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

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 343 Charts 12365, 12364 (289) See Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8, and Pilotage, New York Harbor and Ap- (277) Northport Basin, about 10.5 miles westward of Old proaches (indexed as such), chapter 11. Field Point Light and 2.7 miles southeastward of Ea- tons Neck Point, is a small privately maintained basin (290) The pilot serves as docking master and remains on with general depths of 7 to 20 feet, and formed by gravel board on standby while the vessel is moored at the plat- dredges working into the high bank; greater depths are form. Pilot services are arranged in advance through available. In 1977, the privately dredged entrance chan- ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. nel had a controlling depth of 12 feet. The channel is marked by a private lighted buoy and unlighted buoys; Tugs submerged jetties extend northward from the east and (291) Tug service is available from New Haven, Provi- west sides of the entrance. A dangerous rock is close northward of the seaward end of the west jetty. The four dence, Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. stacks of a power and light company on the east side of the basin are prominent. A town launching ramp is in (292) Eatons Neck is a prominent wooded headland with the basin. elevations of 100 feet or more, and marked at its north end by a light and tower of Eatons Neck Coast Guard (278) An aquaculture site, marked by a private buoy, is Station. about 1.2 miles northwestward of the entrance to Northport Basin. (293) Eatons Neck Light (40°57'14\"N., 73°23'43\"W.), 144 feet above the water, is shown from a 73-foot white Offshore Terminal, Northport stone tower; a fog signal is at the light. (279) An offshore platform for the receipt of oil, is off (294) The northwest end of the neck is a spit in the form Northport. The terminal is owned and operated by of a hook which encloses Eatons Neck Basin. Eatons Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO), Northport, Neck Coast Guard Station is at the head of the basin. NY. The platform, with off-lying mooring buoys, is The basin is entered through a privately dredged cut about 1.6 miles northward of the entrance to Northport between two small riprap jetties about 0.5 mile south- Basin and about 2.4 miles eastward of Eatons Neck westward of the light; the jetties are covered at half Light. Submerged pipelines extend from the shore to tide. The channel between the jetties is buoyed, and the platform. The platform is marked at its eastern end there are buoys farther inside the basin. The basin is by a private light, and at the western end by a private subject to frequent changes and the buoys in the basin light and fog signal. are not charted because they are frequently shifted in (280) Upon the scheduled approach of an incoming ves- position. In March-April 1994, depths of 10 feet could sel, the platform, voice call “LILCO Northport Power be carried through the entrance. In July 1987, shoaling Station” or “LILCO Dock at Northport”, monitors to an unknown depth was reported in the entrance VHF-FM channel 19. channel. Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northport Caution (281) Pilotage is compulsory in Long Island Sound for (295) Eatons Neck Basin Channel is maintained ex- foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register. For pressly to enhance the Eatons Neck Coast Guard Sta- these vessels, pilotage to this terminal is available tion’s rescue response. Further, Eatons Neck Basin has from: become one of the most congested small-boat anchor- (282) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine ages in the area in the summer. Mariners are cautioned Pilots, Inc.). that heavy wakes from rescue craft departing the sta- (283) Connecticut State Pilots (a division of Interport Pi- tion may be experienced by small craft anchoring in lots Agency, Inc.). this area. (284) For U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise trade, pi- (296) Shoals with depths of 4 to 18 feet extend about 0.9 lotage to this terminal is available from mile northward of Eatons Neck, and broken ridges ex- (285) Connecticut State Pilots (a division of Interport Pi- tend northward for another 1.8 miles. The northern lots Agency, Inc.), end of each area is marked by a buoy. (286) Constitution State Pilots Association, (287) Long Island Sound State Pilots Association, Inc., (297) Huntington Bay, just westward of Eatons Neck, is and the approach to Northport Bay and Harbor, Centerport (288) Sound Pilots, Inc. (a division of Northeast Marine Harbor, Huntington Harbor, and Lloyd Harbor. The Pilots, Inc.). bay, protected against all but northerly winds, is an ex- cellent anchorage for large vessels. Depths range from 36 to 25 feet, fairly close to its southern end, and

344 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 anchorage can be selected according to draft and wind landing to a boatyard and marina at the southeast end direction. of the harbor and is marked by private seasonal buoys. (298) An obstruction covered by 23 feet is about 0.8 mile In 1995, reported depths of 5 feet were available in the southwestward of Eatons Neck Light. channel. The boatyard channel is marked by buoys and (299) A 017°56'–197°56' measured half nautical mile is by a lighted buoy at the entrance; these aids are sea- on the west side of Eatons Neck. Triangular orange sonal and privately maintained. An alternate channel, shore ranges mark the ends of the course. marked by private buoys, with a reported controlling (300) Anchorage with shelter from northwesterly winds depth of 2 feet in September 1990, leads from opposite can be had for small vessels at the southwesterly end of the public landing along the west side of the harbor to Huntington Bay, 0.4 mile northeastward of Hunting- the head. A 5 mph speed limit marker is in the entrance ton Harbor Light, in 18 to 36 feet. The arms of the bay to the harbor. provide secure harbors; Northport Bay is used gener- (309) Bird Island, a bird sanctuary in the southern part ally by the larger vessels. of the harbor, is a low, grass-covered, man-made island. Tides Ice (301) The mean range of tide is 7.4 feet. (310) During severe winters, ice may close the harbor for Currents about 2 months. (302) In Huntington Bay the velocity of the tidal current Anchorage is 0.5 knot off East Fort Point and 0.4 knot in the en- (311) Vessels select anchorage according to draft in the trance to Northport Bay. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) harbor; bottom is soft. (312) A special anchorage is in Northport Harbor. (See (303) Duck Island Harbor is a shallow cove on the north side of Northport Bay westward of Duck Island Bluff. 110.1 and 110.60 (a-2), chapter 2, for limits and regu- Depths range from 6 to 9 feet in the entrance. The lations.) south side of Duck Island Bluff and the southeast side of Winkle Point should be given berths of 300 and 400 (313) Northport is a village with bus communications on yards, respectively, to avoid shoal water and inshore the eastern shore of Northport Harbor. Depths at the rocks. principal wharves are about 6 to 8 feet. The greatest depth that can be taken to Northport is about 14 feet at (304) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in Duck Island Har- high water. bor. Small-craft facilities (305) Northport Bay, which opens off the southeast end (314) Several small-craft facilities are on the east side of Huntington Bay, provides good anchorage in 20 to 50 feet in its western part, and in 8 to 11 feet in the eastern and the head of the harbor, and a yacht club is on the half. The entrance to the bay is marked by a lighted west side. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on buoy, and the entrance channel, privately dredged to chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) about 12 feet, is buoyed. (315) Centerport Harbor is a shoal bight on the south (306) An amber light, maintained at the public landing shore of Northport Bay just eastward of the entrance. by the town of Northport, is a conspicuous mark at The harbor serves the small-boat interests of the village night for vessels making the wharves at Northport. of Centerport. In June 1981, a reported depth of about 7 feet could be taken through the privately dredged chan- (307) A privately dredged channel at the eastern end of nel to the spit extending southwesterly from Little Northport Bay leads to a dredge basin formerly used by Neck, thence about 3 feet to a boatyard on the west side a sand and gravel company on the north side of Bluff of the harbor just below the bridge. The channel is Point. Several private landings and moorings are in the marked by private seasonal buoys. Berths, moorings, basin. In 1994, the channel had a reported controlling electricity, water, storage, marine supplies, and a depth of 8 feet. launching ramp are available. A flatbed trailer can haul out craft to 32 feet; hull and engine repairs can be (308) Northport Harbor is at the southeastern end of made. Northport Bay and is entered by a dredged channel that leads along the waterfront of Northport and an anchor- age basin west of the village. The channel is marked by private seasonal buoys. In 1994, the controlling depth was 5 feet in the channel with 5 to 6 feet available in the anchorage basin. A channel leads from the town

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 345 Anchorage Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by (316) A special anchorage is in Centerport Harbor. (See 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2). 110.1 and 110.60 (a-1), chapter 2, for limits and regu- (326) A 5-mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. lations.) (327) Huntington and Halesite are villages at the head of (317) Huntington Harbor, at the southwest end of Hun- the harbor. The yacht club landing on the east side of tington Bay, is entered through a marked channel that the harbor has a depth of about 10 feet alongside. Gaso- leads to an anchorage off Huntington Town Dock, line, diesel fuel, berths, electricity, water, and ice can be about 2 miles above the channel entrance. A depth of obtained here. Yachts may anchor off the landing, but about 8 feet can be carried in the channel. Huntington must keep clear of the channel. Harbor Light (40°54'39\"N., 73°25'52\"W.), 42 feet above (328) Coindre Hall, a large brick building with a red roof the water and shown from a square concrete tower at- and numerous chimneys at the entrance to the harbor, tached to a dwelling on a rectangular pier, is on the and Huntington Hospital, well lighted at night, at the west side of the entrance to Huntington Harbor and on head of the harbor are prominent. the south side of the entrance to Lloyd Harbor. A fog (329) There are several marinas, boatyards, and private signal is at the light. boat clubs in Huntington Harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and (318) The channel is marked by a light and by lighted, supplies available.) unlighted, and private unlighted buoys. Some of the (330) Lloyd Harbor extends westward from Huntington private buoys are seasonal. Bay nearly to Oyster Bay, from which it is separated by a narrow strip of land. Vessels can anchor just inside the (319) The wharf just southward of Huntington Town entrance, in depths of 7 to 11 feet. The entrance to the Dock South is used by sand and gravel barges. The bay harbor is marked by buoys. A speed limit of 5 mph is constable has an office at the head of the harbor imme- enforced in the harbor. diately southward of Huntington Town Dock North. (331) Oyster Bay, on the south side of Long Island Sound about 5 miles westward of Eatons Neck Light, lies be- (320) A boulder reef, on the west side of the entrance, ex- tween Lloyd Neck and Rocky Point and is the approach tends out to Huntington Harbor Light. An obstruction, to Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay Harbor. The har- reported covered 4½ feet, is 0.35 mile eastward of the bor is marked by Cold Spring Harbor Light light. (40°54'48\"N., 73°29'36\"W.), 37 feet above the water, and shown from a skeleton tower on a caisson with a (321) In March 1991, a dangerous wreck was reported be- red triangular daymark. The entrance and harbor are tween Buoys 9 and 11 in about 40°53'54.9\"N., characterized by extensive shoals, boulder reefs, and 73°25'46.1\"W. broken ground making off from the shores. Vessels should proceed with caution if obliged to approach or Currents cross shoal areas. The bay south of Cold Spring Harbor (322) The tidal currents in the entrance channel have an Light is a secure harbor, available for vessels of less than 18-foot draft. estimated velocity of 2 knots. (332) Lloyd Neck, between Huntington and Oyster Bays, is high and wooded, and has a high, yellow bluff on its Anchorage north side 0.8 miles eastward of Lloyd Point. Many (323) A special anchorage is in Huntington Harbor. (See patches of boulders having least depths of 2 to 8 feet ex- tend 0.2 to 0.5 mile offshore from East Fort Point to 110.1 and 110.60 (a), chapter 2, for limits and regula- Lloyd Point. Small craft skirting this shore should keep tions.) well outside the line of buoys. (333) Lloyd Point, the north end of Lloyd Neck, is a low No-Discharge Zone spit. A rocky shoal extends 0.5 mile north-northeast- (324) The State of New York, with the approval of the En- ward from Lloyd Point. A seasonal lighted gong buoy about 1 mile northward of Lloyd Point marks the vironmental Protection Agency, has established a northern limit of the 30-foot curve in this vicinity. No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Greater Hunting- (334) Morris Rock, about 0.5 mile eastward of Lloyd ton-Northport Bay Complex. The water bodies included Point, is covered by a least depth of 2 feet. The rock is are Lower Huntington Bay, Northport Bay, Centerport marked by a buoy. Harbor, Northport Harbor, Duck Island Harbor and Price Bend. The northern boundary line extends from the southernmost point at East Beach (Lloyd Harbor) easterly to the southernmost point at West Beach (Sand City Beach) (see chart 12365). (325) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited.

346 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 (335) The long jetty, about 0.6 mile southwestward of near the head of the harbor by giving the shores a berth Lloyd Point, forms the southern entrance point to The of about 0.3 mile. Sand Hole, a pond that has been dredged into the spit (345) The village of Cold Spring Harbor is on the eastern by a sand and gravel company. The pond is State con- shore near the head of the harbor. An oil company pier trolled and may be entered by steering a midchannel at the village has a depth of about 13 feet alongside. A course through the entrance. It is used considerably by small-craft facility is on the east side of the cove at the local boats as an anchorage and harbor of refuge. The head of Cold Spring Harbor. Gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- holding ground is good. ter, ice, marine supplies, berthings, and dry storage are available. A reported depth of about 3 feet is available (336) In June 1981, reported depths of about 12 feet were alongside the facility. A town launching ramp is avail- in the entrance channel and about 4 to 22 feet in the ba- able in the harbor. sin. (346) A speed limit of 5 mph is enforced in the harbor. (337) Rocky Point, the northern promontory of Centre Anchorages Island, is a small bluff on whose summit is a large (347) Special anchorages are in Cold Spring Harbor and prominent house. An extensive foul area with depths of 2 to 17 feet extends about 1 mile northward of Rocky Oyster Bay Harbor. (See 110.1 and 110.60 (t), (u), Point. A bell buoy marks the northern end of this foul (u-2) and (u-3), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) area. This area is dangerous and should be avoided. (348) Oyster Bay Harbor, a long, crooked arm in the (338) A shoal area with depths of 4 to 11 feet extends east- western side of Oyster Bay, has a channel with a depth ward from Rocky Point nearly across Oyster Bay and is over 30 feet leading into the area westward of Moses marked near its eastern end by Cold Spring Harbor Point. Good anchorage is available southward of Moses Light. Small craft with local knowledge cross the shoal Point. West of this point, the channel is narrow and at a distance of about 0.4 mile westward of the light, but suitable only for vessels drawing less than 10 feet. Ves- strangers should not attempt it. sels of less than 7-foot draft can anchor in the bight be- tween Cove Neck and the wharf at Oyster Bay, and also Tides in West Harbor, the large bight on the northwest side of (339) The mean range of tide is 7.4 feet. Centre Island. Currents (349) A speed limit of 5 m.p.h. is enforced in the harbor. (340) About 0.4 mile northwest of Cold Spring Harbor (350) The village of Oyster Bay, on the shore south of Light the velocity is about 0.5 knot; about 0.2 mile Oyster Bay Harbor, has rail communication. A channel, north of Cove Point, 1.2 miles southwestward, it is marked by private seasonal buoys, leads southwestward about 0.8 knot. For predictions, the Tidal Current Ta- from deep water in Oyster Bay Harbor to an oyster bles should be consulted. wharf in about 40°52'37\"N., 73°31'32\"W., thence west to a boat basin. The oyster wharf has reported depths of Ice about 10 feet along the face and southeast side. Parallel (341) During severe winters ice has been known to ex- to and about 200 feet off the northwest side of the wharf is a row of sunken barges. An oil receiving wharf is tend the full length of the bay during part of January about 125 yards southward of the oyster wharf. and February. (351) Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a Marine Managed Area (MMA), includes the waters of Oyster (342) Plum Point, the easternmost point of Centre Is- Bay and Mill Neck Creek. (See MMA 9-1, Appendix C, land, is marked at its south end by a small stone tower; for additional information.) boat landings are on the southwest side of the point. A yacht club with a prominent flagstaff is about 0.3 mile Small-craft facility west of Plum Point. The yacht club landing has re- (352) A small-craft facility is close eastward of the en- ported depths of about 9½ feet. trance to the boat basin. Gasoline, diesel fuel, berthing (343) Cooper Bluff, at the northeast end of Cove Neck is with electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, dry and wet prominent. A boulder reef extends nearly 0.3 mile storage, and a 10-ton hoist are available; hull, engine, northward from Cove Point at the northwest end of and electronic repairs can be made. Cove Neck, and is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. (353) Brickyard Point, about 0.5 mile westward of Moses (344) Cold Spring Harbor, the southeasterly end of Oys- Point, should be given a berth of at least 0.2 mile off its ter Bay, extends about 2.3 miles southward of Cooper westerly side to avoid several dangerous rocks to the Bluff. The tower on top of a dome of a seminary on the hill of West Neck, on the east side of the harbor, is prominent. A depth of about 14 feet can be carried to

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 347 northwestward of the point. None of these rocks is On the western shore above and below Bar Beach are marked. Extensive privately owned oyster beds, marked large sand and gravel plants. On the eastern shore are by stakes, are in this area. several villages. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the (354) Mill Neck Creek, at the northwest end of Oyster Bay harbor. Harbor, is crossed by a highway bridge having a bascule (361) Waterborne commerce in the harbor is in sand, span with a clearance of 9 feet. The area westward of the gravel, petroleum products, and building material. Ves- bridge has depths of 2 to 16 feet. sels engaged in this commerce usually draw from 3 to (355) Oak Neck Creek, northwest of Mill Neck Creek, is 12 feet. entered at high water as the creek is practically bare at low water. Anchorage (362) A special anchorage is in Hempstead Harbor. (See Charts 12367, 12364 110.1 and 110.60 (u-1), chapter 2, for limits and reg- ulations.) (356) Oak Neck Point (40°54.9'N., 73°34.1'W.), 4 miles (363) Weeks Point, on the eastern side near the entrance, west-southwestward of Lloyd Point, is marked by many is marked by a breakwater which protects a private boat large residences. Several stone jetties extend a short landing. Nearly 0.5 mile southward of Weeks Point is distance from the shore just westward of the point. A the entrance to a basin protecting a private wharf shoal, strewn with boulders and marked by a buoy, ex- which has a reported depth of 8 feet at the end. The ba- tends 0.3 mile from the shore for part of the distance sin shoals to the head, and there are rocks bare at low between Oak Neck Point and Matinecock Point to the water near the northern end. westward. (364) Glen Cove is a city with rail and bus communica- (357) Frost Creek, locally known as Guthries Creek, 2 tion on Glen Cove Creek, about 1 mile back from the miles westward of Oak Neck Point, has a channel at the eastern shore of the bay. The breakwater extends 500 entrance which is well defined when the water is below yards west-southwestward from Glen Cove Landing half tide. The creek is protected by a stone jetty that ex- and is marked at its end by a light. The anchorage be- tends a short distance from the shore about 50 yards hind the breakwater is known as Glen Cove Harbor, the eastward of the channel. The channel has a reported depths ranging from 18 to 22 feet behind its outer half depth of about 1 foot near the entrance. The creek is and 7 to 9 feet near shore. not recommended without local knowledge. (365) Glen Cove Creek, 0.6 mile southward of the break- (358) Peacock Point is just west of Frost Creek. A stone water, has a dredged channel from Mosquito Cove to jetty to protect a private boat landing extends a short the head. In 1994, the controlling depth was 2½ feet in distance from the west side of the point. the right half of the channel with shoaling to less than a foot in the left half for about 0.6 mile above the en- (359) Matinecock Point, 1.1 miles westward of Frost trance. The remainder of the project is not being main- Creek, is marked on its western side by a stone pier in tained. An overhead power cable near the head has a ruins. A shoal extends about 600 yards off the point and clearance of 65 feet. The entrance is buoyed. is marked at its end by a lighted gong buoy which is re- moved if endangered by ice. Charts 12366, 12364 Small-craft facilities (366) There are several small-craft facilities in Glen Cove (360) Hempstead Harbor, 4 miles wide at the entrance between Matinecock Point and Prospect Point, is free Creek. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on from dangers if the shores, between the entrance and chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) Mosquito Cove, are given a berth of 0.3 mile. It is much used by vessels seeking shelter in any but strong north- (367) A dredged channel, entered between Bar Beach and erly winds and affords excellent anchorage with good Glenwood Landing, leads alongside Glenwood Landing holding ground. Vessels can anchor in any part of the to South Glenwood Landing at Motts Cove. In 1991, the harbor according to draft and direction of wind. A good controlling depth in the dredged channel was 7 feet. A anchorage for vessels drawing less than 20 feet is just natural channel continues south through extensive inside a line from Mott Point to the breakwater at Glen flats for about 0.5 mile with a depth of about 5 feet. Lo- Cove Landing. Small vessels can anchor behind the cal knowledge is advised. breakwater. Vessels should avoid anchoring in the pipe- line area between Glenwood Landing and Bar Beach. (368) Sea Cliff is a village on the steep hill on the south side of Glen Cove Creek. From Sea Cliff southerly to the northerly wharves at Glenwood Landing, a shoal ex- tends 300 yards from the east side of the harbor and is

