U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 245 Block Island Sound (1) This chapter describes Block Island Sound, Fishers (10) Recommended Vessel Route (Block Island Sound) Island Sound, Gardiners Bay, Little Peconic Bay, Great has been established for Block Island Sound. Peconic Bay, and the ports and harbors in the area, the more important of which are Point Judith Harbor, Great (11) TheU.S.CoastGuardCaptainofthePort,Providence, Salt Pond, Stonington, Mystic Harbor, and Greenport. in cooperation with the Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Port Safety and Security Committees, (2) has established a Recommended Vessel Route for deep draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting Rhode Island COLREGS Demarcation Lines Sound, Narragansett Bay, and Buzzards Bay. Deep (3) The lines established for this part of the coast are draft vessels and tugs/barges are requested to follow the designated routes. These routes were designed to provide described in 33 CFR80.150 and 80.155, chapter 2. safe, established routes for these vessels, to reduce the potential for conflict with recreational boaters, fishing (4) gear, and other small craft, and to reduce the potential for grounding or collision. Vessels are responsible for Charts 13205, 13215 their own safety and are not required to remain inside the route nor are fisherman required to keep fishing gear (5) Block Island Sound is a deep navigable waterway outside the route. Small vessels should exercise caution in forming the eastern approach to Long Island Sound, and around the Recommended Vessel Routes and monitor Fishers Island Sound, and Gardiners Bay from the VHF channels 16 or 13 for information concerning deep Atlantic Ocean. The sound is a link for waterborne draft vessels and tugs/barges transiting these routes. commerce between Cape Cod and Long Island Sound. It has two entrances from the Atlantic: an eastern entrance from Rhode Island Sound between Block Island and Point Judith, and a southern entrance between Block (12) Block Island North Reef is a sand shoal with a least Island and Montauk Point. The sound is connected with depth of 11 feet extending 1 mile northward from Sandy Long Island Sound by The Race and other passages to the Point at the north end of Block Island. The shoal should southwestward, and with Fishers Island Sound by several be avoided by all vessels; its depths change frequently, passages between rocky reefs from Watch Hill Point to and its position is also subject to a slow change. It is East Point, Fishers Island. practically steep-to on all sides, so that soundings alone cannot be depended on to clear it. A lighted bell buoy is (6) The north shoreline of Block Island Sound and 1.5 miles northward of the point. Fishers Island Sound from Point Judith to New London is generally rocky and broken with short stretches of sandy (13) Southwest Ledge, 5.5 miles west-southwestward of beach. Many inlets and harbors, especially in the vicinity Block Island Southeast Light, has a least known depth of of Fishers Island, afford harbors of refuge for vessels. 21 feet and is marked on its southwest side by Southwest Most of the rocks and shoals near the channels are marked Ledge Lighted Whistle Buoy 2. Rocky patches extend 1.5 with navigational aids. miles northeastward from the ledge. The sea breaks on the shoaler places on the ledge in heavy weather. (7) The southern part of Block Island Sound is bounded by Block Island on the east, the eastern extremity of Long (14) Several other dangers that must be guarded against Island, and Gardiners Island on the west. Plum Island and are northward and westward of Southwest Ledge Lighted Fishers Island are at the western end of the sound. Whistle Buoy 2. These dangers are: 37-foot sounding, marked by a lighted buoy, about 2.2 mile 280° from the (8) The deep water in the central part of Block Island lighted whistle buoy and numerous rocks up to 1.1 miles Sound will accommodate vessels of the greatest draft. north of the lighted whistle buoy. (9) Westward of Gardiners Island, enclosed between (15) The deepest passage in the southern entrance to the northeastern and eastern ends of Long Island, are Block Island Sound is just westward of Southwest Ledge Gardiners Bay, Shelter Island Sound, Little Peconic Bay, and has a width of over 2 miles; this is the best passage and Great Peconic Bay. This area is well protected but for deep draft vessels. The area between Southwest Ledge generally shallow, and is not suited for deep-draft vessels. Lighted Whistle Buoy 2 and Block Island Sound South The shoreline is marked by many indentations and shallow Entrance Obstruction Lighted Buoy BIS is known locally harbors. These waters are much used by commercial as Montauk Channel. Mariners should keep in mind that fishing vessels and small pleasure craft because of the vessels with a draft in excess of 38 feet will not be allowed protection afforded and the many anchorages.
246 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 to transit this area. Further, pilots using Montauk Channel (25) The Race may be said to be the only locality shall consider draft, sea and swell, wind, visibility, current where tidal currents have any decided influence on the and vessel traffic. When these conditions pose a threat to movements of the ice. Large quantities of floe ice usually the safety of any person, vessel, prudent navigation or pass through The Race during the ebb, especially if the safety of the environment, Montauk Channel shall not wind is westerly, and in severe winters this ice causes some be used. obstruction in Block Island Sound and around Montauk (16) Between the inner patch of rocks and the shoals, Point. These obstructions are the most extensive around which extend 0.9 mile from Block Island, is a channel 1.3 the middle of February. miles wide, with a depth of about 31 feet. Vessels using this channel should round the southwest end of Block (26) Island at a distance of 1.5 miles. It is not advisable to use this passage during heavy weather. Weather, Block Island Sound and vicinity (17) The entrance between Point Judith and Block Island (27) Land influences the weather only at the northern is used by vessels coming from the bays and sounds eastward to Long Island Sound. The route generally used edge of the Sound, with a northerly wind. Otherwise is through The Race. Tows of light barges and vessels of the waters are open, similar to the nearby ocean. Winds 14 feet or less draft sometimes go through Fishers Island from all other directions have ample time to increase in Sound, especially during daylight with a smooth sea. This strength and the Sound can be as turbulent as any water entrance is clear with the exception of Block Island North off the coast. Wind speeds can be double those found on Reef and the numerous large boulders extending about the coast, especially in winter, when average speeds of 4 miles south-southeastward of Point Judith. The coast 16 to 17 knots are common. Gales occur up to 5 percent from Point Judith nearly to Watch Hill should be given of the time in winter and are most likely from the west a berth of over 1 mile, avoiding the broken ground with and northwest. Seas built by winds from the southeast depths less than 30 feet. through southwest are usually highest since there is no land to interfere with the fetch. Seas of 10 feet (3 m) or (18) more are likely 5 to 7 percent of the time in winter. (28) Because of relatively cold water, summer fog occurs Tides and currents two to three times more often in these waters than in (19) The effect of strong winds, in combination with the either Narragansett or Buzzard Bays. For example, in June visibilities drop below ½ mile nearly 9 percent of regular tidal action, may at times cause the water to fall the time. several feet below or rise the same amount above the plane of reference of the chart. (29) (20) Tidal current data for a number of locations in Block Island Sound are given in the Tidal Current Tables. North Atlantic Right Whales (21) The tidal currents throughout Block Island Sound (30) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur have considerable velocity; the greatest velocities occur in the vicinity of The Race and in the entrances between in Block Island Sound, in particular in the Narragansett/ Montauk Point, Block Island, and Point Judith. Soundings Buzzards Bay Traffic Separation Scheme. They may also alone cannot be depended upon to locate the position; the occur 30 miles south of Block Island Sound (peak season: shoaling is generally abrupt in approaching the shores or November through April). The Northeast Marine Pilots dangers. distribute educational material to mariners in an effort to reduce right whale ship strikes. (See North Atlantic Right Whales, indexed as such, in chapter 3 for more information on right whales and recommended measures (22) In the middle of the passage between Point Judith to avoid collisions.) and Block Island, the velocity is 0.7 knot. The flood sets (31) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall westward, and the ebb eastward. (L.O.A.) and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in the (23) In the passage between Block Island and Montauk Block Island Sound Seasonal Management Area between Point, the flood sets generally northwestward and the ebb November 1 and April 30. The area is defined as the southeastward. In the middle of the passage the velocity waters bounded by: is 1.5 knots on the flood and 1.9 knots on the ebb. About (32) 40°51'53.7\"N., 70°36'44.9\"W.; 1.2 miles eastward of Montauk Point, the flood sets 346°, (33) 41°20'14.1\"N., 70°49'44.1\"W.; ebb 162°, with a velocity of 2.8 knots. (34) 41°04'16.7\"N., 71°51'21.0\"W.; (35) 40°35'56.5\"N., 71°38'25.1\"W.; thence back to (24) In Block Island Sound and in the eastern part of starting point. (See 50 CFR 224.105in chapter 2 for Long Island Sound, fogs are generally heaviest with regulations, limitations, and exceptions.) southeast winds. In these waters the usual duration of a fog is from 4 to 12 hours, but periods of from 4 to 6 days (36) have been known with very short clear intervals. In the autumn, land fogs, as they are termed locally, sometimes Pilotage, Block Island Sound and Long Island Sound occur with northerly breezes, but are generally burned off (37) Pilotage is compulsory for foreign flag vessels and before midday. U.S. vessels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign trade) in Block Island Sound and Long Island
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 247 Sound. Vessels should not enter Block Island Sound or for the year, but the mean is 17 knots in the winter, when Long Island Sound without a state licensed pilot. See gales are frequent. In the early fall most of the tropical Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter storms moving up the coast affect the island to some 8. The Point Judith Pilot Station is the primary pilot extent. Since 1871 and 1996, 13 storms have come within boarding location for entry into Block Island Sound and 25 miles of Block Island. In August 1991, the center of Long Island Sound. Vessels bound for Long Island Sound Hurricane Bob passed about ten miles to the west of the ports may board pilots at the Point Judith Pilot Station, island with 85-knot winds. centered on 41°17.0'N., 71°30.5'W. There is a secondary (46) (See Appendix B for Block Island climatological pilot station which may be used with special arrangement table.) at any point south of the Montauk Point Pilot Station, centered on 41°02.0'N., 71°42.0'W. (47) (38) Communications (48) A ferry operates daily from Galilee to Great Salt Chart 13217 Pond or Old Harbor, carrying mail, passengers, freight, (39) Block Island, 5 miles long, is hilly with elevations and vehicles. There is summer ferry service from Old up to about 200 feet. The shore of the island is fringed Harbor to Providence, via Newport, and to New London. in most places by boulders and should be given a berth The island has telephone service to the mainland. Air of over 0.5 mile even by small craft; the shoaling is service is also available. generally abrupt in approaching the island. (40) (49) Block Island Southeast Light (41°09'10\"N., Weather, Block Island and vicinity 71°33'04\"W.), 67 feet above the water, is shown from (41) Block Island, formed by glaciers, consists of nearly a red-brick octagonal, pyramidal tower attached to a dwelling to Mohegan Bluffs on the southeast point of the 7,000 acres (2,830 hectares) and lies in theAtlantic Ocean island. The wreck of the large tanker SS LIGHTBURNE about 12 miles east-northeast of Long Island and about is southeast of the light at 41°08'57\"N., 71°32'52\"W. the same distance south of Charlestown, RI. Hence, the climate is typically maritime, but under conditions of (50) Block Island North Light (41°13'39\"N., extreme cold or heat the effect is felt on the island as 