove. (See No- yards eastward of Powder Island and is marked by a tice to Mariners and latest editions of the charts for buoy; a rock awash is close westward of Melton Ledge. controlling depths.) Lighted and unlighted buoys and a 354° lighted range mark the channel. The range does Bridges not mark the center of the lower end of the channel. (48) Four bridges cross the Thames River below (42) Pine Island Channel, northeastward of New Lon- don Ledge Light, between Pine Island and Black Ledge, Norwich: three near Winthrop Point and one about 0.2 has a rocky and very broken bottom on which the least miles southward of Fort Point. The first is the railroad found depth is 10 feet. It is used some by local vessels bridge, which has a bascule span with a clearance of 30 between New London Harbor and Fishers Island feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.224, chap- Sound, but should be avoided by any vessel drawing ter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender of more than 10 feet. the railroad bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KT-5473. In 1998, it was reported that cross cur- Anchorages rents of 1 to 2 knots can be encountered in the vicinity (43) General and naval anchorages are in the ap- of this bridge. Just above it are two high-level fixed bridges with clearances of 135 feet, and 7.9 miles far- proaches to, and in, New London Harbor. (See 110.1 ther up the Thames is a fixed highway bridge with a and 110.147, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) clearance of 75 feet. A RACON is in the center of the Special anchorages are in Greens Harbor and in the vi- main channel span on the southernmost of two cinity of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. (See 110.1 and high-level fixed bridges. 110.52, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (49) Overhead power cables with a clearance of 160 feet cross the river about 5.5 miles below Norwich. Dangers (44) On the west side of the approach to New London Tides and currents (50) The mean range of tide at New London is 2.6 feet. Harbor, foul ground extends about 1 mile from shore in the vicinity of Goshen Point (chart 13211). The south- Daily predictions are given in the Tide Tables. erly and southeasterly limits of this area are marked by (51) The tidal currents follow the general direction of buoys. The area has numerous rocky patches and boul- ders, some showing above water, and should be avoided the channel and usually are not strong. At Winthrop by small craft. Rapid Rock, marked by a buoy on its Point, on the west side of the river at New London, the southeast side, is about 1.6 miles southwestward of velocity is 0.4 knot, and at Stoddard Hill, about 6.5 New London Ledge Light. It has a least depth of 11 feet. miles above New London, 0.7 knot on the flood and 0.4 An unmarked ledge covered 38 feet is about 750 yards knot on the ebb. During freshets or when the river is southeast of Rapid Rock and is the outermost shoal to high and the wind is from the north, the current can the southward. Sarah Ledge, 0.7 mile northeastward of

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 295 have considerable southerly set even on the flood. Cur- Pilots, Inc.), 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840, rent directions and velocities at various places on the telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216, Thames River for each hour of the tidal cycle are shown FAX 401-847-9052, Cable RISPILOT, Newport, RI on the Tidal Current Charts, Block Island Sound and 02840. The pilot boats are NORTHEAST II, 49-foot, Eastern Long Island Sound. with grey hull and superstructure and the word PILOT (52) Ice obstructs navigation about 2 months each year on the side; or RHODE ISLAND PILOT, 35-foot, with above the naval station, which is some 5 miles above black hull and white superstructure and the word New London Ledge Light, but seldom forms below the PILOT on the side; or NORTHEAST I, 49-foot, similarly station. In extremely severe winters, however, heavy ice marked as the RHODE ISLAND PILOT. The SPI pilots from the sound, driven in by winds, has been known to meet a ship bound for a Long Island Sound port, off extend about 1.8 miles above the entrance. Between Point Judith, but will also meet a ship off Montauk New London and the mouth of the river small vessels Point by prearrangement. See Pilotage, Narragansett may navigate with comparative safety in ordinary win- Bay and Other Rhode Island Waters (indexed as such), ters; and even in severe weather it is rare that naviga- chapter 6, and Pilotage Pickup Locations Off Montauk tion for small vessels stops for more than a week. Point (indexed as such), chapter 7. Steamers can nearly always enter and leave with safety. (58) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc., http://www.inter- Drift ice sometimes forms a decidedly dangerous ob- portpilots.com, 906 Port Monmouth Road, Port struction in the approaches through Long Island Monmouth, NJ 07758, telephone 732-787-5554 (24 Sound during severe winters, especially during Febru- hours), email [email protected]. Pilot boat is ary and March; and small vessels are much hindered in CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65-foot, blue hull with white their movements during January, February, and superstructure, and the word PILOT on both sides. The March. boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours (53) Freshets usually occur in the river in the spring. It prior to the vessel's scheduled ETA, works on channel is reported that they seldom exceed 2 feet above high 11, and is equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots meet water at Norwich. ships bound for New London at the Montauk Point Pi- (54) New London Harbor and Thames River are easy of lot Station, the Point Judith Pilot Station, or 2 miles access by day or night, but local knowledge is required south of New London Ledge. to take drafts greater than 20 feet above the submarine base. Towage (59) Tugs to 3,200 hp are available at New London. Ves- Pilotage, New London-Groton (55) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for sels usually proceed to the upper harbor without assis- tance, although a tug may be required when entering foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. See Pi- with a head wind and contrary current. Large vessels lotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such),chapter 8. normally require tugs for docking and undocking. Pilotage for New London is available from Constitution (60) New London is a customs port of entry. State Pilots Association (CSPA), 500 Waterfront Street, New Haven, CT 06512, telephone 203-627-5058, FAX Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural 860-434-1441. Pilot boat CONSTITUTION is 65-foot, quarantine with black hull, white superstructure, and the word (61) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and ap- PILOT on sides. The boat monitors 16, 13, and 9A, pendix for addresses.) works on 13 or 9A. The CSPA should be contacted prior (62) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- to arrival for the location of the pilot boarding area. tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public (56) Pilotage for New London is also available from Health Service, chapter 1.) New London has several Long Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc. hospitals. (LISSPA), 1440 Whalley Avenue, Suite 123, New Haven, (63) Harbor regulations are in force for New London CT 06515, telephone 203-772-0101, FAX 302-629-9392, Harbor. The harbormaster has authority to berth ves- Cable LISPILOT, New Haven. The pilot boat OLYMPIC sels, shifting them if necessary, but occasion for doing has a white hull, red superstructure, and displays the so seldom arises. word PILOT in black letters. The boat monitors chan- nel 16 and works on channel 11. Prior to arrival, the Wharves LISSPA should be contacted for the location of the pilot (64) New London Harbor has more than 30 wharves and boarding area. (57) Pilotage for New London is also available from piers. Most of these facilities are used as repair berths, Sound Pilots, Inc. (SPI) (a division of Northeast Marine and for mooring recreational craft, fishing vessels, barges, ferries, and government vessels. Depths

296 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 alongside these facilities range from 10 to 40 feet. Only tabulation on chart 12372 for services and supplies the deep-draft facilities are described. For a complete available.) description 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 for address.) The alongside depths (72) New London has good railroad and bus communi- are reported; for information on the latest depths con- tact the private operator. cations. Automobile-passenger ferry service is available (65) 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 (73) 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 Janu- connection; railroad and highway connections; receipt ary-June 1978, the controlling depth was 35 feet from and shipment of petroleum products and receipt of mo- above the bridges at New London to the north end of lasses; bunkering vessels; owned and operated by Hess the turning basin opposite Smith Cove, thence in Au- Oil and Chemical Division, Amerada Hess Corp. gust-September 1974, depths of 16 feet (23 feet at (66) Admiral Shear State Pier: the more easterly of the midchannel) to Stoddard Hill, and thence 18 feet to the two long piers southwestward of the Thames River turning basin at Norwich, and 11 feet in the turning ba- bridges, about 1.3 miles northward of Amerada Hess sin. The channel is well marked by navigational aids. Corp. Wharf; 200-foot face, 26 feet alongside; west side 1,000 feet, 23 to 27 feet alongside; east side 1,020 feet, Caution 34 to 38 feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; 90,000 (74) The dikes along the Thames River from Easter square feet of covered storage, 20 acres of open storage; electricity, potable and feed water connections on pier; Point (41°28.2'N., 72°04.5'W.) to Norwich are sub- railroad and highway connections; receipt and ship- merged at half tide. ment of general cargo, copper, zinc, steel and wood products; owned by the State of Connecticut and oper- Pilotage, Thames River ated by Logistec U.S.A. Inc., a division of Logistec Ste- (75) For Pilotage for the river see Pilotage, New Lon- vedoring of Montreal. (67) Supplies of all kinds are available. Gasoline and don-Groton (indexed as such) earlier this chapter. diesel oil can be obtained from oil companies on 48 hours’ notice by tank truck. Water is available at most (76) The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is on the west side of the piers, wharves, and marinas. of Thames River about 1 mile north of the center of New London. The administration building, with its Repairs white tower and clock, and the lighted chapel spire are (68) A shipbuilding company at New London can per- very prominent, but are not visible until almost abeam of the academy. Depths alongside the 410-foot-long form all kinds of repairs on steel-hulled vessels. The academy pier were reported in 2005, to be 30 feet at the company has floating drydocks with lifting capacities face, 30 feet along the south side, and 30 to 34 feet on from 1,000 to 10,000 tons. The company’s largest the north side. drydock is on the west side of the river, and has a maxi- mum pontoon length of 300 feet, a width between (77) The U.S. Naval Submarine Base is on the east side wingwalls of 110 feet, and is about 0.9 mile north of the of the Thames River about 2.5 miles above New Lon- Thames River bridges. don. (69) Cranes to 70 tons and floating derricks to 25 tons are available at New London. (78) A restricted area is off the U.S. Naval Submarine (70) Several companies in New London are in the busi- Base. (See 334.75, chapter 2, for limits and regula- ness of wrecking, salvage, and marine contracting tions.) work. They are equipped with pumps, divers’ outfits, floating equipment, and other gear. (79) Just below Gales Ferry, on the east side about 4 miles above the bridges, are the crew training quarters Small-craft facilities and boathouses of Harvard and Yale Universities. Oppo- (71) There are numerous small-craft facilities in Greens site Gales Ferry is the town of Bartlett, site of a promi- nent power plant with two tall and conspicuous stacks. Harbor and Shaw Cove. (See the small-craft facilities A privately dredged channel with depths of about 19 feet leads to the dock and coal tipple. (80) At Montville Station, just above Bartlett, is a dock with a depth of 23 feet at the face. The northeast end of the dock is in ruins. Overhead power cables with a

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 297 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, (81) 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, (82) 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 (90) 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 (83) 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. (91) Millstone Point, on the east side at the entrance of (84) 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 9 to 15 feet is on the west side of the (85) 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 (92) White Rock is an islet on the east side of the en- trance to Niantic Bay 0.5 mile westward of Millstone (86) 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 with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark, is of 8 feet extend 0.25 mile northwest from Millstone about 3.3 miles southwestward of New London Ledge Point. A rock, covered 14 feet, is about 300 yards Light and marks the south end of Bartlett Reef. A fog south-southeast of White Rock and is marked by a signal is at the light. The reef, about 1.3 miles long in a lighted bell buoy. general north-south direction and about 0.3 mile wide, is covered 2 to 12 feet and has rocks awash near its (93) Niantic Bay, 4.5 miles westward of New London northern end. The north end of the reef is marked by a Harbor, is a good anchorage sheltered from easterly, buoy. A lighted bell buoy and an unlighted buoy are northerly, and westerly winds. It is a harbor of refuge in about 0.9 mile southward and about 0.3 mile eastward northerly gales and can be used by small vessels and of the light, respectively. tows. The general depth of the bay is about 19 feet; the water shoals gradually northward. The entrance is 1.5 (87) A general anchorage is about 0.8 mile northeast- miles wide, and the dangers are marked by buoys or ward of Bartlett Reef Light. (See 110.1 and 110.147 show above water. (a) (4), and (b), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (94) Niantic and Crescent Beach are summer resorts (88) Twotree Island, small and bare, about 1.4 miles with railroad communication at the north end and northwestward of Bartlett Reef Light, is surrounded by northwest side of the bay. shoals. A buoy marks rocks awash that extend off the northern end of the island. (95) The Niantic Bay Yacht Club basin at Crescent Beach is protected on the south, east, and partially on (89) Twotree Island Channel leads northward of Bart- the north side by a U-shaped breakwater; a private sea- lett Reef and Twotree Island. With an adverse current in sonal light is near the outer end of the breakwater.

298 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 Airphoto - Jim Wark (96) A special anchorage is on the west side of Niantic from westward of Sandy Point to the stone bulkhead at Bay off Crescent Beach. (See 110.1 and 110.53, chap- Golden Spur is deep and clear; vessels generally follow ter 2, for limits and regulations.) the west bank. Pine Grove, Sandy Point, and Saunders Point are summer resorts on Niantic River. (97) Niantic River empties into the northeast end of Niantic Bay and is entered through a dredged channel Tides and currents that leads from the bay, thence through a narrow pas- (100) The mean range of tide is about 2.7 feet in Niantic sage at the entrance, and thence to a point about 300 yards northward of the entrance to Smith Cove. In Bay. 2004-Febraury 2006, the controlling depths were 4.6 (101) The tidal currents through the bridges set fair with feet (7.9 feet at midchannel) to the highway bascule bridge about 0.4 mile above the channel entrance, the channel; the flood velocity is 1.6 knots and the ebb thence 5.4 feet at midchannel to the head of the chan- velocity, 0.8 knot. It has been reported that much nel. The channel is marked by daybeacons and seasonal greater velocities may be expected under storm and buoys. Two bridges cross the narrow passage at the en- freshet conditions. (See Tidal Current Tables for pre- trance. The more southerly is the Amtrak bridge, with a dictions.) Current directions and velocities for the en- 45-foot bascule span and a clearance of 11 feet; the trance to the Niantic River for each hour of the tidal State Route 156 highway bridge, about 0.1 northward, cycle are shown on the Tidal Current Charts, Block Is- has a bascule span with a clearance of 32 feet. (See land Sound and Eastern Long Island Sound. 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.215, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender at each (102) Ice generally closes the river to navigation for bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call signs about 3 months during the winter. KGA-511 and KXR-911, respectively. (103) Smith Cove is on the west side of Niantic River (98) Strangers attempting to enter Niantic River are about 1.5 miles above the channel entrance. A channel, cautioned to pass through the bridges either at slack marked by private daybeacons, leads westward from the water or against the current. river channel into the cove. In February 1999, the channel had a reported depth of 5 feet. (99) Above the head of the dredged channel, small craft can navigate for about another 1.5 miles to Golden Spur (East Lyme) with local knowledge. The river

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 299 Small-craft facilities Charts 12375, 12377, 12378, 12372 (104) There are several small-craft facilities just above (112) 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 (105) 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 (106) 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 (113) 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 (107) 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- (114) 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 (115) 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; the range est editions of the charts for controlling depths.) of South Brother well open northward of Griswold Is- (116) The channel above the jettied entrance channel land leads southward of Johns Rock. usually follows the banks on the outside of the curves of the river, except through the dredged cuts across the (108) Strangers entering the bight should proceed with bars which are marked by navigational aids. caution, as the bottom is broken; the best route is to pass southward and westward of the buoy southward of (117) Saybrook Breakwater Light (41°15'48\"N., Blackboys, and pass on either side of South Brother. 72°20'34\"W.), 58 feet above the water, is shown from a Seal Rock, 160 yards south of the end of Giants Neck, is white conical tower, 49 feet high, on a brown cylindri- marked by a buoy on the south side. cal pier on the south end of the west jetty at the en- trance to Connecticut River. A fog signal is at the light. Anchorage (109) A special anchorage is east of Giants Neck. (See Anchorages (118) Secure anchorage can be had eastward or north- 110.1 and 110.54, chapter 2, for limits and regula- tions.) An unmarked rock is within the anchorage area, eastward of Lynde Point Light. Farther up anchorage about 0.1 mile south of Giants Neck; depth over the can be selected in the wider parts of the channel. Spe- rock is not known. cial anchorages are at Old Saybrook, Essex, Chester, Lord Island, Eddy Rock Shoal in the vicinity of Con- (110) Hatchett Point has several large dwellings. A reef necticut River Light 45, and Mouse Island Bar vicinity. extends about 0.2 mile off the southwest side of the (See 110.1 and 110.55, chapter 2, for limits and regu- point. lations.) (111) Hatchett Reef, 0.6 to 1 mile south-southwestward Dangers of Hatchett Point, has a least depth of 5 feet and is (119) Saybrook Outer Bar, which obstructs the mouth of marked by buoys. Close to the southeast side of the reef the depths are 30 to 48 feet. A bar with 10 to 16 feet over the Connecticut River, is shifting, with depths of 4 to 12 it extends westward from Hatchett Reef to Saybrook Bar.

300 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 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 (120) 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 (125) During the ebb, a strong current runs from the (121) 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 (126) 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 of each year. Below Middletown the height of the crest Amtrak bascule railroad bridge at mile 3 monitors of a freshet decreases rapidly. At the mouth the varia- VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KT-5414. Vessels re- tion in water level is due to the tides. questing the opening of this bridge are cautioned to confirm by radiotelephone that the bascule span is (127) Ice closes the river to navigation a part of every safely raised and stabilized before making passage. The winter for wooden hull boats. The duration of closing is bridgetender of the highway swing bridge at East about 2 months. Haddam at mile 14.6 monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KXR-913. Weather, Hartford and vicinity. (122) Overhead power cables across the Connecticut (128) Hartford is well inside the northern temperate cli- River have a least clearance of 100 feet, except for the one at Laurel, 24.2 miles above the mouth, which has a matic zone in a prevailing west to east movement of air clearance of 65 feet. carrying the majority of weather systems into Connect- icut from the west. The average wintertime position of Tides the “Polar Front” boundary between cold dry polar air (123) The time of tide becomes later and the range di- and warm moist tropical air is just south of New Eng- land, which helps to explain the extensive winter storm minishes in progressing up the river. High water and activity and the day-to-day variability of local weather. low water at Hartford occur about 4.5 and 6 hours later, In the summer, the “Polar Front” has an average posi- respectively, than at the entrance. The mean range of tion along the New England-Canada border and Hart- the tide is 3.5 feet at Saybrook jetty, 2.5 feet at Haddam, ford has a warm and pleasant climate. and 1.9 feet at Hartford. (129) The location of Hartford, relative to the continent and ocean, is also significant. Rapid weather changes Currents result when storms move northward along the (124) At the entrance the currents have considerable ve- Mid-Atlantic Coast, frequently producing strong and persistent northeast winds associated with storms locity at times and always require careful attention, as

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 301 known locally as “coastals” or “northeasters”. Sea- Routes sonally, weather characteristics vary from the cold and (135) To enter Connecticut River from eastward, pass dry continental-polar air of winter to the warm, mari- times air of summer, the one from Canada, the other southward of Hatchett Reef and Saybrook Bar, until from the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, or Atlantic Saybrook Breakwater Light bears 315°. Steer for Ocean. Saybrook Breakwater Light on this course through the (130) Summer thunderstorms develop in the Berkshire buoyed opening between the south end of Saybrook Bar Mountains to the west and northwest, and move over and the east end of Long Sand Shoal to the entrance the Connecticut Valley and, when accompanied by channel between the jetties. wind and hail, sometimes cause considerable damage (136) To enter from westward, pass 1 mile southward of to crops. Thunderstorm days average 20 each year. Falkner Island Light on course 076°. This will lead June, July, and August are the most favored months. about 0.4 mile northward of the lighted bell buoy on During the winter, rain often falls through cold air the western end of Long Sand Shoal and about 0.2 mile trapped in the valley and creates extremely hazardous southward of the lighted bell buoy southward of Corn- ice conditions. On clear nights in the late summer or field Point. Then steer about 067°, with Saybrook early autumn, cool air drainage into the valley and the Breakwater Light a little on the port bow to the en- moisture from the Connecticut River produce steam trance channel between the jetties. and/or ground fog which becomes quite dense (137) Boating regulations for waters within the State of throughout the valley and temporarily hampers trans- Connecticut can be found at http://www.dep.state.ct.us portation. An average 162 days each year report fog. /rec/boating/guide.htm. (131) Fog is reported to develop locally in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant’s efflux at Haddam Neck and Pilotage, Connecticut River around Gildersleeve Island. (138) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for (132) The average annual temperature for Hartford is 50°F (10°C). The warmest month is July with an aver- foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. See Pi- age temperature of 74°F (23.3°C) and the coolest is lotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. January with an average temperature of 26°F (-3.3°C). Pilotage for the Connecticut River is available from The warmest temperature on record is 102°F (38.9°C) Connecticut River Pilots Association (CRPA), 104 recorded in July 1966 and the coolest temperature on Nehantic Trail, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, telephone record is -26°F (-3.3°C) recorded in January 1961. Each (203) 388-4167. Pilot boat TRUDEE II is 36-foot, with month, except June, July, and August has recorded black hull, white superstructure, and with the word temperatures below freezing. Each month, June PILOT on the house, forward. The boat monitors chan- through September, has recorded temperatures in ex- nel 16 and 13; works on 13. The CRPA pilot boards ves- cess of 100°F (37.8°C). An average of 18 days each year sels abeam of the marina at the south end of Saybrook records temperatures in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) and an Point. average of 134 days each year has a temperature of 32°F (139) Pilot services are arranged in advance through (0°C) or cooler. An average of eleven days each year has ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. A temperatures of 5°F (-15°C) or lower. 24-hour advance notice is requested. (133) The average annual precipitation for Hartford is (140) Hartford is a customs port of entry. 44.20 inches (1123 mm). Precipitation is fairly uniform with the difference between the wettest and driest Wharves month being less than one inch (25.4 mm). The wettest (141) The Connecticut River has more than 20 commer- month is November, averaging 4.07 inches (104 mm) and the driest month is February averaging 3.13 inches cial piers and wharves, most of which handle petroleum (80 mm). Average snowfall, on an annual basis, totals products from barges or coastal tankers. Most of the fa- 44 inches (1118). February 1961 holds the record of the cilities below Rocky Hill, about 34 miles above greatest snowfall in a 24-hour period with 14.3 inches Saybrook Point, are marginal-type wharves, while (363 mm). those above Rocky Hill are finger-type piers with (134) The National Weather Service office is at Bradley breasting dolphins. Depths of 11 to 15 feet are reported International Airport, northwest of Hartford. (See page alongside these facilities. 434 for Hartford climatological table.) Supplies and repairs (142) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and marine sup- plies are available at the principal towns and landings along the Connecticut River. Boatyards along the river can make engine, hull, and electronic repairs.