348 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 marked by a buoy at the north end and a light at the 0.3 mile off the point and is marked by a lighted buoy. south end. A dredged entrance channel, marked by two The boulders show at low water for a distance of about private lights, leads from deep water in the harbor 300 yards from shore. A stone tower is a prominent ob- northeastward to a municipal marina just north of ject on this point. Glenwood Landing. In November 1999, the reported (377) Barker Point, about 1 mile south-southwest of controlling depths were 8 feet in the entrance channel, Sands Point, is a high bluff on the northeast side of the thence 7 feet in the marina basin. entrance of Manhasset Bay. Gangway Rock, marked by (369) Glenwood Landing is a village on the eastern shore a light and gong buoy, is at the northwesterly end of a abreast Bar Beach. The stacks of a powerplant are broken line of rocks and shoal water which extends 0.6 prominent. A private light is shown from the outer end mile northwestward from Barker Point. Success Rock, of an unloading boom when the boom is in operation. awash at low water and marked by a buoy, is about 0.2 An overhead power cable crossing from the powerplant mile southeastward of the light. to Bar Beach has a clearance of 90 feet. Depths of about (378) Manhasset Bay, between Barker Point and Hewlett 8 to 10 feet are available at the Glenwood Landing Point, affords excellent shelter for vessels of about 12 wharves. feet or less draft, and is much frequented by yachts in (370) A boatyard, reached only at high water, is at South the summer. The depths in the outer part of the bay Glenwood Landing. Craft to 30 tons can be hauled out range from 12 to 17 feet, and 7 to 12 feet in the inner for minor hull repairs. part inside Plum Point. The extreme south end of the bay is shallow with extensive mudflats. Depths of about Tides 6 to 2 feet can be taken through a natural channel al- (371) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. most to the head of the bay. A 5 mph speed limit is en- forced. Currents (379) Waterborne commerce is in petroleum products, (372) In the channel west of the breakwater the tidal cur- carried in vessels drawing 6 to 10 feet. rents are weak and variable. At Bar Beach the tidal cur- Anchorages rents have a velocity of about 0.8 knot through the (380) General and special anchorages are in Manhasset narrow channel. (See the Tidal Current Tables for pre- dictions.) Bay. (See 110.1, 110.60 (g) through (j), and 110.155 (a) (6) and (l), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Ice The bottom is soft and affords good holding ground. (373) In severe winters ice has been known to close navi- (381) A seaplane restricted area is off Manorhaven. (See gation for about 6 weeks during January and February. 162.15, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (374) The shore between Prospect Point and Mott Point (382) The mean range of tide is 7.3 feet. (40°51.4'N., 73°40.6'W.), to the southeastward, is (383) Plum Point is a low spit extending southward from marked by prominent bluffs. A shoal with boulders ex- tends 0.2 mile from shore between the points and for a the eastern shore about 0.6 mile southward of Barker short distance south of Mott Point. Buoys mark the Point. A seasonal lighted entrance buoy is about 150 limits of the shoal eastward and northeastward of Mott yards southward of Plum Point. The bight eastward of Point. Picket Rock, with 2 feet over it, is 350 yards off- Plum Point is shoal. shore northward of Mott Point. An obstruction covered (384) Port Washington is a village with rail communica- 16 feet is about 0.7 mile north-northwestward of the tion on the south side of a shoal bight about 1.2 miles point in 40°52'05.5\"N., 73°40'59.1\"W. southeastward of Plum Point. An apartment complex on Tom Point, 0.9 mile east of Plum Point, is promi- (375) Prospect Point, marked by prominent houses on nent. Depths of about 8 feet can be carried in the the bluff, has a rocky shoal making out nearly 0.4 mile buoyed approach from the lighted buoy off Plum Point northward from it. The shoal rises abruptly from a to the docks at Port Washington, thence through the depth of 60 feet. The north end of the shoal is marked unmarked channel along the east side of the bight to its by a lighted gong buoy that is 0.8 mile eastward of Exe- north end northeastward of Tom Point. In 1979, shoal- cution Rocks Light. About 0.2 mile eastward of the ing to 1½ feet was reported in the approach to the buoy are rocky patches with depths of 17 to 18 feet. An wharves east of Tom Point in about 40°50'04\"N., obstruction with 23 feet over it is east-northeastward 73°42'17\"W. In June 1981, depths of 5 feet were re- from the buoy. ported on the north side of the town dock with 2 and 4 feet on the west and south sides, respectively. Depths at (376) Sands Point, 0.7 mile west of Prospect Point, is marked by a daybeacon. A boulder reef extends about

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 349 the other wharves are reported to range from 4 to 9 Small-craft facility feet. (392) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the bay. Small-craft facilities Water, ice, and limited marine supplies are available. In (385) There are extensive small-craft facilities at Port June 1981, the facility had a reported depth of 4 feet alongside. Washington and to the eastward and westward of Tom Point at Manorhaven. (See the small-craft facilities tab- Anchorages ulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies avail- (393) General and special anchorages are in Little Neck able.) Bay. (See 110.1, and 110.60 (k), and 110.155 (a)(7) (386) Hewlett Point (40°50.3'N., 73°45.2'W.) is on the and (l), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) west side of the entrance to Manhasset Bay. A boulder reef, mostly bare at low water and marked by a lighted Charts 12366, 12339, 12335 buoy at its northern end, extends about 0.2 mile north- ward from the point. (394) East River is a 14-mile-long tidal strait that con- nects Long Island Sound with New York Upper Bay and Anchorages separates the western end of Long Island from the New (387) General and special anchorages are between York mainland. The Sound entrance is between Throgs Neck and Willets Point; the Upper Bay entrance is be- Hewlett Point and Elm Point, about 1.3 miles south- tween The Battery and Governors Island. Hell Gate, eastward of Stepping Stones Light. (See 110.1, 110.60 about halfway between Throgs Neck and The Battery, is (j)(1), and 110.155 (a)(6) and (l), chapter 2, for lim- noted for its strong tidal currents. Harlem River ex- its and regulations.) tends northward from Hell Gate to the Hudson River. Both sides of the East River, from The Battery to Port (388) Stepping Stones Light (40°49'28\"N., 73°46'29\"W.), Morris, a distance of 9 miles, present an almost contin- 46 feet above the water, is shown from a red brick struc- uous line of wharves except where shoals or currents ture on a granite pier, with a white horizontal band on prevent access. the southwest face, 1.3 miles southwest of Hewlett Point. The Stepping Stones, a dangerous boulder reef Channels which dries in places, extend 0.8 mile southeastward (395) A Federal project provides for main-channel depths from the light to the Long Island shore. In August 1976, a submerged rock, covered 18 feet, was reported of 35 feet from Throgs Neck to the inactive New York 100 yards west-northwestward of Stepping Stones Naval Shipyard, about 2 miles from the western en- Light. trance, and thence 40 feet to deep water in New York Upper Bay. (389) Kings Point, marked by a private light, is 1.6 miles south-southwestward of Hewlett Point and is the site of Caution the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The 172-foot (396) Mariners transiting East River in the vicinity of unguyed steel flagpole at the academy is said to be the country’s tallest; the top of the pole is 216 feet above Rikers Island and/or South Brother Island Channel are the water. A boat basin, partially enclosed by an advised of the following: L-shaped pier, is at the point. In 1991, the basin had re- (397) East River Main Channel Lighted Buoy 5 has been ported depths of 12 to 14 feet. established northeast of Rikers Island in 40°47'47\"N., 73°51'59\"W. to assure that no vessel penetration of air (390) Little Neck Bay is entered between Kings Point and space exists over that portion of the East River which Willets Point, 1.2 miles to the south-southwestward. coincides with the glide path of the northeast-southwest Depths are 10 to 12 feet in the entrance, decreasing runway of La Guardia Airport. Vessels with mast gradually to the head, about 2 miles inland, where the heights in excess of 125 feet shall pass 100 yards to the bay divides into two branches which almost dry; there north of this buoy so as to avoid interference with the are boulders in places close to the shores. glide path. (398) Vessels transiting South Brother Island Channel (391) The shores of Little Neck Bay are thickly settled, and using the turning basin at its southern terminus and there are many private boat landings. A much used shall ballast prior to entry, and are cautioned that mast anchorage, in depths of 2½ to 7 feet, is in the cove mid- heights in excess of 125 feet may penetrate the glide way along the east side of the bay. path to the northwest-southeast runway to La Guardia Airport. If mast heights cannot be lowered below 125

350 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 Airphoto - Jim Wark feet, La Guardia Air Traffic Control Tower shall be noti- the periods of flood or ebb. The currents generally set fied by telephone (212-779-0242) prior to terminal de- with the channel, but heavy swirls are found in Hell parture or channel entry. Gate. Anchorages Tides and currents (399) Several general and special anchorages are in East (404) (See the Tidal Current Tables for the daily predic- River. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, chapter 2, for tions of slack water and times and velocities of limits and regulations.) strengths of currents in Hell Gate and at other places on the East River.) Tides (405) Mariners should exercise caution and discretion in (400) The mean range of tide in East River is 7.1 feet at the use of published tidal current predictions. Also, previously available Tidal Current Charts for New York Willets Point, 5.1 feet in Hell Gate, and 4.6 feet at The Harbor have been withdrawn. Battery. (See the Tide Tables for daily predictions for The Battery.) Pilotage, East River (406) See Pilotage, New York Harbor from Long Island Currents (401) In East River the flood current sets eastward and Sound (indexed as such), chapter 11. the ebb sets westward. Note: this is the direct opposite Towage of conditions in Long Island Sound where the flood is (407) Vessels intending to employ a tug should arrange generally westward and the ebb eastward. (402) The velocity of current is 0.7 knot at Throgs Neck, to do so before proceeding westward of Rikers Island. 1.6 knots at Port Morris, 4 knots in Hell Gate, 3 knots at Brooklyn Bridge, and 1.5 knots north of Governors Is- Charts 12366, 12364 land. In Hell Gate (off Mill Rock) the velocity is 3.4 knots for the eastward current and 4.6 knots for the (408) Throgs Neck, on the northwest side of the entrance westward current. to East River, is marked by a light. Throgs Neck Light (403) The direction and velocity of the currents are af- (40°48'16\"N., 73°47'26\"W.), 60 feet above the water, is fected by strong winds which may increase or diminish

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 351 shown from a skeleton tower with a black and white di- Island, now joined to the Long Island shore, is marked amond-shaped daymark on the outer end of the neck. by the prominent tanks of a sewage-disposal plant. The shoal ground which extends 0.1 mile southward (419) Old Ferry Point is on the north side of East River 2 and eastward from the light is marked by a lighted bell miles westward of Throgs Neck. The bight between buoy. Throgs Neck and Old Ferry Point affords anchorage, (409) Fort Schuyler, on the outer end of Throgs Neck, is with good holding ground, in depths of 15 to 35 feet; used as a base for the State University of New York the water shoals abruptly from 18 feet, 0.3 mile from Maritime College. The 550-foot-long wharf, on the shore, to depths of 4 to 5 feet. Several private landings southwest side of the fort, is used to moor the school’s are on the north side of this bight. training ship. Depths of about 25 feet are reported (420) Westchester Creek, on the north side of East River, alongside the face. is entered through a dredged channel that leads north- (410) Throgs Neck Bridge, a highway suspension bridge ward through a shallow bight between Old Ferry Point with a channel clearance of 138 feet and 152 feet at the and Clason Point (chart 12339), 0.7 mile to the west- center, crosses East River from Throgs Neck to the ward, to the head of navigation at Westchester, about Long Island Shore. 2.3 miles above the channel entrance. In June-July (411) Willets Point, 0.7 mile southeastward across the 2003, the controlling depths were 1.5 feet (5.4 feet at entrance to East River from Throgs Neck, is marked by midchannel) from the entrance to the Bruckner Ex- Fort Totten, the granite walls of which are prominent. pressway bascule bridge, thence in 1991, 5½ feet (11 Little Bay, westward of Willets Point, has general feet at midchannel) through the bascule and fixed depths of 6 to 10 feet and is used by local small craft. bridges, thence 9½ feet (11 feet at midchannel) to just Depths of about 9 feet can be taken in the buoyed chan- below the head of the project. The channel is buoyed to nel to the piers on the Little Bay side of Willets Point. a point about 1 mile above the entrance. Waterborne Fort Totten Coast Guard Station is on the east side of traffic on the creek consists chiefly of petroleum prod- Little Bay at Fort Totten. ucts, sand and gravel, and crushed rock. (421) Several highway bridges, three fixed and one bas- Anchorage cule, cross Westchester Creek at Unionport, 1.5 miles (412) A general anchorage is in Little Bay. (See 110.1 above the channel entrance. The Bruckner Expressway bascule bridge has a clearance of 14 feet, and the fixed and 110.155 (b)(2) and (1), chapter 2, for limits and bridges have a least clearance of 52 feet. (See 117.1 regulations.) through 117.59 and 117.815, chapter 2, for draw- bridge regulations.) The bridgetender at the Bruckner (413) The southern approach viaduct of the Throgs Neck Expressway bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call Bridge crosses the west part of Little Bay. The fixed sign KX-8289. spans of the viaduct have a minimum clearance of 30 feet. Small-craft facilities (422) There are small-craft facilities on the west side of (414) In March 1996, a sunken wreck was west of Throgs Neck in 40°48'32\"N., 73°48'40\"W. the creek above Castle Hill Point and at Unionport. Wa- ter, limited marine supplies, and storage facilities are (415) Whitestone Point, 2 miles westward of Willets available; hull and engine repairs can be made. Point, is a small bluff marked by a light. The town of Whitestone is between Little Bay and Whitestone Chart 12339 Point. Several private boat clubs are at Whitestone. In June 1981, reported depths alongside the boat club (423) Clason Point (40°48.3'N., 73°50.9'W.) is on the docks ranged from ½ to 6 feet. north side of East River about 3 miles west of Throgs Neck. Pugsley Creek, which empties into Westchester (416) The Bronx-Whitestone Bridge is a suspension Creek and East River along the east side of Clason structure that crosses East River from Old Ferry Point Point, is very shallow and should not be entered with- on the Bronx side to a Long Island landing 0.4 mile out local knowledge. Small boats anchor on the flats southwestward of Whitestone Point; the channel clear- west of Clason Point. A flagstaff at the yacht club on ance is 135 feet. Clason Point is prominent. (417) In March 1989, a submerged obstruction was re- (424) College Point is on the Long Island side of East ported in the East River just west of the Bronx- River opposite Clason Point. College Point Reef , Whitestone Bridge in about 40°48.1'N., 73°50.1'W. (418) Powell Cove, between the Long Island end of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and Tallman Island, 0.6 mile to the westward, has general depths of 2 to 5 feet. Pier ruins are on the east side of the cove entrance. Tallman

352 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 covered 6 feet and marked by a light, is 0.2 mile west side of the channel to within 0.3 mile of the head north-northeastward of the point. of the bay. (425) The town of College Point is south of the point and (433) The L-shaped pier at the head of Flushing Bay par- on the east side of the entrance to Flushing Bay. The tially encloses a small-boat basin. In July 2004, depths wharves on the west side of the town have depths of 9 to 12 feet, with shoaling near the western edge, alongside ranging from ½ to 10 feet. The shallow bight were available in the turning basin just west of the north of the town has depths of 2 to 5 feet and is used as small-boat basin. Inside the small-boat basin, depths of a small-boat anchorage. about 7 feet were reported in June 1981. The marina to the westward has a reported depth of about 5 feet in- Small-craft facilities side. Gasoline, diesel fuel, berths, electricity, water, ice, (426) Several small-craft facilities are at College Point. storage, and a 30-ton hoist are available; limited elec- tronic and engine repairs can be made. Marine railways to 45 feet, mobile cranes to 35 tons, water, ice, marine supplies, storage, and hull and en- (434) Ice generally obstructs navigation in Flushing Bay gine repairs are available. and Flushing Creek during a part of January and Feb- ruary. Tides (427) The mean range of tide at College Point is 6.5 feet. (428) Flushing Bay extends southeast between the town (435) The twin fixed Whitestone Expressway highway of College Point and La Guardia Airport, 0.6 mile to the bridges over Flushing Creek, 0.2 mile above the mouth, southwest. Flushing Creek flows into the east side of have a clearance of 34 feet. The Northern Boulevard the head of the bay. A dredged channel, marked by Bridge, 0.4 mile above the mouth, has a bascule span buoys and lights, extends from East River through the with a clearance of 25 feet. In September 1979, the bay to the mouth of the creek and thence upstream for Northern Boulevard Bridge was being converted to a about 0.8 mile to the I.R.T. (Roosevelt Ave.) railroad fixed bridge; when completed the bridge will have a bridge. A turning basin is on the west side of the clearance of 35 feet. (See 117.783, chapter 2, for draw- dredged channel west of the entrance to Flushing bridge regulations.) The bridgetender monitors Creek. A small-craft anchorage area extends northwest VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KX–8192. from the turning basin. In March 2005, the controlling depths were 9.8 feet (14.3 feet at midchannel) through (436) Flushing is on the east side of Flushing Creek. the bay channel to the turning basin, thence 8.3 to 15 Waterborne traffic consists chiefly of sand, gravel, feet in the turning basin and 3.4 to 6 feet in the anchor- crushed rock, and petroleum products. Drafts of in- age area, thence 10.2 feet at midchannel to the North- bound and outbound vessels seldom exceed 12 feet. ern Boulevard bridge, thence shoaling to bare to the Vessels must go directly to the marginal wharves be- I.R.T. railroad bridge. There is shoaling northwest of cause the creek has no room for anchorage. Buoy 2, in the eastern part of the anchorage area. Flushing Bay is mostly shallow, with depths of less than (437) The east entrance to Rikers Island Channel, be- 6 feet outside the channel. tween Rikers Island and the mainland, is obstructed by a lighted runway approach to La Guardia Airport. The (429) Depths of 8 to 14 feet are between the east side of approach to Bowery Bay is from westward of Rikers Is- the channel and the town of College Point. Small craft land. anchor south of College Point in depths of 4 to 8 feet. (438) Bronx River, on the north side of East River, is en- Anchorages tered through a dredged channel that leads north- (430) General and special anchorages are in Flushing -northwestward through a shallow bight between Clason Point and Hunts Point, 1.1 miles to the west- Bay. (See 110.1, 110.60 (1) through (1–2), (m) ward, to the head of river navigation at East 172nd through (m–2), and 110.155 (b–5), chapter 2, for Street, about 2.3 miles above the channel entrance. limits and regulations.) (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) (431) A restricted area is in a portion of the southern part of the channel through Flushing Bay. (See 162.20, (439) Waterborne traffic on the Bronx River consists chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) chiefly of sand, gravel, and crushed rock. (432) A 0.6-mile-long dike, covered at high water and Tides marked at either end by a light, runs close along the (440) The mean range of tide is 6.9 feet at Hunts Point and at Westchester Avenue Bridge.

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 353 (441) Bronx River is crossed by four bridges to East feet exists on the south side of the channel in about 172nd Street. Bruckner Expressway Bridge, 1.7 miles 40°47'54\"N., 73°53'47\"W. The channel is marked by a above the entrance, has a bascule span with a clearance light off the north side of South Brother Island. The of 27 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.771, channel is narrow and subject to strong currents and chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Westchester Av- should not be used by vessels of limited maneuverabil- enue Bridge, 2 miles above the entrance, has a fixed ity. span with a clearance of 18 feet. The elevated railway (448) A ledge, partly bare at low water, extends 0.2 mile structure over Westchester Avenue Bridge has a fixed southward from South Brother Island; the outer part of span with a clearance of 61 feet. The railroad bridge, 2.1 the ledge is marked by a light. miles above the entrance, has a rolling-lift span with a (449) Port Morris, 0.2 mile westward across East River clearance of 8 feet, but the draw is no longer opened. main channel from North Brother Island, has rail ter- (See 117.771(b), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- minals to and from which car floats are taken through tions.) The Bruckner Expressway Bridge is equipped East River. with radiotelephone. The bridgetender can be con- (450) South Brother Island Channel, marked by lighted tacted on VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KX–8189. and unlighted buoys, leads from deep water east of North Brother Island and along the west side of Rikers (442) Hunts Point is on the north side of East River Island to a turning basin on the west side of Bowery about 4 miles west of Throgs Neck. A marginal wharf Bay. In March 2001, the controlling depth was 25.3 feet extends 0.3 mile northeastward from the point; depths in the entrance channel to the turning basin, thence 33 of 17 to 24 feet are reported alongside. Small craft an- feet in the turning basin. chor in depths of 9 to 17 feet on the flats east of the wharf. Caution (451) Vessels transiting South Brother Island Channel (443) Rikers Island, in the middle of East River between Hunts Point and La Guardia Airport, is partly occupied and using the turning basin at its southern terminus by buildings of the Department of Correction of New shall ballast prior to entry, and are cautioned that mast York. The island is about a mile long, southeast to heights in excess of 125 feet may penetrate the glide northwest, and 0.6 mile wide. The larger part of the is- path of the northwest-southeast runway of La Guardia land, southeast of the buildings, is used as a trash Airport. If mast heights cannot be lowered below 125 dump. feet, La Guardia Air Traffic Control Tower shall be noti- fied by telephone (212-779-0242) prior to terminal de- (444) East River main channel, project depth 35 feet, parture or channel entry. leads northward of Rikers Island. A much-used general anchorage, with depths of 21 to 30 feet, is between the (452) Bowery Bay, across Rikers Island Channel from south side of the channel and the flats off the north side Rikers Island, has depths of about 10 feet. A special an- of the island. (See 110.1 and 110.155 (b) (6) and (1), chorage is in the west part of the bay. (See 110.1, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) 110.60 (n) and 110.155 (b) (5) and (1), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) A pipeline area is in the south- Caution east part of the anchorage area. A fixed highway bridge (445) East River Main Channel Lighted Buoy 5 has been crosses Rikers Island Channel and Bowery Bay and con- nects Rikers Island with the Borough of Queens, New established northeast of Rikers Island in 40°47'47\"N., York; clearance over the channel is 52 feet for a width of 73°51'59\"W. to assure that no vessel penetration of air 125 feet. space exists over that portion of the East River which coincides with the glide path of the north- (453) Bowery Bay may be approached from the East River east-southwest runway of La Guardia Airport. Vessels main channel from the northward through South with mast heights in excess of 125 feet shall pass 100 Brother Island Channel and from the northwestward yards to the north of this buoy so as to avoid interfer- through a 100-yard-wide channel which leads between ence with the glide path. the ledges that make off from Lawrence Point on the southwest and South Brother Island on the northeast. (446) North Brother Island, 0.3 mile northwest of Rikers The controlling depth in the 100-yard-wide channel is Island, is occupied by the ruins of former municipal about 19 feet. Caution is advised in the northwestern buildings. East River main channel leads northward approach as the channel is narrow, the bottom is rocky and westward of the island; a light marks the main and uneven, and tidal currents are strong. channel side of the island. (454) Lawrence Point, on the southeast side of East River (447) The buoyed channel between North Brother Island 0.7 mile westward of Rikers Island, is occupied by an and South Brother Island, 0.1 mile to the southward, has a controlling depth of about 25 feet. Shoaling to 16