71°34'33\"W.), 58 feet above the water, is shown from a well as on the mainland. Temperatures of -10°F (-23.3°C, white tower on a house structure on Sandy Point at the February 1992) and 95°F (35°C, August 1948) have been north end of the island. At Clay Head, on the northeast recorded. side of Block Island, is a lone white house on top of the (42) Summers are usually dry. Recorded rainfall for any bluff. one month ranges from a trace to 11.51 inches (292 mm). November is the wettest month averaging 4.08 inches (51) Old Harbor, frequently used as a harbor of refuge, (104 mm) and June is the driest averaging 2.46 inches is an artificial harbor formed by two breakwaters on the (64 mm). east side of Block Island, 1.4 miles northward of Block (43) The warmest month is July with an average high of Island Southeast Light. A Federal project provides for a 76.5°F (24.7°C) and an average low of 63.7°F (17.6°C). channel 15 feet deep entering the harbor and leading to The coolest months are January and February. Each a basin with a project depth of 15 feet; the inner harbor average 32°F (0°C). The island is too small to build up anchorage area also has a project depth of 15 feet. (See cumulonimbus clouds, and local thunderstorms do not Notice to Mariners and latest editions of the charts for occur. Fog occurs on one out of four days in the early controlling depths.) The harbor is occupied by pleasure summer, when the ocean is relatively cold and foggy days craft during the summer. The eastern part of the inner average about 22 each year. harbor is left clear for the passage of the ferry to the wharf. (44) Winters are distinguished for their comparative The basin in the southeast corner of the inner harbor is mildness; maximums average 36°F to 42°F (2.2°C to usually occupied by fishing boats and local craft which 5.6°C) and minimums average 26°F (-3.3°C) in January tie up along the sides. Gasoline, diesel fuel, and berths and February. Since the surface winds are usually are available. The harbormaster has an office at the Old easterly when snow begins it soon changes to rain or Harbor town dock. melts rapidly after it piles up. The ocean temperatures are always somewhat above freezing and not far off shore (52) The east breakwater extends about 300 yards are relatively high. northward of the entrance of the inner harbor, and is (45) The ocean has a dampening effect on hot winds marked at its end by a light and sound signal. A bell buoy in summer and an accelerating effect on cold winds is 0.55 mile northward of the breakwater. A light marks from the mainland in the winter. Katabatic winds from the end of the breakwater on the west side at the entrance Narrangansett Bay and Long Island reach as high as to the inner harbor. 35 knots when anticyclonic conditions prevail on the mainland in winter. The wind velocity averages 15 knots (53) Great Salt Pond (New Harbor), on the west side of Block Island, is the best harbor in Block Island Sound for vessels of 15-foot draft or less. In easterly gales when the sea is too heavy to enter Old Harbor, a landing can be made at Great Salt Pond. The entrance, about 2 miles
248 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 south-southwestward of Block Island North Light, is a a heavy southerly sea. It is little used by tows. The only dredged cut through the narrow beach. The southwestern soft bottom in the harbor is found in the southern part of side of the entrance is protected by a jetty, which is marked the deeper water enclosed by the main breakwater. On by a light and a sound signal at its outer end. the north side the shoaling is gradual; the 18-foot curve (54) A Federal project provides for a channel 18 feet deep is about 0.3 to 0.5 mile offshore. A shoal extends from entering Great Salt Pond. (See Notice to Mariners and the north to the central part of the harbor with depths of latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) Local 14 to 18 feet; the shoal is marked by a buoy. knowledge is advised before entering. (66) The area within the V-shaped breakwater affords (55) Anchoring is prohibited west of the main channel protected anchorage for small craft. The breakwater and in the northern portion of Great Salt Pond. A mooring should be given a berth of 200 yards to avoid broken area is near the southeast end, east of the channel. See and hard bottom; a rocky shoal area about 100 yards chart 13217 for limits. wide, paralleling the west side of the main breakwater (56) Small-craft facilities in Great Salt Pond can provide northward from the angle should be avoided. A good berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and berth for a vessel is on a line between Point Judith Harbor marine supplies. The marina about 0.3 mile westward of of Refuge East Entrance Light 3 and Point Judith Harbor the ferry landing had a reported depth of 16 feet at the face of Refuge West Entrance Light 2, midway between them of the dock in 1981. Sail and engine repairs are available in 22 to 30 feet. This position falls on the edge of the east- nearby. west thorofare used by pleasure craft and fishing boats. (67) Awreck, covered 12 feet, is about 570 yards southeast (57) of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge West Entrance Light 2 in about 41°21'33\"N., 71°30'28\"W. Another wreck, Currents covered 6 feet, is marked by a lighted buoy about 475 (58) Tidal currents in the entrance to Great Salt Pond yards westward of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge East Entrance Light 3 in 41°21'34\"N., 71°30'11\"W. have a velocity of 0.3 knot. (See Tidal Current Tables for (68) The southern entrance to the Harbor of Refuge, predictions.) known locally as the East Gap, is 400 yards wide; it has a controlling depth of about 20 feet with deeper water in (59) the western half of the channel. (69) The western entrance to the Harbor of Refuge, No-Discharge Zone known locally as the West Gap, is 500 yards wide; it has (60) The State of Rhode Island, with the approval of the a controlling depth of about 19 feet, with lesser depths on the north side of the entrance. A rock, covered 12 feet, Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No- is near the north side of the entrance at 41°21'48.7\"N., Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Great Salt Pond. The NDZ 71°31'07.4\"W. Another rock, covered 16 feet, is 125 includes all waters east of a line from the landward end of yards SE of the end of the north breakwater. the jetty located at the northwestern channel entrance to the red marker located approximately 600 feet northwest (70) of the United States Coast Guard facility dock (see chart 13217 for limits). Currents (61) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether (71) The tidal currents have a velocity of about 0.7 knot treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by at the south entrance. The currents off the west entrance 40 CFR 140(see chapter 2). are rotary, with a velocity at strength of 0.5 knot. (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) (62) (72) Considerably stronger currents have been reported to develop especially when the tide is ebbing. Chart 13219 (63) Point Judith Light (41°21'40\"N., 71°28'53\"W.), 65 feet above the water, is shown from an octagonal tower, (73) Point Judith Pond is a saltwater tidal pond entered 51 feet high, with the lower half white, upper half brown. between two rock jetties at The Breachway in the The station has a sound signal. About 100 yards north of northwestern part of Point Judith Harbor of Refuge. the light is Point Judith Coast Guard Station. A lighted The east jetty is marked near its seaward end by a light. whistle buoy is about 3.2 miles southward of the light. The pond extends 3.3 miles northerly to the town of (See chart 13218.) Wakefield. It is used extensively by small fishing vessels and pleasure craft, and numerous fish wharves are inside (64) The area around Point Judith, including the the entrance. The north end of Point Judith Pond affords approaches to Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, is irregular good anchorage for boats of 4 feet draft or less during a with rocky bottom and indications of boulders. Caution heavy blow. is advised to avoid the shoal spots, even with a smooth sea, and to exercise extra care where the depths are not (74) The village of Galilee on the east side of the entrance more than 6 feet greater than the draft. and Jerusalem on the west side at Succotash Point have State piers and numerous small piers chiefly used (65) Point Judith Harbor of Refuge, on the west side of Point Judith, is formed by a main V-shaped breakwater and two shorearm breakwaters extending to the shore. The harbor is easy of access for most vessels except with
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 249 by fishermen. A State fisheries laboratory is just above and boulders in places, which should be avoided by deep- the State pier at Jerusalem. A State pier superintendent draft vessels where the depths are less than 36 to 42 feet. controls the State piers at Galilee and Jerusalem; his (83) Matunuck is a summer resort about 3 miles west of office is at the head of the Galilee State Pier. Point Judith. Southwest of Matunuck Point is Nebraska (75) A Federal project provides for a depth of 15 feet Shoal, a patch of boulders covered 18 feet and marked by from Point Judith Harbor of Refuge to the State Pier at a buoy. The shoal is at the south end of broken ground, Jerusalem along the west side of Point Judith Pond with with depths less than 30 feet offshore; the water deepens a branch channel on the east side extending northeasterly abruptly around the patch. from the entrance of the pond to the State Pier at Galilee, (84) Charlestown Breachway, 4.5 miles westward and a 10-foot anchorage basin just inside the pond of Matunuck Point, is a narrow inlet which leads to entrance. The western channel extends north the turning Ninigret Pond, also known as Charlestown Pond, to basin at Wakefield; portions of the channel are federally the westward, and the village of Charlestown to the maintained to 6 feet. (See Notice to Mariners and latest northward. In 1994, a reported depth of about 1½ feet editions of charts for controlling depths.) could be taken in the inlet, with depths of about 3 to 6 feet inside. The southern part of Ninigret Pond is mostly mud (76) flats. Local knowledge is required in entering and moving about inside. A small-craft facility is at Charlestown, Tides and Currents and one is at the western end of Ninigret Pond; berths, (77) The mean range of tide in the pond is 2.8 feet and gasoline, electricity, marine supplies, and launching ramps are at both facilities. occurs later than in the Harbor of Refuge by about 10 (85) Quonochontaug,10.8mileswestwardofPointJudith, minutes just inside the entrance and 30 minutes at the is a summer settlement at the outlet of Quonochontaug north end. The tidal currents in the entrance have a Pond. In 1981, a reported depth of about 3 feet could be velocity of 1.8 knots on the flood and 1.5 knots on the carried in Quonochontaug Breachway, with depths of ebb, and cause slight rips and overfalls at changes of tide. 15 to 20 feet reported in the pond. Vessels favor the west Higher current velocities are reported to occur. (See Tidal side of the entrance to avoid rocks in the easterly half of Current Tables for predictions.) the entrance. (86) Weekapaug Point, 12.5 miles west of Point Judith, is bold, rocky, and prominent from the southwest and southeast. Two stone jetties, 1,500 feet long, protect (78) Several boatyards and marinas are at Galilee, the entrance to Winnapaug Pond just westward of the Jerusalem, Wakefield, and at Snug Harbor, on the west point. In 1981, a reported depth of about 5 feet could be side of the pond about 0.8 mile above the entrance. carried in Weekapaug Breachway to the pond; vessels Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine favor the west side of the breachway above the bridge. supplies, storage, launching ramps, and hull and engine Reported depths in Winnapaug Pond vary from bare to 10 repairs are available. The largest marine railway in the feet. There are numerous shoals and sandbars. Southerly area, at the southern end of the waterfront at Snug Harbor, winds cause breakers at the ends of the jetties; extreme can handle craft up to 150 feet long or 400 tons. In 1981, caution is advised. The fixed bridge over the entrance has a reported depth of 12 feet could be carried to the railway. a clearance of 6 feet. (87) Old Reef, with a least depth of 7 feet, is about (79) Daily ferry service is available to Block Island from 1.5 miles west of Weekapaug Point and about 0.5 mile Galilee. Daily bus service is operated to Providence. offshore. (80) Potter Pond, shallow and landlocked, is joined with (88) Point Judith by a narrow channel near Snug Harbor. Local knowledge should be obtained before using this Chart 13214 channel, which has depths of 2 to 4 feet and is crossed by overhead power and telephone cables with a clearance (89) Watch Hill, about 17.5 miles west of Point Judith, of 30 feet at the channel entrance and by a fixed highway is a high bare bluff on its easterly side with several large bridge with a clearance of 5 feet about 0.4 mile above hotels and summer houses. the entrance. A current of more than 3 knots develops through the channel on the ebb. The mean range of tide (90) Watch Hill Light (41°18'14\"N., 71°51'30\"W.), 61 in the pond is about 1 foot, and it occurs about 2.5 hours feet above the water, is shown from a square gray granite later than in the Harbor of Refuge. tower, 45 feet high, attached to a white building with a red roof, on Watch Hill Point. (81) (91) Gangway Rock, awash at low water, is part of a Chart 13215 boulder reef extending about 0.2 mile southward from Watch Hill Light. A lighted bell buoy marks the south end (82) From Point Judith to Watch Hill the shore is low of the reef. A submerged rock is about 50 yards northward and for the most part consists of sandy beaches which of the buoy. are broken by several projecting rocky points. Back from the immediate shore are areas of cultivation interspersed with rolling grass-covered or wooded hills. Except for Point Judith Pond, most pond outlets are used only by small local craft. The coast is fringed by broken ground