302 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 Charts 12375, 12372 cautioned 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- (150) The dredged section of the main channel in Con- necticut River, about 1.4 miles northward of Saybrook necticut River westward of Calves Island has numerous Breakwater Light. There are several small-craft facili- obstructions and sunken rocks close to its edges; mari- ties along the west side of the river from Saybrook ners are advised to exercise caution and to avoid the Point to Ferry Point, about 2 miles to the northward. edges of the channel. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 (151) Haydens Point, about 4.6 miles above Saybrook for services and supplies available.) Point, is marked by a light. Foul ground is between the light and the shore. (144) A slow no-wake speed limit is enforced at Old (152) Essex, a town on the west bank about 5 miles above Saybrook between the railroad bridge and Buoy 20, Saybrook Point, is the scene of considerable small-boat 0.25 mile above the Connecticut Turnpike Bridge. activity. Depths alongside the town landing are about 6 feet. Essex Cove is the area off the main river channel (145) North Cove, a dredged small-boat basin that affords skirting the waterfront at Essex. A dredged channel, excellent anchorage, is entered through a dredged marked by private buoys, leads from the main channel channel that leads westward from the main channel through the cove, and thence rejoins the main channel about 0.4 mile northward of Saybrook Point. In Febru- to the northward. In February-March 1999, a control- ary-March 1999, the controlling depths were 2.2 feet (5 ling depth of 5.8 feet was available in the buoyed chan- feet at midchannel) in the entrance channel to the ba- nel. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced. A privately marked sin, thence in September 2005, depths of 2 to 4 feet small-boat channel leads westward from the dredged were in the basin. The entrance channel is marked by buoyed channel in Essex Cove to a yacht basin in Mid- private buoys. dle Cove, northward of Thatchbed Island. In February 1999, the small-boat channel had a reported mid- (146) From Saybrook Point to Hartford local knowledge channel controlling depth of 6½ feet. is required to carry the best water. Small craft should have no difficulty in following the channel. Small-craft facilities (153) Essex has excellent small-craft facilities. (See the (147) Lieutenant River, leading to Old Lyme, enters the east side of Connecticut River about 1.4 miles north- small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for ser- ward of Saybrook Point. Pipe stakes mark the south vices and supplies available.) side of the channel across the bar at the entrance. A midchannel depth of about 3 feet can be carried over Anchorages the bar to about 0.2 mile above the second bridge. A (154) Special anchorages are at Essex. (See 110.1 and railroad bridge with a 33-foot fixed span and a clear- ance of 11 feet crosses the river 0.4 mile above the en- 110.55 (a), (a-1), (b), and (c), chapter 2, for limits trance. An overhead power cable with a reported and regulations.) clearance of about 10 feet is on the north side of the bridge. About 0.3 mile above that bridge is a highway (155) Hamburg Cove and Eightmile River, which emp- bridge with a 24-foot fixed span and a clearance of 6 ties into the north end of the cove, indent the east side feet. A harbormaster is at Old Lyme. of Connecticut River, 6 miles above Saybrook Point. A dredged channel leads from Connecticut River to a (148) The passage to the east and north of Calves Island, turning basin at Hamburg, a village at the head of navi- about 1 mile above the railroad bridge crossing Con- gation. In June 2002, the controlling depth was 4.5 feet necticut River, is used extensively for mooring small in the channel with 1.9 feet in the basin except for craft in the summer. This passage is subject to shoal- shoaling at the north end and along the east edge. ing, particularly on the north side of Calves Island; cau- There are boulders in places outside the dredged chan- tion is advised. A small-craft facility is on the east side nel, and the entrance channel is outlined by grassy flats of the passage just above the entrance. Berths, electric- on each side. Buoys mark the entrance, and private sea- ity, water, ice, marine supplies, storage facilities, a sonal buoys and daybeacons mark the remainder of the 25-ton lift, and some repairs are available. In July 2002, channel to Hamburg. The center of the turning basin depths of 18 feet were reported at the facility. has piles used for moorings. (149) Lord Cove has its entrance about 300 yards north- Small-craft facility ward of Calves Island. In July 1981, a depth of 3½ feet (156) A small-craft facility, on the east side of the basin, was available through the unmarked entrance. The marshlands surrounding Lord Cove and the other has sewage pump-out, water, ice, and some marine coves between Essex and the river mouth at Saybrook are frequented by duck hunters in October and Novem- ber. Because of danger of gunfire, mariners are

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 303 supplies. A 35-ton travel lift is available for hull and en- small craft at high tide. The entrance to the cove is sub- gine repairs. ject to shoaling. Considerable grass in the channel and cove makes boat operation difficult. Charts 12377, 12378 (166) Overhead power cables with a least clearance of 86 feet cross the cove about 1.2 miles above the mouth. (157) Eustasia Island, 8.5 miles above Saybrook Point, Small-craft facility divides the Connecticut River into two channels. A (167) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the river light off the southeast end of the island marks the junc- tion of the two channels. The eastern channel crossing about 1.1 miles above East Haddam. Berths, electricity, Potash Bar through a dredged cut is better marked and water, ice, a 10-ton mobile hoist, and a launching ramp easier to follow. The western channel leads to Pratt are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. In Creek, westward of the southerly end of Eustasia Is- March 1990, a depth of 6 feet was reported at the facil- land, and to the landing at Deep River and thence ity. crosses Chester Creek Bar through a swash channel to Chester Creek. A sand shoal and a rocky reef, both bare (168) Haddam Island divides the Connecticut River at low water, are north of Eustasia Island, between the about 3.2 miles above East Haddam. The main river main channel east of the island and Chester Creek. channel leads eastward of the island through a dredged cut known as Haddam Island Bar Channel. A pinnacle (158) A rock, covered 3 feet, is on the south side of the en- rock, covered 13 feet, is in the approach to Haddam Is- trance to Chester Creek in about 41°24'24.1\"N., land Bar Channel in 41°29'31\"N., 72°30'49\"W. 72°25'46.6\"W. (169) The passage westward of Haddam Island is closed Small-craft facilities by a bare sand shoal lying between the island’s south- (159) There are several small-craft facilities on Pratt erly tip and the westerly shore of the river. Creek and Chester Creek. Berths and moorings, elec- (170) The shoal off the east side of the river opposite tricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, marine supplies, a Higganum Creek, 5.5 miles above East Haddam, is ex- pump-out, storage and a launching ramp are available tending westward. in the area. Lifts to 55 tons are available for complete hull, engine, and electronic repairs. (171) A rock breakwater extends southward from the east side of the river, 1 mile above Higganum Creek. In Anchorages 1969, the shoal, about 200 yards southward of the (160) Special anchorages are off Chester Creek. (See breakwater, was found to be extending southward. 110.1 and 110.55 (e–1) and (e–2), chapter 2, for lim- (172) A boatyard is on the north side of the river at Co- its and regulations.) balt, about 3.5 miles above Higganum Creek. Storage (161) The Chester-Hadlyme vehicular ferry crosses the facilities and a 15-ton hoist are available. In October river near Fort Hill, 2 miles above Eustasia Island. The 1990, a reported depth of 7 feet could be carried to the ferry operates from April through November. facility. (162) Special anchorages are northeastward of Connect- icut River Light 45 (41°26.2'N., 72°27.6'W.), about 12.8 (173) After passing through the channel in Paper Rock miles above Saybrook Point. (See 110.1 and 110.55 Shoal, 9.7 miles above East Haddam, favor the south (d) and (e), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) side of the river to about 300 yards southeastward of Bodkin Rock, then cross to the north side and pass it (163) On the east side of the river, the turret of the opera close-to. house at East Haddam, 13.3 miles above Saybrook Point, is prominent. A marina is on the west side of the (174) About 0.5 mile westward of Bodkin Rock, a dredged river just above the swing bridge between East Haddam section of the channel leads along the southerly shore and Tylerville. Limited guest berths, limited marine of Connecticut River and southward of Mouse Island supplies, electricity, water, and ice are available. In Bar. March 1990, a reported depth of 5 feet was available in the marina basin. Anchorages (175) Special anchorages are along the north and east (164) The shoal off the west side of the river, just north of East Haddam, is reported to be increasing. sides of the river, between Bodkin Rock and Portland. (See 110.1 and 110.55 (f) and (g), chapter 2, for limits (165) Salmon Cove, on the east side of the river, 1 mile and regulations.) above East Haddam, is reported to be navigable only by Caution (176) Caution is recommended when rounding the point on the south side of the river, about 1.5 miles above

304 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 Bodkin Rock, to avoid a submerged crib that extends a clearance of 38 feet. The speed limit in the channel northward from the point. and cove is 5 knots. Ice, transient berthing, and some supplies can be obtained at the yacht club on the south (177) Portland, 26.3 miles above Saybrook Point, has side of the cove. A town marina is on the east side of the several boatyards with marine railways; the largest rail- cove; a launching ramp is available at the facility. The way can handle craft to 60 feet for engine and hull re- Wethersfield harbormaster can be contacted through pairs. Gasoline, water, berths with electricity, ice, the local police department or town hall. storage facilities, marine supplies, a pump-out station, (186) The only remaining commercial docks at Hartford launching ramps, and lifts to 50 tons are available at are the bulk fuel handling facility of the Hartford Elec- Portland. In March 1990, depths of 7 to 9 feet were re- tric Light Company’s powerplant on the west side of the ported available. river, about 0.2 mile below the Charter Oak Bridge, and the Hartford Gas Company’s barge unloading facilities (178) Berthing and water are available at Harbor Park in on the west side of the river, about 0.5 mile above the Middletown, across the river from Portland. Depths of Charter Oak Bridge. A public facility with floating 18 feet are reported to be available along the wharves. docks is on the west side of the river just below the Founders Bridge. A flood control dike is along the west (179) Two small-craft facilities are on the east side of the side of the river from just north of the Charter Oak river at Gildersleeve, about 2.5 miles above Portland. Bridge to the Bulkeley Bridge. Gasoline, diesel fuel, berths with electricity, water, ice, (187) Connecticut River above Hartford is practically un- storage facilities, marine supplies, a launching ramp, improved, but is navigable about 30 miles to Holyoke and 15- and 35-ton lifts are available, and hull and en- for boats not exceeding 3-foot draft, when the river is gine repairs can be made. not low. The channel is constantly shifting. (180) From Belamose, 6.5 miles above Portland, north- Chart 12354 ward to Hartford, the land is much lower, and the Con- necticut River narrows, its curves become more (188) Long Sand Shoal extends 6 miles westward from pronounced, and both of its shores have numerous off the entrance of Connecticut River and has a greatest wood-stake-and-rock groins. width of nearly 0.3 mile. The general depths on the shoal are 4 to 15 feet; bottom is hard and lumpy. Shoal- (181) A marina on the east side of the river opposite ing is abrupt on both sides, but especially on the south Belamose has gasoline, berths, electricity, water, ice, side, where the 5-fathom curve is only 100 yards from it marine supplies, and a 15-ton lift; engine and hull re- in places. The shoal is marked at its eastern end by a pairs can be made. In July 1983, the privately marked buoy, and on the south side and west end by lighted channel into the marina basin had a reported control- sound buoys. ling depth of 7 feet. (189) A fairway lighted whistle buoy is 4.5 miles south of (182) At Rocky Hill, 1 mile above Belamose, a seasonal Cornfield Point. vehicular ferry crosses the river to South Glastonbury. A small-craft launching ramp is just above the ferry (190) At the western end of Long Sand Shoal and 1 mile landing. southward is an area about 0.6 mile long with rocky and broken bottom, and with a least found depth of 22 (183) The cove at Crow Point, on the west side of the feet. river about 5.7 miles above Belamose, is used to obtain land fill. Dredging in the cove is uneven, but the bot- (191) Sixmile Reef, about 3 miles southwestward of tom is soft ooze. In July 1981, it was reported that the Long Sand Shoal, is an area of migrating sandwaves entrance had shoaled to bare and could be used only by about 2.5 miles long in a west-northwesterly direction small outboards. with depths of 19 to 30 feet. Shoaling is abrupt in places. A lighted bell buoy is off the southerly edge of (184) A rock, covered 5 feet, is on the south side of the this reef. With extreme low tides, due to northerly and dredged channel about 0.8 mile above Crow Point in westerly winds, this shoal may be dangerous to vessels about 41°42'43.0\"N., 72°37'46.5\"W.; and a shoal that with 15-foot draft. Tide rips occur on the reef whenever bares is in 41°43'11\"N., 72°38'52\"W., on the west side of the direction of the tidal currents is opposed to that of Connecticut River, about 1.9 miles above Crow Point. the wind. This is especially true during spring tides and a southwest wind. (185) Wethersfield Cove, on the west side of the river 14 miles above Portland, is entered through a narrow (192) A ridge with depths of 24 to 36 feet is near the mid- dredged channel that leads to a dredged anchorage ba- dle of Long Island Sound southward of Sixmile Reef sin about 0.3 mile above the entrance. In 1986, the con- trolling depth was 4.9 feet (5.1 feet at midchannel); thence in 1983, 6 feet were available in the basin. The channel is marked by daybeacons. The Interstate 91 highway bridge over the entrance has a fixed span with

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 305 and 5 miles north-northwestward of Horton Point (198) Duck Island Roads, between Menunketesuck Is- Light. It is marked by a lighted whistle buoy equipped land and Kelsey Point, is a harbor of refuge protected with a racon. by breakwaters 1,100 feet northward and nearly 0.5 mile westward from Duck Island, with the added pro- Charts 12375, 12372 tection of Kelsey Point Breakwater on Stone Island Reef. A prominent landmark on Duck Island is a stone (193) Cornfield Point, 2 miles westward of Saybrook chimney. Both breakwaters extending from Duck Is- Breakwater Light, is marked by a large red-roofed stone land are marked by lights. building. Rocky shoals and foul ground extend about 0.5 mile southerly from this point and for about 1.9 (199) The dredged anchorage enclosed by the breakwa- miles westerly. Cornfield Point Shoal, a small rocky ters extending northward and westward from Duck Is- patch covered 3 feet, is about 0.4 mile south of the land is subject to shoaling. General depths of 3 to 8 feet point. Westward of this shoal are Hen and Chickens, are in the protected area, and 4 to 16 feet in the western bare in spots at low water, and Crane Reef, an area of end. In addition to the area inside the breakwaters, a broken ground with a least depth of 3 feet. These dan- small area northward and northeastward of Duck Is- gers are buoyed. About 0.5 mile westward of the point is land North Breakwater Light can be used as an anchor- Halftide Rock, surrounded by foul ground and marked age in southwesterly weather. by a private daybeacon. (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. (195) Westbrook, a town on the north side of Westbrook (202) The eastern entrance of Duck Island Roads is ob- Harbor, is marked on its east side by an elevated tank. A structed by a sand shoal with a least depth of 8 feet harbormaster is at Westbrook and can be contacted about 0.3 mile eastward of Duck Island, and by boulder through the town hall. reefs which extend about 0.2 mile off the western side of Menunketesuck Island. This entrance is easy of ac- (196) Menunketesuck Island is the outermost of several cess for vessels drawing up to 8 feet. low narrow islands connected to the mainland at low (203) Anchorage in 18 to 24 feet, bottom generally sticky, water on the west side of Westbrook Harbor. It has can be had between the Duck Island West Breakwater boulders at the south end. A boulder reef extends nearly Light 2DI and the 17-foot rocky patches southeastward 0.5 mile south-southeastward from the point to the of Kelsey Point. This anchorage is exposed to winds 18-foot curve. Tide rips frequently occur on this reef. A southward of east and west. private seasonal buoy is about 0.3 mile southeastward of Menunketesuck Island. (204) Patchogue River, used chiefly by fishing and recre- ational craft, empties into Duck Island Roads just west (197) Between Menunketesuck Island and Hammonasset of Menunketesuck Island. A channel leads from deep Point, about 4 miles westward, broken ground extends water in Duck Island Roads to the first fixed highway about 1.5 miles offshore. A boulder reef extends 0.5 bridge, about 0.6 mile above the mouth. The approach mile southward from Duck Island to the 18-foot curve channel is marked by buoys, and the river channel is and is marked by a buoy. A rock with 1 foot over it is on marked by private aids. A light is on the outer end of the this reef about 300 yards south of Duck Island. Tide rips breakwater on the west side of the river mouth. In July have been reported to extend from the vicinity of these 1999, the controlling depths were 4 feet (8 feet at rocks to the buoy. During strong flood currents and a midchannel) to the first turn near the mouth of southwest wind, tide rips extend from the shoal water Menunketesuck River, thence in January-February southwest of Duck Island to the vicinity of Southwest 1998, 6 feet (7½ feet at midchannel) to the head of the Reef over 1 mile southwestward. Caution is advised project about 60 yards below the first fixed highway when navigating small boats in this vicinity during bridge. The anchorage basin had depths of 6½ feet. In these conditions.

306 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 October 2004, shoaling was reported in the channel be- buoys to the anchorage basin at Clinton. Buoys are tween Buoy 3 and Light 3A; caution is advised. shifted often due to changing channel conditions. Lo- cal knowledge is advised. Depths of 5 to 8 feet were Small-craft facilities available in the anchorage basin on the northeast side (205) Several small-craft facilities are on the river. (See of the channel east of the wharves at Clinton. From op- posite the basin to the upstream limit of the Federal the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for project, the southwest and south side of the channel is services and supplies available.) obstructed by a series of pilings. Boats may be moored between the pilings, caution is advised. Above the (206) Menunketesuck River, sharing the same entrance dredged channel, the midchannel controlling depth is channel as Patchogue River, is a shallow stream west- about 2 feet in the Hammonasset River to the overhead ward of Patchogue River. In July 1981, a depth of about pipeline and bridge crossing about 2 miles above 8 feet was reported to the first fixed highway bridge Clinton. Private daybeacons mark this section of the crossing the river above which depths of less than 1 channel. foot are reported. A shoal was reported extending south (211) Several boatyards and marinas are in the harbor. from shore at the junction of Patchogue and (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 Menunketesuck Rivers; caution is advised. The junc- for services and supplies available.) Mooring facilities tion is marked by a private seasonal buoy. Small-craft are available by arrangement with the town facilities on the river can provide berths, electricity, dockmaster who can be contacted through the town gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, marine sup- hall or police department. A 6 mph speed limit is en- plies, a pump-out station, and engine and hull repairs; forced in the harbor. The town maintains a fireboat at a 12-ton mobile hoist and a 75-ton lift are available. The Clinton Harbor. The vessel can be contacted through privately maintained channel in the river is reported to the Clinton Police Department or the Coast Guard. be marked by seasonal private aids; local knowledge is (212) Northeastward of Cedar Island in Clinton Harbor advised. are two narrow crooked channels close together, with depths of about 1 foot. The eastern one is usually (207) A 6 mph speed limit is enforced on both rivers. marked by bush stakes; it leads to a marina and (208) Kelsey Point Breakwater extends on Stone Island boatyard just inside the mouth of Hammock River. The western channel, marked by a private range, leads to a Reef over 0.6 mile south-southeastward from Stone Is- boatyard on Indian River. land and is marked by a light. The least depth on the (213) Hammonasset Point, on the southwest side of rocky broken ground southwestward of the light is 16 Clinton Harbor, is a low marshy area with many feet. The outer spot is marked by a buoy. Stone Island, wooded knolls. The end of the point is a rocky knoll. at the north end of the breakwater, is mostly covered at Hammonasset State Park is marked by a conspicuous high water. Some rocks bare at low water are between flagstaff and the buildings at the recreational center. In the island and the shore. Tide rips frequently occur in the summer it is an active resort. Broken ground with the area southwestward from the end of the breakwater rocky irregular bottom and least depths of 10 to 11 feet to the bell buoy. Depths of 18 feet or less near Kelsey extends 0.5 mile southward of Hammonasset Point. Point Breakwater indicate areas of broken rocky bot- (214) West Rock is the outermost of the bare rocks which tom which should be avoided in anchoring. The broken extend a short distance off the east end of Ham- ground east of the breakwater includes depths of 12 monasset Point. A reef, with two bare rocks and a groin feet close to it; the 18-foot patch 0.2 mile on its inner part, extends 0.3 mile southwestward from east-northeast of the end of the breakwater; East Ledge the point and is marked by a buoy, northeastward of with depths of 2 to 17 feet, which extends 0.4 mile which tide rips frequently occur. When rounding the southward from Kelsey Point; and the broken ground point, vessels should not pass between the buoy and with depths of 8 to 17 feet which extends over 0.4 mile Hammonasset Point. southeastward from Kelsey Point. (215) Madison Reef, over 2 miles westward of Hammo- (209) The bight at the entrance of Clinton Harbor and nasset Point, extends over a mile east and west. This westward of Kelsey Point Breakwater affords anchor- reef consists of several rocky patches with depths of 4 to age, but is exposed to southeasterly and southwesterly 17 feet, with deeper water between them. Charles Reef, winds. with a least depth of 7 feet, is about 0.5 mile southwest (210) Clinton Harbor, the bight westward of Kelsey Point of Madison Reef and marked by a buoy. Breakwater, is the entrance to Hammonasset River, a (216) Kimberly Reef, about 1.9 miles southward of stream used chiefly by fishing and recreational craft. Charles Reef, is an area of broken ground with a least Wheeler Rock, with 1 foot over it, just outside the bar, is marked by a lighted buoy. The channel is marked by buoys to Cedar Island and thence by seasonal private