354 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 extensive gas and electric plant. A light marks the outer (464) Mill Rock, on the northwestern side of the main part of the ledge, partly bare at low water, which ex- channel through Hell Gate, is 0.2 mile southwest of tends 0.3 mile northeastward from the point. Wards Island and the same distance northwest of (455) Randalls Island and Wards Island are on the north- Hallets Point. The islet is marked by lights on its north western side of East River between Port Morris and Hell and south ends. Gate, separating that river from Harlem River, which is described later. The islands provide recreational facili- Charts 12339, 12342 ties for the residents of the city of New York. (456) Bronx Kill, which separates Randalls Island from (465) Harlem River, which joins East River in Hell Gate Port Morris, is a narrow passage that extends westward between Wards Island and Manhattan Island, extends from the East River to the Harlem River. A fixed rail- northward about 7 miles and connects with Hudson road bridge with a clearance of 68 feet and a fixed high- River through Spuyten Duyvil Creek. The channel way bridge with a clearance of 51 feet cross the passage. through Harlem River is narrow, tortuous, and naviga- Bronx Kill is navigable but not recommended as a ble only for powered vessels. By taking care to avoid route of travel. It is shoal and osbtructed throughout. several isolated 11- to 13-foot spots, a depth of about 14 (457) Sunken Meadow is the reclaimed area now joined feet can be carried to the Hudson River; the chart is the to the northeast end of Wards Island and southeast end guide. of Randalls Island. (458) Little Hell Gate, which formerly separated Wards (466) Traffic is heavy in Harlem River. Vessels with Island from Randalls Island and formed a passage from heights too great to pass under the closed drawbridges East River to Harlem River, has been mostly filled in should make the passage against the current. and together with Sunken Meadow joins Wards Island with Randalls Island. Bridges (459) Hell Gate Bridge, which crosses East River from (467) There are more than a dozen draw and fixed bridges Wards Island to Long Island 7.1 miles from The Battery, has a fixed railroad span with a clearance of 134 feet. over Harlem River. The minimum clearance under (460) Negro Point is the southernmost point of Wards Is- closed drawspans is 24 feet except at the railroad bridge land. Triborough Bridge, which crosses East River over the entrance from Hudson River where it is only 5 from Negro Point to Long Island 6.8 miles from The feet. Clearance under raised vertical-lift spans exceed Battery, has a highway suspension span with a clear- 100 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.789, ance of 138 feet. In June 2002, the bridge was under re- chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) Minimum construction; fixed workmen scaffolding has clearances under fixed bridges exceeds 100 feet at the temporarily reduced the vertical clearance about 3 feet. center of the spans. (461) Holmes Rock and Hog Back are two bare rocks, (468) Four bridges over the Harlem River, the 103rd which are on the eastern and northern parts, respec- Street lift bridge, the Triborough lift bridge, the Park tively, of a reef in the bight on the south side of Wards Avenue lift bridge, and the Conrail swing bridge at Island westward of Negro Point. The western extremity Spuyten Duyvil, at 0.1 mile, 1 mile, and 1.7 miles, and of this reef is marked by a light. 6.7 miles, respectively, above the entrance, are (462) Hallets Point, on the Long Island side of East River equipped with radiotelephones. The bridgetenders about 0.3 mile southwestward of Negro Point, is monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KIL-820, marked by a light. There are main-channel depths close KGW-326, and KA-5059, and KU-9797, respectively. to the point. The Conrail bridge is maintained in the open position (463) Hell Gate is the part of East River between Wards except for the passage of trains or for maintenance. Island and Roosevelt Island, 0.7 mile to the southwest. The crooked channel, the strong tidal currents, and the Tides heavy traffic in Hell Gate require extra caution on the (469) The mean range of tide in Harlem River is 5.1 feet part of the navigator to avoid accident or collision. Ves- sels navigating Hell Gate on a rising tide sometimes in Hell Gate and 3.6 feet at the entrance from Hudson find it necessary to pass starboard-to-starboard because River. of the strong currents between Negro Point and Hallets Point. This situation may arise when one of the vessels Currents does not maneuver readily or is handling a tow. North- (470) The tidal currents in Harlem River run southward eastward of Negro Point and southwestward of Hallets Point, the customary port passings are made. from Hudson River to East River while the east-going current is running in Hell Gate; and the reverse. The south-going current in Harlem River is considered the flood. The times of slack water are subject to variations

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 355 depending upon freshet conditions in Hudson River. (478) Tributary basins are Dutch Kills, on the north side The velocity of the current is 2 knots or more in the of Newtown Creek 0.8 mile from East River; Whale narrower parts of the channel. (See the Tidal Current Creek, on the south side opposite Dutch Kills; Maspeth Tables for predictions.) Creek, on the east side 2.2 miles from East River; East Branch, on the east side 2.5 miles from the river; and Chart 12339 English Kills, which extends westward and southward from the East Branch entrance and forms the last 0.8 (471) Roosevelt Island (Welfare Island), 1.6 miles long mile of Newtown Creek. and 0.1 mile wide, is in the middle of East River south- west of Hell Gate. A gray stone tower is on the north Channels end of the island, and a fountain, illuminated at night (479) A Federal project provides for a 23-foot channel in during the summer, is on the south end of the island. Newtown Creek from the East River to and in a turning (472) East River main channel, with project depth of 35 basin about 240 yards above the Kosciusko Memorial feet, is on the west side of Roosevelt Island. The chan- Bridge, thence 20 feet in East Branch and in English nel east of the island is narrower and has a controlling Kills to the Metropolitan Avenue bridge, and thence 12 depth of about 19 feet. feet in English Kills to the head of the project at Montrose Avenue. (See Notice to Mariners and latest (473) The currents in both channels off Roosevelt Island edition of chart for controlling depths.) are strong, and caution is advised while navigating in these areas. Tides (480) The mean range of tide in Newtown Creek is 4.1 (474) The 36th Avenue highway bridge which crosses the eastern channel from Roosevelt Island to Long Island feet. 5.6 miles from The Battery has a vertical-lift span with clearances of 40 feet down and 99 feet up. (See 117.1 Currents through 117.59 and 117.781, chapter 2, for drawbridge (481) The tidal current is weak and variable. regulations.) The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM chan- nel 13; call sign KX–8184. (482) Pulaski Bridge, which crosses Newtown Creek 0.5 mile above the mouth, has a bascule span with a clear- (475) Queensboro Bridge, which crosses from Man- ance of 39 feet at the fenders and 46 feet at the center. hattan Island to Roosevelt Island and thence to Long Is- The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call land 5.0 miles from The Battery, has fixed spans with sign KX–8178. clearances of 131 feet over the main channel and 133 feet over the eastern channel. An overhead cable car (483) Dutch Kills, which is about 0.5 mile long, is with overhead power cables crosses the main channel crossed by the following drawbridges: Long Island Rail- immediately north of the bridge. The low point of travel road bridge, Borden Avenue bridge, and Hunters Point of the cabin is not less than 135 feet. Avenue bridge. Minimum clearance under the closed drawspans is 2 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and Chart 12335 117.801, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) In July 2002, Long Island Railroad bridge was reported in- (476) Roosevelt Island Reef (Welfare Island Reef), with operable as a swing bridge and closed to vessel traffic. bare islets, rocks awash, and submerged rocks, extends Clearance under the fixed bridge is 83 feet. 0.3 mile southwestward from the island. Belmont Is- land, near the southwest end of the reef, is marked by a (484) Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, 1.1 miles above the light. mouth of Newton Creek, has a bascule span with a clearance of 24 feet at the fenders and 30 feet at the cen- Chart 12338 ter. Kosciusko Memorial Bridge, 1.8 miles from the mouth, has a fixed span with a clearance of 125 feet. (477) Newtown Creek is entered on the eastern side of Metropolitan Avenue Bridge, which crosses English East River 3.6 miles from The Battery. The creek ex- Kills 3 miles from the mouth of Newtown Creek, has a tends 3.3 miles eastward and southward and has several bascule span with a clearance of 10 feet at the center. short tributaries or basins. Traffic is fairly heavy and Montrose Avenue Bridge, at the head of English Kills, consists chiefly of petroleum products, sand, gravel, has a swing span with a clearance of 4 feet. The and crushed rock; drafts of vessels navigating the creek bridgetenders at the Greenpoint Avenue and Metropol- seldom exceed 15 feet. itan Avenue bridges monitor channel 13; call signs KX–8182 and KX–8179, respectively. (See 117.1

356 I Chapter 9 I Coast Pilot 2 through 117.59 and 117.801, chapter 2, for draw- (488) The site of the inactive New York Naval Shipyard is bridge regulations.) in Wallabout Bay, on the Brooklyn side of East River 1.7 (485) Grand Avenue Bridge, which crosses East Branch, miles northeast of The Battery. has a swing span with a clearance of 8 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.801, chapter 2, for draw- (489) Manhattan Bridge, which crosses East River 1 mile bridge regulations.) The bridgetender can be contacted northeast of The Battery, has a suspension span with a on VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KX–8187. clearance of 134 feet. The clearance under the mainte- nance platform installed at the west channel edge is Chart 12335 115 feet. (486) From abreast the entrance to Newtown Creek, the (490) Brooklyn Bridge, which crosses East River 0.7 mile 35-foot-project main channel of East River crosses northeast of The Battery, has a suspension span with a from the west side of the river to the east side. Depths of clearance of 127 feet. 24 feet extend as much as 0.2 mile from the piers on the west side. Poorhouse Flats Lighted Range (Front (491) East River Deepwater Lighted Range (Front Light; Light; 40°43.5'N., 73°57.8'W.), bearing 161°, is on the 40°41.9'N., 74°00.1'W.), bearing 078°, is on the Brook- Brooklyn side of the river and marks the best water in lyn side of the river and marks the best water in the the crossover. 40-foot-project main channel which leads from deep water in New York Upper Bay to the East River. The (487) Williamsburg Bridge, which crosses East River 2 range line passes about midway between The Battery miles northeast of The Battery, has a suspension span and Governors Island, 0.5 mile to the southward. with a clearance of 133 feet. (492) The channel between The Battery and Governors Island is very congested and subject to strong currents. Caution should be exercised while navigating in the area.

Western Long Island Sound I Chapter 9 I 357

358 I Chapter 10 I Coast Pilot 2

South Coast of Long Island I Chapter 10 I 359 South Coast of Long Island (1) This chapter describes the south coast of Long Is- indexed as such, chapter 3, for more information on land from Shinnecock Inlet to and including East right whales and recommended measures to avoid col- Rockaway Inlet; several other inlets making into the lisions with whales.) beach along this part of the coast; and the canals, bays, and tributaries inside the beach. Also described are the Chart 12300 towns of Patchogue and Oceanside, including Ocean- side oil terminals; Bay Shore, a large fishing center; (7) The south coast of Long Island has a general trend and the many smaller communities which support a of 247° for 68 miles from Montauk Point to Fire Island large small-craft activity. Inlet, and thence trends 263° for 36 miles to the west- ern end of Coney Island in the Lower Bay of New York Caution Harbor. It is a clear shore and may be safely approached (2) Eelgrass is found in most of the waters described in as close as 1 mile with not less than 30 feet anywhere between Montauk Point and Rockaway Inlet, except off this chapter. Eelgrass nets are often placed at the en- Fire Island Inlet and the inlet’s westward side where trances to canals and are sometimes difficult to see. the shore should be given a berth of at least 1.5 miles. (3) Fishtrap areas are in Moriches, Shinnecock, Tiana, When viewed from seaward it presents only a few prom- Quantuck, and Great South Bays. inent features. It is composed of a series of sand dunes backed by low dark woods. COLREGS Demarcation Lines (4) The lines established for this part of the coast are (8) Shinnecock, Moriches, Great South, and Hemp- stead Bays are inside the beach along the south coast of described in 80.160, chapter 2. Long Island and form an inside route for boats of about 3-foot draft. The three main inlets from the sea to these Weather, South Coast of Long Island and vicinity bays are Fire Island Inlet, Jones Inlet, and East (5) The south coast of Long Island is open to weather Rockaway Inlet. These inlets and all auxiliary channels within the south coast of Long Island have numerous from the south and southeast, but somewhat sheltered wrecks, obstructions, frequent and extensive changes, to the west through north. Waves of 8 feet (>2.5 m) or and, although marked in many areas, should not be more are most likely in winter when they may be en- used without local knowledge. countered about 6 to 10 percent of the time near the coast. During this period gales are encountered less (9) Two small inlets, Shinnecock Inlet and Moriches than 5 percent of the time but are more likely a few Inlet, which broke through in 1938 and 1931, respec- hundred miles out to sea. Fogs are more apt to occur in tively, are also used by small boats for entrance to these late spring and early summer with Ambrose Light re- bays, but their use is not advisable without local knowl- cording a June maximum. Visibilities of less than 2 edge. miles are observed about 5 to 10 percent of the time from May through July. These frequencies are higher at Chart 12352 the eastern end in May and June and between Westhampton and Ambrose in July. Locally, Shinnecock (10) Shinnecock Canal, 31.5 miles southwestward of Inlet is particularly rough when southerly winds climb Montauk Point, is about 1 mile long and connects to 15 knots or more during ebb tide; breakers fill the Great Peconic Bay with Shinnecock Bay. The canal is entrance. owned and maintained by Suffolk County of New York. It is a partly dredged cut and is protected at the north North Atlantic Right Whales entrance by two jetties; the east jetty is marked by a (6) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur light. In April 1985, the east timber jetty was reported to be deteriorating. Protruding timbers and floating within 30 nautical miles of the south coast of Long Is- debris may be encountered; caution is advised. A lock land, including the approaches to New York Harbor (peak season: February through April and September through October). (See North Atlantic Right Whales,

360 I Chapter 10 I Coast Pilot 2 about midway in the canal is 250 feet long, 41 feet wide, marked by a lighted whistle buoy. The inlet should not with a depth of 12 feet over the sills. Tide gates are par- be attempted without local knowledge because of the allel to and westward of the lock. The lock gates and frequent changes in channel depths. tide gates are constructed so that tidal action opens them to allow the current to set south through the ca- Currents nal and closes them to prevent water from Shinnecock (18) Tidal currents through the inlet can be dangerous; Bay to flow back into Great Peconic Bay. The lock gates are tended 24 hours and are opened mechanically when caution is advised. the tidal current is flowing northward to allow the pas- sage of boats. Red and green traffic lights are at each (19) In January 1988, an obstruction was reported end of the lock. Vessels are allowed to enter the lock about 175 yards east of Shinnecock Inlet West Break- only on the green signal. water Light 1A. (11) The fixed bridges and overhead power cables across the canal have a least clearance of 22 feet. Mast-step- COLREGS Demarcation Lines ping cranes are available at both ends of the canal. (20) The lines established for Shinnecock Inlet are de- scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. Currents (21) Shinnecock Light (40°50'31\"N., 72°28'42\"W.), 75 (12) The maximum recorded current is 4.3 knots, feet above the water, is shown from a red skeleton tower on the west side of the inlet. A fog signal is at the light. southerly, through the lock and tide gates at peak flow Private lights are on the jetties at the entrance to the when the gates are open. At the railroad bridge, the inlet, and uncharted buoys mark the channel. current has an average speed of 1.5 knots, but it has been reported that greater speeds may be experienced. (22) The jetties extend about 120 yards beyond the (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) At times of lights marking them. high southerly current i.e., when the gates are open, there exists a dangerous eddy system extending from Small-craft facilities the south end of the lock southerly for approximately (23) There are small-craft facilities just westward of 200 yards. Tidal currents throughout the entire canal can be dangerous; caution is advised. Shinnecock Light. Berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and some marine supplies are available. (13) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the canal. (24) A fish haven and a U.S. Naval Oceanographic plat- (14) On the east side of Shinnecock Canal just south of form painted orange and white, are about 2.4 miles south and 3.4 miles south-southwestward, respec- the jetties is a boat basin in which the depth ranges tively, of Shinnecock Inlet entrance. from 7 to 10 feet. There are several small-craft facilities on both sides of the canal. (See the small-craft facilities (25) Ponquogue Point, low and sandy, is 1.2 miles tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies northwestward of Shinnecock Light. The west channel available.) from inside Shinnecock Inlet enters the Long Island (15) Hampton Bays, a station on the Long Island Rail- Intracoastal Waterway southeast of the point and has a road just west of Shinnecock Canal, is the nearest post depth of about 8 feet. The Ponquogue Bridge, a high- office. Canoe Place, the settlement at the canal, has way bridge crossing Shinnecock Bay at Ponquogue gasoline and some supplies. Small craft and fishing ves- Point, has a fixed span with a clearance of 55 feet. sels berth in the basins along both sides of the canal. (16) Long Island Intracoastal Waterway.–A Federal (26) Shinnecock Coast Guard Station is on Ponquogue project provides for a 6-foot channel from Shinnecock Point. An antenna tower, 229 feet above the water and Canal to Great South Bay. The cuts provide an inland marked by red lights, is also on the point. waterway along the south side of Long Island. This wa- terway, from the south end of Shinnecock Canal to a (27) Entrances to the small coves on the northeast side point in Great South Bay opposite Patchogue, a dis- and the east end of Shinnecock Bay have depths of tance of about 29.2 miles, is subject to frequent shoal- about 3 feet. ing; mariners are advised to obtain local knowledge. (17) Shinnecock Inlet, 31 miles westward from Small-craft facilities Montauk Point along the south coast of Long Island, is (28) There are numerous small-craft facilities along the the easternmost entrance from the Atlantic to Shinnecock Bay and the inland water route along the shore and in the creeks making into the north shore of south shore of Long Island. The approach to the inlet is Shinnecock Bay from Ponquogue Point to West Point, the eastern entrance point to Tiana Bay. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for ser- vices and supplies available.)

South Coast of Long Island I Chapter 10 I 361 (29) Pine Neck, 2.3 miles westward of Ponquogue Point (35) Moriches Bay extends for about 8 miles from and on the west side of Tiana Bay, is low, flat, and sandy. Quantuck Canal to Narrow Bay and provides an inside A shoal extends southward from Pine Neck Point and is passage for small boats. The general depths in the bay marked on the south end by a lighted buoy. About 0.5 range from 5 to 7 feet, but the southern part is shoal. mile east of Pine Neck, a privately dredged channel marked by private buoys leads to a basin at Tiana (36) When navigating the Long Island Intracoastal Wa- Beach, a small summer resort on the south side of terway through Moriches Bay northeast of Moriches Shinnecock Bay. In July 1981, depths of about 2 feet Inlet, extreme care must be taken due to changing were reported in the channel and basin. shoaling conditions. (30) Weesuck Creek, on the north side near the western (37) Speonk Point, near the eastern end of Moriches end of Shinnecock Bay, is entered through a privately Bay on the north shore, is marked by several dredged channel that leads to the head of the cove at bulkheaded jetties and a prominent flagstaff. East Quogue. In April 1999, the channel, marked by private seasonal buoys, had a reported controlling (38) Seatuck Cove, on the north side of Moriches Bay, depth of about 5 feet. There are two boatyards on the about 1 mile westward of Speonk Point, is entered west side near the head of the creek. Berths, electricity, through a privately dredged channel that leads north- water, marine supplies, storage facilities, and lifts to 30 ward for about 1.1 miles and then forks into three tons are available. The largest marine railway can han- branch channels: East Branch, the easterly branch; dle craft up to 65 feet in length; hull and engine repairs Seatuck Creek, the northerly branch; and Little can be made. Seatuck Creek, the westerly branch. In June 1981, the controlling depth in the entrance channel and in the (31) Quogue Canal connects Shinnecock Bay with three branches was 7 feet. Private seasonal buoys mark Quantuck Bay. The canal is crossed by a highway bas- the entrance channel to the fork and the channel in cule bridge with a clearance of 15 feet and by overhead East Branch to the small-craft facilities just inside the power and TV cables with clearances of 75 feet. (See entrance. 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) A 5 mph speed (39) A landing at Eastport is on the point just above the limit is enforced in the canal. fork between East Branch and Seatuck Creek. In June 1981, depths of 2 to 3 feet were reported at the landing. (32) Quantuck Bay joins Quogue Canal with Quantuck Berths, moorings, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, wa- Canal. Quantuck Creek, at the head of the bay, is ter, ice, some marine supplies, and a pump-out are crossed by a fixed bridge, which is the head of naviga- available at small-craft facilities on East Branch. Lifts tion except for small pulling boats. to 15 tons can handle craft for engine and hull repairs. Depths of 3 feet are reported alongside. (33) Quantuck Canal connects Quantuck Bay and Moriches Bay. The canal is crossed by two highway bas- (40) Hart Cove, westward of Seatuck Cove, is entered cule bridges with a least clearance of 10 feet. (See through a privately dredged channel, marked by pri- 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), vate seasonal buoys, that leads to the head of the cove. chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations). The overhead In June 1981, the channel had a reported controlling power cable at Potunk Point has a clearance of 77 feet. depth of 4 feet. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the canal. Small-craft facilities (34) About 300 yards northeastward of the bridge at (41) Small-craft facilities are near the head on the west Potunk Point, a privately dredged channel leads to a yacht basin at Westhampton Beach. The channel is side of the cove. Gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine along the west bank in the bight and is marked by pri- supplies, a launching ramp, and a 30-ton mobile hoist vate seasonal lights and buoys. A dredged cut leads up are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. to Main Street in Westhampton Beach. A reported depth of about 4 feet can be carried to the yacht basin (42) Tuthill Cove, locally known as West Cove, on the just before reaching the Stevens Lane Bridge, which north side of Moriches Bay, 1.5 miles westward of has a fixed span with a clearance of about 7 feet. Berths, Seatuck Cove, is entered through a privately dredged electricity, and a launching ramp are at the yacht basin. and partially marked channel that leads to the head of Gasoline, ice, and marine supplies are available at a ma- the cove; in 1986, the channel had a reported control- rina on the east bank of the bight; engine and hull re- ling depth of 2 feet. Several privately dredged channels pairs can be made. A forklift can handle craft to 6 tons. lead from the main channel to small-craft facilities on In June 1981, a reported depth of 2 feet was available at the east side of the cove. (See the small-craft facilities the marina. tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies available.) A Coast Guard Station is on the east side of