250 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 (92) Watch Hill Passage is the principal entrance to 9 feet over them. The passage between the buoy and Race Fishers Island Sound from eastward, and the only one Rock Light has very irregular bottom; the least depth is used by strangers. It has a least depth of about 16 feet. about 18 feet. It is suitable only for small vessels with a A spot with 13 feet over it in the passage is marked by a comparatively smooth sea. buoy; the best channel is northward of this buoy, giving (104) Race Rock, on the northeast side of The Race, is it a berth of about 150 yards. nearly 200 yards in diameter, with a depth of 8 feet. A ridge with a least depth of 28 feet extends about 120 yards (93) Watch Hill Reef, on the southwest side of Watch SSW of Race Rock. Another ridge, extending in a north- Hill Passage, has rocks that bare and is marked by a gong south direction with a least depth of 38 feet is about 320 buoy. yards east of Race Rock. (105) Race Rock Light (41°14'37\"N., 72°02'50\"W.), (94) Sugar Reef Passage, between Watch Hill Reef and 67 feet above the water, is shown from a granite tower Sugar Reef, has a width of 0.3 mile; the least depths are attached to a dwelling on a granite pier on the rock. A about 22 feet. sound signal is sounded at the station. The sound signal is reported at times to be inaudible when a vessel is (95) Sugar Reef, some 500 to 600 yards in extent, is approaching from eastward and is close southward of covered 2 to 12 feet and should be avoided; it is marked Fishers Island. by a buoy off its north side. (106) (96) Catumb Passage, between Sugar Reef and Catumb Rocks, has a width of 150 yards; its least depth is 13 feet. Charts 13209, 13212 (97) Catumb Rocks, the highest of which are awash, are (107) The Race, the main entrance to Long Island Sound marked by buoys on the north, southeast, and southwest from eastward, extends between Fishers Island and Little sides. Rocks covered 1 to 18 feet extend 0.8 mile westward Gull Island, between which is a width of about 3.5 miles. of Catumb Rocks to the buoy that marks the east side of The only dangers are Valiant Rock, nearly in the middle, Lords Passage. This passage, about 0.3 mile wide, has a and Little Gull Island with its reefs. least depth of 16 feet. (108) (98) Wicopesset Rock, on the northwesterly side of Lords Passage, is the easterly part of foul ground extending Current about 0.3 mile to Wicopesset Island, which is low and (109) In the middle of The Race, the flood sets 295° and rocky. the ebb 100°, with average velocities of 2.9 knots and (99) Wicopesset Passage, between Wicopesset Island 3.5 knots, respectively. There are always strong rips and and East Point, is narrow and is obstructed by a rock swirls in the wake of all broken ground in The Race, in the middle marked by a buoy; it is suitable only for except for about one-half hour at slack water. The rips small craft and should not be used by strangers. A bell are exceptionally heavy during heavy weather, and buoy marks the southern entrance. Extreme caution is especially when a strong wind opposes the current, or recommended when using the passage as the ebb current the current sets through against a heavy sea. (Predicted is apt to set boats on the foul ground. times of slack water and times and velocities of strength of current are given in the Tidal Current Tables.) (100) Information about the tidal currents in the passages (110) During the flood stage of the tide, a significant eddy is given with the discussion of Fishers Island Sound. exists on the northwest side of Valiant Rock. (101) Charts 13214, 13212 (111) Little Gull Reef, with little depth and foul ground, extends 0.3 mile east-northeastward from Little Gull (102) Fishers Island, 6 miles long, is hilly and sparsely Island and is marked at the northeast end by a buoy. wooded. Chocomount, 136 feet high, is the highest point Mariners are advised that the buoy is sometimes on the island. East Point, at the east end of the island, is submerged by the strong current and deep-draft vessels marked by several large houses. The former Coast Guard should avoid this locality. Little Gull Island Light station at East Harbor, about 1 mile from East Point of (41°12'23\"N., 72°06'25\"W.), 91 feet above the water, is Fishers Island, is prominent; numerous buildings on the shown from a gray granite tower, 81 feet high, attached to western part of Fishers Island and a large yellow hotel a red dwelling on a pier. A sound signal is at the light. The building are conspicuous. The radar antenna on Mount light and Race Rock Light are the guides, as soundings Prospect, near the west end of the island, south shore, cannot be depended upon. is the most prominent landmark on Fishers Island from seaward. The south side of the island is fringed with foul (112) In passing north of Valiant Rock, vessels should keep ground which rises abruptly from depths of 42 to 48 feet, from 0.5 to 0.8 mile southwestward of Race Rock Light, but by giving the shore a berth of 0.5 mile, all dangers and craft passing southward of Valiant Rock should hold will be avoided. to a course about 1 mile northeastward of Little Gull Island Light. (103) Race Point Ledge, partly bare at low water, extends about 0.2 mile southwestward from Race Point, the southwest extremity of Fishers Island, and is marked at its end by a buoy. Inside the buoy are boulders with 2 to
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 251 (113) Cerberus Shoal, 6 miles southeast of Race Rock (122) MontaukShoal,about2.5milessouth-southeastward Light, is about 0.4 mile in diameter, with a least depth of of the light, has least depths of 30 feet. Great Eastern 19 feet on a small rocky patch near its north end. The seas Rock, 1.5 miles east-northeast of the light, has a least break on this shoal during heavy swells. It is marked by a depth of 25 feet. Phelps Ledge, just northerly of Great lighted gong buoy. Near the shoal, tide rips are unusually Eastern Rock, is covered by 24 feet. Endeavor Shoals, strong. about 2.3 miles northeast of the light, are covered by 19 to 24 feet on a narrow ridge about 0.4 mile long. A lighted (114) Great Gull Island, 0.6 mile southwest of Little Gull gong buoy is off the eastern end of the ridge. Island, was formerly a military reservation, but is now privately owned. The pier on the north side is in ruins. A (123) Vessels drawing up to 20 feet can avoid the dangers lookout tower on the island is conspicuous. eastward and northeastward of Montauk Point in smooth weather by giving the point a berth of over 1 mile and (115) Valiant Rock, with a least depth of 20 feet, is avoiding Great Eastern Rock. surrounded by shoal area, and the 10-fathom curve surrounding the rock marks the area which should be (124) Broken ground with rocky bottom and boulders avoided by deep-draft vessels and preferably all vessels, extends about 2 miles off the north coast west of Montauk on account of the heavy swirls and rips. A lighted whistle Point. Shagwong Reef, with a least depth of 8 feet and buoy is northward of the rock. marked by a lighted bell buoy, is the northern limit of this area. Shagwong Rock, with a least depth of 7½ feet and (116) The Sluiceway, the passage between Great Gull marked by a lighted buoy, and Washington Shoal, with a Island and Plum Island, has several known dangers least depth of 15 feet, are between the shore and Shagwong and very irregular bottom with boulders, and should be Reef. The principal danger outside Shagwong Reef is a avoided. The velocity of the tidal current in the passage shoal with a depth of 30 feet, 5.3 miles northwestward of is 2.6 knots on the flood, and 3.2 knots on the ebb; flood Montauk Point. sets 299°, and ebb 133°. Considerably higher velocities occur at times, and tide rips are very bad in heavy weather. (125) Boulders covered 3 to 10 feet are between Old Silas Rock and Plum Island. Old Silas Rock, marked by a buoy, Pilotage Pickup Locations Off Montauk Point is awash at high water. Middle Shoal Rock, 0.3 mile (126) Pilots, by special arrangement during favorable northeastward of Old Silas Rock, has a depth of 8 feet. weather conditions, may meet a ship with less than 38- (117) Bedford Reef is broken ground, on which the least foot draft off Montauk Point bound for Long Island found depths are 14 to 16 feet, extending about 1.5 miles Sound. Foreign flag vessels and U.S. vessels which are southward from broken ground lying between Great Gull under register can arrange for a state licensed pilot by and Plum Islands. It should be avoided. Constellation contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block Island Rock, on the southeasterly extension on this broken Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; telephone ground, has 17 feet over it, is marked by a buoy, and lies 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; FAX 401– 1.9 miles southward of Little Gull Island Light. 847–9052. U.S. vessels engaged in coastwise trade (enrolled work) in need of pilotage services can contact (118) the various pilot organizations directly. For telephone number, FAX number, cable address, description of the Chart 13209 boat, frequencies, etc., consult the name of the association under Pilotage, Narraganset Bay and Other Rhode Island (119) Montauk Point, the easterly extremity of Long Waters (indexed as such), chapter 6; Pilotage, Long Island Island, is a high sandy bluff, on the summit of which Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8; and Pilotage, New is the light. The land is grass covered, with a height of York Harbor and Approaches (indexed as such), chapter 165 feet at Prospect Hill, 2 miles westward of the point. 11. The south side of the point is bold, the 10-fathom curve (127) Mariners are also reminded that vessels with a draft is about 0.5 mile from shore; depths of 24 feet and less in excess of 38 feet are advised to not transit the Montauk extend 0.8 mile off the northeast side of the point. Channel (as defined by the area between Southwest Ledge Lighted Whistle Buoy 2 and Block Island Sound South (120) Montauk Point Light (41°04'15\"N., 71°51'26\"W.), Entrance Obstruction Lighted Buoy BIS). Further, pilots 168 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical using Montauk Channel shall consider: draft, sea and tower with a red band midway of its height and a covered swell, wind, visibility, current and vessel traffic. When way to a gray dwelling. A sound signal is at the light. these conditions pose a threat to the safety of any person, vessel, prudent navigation or safety of the environment, (121) Surrounding Montauk Point for about 4 miles is a Montauk Channel shall not be used. shoal area that has been closely surveyed (see also chart 13215); the bottom is very broken, and extra caution should be observed where the depths are less than 10 feet greater than the draft. In general, the shoals are a series (128) Montauk Harbor, in the northern part of Lake of long narrow ridges, in places only a few yards wide, Montauk, is entered through a dredged channel on the and their positions are indicated by the rips over them at northern shore about 3 miles west of Montauk Point; the strength of the tidal currents. a Federal project provides for a depth of 12 feet in the