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 307 depth of 12 feet. An isolated 27-foot spot, marked by a channel leads northwesterly into Sluice Creek for lighted horn buoy, is about 0.2 mile south of the shoal. about 0.1 mile and northeasterly into East River for A bank with depths of 14 to 28 feet extends about 1.5 about 0.4 mile to an anchorage basin. Buoys and a pri- miles west of Kimberly Reef to Falkner Island. 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 (218) Tuxis Island, northward of Madison Reef and 0.2 feet in the left half of the channel and 2.2 feet in the mile south of Middle Beach, is high and rocky. Between right half, to the anchorage basin with 1 to 6 feet in the the island and the shore the water is shallow and the basin except for shoaling to bare toward the northeast ground foul. Rocks awash are 200 to 600 yards eastward limit and in the south half of the entrance into the ba- of the island, and an islet is 100 yards westward of the sin. Deeper water is available with local knowledge. 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. Charts 12373, 12372 (225) West River empties into the western side of Guilford Harbor 0.2 mile westward of Guilford Point. A (220) Guilford Harbor, a bight 5.5 miles westward of railroad bridge about 0.7 mile above the mouth has a Hammonasset Point, is used only by small craft. East clearance of 6 feet. Guilford is the town above the rail- River and Sluice Creek empty into Guilford Harbor road bridge. In September 1988-July 1989, a depth of from the northward. The approach to the harbor is ob- 4½ feet was reported in West River entrance channel; structed by rocks and foul ground. The outermost dan- the channel is marked by buoys and a 321° lighted gers are: Half Acre Rock, about 0.8 mile southeastward range. of the entrance channel, which shows at high water; (226) There are two boatyards with several marinas and scattered rocks, some bare at low water and others with marine railways on West River. The largest marine rail- 7 to 16 feet over them, extending about a mile eastward way can handle craft up to 40 feet; berths with electric- from Half Acre Rock; Outer White Top, about 0.6 mile ity, water, ice, gasoline, diesel fuel, limited supplies, a southwestward of Half Acre Rock, and several rocks 12-ton mobile crane, a 25-ton lift, and complete engine northward of it bare at low water; and Indian Reef, ex- and hull repairs are available. tending about 1 mile southwestward of Outer White (227) Falkner Island and Goose Islands, with Stony Is- Top, the highest part of which is covered at high water. land to the southward, are about 3 miles south of Indian Reef is marked on its south and southwestern Guilford Harbor. Each is surrounded by reefs and rocks sides by buoys. Stakes and fish traps may exist north- that bare at low water. A depth of about 16 feet can be ward of Riding Rock, 0.6 mile northwestward of Half carried between Goose Islands and Falkner Island by Acre Rock. staying in the middle of the passage and avoiding the 8-foot and 11-foot spots, about 0.35 mile 244° and 0.4 (221) The approach channel to Guilford Harbor, marked mile 300° from the light on Falkner Island, respectively, by buoys, leads along the southeasterly side of Indian and the shoals and reefs extending from the islands. Reef, thence westward of Half Acre Rock to a dredged Falkner Island Light (41°12'43\"N., 72°39'13\"W.), 94 feet channel about 0.5 mile northwestward of Half Acre above the water, is shown from a 46-foot white octago- Rock. The dredged channel leads northward through nal tower near the center of Falkner Island. A lighted the harbor and eastward of Guilford Point to a junction gong buoy marks the shoal off the northern end of with Sluice Creek and East River, about 0.6 mile above Falkner Island, and a lighted bell buoy is off the south- the channel entrance. At the junction, the dredged ern end of Stony Island.

308 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 (228) From Indian Reef westward are rocky shoals and is- bare. All of the area, extending over 2 miles from lets extending from 0.2 to 0.7 mile off Vineyard Point Hoadley Point southwestward to East Reef, is foul with and Sachem Head. Chimney Corner Reef, about 0.3 rocky bottom and many shoals. To lesser extent, the mile south of Sachem Head and marked by a buoy, is a area from East Reef for 2 miles westward and rocky broken area on which the least depth is 9 feet. northwestward to Branford Harbor entrance is dotted Westward of it are Goose Rocks Shoals, on which are with islets and rocks. The whole area is suitable only for Goose Rocks, the northerly of which is bare and the small pleasure craft, which are very active here in sum- southerly one covered at high water. The outer limit of mer. Many oyster stakes are encountered; these do not Goose Rocks Shoals is marked by a lighted bell buoy. To mark channels and caution should be used to avoid ensure clearing the westerly end of Goose Rocks fouling them. Caution also is advised to avoid fouling Shoals, care must be taken not to round the buoy too the pipelines and cables in the area. closely. (236) The outermost of The Thimbles proper is Outer Is- land, marked by a house chimney. A boat landing pro- (229) Sachem Head Harbor, an anchorage for small craft tected by a stone jetty is on the northeast side of this on the southwest side of Sachem Head, is 0.3 mile long island, and an unmarked rock, bare at lowest tides, is and 0.1 mile wide, and has depths of 3 to 8 feet at the 200 yards eastward. The reefs southwestward of Outer floats and in the moorings; it is sheltered except from Island, to and including East Reef and Browns Reef, westerly winds. The island forming the south point at are buoyed. the entrance is connected with the shore by a bridge. A (237) From eastward a buoyed channel leads through yacht clubhouse is on the island. From the north point The Thimbles. The channel passes between Wayland of the island a breakwater extends 100 yards in a north- Island and a buoy marking the foul area southward of westerly direction; a rock awash, marked by a private Cat Island. The channel extends between Davis Island seasonal light, is off the end of the breakwater. A rock and Dogfish Island, thence north of East Crib and covered at half tide is 50 yards off the southeast side of West Crib into the more open water westward of The the harbor, about 350 yards eastward of the end of the Thimbles; it is good for about 13 feet. breakwater. (238) Stony Creek, a village on the railroad, extends southward to Flying Point (41°15.5'N., 72°45.1'W.). A (230) The approach to Sachem Head Harbor for small dredged channel west of Flying Point leads north to a craft from eastward is along the south side of the rocks turning basin at Stony Creek. The channel is marked by making off from the south side of Sachem Head. Ap- private buoys. In March 2001, the controlling depth proaching eastward of Goose Rocks, give the rocks a was 4.3 feet in the entrance channel to Buoy 5, thence berth of over 300 yards. The approach from westward is 3.0 feet to the head of the project with 2.7 to 4.5 feet in clear between Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. the basin. Rocks were reported in the northwest corner of the basin. Gasoline, marine supplies, inside storage, (231) Uncas Point, the western extremity of Sachem and a small-craft launching ramp are available at mari- Head, is marked by a rocky islet on its west side and a nas eastward of the turning basin; small craft can be privately maintained seasonal light. Just northward of hauled out on a flatbed trailer for hull and engine re- the islet a stone jetty with a bulkhead on its north side pairs. The village dock is on the southeast side of the extends about 100 yards in a northwesterly direction turning basin. from the shore. Vessels can anchor in the angle near (239) Between the rocks westward of Rogers Island and the shore where the depth is about 4½ feet. Blackstone Rocks, a privately dredged channel, about 0.9 mile westward of Flying Point, leads northeastward (232) Joshua Cove, northwestward of Sachem Head, is to a quarry wharf on the west side of a dredged basin. In little used, but affords good anchorage in its entrance 1995, the reported controlling depths were 14 feet from for small vessels in northerly or easterly winds in 6 to the channel entrance to the basin, thence a depth of 14 10 feet, soft bottom. The approach from southwestward feet was available in the basin except for lesser depths is clear between Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. along the north and west edges. The entrance channel is marked by a private 028° range consisting of a front (233) Leetes Rocks, midway between Sachem Head and and middle light and a rear daybeacon. the north end of The Thimbles, are two rocks bare at (240) Thimble Island Harbor, in the western part of The low water, with an area of broken ground around them. Thimbles, affords good shelter for small craft between A 9-foot spot is about 200 yards southward of the south- Pot Island and Money Island on the east and High Is- erly rock, and a 3-foot spot is 0.3 mile northeast of the land and West Crib on the west. Although open south- southerly rock. westward, the sea from that direction loses much of its (234) Leetes Island Quarry is a prominent feature on the south side of Hoadley Point; on the north side of the cove eastward of the point are the ruins of an old dock. (235) The Thimbles, about 1.6 miles west of Sachem Head, comprise many islands, islets, and rocks that

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 309 force before reaching the inner harbor. A rock with 3 select anchorage in the harbor southward of the feet over it and marked by a buoy is 80 yards off the east Mermaids in 10 to 14 feet, protected against all but side of High Island, just above its south end. Vessels southerly and southwesterly winds. Boats up to 5-foot sometimes anchor near midchannel, between this rock draft can select a well-sheltered anchorage in the upper and the north end of Pot Island in depths of 13 to 18 part of the harbor above the Mermaids. The harbor is feet, soft bottom, but care should be taken to avoid the used chiefly for recreational boating and by the small cables in the area. The harbor is easy of access between local lobster fishing fleet. Outer Island and Inner Reef. (249) The dangers in the approach and entrance to (241) Pine Orchard, about 3 miles westward of Sachem Branford Harbor either show above water or are Head, is a summer resort extending northward and marked by buoys. Cow and Calf, 1.3 miles southwest- westward of Brown Point. A breakwater extending ward of Jeffrey Point, are two boulders close together about 300 yards southeastward from Brown Point pro- bare at low water. Boulders, reported covered 10 feet, tects a yacht basin entered through a privately dredged are about 0.2 mile northward of Cow and Calf. Five channel that leads from southward of St. Helena Island Foot Rock, 0.5 mile northeastward of Cow and Calf, has north-northwestward to the basin. In July 1994, the en- 5 feet over it. Taunton Rock, 0.9 mile northeastward of trance channel and basin had reported depths of 5 feet. Cow and Calf near the middle of the entrance to The basin approach northward of St. Helena Island has Branford Harbor, is large but low and bare. Blyn Rock, depths of 3 to 5 feet. Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, and water midway between Johnson Point and Taunton Rock, is may be obtained at the yacht club landing. covered at extreme high tide. Bird Rock, 0.2 mile (242) From Brown Point to Branford Harbor, 2.5 miles northward of Blyn Rock, has 5 feet over it. westward, bare rocks and shoals extend up to about 2 (250) Little Mermaid, showing a little above high water, miles offshore. A seawall extends westward from Brown and Big Mermaid, a high rock marked by a light, are Point, and the shore is thickly settled. A rock bare at near the middle of Branford Harbor. Two bare rocks are half tide is 600 yards westward of Brown Point and 300 near the head of the harbor. A rock, bare at low water yards from shore. and usually marked by stakes, is about 100 feet (243) Rocks bare at low water are eastward of Haycock north-northeastward of the north end of Lovers Island. Point, and rocks that bare at half tide are off the south- east side and southwest end of Green Island. The foul Routes ground extends about 0.6 mile south-southwestward (251) To enter Branford Harbor from eastward, pass from Haycock Point, including Foot Rocks which are partly above water. southward of the lighted buoy marking Negro Heads, (244) Branford Reef, about 1.8 miles southward of In- steer about 306° heading for Taunton Rock, and enter dian Neck and 5 miles eastward of New Haven entrance, between Taunton and Jeffrey Rocks; or a 333° course is marked by a light. This reef is surrounded by shoal with Branford Reef Light astern will lead into the har- water for a distance of 150 to 450 yards from the light. bor between Jeffrey and Taunton Rocks. From west- (245) Deep water is between Branford Reef and Negro ward, pass southward and over 100 yards eastward of Heads, a reef bare in one place at low water about 0.9 the lighted bell buoy marking Cow and Calf, thence mile northward. Shoreward of Negro Heads are Specta- westward of the buoys marking Blyn Rock and Bird cle Island, Sumac Island, and Clam Island, together Rock to the buoyed channel in the harbor. with numerous rocks bare and covered. (252) Local craft pass northwestward of Cow and Calf (246) A private boat landing is on the northwest side of Shoal and midway between Johnson Point and Blyn Clam Island. Small craft can enter Maltby Cove be- Rock. tween the bare rocks off the southwest end of Clam Is- land and Jeffrey Rock, favoring the northwest side of (253) Branford River, narrow and crooked, extends Clam Island. Private markers are sometimes at the en- northeasterly from Branford Harbor. In January-Feb- trance. The northwest side of the cove is foul, the prin- ruary 2001, the controlling depth in the dredged chan- cipal danger being a rock bare at low water near the nel was 6.5 feet from Branford Harbor to the upstream middle, northwestward of Clam Island; the rock is limit of the dredged channel, except for depths between sometimes marked by a seasonal private spindle. 5.0 and 6.4 feet in the left half of the channel about (247) Jeffrey Point, the eastern point at the entrance of 1,200 feet below the project head. Branford Harbor, has a bare rock close to its western end. (254) At low water the channel above Branford Point is (248) Branford Harbor is a shallow cove between Jeffrey defined by bare shoals on each side. During the sum- Point and Johnson Point. Vessels up to 10-foot draft can mer numerous stakes used as moorings mark both sides of the channel. A privately dredged channel and

310 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 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- (255) The principal waterborne commerce at Branford is staff. A ledge, bare at low water, with a buoy off its in petroleum products. There are several marinas and southern end, is 200 yards south of the flagstaff. 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. (257) The harbormaster at Branford controls all moor- Charts 12371, 12372 ings and anchoring; he can be contacted through the small-craft facilities. (264) New Haven Harbor, an important harbor of refuge, (258) Johnson Point is the western entrance point to is about 68 miles from New York, 179 miles from Branford Harbor; a rock covered 2 feet is about 100 Boston via Cape Cod Canal, and 171 miles from yards off its south side. A small privately dredged basin Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N (LNB). It on the southwest side of the point is well protected in comprises all the tidewater northward of the breakwa- all but southerly winds. In 1971, it was reported that 4 ters constructed across the mouth of the bay, including feet could be carried to and in the basin. the navigable portions of the West, Mill, and (259) Gull Rocks, about 0.3 mile westward of Johnson Quinnipiac Rivers. It is about 2 miles wide. The inner Point, consist of small islets and submerged rocks that harbor, northward of Sandy Point and Fort Hale, is extend about 0.5 mile southwestward from shore on shallow for the most part, except where the depths have the easterly side of the entrance to a large cove. A rock, been increased by dredging. The main entrance chan- bare at half tide, is in the northwestern part of the cove nel, between Middle Breakwater and the East Breakwa- about 350 yards southward of Short Beach. The north- ter, leads northward to Tomlinson Bridge at New west end of the cove has a yacht club landing with a re- Haven. Anchorage basins for medium draft vessels are ported depth of 2 feet alongside. on the west side of the channel north of Sandy Point. (260) Farm River Gut, a small bight on the west side of Waterborne commerce in the harbor consists of petro- the cove, is a good anchorage for small craft. Depths leum products, scrap metal, lumber, automobiles, gyp- range from 4 to 5 feet in the eastern part of the gut with sum, paper and pulp products, steel products, shoaling to bare in the northern and western parts. Two chemicals, rock salt, and general cargo. rocks awash are on the north side of the gut about 125 yards inside the entrance. The gut offers good protec- (265) New Haven, at the head of the harbor, is an impor- tion from all but easterly winds, mud bottom. A marine tant manufacturing city. railway at a boatyard on the north side of the gut can handle boats to 36 feet for hull repairs; storage facilities Prominent features are available. The yard can be reached only at high tide. (266) On the approach from well offshore in clear Old Clump is a bare rock about 400 yards south of the bight. weather, the prominent landmarks are: on East Rock (261) Farm River, locally known as East Haven River, (41°19.7'N., 72°54.4'W.), the Soldiers and Sailors Mon- about 1.5 miles westward of Branford Harbor, is used by ument; in New Haven, the Knights of Columbus Build- local craft. In July 1981, it was reported that depths of 3 ing, a tall rectangular structure with circular pillars at feet could be carried in the river to the fixed bridge with its corners; the lighted stack of the powerplant on the a clearance of 4 feet about 1 mile above the mouth. Sev- east side of the harbor opposite City Point. The lights eral boatyards on the river provide gasoline, berths, on the ends of the breakwaters, the aerolight at electricity, water, storage, and limited marine supplies; Tweed-New Haven Airport, and the abandoned tower diesel fuel can be delivered by truck. A 10-ton mobile on Lighthouse Point are also prominent. hoist and a 12-ton crane can handle vessels for com- (267) Southwest Ledge Light (41°14'04\"N., 72°54'44\"W.), plete engine and hull repairs. 57 feet above the water, is shown from a white octagonal (262) East Indies Rocks, about 0.4 mile south of the en- house on a brown cylindrical pier at the westerly end of trance to Farm River, cover at half tide and are marked East Breakwater. A fog signal is sounded at the light. by a buoy to the eastward; a rocky shoal with a least depth of 5 feet is 0.2 mile to the eastward. A small ledge, Channels bare at low water, is midway between East Indies Rocks (268) A Federal project for New Haven Harbor provides and the south side of Mansfield Point, the western en- trance point to Farm River. Darrow Rocks, a group of for an entrance channel 35 feet deep to a point just be- low the junction of Mill River and Quinnipiac River.

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 311 The channel is well marked. (See Notice to Mariners and is used by yachts, but is rough in westerly and and latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) southerly winds. In July 1981, isolated, uncharted (269) West River, on the west side of the main channel 40-foot spots were reported in the cove. Caution is ad- about 3 miles above Southwest Ledge Light, has a vised when anchoring. New Haven Coast Guard Sta- dredged channel marked by buoys to just below the tion is on the north side of the jutting point, about 1.5 first highway bridge (Kimberly Avenue Bridge), about miles northward of Lighthouse Point. 1.2 miles above the channel entrance. In 1996, the (275) An anchorage basin on the west side of the main midchannel controlling depth was 10 feet from the channel southward of New Haven Long Wharf is some- channel entrance to Buoy 18, thence 5 feet at times used, but considerable shoaling is gradually ex- midchannel to just above the first highway bridge, the tending into the anchorage from westward. A sunken head of navigation. An anchorage area is on the south barge with 5 feet over it is in this anchorage about 550 side of the channel about 0.9 mile above the entrance; yards southward of New Haven Long Wharf. In Febru- in April 1996, the controlling depth was 4 feet. Princi- ary-March 1985, depths of 10 to 5 feet were available in pal waterfront facilities are at City Point. the anchorage basin with lesser depths along the edges. (270) Mill River, on the west side of Fair Haven about 4 (276) Small craft and scows may anchor northward of the miles above Southwest Ledge Light, is entered from New Haven Long Wharf (Naval Reserve Pier), north- the main channel through a dredged entrance channel west of the main channel where depths range from that branches into an east and west fork to the Grand about 5 to 6 feet. Avenue Bridge, 0.6 mile above the mouth. In 2000, the (277) No special regulations prescribe the limits within controlling depths were 6.2 feet (8.2 feet at mid- which vessels must anchor, except that the dredged channel) to the Chapel Street Bridge about 0.25 mile channels must be kept clear. above the entrance, thence 9 feet through the east bridge opening and 6.3 feet through the west bridge Dangers opening, thence 6.5 feet to the junction with the east (278) Townshend Ledge, 2.7 miles southeastward of and west forks, thence 1.4 feet at midchannel in the east fork for about 320 yards and 4.9 feet at midchannel Southwest Ledge Light, has a least depth of 18 feet and in the west fork for about 480 yards, thence in 1980, 1 is marked by a lighted bell buoy. foot at midchannel in the east fork and 1.5 feet at (279) Stony Islet, 2.2 miles eastward of Southwest Ledge midchannel in the west fork to the head of the channel. Light, is low, bare, and surrounded by ledges bare at (271) Quinnipiac River, on the east side of Fair Haven low water to a distance of about 100 yards. A partly bare about 4 miles above Southwest Ledge Light, has a ledge is about 0.2 mile north-northwestward of Stony dredged channel to Grand Avenue Bridge, about 1 mile Islet. From this ledge and Stony Islet westward to the above the mouth. In November-December 1993, the entrance of New Haven Harbor, an area of foul ground controlling depth was 15 feet at midchannel to the with many rocks bare at low water extends about 0.5 Ferry Street Bridge about 0.5 mile above the mouth, mile offshore. This area should be avoided. thence 12 feet at midchannel to the Grand Avenue (280) Shoals with 16 to 18 feet over them extend over 0.5 Bridge except for shoaling along the edges. mile southeastward from the breakwaters on both sides of the dredged entrance channel. A spoil area with re- Anchorages ported depths of 15 feet is on the eastern side of the en- (272) Inside West Breakwater and the southwest part of trance channel. An 18-foot spot is on the east side of the main channel, at the first turn westward of Southwest Middle Breakwater, anchorage is available for vessels Ledge Light. up to a 19-foot draft. Caution should be exercised to (281) The bights on the west shore of New Haven Harbor avoid the fish stakes in this area. Vessels anchoring in from Pond Point northward are shoal with bare rocks the area should also be aware that water levels may and foul ground in most of them. The shore is rocky at drop significantly following a long continuous north- Woodmont, about 2 miles northeastward of Pond westerly wind. Point. (273) Vessels may anchor northward of Southwest Ledge (282) Black Rock, bare at low water and marked by a sea- Light in depths of 18 to 20 feet, soft bottom in places. sonal buoy, is 0.2 mile off the north end of Morris Cove. Care should be taken to avoid the ledges northward of Opposite, on the west side, is a breakwater, partly cov- the East Breakwater. Deep-draft vessels awaiting berth- ered, extending from Sandy Point and marked by a ing assignments can anchor about 1 mile southward of light. Shag Bank, a flat extending about 0.5 mile north- the sea buoy; holding ground is excellent. ward from Sandy Point, has a sand tip about 0.1 mile (274) Morris Cove, on the east side of the main channel long. just above Lighthouse Point, affords good anchorage