362 I Chapter 10 I Coast Pilot 2 the entrance to Tuthill Cove. East Moriches is on the and engine repairs can be made. A marine railway can north side of the cove. haul out vessels up to 32 feet in length. (43) Tuthill Point is on the west side of the entrance to Tuthill Cove. (53) Mud (West Senix) Creek, westward of Senix Creek, (44) Moriches Inlet, 44 miles westward of Montauk had a reported controlling depth of about 5 feet in June Point, is a shallow entrance from seaward to the deeper 1981. The creek is used mostly by local residents. A ma- water in Moriches Bay. The jettied entrance is subject rina on the east side of the creek near the head has to frequent change. Mariners are advised not to at- berthage, electricity, gasoline, water, and a 15-ton lift; tempt to navigate this inlet at any time without local hull and engine repairs can be made. knowledge. Both east and west jetties are marked by a light and the approach to the inlet is marked by a (54) Forge River, at the northwest end of Moriches Bay lighted whistle buoy. about 0.5 mile westward of the common entrance to (45) A fish haven, marked by a buoy, is about 2.5 miles Senix and Mud Creeks, is entered through a privately south-southwestward of Moriches Inlet East Breakwa- dredged channel that leads from the Intracoastal Wa- ter Light. terway to the town dock and turning basin at Mastic, about 1.5 miles above the entrance west of Masury COLREGS Demarcation Lines Point, thence for about 0.2 mile to the head of naviga- (46) The lines established for Moriches Inlet are de- tion. In 1981-1999, the reported controlling depths were 6 feet from the Intracoastal Waterway to the head scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. of navigation. Favor the east side of the channel at the entrance. The channel is marked to the turning basin (47) Fire Island extends west from Moriches Inlet for by private seasonal lighted and unlighted buoys. The about 28 miles along the south shore of Long Island to town dock is available only to the local residents, how- Fire Island Inlet. With the exception of the State park ever, overnight transient berths are available. occupying its westernmost 4.6 miles, all of Fire Island is part of the Fire Island National Seashore, a Marine (55) Old Neck Creek empties into the easterly side of Managed Area (MMA). (See MMA 10-1, Appendix C, for Forge River about 0.5 mile above the entrance. A pri- additional information.) vately dredged channel leads from the river to the head of the creek. In June 1981, the channel had a reported (48) Orchard Neck Creek, 1.7 miles west of Tuthill controlling depth of 7 feet. A marina, just inside the Point, is extensively used by local small craft as a moor- easterly entrance to the creek, has berths, gasoline, wa- ing basin. A reported depth of about 3 feet is available to ter, ice, marine supplies, a small-craft launching ramp, the head of navigation. A private seasonal lighted buoy and a 15-ton mobile hoist; hull, engine, and electrical marks the entrance. repairs can be made. Small-craft facility (56) Narrow Bay extends for about 3 miles from (49) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the creek Moriches Bay to Bellport Bay, and provides a continua- tion of the inside passage for small boats. The bridge near its head. Gasoline, water, marine supplies, and a across the bay eastward of Smith Point has a bascule 12-ton lift are available; hull and engine repairs can be span with a clearance of 18 feet. (See 117.1 through made. In June 1981, a depth of about 2 feet was re- 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (d), chapter 2, for ported alongside the facility. drawbridge regulations.) Caution is recommended when in the vicinity of the bridge because of the piling (50) Areskonk Creek, immediately westward of Orchard near the channel. The bridge is an excellent radar tar- Neck Creek, is used as a harbor by yachtsmen. A pri- get from 5 to 10 miles. vately dredged channel, marked by private seasonal buoys, leads to the head of the creek. In June 1981, the (57) Bellport Bay extends for about 3 miles from Nar- channel had a reported controlling depth of 8 feet. row Bay to Great South Bay and provides a continua- tion of the inside passage for small boats. The bay is (51) Senix Creek, 0.6 mile westward of Orchard Neck shoal in its southern part, but has depths of 5 to 7 feet Creek, has a narrow entrance. With local knowledge, a in the northern part. reported depth of about 4 feet can be carried in the channel to about 0.5 mile above the entrance. (58) Carmans River, on the northeast side of Bellport Bay, has a depth of about 2 feet through the entrance. Small-craft facilities Sometimes bush stakes are placed on each of the shoals (52) Small-craft facilities near the head of the creek making off from the points at the entrance. Enter in midriver between these stakes, favor the east side for a have berths, electricity, storage, and a 6-ton lift; hull distance of 0.5 mile, and then follow midriver; caution is advised. The river, marked at the entrance by private

South Coast of Long Island I Chapter 10 I 363 seasonal lighted buoys, is entered between Long Point (66) Abets Creek and Mud Creek, on the northeast side on the west and Sandy Point on the east. Some of the of Great South Bay, had reported depths of 4 feet in land areas on both sides of the river just above the en- 1981 and 6 feet in April 1999, respectively. The en- trance are part of the Werthein National Wildlife Ref- trance to each creek is marked by a private seasonal uge, a Marine Managed Area (MMA); landing is not lighted buoy and stakes. A 5-mph speed limit is en- permitted. (See MMA 10-3, Appendix C, for additional forced in Abets Creek. information.) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. Small-craft facilities (67) Small-craft facilities in the creeks can provide Small-craft facility (59) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the river berths, gasoline, water, storage, and hull and engine re- pairs. A 7-ton marine railway is available in Abets about 0.6 mile above the entrance. Electricity, water, Creek, and mobile lifts up to 30 tons are available in some marine supplies, a 12-ton lift, and storage facili- Mud Creek. Diesel fuel, ice, and a pumpout station are ties are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. available in Mud Creek. (60) Beaverdam Creek, on the north side of Bellport Bay (68) Swan River, about 0.4 mile westward of Mud Creek, about 1.5 miles westward of Carmans River, is entered is entered through a privately dredged channel that through a privately dredged approach channel marked leads to the head of navigation about 1 mile above the by private seasonal buoys. In August 1999, the channel mouth. In 1981, the channel had a reported controlling had a reported controlling depth of 7 feet. depth of 4 feet. In September 1985, a shoal was reported to be encroaching from the west side of the channel at Small-craft facility the mouth of the river. A private seasonal lighted buoy (61) A small-craft facility is at the head of the creek and marks the entrance, and poles mark the channel above the entrance. can provide berths, storage, supplies, and a 30-ton lift; engine repairs can be made. (62) The wharf of a yacht club is on the northwest side of (69) Several small-craft facilities are on Swan River. Bellport Bay at the town of Bellport, about 0.5 mile (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 westward of the entrance to Beaverdam Creek. In June for services and supplies available.) 1981, depths of 6 to 8 feet were reported in the basin be- hind the wharf with about 2½ to 3 feet alongside. Water (70) Patchogue River, on the north side of Great South and a launching ramp are available. A seasonal passen- Bay, 3.7 miles west of Bellport and 0.9 mile westward of ger ferry operates between the yacht club and Bellport Swan River, is entered through a dredged channel that Beach on Fire Island. leads from Great South Bay, thence through Patchogue Bay, and thence to the head of river navigation about 1 (63) A dockmaster manages the village dock adjacent to mile above the mouth. In July 2003, the midchannel the yacht club. controlling depth was 7.0 feet in the entrance channel to the harbor area, about 0.3 mile above the west break- (64) Great South Bay, on the south shore of Long Is- water light, thence 5.7 feet in the channel through the land, extends from Bellport Bay on the east to South harbor to the head of navigation. The channel is Oyster Bay on the west. It is about 20 miles long and marked by a lighted and unlighted buoys from the bay about 4 miles across its widest part. It can be entered to the jettied entrance. The west side of the entrance is through Fire Island Inlet, from Great Peconic Bay via protected by a breakwater with a light on the outer end, the inside route, and from westward through and the east side by a bulkhead and short jetty extend- Hempstead Bay. The southeast and southwest portions ing southward from it; a private light is near the end of of the bay are shoal. The central portion has, for the the jetty. most part, depths ranging from 6½ to 10 feet. In March 1979, severe shoaling to a least depth of ½ foot was re- (71) Patchogue, on Patchogue River, is the principal ported in many of the channels in Great South Bay. town on Great South Bay. Depths at the wharves and Lights, daybeacons, and lighted and unlighted buoys piers at Patchogue range from 3 to 9 feet. mark the channels. (72) Passenger ferry service, summer only, is main- (65) The Long Island U.S. Courthouse (40°45'35\"N., tained from Patchogue to Davis Park and Watch Hill on 73°11'25\"W.), is a prominent feature in East Islip. The Fire Island. building is rectangular with a cone-shaped entrance and is constructed of white and gray panels and is 281 feet high; reported to be visible from 20 miles offshore.

364 I Chapter 10 I Coast Pilot 2 Small-craft facilities about 6 feet. Limited berthing is available in the outer (73) Several marinas and boatyards are on both sides of basin. A boatyard is in the inner basin. (80) Connetquot River, locally known as Great River, is the river at Patchogue. (See the small-craft facilities 3 miles westward of Brown Creek. In June 1981, a re- tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies ported depth of 5 feet (with local knowledge) could be available.) carried from Nicoll Bay to the boatyards on the east side of the river, thence about 2 feet to the head of navi- (74) Corey Creek, 0.6 mile westward of Patchogue River, gation at the railroad; favor the east bank of the river is entered between two jetties each marked by a private above the boatyards. A shoal with depths of 2 feet ex- seasonal light. In June 1981, depths of 3 feet were avail- tends northeast from Nicoll Island on the southwest able in the creek. A marina, on the east side of the creek side of the river entrance. A private light marks the en- just inside the entrance, has berths, electricity, gaso- trance to the river. A prominent mansion with a tower, line, marine supplies, water, ice, storage, and a 16-ton now part of a private school, is on the north shore of the lift; hull, engine, and electronic repairs can be made. entrance. Depths of 5 feet were reported at the marina in Septem- ber 1985. Small-craft facilities (81) There are several small-craft facilities on the east (75) Brown Creek, locally known as Browns River, 3 miles westward of Patchogue, is entered between two side of the river. (See the small-craft facilities tabula- short jetties extending out to a depth of about 4 feet. tion on chart 12352 for services and supplies available.) The jetties are marked by lights. In March-April 2005, the midchannel controlling depth was 5.4 feet to the (82) Great River is a village on the west side of the river. old town dock, thence 3.5 feet to the upstream limit of (83) Watch Hill, part of Fire Island National Seashore, is the project; thence in 1993, 2 feet at midchannel to a point about 0.3 mile below the Sayville Highway across Great South Bay from Patchogue. A privately Bridge; thence in 1971, with local knowledge, about 2 dredged channel with a reported depth of 3 feet in Au- feet to the head of navigation at the bridge. In 1976, a gust 1999, leads from Great South Bay to a seasonally large rock, covered 6½ feet, was reported at the en- operated marina. The channel is marked by private sea- trance to the dredged channel. Local interests advise sonal lighted buoys and a lighted range. Berths, elec- that mariners steer a centerline course from a point tricity, water, ice, some supplies, and a pumpout station about 0.75 mile south of the jetty light through the en- are available. A passenger ferry operates between trance channel. Watch Hill and Patchogue. (84) Cherry Grove, a summer resort across Great South Small-craft facilities Bay from Connetquot River, has a boat landing extend- (76) There are several small-craft facilities on the creek. ing out to a depth of 5 feet. Seasonal ferry service is maintained with Sayville. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, marine (85) Point o’ Woods, Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, and supplies, mobile hoists to 80 tons, and hull and engine Saltaire are summer resorts on Great South Bay west- repairs are available. A marine railway can handle ves- ward of Cherry Grove. Provisions are available at most sels to 15 feet long. of these resorts. Year-round ferry service is maintained between Ocean Beach, Saltaire, and Bay Shore, a town (77) Passenger ferry service, summer only, is available northwestward on the north shore of Great South Bay, from Sayville to Fire Island Pines, Sailors Haven, while there is seasonal service between the rest of these Cherry Grove, and Barrett Beach on Fire Island. settlements and Bay Shore. A privately dredged chan- nel with a reported depth of 9 feet in 1981 leads south- (78) Green Creek, about 1 mile west of Brown Creek, is ward to Fair Harbor. A private light marks the channel. used by many clam boats. Depths of about 5 feet were (86) On the north shore of Great South Bay, in the vi- reported available in the creek in 1981. Mariners are cinity of Nicoll Point, is Heckscher State Park. A boat advised to use care when entering the creek, especially basin and a small-craft launching ramp are at the park during strong southwest winds. Inside the creek, gaso- in a cove about 1.6 miles west of Nicoll Point. The park line, water, marine supplies, storage, a 30-ton lift, and is open during daylight hours only. A 5 mph speed limit complete hull, engine, and electronic repairs are avail- is enforced. able. A 4-mph speed limit is enforced in the creek. (87) Sailors Haven, across Great South Bay from Nicoll Point, is part of the Fire Island National Seashore. A (79) Green Harbor is a privately maintained two-part privately dredged and marked channel with a depth of harbor just westward of the entrance to Green Creek. about 4 feet leads from Great South Bay to a seasonally The entrance to the outer basin and the connecting channel between the outer and inner basins are very narrow. In September 1985, depths were reported to be

South Coast of Long Island I Chapter 10 I 365 operated marina at which berthing, water, ice, and across the mouth of Great Cove marks a shellfish clo- some supplies are available. A seasonal passenger ferry sure area. operates between Sailors Haven and Sayville. (95) Orowoc Creek, which enters the northeast part of the cove, leads to the boat basin and wharves at the (88) Islip is on the south side of Long Island just inland town of Islip. The channel in the cove is sometimes from Great South Bay and opposite the Fire Island Na- marked by stakes, and had a reported depth of about 6 tional Seashore, about halfway between New York city feet in June 1981. A private light marks the westerly and Montauk Point. edge of the 3-foot shoal on the east side of the channel near the entrance to the creek. (89) At Islip the average annual temperature is 53°F (11.7°C). The average high is 61°F (16.1°C) and the av- Small-craft facilities erage low is 44°F (6.7°C). July is the warmest month (96) Small-craft facilities on the creek can provide gaso- with an average high of 82°F (27.8°C) and an average low of 67°F (19.4°C). January is the coolest month with line, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and complete an average high of 39°F (3.9°C) and an average low of engine and hull repairs. A 55-foot marine railway and a 24°F (-4.4°C). The warmest temperature on record for 25-ton mobile hoist are available. Islip is 101°F (38.3°C) recorded in July 1991 and the coldest temperature on record is -7°F (-21.7°C) re- (97) Several fish packing plants are on the creek. corded in January 1984. On average, seven days each (98) Penataquit Creek and Watchogue Creek, locally year record high temperatures in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) and 98 days record minimum temperatures known as West Creek, about 0.5 mile westward of below 32°F (0°C). An average of only two days each year Orowoc Creek, empty into the northwest end of Great has an extreme minimum below 5°F (-15°C). Cove through a common entrance. Bay Shore is a large fishing center on the northwest shore of Great Cove at (90) Precipitation is both moderate and distributed the head of the creeks. The common entrance is pro- evenly throughout the year. August is the wettest tected on its westerly side by a bulkheaded sandspit, month with an average precipitation total of five inches which forms a well-protected boat basin. The entrance (127 mm) and February the driest with just over three channel leads between the northeast end of the inches (76 mm). Average annual precipitation is about sandspit and the point to the east. A private light marks 45 inches (1143 mm). Most of the rainfall from June the entrance to the creeks. The channel had a reported through September comes from thunderstorms, there- depth of 6 feet in June 1981. A 4 mph speed limit is en- fore, is usually of brief duration, but relatively intense. forced on the creeks. Thunderstorm days average 25 each year. From Octo- (99) The ferry landing near the entrance of Penataquit ber to April, however, precipitation is generally associ- Creek had a reported depth of about 5 feet at its end in ated with widespread storm areas, so that day-long rain June 1981. From the landing, ferries connect with or snow is common. Ocean Beach and Saltaire year round and with Point o’ Woods, Kismet, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Atlantique, (91) Snow falls an average 30 days each year and aver- Sea View and Ocean Bay Park during the summer. ages 21 inches (533 mm) in any given year. The snowi- est month is February with an average of six inches Small-craft facilities (152 mm). Snow has fallen in each month, November (100) There are several small-craft facilities in Pena- through April. The greatest 24-hour total snowfall was eight inches (203 mm) which fell in March 1993. taquit and Watchogue Creeks. (See the small-craft fa- cilities tabulation on chart 12352 for services and (92) Tropical storms have influenced the area fourteen supplies available.) times since 1871. Most recently, Hurricane Gloria passed within 10 miles west of Islip in September 1985. (101) There are several creeks and a dredged boat basin Gloria made landfall about halfway between Kennedy between Watchogue Creek and Conklin Point to the and Islip and provided sustained winds of 75 knots at southwestward. These waterways are for the most part time of landfall for the Islip area. Only two days earlier, privately maintained and for the exclusive use of the lo- Gloria was a 125-knot hurricane. cal property owners. (93) (See page 437 for the Islip climatological table.) (102) Fire Island Inlet, about 28 miles westward along the south coast of Long Island from Moriches Inlet, is (94) Great Cove, on the north side of Great South Bay the only direct entrance from the Atlantic to Great about 4 miles westward of Nicoll Point, has depths of 4 South Bay. The inlet is subject to frequent changes and to 8 feet. A line of private orange and white spar buoys has been moving westward for many years. Mariners

366 I Chapter 10 I Coast Pilot 2 are warned to beware of extreme tidal turbulence espe- (110) The channel connecting Great South Bay with cially during times of tidal change and should seek lo- Jones Inlet, East Bay, and South Oyster Bay is narrow, cal knowledge of the latest conditions before entering. treacherous, and has numerous short bends. Caution Navigation of the inlet is difficult even with relatively should be exercised when navigating in these areas in calm seas, and for small craft it can be extremely dan- small boats. gerous. During heavy weather, the entrance usually is obstructed by breakers. (111) Several channels lead from Fire Island Inlet to places in Great South Bay and connecting inside water- COLREGS Demarcation Lines ways. East Channel follows the buoyed channel along (103) The lines established for Fire Island Inlet are de- the north side of Great South Beach and joins with the inside passage south of Nicoll Bay. It has a depth of scribed in 80.160, chapter 2. about 8 feet. Range Channel, just westward of East Channel, has a depth of about 6 feet. West Channel, just (104) Fire Island Light (40°37'57\"N., 73°13'07\"W.), 167 westward of Fire Islands, has a depth of about 7 feet. feet above the water, is shown from a black and white Dickerson Channel, northeastward of Captree Island, horizontally banded tower about 4 miles east-north- had a reported depth of 4 feet in June 1981. These chan- eastward of Democrat Point. Fire Island Coast Guard nels are marked with buoys that are shifted in position Station is about 1.9 miles west-southwestward of the with changing conditions. light. A water tower, about 208 feet high, marked by floodlights and visible for 16 miles, is about 0.1 mile (112) From Fire Island Inlet the State Boat Channel southwest of the Fire Island Coast Guard Station. leads westward through Great South Bay and South Oyster Bay to Zacks Bay at Jones Beach State Park, (105) The Robert Moses Causeway Bridge over Fire Is- thence westward in Hempstead Bay through winding land Inlet, 2.1 miles inside the entrance, has a clear- channels, well marked by lights, buoys, and daybeacons ance of 65 feet at the 464-foot center span. The bridge is to Reynolds Channel at Point Lookout, just west of an excellent radar target at a range of more than 12 Jones Inlet. Two buoys mark submerged obstructions miles. on the south side of the entrance to the channel. In 2005, shoaling was reported in the channel just E of (106) Two boat basins at the Robert Moses (Fire Island) Buoy 76. State Park are entered just westward of the southern end of the bridge. Berths and water are available in the (113) The speed of vessels is limited to 10.4 knots (12 basins between sunrise and sunset. In June 1981, mph) in the channel and 3.5 knots (4 mph) in the areas depths of 7 feet and 6 feet were reported available in the designated as basin or anchorage. east and west basins, respectively. (114) A marina on the south side of the channel at the Currents eastern end of Captree Island has berthage, gasoline, (107) The currents in Fire Island Inlet, after crossing the diesel fuel, water, and ice. bar, have a velocity of about 2.4 knots at full strength (115) The Robert Moses Causeway Bridge over the State and are influenced greatly by the force and direction of Boat Channel, connecting Oak Beach with Captree Is- the wind. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for predic- land, has twin bascule spans with a clearance of 29 feet tions.) In the bay, currents have little velocity except in at the center. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 the narrow channels between the shoals and within a (a) through (c) and (i), chapter 2, for drawbridge regu- radius of 3 miles from Fire Island Coast Guard Station lations.) The twin fixed spans of this bridge and cause- where their estimated velocity is 1 to 1.5 knots. way over the inside passage in Great South Bay between Captree Island and Conklin Point have a clear- (108) Fire Island Inlet remains open throughout the ance of 60 feet for a middle width of 460 feet. year, but ice does become a problem in the inland chan- nels through Great South Bay from early January (116) A shellfish closure area, marked by private yellow through about mid-March. buoys, extends from the Robert Moses Causeway at Conklin Point westward for about 6.8 miles to (109) The area between Fire Island Inlet and Jones Inlet Narraskatuck Creek. is characterized by low, sandy beaches and numerous islands fringed by vast stretches of marshy ground. (117) Oak Island Channel, locally known as Babylon Cut, Many shallow areas, irregular in outline, are a serious extends northwestward from the State Boat Channel menace to the navigation of light-draft vessels. An ex- from a point opposite the northeastern end of Oak Is- tensive network of bays, creeks, coves, channels, and land to Great South Bay and Babylon Cove. In 1981, the inlets covers the entire area. channel, marked by seasonal buoys, had a reported controlling depth of 6 feet except for shoaling to an un- known extent in the channel opposite Grass Island. From a point about 1.7 miles above the State Boat

South Coast of Long Island I Chapter 10 I 367 Channel, Oak Island Channel connects with a privately (124) Several small-craft facilities are on the creek. (See dredged and marked channel, locally known as East the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for West Channel, that leads westward and parallels the services and supplies available.) Several creeks to the northern shore of Great South Bay for about 6 miles to westward have been improved in a similar manner. South Oyster Bay. In June 1981, East West Channel had a reported controlling depth of about 4 feet. Several (125) In July 1980, a submerged obstruction was re- channels, some leading northward into the waterways ported about 0.55 mile southwest of the mouth of West on the north side of Great South Bay and some leading Babylon Creek in about 40°40'00\"N., 73°20'38\"W. southward to the State Boat Channel, connect with East West Channel. These connecting channels are dis- (126) Oak Beach is primarily a summer resort and fish- cussed later in this chapter. ing village on the north side of Fire Island Inlet. The (118) Babylon is a town on the north shore of Great channel to the village pier, passing eastward of Oak Is- South Bay. A flag pole and a church spire are promi- land, has a depth of about 9 feet. A tall lighted mast on nent. The public landing, about 0.3 mile northward of the south side of Oak Beach is prominent. Sampawams Point and at the mouth of Sampawams Creek, had a reported depth of 6 feet at the end in 1993. (127) Cedar Island Beach and Gilgo Beach, westward of Approaching around Sampawams Point, give the point Oak Beach, are maintained and operated by the County a berth of 0.3 mile when southeastward of it and head and Township authorities and are not part of the Long northwestward to the wharf. Island State Park System. (119) Sampawams Creek, just northward of the wharf, has been dredged to reclaim adjacent lands and is (128) Neguntatogue Creek, on the north side of Great bulkheaded on the west side. The entrance is marked by South Bay at the town of Lindenhurst, has several private seasonal buoys and a private light. It is used as small-craft facilities. In June 2000, the reported con- an anchorage by small craft and has a depth of about 5 trolling depth in the entrance to the creek was 4 feet. feet through the entrance and greater depths inside. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- Boats also anchor between the public landing and age, and marine supplies are available; hull and engine Sampawams Point. This anchorage becomes choppy repairs can be made. during easterly or southeasterly winds. (129) Fox Creek Channel, privately dredged and marked Small-craft facilities by private seasonal aids, leads from the mouth of (120) There are several small-craft facilities on the creek. Neguntatogue Creek across Great South Bay to a junc- tion with the State Boat Channel just eastward of Cedar (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 Island. In June 1982, the reported controlling depth for services and supplies available.) was 3 feet. (121) Carlls River, westward of Sampawams Point, in (130) Strongs Creek, westward of Neguntatogue Creek, June 1981, had a reported controlling depth of 5 feet in in June 1981, had a controlling depth of 7 feet in the the privately dredged entrance channel leading north- privately dredged entrance channel leading northward ward from East West Channel. In June 1982, shoaling from East West Channel. to an unknown extent was reported in the channel. Small-craft facilities Small-craft facilities (131) Small-craft facilities in the creek have storage and (122) Small-craft facilities on the river have berthage, a 12-ton mobile hoist; hull and engine repairs can be gasoline, water, marine supplies, a 9-ton lift, and a made. 40-ton mobile hoist; hull and engine repairs can be made. In 1993, depths of 5 to 6 feet were reported (132) Great Neck Creek, westward of Strongs Point, has alongside at the facilities. a depth of about 7 feet in the privately dredged entrance channel leading northward from East West Channel; (123) West Babylon Creek, locally known as Mud Creek, greater depths are inside. is about 1 mile westward of Sampawams Point. In June 1981, the privately dredged and marked entrance chan- Small-craft facilities nel leading northward from East West Channel had a (133) Small-craft facilities in the creek can provide reported controlling depth of 4 feet. berths, electricity, gasoline, water, and marine sup- plies; hull and engine repairs can be made. The largest mobile hoist can handle craft up to 12 tons. (134) Woods Creek is westward of Howell Point and Howell Creek. In 2005, the reported controlling depth