252 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 channel and 10 feet in the boat basin northwestward of (140) The tidal currents have a velocity of about 1.5 Star Island. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of knots through all the channels between the shoals. It is charts for controlling depths.) The entrance is protected not advisable for vessels drawing more than 10 feet to by jetties, each of which is marked by a light. A lighted attempt the passage without local knowledge, and then bell buoy, about 0.3 mile north of the entrance, marks the only when the buoys can be seen. approach to the harbor. (129) Star Island, just inside Montauk Harbor, is (141) Napeague Harbor, a small-craft refuge in the connected to the mainland by a causeway. A privately southwest part of Napeague Bay, can be entered through marked channel, with a reported controlling depth of 7 privately dredged channels northward and southward of feet in 1999, leads from beyond the end of the Federal Hicks Island. In 1981, the reported controlling depths channel to the southern part of Lake Montauk where there were 4 feet in the northerly and southerly entrances. are depths of 6 to 8 feet in the center. Depths in the central part of the harbor range from 1½ to 7 feet; the chart is the best guide. The harbor is especially (130) useful in northeasterly weather when the adjoining bays are unsafe. There are no landings in the harbor. COLREGS Demarcation Lines (131) The lines established for Montauk Harbor are (142) Promised Land is a former fishing village on the southwest side of Napeague Bay. A depth of about 4 feet described in 33 CFR80.155, chapter 2. can be carried to the landing at the yacht club, 1.3 miles westward of Promised Land. (132) (143) Gardiners Island, 11 miles westward of Montauk Currents Point, is partly wooded and has an elevation of 130 feet (133) Tidal currents at the entrance to Montauk Harbor near its middle. Cartwright Island is narrow, low, and sandy, and extends 1 mile in a southerly direction off have a velocity of 1.2 knots on the flood and about 0.5 the south tip of Gardiners Island. Its size and shape are knot on the ebb. They are reported to decrease rapidly subject to considerable change by storms. after entering the harbor and are practically negligible near the yacht club landing on the east side of Star Island. (144) Crow Head is the high bluff at the western end (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) of Gardiners Island. Shoal water with depths of 9 to 16 feet extends 1.8 miles southwestward from Cherry Hill Point, the westerly end of Gardiners Island, and terminates at Crow Shoal. The shoal has depths of 3 to (134) Montauk Coast Guard Station is at the northern 11 feet and is marked by a buoy. An obstruction covered end of Star Island. 12 feet is 200 yards eastward of the buoy. (135) (145) The bight between the southern part of Gardiners Island and Crow Shoal is Cherry Harbor. It has depths Small-craft facilities of 24 to 27 feet with mud bottom and affords shelter from (136) There are several small-craft facilities on both northeasterly winds. Bostwick Bay is the bight on the northwest side of Gardiners Island. It affords excellent sides of the entrance to Montauk Harbor, and a yacht anchorage in easterly winds in depths of about 25 feet, club and several marinas are on the east side of Star but is exposed to all westerly winds. Island. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, and space for transients are available. Lifts to 80 tons (146) Gardiners Point, a low spit, is at the northerly can handle craft for complete engine and hull repairs. end of a very shoal bar which extends 1.5 miles north- Groceries and other supplies may be obtained at the northwestward from Gardiners Island. This shoal is village of Montauk. The yacht club can be contacted at steep-to on its north and west sides and is marked by a 631–668–7732. lighted gong buoy. A rock with a depth of 2 feet over it is about 0.8 mile eastward of the north point of Gardiners Island and is marked by a buoy. (137) Fort Pond Bay is a semicircular bight about 1 mile (147) The Ruins, a concrete structure on Gardiners Point, wide on the north side of Long Island, 5 miles westward is Government property and formerly a naval aircraft of Montauk Point. The bay is free of dangers, but flats bombing target; it is prohibited to the public. The Ruins with 8 to 12 feet over them make out 0.2 mile from its and the area within 300 yards radius of it is dangerous eastern shore. The bay affords anchorage in 40 to 50 feet, due to the possible existence of undetonated explosives. soft bottom, but is exposed to northerly and northwesterly winds; the shoaling is abrupt on its east and south sides. (148) Arestricted anchorage for U.S. Navy submarines is about 3 miles eastward of Gardiners Island. (See 33 CFR (138) Montauk, a summer resort at the southeast end of 110.1 and 110.150, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) the bay, is the terminus of a Class II railroad. A depth of 10 feet was reported alongside the commercial pier on the (149) Gardiners Bay is at the western end of Block Island east side of the bay. There are no public piers available. Sound from which it is separated by Gardiners Island. The bay is an excellent anchorage easily entered day or (139) Napeague Bay, 8 miles westward of Montauk night, and is the approach to Shelter Island Sound and Point, is shallow in the western and southwestern part. the Peconic Bays. The principal entrance is northward of Promised Land Channel, the buoyed passage southward of Gardiners and Cartwright Islands, has a least centerline depth of about 14 feet; however, the depth is continually changing due to the shifting shoals.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 253 Gardiners Point. The entrance from Long Island Sound is (160) Plum Gut, the entrance to Gardiners Bay from through Plum Gut. The entrance southward of Gardiners Long Island Sound, is nearly 0.6 mile wide and has Island is used by fishing vessels. sufficient water for vessels of the deepest draft; in the (150) The principal guides for the entrance to Gardiners passage are several rocks with depths of 15 to 22 feet over Bay from Block Island Sound are the lighted gong buoy them. A wreck with a least depth of 57 feet is in about north of Gardiners Point, Little Gull Light, and Orient 41°10'06\"N., 72°12'59\"W. Tidal currents set through the Point Light. When past the lighted gong buoy north of passage with great velocity. Steamers, or sailing vessels Gardiners Point, vessels can select the anchorage in with a strong favorable wind, should have no difficulty Gardiners Bay which affords the best lee in the prevailing in passing through. winds. (151) The principal dangers in approaching Gardiners (161) Velocities of the current on flood and ebb are 3.5 and Bay from the northward are the broken ground between 4.3 knots, respectively. The flood sets northwestward and Constellation Rock and Plum Island, and the shoal making the ebb southeastward. Heavy tide rips occur. In 1983, out to Gardiners Point. In the bay, Crow Shoal should NOAA Ships RUDE and HECK reported that during be avoided. In general, the shoaling is rather abrupt in the flood a countercurrent normally develops along approaching these dangers and gradual in approaching the north shore of Plum Island. This countercurrent is the shoals on the western side of the bay. most prevalent within 0.5 mile of the island. Caution is recommended when using this passage. (152) (162) Oyster Pond Reef, extending about 0.5 mile east- No-Discharge Zone northeastward from Orient Point, is marked by a light (153) The State of New York, with the approval of the and sound signal. Caution is recommended regarding the sound signal, as it may be difficult to hear at times, Environmental Protection Agency, has established a particularly with an easterly wind. Numerous boulders No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Peconic Estuary. The and little depth are between the light and Orient Point. NDZ includes all open waters, harbors and creeks of Midway Shoal, about 0.5 mile east of the light, has 17 the Peconic Estuary west of a line from Orient Point to feet over it and is marked by a lighted buoy. Montauk Point (see chart 13209 for limits). (154) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether (163) When using Plum Gut it is well to give Plum Island treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. and Orient Point Light a berth of 0.2 mile. The best water Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by in the passage will be found on a 295° course, passing 40 CFR 140(see chapter 2). Pine Point and the buoy marking Midway Shoal at a distance of 350 yards and passing midway between Orient Point Light and Plum Gut Light on the western end of Plum Island. (155) Plum Island, about 2 miles westward of Great Gull Island, is 2.5 miles long, hilly, and bare of trees except (164) A channel, with a reported controlling depth of 7 feet near the southwest end and has several large buildings in 1999, leads to a research basin operated by the U.S. and a prominent tank; it is marked on its western point by Department of Agriculture on the south side of Orient Plum Gut Light. The island is a Government reservation Point, about 1 mile southwest of Orient Point Light. and closed to the public. A ferry operates between here, Plum Island and New London. (156) The bight in the southeast side of Plum Island is foul to Plum Island Rock, which is 0.5 mile from shore (165) abreast of the middle of the island, has 1 foot over it and is marked by a buoy. Small-craft facility (166) A small-craft facility is about 0.1 mile westward (157) Plum Gut Harbor, on the southwest side of Plum Island, has an entrance between jetties with private of the wharf. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, seasonal lights on dolphins off the outer ends. The lights water, ice, and a launching ramp are available. In 1981, are shown daily from sundown to 0130. A private sound a reported depth of about 6 feet could be carried to the signal at the west jetty light is sounded occasionally when facility. Department of Agriculture vessels are navigating in the area. A depth of about 14 feet is in the entrance. Small yachts seeking shelter in an emergency lie alongside the wharves. The harbor is under the supervision of the (167) Acabonack Harbor, at the southeast end of Department of Agriculture and the Coast Guard, and may Gardiners Bay, is entered through a privately maintained be used only with permission. and marked channel with a reported controlling depth of 8 feet in the entrance in 1996. (158) (168) Hog Creek Point, on the southerly side of Gardiners COLREGS Demarcation Lines Bay, is generally flat, with bluffs approximately 25 feet (159) The lines established for Plum Gut Harbor are in height. Lionhead Rock, off the point and marked by a buoy, is awash at high water. Fishtraps are westward of described in 33 CFR 80.155, chapter 2. the point. (169) Threemile Harbor, on the south side of Gardiners Bay 1.7 miles southwestward of Hog Creek Point, is
254 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 entered through a channel with two privately dredged (182) sections. In 1980, a portion of the wooden bulkhead on the west side of the entrance collapsed into the channel. Currents In 1981, it was reported that by favoring the east side of (183) The tidal currents have considerable velocity the entrance channel a depth of 8 feet could be carried to a point opposite Maidstone Park, thence in 1996, a wherever the channel is narrowed. The velocity in the reported depth of 6 feet could be carried to the basin at the narrower places is about 1.8 knots. head of the harbor. The approach to the harbor is marked by a seasonal lighted bell buoy, and the channel is marked (184) by lighted and unlighted buoys. The jetties at the harbor entrance are marked on the outer ends by private lights. A Ice public commercial landing with reported depths of 8 feet (185) Ice obstructs navigation in the coves and shallow is on the east side of the channel about 0.6 mile above the entrance. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. harbors during January and February. In severe winters, drift ice is reported to interfere with navigation for short (170) periods of time. In the south arm of Shelter Island Sound, the ice is heavy enough at times to destroy structures Anchorage exposed to it. (171) Anchorage is available in Threemile Harbor in (186) depths of 9 to 14 feet with soft bottom and good holding ground; this is a good anchorage during strong winds. Small-craft facilities (187) Diesel fuel, gasoline, ice, water, marine supplies, (172) and other provisions can best be obtained at Greenport Currents and Sag Harbor. Several boatyards, shipyards, marine (173) The tidal current has a velocity of about 3 knots railways, and enclosed basins with excellent repair facilities are at Greenport. through the entrance. (174) (188) Ram Head is a prominent sandy bluff on the western Small-craft facilities shore of Gardiners Bay. A lower bluff is nearly 1.5 miles (175) Small-craft facilities on the east and south sides westward of Ram Head with numerous houses along the top. A shoal with 7 to 17 feet over it extends about 2.4 of Threemile Harbor can provide berths, electricity, miles southeastward from Ram Head. gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, launching ramps, storage, lifts to 40 tons, and hull and engine repair. Provisions can (189) A boulder with 1 foot over it is 230 yards from shore be obtained at the town of East Hampton, 3.5 miles south about 0.3 mile northeastward of the northern point of the of Threemile Harbor. entrance to Coecles Harbor. Other boulders with little (176) In 1989, the public pier maintained by the town of depth are between this boulder and Ram Head. East Hampton at the head of the harbor had reported depths of 7 feet at its face and 4 feet on its west side. (190) The entrance to Coecles Harbor is at the south end of Ram Head; the channel is marked by private seasonal (177) buoys and a private seasonal light. In 1996, the reported controlling depth in the privately maintained entrance COLREGS Demarcation Lines channel was 8 feet. The speed limit is 5 mph.Amarina and (178) The lines established for Threemile Harbor are boatyard are in the harbor. A mobile hoist at the boatyard can haul out craft up to 35 tons; gasoline, water, ice, diesel described in 33 CFR 80.155, chapter 2. fuel, marine supplies, pump-out facilities, berths, guest moorings, storage facilities, and complete engine and hull (179) repairs are available. In 1981, a reported depth of 5½ feet could be carried to the marina and boatyard. In 2003, a Chart 12358 dangerous rock was reported about 250 yards south of Buoy 10 at 41°04'11.5\"N., 72°18'22.5\"W. Care should (180) Shelter Island Sound and Peconic Bays extend be taken to avoid this hazard. westward from Gardiners Bay about 22 miles to Riverhead, the head of navigation on Peconic River. They (191) A special anchorage is in Coecles Harbor. (See are much frequented by yachts and other small craft in 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.59, chapter 2, for limits and the summer. Fishtraps and oyster stakes are on many of regulations.) the shoals. (192) (181) A depth of about 26 feet can be carried through the channel north of Shelter Island and through Little Peconic COLREGS Demarcation Lines Bay as far as Robins Island, and about 13 feet through the (193) The lines established for Coecles Harbor are channel south of Shelter Island. Across the bar between Little and Great Peconic Bays about 13 feet can be carried. described in 33 CFR 80.155, chapter 2. With local knowledge greater depths can be carried in the channels and across the bar. A depth of about 6 feet can be taken to South Jamesport and Riverhead. (194) Extensive flats and an unmarked aquaculture site make off from Ram Head and the shore between it and Hay Beach Point, the northernmost point of Shelter
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 255 Island, which is a low flat with a clump of scrub at its end (206) and backed by wooded highland. (195) Long Beach Point is a low spit eastward of Hay Small-craft facilities Beach Point; a light marks the outer end of the point. (207) Small-craft facilities at Greenport can provide berths, Shoaling is reported S of the point. Mariners should exercise caution in this area; the shoals extending electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, marine southward from the point are constantly changing and supplies, a pump-out facility, and hull and engine repairs. can be dangerous. The largest marine railway, at a shipbuilding company at the southeast end of the waterfront, can handle craft up (196) to 500 tons and 15 feet in draft. Mobile hoists to 50 tons are available. A well-equipped machine shop is also in COLREGS Demarcation Lines the town. (197) The lines established for the Long Island bays are described in 33 CFR 80.155, chapter 2. (208) A ferry operates between Greenport and Shelter Island. During the summer, bus service is available from Greenport to Orient Point where there is ferry service to (198) Orient Harbor, about 4 miles northwestward of New London. Ram Head, is an excellent anchorage; the depths range from over 20 feet in its southern part to 16 feet at its (209) Dering Harbor, southward of Greenport and at the northern end. Orient is a village at the northeast end of northwest end of Shelter Island, is a favorite anchorage Orient Harbor. At the end of the main wharf the depth is for yachts and motorboats. The entrance to the harbor, 8½ feet. The eastern part of Orient Harbor has depths of marked by private buoys, is partially constricted by a 7 to 9 feet. Fish traps are on the shoals. disposal area in about mid-entrance and shoal area with a reported depth of 4 feet in 1981 that extends from the (199) About 0.4 mile northeastward of Cleaves Point, at southwestern entrance point to near the disposal area; the southwest end of Orient Harbor, the shore has been caution is advised. In 1989, it was reported that about 10 cut through to a small pond which is used as a private feet could be carried into the harbor with local knowledge. basin for small craft. The entrance, between two jetties, Depths of 10 to 14 feet are available in the central part has a depth of about 3 feet over the bar, with about 6 feet of the harbor, with much lesser depths around the edges. in the basin. Permission is required before anchoring in Moorings and float landings for small craft are in the bight the basin. Rocks are 0.2 mile south of the entrance. at the southwest end of the harbor. Vessels too large to enter can anchor outside the harbor in depths of 14 to 30 (200) Hallock Bay makes eastward from Orient Harbor on feet. The speed limit is 5 mph. the north side of Long Beach Point. A channel, marked by uncharted private daybeacons, leads into the bay. The bay (210) is shallow and dangers and shoaling have been reported. Local knowledge is advised prior to entering. Small-craft facilities (211) Small-craft facilities, on the west side of the harbor, (201) Gull Pond is 0.3 mile westward of Cleaves Point at the southwest end of Orient Harbor; a private light marks can provide berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, the entrance. In 1981, a reported depth of 4 feet could be water, ice, marine supplies, pump-out facilities, and hull carried through the entrance, with depths of 10 to 15 feet and outboard engine repairs. A launching ramp is also reported in the pond. A State launching ramp is available available. in the pond. (202) Greenport is an important town and the terminus of a branch of a Class II railroad. The white church spires, (212) Shelter Island Heights is on the southwestern side near the northern end of town, and a tank and TV radio of Dering Harbor. tower in the center of town are prominent. (213) Fanning Point is on the north shore at the southwest (203) Greenport Harbor is formed on the northeast end of Greenport. A shoal extends 300 yards off the point by a 5-foot-high breakwater, which extends 0.2 mile and is marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. Four dolphins, southeastward from Youngs Point, nearly to the 18-foot part of a former oil facility, are northward of the point. curve, and is marked at its outer end by a light. The depths Currents of 2 knots, running fair with the channel, have at the wharves range from 5 to 20 feet. The railroad wharf been reported in the vicinity of Fanning Point. on the south side of the waterfront can accommodate a vessel up to 100 feet. (214) Conkling Point, on the north shore 1 mile southwestward of Fanning Point, is low and sandy at the (204) An entrance channel leads northwest to an anchorage end and has deep water as close as 150 yards. A marina area inside Stirling Basin; the entrance channel is marked on the southwest side of the point had a reported depth by private seasonal buoys. Another anchorage area is on of 6 feet in the approach in 2006. Berths and moorings, the northeast side of the entrance channel. electricity, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, a pump-out, a launching ramp, a 30-ton mobile hoist and (205) The harbormaster for Greenport Harbor controls winter storage are available. Hull and engine repairs can mooring and berthing in the basin. The speed limit is 5 be made. mph. (215) Mill Creek is the entrance to Hashamomuck Pond, about 1.1 miles westward of Conkling Point. In 1981, the
256 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 privately dredged entrance channel into the creek had a from Gardiners Bay is across a shoal or bar which extends controlling depth of 4 feet, thence 3½ feet was reported in in a southeasterly direction from Ram Head to the south the channel along the northwest shore of Mill Creek. The shore, the depths on which vary from 7 to 11 feet about entrance channel is marked by private seasonal buoys. 1.6 miles from Ram Head, and thence 13 to 17 feet to the About 400 yards eastward of the creek is a small bight buoys which mark the entrance. entered through a channel with a depth of about 4 feet (224) Dangerous Rock, awash at low water in surrounding and marked by private seasonal lights and buoys. In 1992, depths of about 12 feet, is 0.2 mile south of the channel. severe shoaling was reported across the entrance. (225) A shoal extends 0.3 to 0.4 mile north of the shore of (216) Jennings Point, the western end of Shelter Island, is Cedar Point which is marked by a light. The shoal has high and wooded. Rocks are off the point close-to, and it boulders, and its edge is marked by buoys. should be given a berth of over 150 yards. A lighted buoy (226) Shoals with boulders and little water over them in is off the point. A gazebo on the point is prominent. places extend nearly 0.5 mile southeastward from Nicoll (217) The town of Southold is at the head of Southold Point. Buoys mark the limit of the channel in this area. Bay, which is the bight at the western end of Shelter (227) Northwest Harbor, between Cedar Island Light Island Sound westward of Jennings Point. For about a and Barcelona Point, is strewn with boulders covered mile northeastward of the entrance jetty, shoals with 12 by 4 to 6 feet. feet or less extend nearly 0.4 mile from shore and are (228) Sand Spit, an extensive shoal partly bare at half- generally steep-to. The southwest part of the bay is shoal tide, is between Mashomack Point, the southeastern for about 0.3 mile from shore. Anchorage can be selected extremity of Shelter Island, and Sag Harbor. The spit is east-southeast of the jetty at a distance of from 0.2 to 0.4 marked by buoys and a light. mile, in 12 to 18 feet. (229) A group of rocks locally known as Gull Island, (218) In 1989, the reported controlling depth was about 3 showing bare at half-tide, is nearly 0.4 mile northeastward feet in the privately maintained channels in Town Creek of the breakwater at Sag Harbor. and Jockey Creek. The common entrance to Town Creek (230) Sag Harbor, about 2.5 miles southwestward of the and Jockey Creek is marked by private seasonal buoys. light on Cedar Point, is protected on the northeast by a The bridge that crosses Jockey Creek has a 45-foot fixed breakwater marked at the outer end by a light. A spherical span with a vertical clearance of 6.5 feet. The privately tank, a radio tower, and several flagpoles are prominent maintained channel in Goose Creek had a reported landmarks. controlling depth of 7 feet in 2008. The fixed highway (231) In entering Sag Harbor, do not round the breakwater bridge at the mouth of Goose Creek has a clearance of 9 too closely, as a depth of about 6 feet is found near its feet. end. Anchor eastward or northeastward of the end of the (219) On the shore south of Southold entrance jetty is a former ferry wharf, locally known as Long Wharf. A 5 prominent white tower. mph speed limit is enforced. (232) The channel to Sag Harbor Cove is about 8 feet (220) deep; this channel and the cove are marked by private seasonal lights and buoys. A fixed bridge at the entrance Small-craft facilities has a clearance of 21 feet. Berths, electricity, gasoline, (221) There are several small-craft facilities on the creeks diesel fuel, storage, marine supplies, water, ice, launching ramps, and complete engine, hull, rigging, and sail repairs and along the west shore of Southold Bay from Paradise are available at Sag Harbor; a 30-ton mobile hoist, near Point to Conkling Point. Berths, electricity, gasoline, the inner end of the breakwater, can haul out craft up to water, ice, marine supplies, launching ramps, storage, about 60 feet. lifts, and cranes are available. Provisions can be obtained (233) Smith Cove, a small bight on the south side of at Southold. Shelter Island, is a good anchorage for small craft in northerly weather. Depths range from 11 to 30 feet. A marina on the west side of the cove can provide moorings, limited berths, gasoline, electricity, water, and some (222) Paradise Point, on the west side of Shelter Island marine supplies. In 1981, a depth of 6 feet was reported Sound, is low and wooded, and from the point a sloping alongside the pier at the marina. A ferry operates between sandspit extends about 0.3 mile eastward and is marked South Ferry on the southwest side of the cove to North by a lighted buoy. Southward of Paradise Point, shoals Haven Peninsula. with depths of 10 to 15 feet extend from the west shore (234) West Neck Harbor and West Neck Bay are shallow to midsound; the southeast point of the shoals is marked bodies of water on the southwest side of Shelter Island. by a buoy. In 1989, it was reported that a depth of 2 feet could be carried over the bar and into the harbor from Shelter (223) The channel south of Shelter Island has numerous Island Sound. The entrance is close eastward of the shoals, but is easily followed by vessels of 13 feet or less seaward end of a peninsula, marked by a private lighted draft when the buoys can be seen. The channel is used by buoy, that separates the harbor from the sound, and the vessels going to Sag Harbor. Vessels operating between Greenport and Sag Harbor prefer the inside route around the western end of Shelter Island. The tidal current in the channel between Shelter Island and North Haven Peninsula has a velocity of about 2.4 knots. The approach