312 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 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 0.5 mile farther upstream, has a center-pier swing span 1957. The coldest temperature on record is -7°F with a clearance of 9 feet. Above this are several fixed (-21.7°C) recorded in January 1961. bridges and trestles. (293) Precipitation is quite evenly distributed through- (287) Kimberly Avenue Bridge over West River has a fixed out the year with only a 1.25 inch (32 mm) spread be- span with a clearance of 23 feet. tween the wettest and driest months. The annual (288) (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.213, chapter average precipitation is 42 inches (1067 mm). The wet- 2, for drawbridge regulations.) test month, December, averages 4.24 inches (108 mm) and the driest month, June, averages 2.93 inches (74 Tides mm). The elevation of the land increases northward (289) The mean range of tide is 6.2 feet. Extreme tides from the station and results in somewhat higher amounts of precipitation in the northern suburbs as have been recorded as reaching more than 2.5 feet be- well as a few more thunderstorms each year. During low the plane of mean low water and more than 8 feet the winter, a variety of precipitation is found in most above the same datum. storms. It is common to have rain along the shore, freezing rain and sleet a short distance inland, and Currents snow in the northern parts of the city. Heavy snow is (290) In the entrance between the breakwaters, the tidal rather uncommon in the immediate coastal area and usually melts in a few days. Farther inland, the snow current has a velocity on flood of 1.4 knots, and ebb 0.9 becomes progressively heavier and a layer of snow cov- knot. The flood sets 319° and the ebb 152°. In the draw ers the ground most of the winter. Annual average of Tomlinson Bridge, the velocity is 0.4 knot. The flood snowfall totals 34 inches (864 mm). February is the sets 015° and the ebb 215°. Ebb velocities are increased snowiest month averaging over nine inches (229 mm). by freshets. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for pre- Snow has fallen in each month, October through May. dicted times and velocities of currents.) The 24-hour record snowfall is 17.1 inches (434 mm) recorded in April 1957. Ice (294) Prevailing wind direction varies with the seasons. (291) Ice generally obstructs navigation to some extent From late spring until fall, winds are predominantly south to southwest due to the effect of the sea breeze. for low-powered vessels from December to March and sometimes extends to the mouth of the harbor. During severe winters the accumulation of ice is local. Except

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 313 During the winter, the prevailing winds are northerly. superstructure, word PILOT on side. The boat moni- Strong southeast winds cause unusually high tides and tors channel 16, 13 and 77; works on 77 and 09. Pilots some local flooding in low-lying coastal areas two or board about 1 mile south of New Haven Harbor Lighted three times a year. Whistle Buoy NH. (295) Since 1871, 17 tropical systems have passed within (302) Pilotage for New Haven is also available from Con- 50 miles of New Haven, Connecticut. The most infa- stitution State Pilots Association (CSPA), 500 Water- mous perhaps, was the hurricane of 1938. This storm front Street, New Haven, CT 06512, telephone passed with 15 miles west of the city on September 21 203-627-5058. Pilots of CSPA board vessels from a raking the city with 85-knot winds while moving at a launch or the tug, at New Haven Harbor Lighted Whis- forward speed in excess of 40 knots. Most recently, hur- tle Buoy NH. ricane Gloria passed within 20 miles to the west on (303) Pilotage for New Haven is also available from Long September 27, 1985. Highest winds at time of landfall Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc. (LISSPA), were barely hurricane strength but two days prior, Glo- 1440 Whalley Avenue, Suite 123, New Haven, CT ria had been supporting winds in excess of 125 knots. 06515, telephone 203-772-0101, FAX 302-629-9392, Due to geographical orientation, all tropical systems Cable LISPILOT, New Haven. The pilot boat OLYMPIC approach the coastline from the south or southwest. has a white hull, red superstructure, and displays the (296) The National Weather Service maintains an office word PILOT in black letters. The boat monitors chan- at the Tweed-New Haven Airport, about 3 miles south- nel 16 and works on channel 11. Vessels should contact east of the city. (See page 435 for New Haven climato- the LISSPA prior to arrival for the location of the pilot logical table.) boarding area. (304) Pilotage for New Haven is also available from Routes Sound Pilots, Inc. (SPI) (a division of Northeast Marine (297) To enter New Haven Harbor from eastward, it is Pilots, Inc.), 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840, telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216, FAX safer for large vessels to pass southward of Branford 401-847-9052, Cable RISPILOT, Newport, RI 02840. The Reef and Townshend Ledge to the entrance channel. To pilot boats are NORTHEAST II, 49-foot, with grey hull enter from westward, pass northward of Stratford and superstructure and the word PILOT on the side; or Shoal Light at a distance of 1.8 miles and head for the RHODE ISLAND PILOT, 35-foot, with black hull and entrance channel. white superstructure and the word PILOT on the side; (298) The passage eastward of East Breakwater has boul- or NORTHEAST I, 49-foot, similarly marked as the der patches and is very broken, but can be used by small RHODE ISLAND PILOT. The SPI pilots meet a ship craft drawing less than 6 feet, taking care to avoid the bound for a Long Island Sound port, off Point Judith, foul ground along the northeast side of the passage. but will also meet a ship off Montauk Point, by prear- This passage is buoyed, and local vessels of 10- to rangement. See Pilotage, Narragansett Bay and Other 12-foot draft use it at high water. Avoid Quixes Ledge, Rhode Island Waters (indexed as such), chapter 6, and which extends about 200 yards southeastward from the Pilotage Pickup Locations Off Montauk Point (indexed eastern end of the breakwater, and pass about 100 yards as such), chapter 7. eastward of the breakwater. The principal danger inside (305) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc., http://www.interport- the breakwater is the reef, marked by a buoy, that ex- pilots.com, 906 Port Monmouth Road, Port tends 300 yards southwestward from Lighthouse Monmouth, NJ 07758, telephone 732-787-5554 (24 Point. Adams Fall, a rock with 5 feet over it and marked hours), email [email protected]. Pilot boat is by a buoy, is 0.4 mile southwestward of Lighthouse CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65-foot, blue hull with white Point. superstructure, and the word PILOT on both sides. The boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours Pilotage, New Haven prior to the vessel's scheduled ETA, works on channel (299) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for 11, and is equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots meet ships bound for New Haven at the Montauk Point Pilot foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. See Pi- Station or the Point Judith Pilot Station. Interport Pi- lotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. lots will also board vessels at New Haven Harbor (300) Pilotage for New Haven is available from New Ha- Lighted Whistle Buoy NH or at the New Haven lighter- ven Bridgeport Pilots Association (NHBPA), 60 ing anchorage from a commercial launch or tug. Appletree Lane, Hamden, CT 06518, telephone 203- (306) Pilot services are arranged in advance through 878-8667. ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. (301) Pilot boats (rented) utilized by NHBPA pilots are SUSY II, 42-foot, blue hull, white superstructure, word PILOT on side; and GALE, 42-foot, white hull, white

314 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 Towage (317) General cargo at the port is usually handled by (307) Tugs up to 1,800 hp are available at New Haven, and ship’s tackle; special handling equipment, if available, is mentioned in the description of the particular facil- tugs to 4,000 hp can be obtained by prior arrangement. ity. Cranes up to 250 tons and warehouses and cold Vessels usually proceed to the harbor without assis- storage facilities adjacent to the waterfront are avail- tance. Large vessels normally require tugs for docking able. and undocking. Arrangements for tug service should be made 24 hours in advance, usually through ships’ (318) Wyatt Light Oil Pier: north end of harbor 0.35 mile agents or directly by shipping companies. The tugs northeastward of New Haven Long Wharf; 150-foot monitor VHF-FM channels 13 and 16 and use channel face, 715 feet of berthing space with dolphins, 38 feet 19A as a working frequency; call sign KEE-234. alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt and shipment of (308) Launch service to ships at anchor is available. petroleum products; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. Launches monitor VHF-FM channel 16 (156.80 MHz) and use channel 19A (156.95 MHz) as a working fre- (319) Wyatt Heavy Oil Wharf: 50 yards east of Wyatt Light quency. Oil Pier; west side 210 feet, 480 feet of berthing space (309) New Haven is a customs port of entry. with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum products, receipt of Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural asphalt; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. quarantine (310) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and ap- (320) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf: on each pendix for addresses.) side of harbor, 200 yards south of Tomlinson Bridge; (311) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- 60-foot face, 735 feet of berthing space with dolphins; tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels normally Health Service, chapter 1.) moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of petro- (312) New Haven has many public and private hospitals. leum products; owned and operated by Gulf Oil Re- fining and Marketing Co. Coast Guard (313) The Captain of the Port maintains an office in New (321) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Pier: 100 yards southward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf; Haven. The nearest vessel documentation office is in north side 400 feet, 25 feet alongside; south side 380 Bridgeport, Conn. (See appendix for addresses.) feet, 25 feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; receipt and (314) The harbormaster at New Haven has charge of the shipment of petroleum products; owned and operated anchoring of vessels; he can be contacted through the by Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. local police department. (315) The city police maintain a harbor patrol during the (322) ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf: 300 yards summer. southwestward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Pier; 110-foot face, 760 feet with dolphins; 35 feet Wharves alongside; deck height, 15 feet; vessels normally moor (316) The deep-draft facilities at the Port of New Haven starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of petroleum products; owned and operated by ARCO Petroleum are along the north and east sides of the inner portion Products Co. of New Haven Harbor. Facilities for smaller vessels and barges are along the sides of the harbor and in Mill, (323) New Haven Terminal, Scrap Metal Dock: 275 yards Quinnipiac, and West Rivers. Depths alongside the fa- southward of ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf; cilities in Quinnipiac River range from about 5 to 15 640-foot face; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 14 feet; feet; Mill River, 12 to 13 feet; and West River about 12 to two 30-ton traveling gantry cranes, crawler cranes to 18 feet. Only the deep-draft facilities are described. For 250 tons; receipt and shipment of general and a complete description of the port facilities refer to Port containerized cargo and steel products, shipment of Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army Corps scrap metal, receipt of copper, zinc, and lumber; owned of Engineers. (See appendix for address.) The alongside and operated by New Haven Terminal, Inc. depths for the facilities described are reported; for in- formation on the latest depths contact the private oper- (324) New Haven Terminal Pier: 50 yards southward of ator. All the facilities have direct highway connections, Scrap Metal Dock; north and south sides, 650 feet us- and most have railroad connections. Water and electri- able, can accommodate tankers up to 700 feet; 35 and cal shore power connections are available at most piers 39 feet alongside, north and south sides, respectively; and wharves. deck height, 13 feet; cranes up to 50 tons; 36,000 square feet covered storage; receipt and shipment of general cargo, receipt of petroleum products, petro- chemicals, chemicals, copper, zinc, lumber, and steel products; owned and operated by New Haven Terminal, Inc.

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 315 (325) Exxon Co. Terminal Wharf: 175 yards southward of (332) Milford Harbor, comprising the lower portion of New Haven Terminal Pier; 80-foot face, 700 feet with the Wepawaug River, is entered at the mouth of the dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels river between two jetties at the head of The Gulf. The normally moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment westerly jetty extends southward from Burns Point, of petroleum products; owned and operated by Exxon and the easterly jetty is marked by Milford Harbor Co., U.S.A. Light 10. The harbor is used chiefly for recreational boating, and occasionally for the receipt of shellfish Supplies and fish. The National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. (326) Oil bunkering terminals at New Haven are main- Department of Commerce, maintains a laboratory and research vessel base on the west side of the harbor, tained by the major oil companies. Fuel oil and diesel about 0.2 mile northward of Burns Point. oil in the usual commercial grades are obtainable. Barges are available for bunkering in the anchorages (333) A dredged channel leads from The Gulf through the outside the breakwaters or at the piers; 24-hour ad- jettied entrance to a point about 400 feet above the vance notice is required, and arrangements should be town wharf, 0.6 mile above Burns Point. In January made through ships’ agents. Water, provisions, and ma- 1999, the controlling depths were 5 feet in the east half rine supplies can be procured. and 8.3 feet in the west half of the entrance channel to the north end of Burns Point, thence in 1991, 6.4 feet (8 Repairs feet at midchannel) to the basin, thence 8 feet in the an- (327) New Haven has no facilities for making major re- chorage basin along the west side of the channel except for lesser depths to 6 feet along the western edge. The pairs or for drydocking deep-draft vessels; the nearest channel is marked by a light and lighted and unlighted such facilities are at Boston, Mass., and New York. Ma- buoys. chine shops in the area can make limited repairs to ma- chinery and boilers, and fabricate shafts and other Small-craft facilities pieces of equipment. (334) Milford Harbor has several small-craft facilities. Small-craft facilities (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 (328) There are excellent facilities on the east and west for services and supplies available.) sides of the harbor and on West and Quinnipiac Rivers. (335) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 (336) Charles Island, on the southwest side at the en- for services and supplies available.) trance to The Gulf, is low and partly covered with trees. Charts 12370, 12364 The island is connected to the mainland by The Bar, a narrow neck about 0.5 mile long and surrounded by (329) Pond Point, about 5 miles southwestward of the rocks awash and shoals. A buoy marks the end of a shoal New Haven Harbor entrance, has a rocky shoal with lit- that extends 250 yards east-northeastward from the is- tle depth over the greater part of it that extends about land, and a lighted bell buoy marks the end of a rocky 0.3 mile southward. It is marked by a buoy. A promi- area that extends 0.4 mile southward from the island. nent white mast is on the point. Northward of Charles Island is a good anchorage in 10 to 16 feet, sheltered from southerly to southwesterly (330) Welches Point, 0.8 mile westward of Pond Point, winds. forms the east side of the entrance of the Gulf. A reef ex- (337) Between Charles Island and Stratford Point, about tends 0.2 mile southward from the point and is marked 3 miles southwestward, several summer resorts are by a buoy. Several scattered rocks extend a southeast- along the shore and the Housatonic River empties into erly direction for about 0.5 mile from the buoy. Long Island Sound just above the point. The shoals which extend southward from Stratford Point toward (331) The Gulf, a bight between Welches Point and Stratford Shoal Light (see chart 12354) consist of nar- Charles Island, about 6.5 miles westward of New Haven row ridges of hard sand with deeper water between, and Harbor entrance, affords anchorage in 6 to 15 feet and have oyster beds marked with stakes. Depths of 12 feet is sheltered in all but southerly and southeasterly or less extend 1 mile offshore. winds. The entrance is clear. The shoaling is gradual, (338) Stratford Point Light (41°09'07\"N., 73°06'12\"W.), and soundings are the best guide on the northwest side 52 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical of the bight; the western side of Welches Point and the tower, with brown band midway of its height, from the reefs around Charles Island extending to the mainland southerly part of the point. should be approached with caution, as the shoaling is abrupt. The mean range of tide is about 6.6 feet.

316 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 Chart 12370 jurisdiction from the entrance of the river to the Shelton town line. Harbor regulations may be obtained (339) Housatonic River rises in the Berkshire Hills of from the harbormaster who may be contacted through western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and empties the Stratford police or at the Town Hall. into Long Island Sound about 10 miles southwestward (343) Stratford has several small-craft facilities. (See the of the New Haven Harbor entrance. The river is joined small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- by the nonnavigable Naugatuck River in the vicinity of vices and supplies available.) Derby, Conn. Housatonic River is navigable to a point (344) Devon is on the east side about 1 mile above about 1 mile above Shelton, Conn., where it is closed by Stratford. Local small craft anchor near the east bank a power dam. The head of navigation for all practical of the river, just north of the highway bridge, in depths purposes is at the towns of Derby and Shelton, 11.5 up to 10 feet. A 40-foot marine railway at a small–craft miles above the entrance. Small vessels can anchor in facility at Devon can haul out craft for engine and hull the river abreast of Stratford, where the channel has an repairs; gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, and stor- available width of about 500 feet. The waterborne com- age are available. In July 1981, depths of 4 feet were re- merce on the river is principally in barge shipments of ported alongside the facility. aggregate, fuel oil to the power plant at Devon, and sea- (345) Shelton, a town on the west side of the river about sonal commercial shellfishing. Navigation above 11.5 miles above the entrance is connected to Derby by Devon is limited to recreational boating. two bridges; the town has several important factories. In 1971, the wharves at Derby and Shelton were in ru- (340) On the east side of the entrance to Housatonic ins and unsuitable for craft of any size. River, a breakwater extends out from Milford Point across the bar and is marked at its south end by Bridges Housatonic River Breakwater Light 2A. The inner sec- (346) About 1 mile above Stratford is U.S. Route 1 high- tion of the breakwater is awash at high water. way bridge with a bascule span having a clearance of 32 Channels feet. Two bridges cross the river about 0.3 mile farther (341) A Federal project provides for an 18-foot dredged up: the first, Interstate Route 95 fixed highway bridge, has a clearance of 65 feet, and the second, a railroad channel from Long Island Sound between the breakwa- bridge with a bascule span, has a clearance of 19 feet. ter on the east and Stratford Point on the west upriver The bridgetenders of the U.S. Route 1 bridge and the for about 4.3 miles to the lower end of Culver Bar. (See railroad bridge monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of the charts KXJ-695 and KU-6035, respectively. An overhead power for controlling depths.) Above the lower end of Culver cable with a clearance of 135 feet crosses at the railroad Bar, the river channel extends through several dredged bridge. Other cables, near Pecks Mill, 1.5 miles above, sections across river bars to the towns of Derby and have minimum clearance of 79 feet. Shelton about 11.5 miles above the river entrance. In (347) The fixed highway bridge about 3.7 miles above February-September 2005, the controlling depths were Stratford has a clearance of 85 feet. In 2005, a fixed re- 2.2 feet in the buoyed channel from the lower end of placement bridge with a design clearance of 79 feet was Culver Bar and across Mill Bar to the naturally deep under construction at the site of the existing bridge. At river channel, thence 5.7 feet in the dredged channels Shelton, two fixed highway bridges and a fixed railroad across lower Oronoque Bar and 3.0 feet across upper bridge have a least clearance of 17 feet. In April 1983, Oronoque Bar, thence 5.5 feet across Camp Meeting the railroad bridge suffered severe structural damage. Bar, thence 6.2 feet across Drews Bar except for shoal- The area should be avoided, but if transit is necessary, ing to 3.9 feet in the lower part of the dredged channel extreme caution should be exercised. along the left edge, thence 7 feet across Mouthrops Bar (348) (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.207, chapter and Hidelom Rock Bar, thence 7 feet in the left outside 2, for drawbridge regulations.) quarter of the dredged channel across Twomile Island Bar with shoaling to bare in the remainder of the chan- Tides nel, thence 7 feet in the dredged channel near Sow and (349) The mean range of tide is 5.5 feet at Stratford and 5 Pigs Jetty. The channel is marked to a point about 2.5 miles below Derby and Shelton. feet at Shelton. The time of the tide becomes later and the range diminishes in progressing up the river. At (342) Stratford is a town on the west side of the river 2.3 Stratford the tide is about 0.8 hour later than at the en- miles above the entrance. The principal wharf has a trance whereas at Shelton high water is about 1.8 depth of about 9 feet at its end. The harbormaster at hours later and low water about 2.8 hours later than at Stratford controls anchorages and moorings, and has

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 317 the entrance. The river water is fresh about 6 miles on a pier, and by buoys that mark the outer ends of above the entrance. shoal areas extending 1 mile north, 0.9 mile northeast, and 0.5 mile south of the light. A fog signal is at the Currents light. (350) At the entrance near the end of the breakwater the North Shore of Long Island flood has a strong westerly set. Between Milford Point (358) From Orient Point (41°09.6'N., 72°14.0'W.), for and Crimbo Point, flood and ebb have a velocity of about 1.2 knots. The flood sets about 330° and the ebb about 11 miles to Horton Point, the south shore of 135°. Just north of the draw of the railroad bridge above Long Island Sound is generally bluff and rocky. The Stratford, the velocity of flood is 1.1 knots and of ebb, 10-fathom curve is from 0.3 to 0.8 mile from shore, and 1.3 knots. In the openings of the bridge the flood cur- the shoaling is generally abrupt. The outlying dangers rent has some easterly set, but the ebb sets fair with the are Orient Shoal and the rocky patch northward of openings. Between that bridge and Shelton the tidal Horton Point. current has a velocity of about 1 knot. Because of the (359) The prominent features are Browns Hills, a tower drainage flow of the river, the ebb is usually greater and at Rocky Point, a tank and television tower at the flood less than 1 knot. (Consult the Tidal Current Greenport, and Horton Point Light. Tables for current predictions and further details.) (360) Several rocky shoals, including Orient Shoal with a least depth of 7 feet, are offshore in the vicinity of (351) Spring freshets at Shelton rise 10 feet or more Rocky Point, about 5 miles westward of Orient Point. above mean high tide. The north end of Orient Shoal is marked by a buoy. (361) Horton Point Light (41°05'06\"N., 72°26'44\"W.), (352) Ice closes the river above Stratford during the win- 103 feet above the water, is shown from a white square ter and sometimes extends to the entrance. tower attached to a dwelling on the northwest part of the point. The former lighthouse tower is close by, Routes southwestward of the present light. (353) The channel in Housatonic River is narrow and (362) A rocky shoal with a least found depth of 26 feet is 1.6 miles northward of Horton Point. The shoal is a crooked, with little depth on either side, and across the ridge having a northeast-southwest direction, with bars in the channel are dredged cuts 100 feet wide. The abrupt shoaling on its northwest and southeast sides. tidal currents are strong, especially in the lower part of (363) From Horton Point for about 32 miles to Old Field the river, and strangers are advised to take a pilot. Point, the shore is fringed with shoals that extend off a Small craft, without a pilot, should proceed with cau- greatest distance of 1.5 miles and rise abruptly from the tion and preferably on a rising tide. deep water of Long Island Sound. Boulders are found (354) When entering the river during a flood current, near the shore on the shoals which extend off 0.5 mile care must be taken to avoid being set on the shoals on in places. A sand shoal, about 0.5 mile in extent with a the west side by strong westerly currents. In the vicin- least depth of 22 feet, is about 1.1 miles northwestward ity of Milford Point care should be exercised to avoid a of Duck Pond Point. shoal that reportedly extends from Milford Point to the (364) The bluffs begin about 1 mile westward of Gold- eastern edge of the channel. Care should also be exer- smith Inlet and reach their greatest elevation just east- cised off the extreme northern end of Nells Island as a ward of Duck Pond Point. A valley, formed by a break in shoal is reported to have encroached into the channel. the bluffs, is just westward of the point; a bathing pavil- By steering a midchannel course no difficulty should ion is on the beach. Boulders that bare at low water are be encountered. on the shoals that fringe the shore between Duck Pond Point and Mattituck Inlet. (355) Pilots and tugs can be obtained at New Haven. (356) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river near anchorage and mooring areas and near boat slips. Chart 12354 Chart 12358 (357) Stratford Shoal Middle Ground, 5.4 miles south of (365) Mattituck Inlet, 6.7 miles southwestward of Hor- Stratford Point and covered 9 to 18 feet, is marked by ton Point Light, is entered between two short jetties. Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light (41°03'35\"N., The inlet is marked by a long break in the bluffs. The 73°06'05\"W.), 60 feet above the water and shown from a outer end of the west jetty is marked by a light. A gong gray granite octagonal tower projecting from a house buoy about 1 mile north of the jetty light marks the en- trance of the inlet. The sides of the channel are sandy,