368 I Chapter 10 I Coast Pilot 2 in the entrance was 3 feet. Gasoline is available just in- Chart 12352 side the entrance and a small-craft facility at the head of the creek can provide limited berths, electricity, gas- (143) Jones Beach State Park, on the south coast of Long oline, water, some marine supplies, a pump-out sta- Island, comprises about 2,500 acres and is under the tion, winter storage, and a 30-ton lift; hull, engine and jurisdiction of the Long Island State Park and Recre- electrical repairs can be made. ation Commission. A prominent red brick water tower, (135) Amityville Creek, on the north side of the western 204 feet high, with a pyramid top, 3.5 miles eastward of extremity of Great South Bay, had a reported control- Jones Inlet, is the center of Central Mall. The tower, ling depth of about 3 feet in June 1981. The entrance to flood-lighted at night, is visible 16 miles. Zachs Bay, a the creek is marked on the west side by a private light. dredged basin above Jones Beach State Park, has Several boatyards on the creek have marine railways, depths of 4 to 29 feet. The eastern part of Zachs Bay is the largest of which can handle craft up to 50 feet in used as an anchorage; a swimming area marked by pri- length; gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, vate buoys is in the western part of the bay. and complete engine and hull repairs are available. (136) Amityville is a small town on the north shore of (144) Stone Creek, marked by seasonal buoys and with a Great South Bay at its western extremity . The village reported depth of about 2 feet in June 1981, leads wharf bares at low water at its face. Amityville Cut ex- northward from Sloop Channel and eastward of Green tends southward from Amityville Creek and joins the Island to the village of Seaford at the head of Seaford State Boat Channel near Gilgo Beach. The privately Creek. In August 1992, severe shoaling to an unknown maintained and marked channel had a reported con- depth was reported north of Great Island Channel trolling depth of 8 feet in 1993. Lighted Buoy Z2. (137) Narraskatuck Creek, 0.5 miles westward of Amityville Creek had a reported depth of about 3 feet in June 1981. Small-craft facilities (145) There are many small-craft facilities at Seaford and Small-craft facilities (138) The small-craft facilities on the creek have gaso- in the vicinity. Berthage, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and small-craft launch- line, berths, electricity, water, ice, storage, and marine ing ramps are available. The largest mobile hoist is 30 supplies. Mobile hoists can handle craft up to 20 tons; tons; hull, engine and electrical repairs can be made. hull, engine, and electrical repairs can be made. (146) The Wantagh State Parkway bridge crosses Sloop (139) Carman Creek, about 0.8 mile westward of Channel from Jones Beach State Park to Green Island Amityville Creek, is used by boats drawing 4 to 5 feet. and has a fixed span with a clearance of 15 feet; the bridge is temporary. A permanent bascule bridge is be- (140) South Oyster Bay, lying between Great South Bay ing built close southwest of the existing temporary and Hempstead Bay, is shoal over its greater part. A bridge with a design clearance of 14 feet. The other channel marked by buoys and daybeacons, good for a bridges, which are part of the Wantagh State Parkway, draft of 4 feet at high water, extends through the bay. have the following clearances: 16 feet for the bascule Through traffic uses the State Boat Channel and con- span over Goose Creek between Green Island and Great necting lanes on the south side of the Bay. Island; and 12 feet for the fixed span across Island Creek. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) (141) Gilgo Heading, a channel and basin between the through (c) and (i), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- State Boat Channel and Gilgo Beach, has a depth of tions.) about 7 feet. Chart 12352 Caution (147) The current is reported to be swift during periods (142) Hempstead Bay is on the south side of Long Island inside the beach extending from the west end of Great of maximum flood and ebb at the bridge crossing the South Bay to Far Rockaway. The bay has many sloughs Sloop Channel from Green Island to Jones Beach State that are subject to change in the vicinity of the inlets Park, and has a tendency to set boats into the bridge and where dredging is done to reclaim land. Naviga- abutments. Mariners are advised to avoid this part of tional aids marking the main channels of the bay are the channel during these periods and to use the sec- maintained by the town of Hempstead. Many shoal ondary route in Goose Creek, north of Green Island. spots, some to a foot or less, have been reported at sev- eral areas of the rivers and channels. (148) A privately marked channel, locally known as Race- horse Channel, with a depth of about 6 feet, leads northward from Sloop Channel and westward of Green

South Coast of Long Island I Chapter 10 I 369 Island to the western entrance of Island Creek. Olivers the bascule span between Meadow Island and Alder Is- Channel, marked by private buoys and daybeacons, land, and 20 feet for the 29-foot fixed span over leads westward from near the north end of Racehorse Reynolds Channel between Alder Island and Point Channel to East Bay. Lookout. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) (149) A fish haven, marked by a private buoy, is near the through (c) and (f), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- middle of East Bay. tions.) In August 1998, a replacement fixed bridge was under construction across Swift Creek, between West Small-craft facilities Crow Island and Meadow Island, just south of the exist- (150) On the north side of East Bay, there are several ing bridge with a design clearance of 20 feet. (156) Jones Inlet, about 12 miles westward along the small-craft facilities at the head of Bellmore Creek and south coast of Long Island from Fire Island Inlet, is the on the west side of Nicks Point. (See the small-craft fa- principal entrance from the Atlantic to the inside pas- cilities tabulation on 12352 for services and supplies sages and towns in Hempstead Bay. The inlet, which is available.) used mostly by pleasure craft and fishermen, should not be attempted without local knowledge because the (151) Sloop Channel, the main channel leading east channel and depths are constantly changing. from Jones Inlet, extends along the north side of Short (157) The approach is marked by a lighted whistle buoy. Beach and Jones Beach State Park. The channel is (158) A light is at the outer end of the jetty on the east marked by buoys and daybeacons. In June 1981, shoal- side of the entrance to Jones Inlet. A small-craft basin is ing to 3 feet was reported on the south side of Sloop inside the inlet on the north side of Jones Beach; Channel from about 0.3 mile southwest of Meadow- berths, electricity, water, and a pump-out station are brook State Parkway Bridge to about 0.45 mile north- available. Jones Beach Coast Guard Station is in the east of the bridge. In 2005, shoaling to bare was small-craft basin. reported in the channel south of Short Beach Island, (159) In March 2005, the controlling depth was 7.4 feet in obstructing the eastern entrance and part of the west- the channel from Point Lookout (40°35.6'N., 73°34.6'W.) ern entrance. to the Loop Parkway Bridge over Long Creek. The buoys and soundings in Jones Inlet are not charted be- (152) A channel with reported depths of 3 to 4 feet in cause of continual changes; caution and local knowl- June 1981 leads between Snipe Island and Egg Island edge are advised. into Haunts Creek on the western side of Deep Creek Meadow and joins Sloop Channel northwestward of Currents Jones Beach State Park. (160) The tidal current in the inlet has a velocity of about (153) The channel joining Haunts Creek east of East 3 knots. (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) Crow Island and leading northward through Broad Creek Channel to East Bay, and thence to Merrick Tides Creek, has a depth of about 1 foot. The channel joining (161) The mean range of tide is 3.6 feet. Sloop Channel just west of the Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge leads north through Swift Creek and COLREGS Demarcation Lines Neds Creek to East Bay; the channel bares at low water (162) The lines established for Jones Inlet are described about 0.7 mile north-northeastward of the bridge be- tween West Crow Island and Pettit Marsh. The channel in 80.160, chapter 2. between False Channel Meadow and Pettit Marsh has a depth of about 5 feet and leads to Freeport Creek, dis- (163) Point Lookout is a village on the east end of the cussed later in this chapter. barrier beach on the west side of Jones Inlet. A large lighted tank in the western part of the town is promi- (154) The Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge has the nent. following clearances: 21 feet for the bascule span across Sloop Channel between Jones Beach State Park and Small-craft facilities Jones Island, 14 feet for the 29-foot fixed span between (164) Small-craft facilities are on either side of the West Crow Island and Pettit Marsh, and 12 feet for the 29-foot fixed span between Pettit Marsh and Fighting bridge. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on Island. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) chart 12352 for services and supplies available.) through (c) and (h), chapter 2, for drawbridge regula- tions.) (165) Long Creek, marked by seasonal lighted and unlighted buoys, leads northward from Jones Inlet be- (155) The Loop Parkway Bridge has the following clear- tween Alder Island and Meadow Island, and between ances: 20 feet for the fixed span over Swift Creek be- tween West Crow Island and Meadow Island, 21 feet for

370 I Chapter 10 I Coast Pilot 2 Smith Meadow and Pine Marsh to Freeport. The chan- of the route between the inlets. The channel is crossed nel below the Loop Parkway Bridge has been improved by several bridges. by dredging as previously mentioned. The channel above the bridge at the intersection with Sea Dog Currents Creek is subject to frequent change; local information (174) Strong currents exist in the western portion of should be obtained before using these waters. The channel above the intersection with Sea Dog Creek had Reynolds Channel, and caution must be exercised a reported depth of about 12 feet in June 1981. A chan- when approaching the drawbridges, particularly with a nel between Pine Marsh and Pettit Marsh, with a re- fair current; the signal to open the bridge should be ported depth of about 12 feet in June 1981, joins with given sufficiently in advance so the bridge can be The Narrows and Long Creek about 1 mile northward cleared of traffic and the draw opened before the vessel of the Bay of Fundy. arrives there. The currents of the two inlets meet at the (166) Freeport Creek, leading northward from The Nar- entrance of the channel leading west from Cinder rows, had a controlling depth of 3½ feet in January Creek. 1980. In July 1993, a visible wreck was reported near the mouth of the creek, just east of Buoy Q9, in about (175) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the channel be- 40°37'53\"N., 73°33'55\"W. Great Sand Creek, between tween Middle Island and Point Lookout. Pettit Marsh and False Channel Meadow, had a reported depth of about 5 feet in June 1981. Several boatyards (176) A secondary channel extending northwestward and marinas are along Freeport Creek where gasoline, through Cinder Creek and westward of Parsonage Is- diesel fuel, water, and marine supplies may be obtained; land to middle Bay had a reported depth of about 3 feet complete engine and hull repairs can be made. in June 1981. The channel is not marked. (167) Hudson Channel, extending northward to the piers at Freeport, had a reported depth of about 4 feet in June (177) Garrett Lead, the primary channel extending 1981. Woodcleft Canal, westward of Hudson Channel, northeastward from Reynolds Channel to Middle Bay, had a depth of about 13 feet. is marked by a lighted buoy, a light, buoys, and (168) Freeport is a city on the north shore of Baldwin daybeacons. In June 1981, the channel had a reported Bay with rail and bus communications to New York controlling depth of 5 feet. City and other points on Long Island. Chart 12352 Small-craft facilities (169) Many small-craft facilities are at Freeport. (See the (178) Long Beach is a seaside resort on the outer beach about 4 miles west of Point Lookout. The waterfront on small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for ser- the bayside is bulkheaded. vices and supplies available.) (179) The highway bridges crossing Reynolds Channel Anchorages between Long Beach and Island Park have bascule (170) A general anchorage is in Randall Bay at the north- spans with clearances of 20 feet. The railroad bridge about 0.2 mile westward of the highway bridges has a east end of Baldwin Bay. (See 110.1 and 110.156, bascule span with a clearance of 14 feet. (See 117.1 chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (g), chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (171) A channel with a reported depth of about 7 feet in June 1981, passes through Scow Creek to Baldwin Har- (180) A dock of the Long Beach Hospital is on the south bor. A channel connecting Baldwin Harbor with side of Reynolds Channel about 0.3 mile eastward of the Randall Bay had a reported depth of about 5 feet in June highway bridge; medical aid to boatmen is available 1981. here. The dock is marked by a square white sign with a large red cross. (172) Milburn Creek, a dredged channel extending northward to Baldwin from Baldwin Bay, had reported (181) Just westward of the railroad bridge, a dredged depths of about 5 feet in June 1981. The entrance to the channel passes through Island Park. In June 1981, the channel is marked by private seasonal barrel buoys. A channel had a reported controlling depth of about 6 dredged channel with a reported depth of about 8 feet feet. The fixed footbridge and highway bridge crossing in June 1981 in the northern part of Middle Bay leads to the channel have a least clearance of 7 feet. Several Parsonage Cove. wharves are available at Island Park. (173) Reynolds Channel extends westward from Jones (182) Hog Island Channel, the main route to the towns Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet and is the main thorofare of Oceanside and East Rockaway, joins Reynolds Chan- nel southwestward of Island Park and leads westward of Island Park, then eastward of West, East, and North

South Coast of Long Island I Chapter 10 I 371 Meadows. East Rockaway Channel, privately marked bridges over Woodmere Channel northwestward of and an alternate and shallower route to the towns, joins Brosewere Bay have a least clearance of 11 feet. Hog Island Channel about 0.8 mile and 2.4 miles above (189) Atlantic Beach is an oceanfront and bayside com- Reynolds Channel. Oceanside and East Rockaway are munity on the east side of East Rockaway Inlet. Facil- along the east and west sides, respectively, of the north- ities for mooring are eastward and westward of the ern part of East Rockaway Channel. highway bridge. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, provisions, (183) In June 1981, the reported controlling depth in and other supplies are available. Hog Island Channel was 10 feet to the oil dock at a (190) Bannister Creek, just east of the Atlantic Beach powerplant about 1.75 miles above the junction with Bridge, has depths of 7 to 12 feet. Bridge Creek extends Reynolds Channel, thence about 8 feet to the northern west just above the mouth of Bannister Creek. A small junction with East Rockaway Channel. In June 1981, boatyard on the creek can haul out craft up to 6 tons for East Rockaway Channel had a reported controlling hull and engine repairs; water, a pump-out, and some depth of 6 feet to its head. marine supplies are available. (184) Mariners of vessels transiting Hog Island Channel (191) The highway bridge crossing Reynolds Channel to in the vicinity of the public beach at the village of Island Atlantic Beach just inside East Rockaway Inlet has a Park are requested to proceed at a speed that will create bascule span with a clearance of 25 feet. (See 117.1 minimum wave wash and wake, and avoid damage to through 117.59 and 117.799 (a) through (c) and (e), the beach facilities. chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender (185) There are numerous marginal-type petroleum monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KFL–348. wharves along the eastern side of Hog Island Channel (192) East Rockaway Inlet, about 8 miles westward between 1.75 and 2.25 miles above the junction with along the south coast of Long Island from Jones Inlet, Reynolds Channel. In June 1981, depths of 6 to 10 feet is the westernmost entrance from the Atlantic to were reported alongside the wharves; oil barges and Hempstead Bay and the inland water route along the coastal tankers berth at or near high tide and ground south shore of Long Island. The inlet is subject to fre- out at low tide when alongside. quent changes, but is reported to be usually safer to navigate than Jones or Fire Island Inlets. The aids Small-craft facilities marking the inlet are periodically moved to mark the (186) There are extensive small-craft facilities along the best water; local knowledge is advised. (193) Two large identical apartment buildings are promi- south and southeast sides of Island Park, and also on nent about 0.8 mile north-northeastward of the jetty East Rockaway Channel at Oceanside and East light. Rockaway. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12352 for services and supplies available.) Currents (194) The tidal current in the inlet has a velocity of about (187) Broad Channel, which joins Reynolds Channel eastward of Hicks Beach and leads to Hewlett Bay and 2.3 knots. (See the Tidal Current Tables for predic- Macy Channel, had a reported depth of about 3 feet in tions.) Caution should be exercised when passing June 1981. through the inlet and bridge at times of maximum cur- rent. (188) Woodsburgh Channel, which joins Broad Channel about 0.5 mile northward of Hicks Beach and leads Tides northwestward to Woodsburgh, had a reported con- (195) The mean range of tide is 4.1 feet in East Rockaway trolling depth of 3 feet in June 1981. The two fixed Inlet and from about 2 to 4 feet in Hempstead Bay.

372 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 373 New York Harbor and Approaches (1) This chapter describes New York Harbor and its ap- close as 1 mile, with not less than 30 feet except off the proaches and the areas adjacent to it bounded by and inlets where the shore should be given a berth of at including Jamaica Bay to the eastward and Sandy Hook least 1.5 miles. This coast is characterized by sandy Bay to southward. Included in the text in addition to beaches and summer resorts at the eastern end, and the facilities at New York City and Staten Island are the amusement parks and densely settled communities at New Jersey ports of Perth Amboy, Port Elizabeth, Port the western end. Newark, Bayonne, and others which are accessible (6) The shoreline is broken by three prominent and through tributaries that empty into New York Harbor navigable inlets which lead to the inland waterway such as Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, Passaic River, and along the south shore of Long Island. Fire Island Inlet Hackensack River. The Hudson River above New York is at the eastern extremity, and its entrance is marked City is discussed in chapter 12, and the East River, the by lights and buoys. Jones Inlet is about 12 miles to the approach to New York Harbor from Long Island Sound, west of Fire Island Inlet. The entrance is prominently is discussed in chapter 9. indicated by the 202-foot lighted tower at Jones Beach on the eastern side and by an elevated tank at Point COLREGS Demarcation Lines Lookout on the west side of the inlet. Jones Beach State (2) The lines established for New York Harbor are de- Park is on the east side of the inlet; a lighted tower in the park is a conspicuous landmark. scribed in 80.165, chapter 2. (7) East Rockaway Inlet, about 8 miles westward of Jones Inlet, is the extreme western entrance to the in- Charts 12326, 12327, 12401 land waterway. The inlet entrance is marked by a break- water with a light on its seaward end. The shoreline (3) The approach to New York Harbor from seaward is between the two inlets is closely built up with large generally along the south coast of Long Island or the communities. Elevated tanks, towers, and other tall east coast of New Jersey, although the harbor is easily structures are prominent in this area. approached from any direction between east and south. During the approach, the south shore of Long Island (8) A fish haven is about 2 miles offshore midway be- will be seen to northward and the low sandy beaches of tween East Rockaway Inlet and Rockaway Point. the New Jersey shore will be observed to westward. The Long Island shore is readily identified by sand hillocks (9) Rockaway Point, 17 miles westward of Jones Inlet, and thickly settled beach communities, whereas the is the southwestern extremity of Long Island and the New Jersey shore is characterized by long sandy eastern entrance to New York Lower Bay. A breakwater, stretches and many summer resort settlements. marked at its seaward end by a light, extends southward from the point. Rockaway Inlet forms a large deep en- Prominent features trance to Jamaica Bay. (4) The four most prominent landmarks, which can be (10) Ambrose Light (40°27.0'N., 73°48.0'W.), 76 feet seen for a long distance at sea, are the Fire Island Light above the water and off the entrance to New York Har- and a tower at Jones Beach on the Long Island shore, bor, is shown from a red tower on a square red deck and the Highlands of Navesink and the microwave house on three steel pilings with a large center tube tower at Atlantic Highlands on the north end of the worded “AMBROSE” in white letters; a fog signal and a New Jersey coast. When nearing the Lower Bay of New radar beacon (Racon) are at the light. York Harbor, Ambrose Light will be seen; it marks the entrance to Ambrose Channel which is the principal (11) Sandy Hook, the southern entrance point to New deepwater passage through the Lower Bay. York Harbor, is low and sandy. A Coast Guard station, a (5) The south coast of Long Island from Fire Island In- radar tower, and a radio tower are near the northern ex- let to Rockaway Inlet has a general 263° trend for 30 tremity of Sandy Hook. The towers and a large green miles. It is a clean shore and may be approached as standpipe to the southeast are the most prominent ob- jects on the northern end of Sandy Hook. Southward of

374 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 Airphoto - Jim Wark the standpipe are several houses and Sandy Hook Light bottom, as the same characteristics may be found in (40°27'42\"N., 74°00'07\"W.), 88 feet above the water and widely different positions. A frequent use of soundings shown from a white stone tower, 85 feet high. This and close study of the charts will always give sufficient light, established in 1764, is the oldest in continuous warning of danger. If a vessel is not certain of her posi- use in the United States. tion, the depth should not be shoaled to less than 15 (12) The most prominent landmark southward of the fathoms on the south coast of Long Island eastward of entrance to New York Harbor is the high wooded ridge Fire Island Light, or 11 fathoms between Fire Island forming the Highlands of Navesink. A tall condomin- Light and Barnegat Lighted Buoy B (39°45'48\"N., ium on the ridge and a microwave tower at Atlantic 73°46'04\"W.), or 9 fathoms southward of Barnegat Highlands to the west are also prominent. The brown- Lighted Buoy B. stone towers of the abandoned Navesink Lighthouse on (15) From the position of the two shores relative to each the easternmost spur of the highlands are 73 feet above other and to the entrance to New York Harbor it follows the ground and about 246 feet above the water. The that a course of 215° will deepen the water if the vessel northerly tower is octagonal, and the southerly tower is is on the Long Island side of the approach and will shoal square. A private seasonal light is shown from the if she is off the New Jersey coast. A course of 035° will northerly tower. deepen the water if the vessel is off the New Jersey side of the approach and will shoal if she is off the Long Is- COLREGS Demarcation Lines land coast. (13) The lines established for New York Harbor are de- (16) Eastward of Fire Island Light the water shoals quite rapidly toward the Long Island shore, but inside a line scribed in 80.165, chapter 2. drawn from Nantucket Traffic Lane Lighted Horn Buoy NA to Barnegat Lighted Buoy B, there is no marked dif- (14) Soundings will be found most useful to warn ves- ference in the soundings as either shore is approached sels of too close an approach to the shore in approach- except in Mud Gorge. ing New York Harbor. Many vessels have been wrecked (17) Modern surveys show the existence of a canyon, ev- on the coast of New Jersey and Long Island through idently cut by the Hudson River in prehistoric days, failure to take frequent soundings when the position across the Continental Shelf, extending about 120 was uncertain. Depth is a better indication of position miles southeastward from off Sandy Hook. The inshore off this part of the coast than the character of the