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 257 channel follows along the north side of this peninsula. (246) An aquaculture site, marked by private seasonal The channel is marked by private buoys. The harbor has buoys, is at the south end of Little Peconic Bay about 1 numerous private landings. A boatyard with a marine mile north-northwest of the entrance to North Sea Harbor. railway can handle craft up to 40 feet for hull and engine repairs. Berths, gasoline, water, ice, a launching ramp, (247) A prominent sandy bluff, known locally as Holmes and some marine supplies are available. Hill, is just west of the entrance to North Sea Harbor. In 2008, the reported controlling depth through the dredged (235) channel and into the harbor was 7 feet. The channel is marked by private seasonal buoys and by a private Anchorage seasonal light at the entrance. This is an excellent harbor (236) A special anchorage is in West Neck Harbor. (See of refuge for small craft with drafts not exceeding 3½ feet. The bottom is soft with good holding ground. 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.60(y-1), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (248) A marina in the harbor has gasoline, ice, water, some marine supplies, and a lift that can handle craft to 10 tons; hull and engine repairs can be made. (237) Noyack (Noyac) Bay is between North Haven (249) Wooley Pond, 1 mile northeastward of North Sea Peninsula and Jessup Neck and southward of the western Harbor, is entered through a dredged channel which, end of Shelter Island. No dangers will be encountered if in 2000, had a reported depth of 8 feet. The channel the shores are given a berth of 0.4 mile. is marked by private seasonal buoys and by a private seasonal light on the north side of the entrance. (238) Mill Creek, in the southern part of Noyack Bay, is entered through a privately dredged channel that leads to (250) A marina in the pond can provide berths, electricity, a basin. The channel is marked by private seasonal lights gasoline, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, and hull and buoys. In 1991, the reported controlling depth was 8 and engine repairs; a 45-foot marine railway and a 12-ton feet in the channel; thence in 1981, 6 feet in the basin. A forklift are available. In 1981, depths of 5 to 6 feet were clubhouse on the west side of the entrance is prominent. reported available at the marina. (239) (251) Nassau Point, the long neck on the northwest side of Little Peconic Bay, has high bluffs on the eastern side. A Small-craft facilities shoal with little depth over it extends 0.5 mile southward (240) Small-craft facilities in the creek can provide berths, from Nassau Point and is marked by a lighted buoy. electricity, gasoline, water, ice, storage, a launching (252) Cutchogue Harbor, between Nassau Point and ramp, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs; a 25- New Suffolk, is used by local boats drawing 6 to 10 feet. ton mobile hoist is available. On the east shore of the harbor, northwestward of Nassau Point, three channels leading into the ponds have been dredged by private interests. At the middle of the three channels, 0.9 mile northwest of the extremity of Nassau (241) Jessup Neck is a long narrow strip, partly high and Point, are several private wharves. The channel leads wooded, separating Noyack Bay from Little Peconic Bay. between two jetties, and a depth of about 3 feet can be The north end of the neck is a sandspit from which a shoal carried into the pond and 1 foot to some of the wharves. with 4 to 12 feet over it extends nearly 0.4 mile north- northwestward. A lighted buoy marks the outer end of the (253) Haywater Cove,Broadwater Cove,Mud Creek, shoal area. and East Creek, used by local interests and sharing a common entrance, are at the head of Cutchogue Harbor. (242) A shoal with depths of 5 to 7 feet extends 1.5 miles The entrance channel and the channels through these southwestward from Great Hog Neck, on the northwest waterways have been privately dredged. In 1999, a side at the entrance to Little Peconic Bay; this shoal is reported depth of 6 feet was available in the entrance marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. channel; thence in 1966, 6 feet in East Creek and 7 feet in Haywater Cove and Broadwater Cove; thence in 1976, 6 (243) Heavy tide rips occur southeast of Great Hog Neck feet in Mud Creek. Shoaling is reported to occur in these during the flood with a southwesterly wind.At such times, areas; caution is advised. small craft can avoid the worst of them by favoring the shore on the northwest side of the passage. (254) A depth of 8 feet can be taken within 100 feet of the wharves at New Suffolk by passing eastward and about (244) Richmond Creek and Corey Creek are at the 200 yards northward of the buoy westward of Nassau head of Hog Neck Bay. A depth of about 7 feet can be Point and steering westward for the wharves. A small taken in the privately dredged channel leading to a basin basin, with a depth of about 8 feet reported in 1981, is in Richmond Creek; the channel is marked by private northward of the wharf. In 1981, shoaling to 2 feet was seasonal buoys. In 1999, the dredged channel leading into reported in the southern part of Cutchogue Harbor, about and connecting with small boat channels in Corey Creek 0.4 mile east of New Suffolk. had a controlling depth of 4 feet. In 1964, controlling depths in the small-boat channels inside Corey Creek (255) A larger basin at the north end of New Suffolk, were 5½ to 6 feet. The entrance channel is marked by locally known as School House Creek, extends to the private buoys. highway. The entrance channel is protected by a short (245) Little Peconic Bay is about 5 miles long. The southerly shore of the bay is clear if given a berth of 0.4 mile, but shoals extend 0.6 mile from the south end of the bay.
258 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 rock jetty, covered at high water, on the south. The depth seasonal light and buoy. An overhead power cable at the to the boatyard at the head of the basin was reported to be entrance to the pond has a clearance of 34 feet. 6 feet in 2008. Berths, gasoline, storage, marine supplies, (265) James Creek, on the north shore of Great Peconic hull and engine repairs, and a 30-ton mobile hoist are Bay opposite the entrance to Shinnecock Canal, is entered available at the boatyard. through a privately dredged channel that had a reported (256) Wickham Creek, locally known as Boatmens controlling depth of 6 feet in 2008. The entrance is Harbor, 0.7 mile north of New Suffolk, is entered through marked by private seasonal buoys. Small-craft facilities a privately dredged entrance channel with a reported on the creek can provide berths, electricity, gasoline, controlling depth of 8 feet in 2002. The channel is marked diesel fuel, water, ice, some marine supplies, sewage by private seasonal buoys and bush stakes. Gasoline, pumpout, launching ramps, lifts to 20 tons, storage, and water, ice, storage, a launching ramp, and some marine hull, electronic, and engine repairs. A flatbed trailer can supplies are available in the basin. A flatbed trailer can haul out craft to 30 feet. haul out craft to 32 feet. (266) South Jamesport is a village on Miamogue (257) In southeast gales, local craft of less than 6-foot Point, 3.4 miles southwestward of James Creek. Local draft seek shelter in the small cove, locally known as knowledge is necessary to avoid the shoals in this area, Horseshoe Cove, in the northeast part of Cutchogue and strangers should take soundings frequently to keep Harbor. in the best water. (258) The through channel in North Race, northward of Robins Island, is marked and used only by light-draft (267) boats. South Race, the channel southward of Robins Island, has a controlling depth of about 13 feet and is Small-craft facility marked by buoys. (268) A small-craft facility at South Jamesport can provide (259) An aquaculture site, marked by private buoys, is 0.6 mile southwest of the south end of Robins Island. berths, electricity, gasoline, water, ice, launching ramps, (260) Tide rips occur between the mainland and the south storage, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs; end of Robins Island when the tidal current sets against a 25-ton mobile hoist is available. In 1999, a reported the wind. depth of 6 feet could be taken to the facility. The town (261) Great Peconic Bay, about 5 miles in diameter, is has railroad passenger and bus service. used mostly by local motorboats from Shinnecock Canal and by yachts. The bay is generally clear, but extensive shoals make off from the shores, except on its south side. Shinnecock Canal, the entrance from the south, is (269) Peconic River empties into the western end of described in chapter 10. Flanders Bay, about 1.5 miles westward of South (262) Rodgers Rock, about 1.3 miles west-southwestward Jamesport. The river is entered through a dredged of Cow Neck and about 1.2 miles south-southwest of channel marked by private seasonal lights that leads from Robins Island, has a depth of 6 feet over it and is marked Flanders Bay to the head of navigation at Riverhead, on the northeast side by a buoy. Robins Island Rock, about 2.4 miles above the channel entrance. The dredged 0.8 mile westward of the south end of Robins Island, is channel is approached from deep water in Great Peconic awash at low water. It is marked by a buoy. Caution is Bay through a marked channel. In 2001, the controlling recommended in this vicinity. depth was 4.3 feet (5.7 feet at midchannel) in the dredged (263) Sebonac Creek, on the southeast side of Great channel. A fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 25 Peconic Bay, is used extensively by yachts, and serves feet crosses the river about 0.9 mile above the mouth. as a yacht harbor for the town of Southampton. A privately dredged channel, marked by private seasonal (270) Flanders Bay is the scene of considerable small boat lights and buoys, leads into the creek and had a reported activity. Small-craft facilities are at Riverhead; limited controlling depth of 8 feet in 1981. The landings are at berths, electricity, gasoline, water and a pump-out station West Neck, a small settlement northeastward of Ram are available. Island in Bullhead Bay. An obstruction buoy is locally maintained during the summer to mark a rock, covered (271) Meetinghouse Creek,Terrys Creek, and Reeves 1½ feet, about 100 feet westward of the town landing. In Creek, which empty into the northwestern part of 1981, a reported depth of 5 feet could be carried to the Flanders Bay, are entered through privately dredged town landing. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced. channels. In 1981, the channels had reported controlling (264) Cold Spring Pond, about 1.6 miles southwestward depths of 5 feet. The entrance channel leading to, and of Sebonac Creek and 1.1 miles eastward of Shinnecock connecting with, Terrys Creek and Meetinghouse Creek Canal entrance, is entered through a privately dredged is marked by private seasonal buoys and a private channel which had a reported depth of 6 feet in 2001. seasonal light. Marinas on Meetinghouse Creek provide In 1992, severe shoaling was reported in the entrance. berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine The entrance channel to the pond is marked by a private supplies, pumpout facilities, a 30-ton forklift, 55-ton mobile hoist, storage facilities, and hull, motor, and electronic repairs. In 2011, a reported depth of 8 feet was available alongside. (272) Reeves Bay, on the southwest side of Flanders Bay, is entered through a privately dredged channel that leads to the town of Flanders on the south side of the bay.