318 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 and, although shoaling is liable to occur at the en- draft. Barges mooring in this berth must be at least 220 trance, strangers can enter the inlet without great dan- feet long. ger. In March 2004, the controlling depth was 6.2 feet (374) A private fog signal is on the platform. Private from the entrance to about 0.3 mile above the mouth of lights are on the northeast and northwest corners, and Mattituck Creek; thence in 1988, 5½ feet at two lights mark the center of the platform. Lights are midchannel for about 1.8 miles to the turning basin at also on each of the dolphins. Mattituck with 7 feet available in the basin. The chan- nel is marked by buoys and private markers. The over- Wharf head power cable about 1 mile above the entrance has a (375) An 800-foot barge pier is just east of Jacobs Point clearance of 78 feet. and southward of the platform. The pier is used for re- Tides and currents ceipt and shipment of petroleum products and has tank (366) The tidal currents have an estimated velocity of storage for 5¼ million barrels. Depth alongside is 13 feet. However, lesser depths surround the area and a about 3 knots in the narrow parts of the entrance of 10-foot shoal marked by a private buoy, must be cleared Mattituck Inlet. Slack waters occur possibly 1 hour af- on the recommended southwest approach to, and ter the time of high and low water. With northerly and northwest departure from the west pier berth. Vessels westerly winds, the sea is rough in the entrance. The with draft greater than 12 feet should exercise caution mean range of tide is 5.2 feet at the entrance. The inlet when approaching the pier and should endeavor to ar- is sometimes closed by ice during portions of cold win- rive or depart at high water. ters. Prominent feature (367) Several marinas and a boatyard are inside the inlet. (376) The numerous light green oil storage tanks on A 70-ton mobile hoist at the boatyard can haul out craft for engine, hull, and radio repairs. Marine supplies, Jacobs Point are prominent. gasoline, diesel fuel, water, and covered and wet storage can be obtained. A transient dock, operated by the Communications Mattituck Park Commission, is at the head of the inlet; (377) Vessels transiting Long Island Sound or approach- depths of about 6 feet are at the dock. A dockmaster is at the dock; water is available. ing the facility may do so through a VHF-FM marine operator. Available marine operator stations’ name and (368) Mattituck is a village on the railroad at the head of channel are: the inlet. Provisions can be obtained. (378) Riverhead 28 (379) New Bedford 26 (369) Jacobs Point is about 11 miles southwestward of (380) New London 26 Horton Point Light. (381) Bridgeport 24. (382) Upon the approach of an incoming vessel, the plat- Offshore Terminal, Riverhead form, voice call “TOSCO Corporation Offshore Plat- (370) An offshore platform for the delivery and receipt of form”, or “Riverhead Platform”, or “TOSCO’s Riverhead Terminal”, monitors VHF-FM channels 16, petroleum products is in open roadstead, off Northville, 13 and 19A; works channel 19A. NY (and Riverhead, NY), about 1.2 miles northward of Jacobs Point. It is owned and operated by TOSCO Cor- (383) Vessels calling at the platform are moored at any poration, Riverhead, NY. time, weather conditions permitting. The tidal current (371) A safety zone surrounds the offshore facility. (See periods are substantially the same as at The Race. 165.155, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Strong winds from the north and northwest are experi- (372) The facility consists of a 45- by 100-foot steel plat- enced during the winter and spring. Tidal currents dur- form structure with breasting dolphins and mooring ing maximum ebb and flood may reach 3 knots. The dolphins providing two berths; one on the northeast mean range of tide is 5.4 feet. side and one on the southwest side. The deck height is 24.5 feet. The northeast berth has depths alongside of (384) Vessels awaiting berth at the platform will nor- 64 feet, and can accommodate tankers up to 225,000 mally anchor north of the platform. A vessel drawing DWT and up to 1,150-foot length, of 62-foot maximum more than 50 feet of water may wish to anchor in draft. deeper water northwest of the platform. Pilots are fa- (373) The southwest berth has depths alongside of 50 miliar with the best anchorages. Holding ground is feet, and can accommodate tankers of up to 42,000 good and a scope of 8 shots (120 feet) is considered ade- DWT and up to 600-foot length, of 42-foot maximum quate.

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 319 Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northville-Riverhead Chart 12354 (385) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for (399) Between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson the foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For shore is fringed with rock shoals extending in places these vessels, pilotage to this terminal is available 1.5 miles offshore. The outer ends of the shoals are from: marked by buoys. (386) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc.). (400) Horse in Bank, 7.3 miles westward of Mattituck In- (387) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. let, is an area of white patches in the brush-covered (388) For U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise trade, pi- bluff at Friars Head. The feature is at the western end of lotage to this terminal is available from: Roanoke Point Shoal and 14 miles westward of Horton (389) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. Point Light. (390) Constitution State Pilots Association, (391) Long Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc., (401) The valley of Wading River, about 20 miles west- and ward of Horton Point Light, forms a broad break in the (392) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine high bluffs. The entrance to Wading River is protected Pilots, Inc.). by a short jetty on the west side. In July 1981, a re- (393) See Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), ported depth of about 3 feet could be carried in the river early this chapter, and Pilotage, New York Harbor and to a town launching ramp 0.1 mile above the entrance. Approaches, (indexed as such), chapter 11. A small canal, about 350 yards westward of the en- (394) The pilot serves as docking master and remains on trance to Wading River, leads southward to the site of a board on standby while the vessel is moored at the plat- nuclear power station. The canal, closed to general form. Pilot services are arranged in advance through navigation, had a reported depth of about 12 feet in ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. June 1989. (402) Tuttles White Bank is a high white bluff 0.6 mile westward of Wading River. Tugs Charts 12362, 12364 (395) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- (403) Mount Sinai Harbor, 22.5 miles westward of dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. Mattituck Inlet, is marked by a low break in the beach Normally two or three tugs are used for docking and nearly 1 mile long. The approach to the harbor is one or two tugs for undocking. marked by a buoy. The entrance is protected by two jet- ties, the outer parts of which are awash at high water. Launch service Caution should be exercised when rounding them. The (396) J & H Launch Service, Port Jefferson (516-331-5336), jetties are each marked on the outer end by a private light. In June 1981, a depth of about 8 feet was reported provides transfer service for vessels at anchor or along- available through the entrance. The northern part of side the platform. the harbor has general depths of 10 to 20 feet. A chan- nel marked by private buoys leads eastward from the Supplies entrance to small-craft facilities on the north shore of (397) Fueling of a ship alongside the platform is not per- the harbor. The southern 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. (398) New York City is the quarantine, customs, immi- (404) Several small-craft facilities are in the harbor. (See gration, and agricultural quarantine port of entry for the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for Northville. Officials are stationed in New York City. services and supplies available.) (See appendix for addresses.) Arrangements for such inspections must be made by ships’ agents in advance, (405) A speed limit of 6 mph is enforced in the harbor by usually not less than 24 hours Monday through Friday the Suffolk County Police. and 48 hours on Saturday and Sunday. Officials will board vessels in the anchorage prior to arrival within (406) Mount Misery, 180 feet high, between Mount Sinai the vicinity of the offshore mooring facility. Harbor and Port Jefferson, slopes off gradually toward the sound where the bluffs are about 60 feet high and very prominent. Sand banks dug out by sand and gravel companies are very conspicuous.

320 I Chapter 8 I Coast Pilot 2 (407) Port Jefferson Harbor, on the south shore of Long Pilotage, Port Jefferson Island Sound eastward of Old Field Point, is entered (415) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for through a dredged channel that leads between two jet- ties to a docking area near the southwestern end of the foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For harbor; the jetties are each marked by a light. The ap- these vessels, pilotage is available from: proach is marked by a lighted whistle buoy, about 1.1 (416) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine miles northwest of the entrance. Two stacks on the Pilots, Inc.). west side near the head of the harbor are conspicuous (417) For U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise trade, pi- landmarks. A 12 mph speed limit is enforced in the lotage is available from: main entrance channel, and a 5 mph speed limit is en- (418) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. forced at the head of the harbor in the vicinity of the (419) Constitution State Pilots Association, mooring areas and wharves. (420) Long Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc., and (408) A 121°-301° measured nautical mile is westward (421) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine of the entrance to Port Jefferson Harbor on Old Field Pilots, Inc.). Beach. The front markers are orange posts about 8 feet (422) See Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), high; the rear markers are rectangles mounted on legs early this chapter, and Pilotage, New York Harbor and about 12 feet high, painted red with a 6-inch black ver- Approaches, (indexed as such), chapter 11. tical stripe in the middle. (423) Pilot services are arranged in advance through ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. (409) 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 (424) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- jetty light. dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. (410) In November 1990, the controlling depth was 23 Normally, two tugs are used for docking and one for feet (26 feet at midchannel) in the dredged channel undocking. through Port Jefferson Harbor to the docking area off an oil wharf at the southern end. Shoaling to 10 feet is (425) Port Jefferson is a town at the southern end of the near the southwest corner of the southern limit of the harbor. The principal industries of the port are the project. The channel is marked by lighted and shipping of sand and gravel and the distribution of pe- unlighted buoys and a 146° lighted range. In Septem- troleum products. ber 1982, it was reported that due to the closeness of the range lights it may be difficult to determine when Small-craft facilities they are in line. It was further reported that the range (426) There are small-craft facilities at the head of the may be obscured by vessels tied up at the oil wharf on the west side of the harbor. harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) A (411) Shoals with little depth are on both sides of the launching ramp is at the head of the harbor. channel from the entrance to Port Jefferson to Lighted Bell Buoy 5 inside the entrance. The ground from the Wharves east jetty to the lighted bell buoy is broken, with shoals (427) Depths ranging from 2 to 29 feet are reported covered 4 to 11 feet. The lighted bell buoy cannot be seen over the breakwater at low tide by small vessels ap- alongside the commercial wharves and piers at the proaching the harbor. head of the harbor. The oil wharf on the west side of the harbor, about 400 yards from the head, has depths of 29 (412) The mean range of tide is 6.6 feet. feet alongside the face and 20 feet along the north side. The power plant wharf, about 150 yards northwest- Currents ward, has depths of 29 feet alongside. (413) In the channel between the jetties the velocity of Communications the tidal currents is 2.6 knots on flood and 1.9 on ebb; (428) Port Jefferson is served by railroad and bus. A ferry 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 operates to Bridgeport, Conn. across the entrance to the harbor. (414) Ice forms over the entire harbor and interrupts (429) Conscience Bay is entered through a long, narrow navigation in very cold weather, but does not endanger channel at the northwest end of Port Jefferson Harbor. shipping in the harbor. The bay and entrance have depths of 1 to 2 feet.

Eastern Long Island Sound I Chapter 8 I 321 Strangers should not attempt to enter as there are No-Discharge Zone many rocks at the entrance. (432) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- (430) Setauket Harbor, on the western side of Port Jeffer- son Harbor, has a narrow crooked channel. In June vironmental Protection Agency, has established a 1981, a reported depth of about 2½ feet was available in No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Port Jefferson Harbor the channel to the boatyard at Setauket. The entrance Complex. The NDZ includes Port Jefferson Harbor, from Port Jefferson is marked by private seasonal Setauket Harbor, Little Bay, the Narrows and Con- buoys. Gasoline, moorings, and limited marine sup- science Bay. The boundary line extends from the east- plies are available at the boatyard; a flatbed trailer can ernmost point at Old Field Beach northerly to the haul out craft to 32 feet long. westernmost point at White Beach (see chart 12362 for (431) Setauket is a village on the south shore of Setauket limits). Harbor about 1 mile above the entrance. (433) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2).

322 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 323 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. Tides (6) The time of tide is nearly simultaneous throughout COLREGS Demarcation Lines (2) The lines established for Long Island Sound are de- Long Island Sound, but the range of tide increases from about 2.5 feet at the east end to about 7.3 feet at the scribed in 80.155, chapter 2. west end. Daily predictions of the times and heights of high and low waters for New London, Bridgeport, and Chart 12363 Willets Point are given in the Tide Tables. (7) The effect of strong winds, in combination with the (3) Western Long Island Sound is that portion of the regular tidal action, may at times cause the water to fall deep navigable waterway between the shores of Con- several feet below the plane of reference of the charts. necticut and New York and the northern coast of Long Island westward of the line between Bridgeport and Old Currents Field Point. (8) About 1.3 miles northward of Eatons Neck Light (4) This region has boulders and broken ground, with the ebb runs about 5 hours longer than the flood. The little or no natural change in the shoals. The waters are current has a velocity of 1.4 knots; the flood sets 283° well marked by navigational aids so that strangers and the ebb sets 075°. should experience no difficulty in navigating them. As (9) The direction and velocity of the currents are af- all broken ground is liable to be strewn with boulders, fected by strong winds which may increase or diminish vessels should proceed with caution when in the vicin- the periods of flood or ebb. Directions and velocities ity of broken areas where the charted depths are less from Point Judith to Throgs Neck for each hour of the than 6 to 8 feet greater than the draft. All of the more tidal cycle will be found in Tidal Current Charts, Long important places are entered through dredged chan- Island Sound and Block Island Sound. Currents in East nels. During fog, vessels are advised to anchor until the River are described in the latter part of this chapter. weather clears before attempting to enter. The numer- ous oyster grounds in this region are usually marked by Weather, Western Long Island Sound and vicinity stakes and flags. These stakes may become broken off (10) These waters are more protected than the eastern and form obstructions dangerous to small craft which, especially at night, should proceed with caution when Sound resulting in fewer gales. However, winters are crossing oyster areas. colder and summers warmer due to this sheltering ef- fect. Fog is not so frequent either and tends to burn off Anchorages quicker than farther east. Winter winds of 16 knots or (5) There is anchorage for large vessels in the bight more are likely about 12 to 15 percent of the time and are predominantly from the west through northwest. outside Bridgeport Harbor Light. Cockenoe Harbor is Harbors such as Cold Spring, Oyster Bay, Hempstead sometimes used by small vessels, but Sheffield Island and Manhasset offer additional shelter. In summer

324 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 thunderstorms may develop on 4 to 5 days per month. Pilotage, Western Long Island Sound These are most likely during the afternoon or evening. (20) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for (11) In Long Island Sound the north and south shores are equally subject to fog, except that on spring and foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For ves- summer mornings, when there is little or no wind, fog sels entering Long Island Sound from the east (from will often hang along the Connecticut shore while it is sea via Block Island Sound) see Pilotage, Long Island clear offshore and southward. Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. For vessels enter- (12) In the western end of Long Island Sound, although ing Long Island Sound from the west (East River) see fogs are liable to occur at any time, they are not en- Pilotage, New York and Approaches to New York (in- countered so often nor do they generally last so long as dexed as such), chapter 11. farther eastward. Charts 12369, 12364 Ice (13) In ordinary winters the floating and pack ice in (21) Bridgeport Harbor, on the north side of Long Is- land Sound north-northwestward of Stratford Shoal Long Island Sound, while impeding navigation, does (Middle Ground) Light and about 52 miles from New not render it absolutely unsafe, but in exceptionally se- York, consists of two widely separated units. The main vere winters the reverse is true; then only the powerful harbor and its branches serve the east and central por- steamers can make their way. tions of the city of Bridgeport, and Black Rock Harbor (14) Drift ice, which is formed principally along the and its tributaries serve the western part. Black Rock northern shore of the sound under the influence of the Harbor and Cedar Creek are described under separate prevailing northerly winds, drifts across to the south- headings. Waterborne commerce at Bridgeport con- ern side and accumulates there, massing into large sists mostly of petroleum products, lumber, sand and fields, and remains until removed by southerly winds gravel, building materials, and scrap iron. which drive it back to the northerly shore. (15) In ordinary winters ice generally forms in the west- Prominent features ern end of the sound as far as Eatons Neck; in excep- (22) The large red and white horizontally banded stack tionally severe winters ice may extend to Falkner Island and farther eastward. of a powerplant on Tongue Point is the most prominent landmark in this area. Other prominent landmarks in- Effects of winds on ice clude a group of stacks on Steel Point; the towers of a (16) In Long Island Sound northerly winds drive the ice high-voltage line; several church spires; a gas tank with a red and white checkered band at the top, on the west to the southern shore of the sound and southerly winds side of Pequonnock River; the radio towers at Pleasure carry it back to the northern shore. Northeasterly Beach; and Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A. The rays of an winds force the ice westward and cause formations aerolight about 1.3 miles northwestward of Stratford heavy enough to prevent the passage of vessels of every Point can be seen from offshore. description until the ice is removed by westerly winds. These winds carry the ice eastward and, if of long (23) Bridgeport Harbor Channel Approach Lighted enough duration, drive it through The Race into Block Whistle Buoy BH (41°06'14\"N., 73°11'44\"W.), is 3.3 miles Island Sound, from where it goes to sea and disappears. south-southwest of Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A and (17) In Bridgeport Harbor winds from north to north- marks the entrance to the channel. west clear the harbor of drift ice, and those from south- east through south to southwest force the ice into the (24) Bridgeport Harbor Light 13A (41°09'24\"N., harbor from the sound. The outer buoys may be carried 73°10'48\"W.), 50 feet above the water, is shown from a out of position by heavy ice during severe winters. black skeleton tower with small white house, on a black (18) Additional information concerning ice conditions base, on the west side of the entrance channel near the in the waters adjoining Long Island Sound is given un- end of the west breakwater. der the local descriptions. Channels (19) Vessel Traffic Service, New York, operated by the (25) From deep water in Long Island Sound the dredged U.S. Coast Guard, serves New York Harbor (see 161.501 through 161.580, chapter 2, for regulations). channel extends north-northeastward between two converging breakwaters into the main harbor, and thence into the three tributaries, Johnsons Creek, Yel- low Mill Channel, and Pequonnock River. Federal pro- ject depth is 35 feet in the main channel to just below

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 325 the Connecticut Turnpike bridge. (See Notice to Mari- Anchorages ners and latest edition of the chart for controlling (31) Bridgeport Harbor has two anchorage areas inside depths.) (26) A powerplant is at Tongue Point. A privately the breakwaters. One with depths of 23 to 40 feet is on dredged channel leads from the main channel to the the east side of the main channel northwestward of powerplant’s offshore oil wharf on the south side of the Pleasure Beach, and the other with depths of 15 to 25 point. In 1980, the channel, except for a 17-foot depth feet is on the west side of the main channel just north- on the southwesterly side of the widener, had a re- eastward of Tongue Point. A rock covered 10 feet is in ported controlling depth of about 26 feet; depths of 29 the west anchorage in about 41°10'17\"N., 73°10'56\"W. to 35 feet were reported alongside the wharf. Another The rest of the harbor area consists of broad and shal- privately dredged channel, used by barges, leads from low sand flats. Vessels seeking shelter from strong the main channel to the powerplant’s facilities on the northerly winds sometimes anchor off the entrance; east side of the point. In July 1978, the controlling the holding ground is good. depth in the channel was 10 feet. (32) A general anchorage is in Johnsons Creek. (See (27) Johnsons Creek, northward of Pleasure Beach, is 110.1 and 110.148, chapter 2, for limits and regula- entered eastward of Tongue Point through a marked tions.) dredged channel leading to anchorage basins; two on the west side, and one at the head of the creek. The Dangers highway bridge 0.2 mile above the entrance has a swing (33) The entrance is clear, and the only dangers are the span with a clearance of 7 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Private previously discussed shoals on the east, south of yacht clubs and two oil-receiving piers are on the creek. Stratford Point, and on the west, the Penfield Reef (28) Yellow Mill Channel is entered through a dredged shoals. channel that leads for about 0.8 mile north-northeast- ward from just above the first bend in the main channel Tides to the head of the creek. Flats, largely bare at low water, (34) The mean range of tide is 6.8 feet. (See the Tide Ta- are on both sides of the channel. The Stratford Avenue highway bridge about 0.3 mile above the entrance has a bles for daily predictions of the times and heights of bascule span with a clearance of 11 feet. (See 117.1 high and low waters.) through 117.59 and 117.225, chapter 2, for draw- bridge regulations.) About 0.1 mile above the bascule Currents bridge is a fixed turnpike bridge with a clearance of 39 (35) The velocity of flood or ebb is about 0.7 knot in the feet. Depths at the wharves are 8 to 15 feet. (29) Pequonnock River, the most westerly of the tribu- entrance between the breakwaters. (See the Tidal Cur- taries, is easily followed by small craft, but larger ves- rent Tables for predictions.) Inside the harbor the cur- sels may need the assistance of a tug to get around the rents are generally weak. sharp bends. The river is entered through a dredged channel that leads northward from the main channel (36) Ice does not interfere seriously with navigation in just below Connecticut Turnpike bridge to the head of Bridgeport Harbor, although its tributaries are closed navigation just below the Berkshire Avenue Dam, at times. The winds from the north and northwest clear about 1.1 miles above the entrance. Depths at some of the harbor of drift ice, and those from the southeast the wharves are 10 to 15 feet. through the southwest force the ice into the harbor from the sound. The outer buoys may be carried out of Bridges position by heavy ice during severe winters. (30) Type, distance above Steel Point, and clearance of Weather, Bridgeport and vicinity the bridges over Pequonnock River follow: Connecticut (37) The terrain of the mainland is of glacial origin and Turnpike, fixed, 300 yards, 65 feet; Stratford Avenue, vertical-lift, 500 yards, 8 feet down and 68 feet up, Peck rises in a rolling, mostly wooded, manner to the foot- Railroad bridge, bascule, 0.5 mile, 26 feet; Congress hills of the Berkshires, 30 miles to the north, and the Street bridge, bascule, 0.6 mile, 8 feet; highway bridge, Catskills, about 60 to 70 miles to the northwest. There bascule, 0.7 mile, 4 feet; (See 117.1 through 117.59 is some foehn effect (chinook) with north and north- and 117.219, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) west winds, and the upslope effect with the approach of The bridgetender at the railroad bridge monitors a coastal low is quite pronounced. The most pro- VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KU–6033. nounced topographical effect, however, is that of the land-sea breeze which is most pronounced in the spring, summer, and early autumn. The land-sea breeze effect during this period will inevitably cause a