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 375 Airphoto - Jim Wark section is called the Mud Gorge and the offshore sec- in the area southward of Scotland Lighted Whistle tion the Hudson Canyon. In some sections of this cut Buoy S (40°26'33\"N., 73°55'01\"W.) and westward of the the depths are considerably greater than those adjacent meridian passing through Ambrose Light. to it and the walls are very steep. The use of soundings permits a very accurate determination of a ship’s posi- Tides tion by the comparison of the soundings with the depth (20) The mean range of tide at Sandy Hook is 4.7 feet. curves on the charts. The bottom of the Mud Gorge is usually of mud; on both sides of it sand predominates. (See the Tide Tables for daily tide predictions.) (18) Cholera Bank, about 10 miles southeastward of Ambrose Light, is about 2 miles long in an east-west di- Currents rection and has a least depth of 10 fathoms. The bank is (21) The important currents affecting navigation in the raised very little above the general level of the bottom, however, because the bottom is rocky in character, approach to New York Harbor are those due to winds. soundings will give useful indications in thick or foggy The largest velocity likely to occur under storm condi- weather. During the summer numerous vessels may be tions is about 1.5 knots. A sudden reversal in the direc- seen on this bank. tion of the wind produces a corresponding change in the current, either diminishing or augmenting the ve- Caution locity. Sustained winds do not maintain the currents at (19) Telegraphic companies report serious interrup- the maximum velocities. The velocity is about 0.2 knots at Ambrose Light. The largest velocity likely to occur is tions of international telegraphic communications re- 2 knots. sulting from repeated breaking of their cables by (22) Between Nantucket and Cape May away from the vessels anchoring southeastward and eastward of immediate vicinity of the shore, the tidal currents are Ambrose Light. The companies state that they will be generally rotary. They shift direction, usually clock- glad to compensate any vessel, which, having fouled wise, at an average rate of about 30° an hour, and have the cable, cuts away its anchor and chain in order to velocities generally less than 0.3 knot except in the vi- save the cable from interruption. Vessels making New cinities of the entrances to the larger inland waterways York in thick weather and finding it necessary to an- where the velocities increase as the entrances are ap- chor before entering Ambrose Channel should anchor proached. For a considerable distance from the inlets, strengths of flood and ebb set respectively toward and

376 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 away from those entrances, and minimums of velocity, summer the harbor as well as its approaches are sus- corresponding to the slacks of reversing currents, set at ceptible to advection fog, riding in on east through right angles to the direction of flood and ebb strengths. south winds. A morning peak still exists in the harbor, (23) Offshore and away from the influence of the tidal while Ambrose Light exhibits an afternoon maximum. flow into and out of the larger bays, the tidal current maintains an approximately uniform velocity. Shifting North Atlantic Right Whales its direction continuously to the right, it sets all direc- (30) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur tions of the compass during each tidal cycle of 12.4 hours. (See the Tidal Current Tables for the predicted within the approaches to New York Harbor within 30 times and velocities of the tidal currents at a number of nautical miles of the New York and New Jersey coasts locations in the coastal waters.) (peak season: February through April and September (24) Between Nantucket Island and Sandy Hook there is through October). The Sandy Hook Pilots distribute a general drift of the sea south-southwestward. The av- educational material to mariners in an effort to reduce erage velocity of this movement is about 0.1 knot. right whale ship strikes. (See North Atlantic Right (25) Approaching New York Harbor from the vicinity of Whales, indexed as such, chapter 3, for more informa- Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N, a slight al- tion on right whales and recommended measures to lowance should be made for a southwesterly set of the avoid collisions with whales.) current. With an easterly wind it is customary to allow, (31) Gateway National Recreation Area and harbor por- in order to make the course good, a set of the current poise protection Marine Managed Areas (MMAs) extend with it of at least 0.5 knot. from the waters off Long Island along the New Jersey (26) The effect of the wind on the current should always shoreline. (See MMAs 10-2, 11-1 and 11-2, Appendix be considered. The largest velocities likely to occur C, for additional information.) during storms are 2.5 knots about 3 miles northward of Nantucket Shoals Lighted Whistle Buoy N and 1.5 (32) Information about the coast south of Sandy Hook knots 3 miles north of Nantucket Traffic Lane Lighted is contained in United States Coast Pilot 3, Atlantic Horn Buoy NA and off Five Fathom Bank. Coast, Sandy Hook to Cape Henry. (27) Between Gay Head and Montauk Point the tidal currents set northward on the flood and southward on Charts 12326, 12327, 12401, 12402 the ebb. The estimated velocity at strength where the depth is about 25 fathoms is 0.5 knot; closer inshore (33) New York Harbor is the principal entrance by water and near the entrance this velocity increases. to New York City and the surrounding ports. The har- (28) Three miles north of Nantucket Traffic Lane bor is divided by The Narrows into Lower Bay and Up- Lighted Horn Buoy NA the tidal currents have a mean per Bay. The Battery, the southern tip of Manhattan, is velocity at strength of about 0.2 knot in a westward di- at the junction of East River and Hudson River. The rection on the flood and an eastward direction on the main channel from the sea to the deepwater terminals ebb. in Hudson River has a project depth of 45 feet. Weather, New York Harbor and approaches (34) Traffic Separation Scheme Off New York has been (29) Winds play an important role by affecting currents established in the approaches to New York Harbor from the sea. (See charts 12300 and 12326.) (See also 167.1 in the harbor. During the winter west and northwest through 167.155, chapter 2, for limits and regula- winds prevail with northerlies and southwesterlies in tions.) secondary roles. The strongest winds are out of the west through northwest at 13 to 15 knots, from Janu- (35) (See Traffic Separation Schemes, chapter 1, for ad- ary through April. The sheltering effect of the land is ditional information, and chapter 3 for a discussion of apparent when looking at frequencies of winds of 28 North Atlantic Lane Routes.) knots or more. They blow at Ambrose Light about 8 to 9 percent of the time compared to 1 percent at Kennedy Pilot Boat Cruising Area, New York Harbor Airport and Floyd Bennett Field. Summer winds are of- (36) The pilot boat maintains station in the trian- ten out of the south and southwest with a 10 to 12 knot afternoon peak. Fog in the harbor area is more closely gle-shaped cruising area west of Ambrose Light. See Pi- related to land type fogs. In winter it is common on lotage, New York Harbor and Approaches (indexed as clear, calm mornings and more frequent than at such), this chapter. Ambrose Light. Southerlies can also bring winter fogs of the advection type. During the spring and early

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 377 Caution (63) Passaic River: (37) Numerous fishing floats have been reported in the (64) 1) Kearney Point (65) Arthur Kill: approach to New York Harbor in the Traffic Separation (66) 1) Gulfport Reach Scheme precautionary area. (67) 2) Pralls Island Reach (68) 3) Tremley Point Reach (38) Shipping safety fairways have been established (69) 4) Fresh Kills Reach connecting the eastern approach off Ambrose of Traffic (70) 5) Port Reading Reach Separation Scheme Off New York and the eastern ap- (71) 6) Port Socony Reach proach off Nantucket of Traffic Separation Scheme Off (72) 7) Outer Bridge Reach New York. (See 166.100 through 166.500, chapter 2, (73) Raritan Bay: for limits and regulations.) (74) 1) Raritan Bay West Reach (75) 2) Raritan Bay East Reach Vessel Traffic Service, New York (76) 3) Seguine Point Bend (39) New York Harbor has a Vessel Traffic Service. (See (77) 4) Red Bank Reach (78) 5) Ward Point Reach §161.1 through §161.25, chapter 2, for regulations.) (79) A recommended standard of “always afloat” will ap- (40) Recommended minimum under-keel clearance for ply to all other areas, including berths, in the Port Dis- selected areas of the Harbor Safety, Navigation and trict that abut the above listed channels. Ship related Operations Committee of the Port of New York and factors such as squat, turning heel and other dynamic New Jersey.–In order to prevent groundings and to motions should be considered and, if expected, added to promote the safety and environmental security of the this figure to insure a minimum clearance of two feet waterway resources of the Port of New York and New will be maintained throughout a given transit. Jersey, the Harbor Operations Committee of the Port of New York and New Jersey recommends that all enti- Conformance ties responsible for the safe movement of vessels in and (80) The owner, master, or person in charge of each ves- through the waters of the Port of New York and New Jersey operate vessels in such a manner as to maintain sel has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining this a minimum clearance of two feet between the deepest minimum recommended under-keel clearance. Addi- draft of their vessel and channel bottom in the follow- tionally, persons directing the movement of vessels ing named channels: share this responsibility and are expected to advise (41) Lower Bay: owners, operators and persons in charge of vessels if, in (42) 1) Ambrose Channel (3 ft minimum under-keel their judgement, a vessel is not in conformance with clearance due to wave and sea action) these standards. (43) 2) Sandy Hook Channel (81) In order to assist the owner, master or person in (44) 3) Chapel Hill Channel charge in evaluating under-keel clearance at the berth (45) Upper Bay: the Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Com- (46) 1) Anchorage Channel (The Narrows to The Bat- mittee of the Port of New York and New Jersey has tery) compiled information including available depths and (47) 2) Bay Ridge Channel survey dates for all Terminals in the Port District. This (48) 3) Red Hook Channel booklet (to be updated annually) is available through (49) 4) Buttermilk Channel the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and (50) North River: New Jersey via telephone (212) 425-5704. (51) 1) The Battery to 79th Street (82) If at any time a vessel’s under-keel clearance is not (52) East River: in conformance with this recommendation and own- (53) 1) The Battery to Throgs Neck Bridge ers, masters, or others in charge of the vessel desire to (54) Kill Van Kull: proceed against the pilot’s recommendation, pilots are (55) 1) Constable Hook Reach urged to report this to the USCG Captain of the Port via (56) 2) Bergen Point Reach VTS New York. Through VTS New York, the COTP will (57) 3) North of Shooters Island Reach foster communications between the concerned parties (58) 4) Elizabethport Reach in effort to arrive at agreed upon conditions for safe (59) Newark Bay: vessel passage. (60) 1) Newark Bay Reach - Bergen Point to Droyers (83) It should be recognized that there may be instances Point when the master, pilot and COTP evaluate a situation (61) Hackensack River: and agree that a vessel movement can be made safely (62) 1) Droyers Point to the turning basin at Marion

378 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 even though inconsistent with this recommendation. Channels Such movements may be allowed and should be coordi- (89) Ambrose Channel, the principal entrance, extends nated through VTS NY so as to insure the transit of the vessel in question can be assisted as appropriate. from the sea to deep water in Lower Bay. Thence, An- (84) If at any time VTS NY believes a proposed vessel chorage Channel, an extension of Ambrose Channel transit may not conform to this recommendation, they leads through Upper Bay to The Battery. Hudson River will request an assessment be conducted prior to grant- Channel continues northward from The Battery for ing a vessel permission to transit within the VTS NY about 5 miles to West 59th Street, Manhattan. Project Area. This assessment process will include a review of depth for these channels is 45 feet. real-time water level information from the P.O.R.T.S.®. (90) In addition to the usual aids, Ambrose Channel in (85) Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System its outer portion is also marked by West Bank Light, (P.O.R.T.S.®) is an information acquisition and dis- shown from a brown conical tower on a black cylindri- semination technology developed by the National cal pier, in range with Staten Island Light, which is Ocean Service, NOAA. The Port of New York and New shown from a light-colored octagonal brick tower on a Jersey Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System can gray limestone base on the high ground of Staten Is- be contacted via telephone (728) 815-9668/9684 or the land at Richmond. Internet at: http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov. (91) Lower Bay is that part of New York Harbor extend- (86) Also to be considered are the vessel’s intended track ing from Sandy Hook westward to Raritan River and including particular areas of inadequate water depth northward to The Narrows. with the pilot’s plan for their avoidance, any other local conditions which might further restrict vessel move- Local magnetic disturbance ment, as well as special traffic routing measures that (92) Differences of as much as 5° from the normal varia- might be required. If VTS NY deems this assessment to be necessary, the VTS Watch Officer will request on tion have been reported in Lower Bay in the vicinity of VHF-FM that the pilot contact VTS via land-line or cel- 40°29.6'N., 74°04.2'W. lular telephone. Discussion on under-keel clearance plans shall not be conducted on VHF-FM. It is in the (93) Sandy Hook Channel, project depth 35 feet, pro- best interest of all parties to insure situations of mar- vides a secondary route from the sea to deep water in ginal under-keel clearance are identified and thor- Lower Bay; it connects with Raritan Bay Channel to oughly discussed well prior to a vessel’s underway time. the westward, Chapel Hill Channel to the north, and These guidelines were adopted by the Harbor Opera- Terminal Channel to the south. Chapel Hill Channel tions Committee on 20 September 1995 and became ef- has a project depth of 30 feet. The entrance to Sandy fective 1 January 1996. Hook Channel is marked by Scotland Lighted Whistle Buoy S, equipped with a radar beacon (Racon). The Traffic in New York Harbor channels are well marked with navigational aids. (See (87) In the East River between the Brooklyn Bridge and Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) Poorhouse Flats Range, shallow-draft vessels custom- arily keep to the west (Manhattan) side of the channel (94) Swash Channel, a natural buoyed passage between whether northbound or southbound, thereby reserving Ambrose Channel and Sandy Hook Channel, has a con- the east (Brooklyn) side of the channel for deep-draft trolling depth of 18 feet, but care is necessary to avoid vessels. Vessels transiting East River should be aware of spots with a least depth of 13 feet near the sides of the this practice and anticipate northbound shallow-draft channel and a spot cleared to a depth of 14 feet in about vessels crossing from east to west in the vicinity of the middle of the channel. A lighted range, the rear Corlears Hook, and from west to east in the vicinity of marker of which is Staten Island Light, leads on a bear- Newtown Creek. ing of 305° to the junction with Chapel Hill Channel. (88) The New York City Department of Transportation ferries generally follow a prescribed route between The (95) False Hook Channel, along and close to the eastern Battery and St. George on Staten Island, placing them shore of Sandy Hook, joins Sandy Hook Channel east- to the extreme right-hand side of the channel. All mari- ward of the north end of Sandy Hook. The channel has ners are strongly encouraged not to transit close depths of 9 to over 20 feet. Strangers should not use the aboard of the ferry slips at The Battery and St. George channel. due to ferries maneuvering. (96) Fourteen Foot Channel enters Lower Bay just north of Ambrose Channel. The channel has a depth of about 13 feet and is unmarked.

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 379 Anchorages (106) The tip of Sandy Hook is changeable, and the area (97) General, explosives, naval, and special anchorages around it is subject to severe shoaling; caution should be exercised in the area. have been prescribed for the Port of New York by Fed- eral Regulations. (See 110.1, 110.60, and 110.155, (107) Mariners are cautioned to maintain a sharp look- chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) out for floating debris in the harbor and channels. (98) Vessels are especially cautioned against anchoring in the vicinity of the pipeline and cable areas as shown Tides on the charts. The pipeline area across The Narrows (108) The mean range of tide in New York Harbor is 4.7 supplies the water for Staten Island. Extensive cable ar- eas are in the vicinity of Governors Island, The Battery, feet at Sandy Hook and 4.6 feet at The Battery. Daily and Ellis Island. (See also chart 12334.) predictions for both places are given in the Tide Tables. (99) The Harbor Safety, Operations and Navigation Committee of the Port of New York and New Jersey has Currents issued the following recommendations to address the (109) The flood current entering Lower Bay from the sea inadequate number of inshore anchorages within the harbor: attains a velocity of about 2 knots in Ambrose Channel (100) Ships awaiting berths will use the offshore anchor- entrance, near the outer extremities of Sandy Hook, age at Ambrose; Coney Island, and The Narrows. It sets generally paral- (101) All vessels will limit use of Stapleton, Bay Ridge lel to the lower straight section of Ambrose Channel and Gravesend Bay anchorages to the following opera- and tends to continue to that direction where the chan- tions: lightering or loading, bunkering, receiving nel bends toward The Narrows, setting more or less di- stores or parts, repairs, Coast Guard inspections, crew agonally across the upper straight section of Ambrose changes, or emergencies; Channel. At the beginning of the flood, the current sets (102) Ships will return to the offshore anchorage upon in at the bottom and near the shores while it is still ebb- completion of these operations to await berth; ing at the surface in Ambrose Channel. (103) Tugs and barges not engaged in operations de- (110) The ebb in Lower Bay is generally stronger than the scribed above will refrain from using the deep water an- flood by 10 percent or more. At its strength it sets from chorages at Stapleton, Bay Ridge (south of Buoy 26) The Narrows approximately parallel to the upper and Gravesend Bay (west of Buoys “A”, “B” and “C”) straight end of the lower straight section. when there is suitable room east of the Gravesend Bay (111) In the channel northward of Governors Island, buoys, north of Buoy 26 in Bay Ridge, in the North cross currents may be encountered. During the first 2 River Anchorage, or suitable anchorage in Raritan Bay hours of flood in this channel (eastward), the current or Perth Amboy. in Hudson River is still ebbing (southward). In the first (104) These recommendations are intended to minimize 1.5 hours of ebb (westward) in the channel north of vessel delays and allow efficient use of current anchor- Governors Island, the current in Hudson River is still age areas. All vessels are requested to observe these flooding (northward). At such times large vessels must recommendations. take special care in navigating the channel. It is re- ported that the most dangerous time is about 2 hours Dangers after high water at The Battery. At this time the current (105) There are five shoal areas in the entrance to New is setting north in the Hudson River and westward from the East River. The effect on a large vessel coming York Harbor which are subject to change in depths and from southward and turning into the East River is to should be avoided by strangers. False Hook, off the throw her stern to port and her bow to starboard, thus northeastern side of Sandy Hook, has depths of 4 to 18 causing a sheer to starboard toward the shoals off the feet. Flynns Knoll, between Swash, Sandy Hook, and north end of Governors Island. When coming from Chapel Hill Channels, has depths of 9 to 18 feet. Romer northward in the Hudson River the same effect tends to Shoal, between Ambrose and Swash Channels, has prevent the vessel from turning and to cause her to depths of 4 to 13 feet and is marked by Romer Shoal overrun her course. These cross currents are known lo- Light; a fog signal is sounded from the light station. cally as The Spider. East Bank, northward and eastward of Ambrose Chan- (112) At the seaward end of Ambrose Channel the veloc- nel, has depths of 6 to 15 feet. West Bank, westward of ity of the flood current is 1.7 knots and of the ebb cur- Ambrose Channel between West Bank (Range Front) rent 2.3 knots. Light and Fort Wadsworth, has depths from bare to 20 (113) When the ebb is strong the currents in both feet. Buoys mark the eastern extremity of West Bank. Ambrose and Swash Channels tend to set toward Romer Shoal. Caution should be maintained to prevent being set onto Romer Shoal when using either

380 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 channel. On the flood and especially with a westerly westerly direction and not from the ocean on the east. wind, caution should be exercised to prevent being set Some important exceptions to this must be noted, onto Romer Shoal when using Swash Channel. since the oceanic influence is by no means entirely ab- (114) In The Narrows the velocity of the flood current is sent. During the summer, local “sea breezes,” winds about 1.7 knots and of the ebb current 2 knots. (See blowing onshore from the cool water surface often Tidal Current Tables for the daily predictions of slack moderate the afternoon heat; and most often in winter, water and strength of current.) coastal storms, accompanied by easterly winds, pro- (115) In the entrance to Hudson River the velocity of the duce, on occasion, considerable amounts of precipita- flood and ebb currents is 1.4 knots. Off Grants Tomb, tion. the flood and ebb strengths are 1.6 and 1.9 knots, re- (120) From November through April the prevailing spectively. winds are from the northwest; for the remainder of the (116) In October 1991, tidal currents in The Narrows, Ar- year the prevailing winds are southwesterly. Gales with thur Kill, Kill Van Kull, and Hell Gate were reported to velocities of 35 knots or more are predominately from deviate significantly from official predictions published the northwest. by the National Ocean Service. Mariners should exer- (121) At New York/Kennedy the average annual tempera- cise caution and discretion in the use of published tidal ture is 54°F (12.2°C). The average high is 61°F (16.1°C) current predictions for these locations. Also, previ- and the average low is 47°F (8.3°C). July is the warmest ously available Tidal Current Charts for New York Har- month with an average high of 83°F (28°C) and an av- bor have been withdrawn. erage low of 69°F (20.6°C). January is the coolest month with an average high of 39°F (3.9°C) and an av- Ice erage low of 26°F (-3.3°C). The warmest temperature (117) Navigation of the channels in the Port of New York on record for New York/Kennedy is 104°F (40°C) re- corded in July 1966 and the coldest temperature on re- and New Jersey is not restricted by ice. The main chan- cord is -2°F (-18.9°C) recorded in January 1985. On nels do not freeze over, and any ice in the smaller wa- average, ten days each year record high temperatures terways is well broken up by tugs and general traffic. in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) and 78 days record minimum Freshwater ice is brought down the Hudson River in temperatures below 32°F (0°C). An average of only one large floes during periods of thaws or winter freshets. day each year has an extreme minimum below 5°F Occasionally there are large accumulations of ice at (-15°C). Spuyten Duyvil where Harlem River joins the Hudson, (122) Precipitation is both moderate and distributed and at such times it is difficult for low-powered vessels evenly throughout the year with a spread of only 1.06 or tows to make much headway. Under conditions of inches (28 mm) between the wettest and driest strong winds the slips on the exposed side of the chan- months. May is the wettest month with an average pre- nel become packed with drift ice, causing difficulty cipitation total of 3.92 inches (991 mm) and February when maneuvering in the slip or when berthing. Dur- the driest with 2.86 inches (74 mm). Average annual ing extremely severe winters navigation is interfered precipitation is about 41 inches (1041 mm). Most of the with seriously for only short periods of time. rainfall from June through September comes from thunderstorms, therefore, is usually of brief duration, Weather, New York and vicinity but relatively intense. Thunderstorm days average 24 (118) New York City, an area exceeding 300 square stat- each year. From October to April, however, precipita- tion is generally associated with widespread storm ar- ute miles (777 square km), is located on the Atlantic eas, so that day-long rain or snow is common. coastal plain at the mouth of the Hudson River. The ter- (123) Snow falls an average 30 days each year and aver- rain is flat and diversified by numerous waterways; all ages 22 inches (559 mm) in any given year. The snowi- but one of the city’s five boroughs are situated on is- est month is February with an average of eight inches lands. Elevations range from less than 50 feet (15.2 m) (203 mm). Snow has fallen in each month, October over most of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to al- through April. The greatest 24-hour total snowfall was most 300 feet (91.4 m) in the northern part of 20 inches (508 mm) which fell in February 1969. Manhattan and the Bronx, and over 400 feet (122 m) in (124) Tropical storms have influenced the area fourteen Richmond (Staten Island). times since 1871. Most recently, Hurricane Gloria (119) Despite its nearness to the ocean and the numer- passed within 20 nautical miles east of the Kennedy air- ous bays and rivers nearby, New York City has a climate port in September 1985. Gloria had winds approaching which more closely resembles the continental type of 75 knots at time of landfall, about halfway between climate than it does the maritime type. Its modified continental climate follows from the fact that weather conditions affecting the city usually approach from a

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 381 Kennedy airport and Islip. Only two days earlier, Gloria to the vessel's scheduled ETA, work on channel 65A, was a more respectable 125-knot hurricane. and are equipped with AIS and transmit ‘PILOTBOAT (125) The National Weather Service maintains several of- (NAME)'. Vessels are generally boarded to the south of fices in New York where barometers can be compared. the charted designated pilot area, outlined by a trian- (See Appendix for A addresses.) gular magenta band south of Ambrose Light. Arrange- (126) (See page 438 for the Manhattan climatological ta- ments for pilot services are made 24 hours in advance, ble and 439 for the Kennedy Airport climatological ta- with 6 hours ETA update, through ship's agents or di- ble.) rectly to Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches Pilotage, New York Harbor from Long Island (127) Foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register en- Sound (132) Foreign vessels and U.S. vessels under register en- tering or departing from the Port of New York and New tering or departing from the Port of New York and New Jersey must employ a pilot licensed by the State of New Jersey from Long Island Sound must employ a pilot li- York or New Jersey. Enrolled vessels must have on censed by the State of New York. Enrolled vessels must board or employ a pilot licensed by the Federal Govern- have on board or employ a pilot licensed by the Federal ment. Government. Pilotage service for vessels entering the (128) Pilotage service for vessels entering the Port of Port of New York and New Jersey from Long Island New York and New Jersey through Lower Bay and Sound is available from the United New York New Jer- intra-harbor movements is available from the United sey Sandy Hook Pilot Association (see above). The pilot New York New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilot Association, boat boarding area is off Execution Rocks. The pilot 201 Edgewater Street, Staten Island, NY 10305, tele- boat ties up at a pier on the east side of City Island about phone 718 448-3900, FAX 718 876-8055 e–mail: 0.4 mile northward of Belden Point. The pilot station, [email protected]. on the pier, and the pilot boat monitor VHF-FM chan- (129) The pilot boat maintains station in the triangu- nel 13 when vessels are scheduled to arrive. The 48-foot lar-shaped cruising area west of Ambrose Light. All pilot boat has a black hull with the word PILOT in red traffic passes through a precautionary area transiting letters on each side of the house. Arrangements for pi- to the pilot station and most vessels choose to approach lots are made in advance either directly by the vessel or the pilot station triangle by passing to the south of through ships’ agents. Notification is mandatory 24 Ambrose Light. Traffic within the precautionary area hours prior to arrival and ETA updates are required 12 may consist of vessels making the transition between and 6 hours prior to arrival. operating in Ambrose or Sandy Hook Channel and one (133) Masters of vessels entering the Port of New York of the traffic lanes. Mariners are advised to exercise ex- and New Jersey are requested, prior to the time of treme care in navigating within this area. The pilot boarding, to contact the pilot boat to ascertain a proper boats have a black hull and white superstructure, with boarding speed, make a lee for the pilot boat, and have a the name PILOT NO. 1 or PILOT NO. 2 in yellow on pilot ladder over the side about 1 meter above the wa- each side; and fly a blue flag. A pilot boat is always on ter. station; boarding is made from a smaller boat. The pilot (134) Pilotage for U.S. enrolled vessels in the coastwise boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16, 13, and 73; works trade is available from the United New York New Jersey on 73. Sandy Hook Pilot Association (see above) and Interport (130) Pilot services are arranged in advance through Pilots Agency, Inc. (see above). Pilot boats are KEN ships’ agents. A 24-hour advance notice of ETA, with a JOHNSON, 47-foot with blue hull and white super- 3-hour update is requested. structure with the word PILOT displayed on both sides, (131) Pilotage for these waters for U.S. enrolled vessels in and INTERPORT PILOT, 50-foot with the same colors. coastwise trade is also available from the Interport Pi- Boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 two hours lots Agency, Inc., http://www.interportpilots.com, 906 prior to the vessel's scheduled ETA, work on channel Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 65A, and are equipped with AIS. Interport Pilots board 07758-0236, telephone 732-787-5554 (24 hours), email vessels bound from Long Island Sound into New York [email protected]. The Interport Pilots office Harbor via the East River at any LIS port, Montauk monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 65A during busi- Point, Point Judith Pilot Station, or in the vicinity of ness hours. Pilot boats are KEN JOHNSON, 47-foot, Execution Rocks. blue hull and white superstructure with the word PILOT displayed on both sides, and INTERPORT PILOT, 50-foot with the same colors. Boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13 one and a half hours prior

382 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 Pilotage, Hudson River York and New Jersey. The Authority’s Port Department (135) See Pilotage, Hudson River (indexed as such), serves as a bistate port development, operations, main- tenance, and promotion organization. The Port Au- chapter 12. thority administers piers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hoboken, Port Newark, and Port Elizabeth. The office Towage of the Authority is at the 233 Park Avenue South, New (136) The Port of New York and New Jersey has several York, NY 10003. towing companies with radio-equipped tugs with over Wharves 4,000 hp. Arrangements for tugs are usually made in (145) The Port of New York and New Jersey has over advance by ships’ agents. Fireboats are stationed throughout the harbor. 1,100 waterfront facilities. Most of these facilities are (137) New York is a customs port of entry and the head- privately owned and operated, and the rest are owned quarters of the Regional Commissioner. or operated by either the railroads serving the port, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the City of Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural New York, the States of New York and New Jersey, the quarantine Federal Government, or other municipalities. (138) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and (146) The major steamship passenger terminal, the New Appendix A for addresses.) York City Passenger Ship Terminal, is along the east (139) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regula- side of the Hudson River (North River) above The Bat- tions of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public tery. Containership terminals are throughout the port, Health Service, chapter 1.) but principally at Elizabeth, Newark, Jersey City, and Weehawken, N.J. Other containership facilities are at Coast Guard Howland Hook, Staten Island, and Brooklyn. Break- (140) A Coast Guard station is at Rosebank on Staten Is- bulk general cargo terminals are throughout the port but principally along the east side of Upper New York land. A Captain of the Port office and Marine Inspec- Bay, on the East River, and at Port Newark. Petroleum tion Office are at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island. and other liquid cargo facilities are along Arthur Kill, on the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, and along New- Harbor regulations town Creek, Brooklyn. (141) The administration of the Port of New York and (147) General cargo in the port is usually handled to and from vessels by ship’s tackle. Heavy lifts up to 500 tons, New Jersey and the enforcement of its laws are vested floating cranes up to 500 tons, and derricks are avail- in no single body, but are divided among various de- able in port. Most of the waterfront facilities through- partments of the Federal, State, and Municipal Govern- out the port have highway and railroad connections. ments. (148) The wharves and piers of New York City along the waterfronts of the Hudson and East Rivers are num- Speed bered beginning at The Battery and follow in sequence (142) The Coast Guard desires to warn masters and pilots eastward along the East River and northward along the Hudson River. For a complete description of the water- of all types of vessels that possible action may result front facilities throughout the Port of New York and against their licenses and criminal procedures may be New Jersey refer to Port Series No. 5, published and exercised, when the wash of a vessel proceeding at ex- sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See Appen- cessive speed in confined waters endangers life, limb, dix A for address.) or property. Damage to vessels moored at docks and terminals has been reported. The parting of a mooring Supplies line may cause a serious oil fire or damage to pipelines (149) Provisions and supplies of all kinds are available in or barges which are being loaded or discharged at chemical and petroleum company terminals. Damage the Port of New York and New Jersey. All grades of caused by excessive speed may also lead to a possible heavy marine bunker fuel, lubricants, and diesel fuel suit by the injured party against owners, masters, or pi- can be obtained. Large vessels are usually bunkered at lots for monetary recovery. their berths by tank barges or self-propelled tankers. Water is available at most of the piers and wharves. (143) The New York City Department of Ports and Ter- minals administers the piers along the New York wa- terfront within the city limits. The office is at The Battery Maritime Building. (144) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is an executive body appointed by the Governors of New

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 383 Airphoto - Jim Wark Repairs Jamaica Bay, can handle vessels up to 300 tons of 120 (150) The Port of New York and New Jersey has extensive feet long. facilities for making all types of repairs to vessels of all Communications sizes. The shipyards at Brooklyn, Hoboken, Staten Is- (152) The Port of New York and New Jersey is served by land and Queens can drydock some of the largest ocean-going vessels, and can make major repairs to three trunkline and one short-line railroads, numerous hull, electronic equipment, machinery, and propulsion trucking firms engaged in long- and short-haul freight plants. Also within the port area, a number of firms service, and several bus companies. Over 100 steam- without waterfront facilities are engaged in various ship companies connect the port with the principal types of marine repair work. These firms maintain U.S. and foreign ports. ships and portable equipment for making (153) Three major airports, John F. Kennedy (New York) above-waterline repairs and for installation of equip- International, La Guardia, and Newark, provide frequent ment, gear, and machinery on all types of craft at berth. scheduled service between New York and domestic and Several salvage companies also perform all types of sal- overseas points. vage work. (151) The largest floating drydock, east of Red Hook Chart 12350 Channel and on the east side of Erie Basin, has a lifting capacity of 16,000 tons, an overall length of 580 feet, a (154) Rockaway Inlet, the entrance to Jamaica Bay, is be- maximum clear inside width of 100 feet, and a depth of tween Rockaway Point on the southeast side and 28 feet over the keel blocks. The largest graving dock is Manhattan Beach and Barren Island on the north side. on the east side of Wallabout Bay at the site of the for- The inlet is obstructed by a shifting sandbar. A jetty, mer New York Naval Shipyard. The dock has a clear marked near the outer end by a light, extends south length of 1,092 feet, clear gate width of 143 feet, top and from Rockaway Point. The entrance channel extends bottom inside widths of 150 feet, and 34 feet over the westward of the jetty and is marked by lighted and keel blocks; cranes to 200 tons are available. The larg- unlighted buoys. The channel has depths of about 15 est marine railway, on the east side of East Mill Basin in feet or more at midchannel. A shoal with depths of less

384 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 than 1 foot and marked by breakers is west of the en- bordered by marshlands which extend inland for a trance channel. Obstructions at the entrance to the in- short distance. Several small tidal creeks enter the bay let are: from the north. Channels and basins have been (155) covered 22 feet about 0.6 mile south-southwest of dredged to project depths of 12 to 20 feet for use of craft the jetty light in about 40°31'55\"N., 73°57'00\"W.; operating in the bay. Rockaway Beach forms the south (156) covered 20 feet about 0.5 mile south-southeast of shore. The bay is about 7 miles long and 3.5 miles wide, the jetty light in about 40°31'55\"N., 73°56'11\"W.; and covers an area of about 22.5 square miles. The (157) covered 19 feet about 0.6 mile south-southeast of greater portion of the bay is in the Boroughs of Brook- the jetty light in about 40°31'55\"N., 73°56'00\"W.; lyn and Queens, New York City, and a small section of (158) covered 15 feet about 0.3 mile southwest of the the eastern extremity, consisting of parts of Motts Ba- jetty light in about 40°32'15\"N., 73°56'48\"W.; and sin and Head of Bay, is in Nassau County. (159) covered 19 feet about 0.3 mile south of the jetty light in about 40°32'08\"N., 73°56'27\"W. Anchorages (160) There are two sunken wrecks farther inside the in- (166) Special anchorages are in Jamaica Bay. (See 110.1, let; the first in 40°34'09\"N., 73°53'56\"W., about 0.6 mile westward of the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, has 15- and 110.60 (s) and (s–1), chapter 2, for limits and reg- and 9-foot depths immediately westward and south- ulations.) ward, respectively, from it; the second is in 40°34'30\"N., 73°52'30\"W., about 0.4 mile eastward of (167) The commercial vessel traffic in Jamaica Bay con- the bridge. sists of motor tankers, barges, and tugs. The bay is used (161) In July 1980, shoaling to about 3 feet was reported extensively by pleasure craft. in the inlet about 1.75 miles west of the Gil Hodges Me- morial Bridge in about 40°34'21\"N., 73°55'29.5\"W. (168) Jamaica Bay has excellent transportation facilities. (162) Gil Hodges Memorial (Marine Parkway) Bridge, Highways connect with all of Long Island and New York crossing Rockaway Inlet between Rockaway Point and City, and a branch of the New York City subway system Barren Island, has a vertical lift span with a clearance of crosses the central part of the bay and extends eastward 55 feet down and 152 feet up. The bridgetender moni- and westward along the Rockaway peninsula with sta- tors VHF-FM channel 13 (156.65 MHz); call sign, tions at Far Rockaway and Inwood serving the Motts KIL–819. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.795, Basin area. chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (169) Ice is a problem in Jamaica Bay, mainly in the trib- Coast Guard Station utaries and basins, from early January to about (163) Rockaway Coast Guard Station is just west of the mid-March. bridge on Rockaway Point. (170) Sheepshead Bay, on the northern side of the east- ern extremity of Coney Island and northward of Tides and currents Manhattan Beach, is well protected and is used by nu- (164) The mean range of tide at Rockaway Inlet is about 5 merous pleasure and party fishing craft. The entrance channel is marked by buoys. In June 2002, the channel feet. In the entrance channel near Rockaway Point the had a depth of 6 feet except for shoaling to 3.7 feet along tidal current has a velocity of about 2.2 knots. The ebb the west edge of the channel, just north of Buoy 7. In attains a greater velocity than the flood and probably July 2002, depths of 7 to 9 feet were available inside the exceeds 3 knots at times. In August 1975, a strong bay to the bridge near the head of navigation except for east-to-west current, believed to have been the result of shoaling to 2 feet along the edges. A private light marks tidal flow, was observed at the entrance to Rockaway In- the outer limit of a sewer outfall that extends south- let near the seaward end of the jetty. This current is of ward from the bay. sufficient strength to cause a vessel to veer suddenly off course when entering or exiting the channel. South of Anchorages Barren Island the velocity is about 2 knots; east of Bar- (171) Special anchorages are in Sheepshead Bay. (See ren Island it is about 1.5 knots. (See Tidal Current Ta- bles for predictions.) 110.1 and 110.60(x), chapter 2, for limits and regula- tions.) (165) Jamaica Bay is on the south shore of Long Island about 15 miles southeastward of The Battery, New York Small-craft facility City. The bay is characterized by numerous meadows, (172) A small-craft facility in the bay can handle craft to hassocks, and marshes. The north and east shores are 1½ tons. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, storage, and engine repairs are available.

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 385 (173) Plumb Beach Channel, northward of Rockaway In- supplies, and complete hull and engine repairs; a let, is the common approach to Gerritsen Inlet, Shell 50-ton marine railway and lifts to 20 tons are available. Bank Creek, Gerritsen Creek, and Mill Creek. A fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 35 feet crosses the (181) The Shore Parkway bascule highway bridge with a inlet. The channel is marked by buoys. It was reported clearance of 34 feet crosses Mill Basin between Barren that with local knowledge a depth of 12 feet can be car- Island and Brooklyn. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and ried at midchannel through the channel and inlet to 117.795, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The the head of Shell Bank Creek. Mariners are advised to bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign follow the buoys through the inlet closely, as a reported KX–8185. Mariners are requested to avoid causing shoal area with a least depth of 2½ feet is about 0.1 mile bridge openings during peak commuter hours of 0700 southeastward of Plumb Beach Channel Buoy 7 and a to 0900 and 1600 to 1800 Monday through Friday. reported obstruction is 0.3 mile eastward of the buoy. (182) East Mill Basin is about 0.4 mile northeastward of (174) From the highway bridge over Gerritsen Inlet, Mill Basin. In May 1981, a reported midchannel depth Shell Bank Creek leads westerly and Gerritsen Creek of 13 feet could be taken to the head of the basin. and Mill Creek lead northwesterly. There are danger- Small-craft facilities in the basin can provide berths ous pilings and remains of old barges along the south with electricity, water, marine supplies, a 15-ton fork- side of Shell Bank Creek, and several submerged lift, and marine railways to 300 tons; complete hull and wrecks in Gerritsen and Mill Creeks. The fixed highway engine repairs are available. bridge over Mill Creek is in ruins; mariners are advised to exercise caution in this area as some parts of the (183) Bergen Beach is a community about 2 miles north bridge structure have fallen into the water and are an of Barren Island. Paerdegat Basin, just north of Bergen obstruction to navigation. Beach, has a midchannel depth of about 11 feet. A fixed highway bridge across the basin near the mouth has a Small-craft facilities clearance of 29 feet. A marina at the head of the basin (175) Small-craft facilities on Shell Bank Creek can pro- can haul out craft up to 15 tons. Gasoline, marine sup- plies, water, and engine and hull repairs are available. vide berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, In May 1981, a reported depth of 8 feet could be taken to ice, marine supplies, lifts to 60 tons, and a 90-foot ma- the marina. Several yacht clubs are also in the basin. rine railway; complete hull and engine repairs are available. (184) Canarsie, a town on the northwestern shore of Ja- maica Bay, is a part of New York City. Canarsie Pier, on (176) Dead Horse Bay makes into the southwest side of the northwest shore of Jamaica Bay between Paerdegat Barren Island eastward of the highway bridge across Basin and Fresh Creek, has two prominent flagpoles Gerritsen Inlet. A marina, on the north side of the bay, near its center. The pier is structurally unsafe, and has berths and moorings. landing is not permitted. The pier is a part of Gateway National Recreation Area. (177) Island Channel leads northerly from just eastward of Barren Island to Bergen Beach, thence northeasterly (185) Fresh Creek, 0.6 mile northeastward of the pier at in North Channel to Howard Beach. In March-April Canarsie, has a midchannel depth of about 8 feet. A 1998, depths of about 12 feet can be carried to Howard highway bridge across the creek near the entrance has Beach. The channels are marked by lighted and a 43-foot fixed span with a clearance of 21 feet. Hendrix unlighted buoys. Creek, 0.4 mile northeastward of Fresh Creek, is the site of a sewage treatment plant. Old Mill Creek, 1.1 (178) Big Fishkill Channel and Pumpkin Patch Channel miles northeastward of Fresh Creek, bares at low water lead in a northeasterly direction from Runway Channel just above the entrance. Fresh, Hendrix, and Old Mill just west of Ruffle Bar and join North Channel 0.3 mile Creeks were little used in 1971. west of the North Channel Bridge at Howard Beach. (186) Howard Beach, about 2.5 miles eastward of (179) Mill Basin is northward of Barren Island on the Canarsie, on the north side of Jamaica Bay, has several west side of Jamaica Bay. Commercial traffic in the ba- basins for boats. North Channel Bridge, just south of sin consists of occasional barge shipments of petro- Howard Beach, has a fixed span with a clearance of 26 leum. In May 1981, a reported depth of 13 feet could be feet. taken to the north end of the basin. (187) Shellbank Basin, extending northward about 1 Small-craft facilities mile from North Channel and just west of Howard (180) Small-craft facilities in the basin can provide Beach, had a reported controlling depth of 5 feet in May 1981. The basin has numerous small piers, float land- berths with electricity, gasoline, water, ice, marine ings, and other small-craft facilities along the west side. Berths with electricity, water, a 15-ton lift, and

386 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 complete hull and engine repairs are available. The bas- (195) Grass Hassock Channel joins Beach Channel off cule span of a former highway bridge across the basin Brant Point and continues in a northeasterly direction has been permanently removed leaving a channel to Head of Bay. In March-April 1998, the controlling width of 40 feet. depth was 12 feet (15 feet at midchannel). The shallow- (188) Hawtree Basin, about 0.2 mile eastward of est water is abeam Brant Point between Buoy 14 and Shellbank Basin, has a depth of about 11 feet. A fixed Buoy 16 and at the junction with Negro Bar Channel in pedestrian bridge, about 0.3 mile above the mouth, has the vicinity of Lighted Buoy 23. a clearance of 17 feet. (189) A railroad bridge across North Channel, at Hamil- (196) Sommerville Basin, about 1.2 miles eastward of ton Beach, 0.5 mile east of the North Channel Bridge, the railroad bridge at Rockaway Beach, has depths of 27 has a fixed span with a clearance of 26 feet. to 40 feet inside. In May 1981, depths of about 15 feet (190) Rockaway Beach is a popular summer resort on the were reported in the approach. Several charted sunken barrier beach forming the southern extremity of Ja- wrecks are in the basin. A boatyard at the head of the maica Bay. Train and bus transportation is available to basin has berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, lim- New York City. Excursion boats operate between New ited marine supplies, storage facilities, a launching York and Rockaway Beach during the summer only. ramp, a 45-foot marine railway, and a 7-ton mobile Berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, limited sup- hoist; engine and hull repairs can be made. plies, storage, a 100-foot marine railway, and a 12-ton lift are available at Rockaway Beach in Vernam Basin, (197) Motts Basin, a tidal inlet in the eastern part of Ja- about 0.7 mile northeastward of Cross Bay Memorial maica Bay, entered through Negro Bar Channel, par- Bridge. Hull and engine repair facilities are also avail- tially separates the communities of Inwood and Far able. Rockaway. Two branch channels lead from inside the (191) Beach Channel is on the north side of Rockaway entrance to the northeasterly and southeasterly ends of Beach. A Federal project provides for a channel 18 feet the basin. In March-April 1998, the controlling depth deep from Rockaway Inlet to about 700 yards above Gil was 10 feet (15 feet at midchannel) in the entrance Hodges Memorial Bridge, thence 15 feet deep to the channel, thence 11 feet (15 feet at midchannel) in the junction with Grass Hassock Channel. northeastern branch, thence 9 feet (15 feet at mid- (192) A 056°–236° measured nautical mile is along the channel) in the southeastern branch to just below the south shore of Jamaica Bay parallel with the concrete head of each channel. Ice may obstruct vessel move- and wood flood barrier of Beach Channel Drive south- ment in the basin during severe winters. ward of Nova Scotia Bar. The structures are main- tained by the Brooklyn Power Squadron; the front (198) Overhead power cables across Motts Basin have the markers are black and yellow chevrons, and the rear following clearances: one over the northerly arm, 70 markers are orange squares. feet; two over the southerly arm, least clearance 92 feet; (193) Cross Bay Memorial Bridge, crossing Beach Chan- and one over the cut on the south side of the southerly nel at Rockaway Beach, has a fixed span with a clear- arm, 60 feet. A retractable boom is on the south shore ance of 52 feet. The railroad bridge over Beach of the basin about 90 yards northwest of the overhead Channel, 0.5 mile eastward, has a swing span with a cable tower. A light is shown from the boom when it is clearance of 26 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.49, chap- extended into the water. ter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) East Broad Channel is blocked off by the railroad trestle of this bridge. (199) Depths alongside the wharves in Motts Basin range (194) Winhole Channel, a natural channel marked by from 10 to 20 feet. Waterborne commerce in the basin buoys, seasonal lights, and a daybeacon, extends 1 mile is chiefly in petroleum products. northward to Grassy Bay from the junction of Beach Channel with Grass Hassock Channel. Winhole Chan- (200) Head of Bay joins Grass Hassock Channel near nel has a least depth of about 11 feet, except for re- Northwest Point and extends in a northeasterly direc- ported shoaling to 4 feet extending into the channel tion on the south side of John F. Kennedy (New York) northeast from Winhole Channel Light 3 in about International Airport. Depths of about 15 feet are in 40°36.8'N., 73°48.4'W. Winhole Channel Shoal Day- the entrance channel and channel in the bay; aids mark beacon marks the center of a shoal near the north end the channels. In May 1981, it was reported that a draft of the channel. The daybeacon should not be passed of 15 feet could be taken to the oil piers at Uncle close aboard. A lighted buoy marks the junction of Daniels Point at high water. Several small marinas in Beach, Grass Hassock, and Winhole Channels. the bay can provide berths, electricity, water, ice, ma- rine supplies, storage facilities, and a launching ramp; minor engine and hull repairs can be made. (201) Thurston Basin, at the northeastern extremity of Head of Bay, has reported depths of 10 feet at the en- trance decreasing to 2 feet at the head.