326 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 shift in the wind direction, even with a moderately Bridgeport Pilots Association (NHBPA), 60 Appletree strong isobaric flow. Lane, Hamden, CT 06518, telephone 203-878-8667. (38) As a result of the sea breeze, mean monthly tem- (43) Pilot boats (rented) utilized by NHBPA pilots are peratures during the summer average 3 to 5 degrees (2 SUSY II, 42-foot, blue hull, white superstructure, word to 3°C) lower than nearby inland stations. Likewise, PILOT on side; and GALE, 42-foot, white hull, white su- temperatures during the fall and winter are moderated perstructure, word PILOT on side. Boat monitors 16, several degrees owing to the proximity of Long Island 13 and 77, works on 77 and 09. Pilots board about 1 Sound. The average annual temperature at Bridgeport mile south of Bridgeport Harbor Channel Approach is 52°F (11.1°C). The average high is 60°F (15.6°C) and Lighted Whistle Buoy BH. the average low is 44°F (6.7°C). July is the warmest (44) Pilotage for Bridgeport is also available from Con- month with average extremes of 82°F (27.8°C) and stitution State Pilots Association (CSPA), 500 Water- 66°F (18.9°C). January is the coolest with average ex- front Street, New Haven, CT 06512, telephone tremes of 37°F (2.8°C) and 23°F (-5°C). The record 800-229-7456 or 203-783-5991, FAX 516-582-6327. Pi- high temperature is 103°F (39.4°C) set in July 1957 lots of CSPA board vessels from a launch or the tug, at while the all-time low temperature is -7°F (-21.7°C) re- Bridgeport Harbor Channel Approach Lighted Whistle corded in January 1984. Buoy BH. (39) Precipitation is slightly heavier than at nearby in- (45) Pilotage for Bridgeport is also available from Long land stations the year around since coastal low-pres- Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc. (LISSPA), sure systems move quite consistently on a track to the 1440 Whalley Avenue, Suite 123, New Haven, CT south of Bridgeport. One of the greater hazards along 06515, telephone 203-772-0101, FAX 302-629-9392, the coastal areas in the vicinity of Bridgeport is the ac- Cable LISPILOT, New Haven. The pilot boat OLYMPIC cumulation of water (especially during periods of high has a white hull, red superstructure, and displays the tide) with the approach of a slowly moving, deepening, word PILOT in black letters. The boat monitors chan- low-pressure system from the south. Severe storms oc- nel 16 and works on channel 11. Among other loca- casionally cause inundation of 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m). tions, the LISSPA pilot will meet a ship 3 miles south of The average annual precipitation is 41 inches (1041 Watch Hill, RI, in about 41°15'00\"N., 71°51'30\"W. mm). Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout (46) Pilotage for Bridgeport is also available from the year with the difference between the wettest Sound Pilots, Inc. (SPI) (a division of Northeast Marine (March) and driest month (February) averaging only Pilots, Inc.), 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840, 0.89 inches (23 mm). Snowfall averages 26 inches (660 telephone 401-847-9050 (24 hours), 800-274-1216. mm) per year and has fallen from October through FAX 401-847-9052, Cable RISPILOT, Newport, RI May. The greatest 24-hour snowfall on record was 16 02840. The pilot boats are NORTHEAST II, 49-foot, inches (406 mm) recorded in February 1969. with grey hull and superstructure and the word PILOT (40) Bridgeport has been directly affected by 18 tropical on the side; or RHODE ISLAND PILOT, 35-foot, with storms since 1871. In recent years, tropical storm Belle black hull and white superstructure and the word passed over the site in August 1976. Highest winds PILOT on the side; or NORTHEAST I, 49-foot, similarly were only 60 knots. One day earlier, Belle was packing marked as the RHODE ISLAND PILOT. The SPI pilots winds of 105 knots. In September 1985, Hurricane Glo- meet a ship bound for a Long Island Sound port off ria passed about five miles west of the Bridgeport Point Judith, but will also meet a ship off Montauk weather station placing the site in the roughest sector Point by prearrangement. See Pilotage, Narragansett of the storm. Highest gusts approached 75 knots and Bay and Other Rhode Island Waters (indexed as such), highest sustained winds were 64 knots. Two days ear- chapter 6, and Pilotage Pickup Locations Off Montauk lier, Gloria had supported winds of 125 knots. Point (indexed as such), chapter 7. (41) The National Weather Service maintains an office (47) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc., http://www.inter- at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport; barometers may portpilots.com, 906 Port Monmouth Road, Port be compared here. (See Appendix A for address.) (See Monmouth, NJ 07758, telephone 732-787-5554 (24 page 436 for the Bridgeport climatological table.) hours), email [email protected]. Pilot boat is CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65-foot, blue hull with white Pilotage, Bridgeport superstructure, and the word PILOT on both sides. The (42) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours prior to the vessel's scheduled ETA, works on channel foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. See Pi- 11, and is equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots meet lotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. ships bound for Bridgeport at the Montauk Point Pilot Pilotage for New Haven is available from New Haven Station or the Point Judith Pilot Station. Interport

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 327 Pilots will also board vessels at Bridgeport Harbor 345-foot breasting face, 900 feet with dolphins; 31 to 37 Channel Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy BH or at the feet alongside; deck height, 20 feet; receipt of fuel oil; Bridgeport Anchorage from a commercial launch or owned and operated by United Illuminating Co. tug. (59) Shell Oil Co. Dock: on the east side of the harbor (48) Pilot services are generally arranged in advance opposite Tongue Point; 190-foot face, 700 feet with through ships’ agents or directly by shipping compa- shore moorings; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; nies. vessels usually moor portside-to; receipt and shipment of petroleum products; owned by Shell Oil Co. and op- Towage erated by Shell Oil Co. and International Petroleum (49) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- Terminals Co. (60) Cilco Terminal Co. Wharf: 0.3 mile northwestward dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. of Shell Oil Co. Dock; 930-foot face; 33 feet alongside; Deep-draft vessels usually require tugs for mooring in deck height, 13 feet; 90,000 square feet covered stor- Bridgeport Harbor. age, 16 acres of open storage; receipt and shipment of (50) Launch service is available to vessels at anchor. general cargo; receipt of lumber, steel products, and (51) Bridgeport is a customs port of entry. pumice, and shipment of scrap metal; owned and oper- ated by Cilco Terminal Co., Inc. Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural (61) The city-owned recreational pier, seldom used for quarantine mooring vessels, is on the northwest end of Pleasure (52) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Beach; the end of the pier has depths of about 20 feet. Appendix A for addresses.) (62) The municipal dock, a marginal-type wharf, is on (53) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the reg- the west side of Pequonnock River, just below the Con- ulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public necticut Turnpike Bridge. A ferry to Port Jefferson ties Health Service, chapter 1.) up at the dock. (54) Bridgeport has several hospitals. Harbormaster Supplies (55) The control of the port is vested in the harbor- (63) Diesel oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, bunker fuel No. 6, master, who maintains an office at the Bridgeport City lubricants, water, provisions, and marine supplies can Hall and can also be contacted through the Bridgeport be obtained at Bridgeport. Police Department. Repairs Wharves (64) Bridgeport has no facilities for making major re- (56) Bridgeport has three principal privately owned and pairs or for drydocking deep-draft vessels; the nearest operated deep-draft facilities; one is on the south side of facilities are at the ports of Boston, Mass., and New Tongue Point and the other two are on the east side of York, N.Y. Bridgeport, however, does have facilities for the harbor opposite Tongue Point. Facilities for smaller making above- and below-the-waterline repairs to fish- vessels and barges are along the sides of the harbor, and ing boats, tugs, and recreational craft, and excellent on Johnsons Creek, Yellow Mill Channel, and Pequon- hull and engine repair facilities for small craft. The nock River. Most of the facilities at Bridgeport are of the largest marine railway in the area can handle vessels to marginal-type wharf, particularly those in the con- 120 feet and 400 tons. A 10-ton crane is available. Oil stricted tributaries. Only the deep-draft facilities are pollution control equipment is also available. described. For a complete description of the port facili- ties refer to Port Series No. 4, published and sold by the Communications U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A for ad- (65) Bridgeport is served by air, rail, and bus. Ferry ser- dress.) The alongside depths for the facilities described are reported; for information on the latest depths con- vice to Port Jefferson is available year round. tact the private operators. All of these facilities have highway connections, and most have water connec- (66) Black Rock Harbor, part of Bridgeport Harbor, al- tions. though not connected with it other than by Long Island (57) Cargo in the port is usually handled by ship’s Sound, is entered through a dredged channel about 2 tackle; special handling equipment, if available, is men- miles westward of the main harbor entrance to Bridge- tioned in the description of the particular facility. port. The channel leads northward through Black Rock (58) United Illuminating Co. Fuel Oil Dock: on the Harbor, and thence to the head of Cedar Creek where it south side of Tongue Point; an offshore wharf with divides into East Branch and West Branch. Black Rock Harbor and Cedar Creek are the approach by water to

328 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 the large factories of the western part of the city of foot, is about 40 yards southward of the daybeacon. The Bridgeport. The Federal project depth in the dredged Little Cows, about 0.2 mile northward of Black Rock, channel is 18 feet from the entrance to the head of the consist of rocks awash, and is marked by a buoy. project. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of (75) Penfield Reef Light (41°07'00\"N., 73°13'18\"W.), 51 the chart for controlling depths.) The channel is feet above the water, is shown from a white tower on a marked by buoys and lights for about 1.7 miles above granite dwelling on a pier, on the south side of the reef, the entrance. south of the entrance to Black Rock Harbor. A fog sig- (67) Anchorage in depths of 18 to 22 feet and exposed to nal is sounded at the light. southeasterly and northeasterly winds can be found off (76) A reef, partly bare at low water and with little depth the entrance, northeast of the bar that makes out from over any part of it, extends over 0.5 mile southward Shoal Point to Black Rock. Small craft drawing less from Pine Creek Point, 1.1 miles southwest of Shoal than 6 feet can select anchorage on either side of the Point. A lighted bell buoy is off the south end of the dredged channel as far as the yacht club on the east side shoal. of Grover Hill. (77) Southport Harbor, about 1 mile westward of Pine (68) Depths of 8 to 18 feet are reported alongside some Creek Point, comprises the lower portion of Mill River of the wharves in Black Rock Harbor. and is used primarily for recreational boating. A break- (69) 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 (70) Fayerweather Island, on the eastern side of the en- was 7.5 feet (8.9 feet at midchannel) to the anchorage trance of Black Rock Harbor, is marked at its south end basin, thence 8.8 feet in the anchorage basin except for by the white tower of an abandoned lighthouse. A shoaling to 5 feet near the southwestern edge. The breakwater and a seawall connect its northern part channel is marked on its west side by a light, and by with the shore eastward. buoys up to the breakwater. Caution is advised to avoid (71) Burr Creek, northward of the town of Black Rock, oyster stakes in the area southeastward of the harbor on the west side of the channel, is the site of a large ma- entrance. The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. A 5 rina. Berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity, water, ice, mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. a lift, and repair facilities are available. In April 1986, (78) Southport is a village on the west side of the har- depths of about 4 to 5 feet were reported at the face of bor. A yacht club landing and the town dock are on the the gasoline dock and alongside the boat slips. Burr west side of the harbor; depths of about 6 feet are along- Creek has many shoals; mariners are advised to seek lo- side the town dock, and about 6 to 8 feet alongside the cal knowledge before entering. yacht club landing. Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, water, and (72) Several small-craft facilities are in Black Rock some marine supplies can be obtained. Minor engine Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on repairs can be made. The harbormaster can be con- chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) tacted through the Fairfield Police Department. (73) Ash Creek, about 0.7 mile westward of (79) Frost Point, 1 mile westward of Southport en- Fayerweather Island, is entered through a privately trance, is marked by many residences and several pri- dredged channel protected on its southwest side by a vate piers in disrepair on its southeast side. A reef partly jetty. The entrance channel is marked by private buoys bare at low water extends about 0.4 mile southward and a private seasonal 314° lighted range. The channel from the point. leads northwestward to the Fairfield Municipal Marina. (80) Sherwood Point, a mile westward of Frost Point, is Gasoline, water, and ice are available. In April 1986, marked by a bare boulder on the reef which extends depths of 10 feet were reported in the entrance chan- about 250 yards off the point. A rocky patch, on which nel, with 4 feet reported alongside the boat slips. A 5 the least depth found is 11 feet, is about 0.8 mile south- mph speed limit is enforced in the creek. ward of the point. (74) Penfield Reef, on which there are rocks bare at low water, is about 1.4 miles south of Black Rock Harbor Charts 12368, 12364 and 1.3 miles eastward of Shoal Point, to which it is joined by a bar that bares at low water. Black Rock, (81) Saugatuck River, 6 miles westward of Penfield Reef marked by a daybeacon, is the outermost danger of this Light and northward of Cockenoe Island, has its reef. A dangerous submerged rock, reported covered 1

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 329 entrance between Cedar Point on the east and Bluff (90) Westport is a town at the head of navigation on the Point on the west. The river is shallow, full of ledges Saugatuck River, about 1.4 miles above Saugatuck. and boulders, and is used chiefly for receipt of petro- leum products, sand and gravel, and for recreational (91) There are several small-craft facilities on the river boating. The mean range of tide is 7 feet. Freshets do in the vicinity of the bridges. Gasoline, water, marine not appreciably affect the height of the water in the supplies, and a 3-ton lift are available; hull and engine navigable part of the river. During the winter, ice usu- repairs can be made. Depths of 6 feet are reported ally covers the entire river to its mouth. alongside the facilities. (82) Anchorage exposed to southeasterly winds can be had in the entrance to Saugatuck River in 12 to 22 feet, (92) Norwalk Islands, privately owned with the excep- about 0.4 mile southward of Cedar Point. tion of Shea and Grassy Islands, which are owned by the (83) The channel in Saugatuck River is narrow and city of Norwalk, and Cockenoe Island, which is owned crooked; vessels should proceed with caution, prefera- by the town of Westport, are 1 to nearly 2 miles off the bly on a rising tide. In August-September 2001, a re- north shore of Long Island Sound and extend from ported depth of about 4 feet could be carried in the river Georges Rock to Greens Ledge Light, a distance of 6 from the entrance to about 0.7 mile above the Connect- miles. Cockenoe Harbor and Sheffield Island Harbor, icut Turnpike Bridge at Saugatuck. The 4-foot channel the two approaches to Norwalk River, are good anchor- to Westport had a controlling depth of 1 foot, with ages for drafts of 9 to 12 feet and are easily made. The shoaling to bare in the east branch. The channel is bottom is very irregular around the islands and rocks buoyed to Stony Point, about 1.9 miles above the en- in the group; vessels should proceed with caution when trance. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. crossing shoal areas and avoid all broken ground. In (84) Compo Yacht Basin is in the bight about 0.3 mile the vicinity are some oyster stakes and spars, which oc- northwestward of Cedar Point. In April 1995, the pri- casionally are towed under or broken off; caution is rec- vately dredged channel that leads to the basin had a re- ommended, especially at night, for small craft. ported depth of 8 feet with 7 feet reported in the basin. The channel is marked by private buoys and a private (93) Cockenoe Island, at the eastern end of Norwalk Is- lighted entrance range. A yacht club with landing and lands, is marked on its south side by two knolls; the re- mooring facilities is in the basin. Gasoline, berths, mainder of the island is low and level. A bar, dry in electricity, and water are available at the landing. places at low water but with general depths of 1 to 2 (85) A yacht club in a privately dredged basin on the feet, connects the island with the mainland at Seymour west side of Bluff Point has berths with electricity, gas- Point. oline, and ice. In 1982, depths of 7 feet were reported in the approach with 10 feet alongside the berths. (94) Cockenoe Shoal is an extensive and dangerous area (86) Duck Creek, on the west side of the river about 0.6 which extends 1.3 miles eastward and east-southeast- mile above Bluff Point, is the site of a private yacht ward from Cockenoe Island. The entire area is exceed- club. The reported controlling depth in the creek was ingly broken and should be avoided by strangers, even about 7 feet in July 1981. The entrance and basin are in small craft. Cockenoe Reef extends about 0.5 mile privately marked. eastward from the northern end of Cockenoe Island; (87) Bermuda Lagoon, southward of Duck Creek, is a rocks that uncover about 3 feet are near the outer end large privately owned and maintained basin for the use of the reef. Georges Rock, awash at lowest tides, is at of the residents in the immediate area. the eastern end of the shoal; a lighted buoy is off the (88) Saugatuck, a village in the town of Westport, is 2.5 northeast side of the rock. A lighted bell buoy marks miles above the entrance. Commercial traffic consists the southeast end of the shoal. mostly of barges that call at a sand and gravel company at Saugatuck; depths at the wharf are about 5 feet. (95) Channel Rock, covered 1½ feet, is about 0.2 mile (89) At Saugatuck the river is crossed by railroad bridge southwestward of Cockenoe Island and is marked by a having a bascule span with a clearance of 13 feet. Over- buoy to the southward. Peck Ledge, on the western side head power cables at the bridge have a clearance of 192 of Cockenoe Harbor entrance, is marked by Peck Ledge feet. The Connecticut Turnpike Bridge, 0.1 mile above, Light and Norwalk East Approach Gong Buoy 5. has a fixed span with a clearance of 59 feet. About 0.1 mile farther up is a highway swing bridge with a clear- (96) Cockenoe Harbor, westward of Cockenoe Island, is ance of 7 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and marked by Peck Ledge Light. The best anchorage is in 117.221, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) depths of 12 to 25 feet, northward and northwestward of the light. Routes (97) To enter Cockenoe Harbor from the eastward, pass southward of Cockenoe Island Shoal Lighted Bell Buoy 24, steer 254° until Peck Ledge Light bears northward of 285°, then steer for the light until up with Norwalk

330 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 East Approach Buoy 4 that marks Channel Rock, and Channels then pass eastward and northward of the light at a dis- (107) Norwalk Harbor and River are entered through a tance of 200 to 300 yards. (98) To enter Cockenoe Harbor from the westward, give dredged channel that extends 3 miles northeasterly the edge of the shoals southward of the Norwalk Islands from Sheffield Island Harbor between Manresa Island a good berth until Peck Ledge Light bears westward of on the west and White Rock and numerous islets and 348°, and then steer north and pass 400 yards eastward foul ground on the east, to the first highway bridge at of the light and midway between Norwalk East Ap- South Norwalk, and thence northerly for another 1.3 proach Buoy 4 that marks Channel Rock and Norwalk miles to the basin at the head of navigation at Norwalk. East Approach Gong Buoy 5. The tall stack on Manresa Island, marked on top by red lights, is very prominent and can be seen for many (99) The islands and rocks on the west side of Cockenoe miles from sea. Harbor include Calf Pasture Island, with several (108) A Federal project provides for a depth of 12 feet houses and a few trees; Sheep Rocks, which uncover 2 from Sheffield Island Harbor to the State Route 136 feet; East White Rock, high and white; and Grassy bridge, thence 10 feet to a 10-foot basin at the head of Hammock Rocks, which uncover and are marked by a navigation at Norwalk; an anchorage basin opposite light. Fitch Point has a project depth of 10 feet. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling (100) The larger islands southwestward are in general depths.) The channel is marked by buoys and lights to hilly and partly settled. Chimon Island is marked by the South Anchorage Basin. several houses; Copps Island by large boulders that ex- tend east from it; and Sheffield Island, the western- Caution most of the group, by an abandoned lighthouse tower. (109) Chemically contaminated material has been buried (101) Rocks that uncover extend nearly 0.3 mile south- in the navigation channel off Oyster Shell Point about westward of Sheffield Island. 140 yards below Interstate Route 95 bridge. The mate- rial is covered with a layer of noncontaminated dredged (102) 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, (110) 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 bridge just above the highway bridge, has a clearance of (103) Greens Ledge Light (41°02'30\"N., 73°26'38\"W.), 62 16 feet; an overhead power cable with a clearance of 203 feet above the water, is shown from a conical tower, the feet crosses the river near the railroad bridge. The upper half white and lower half brown, on a black cylin- third, a turnpike highway fixed bridge, about 0.6 mile drical pier on the north side of the west end of the above the railroad bridge, has a clearance of 60 feet. ledge. A fog signal is sounded at the light. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.217, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetenders at the (104) Cable and Anchor Reef covers an area about 0.4 State Route 136 bridge and the railroad bridge monitor mile in diameter about 2 miles southeastward of VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KXJ-707 and KU–6035, Greens Ledge Light. The least found depth is 22 feet. A respectively. lighted bell buoy marks the southern side. (111) Tavern Island, with several houses and foul ground (105) Sheffield Island Harbor, entered between Greens on all sides, is just northwestward of the dredged chan- Ledge and the mainland, is the main approach to nel entrance to Norwalk Harbor. Norwalk Harbor and Norwalk River. Anchorage in depths of 12 to 20 feet can be found northwestward of (112) Gregory Point, marked by a clubhouse and wharf, Sheffield Island. The shoal flats on the north side of the is on the east side of Norwalk Harbor 1.9 miles above harbor have rocks and boulders in places. the channel entrance. The boat basin immediately east- ward of Gregory Point, locally known as Norwalk Cove, (106) Norwalk River empties through Norwalk Harbor is entered through a privately maintained channel. In into the north side of Long Island Sound, northward of March 1987, the controlling depth was 8 feet in the the Norwalk Islands and about 40 miles east of New channel, thence in July 1981, 6 feet in the eastern part York.

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 331 of the basin. A 220-yard-long detached timber breakwa- Pilotage, Norwalk ter is on the north side of channel entrance. (120) Pilots which service New London-Groton and/or (113) East Norwalk Harbor, at the town of East Norwalk, is on the east side of the river about 2 miles above the New Haven service Norwalk. See Pilotage, New Lon- main channel entrance. The harbor is entered through don-Groton (indexed as such), chapter 8; and/or Pilot- a dredged channel that leads westward of Fitch Point to age, New Haven (indexed as such), chapter 8. the head and to North Anchorage Basin on the westerly side of the harbor. A Federal project provides for a Small-craft facilities depth of 6 feet from Fitch Point Light 1 to and in an an- (121) There are excellent small-craft facilities at South chorage basin at East Norwalk. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) Norwalk, East Norwalk, and in Norwalk Cove. (See the The channel is marked to near the southern end of the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- basin. vices and supplies available.) (114) South Norwalk is an important commercial and manufacturing city on the west side of Norwalk River, Communications about 3 miles above the channel entrance. The depths (122) Rail and bus lines serve the city and area. at the wharves below the bridges range from 5 to 10 feet. Commercial traffic is mainly in building materi- (123) Wilson Cove, on the north side of Sheffield Island als, petroleum products, and shell fishing. Harbor, is entered about 0.6 mile northwestward of the (115) Norwalk, 1.3 miles above South Norwalk, is a city dredged channel entrance to Norwalk Harbor between on both sides of the river at the head of navigation. The Wilson Point on the north and Bell Island on the wharves have depths of about 7 feet alongside. The southwest. The ruins of a former oil-receiving pier are channel from South Norwalk to Norwalk is winding, on the southwestern extremity of Wilson Point. A yacht with extensive flats on both sides, and requires local club is on the east side of the cove, about 150 yards knowledge to follow it even at high water. northward of the wharf ruins, and a marina is at the (116) Local regulations provide penalties for exceeding head of the cove. Gasoline, limited marine supplies, ice, the posted 5 mph speed limit or for dumping refuse in an 18-ton crane, a 20-ton mobile hoist, and engine and the harbor. These regulations are enforced by the Ma- hull repair facilities are available at the marina. In rine Division of the Norwalk Police Department. Police 1989, the privately dredged channel leading to the ma- patrol boats operate the year round and are equipped to rina had a reported controlling depth of 2½ feet (5 feet handle radio traffic on VHF-FM channel 16 (156.80 at midchannel). MHz). The harbormaster at Norwalk can be reached through the police department. (124) Noroton Point, at the southern end of Bell Island, is marked by a flagpole and a prominent house with a Tides cupola. Rocks, bare at low water, are about 300 yards (117) The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. northward of the point. Pine Point, just westward of Noroton Point, has a wharf in ruins at its southern end. Currents A shoal with depths of 8 to 12 feet extends about 0.3 (118) The tidal currents in Long Island Sound off mile from the shore westward of Noroton Point. The bottom is broken with boulders in places, and small Norwalk have a velocity of about 1 knot. In Norwalk vessels crossing the shoal should proceed with caution. River, off Gregory Point, the velocity of current is about Ballast Reef, about 0.2 mile westward of Pine Point and 0.6 knot. The currents in the harbor follow the direc- off the southeast side of the entrance to Fivemile River, tion of the channel, the ebb current being somewhat is almost bare at low water and extends 300 yards off stronger than the flood. (See the Tidal Current Tables Roton Point; a buoy marks the outer end of the reef. for predictions.) (125) Fivemile River, a narrow inlet about 0.6 mile west- (119) The channel up to South Norwalk is navigable ward of Noroton Point and about 0.9 mile northward of throughout the year. The harbor and river above South Greens Ledge Light, is entered through a dredged Norwalk are covered with ice during a part of the win- channel that leads northward into the river for about ter. A channel is ordinarily kept open to the highway 0.7 mile. The river is shallow except in the dredged bridge, but the East Norwalk Channel and the channel channel and rocks exposed 2 feet at low water have in the river are usually closed for about 6 weeks each been reported on the east side of the channel near the winter. channel edge in about 41°03'37\"N., 73°26'47\"W. In 1999, the controlling depth was 4.7 feet (6.8 feet at midchannel) to the head of the dredged channel. The channel is marked by buoys at the entrance and by a buoy on the east side about 0.3 mile above the entrance.

332 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 (126) In July 1981, depths of 2 to 5 feet were reported (134) Cove Harbor, northward of Smith Reef and about 1 alongside the small-craft facility wharves on the east mile westward of Long Neck Point, has depths of about side of the river. The river is used chiefly by pleasure 5 to 10 feet. Local knowledge is necessary to avoid sev- craft. The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. eral rocky areas in the approach to the harbor and to the basin at the northwestern end of the harbor at Cove (127) A special anchorage is in Fivemile River. (See Mills. A depth of about 1 foot can be carried across the 110.1 and 110.55a, chapter 2, for limits and regula- bar at the entrance to the basin; private buoys, one of tions.) which is a seasonal speed limit buoy, mark the ap- proach. A municipal marina is in the basin. (128) Rowayton is a village at the head of Fivemile River. Several small-craft facilities are on the east side of the (135) Westcott Cove, just westward of Cove Harbor, has a river. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart dredged channel marked by buoys that leads along its 12364 for services and supplies available.) westerly side to a basin 0.5 mile above the channel en- trance, thence for 0.2 mile through the south arm of (129) Scott Cove, about 0.8 mile westward of Fivemile the basin. The east side of the entrance to the basin is River and about a mile northwest of Greens Ledge protected by a jetty marked on the outer end by a pri- Light, is a rocky shelter with a channel good for about 6 vate light. In June 1985, the channel had a midchannel feet to the shallow area northward. There are rocks and controlling depth of 4 feet. A yacht club is in the north- broken ground in the entrance. The channel into westerly arm of the basin, and a municipal marina is in Zieglers Cove, just west of Scott Cove and south of the southeasterly arm. Gasoline diesel fuel, and water Great Island, is good for about 9 feet. A rock, covered 5 are available at a marina on the west side of the south feet, is reported to lie almost in mid-entrance to this arm of the basin. cove. Local knowledge is required to navigate both coves. (136) Stamford Harbor, on the north side of Long Island Sound about 33 miles east of New York, comprises the (130) 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. An unmarked sunken wreck is about shoal, and the approach is obstructed to a large extent 0.5 mile southeastward of Long Neck Point; depth over by ledges and rocks. Shippan Point, the eastern point the wreck is unknown. at the entrance, is surrounded by rocks which show at low water. Barges and small coastal tankers constitute (131) From Long Neck Point to Shippan Point, about 2.6 the main waterborne traffic in the harbor. Petroleum miles to the southwestward, there are many reefs and products, scrap metal, sand and gravel, and crushed boulders, and the bottom is very broken, necessitating rock are the principal products handled in the harbor. caution. This area is the approach to several shallow coves, none of which is commercially important. (137) Stamford is a manufacturing city on the peninsula at the head of the harbor. (132) Goodwives (Darien) River is a small and shallow stream on the west side of Long Neck Point. Foul Prominent features ground with rocks bare at low water extends nearly 200 (138) Stamford Harbor Ledge Obstruction Light yards off the west side of Long Neck Point, about 0.3 mile above the south end of the point. A private sea- (41°00.8'N., 73°32.6'W.), 80 feet above the water, sonal, 342° lighted range and buoys mark the best wa- shown from a white conical tower on a red cylindrical ter to a yacht club and basin on the southeast side of pier, is a private light visible from a considerable dis- Noroton Neck. In April 2002, a depth of 4.5 feet could tance offshore. Also prominent are a microwave tower be carried to the yacht club landing thence in 1981, 3 westward of the city and the large brown office build- feet through The Gut to the boat club landing just ings locally known as Harbor Plaza on Ware Island. above Peartree Point. Above the boat club landing, the Stamford Harbor West Breakwater Light 3 river is practically dry at low water. Goodwives River (41°00'54\"N., 73°32'18'W.), 47 feet above the water, is and its entrance is a special anchorage. (See 110.1 and shown from a tower with a square green daymark at the 110.56, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) A 5 mph east end of the west breakwater. Stamford Harbor East speed limit is enforced on the river. Breakwater Light 4 (41°00.9'N., 73°32.1\"W.), 28 feet above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a (133) Smith Reef, about 0.9 mile southwestward of Long triangular red daymark at the west end of the east Neck Point, consists of two rocks that uncover 2 feet. breakwater. The south end of the reef is marked by a lighted buoy. Bold Rock, which uncovers 4 feet, is on the east edge of the rocky ridge extending northward from the reef. Many oyster stakes are on the ridge.

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 333 Channels velocity of 0.8 knot and sets 134°. Inside the harbor the (139) Stamford Harbor is entered through a dredged en- currents have little velocity and usually set fair with the channel. trance channel that leads northward from Long Island Sound between two detached breakwaters to a point Ice about 1 mile above the entrance to a junction with the (144) The channel in West Branch is usually navigable dredged channels leading into East Branch and West Branch. A Federal project provides for depths of 18 feet throughout the year, but in East Branch it is closed by to a point about 0.5 mile below the junction of the ice for several weeks during severe winters. Ice forms branches, thence 15 feet to the junction, thence in the in the harbor during most winters and usually extends West Branch 15 feet to and in the turning basin; thence to a point just northward of the breakwaters. The chan- in the East Branch, 15 feet to Light 1, thence 12 feet to nels are kept open as far as practicable by passing traf- the head of the project about 0.6 mile above the hurri- fic. cane barrier. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of charts for controlling depths.) The 100-foot-wide (145) 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 (146) 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- (147) 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 (140) A dredged anchorage area with depths of 12 to 18 (148) 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. (149) There are excellent facilities for small craft in both Dangers East and West Branches. (See the small-craft facilities (141) 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 (150) Dolphin Cove, 0.6 mile west of the entrance chan- Point. Between them and the point is an area of foul nel to Stamford Harbor, is a privately owned Lagoon ground and rocks bare and awash that extends 0.4 mile and marine facility. No anchoring is allowed. southward of Shippan Point. A lighted bell buoy is about 0.2 mile south of The Cows. Harbor Ledge, about Charts 12367, 12364 200 yards south of the west breakwater, consists of rocks and a ledge marked by a private light. (151) Captain Harbor, on the north shore of Long Island Sound westward of Greenwich Point and northward of Tides Great and Little Captain Islands, affords shelter from (142) The range of tide is 7.2 feet. all winds for vessels drawing 12 feet or less. The depths at the anchorage in the deeper part of the harbor, about Currents 0.5 mile northward of Great and Little Captain Islands, (143) The flood current at the entrance to the harbor has are 15 to 30 feet. Vessels of less than 7-foot draft anchor a velocity of 0.4 knot and sets 329°; the ebb has a

334 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 on the flats. The bottom is soft, but the entire harbor (158) Mianus River is crossed by the Metro-North rail- and entrances are characterized by boulders. Strangers road bascule bridge with a clearance of 20 feet, and by a should proceed with caution, especially on the flats and highway fixed bridge with a clearance of 45 feet, about other shoal areas. The eastern entrance to Captain Har- 0.4 mile to the northward. (See 117.1 through 117.59 bor, between Flat Neck Point and Little Captain Island, and 117.209, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) is the clearer and better one for strangers. The western entrance, northwestward of Great Captain Island, is (159) Several marinas and boatyards are along the west easy of access, but the broken ground there requires side of the river from above the railroad bridge to the caution. head of navigation. (See the small-craft facilities tabu- (152) Greenwich Point, 1.7 miles southwestward of lation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- Stamford Harbor West Breakwater Light, is character- able.) ized by a low grassy hill. Reefs extend 0.3 mile south- eastward from Greenwich Point. Woolsey Rock near (160) Mianus, at the head of navigation on the river, is the easterly end of the reefs is bare at low water. A buoy the site of an abandoned sand and gravel wharf. marks these dangers. (153) Flat Neck Point, the western end of Greenwich (161) Indian Harbor is a narrow inlet on the north side of Point, is wooded. A reef with bare and submerged rocks Captain Harbor, about 1 mile west of Cos Cob Harbor. A extends nearly 0.3 mile southwestward and westward channel with a depth of about 7 feet passes about 200 from Flat Neck Point. About 0.2 mile northwestward of feet westward of Tweed Island and follows the west bank the point, the boiler of a wreck, marked by a private sea- to the bulkhead on the west side of the cove 300 yards sonal buoy, shows above high water. above the entrance. Small craft can anchor in the chan- (154) Greenwich Cove opens into Captain Harbor from nel just above this point, favoring the bulkhead. A large eastward, north of Flat Neck Point. The cove is used for prominent white residence with red roof and adjacent mooring local craft. Depths decrease from 8 feet in the white clock tower is on the point separating Smith outer cove to less than 3 feet in the eastern part of the Cove and Indian Harbor. A 5 mph speed limit is en- cove. Old Greenwich is on Greenwich Cove. forced in the harbor. (155) Cos Cob Harbor, on the northeast side of Captain Harbor, has a dredged channel through it which ex- (162) 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. lat 300 feet of the dredged channel) to the head of navi- gation at Mianus. Shoaling is reported to be abrupt (163) 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. Special anchorages are in Cos Cob Har- mile. In December 1981, the controlling depth was 8 bor. (See 110.1 and 110.58, chapter 2, for limits and feet. Two anchorage basins are off the west side of the regulations.) channel. In December 1981, the northerly basin had (156) There are several dangers off the entrance of Cos depths of 2 to 4½ feet except for shoaling to bare along Cob Harbor that must be avoided; most are buoyed. the northern edge, and the southerly basin had depths These include Newfoundland Reef, covered 4 feet, a of 4 to 6 feet except for shoaling to bare along the west mile northeastward of Little Captain Island; Red Rock, edge. which uncovers 7 feet, 0.5 mile west of Newfoundland Reef; Hitchcock Rock, awash at low water, 0.3 mile (164) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. northwestward of Newfoundland Reef; and Pecks Rock, (165) Greenwich is a city on the railroad at the head of bare at low water, 0.2 mile north of Hitchcock Rock. (157) The Riverside Yacht Club, on the east side of Cos the harbor. The wharves are along the point on the east Cob Harbor and about 0.5 mile below the first bridge, is side of Greenwich Harbor. The harbormaster at Green- prominent. wich can be contacted through the Greenwich Police Department. A police boat patrols the harbor during the summer season. (166) Several private yacht and boat clubs are in Green- wich Harbor. Gasoline and diesel fuel are available at a small-craft facility on the west side of the harbor at Grass Island. During the summer, a ferry operates from the town landing at the head of the harbor to Little Captain Island, Great Captain Island, and Calf Islands.

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 335 Airphoto - Jim Wark (167) Byram Harbor, a bight used by small craft, is at the (170) Jones Rocks, partly bare at high water, are at the northwest end of Captain Harbor, just northward of southeast end of the foul ground that extends over 0.2 Calf Islands. Wilson Head, 2 feet high, on a reef that mile southeastward from the south end of Calf Islands. uncovers, is in the middle of the entrance of the bight The rocks are marked by a light. and is marked by a buoy off the eastern end. The en- trance to Byram Harbor from eastward lies between Ot- (171) Cormorant Reef, northward of Great Captain Is- ter Rocks and Bowers Island. Otter Rocks, which land, partly bare at high water, has a rock 4 feet high on uncover 3 feet, are marked by a lighted buoy about 150 the eastern end. A buoy is off the southern end of the yards to the southward; a submerged rock is close reef. northward of the buoy. Bowers Island, just eastward of Calf Islands, is marked by a clump of trees and sur- (172) Great Captain Island, 2.6 miles southwestward of rounded by a drying reef; a buoy marks the north end of Greenwich Point, is 0.4 mile long, fringed with reefs, the reef. A rocky ledge makes out from the point 300 and marked near its southeast end by a light. A munici- yards northwestward of Otter Rocks, and is marked by a pal bathing beach and ferry landing are on the island. buoy. Private small-craft facilities are on the west side The landing has reported depths of about 3 feet. A buoy of the harbor. marks the reef making off 0.3 mile from the southwest- ern end. The passage between Great and Little Captain (168) The southeastward approach to Byram Harbor is Islands is foul and not recommended. buoyed. A narrow channel also leads to the harbor from southwestward, passing southward of Huckleberry Is- (173) Great Captain Island Light (40°58'57\"N., lands and between the northwest one of the Calf Islands 73°37'23\"W.), 62 feet above the water, is shown from a and the two nearest rocks, which are sometimes skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped marked by a private daybeacon. The rocks 90 yards off daymark on the southeast part of the island. A fog sig- the southwest end of Huckleberry Islands are bare at nal is sounded at the light. low water. (174) Little Captain Island, a summer resort about 0.6 (169) Grassy Rocks, 0.3 mile westward of the southerly mile northeast of Great Captain Island, has a municipal tip of Calf Islands, uncover 7 feet. The four large ledges bathing beach and ferry landing. The landing has re- northwestward and westward of Grassy Rocks generally ported depths of about 8 feet. A reef extends about 250 show at low water. yards northeasterly to Wee Captain Island. An area of boulders and broken ground extends 0.4 mile eastward and northeastward from the island and is marked by a

336 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 lighted gong buoy. Hen and Chickens, a group of rocks 1993, 3 feet at midchannel to just below the head of and boulders about 0.4 mile northeastward of Little navigation about 30 yards below the second fixed Captain Island, is marked by a buoy on the north side. bridge (Mill Street fixed bridge). The channel is marked to a point about 0.3 mile above the entrance. Tides (182) The New England Thruway fixed bridge, with a (175) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. clearance of 60 feet, crosses the river about 0.8 mile above the channel entrance. Currents (176) The tidal current in the entrance between Little (183) The approach to Port Chester is obstructed by rocks, but is not difficult with the aid of the chart. From Captain Island and Flat Neck Point has a velocity of southward it is safer to pass eastward of Bluefish about 0.7 knot. Between Jones Rocks and Cormorant Shoal. Fourfoot Rocks may be passed on either side, Reef the estimated velocity is 1 knot. remembering that the buoy is at the south end of the rocks. Entering the harbor, pass westward of Great Ice Captain Rocks, eastward of Manursing Island Reef, and (177) Ice forms in the winter in all the coves and over the 150 feet southward of Port Chester Light 4 on the end of the breakwater. The channel in Byram River is fairly greater part of Captain Harbor. It sometimes extends well defined at low water, but requires local knowledge out of the line of Little and Great Captain Islands. for the best water; strangers should take it on a rising tide and proceed with caution. (178) From eastward, a course of about 298° midway be- tween the buoys marking the shoals off Flat Neck Point Tides on the east and Wee Captain Island on the west will (184) The mean range of tide is 7.2 feet. bring a vessel to a point 0.2 mile north of Hen and Chickens Buoy 1A. From here a heading of 250°, with (185) Principal commerce is in building materials, fuel the southerly tip of Calf Islands ahead, will lead to an- oil, and petroleum products, carried in vessels drawing chorage off the entrance of Greenwich Harbor. 5 to 14 feet. Barges discharge oil cargoes at a terminal with reported depths of 12 feet alongside. (179) From westward, a course of 014° for Jones Rocks Light 3 will lead into the Captain Harbor anchorage. Small-craft facilities Proceed with caution when crossing the broken rocky (186) There are several small-craft facilities in Port Ches- area on which the least found depth is 12 feet, extend- ing 0.4 mile westward from the western end of Great ter Harbor, and on the Byram River at Port Chester and Captain Island. Vessels should pass 100 yards south- Byram. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on eastward of Jones Rocks Light, and over 100 yards chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) northward of the buoy northwestward of Cormorant Reef, and steer 070° in the harbor. (180) Port Chester Harbor, about 1.2 miles westward of (187) 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. (181) The harbor is entered from Long Island Sound through a dredged channel that leads northward for 1.2 (188) 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 conspicu- bridge, the head of practical navigation on the river. In ous from a southeasterly direction. Westward and close August-September 2005, the controlling depths were to the north breakwater is a former ferry landing in dis- 8.8 feet at midchannel to the first fixed bridge about 0.8 repair. A breakwater extends eastward from the south mile above the entrance, thence 6.1 feet at midchannel end of Rye Beach. The area between the former ferry to the basin, thence 8.2 feet in the basin, thence in