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 387 Airphoto - Jim Wark (202) Grassy Bay, along the southwestern side of John F. shown from a white square skeleton tower on Norton Kennedy (New York) International Airport in the Point, the westernmost extremity of the island. northeastern part of Jamaica Bay, is blocked at the (205) Coney Island Channel is a buoyed passage along southeastern end by an airport runway. The runway the south side of Coney Island that leads from deep wa- continues into the marshlands on the southerly side of ter in Lower Bay to Rockaway Inlet. In July 2002, the the bay. controlling depth was 11.7 feet. It is used principally by vessels going to Jamaica Bay and Coney Island. (203) Bergen Basin, at the northern extremity of Grassy (206) Gravesend Bay, northward of Coney Island, affords Bay, has depths of about 15 feet with lesser depths in good anchorage in depths of 11 to 50 feet. A general an- the eastern arm of the basin. The entrance is marked by chorage is in the bay. (See 110.1 and 110.155(e), buoys. Conspicuous are a yellow brick circular tank chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) The southeast- about 40 feet high on the southwestern side of the en- erly part of the bay is shoal with depths of 1 to 6 feet. trance and the numerous oil storage tanks at the head (207) Coney Island Creek is at the southeastern end of of the basin on the eastern shore. Coastal tankers and Gravesend Bay and on the north side of Coney Island. sand-and-gravel barge tows account for most of the Commercial traffic on the creek consists mainly of oc- commerce in the basin. In January 1988, a sunken casional barge shipments of sand and gravel. The area wreck was reported in the eastern arm of the basin in northward of the entrance to the creek is being filled, about 40°39.7'N., 73°49.1'W. and piling is along the northern side of the creek at the filling site. Numerous obstructions and wrecks are in Chart 12402 the creek. In February 1991, depths of about 9 feet were available to just below the Cropsey Avenue bridge, (204) Coney Island, on the northern side of the entrance about 1 mile above the entrance, but local knowledge is to New York Harbor, is a large summer amusement re- required to carry the best water, thence shoaling to sort. Numerous stacks, towers, and amusement rides, bare to a point about 0.2 mile above the Cropsey Avenue including a red steel parachute tower 303 feet high, are bridge. The creek is crossed by four fixed bridges hav- prominent on the island. Coney Island Light ing a least clearance of 2 feet. A boatyard about 0.8 mile (40°34.6'N., 74°00.7'W.), 75 feet above the water, is above the creek entrance provides berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and hull

388 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 and engine repairs. Lifts to 14 tons are available. In May (214) Gowanus Bay, at the junction of Bay Ridge and Red 1981, a reported depth of 4 feet could be carried to the Hook Channels, is a bight in the Brooklyn shore at the boatyard. mouth of Gowanus Canal. A dredged channel leads (208) A buoyed channel with a least depth of 10 feet leads from Gowanus Bay to the Hamilton Avenue Bridge, from deep water northward of Coney Island to off the about 1 mile above the mouth of the bay. In April 1990, docks in the eastern part of Gravesend Bay. the controlling depths were 21 feet (25 feet at midchannel) to Sigourney Street, about 0.15 mile be- Small-craft facility low the head of the project, thence 22 feet to the Hamil- (209) A small-craft facility on Gravesend Bay can provide ton Avenue Bridge. berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- (215) The improved section of Gowanus Canal above age, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs. Lifts Hamilton Avenue has depths of about 8 to 12 feet. The up to 30 tons are available. In May 1981, a reported Third Street, Carroll Street, and Union Street bridges depth of 15 feet could be carried to the marina. across the canal have the following minimum clear- ances: drawbridges, 3 feet; fixed bridges, 90 feet. The Charts 12334, 12402, 12327 fixed bridge across that part of the canal which extends southward along Fifth Street has a clearance of 20 feet. (210) The Narrows, connecting Lower Bay and Upper (See 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.787, chapter 2, Bay of New York Harbor, has a clear width of over 0.6 for drawbridge regulations.) mile at its narrowest point between Fort Wadsworth and Fort Hamilton. The Verrazano Narrows Bridge, a (216) The Hamilton Avenue and Ninth Street draw- fixed suspension span, crosses The Narrows at these bridges, 1 and 1.2 miles above the entrance of Gowanus two points linking Staten Island with Brooklyn. The Bay, respectively, are equipped with radiotelephones. bridge has a vertical clearance of 215 feet for a The bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call midchannel width of 2,000 feet. Note: A traveling main- signs KX–8183 and KX–8186, respectively. tenance platform, when in operation, reduces the verti- cal clearances by 15 feet. A fog signal is sounded from (217) Erie Basin, just north of Gowanus Bay, is entered the eastern end of the bridge. from the Red Hook Channel. The basin has drydock and repair facilities for vessels. A graving dock here can (211) Coast Guard Station New York, numerous handle vessels up to 550 feet in length and 26 to 28 feet deep-draft piers, and ferry terminals are on the east in draft; cranes to 50 tons are available. A floating side of Staten Island between Fort Wadsworth and St. drydock in the basin has a lifting capacity of 16,000 George. tons, length of 580 feet, a clear inside width of 100 feet, and a depth of 28 feet over the blocks. The entrance is (212) Upper Bay is that portion of New York Harbor be- marked by a light and the basin is marked by private tween The Narrows and The Battery. Anchorage Chan- lighted and unlighted buoys. nel, marked by lighted buoys, is the main passage through the middle of the bay. Bay Ridge Flats is a (218) East River is a 14-mile-long tidal strait that con- shoal area with depths of 8 to 20 feet east of Anchorage nects Upper Bay with Long Island Sound. For descrip- Channel. Gowanus Flats is at the north end of Bay tion of East River and the route to New York Harbor Ridge Flats. Jersey Flats, the area on the New Jersey from Long Island Sound, see East River (indexed as side west of Anchorage Channel, is much shoaler with such), chapter 9. depths up to 9 feet. Channels have been dredged through these shoal areas to provide access to the piers (219) Governors Island is at the Upper Bay entrance to on both sides of the bay. East River. Fort Jay is on the northern part of the is- land, and Castle William is on its northeast side. The Channels main channel is westward of the island. Lights and fog (213) Bay Ridge Channel, Red Hook Channel, and But- signals are near the southern tip and on the northwest side of the island. The hexagonal shaped structure of termilk Channel follow the Brooklyn piers from The Fort Jay is prominent on the northeast side. Narrows to East River. Midchannel depths in these channels are generally 35 to 40 feet with lesser depths (220) Liberty Island, on the eastern part of Jersey Flats on the sides; see the latest chart for guidance. Caution across the main channel from Governors Island, is should be exercised when docking and undocking ves- marked by the Statue of Liberty, a colossal structure sels along the southeasterly side of Bay Ridge Channel more than 305 feet high; the figure faces southeastward. because the current may flow in a direction opposite to In 2000, depths of 15 to 21 feet were available in the the normal channel flow, especially between the piers. dredged area near the pier on the west side of the island.

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 389 Airphoto - Jim Wark (221) Robbins Reef Light (40°39.4'N., 74°04.0'W.), 56 water ranging from 30 feet just inside Sandy Hook to 15 feet above the water, is shown from a conical tower, feet near its southern part; the shoaling is gradual and with the lower half brown and the upper half white, on the bottom is good holding ground. The best anchorage the southeastern part of Jersey Flats. during easterly and southeasterly winds is in the east- ern part of the bay. Vessels of more than 24-foot draft (222) Pierhead Channel leads from the main channel will not find good anchorage out of the channel until about 0.7 mile southward of Liberty Island, thence above Fort Wadsworth. Extensive shoals make off along the New Jersey pierhead line to Kill Van Kull. The northward and eastward from Point Comfort, but as channel, through connecting branch channels, leads to the depths of water decrease gradually, soundings will the Caven Point Pier, Claremont Terminal, the ConRail give sufficient warning of too close an approach to the car float facility, and Global Terminal Wharf. In Febru- shore. Shallow-draft vessels can reportedly find satis- ary-March 1999, the controlling depths were 6½ feet factory anchorage in Horseshoe Cove, on the east side (7½ feet at midchannel) to a line connecting Buoy 4 of the bay. In August 1999, the spit of land that forms and the southeast end of Caven Point Pier, just north of Horseshoe Cove was reported visible only at extreme Claremont Terminal Channel, thence 11 feet (14 feet at low water. Shoals extend an additional 200 yards south- midchannel) to Buoy 16, thence 13 feet (18 feet at eastward from the end of the charted spit to about midchannel) to Kill Van Kull except for shoaling to 3½ 40°26.7'N., 73°59.9'W. Mariners are cautioned not to feet off of the eastern end of Global Marine Terminal. navigate over this finger of land. Heavy fish traps ex- The Military Ocean Terminal, to the south of Global tend out to a depth of 20 feet in places on the shoals on Terminal Wharf, can also be reached through a channel the southwest side of Sandy Hook Bay between Atlantic northward of Robbins Reef Light. The channels are well Highlands and Point Comfort. marked with navigational aids. Note that the buoyage (224) A 110°-290° measured nautical mile is on the system changes southward of Military Ocean Terminal. south side of Sandy Hook Bay off the Municipal Yacht Basin. The private range markers are reported to be dif- Charts 12327, 12401 ficult to identify. (225) Sandy Hook, the southern point at the entrance to (223) Sandy Hook Bay is the southern part of Lower Bay, New York Harbor and the northern point of the New westward of Sandy Hook and eastward of Point Com- Jersey coast, is low and sandy. The hook, including fort. The bay is an excellent anchorage, the depths of Plum Island at the mouth of the Shrewsbury River, is

390 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 Airphoto - Jim Wark part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Large areas Caution of the park are bird nesting areas, and landing is not (228) All cables within the area in about 40°24.2'N., permitted. A light, Sandy Hook Coast Guard Station, a standpipe, a radar tower, and a radio tower on the north 73°59.0'W., in Shrewsbury River have been abandoned. end of Sandy Hook are prominent. The area around Mariners are cautioned that the cables remain in place. Sandy Hook is changeable and subject to severe shoal- ing; extreme caution is advised. Tides (229) The mean range of tide is as follows: Highlands, 3.8 Charts 12325, 12324 feet; Red Bank, 3 feet; Sea Bright, 1.7 feet; Branchport, 1.7 feet. Strong southerly and westerly winds lower the water surface, and northerly and easterly winds raise it. (226) Shrewsbury River and Navesink River empty Currents through a common entrance into the southern extrem- (230) At Highlands bridge, the currents have a velocity of ity of Sandy Hook Bay eastward of the Highlands of Navesink. about 2.6 knots. At Sea Bright bridge the velocity is about 1.6 knots. (227) A Federal project provides depths of 12 feet from Sandy Hook Bay to a point just above the bascule bridge Ice at Highlands, thence 9 feet in Shrewsbury River to the (231) Navigation in Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers is Branchport Avenue Bridge at Long Branch, about 7.4 miles above the mouth. The Navesink River has a pro- generally suspended because of ice from December to ject depth of 6 feet from where it connects with the March, inclusive. Shrewsbury River to the head of the project at Red Bank, about 4.9 miles above the mouth. (See Notice to Supplies Mariners and the latest editions of charts for control- (232) Gasoline, lubricants, marine supplies, and provi- ling depths.) sions can be obtained at most of the towns along the shores of the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers.

New York Harbor and Approaches I Chapter 11 I 391 Communications Creek, and Blackberry Creek had controlling depths of (233) Railroad, ferry, or bus connects with New York to about 5 feet in 1965-67. (242) A fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 24 feet points on the New Jersey coast. crosses the westerly part of Shrewsbury River, just east- ward of its junction with Parker and Oceanport Creeks. (234) Highlands is a summer resort on the west side of (243) The tributaries that empty into the southeasterly Shrewsbury River 1.5 miles inside the entrance. There and southwesterly sides of Shrewsbury River are are good small-craft facilities here. (See the small-craft crossed by bridges with the following clearances: facilities tabulation on chart 12324 for services and Manhassett Creek, fixed highway, 6 feet; Troutmans supplies available.) Creek, fixed highway, 6 feet; Oceanport Creek, Conrail railroad (Oceanport Bridge) with swing span, 4 feet; (235) The railroad bridge across Shrewsbury River at and Parker Creek, fixed railroad, 4 feet. (See 117.1 Highlands is in ruins; caution is advised. The State through 117.59 and 117.736, chapter 2, for draw- Route 36 highway bridge (Highlands Bridge) 100 yards bridge regulations.) above the railroad bridge has a bascule span with a (244) The channel in Navesink River is crooked but well clearance of 35 feet. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and marked by seasonal buoys. The Oceanic highway bridge 117.755, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The across the river between Rumson and Locust Point has fender system from the center pier of the railroad a bascule span with a clearance of 22 feet. (See 117.1 bridge to the east side of the highway bascule opening through 117.59 and 117.734 for drawbridge regula- is continuous. The east side of the river northward of tions.) the bridge and the west side 0.3 mile southward of the (245) Rumson is a town on the south side about 1.7 miles bridges are used as anchorages for small craft. above the entrance to Navesink River. Small-craft facil- ities just west of the bridge at Rumson can provide Caution berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, and storage. (236) Caution should be exercised at the junction of the Hull and engine repairs can be made, and a 7-ton mo- bile hoist is available. In May 1981, a reported depth of Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers, about 0.6 mile south- 5 feet could be carried to the boatyards. ward of the State Route 36 highway bridge at High- (246) Fair Haven is on the south side of Navesink River lands, to avoid the submerged stone jetty. Craft about 1 mile above the bridge at Rumson. A boatyard entering Navesink River should pass westward of the and two yacht clubs are at Fair Haven. The boatyard can lighted junction buoy. The submerged jetty is marked provide berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, by three seasonal buoys. marine supplies, and hull, engine, and radio repairs; lifts to 15 tons are available. In June-September 1987, a (237) The State Route 520 highway bridge (Sea Bright reported depth of about 7 feet could be taken to the Bridge) over Shrewsbury River between Rumson and boatyard. Sea Bright has a bascule span with a clearance of 15 (247) Red Bank, a town near the head of navigation on feet at the abutment. (See 117.1 through 117.59 and the Navesink River, has several small-craft facilities. 117.755, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12324 for services and supplies available.) The town has rail- Small-craft facilities road connections with New York. (238) There are numerous small-craft facilities at Sea (248) The dredged channel that extends for 1.5 miles above the landings at Red Bank had a reported mid- Bright. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on channel controlling depth of 2 feet to the second high- chart 12324 for services and supplies available.) way bridge, and thence less than 1 foot for the rest of the dredged section in 1985. The channel is privately (239) Pleasure Bay, at the southeast end of Shrewsbury marked by buoys and stakes. The Route 35 highway River, is crossed by a fixed highway bridge with a clear- bridge crosses the river 4.8 miles above the mouth and ance of 25 feet. Branchport is a small town on the east has a fixed span with a clearance of 12 feet. A railroad side of Pleasure Bay at the head of navigation. bridge crosses the river 450 yards southwest of the Route 35 bridge and has a fixed span with a clearance of Small-craft facilities 9 feet. (240) There are numerous small-craft facilities in Plea- sure Bay. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12324 for services and supplies available.) (241) The privately dredged and marked channels in Lit- tle Silver Creek, Town Creek, Oceanport Creek, Parker

392 I Chapter 11 I Coast Pilot 2 Charts 12327, 12401, 12402 basin. The channel is marked by private aids to navigation. (249) Atlantic Highlands is a town on the south side of (256) Berths, electricity, and water are available in the Sandy Hook Bay about 2 miles west of Sandy Hook. A basin. A boatyard with a 45-foot marine railway is about breakwater, marked by a light at its eastern end, forms 0.5 mile eastward of the boat basin; complete hull and an anchorage basin. In June 2002, depths of 4.9 to 8 feet engine repairs can be made. were available in the basin. The entrance to the basin is (257) Compton Creek, 4 miles westward of Sandy Hook, marked by a private 270° lighted range. is used extensively as a harbor of refuge by small fishing craft. The creek is entered through a dredged channel Small-craft facilities that leads from Sandy Hook Bay, thence through Bel- (250) Small-craft facilities in the basin can provide ford (Shoal) Harbor, and thence to about 0.4 mile above the mouth. In June 2005, the midchannel con- berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, stor- trolling depth was 7.1 feet to the turn in the channel at age, marine supplies, launching ramps, pump-out sta- 40°26'02\"N., 74°04'47\"W., thence 3.8 feet to the head of tion and hull and engine repair; mobile lifts up to 50 the project. The entrance channel is marked by a pri- tons are available. vate 199° lighted range, a lighted buoy, and unlighted buoys. A passenger ferry terminal is located on the east (251) The basin is used by numerous pleasure and party side of the channel with service to Manhattan. The fishing craft. Numerous piles and ruins of former creek is navigable by small boats for 1 mile to a railroad wharves are westward of the basin. bridge. Several fixed bridges over the creek have a min- imum clearance of 2 feet. A seasonal auxiliary marine (252) Terminal Channel, entered from Sandy Hook police station is on the east side of the creek. Channel about 1 mile west-southwestward of Sandy (258) A boatyard is on the south side of Compton Creek Hook, leads south-southwestward to a turning basin about 0.45 mile above the mouth. Marine supplies, hull and to two deepwater ammunition handling piers of and engine repair facilities, and a 90-foot marine rail- the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot at Leonardo, N.J., a way are available. A town dock, supervised by a town on the south side of Sandy Hook Bay. Federal pro- dockmaster, is just downriver of the boatyard. ject depth is 35 feet in the channel and turning basin. (259) Port Monmouth, a village at the head of Compton (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of the charts Creek, is a shipping point for fresh fish, shellfish, and for controlling depths.) The channel is marked by a pri- inedible animal products. Several private landings and vate 207°30' lighted range and by lighted and a town landing are available. unlighted buoys. A dredged and marked side channel (260) Pews Creek, about 1 mile northwest of Compton leads southward from the southeastern end of the turn- Creek, is marked at the entrance by a private light. In ing basin to an ammunition barge-loading pier; depths May 1981, it was reported that 3½ feet could be carried of about 11 feet can be carried to and alongside the pier. to a marina in the creek. Berths with electricity, gaso- The deepwater piers and barge pier are connected to line, water, ice, marine supplies, a pump-out station, the shore by a trestle that extends 1.6 miles across the storage, a 15-ton lift, a 40-foot marine railway, and hull flats from Leonardo. The waters adjacent to the piers and engine repairs are available. A highway bridge and trestle are prohibited to navigation. (See 110.155 crosses the creek about 0.2 mile above the mouth and (f) (1), chapter 2, for rules and regulations.) has a 31-foot fixed span with a clearance of 12 feet. (261) Staten Island forms the northwest side of Lower (253) Security zones have been established in the vicin- Bay. The high wooded ridge of the island has elevations ity of the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot and Terminal of 100 to over 400 feet. South Beach and Midland Channel. (See 165.1 through 165.7, 165.30, 165.33, Beach are summer resorts and amusement areas on and 165.130, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) the southeast side of the island. A public pier for small-craft is located between the resorts. (254) A restricted area surrounds Terminal Channel, (262) Staten Island Flats are extensive shoals making off turning basin, and piers of the U.S. Naval Ammunition from the southeast side of Staten Island. Parts of these Depot. (See 334.1 through 334.6 and 334.102, chap- flats are Old Orchard Shoal and West Bank, which bor- ter 2, for limits and regulations.) der on the main channel up the bay. Hoffman Island and Swinburne Island (see also chart 12349), artificial (255) A dredged channel, about 0.4 mile eastward of the islands on West Bank, are part of Gateway National trestle at Leonardo, leads southward from Sandy Hook Recreation Area; landing is not permitted. A channel, Bay to the entrance and basin of a State marina. In No- used by local vessels of less than 8-foot draft, leads vember 2003, the controlling depths were 1.1 feet (3.5 feet at midchannel) to the breakwater; thence in 1991-June 2002, 2.2 feet at midchannel to the basin; thence in 1983, a reported depth of 6 feet was in the