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 337 landing and the south breakwater is reserved for swim- complete engine and hull repairs are available. The city ming. harbormaster is at the boat basin. (189) Forbes Rocks, about 0.4 mile south of the Rye (197) Mamaroneck Harbor, an open bight between Hen Beach breakwater, are partly bare at low water, on a reef Island and Delancey Point, is exposed to southerly with depths of 4 to 11 feet that extends 250 yards to the winds, but affords shelter against northerly weather. southward and eastward. A buoy marks the east end of Depths in the outer harbor range from 7 to 12 feet. Im- the reef. A channel good for a depth of 9 feet leads portant dangers are buoyed; these include Outer southward of buoyed Forlies Rocks to the ruins of a Steamboat Rock, near the dredged channel entrance, wharf at Oakland Beach. Another channel with a least and Ship Rock, about 0.5 mile southeastward of Outer depth of 8 feet leads southward from Oakland Beach to Steamboat Rock. the sound. (198) About 1 mile northwest of Outer Steamboat Rock is (190) Porgy Shoal, about 0.8 mile south of the Rye Beach the incinerator tower, a red brick building with a large breakwater, has a least found depth of 5 feet; it is glass tower, which is a prominent landmark. marked by a lighted buoy. (199) The harbor is entered through a dredged channel (191) Scotch Caps are three rocky islets 1.4 miles south- that leads about 0.5 mile west-northwestward to the in- westward from Porgy Shoal and on the northwest side tersection with two dredged branch channels leading of the extensive reefs which make out 0.9 mile south- to basins northward and westward of the junction. The westward of Milton Point. The southerly end of the entrance channel and the branch channel to the north- reefs is marked by a lighted bell buoy about 0.6 mile ern basin are marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. southward of Scotch Caps. The entire area of the reef (200) In August 2005, the controlling depths in the northward and northeastward of the lighted bell buoy dredged channels were 9.8 feet in the entrance channel is very broken and should be avoided even by small to the junction with the branch channels, thence 8.7 craft in the absence of local knowledge. feet in the channel leading northward to the east basin, (192) West Rock, just south of the south end of Scotch thence 7.9 to 10 feet in the smaller anchorage at the Caps, is marked by a buoy. southwest side of the basin with 6 feet in the larger ba- (193) Milton Harbor, between Peningo Neck and Hen Is- sin northeastward, 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. (201) A pipeline covered about 6 feet crosses the western (194) 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. (202) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. (195) A yacht club and landing are near the southwest end of Milton Point. Near the clubhouse is a prominent (203) 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 (196) 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 August 2005, the midchannel controlling depth was 2.3 feet to the boat basin, thence 2.5 feet at (204) The town of Mamaroneck extends from both sides midchannel in the basin’s north channel and 5.1 feet at of the harbor. Petroleum products, carried by barges, 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 center of the basin. Two boatyards are in the harbor. No-Discharge Zone The largest marine railway can handle craft up to 40 (205) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- feet in length; gasoline, water, ice, marine supplies, and vironmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Mamaroneck Harbor. The NDZ includes waters north of a line drawn in a north- easterly direction from the southern tip of the sea wall

338 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 Airphoto - Jim Wark at Orienta Point to a point on the mainland immedi- (209) Larchmont Harbor is between Edgewater Point ately north of Spike Island (see chart 12364 for limits). and Umbrella Point and about 2.5 miles northward of (206) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether Execution Rocks Light. The harbor is the headquarters treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. of the Larchmont Yacht Club. Anchorage depths range Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by from about 12 feet in the entrance to 5 feet near Great 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). Knob, an islet in the north central part of the harbor. In summer the harbor is full of mooring buoys for small Supplies and repairs yachts. The rocks on the west side are marked, whereas (207) There are numerous boatyards and marinas in unmarked shoals extend 200 yards from the eastern shore. The anchorage for larger vessels is westward of Mamaroneck Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tab- the breakwater. ulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- able.) (210) Umbrella Rock, marked by a buoy, is 250 yards eastward of Umbrella Point. A few rocks of a breakwa- (208) Foul ground extends southwesterly from eastward ter, which was started on Umbrella Rock, are awash at of Delancey Point to the Larchmont Harbor breakwater high water. North Ledge, bare at half tide, is near the off Edgewater Point, on the east side of the harbor en- western shore southeastward of the yacht club; it is trance; a light is on the end of the breakwater. Hen and marked by a private daybeacon. The principal landing, Chickens, a reef bare at low water in places, lies off the with a reported depth of about 6 feet alongside, is on harbor entrance; surrounding depths are 8 to 17 feet on the southeast side of the yacht club and is lighted from the outer parts of the reef. About 0.3 mile westward of sunset to sunrise. the breakwater light is Dauntless Rock, covered 8 feet, and surrounded by depths of 14 to 16 feet. These dan- (211) Larchmont Harbor may be entered on either side of gers are buoyed. Hen and Chickens. The easterly entrance, about 100 yards southwestward of the end of the breakwater, is about 300 yards wide and has a depth of about 15 feet.

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 339 (212) Horseshoe Harbor is a small cove just westward of (222) Pine Island, between Davenport Neck and Middle Larchmont Harbor. A prominent gray building is at the Ground, is rocky, covered with brush, and occupied by head. The cove is used as a small-boat anchorage. several cottages. A small private landing is on the west side of the island. Two bare rocks and a long bare ledge (213) Echo Bay, about 1 mile southwestward of Umbrella are southwestward of the island. Point and 2 miles northwestward of Execution Rocks Light, is the principal approach to New Rochelle. The Charts 12366, 12364 bay is entered between Premium Point on the north- east and Davenport Neck on the southwest. Hicks (223) Davids Island, southward of Davenport Neck, is the Ledge, about 0.5 mile off the entrance, is covered 6 feet site of ruins of Fort Slocum, an inactive U.S. Govern- and marked on the south side by a buoy. ment reservation now owned by the city of New Ro- chelle. The island is marked by a tank on its north end (214) Middle Ground, an extensive shoal with a reef that and a square chimney on its southeast end. A ferry land- uncovers 6 feet, lies about 0.5 mile south-southwest- ing on the west side of the island was in disrepair in ward of Hicks Ledge. Emerald Rock, covered 9 feet, is 1987. Reefs partly bare at low water, marked by a lighted off the west side of the shoal and marked by a buoy. A buoy, extend about 0.2 mile northward of Davids Island. buoy marks the north end of the shoal. (224) Davids Island is surrounded on its east and south (215) Bailey Rock, which uncovers 4 feet, is near the end sides by a foul area of islands and rocks, the passages of a reef that extends about 200 yards off the point of between which should not be used by strangers, even in Davenport Neck. The rock is marked by a lighted buoy. small craft. Huckleberry Island, at the eastern end of the group, is wooded. Pea Island, about 0.3 mile south- (216) The bay is an anchorage for small craft and gener- eastward of Davids Island, is grass covered, and rocks ally is fully occupied during the summer. Depths range bare at low water are southeastward of it. Columbia Is- from 4 to 15 feet. Small craft can anchor in the shallow land has been improved by a seawall, making it about cove on the northeast side of the harbor, entering be- 150 feet square, with a pier 150 feet long on the west tween Harrison Island and the rocky, grassy islet off side. the northwest side of Echo Island. Vessels can anchor in the general anchorages on either side of the en- (225) An obstruction, covered 17 feet, has been reported trance, in depths of 20 to 24 feet. (See 110.1 and in about 40°52.4'N., 073°45.4'W. about 0.3 mile 110.155 (a) (2), (a) (3), and (1), chapter 2, for limits south-southeastward of Pea Island. Mariners are ad- and regulations.) Vessels should not anchor near the vised to exercise caution while navigating in this area. sewer outlet in the middle of the bay. A special anchor- age is in Echo Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (b-1), chap- (226) Execution Rocks, about 1.4 miles eastward of ter 2, for limits and regulations.) Davids Island, consist of many boulders and shoals of considerable extent, marked by a light and buoys. Bro- (217) A 4 mph speed limit is enforced in Echo Bay. ken bottom, covered 5 to 19 feet, extends about 0.7 mile (218) A dredged channel, on the northwest side of Echo northward from the light. Bay, leads to a municipal wharf and turning basin at (227) Execution Rocks Light (40°52'41\"N., 73°44'16\"W.), Beaufort Point. The channel is marked by buoys to the 62 feet above the water, is shown from a white stone turning basin. In October 1985, the controlling depth tower with a brown band midway of its height, attached was 8½ feet at midchannel to the basin, with 6½ to 7 to a granite dwelling. A fog signal is at the light. feet in the basin. (219) The area northward of the turning basin, locally (228) Middle Reef, 0.5 mile southward of Davids Island, known as Ferris Creek, is shoal with extensive mud has some boulders which show at high water. East flats that bare at low water. Southwesterly of the turn- Nonations and South Nonations are rocks that un- ing basin, the depth varies from 9 feet to bare at the cover 4 feet between Middle Reef and Hart Island. head of the harbor. South Nonations is marked on its south side by a (220) New Rochelle is a city on the western shore of Echo lighted bell buoy. Bay. (221) The municipal wharf is on the northeast side of (229) Aunt Phebe Rock, 300 yards west of Davids Island, Beaufort Point. The city police patrol boats usually is bare at half tide and marked by a light. In May 1976, moor alongside the wharf. A small-craft facility and a an obstruction covered 4 feet was reported about 400 municipal marina are in the northern part of Echo Bay. yards northwestward of the light. Mariners are advised Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and to exercise caution while navigating in this area. lifts to 25 tons are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. The municipal marina monitors VHF-FM (230) Goose Island, between Davids Island and Glen Is- channel 16. land, is almost completely surrounded by a rock break- water, and has several bare rocks to the westward and

340 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 southward. A house on pilings is prominent on the is- (236) A bascule bridge connecting Glen Island with Nep- land. tune Island has a clearance of 13 feet. (See 117.1 through (231) Glen Island, 0.4 mile west of Davids Island, is a 117.49, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Just public park used as a pleasure resort. Special permits south of the bridge is a yacht club on the east side of are required prior to using the launching ramp on the Neptune Island. island. A light is on the north end of the island. A beach protected by two jetties is on the southeast end of the (237) Orchard Beach, about 1 mile southwestward of island. The channel on the northwest side of Glen Is- Davids Island, is a park developed by the State of New land is much used as an anchorage by small craft, par- York on the filled-in area between Hunter Island, to the ticularly those bound to the club on Travers Island to north, and Rodman Neck, to the south. The inshore wa- the westward. The channel has a depth of about 7 feet. A ter areas off the crescent beach are a swimming area no wake speed limit is enforced. Glen Island Channel, and are closed to general navigation. The swimming marked by buoys, is on the south-southwest side of the area is marked by private buoys. A bathing pavilion and island. The channel entrance is between Hog Island a flagstaff are prominent. Chimney Sweeps, two promi- and Glen Island and runs along the southwest edge of nent bare rocks, are about 0.4 mile east of the beach. Glen Island to the channel between Travers Islands and Glen Island. In 1990, the controlling depth in the chan- (238) Hart Island, about 1.8 miles southwest of Execu- nel was 6½ feet except for a 2½ foot shoal spot in the tion Rocks Light, is the site of a New York Department west side of the channel about 100 yards northwest of of Correction facility. A stack on the southern part of Glen Island Channel Buoy 6. the island and the buildings on the island are promi- (232) New Rochelle Harbor lies between the mainland, nent. A reef extends about 200 yards southeastward and westward of Davenport Neck, and Glen Island; it is from the south end of the island and is marked by a off the southerly part of the city of New Rochelle. How- light. Caution is advised to avoid the 9-foot obstruction ever, the main access of New Rochelle is through Echo and the wreck with 13 feet over it which are 0.3 mile Bay, previously discussed. west of the light. (233) New Rochelle Harbor is entered between Glen Is- land and Davenport Neck. An approach channel, with a (239) Rat Island is a high bare rock about 0.4 mile west of depth of about 13 feet, leads from south-southwest of Hart Island. The Blauzes, 13 feet high, are a part of the Davids Island northward to a point abreast the former reef which extends 0.3 mile northwestward from the ferry wharf on the island, thence through deeper natu- north end of Hart Island. ral water between Aunt Phebe Rock and Corning Rock northward to the entrance to the harbor. A reef, bare at (240) The channel between City Island and Rodman Neck low water, makes off the west side of Davids Island op- is used extensively as an anchorage by small pleasure posite the buoy marking Corning Rock. Another ap- craft during the summer. A no wake speed limit is en- proach channel, through deeper water, leads from the forced. Boat clubs and railways for small craft are on northeast between Davids Island and Davenport Neck the northwest side of City Island. The shores are gener- to the entrance. Both channels are well marked. In ally fringed with boulders and should be approached 1990, the narrow dredged channel in the harbor had a with caution. The north shores of High Island and City controlling depth of 5½ feet (6½ feet at midchannel) to Island northeastward of the bridge are very foul, and within 100 yards of the dam at the head. boats should avoid the shoals with depths less than 12 feet on that side. Anchorage (234) Anchorage is not recommended in the harbor be- (241) City Island is connected with Rodman Neck by a highway swing bridge, kept in the closed position, with cause of its congestion. General and special anchor- a clearance of 12 feet. (See 117.779, chapter 2, for ages are in adjacent waters southerly, extending as far drawbridge regulations.) Currents at the bridge are as City Island and Locust Point. (See 110.1, 110.60 variable and at times exceed 1.5 knots. (See the Tidal (b), (c), (c-1), and (d) through (f), and 110.155 (a) Current Tables.) (1), (a) (4), and (1), chapter 2, for limits and regula- tions.) (242) City Island Harbor, also called Hart Island Roads, is between Hart Island and City Island. It is well shel- (235) Several yacht clubs, marinas, and boatyards are in tered from easterly and westerly winds and is an impor- New Rochelle Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tant anchorage for coasting vessels in the western end tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies of Long Island Sound. Besides serving as a harbor of available.) refuge, it is often used by vessels desiring pilots or towboats, or awaiting orders. A spire in the center of City Island and a steeple in the northerly part of the is- land are conspicuous objects. (243) In September 1993, a submerged wreck was re- ported in about 40°50'36\"N., 73°46'30\"W.

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 341 (244) City Island, on the northeast side of Eastchester Communications Bay, is narrow and over 1 mile in length. It is thickly (254) Buses serve the subway system of New York City. settled and has a commercialized appearance. The west side is residential, and the east side is industrialized (255) Eastchester Bay, between City Island and Throgs with several shipyards and other marine-related facili- Neck, has general depths of 7 to 10 feet in the lower part ties. and 3 to 5 feet in the upper part. The shores of the bay are fringed with boulders, and there are many shoals Pilotage, City Island and several wrecks. Caution is essential, especially (245) A pilot boat of United New York New Jersey Sandy where the depths are not more than 3 feet greater than the drafts. Hutchinson River empties into the north Hook Pilot Association moors at City Island. See Pilot- end of the bay. age, New York Harbor from Long Island Sound (in- dexed as such), chapter 11. (256) A channel marked by buoys leads through Eastchester Bay from 1.1 miles west of Belden Point to (246) High Island is 200 yards northeastward of the the mouth of Hutchinson River. A dredged channel north end of City Island to which it is connected by a marked by buoys leads from the mouth for about 2.8 fixed footbridge with a clearance of 11 feet. The ground miles to the head of navigation at the city of Pelham. under the bridge is reported to bare about 1 foot at low water. A 528-foot-high radio tower, marked on top by (257) In September 2005, the midchannel controlling red lights, is prominent on High Island. depths were 6.4 feet from Eastchester Bay Channel Lighted Buoy 7 to the Hutchinson River Parkway Anchorages Bridge, thence 1.3 feet to the junction with East Y and (247) The usual anchorage for deep-draft vessels is West Y at Pelham, thence 3.4 feet in the entrance to East Y with shoaling to bare at the northern end and southeastward of City Island, southward of a line join- shoaling to bare in West Y; mariners are cautioned that ing the south ends of Hart and City Islands. When an- depths along the sides of the channel are considerably choring, avoid Deep Reef, a small rocky patch covered less than midchannel. 25 feet. Other general and special anchorages are in the vicinity. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, chap- (258) Special anchorages are in Eastchester Bay. (See ter 2, for limits and regulations.) 110.1 and 110.60 (d), (e), and (f), chapter 2, for lim- its and regulations.) (248) A long pier in ruins and a wide stone pier, the top of which is used as a parking area, are at the south end of (259) The dangers in Eastchester Bay are few: Big Tom, City Island at Belden Point. The western shore of Hart on the east side near the entrance, is bare at low water, Island and the wharves on City Island should be given a and other rocks around it show at extreme low tides; berth of about 150 yards. these are buoyed. Cuban Ledge, covered at half tide, is marked by a daybeacon and Cuban Ledge Lighted Buoy Tides 2 close southwestward. Numerous rocks and shoals are (249) The mean range of tide is 7.2 feet. on both sides of the channel near the entrance to Hutchinson River. Currents (250) The tidal current has a velocity of about 0.3 knot. (260) Bridges and overhead cables crossing Hutchinson River are listed by type, distance above the dredged (251) Ice seldom interferes with navigation of powered channel entrance, and clearance as follows: bascule, vessels. 0.35 mile, 13 feet; rolling lift, 0.5 mile, 8 feet; overhead power cable at bridge, 130 feet; bascule, 0.9 mile, 30 Supplies feet; fixed, 1.9 miles, 50 feet; fixed, 2.1 miles, 50 feet; (252) Gasoline, lubricants, and marine supplies of all overhead pipeline, 2.5 miles, 130 feet; bascule, 2.6 miles, 6 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and kinds are available at City Island. Water is piped to 117.793, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) some of the wharves; ice, electrical connections, guest moorings, and dry and wet storage are readily available. (261) The Pelham Parkway bascule bridge, 0.35 mile above the entrance and the Amtrak lift bridge, 0.5 mile Small-craft facilities above the entrance, are equipped with radiotelephones. (253) Many boatyards are on the east and northwest sides The bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KU–9758, KU–6095, and KXS–298, respectively. of City Island. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) (262) Eastchester is a village on the west side of the Hutchinson River about 1.5 miles above Pelham High- way Bridge. Commerce on the river to Eastchester is in building materials, fuel oil, and petroleum products.

342 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 Pelham is on the east side of the river above (271) Stony Brook Harbor is a narrow shallow bay in the Eastchester. southeastern part of Smithtown Bay. The approach to (263) Weir Creek is a bight on the west side of the bay the harbor from the bay is over a bar which extends 0.8 near the entrance. mile off the entrance; the outer end of the bar is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy and the approach to the har- (264) There are numerous small-craft facilities in bor is marked by private lighted buoys. In June 1981, Eastchester Bay. (See the small-craft facilities tabula- 3½ feet was reported over the bar. A private seasonal tion on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) daybeacon is on the east side of the entrance to the har- bor. Two branch channels lead from the entrance into (265) Locust Point is about 0.8 mile southeastward of the harbor; one leads southwestward to a steel Weir Creek. A cove just southwestward of the point pro- bulkheaded yacht club wharf and pavilion at the village vides small-boat shelter. Rocks, bare at low water, are of Stony Brook, 0.5 mile inside the entrance, and the on the north side of the approach. The entrance has a other, Porpoise Channel, leads westward to a yacht depth of about 5 feet. Inside the cove, depths range club at the northwestern end of the harbor; gasoline is from 20 feet at the south end to about 4 feet at the available at both clubs. In 1994, a depth of 6 feet was re- north end. A yacht club and marina are in the cove. A ported in both the southwesterly channel and Porpoise marina at the head of the cove has a mobile hoist that Channel. The channels are marked by private seasonal can handle craft to 30 tons for engine and hull repairs. lighted and unlighted buoys and a private seasonal Gasoline, water, ice, and marine supplies are available daybeacon. The buoys are periodically moved to mark at the marina; depths of about 7 to 10 feet are reported the best water. at the wharf. (272) A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in Stony Brook (266) The northern approach viaduct of the Throgs Neck Harbor and Porpoise Channel. Bridge crosses the cove from Locust Point to Throgs Neck. The fixed spans of the viaduct have a minimum (273) Small-craft facilities are in the harbor. (See the clearance of 30 feet. small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for ser- vices and supplies available.) Tides and currents (267) The mean range of tide is about 7 feet. Tidal cur- (274) The railroad station is about 1 mile from the wharf at Stony Brook. rents have a velocity of 0.4 knot in the vicinity of Big Tom, and 0.8 knot at Pelham Bridge. (275) A high bluff is between Stony Brook Harbor and Nissequogue River, another between Nissequogue Charts 12363, 12364 River and Sunken Meadow Creek, and bluffs in places between Sunken Meadow Creek and Northport Bay. (268) Old Field Point, about 5 miles southward of Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light, is a low bluff (276) Nissequogue River, a shallow crooked stream with a light and an abandoned tower on its summit. about 4 miles westward of the entrance to Stony Brook Boulders extend a short distance off the point, and the Harbor, is entered through a privately dredged channel light should be given a berth of about 0.3 mile, even by that leads southward from Smithtown Bay for about small craft. A gong buoy is 0.6 mile northward of the 1.4 miles into the river. In 1995, the channel had a re- point. Depths of 14 to 18 feet are found about 0.4 mile ported controlling depth of 8 feet. Rocks and shoals, northward of the light. bare at low water, are on the bar outside the entrance. Private seasonal lighted buoys mark the channel. (269) Crane Neck Point, 2 miles westward of Old Field Strong tidal currents are reported in the channel. A Point, is a bare conspicuous bluff about 90 feet high speed limit of 5 mph is enforced on the river. Guest and covered on top with brush. moorings, gasoline, water, and limited supplies are available at a marina on the west side of the river, about (270) Smithtown Bay, a broad open bight on the south 0.9 mile above the channel entrance. In 1995, a depth side of the sound, extends 7 miles westward from Crane of 3 feet was reported alongside the marina. A State Neck Point. Rocky shoals extend 1 mile in places from hospital, a group of buildings with green roofs, and two the shore, the water shoaling abruptly from 51 feet in large red brick chimneys are prominent about 0.5 mile places. A good summer anchorage in 30 to 50 feet shel- southwestward of the river entrance. Farther west- tered from easterly winds is found about 1 mile south- ward, a brick building and a stack are also prominent. ward of Crane Neck Point. The railroad station is at Kings Park.