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 259 In 1999, the channel had a reported controlling depth of (282) On the south side of Fishers Island Sound, off the 2 feet. Other dredged channels lead from the entrance north side of East Point on Fishers Island, are Seal channel into several arms of the bay. A boatyard at Rocks, partly bare at low water and marked by a buoy. Flanders has gasoline, storage facilities, marine supplies, A rocky patch covered 11 feet and marked by a buoy is and a 10-ton marine railway; hull and engine repairs can about 500 yards northeastward of Seal Rocks. Youngs be made. Rock, about 0.4 mile westward of Seal Rocks, has about 1 foot over it and is marked by a buoy. A rocky patch (273) extends about 400 yards to the east-northeastward. Chart 13214 (283) East Harbor and Chocomount Cove, in the north shore of Fishers Island, are sometimes used as anchorages (274) Fishers Island Sound extends between the by small craft. There is considerable foul ground in mainland of Connecticut and Fishers Island, and forms East Harbor and in the approach to Chocomount Cove. one of the entrances into Long Island Sound that is used The harbor and cove are exposed to northerly winds. A to some extent by light tows and other vessels up to 14- former Coast Guard Station with a boathouse and dock foot draft. The sound has numerous shoals and lobster is prominent near the south side of East Harbor. Several trap buoys, and the entire area is exceedingly treacherous, small private piers with about 6 feet at their ends are in characterized by boulder patches that rise abruptly from East Harbor. deep water. Vessels should follow the deeper channels between the shoals and proceed with caution if obliged (284) The north shore of Fishers Island from East Harbor to cross shoal areas. In general, all shoal spots or abrupt around into West Harbor has several private landings. changes of depth are indications of boulders and should be avoided as anchorages. (285) East Clump is a cluster of rocks partly bare at high water and marked by a buoy about 0.8 mile north (275) of Fishers Island. From East Clump for some 2.8 miles westward to North Dumpling, there are rocky islets and Currents dangers which must be avoided. These are 0.5 to 0.8 (276) In Watch Hill Passage the tidal currents are strong mile off the Fishers Island shore, and most are buoyed. North Dumpling, an islet marked by a light and sound and necessitate caution in navigating. Buoys may be signal, is surrounded by rocks awash and foul ground. towed under. The flood current sets nearly in the direction Seaflower Reef, marked by a light, is near the middle of of the channel, but has a tendency to northward and the the western entrance of Fishers Island Sound and 0.8 mile ebb a tendency to southward. The northerly and southerly northwestward of North Dumpling Light. set is more marked between Napatree Point and Latimer Reef Light. (286) West Harbor, on the north side of Fishers Island (277) In Sugar Reef and Catumb Passages the tidal southeastward of North Dumpling Light, affords shelter currents set obliquely across the axis of the channel. The from southerly winds. In 2002, the dredged channel flood sets northwestward and the ebb southeastward. The leading into the harbor along the west shore had a tidal currents in Sugar Reef Passage are about the same controlling depth of 10.2 feet. Foul ground extends across velocity as in Watch Hill Passage, but are stronger in the entrance of West Harbor to near the eastern edge of the Catumb Passage. dredged channel; the northern limits of the foul ground (278) In Lords Passage the tidal currents set diagonally are buoyed. across the channel and have a velocity of nearly 2 knots, the ebb being greater than the flood. (287) A yacht club wharf and another small-craft facility (279) In the main channel of Fishers Island Sound, the are on the southwest side of the harbor. Gasoline, diesel flood sets westward and the ebb eastward. In the main fuel, water, ice, and hull and engine repairs are available. channel between Napatree Point and Wicopesset Island, A marine railway can handle craft up to 40 feet. The head the velocity of flood is 1.7 knots and ebb 2.2 knots. The of the harbor is used by boats drawing less than 5 feet flood sets 284° and the ebb 113°. which enter by the narrow unmarked channel southward (280) InthechannelsouthofRamIslandReef,thevelocities of Goose Island. of flood and ebb are 1.3 and 1.6 knots, respectively. The flood sets 255° and the ebb 088°. The direction and (288) Hay Harbor, at the west end of Fishers Island, is velocity of the current are affected by strong winds that used by small craft. may change the duration of flood or ebb. (281) The strong tidal currents prevent the formation of (289) Silver Eel Cove (Silver Eel Pond) is on the west heavy local ice, except in shoal tributaries. The only ice to side of Fishers Island, 0.6 mile northeastward of Race give trouble is that set in from Long Island Sound by wind Point. The entrance, about 75 feet wide and jettied, is and current. The ice formations in Little Narragansett marked by a private light and has a depth of about 11 feet, Bay are sufficiently heavy to be destructive to structures with similar depths inside. Submerged fender pilings are exposed to them. reported on both sides of the entrance. Dolphins are on the northeast side of the cove, and the channel is clear between them and the wharves on the southwest side. Vessels must go to the wharves as there is no room for anchorage. There is very little dockage available. The entrance is difficult with northwesterly or westerly winds.
260 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 Alighted whistle buoy is about 450 yards off the entrance. A ferry which operates between Fishers Island and New London lands here. During the summer, a Coast Guard (299) Watch Hill Cove, in the southeastern part of Little unit is stationed inside the entrance to the cove. Narragansett Bay, is used by small craft. A dredged (290) On the north side of Fishers Island Sound are: Little channel, marked by lighted and unlighted buoys, leads Narragansett Bay, and Pawcatuck River leading to the into the cove. A yacht club and town dock are in Watch towns of Westerly and Pawcatuck; Stonington Harbor Hill Cove; berths, guest moorings, electricity, diesel fuel and the town of Stonington; and Mystic Harbor leading and water are available. to the towns of Noank and Mystic. (291) Napatree Beach, 1.3 miles long between Watch Hill (300) Point and Napatree Point, is bare. Sandy Point, about 1.4 miles north-northwestward of Napatree Point, is at Anchorage the northwestern end of a long and narrow sand island (301) A special anchorage is in Watch Hill Cove. (See in Little Narragansett Bay. An extensive sandspit makes off from the northeasterly and southwesterly sides of the 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.47, chapter 2, for limits and island; give these areas a good berth. The island is subject regulations.) to continual change; caution is advised. (292) Napatree Point Ledge, a boulder reef with little depth, extends nearly 0.4 mile southward of the point. It is marked by a lighted bell buoy. A sunken wreck is (302) Pawcatuck River, entered just south of Pawcatuck about 0.3 mile eastward of the ledge in about 41°18'N., Point, extends about 4 miles to Westerly.AFederal project 71°53'W. provides for a depth of 10 feet for nearly 4 miles thence (293) The west side of Napatree Point should not be 7 feet to the end of the channel. (See Notice to Mariners approached closer than 175 yards to avoid a stone jetty and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) The which is covered at high water. Between Napatree Point channel is well marked. and the Stonington outer breakwater is an extensive flat on which the depths are 2 to 10 feet, rocky bottom. (303) Middle Ground, the western part of the flat, is marked by the outer breakwater, which has a light at its western Currents end. A sound signal is at the light. (304) About 1 mile above the entrance to Pawcatuck River (294) Adepth of 17 feet can be taken to an anchorage inside this breakwater, giving the light on the breakwater a berth the tidal current has a velocity of 0.6 knot on the flood, of more than 250 yards. In anchoring, give the inside of and 0.5 knot on the ebb. the breakwater a berth of over 300 yards to avoid shoals and fishweirs. This anchorage provides good shelter (305) except in southwesterly and westerly winds, although it is seldom used. Ice (295) Little Narragansett Bay, at the eastern end of (306) The river is generally closed by ice from January to Fishers Island Sound, is entered at its extreme western end southward of Stonington Point. A dredged channel March. leads around the north side of Sandy Point, thence extends southeast across the bay to the entrance of Pawcatuck River. The channel is marked by lighted and unlighted buoys. (307) Colonel Willie Cove, 0.5 mile above Pawcatuck (296) Caution should be exercised in entering Little Point, has a boatyard with a marine railway that can Narragansett Bay. Shoal water extends for about 200 handle craft up to 50 feet for hull and engine repairs. yards off Stonington Point, and the shoal area north of Berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, Sandy Point is subject to continual change. Strangers storage facilities, a pump-out station, marine supplies, are advised to obtain local information before entering and a 30-ton lift are also available. Mariners enroute to because of rocks and shoal water near the edges of the the boatyard should use the chart as a guide. channel. (308) (297) Anchorage Currents (309) A special anchorage is in Thompson Cove, 2 miles (298) In the dredged channel northward of Sandy Point, above Pawcatuck Point. (See 33 CFR 110.1and 110.48, the currents have a velocity of 1.3 knots. The flood sets chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) A yacht club pier eastward and the ebb westward. (See the Tidal Current is in the cove. Private seasonal buoys mark the approach Tables for predictions.) to the pier. (310) Westerly, 4 miles above Pawcatuck Point, is an important manufacturing town. (311) Small-craft facilities (312) There are numerous small-craft facilities along both sides of the Pawcatuck River and at the head at Westerly and Pawcatuck, just across the river. The largest marine railway in the area is at Avondale and it can handle craft to 55 feet. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage facilities, launching ramps, lifts, some repairs and marine supplies are available. Depths of 7 to 9 feet are reported at the town dock at Pawcatuck.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 261 and electronic repairs are available. In 1981, a reported depth of 7 feet could be carried to the yard. (313) Wequetequock Cove is a shallow cove at the (323) A harbormaster is at Stonington. northern end of Little Narrangansett Bay. A narrow (324) A railroad causeway with two fixed spans crosses unmarked channel leads eastward of Elihu Island into Stonington Harbor 0.4 mile above Stonington; the the cove. A depth of about 4 feet can be taken as far as east span has a clearance of 5 feet and the west span Goat Island, about a mile above Sandy Point. A fixed has a clearance of 4 feet. Overhead power cables at the railroad bridge with a clearance of 6 feet crosses the cove openings have clearances of 41 feet. about 0.2 mile above Goat Island. A small-craft facility (325) Noyes Rock, 0.4 mile southward of Wamphassuc is on the west side of the cove near the head. Water, ice, Point, has a least depth of 7 feet. Noyes Shoal, with berths, gasoline, storage facilities, launching ramp, 4-ton 10 to 18 feet over it, is nearly 1.5 miles long in a west- forklift, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs are northwesterly direction; it is marked by a gong buoy near available. In 1981, a reported depth of 2 feet could be its eastern end. carried to the facility. (326) (314) Stonington Harbor, 3 miles northwestward of Watch Hill Point, is protected by breakwaters on each No-Discharge Zone side. Each of the breakwaters is marked at its seaward (327) The State of Connecticut, with the approval of the end by a light. The controlling depth to the inner harbor is about 11 feet. Anchorage can be selected inside the west Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No- breakwater in depths of 15 to 18 feet, taking care to keep Discharge Zone (NDZ) in the Connecticut portion of the the south end of Wamphassuc Point bearing northward of Pawcatuck River, Little Narragansett Bay, portions of 270°. Vessels drawing up to 8 feet can find anchorage in Fishers Island Sound and Stonington Harbor. The area the inner harbor. A rock that bares at low water is about covered extends from Wamphassuc Point due south past 50 yards southward of the fishing wharf and is marked Noyes Shoal to the boundary between Connecticut and by a private buoy. New York, easterly following the state boundary to the intersection of the Connecticut, New York and Rhode (315) Island State lines, and following the boundary between Connecticut and Rhode Island to U.S. Route 1 over the Anchorages Pawcatuck River and including all Connecticut waters (316) Special anchorages are in Stonington Harbor. seaward of U.S. Route 1 (see chart 13214 for limits). (328) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether (See 33 CFR 110.1and 110.50, chapter 2, for limits and treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. regulations.) Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by 40 CFR 140(see chapter 2). (317) StoningtonHarborisapproachedfromsoutheastward and westward. Vessels with local knowledge sometimes (329) Latimer Reef, about 0.6 mile south of Noyes Shoal, cross Noyes Shoal from southwestward. The southeastern is a very broken and rocky area 0.4 mile long. It is marked approach is best, with fewer dangers, and the navigational by a light at its west end and a buoy at its east end. The aids serve as excellent guides to avoid them. In daytime eastern end of the reef has a least found depth of 6 feet. with clear weather, no difficulty should be experienced in entering any of the approaches. (330) Latimer Reef Light (41°18'16\"N., 71°56'00\"W.), 55 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical (318) From southeastward, the course from south of tower, brown midway of its height, on a brown cylindrical Napatree Point Ledge should be west-northwestward foundation. A sound signal is at the light. until off the buoy at the southwest end of Middle Ground, from which a northerly course can be shaped past the (331) A detached 11-foot spot, marked by a buoy, is about breakwater lights and into the harbor. 0.4 mile northeast of Latimer Reef Light. (319) From southwestward, a northeasterly course can be (332) Eel Grass Ground, about 0.8 mile northwestward shaped from the lighted bell buoy south of Ram Island of Latimer Reef Light, is a shoal with a least depth Reef to south of White Rock, and thence eastward past of 6 feet, marked by buoys. White Rock, about 0.8 the north side of Noyes Rock to the harbor. mile northeastward of Eel Grass Ground, is bare and prominent. Red Reef, covered 2 feet, is 0.2 mile north (320) The inner breakwater, about 400 yards northward of of White Rock and marked by a buoy. Ellis Reef, 0.4 mile Stonington Point on the east side of the entrance, extends northwestward of Eel Grass Ground, is marked on its east westward about 250 yards and is marked by a light. side by a daybeacon. (321) Stonington is on the east side of the harbor. Traffic (333) Mason Island, 2.5 miles west of Stonington Harbor, is mostly fishing and recreational craft. The wharves have is joined to the mainland by a fixed bridge with an 18- depths of 7 to 12 feet alongside. Following southerly foot span and a clearance of 3 feet; the sound end of the weather, a surge is felt by vessels tied to the southern island is strewn with boulders. A special anchorage is side of the seaward pier. on the east side of Mason Island. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.50a, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) An (322) A boatyard is in the northeast part of the harbor. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, 40-ton lift, marine supplies, and hull, engine,
262 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 (349) Mystic Harbor and Noank, Connecticut N Image courtesy of U.S. Power Squadron, District 1 anchorage for small craft is on the west side of the south the northwesterly end of Ram Island Shoal. This rock is end of Mason Island where depths range from 8 to 11 marked by a seasonal lighted buoy. Leading across the feet; caution and local knowledge are required to use shoal is the buoyed channel, good for about 11 feet, which this anchorage because of the boulders in the area. A is used by vessels entering Mystic Harbor from westward. dangerous rock is off the east side of Mason Point, the (338) A rock covered 6 feet is about 0.5 mile SW of Whale southern extremity of Mason Island, in 41°19'21.6\"N., Rock; about 0.65 mile SW of that rock is Intrepid Rock, 71°58'05.0\"W. with 19 feet over it and marked by a buoy, which should (334) Enders Island, 0.3 mile eastward of the southern be avoided. Mouse Island, marked by several dwellings, end of Mason Island, is connected to it by a fixed bridge is 150 yards southwestward of Morgan Point. with a 15-foot span and a clearance of 6 feet. (339) In 1983, a rock, covered about 2 feet, was reported (335) Ram Island Reef, 1.8 miles westward of Latimer 0.2 mile west of Mouse Island in about 41°18'52\"N., Reef Light, has two detached parts: the southerly section 71°59'50\"W. is covered 8 feet and marked by a lighted bell buoy, and (340) Morgan Point is located on the west side at the the northerly section, covered by 6 feet, is marked by a entrance of Mystic Harbor. A privately maintained and daybeacon. Passage between the reef and island is unsafe marked channel leading to the piers in West Cove at because of shoals. Noank westward of the point had a least depth of 4 feet (336) Ram Island, about 0.4 mile southwest of Mason reported in 1981. Island, is wooded and grass-fringed. A shoal, on which (341) Groton Long Point, on which is a summer are two rocky islets, extends about 0.2 mile northeastward settlement, is about 0.9 mile southwestward of Morgan from Ram Island. Ram Island Shoal, extending nearly Point. A reef extends nearly 300 yards southwestward 0.5 mile westward from Ram Island, has little water over from the point and is marked by a buoy. About 0.3 mile it and many rocks bare at low water. Whaleback Rock to the west a rock awash at low water is 175 yards off and the islet 300 yards northwestward of it are bare. the southwest end of Groton Long Point. It is marked by (337) The narrow but deep channel along the north side a buoy. of Ram Island Shoal is the easterly entrance to Mystic (342) Mystic Harbor, about 6 miles westward of Watch Harbor. Between the shoal and Groton Long Point is Hill Point, is the approach to the towns of Noank and an area of foul ground and several dangerous rocks, Mystic. A Federal project provides for a 15-foot channel including Whale Rock, which bares at low water, at from Morgan Point through Mystic Harbor and into
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 263 Mystic River to the bascule bridge thence a 12-foot (353) channel to Mystic Seaport Museum Wharf, about 0.6 mile above the bascule bridge. An anchorage basin with Small-craft facilities a project depth of 9 feet is on the east side of the river (354) Several small-craft facilities are on the northern end opposite Willow Point. of Mason Island. Berths with electricity, gasoline, diesel (343) fuel, water, ice, storage facilities, marine supplies, a pump-out station, 35-ton lift, and hull and engine repairs Anchorages are available. In 1993, a reported depth of 4 feet could be (344) Special anchorages are in Mystic Harbor. (See 33 carried to the facilities. CFR 110.1, 110.50b, and 110.50d, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (355) The railroad bridge over Mystic River below Mystic (345) has a swing span with a clearance of 8 feet. The U.S. Route 1 highway bridge at Mystic has a bascule span with Routes a clearance of 4 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 (346) To enter from eastward, lay a west-northwesterly and 117.211, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetenders monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs course from south of the lighted bell buoy marking KJA–842 and KXR–912, respectively. Napatree Point Ledge for a little over 3 miles to about 400 yards south of the buoy marking the south end of (356) Mystic, a town about 2 miles above Noank, has Cormorant Reef. From here steer 261° for 0.8 mile until several small-craft facilities. Berths, electricity, gasoline, Mason Point is abeam. Then follow the buoyed channel. diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, storage facilities, (347) From westward, proceed cautiously from about mobile hoists, a 60-ton lift, and marine railways up to 110 100 yards or more southward of the buoy southward feet are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. of Groton Long Point on an easterly course for about 0.5 mile to Mystic Harbor Channel Buoy 1, then steer a (357) A harbormaster is at Mystic. northerly course through the buoyed channel into Mystic (358) TheMysticSeaportMuseumisabout0.6mileabove Harbor, rounding Noank Light 5 at a distance of about 75 yards. the highway bridge at Mystic. The whaler CHARLES W. MORGAN, full-rigged training ship JOSEPH CONRAD, and Grand Banks fishing schooner L. A. DUNTON are permanently moored at the museum and open to the (348) Noank is a town on the west side of the channel public. Along the waterfront of the museum property, a through Mystic Harbor. There are several small-craft mid-19th Century coastal village has been recreated with facilities at Noank and in West Cove. Berths, electricity, shops and lofts of that period. Collections of maritime gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage facilities, relics are on exhibit in several formal museum buildings. launching ramps, a pump-out station, 30- and 60-ton lifts, (359) Above the Mystic Seaport Museum, the channel and marine supplies are available; hull, engine, sail, and is very narrow and is marked by privately maintained electronic repairs can be made. A harbormaster is at seasonal buoys; boats of about 5-foot drafts can be taken Noank. to the Narrows, and thence depths are 1 and 2 feet to Old Mystic. Twin fixed highway bridges crossing the (350) Mystic River flows into Mystic Harbor from Narrows have clearances of 25 feet. The stream follows northward just below Mystic. The river is used by the east bank to the next narrows and the west bank to a recreational craft, the local fishing fleet, and by transient marina in the bight about 0.3 mile below Old Mystic. craft visiting Mystic Seaport. An anchorage area with depths of 3½ to 7 feet is in the lower part of the river (360) between Willow Point and Murphy Point. Ice usually closes the river during January and February. Charts 13213, 13212, 13214 (351) Willow Point, 0.6 mile below Mystic, has several (361) Mumford Cove is entered about 2 miles west small-craft facilities that can provide berths, electricity, of Mystic Harbor. A privately dredged channel leads water, ice, some engine parts, and marine supplies. A 12- northward from the entrance to the head of the cove; two ton crane and 30-ton mobile hoist are available; hull and spur channels lead eastward from the main channel, about engine repairs can be made. 0.3 mile and 0.6 mile, respectively, above the entrance. The channels are marked by private seasonal buoys (352) A channel, privately marked by daybeacons, leads and daybeacons. In 1981, the channels had a reported from the vicinity of Willow Point for 0.3 mile in an controlling depth of 2 feet. easterly direction, thence about 0.4 mile northeastward to a marina on the west side of the mouth of Pequotsepos (362) Special anchorages are in the cove. (See 33 CFR Brook, just below a railroad bridge. Berths, electricity, 110.1 and 110.50c, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) water, ice, storage, marine supplies, a 12-ton mobile hoist, and hull and engine repairs are available. In 1981, (363) Venetian Harbor is a yacht basin on the east side of a reported depth of 4 feet could be carried in the channel the entrance to Mumford Cove. A channel 75 feet wide to the marina. leads through stone breakwaters into a basin with depths of about 3 to 7 feet. A submerged jetty extends along the channel from the outer end of the east breakwater. The
264 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 entrance to the harbor is marked by a light on the outer (367) Avery Point Light (41°18′55″N., 72°03′49″W.) is end of the west breakwater. shown from a white octagonal concrete tower at Avery (364) Horseshoe Reef, 0.5 mile southward of Mumford Point. An unmarked rock awash is 0.3 mile south of the Cove entrance, is awash at low water, and is marked by light. A cove indents the mainland north of Pine Island a buoy. Broken and rocky grounds extend from the reef and east of Avery Point; the entrance is marked by two to the shore eastward of Mumford Point. buoys eastward of Avery Point. Depths shoal from (365) Vixen Ledge, with a depth of 10 feet and marked about 10 feet in the entrance to 1 foot at the head of the by a buoy, is about 1 mile west of Horseshoe Reef. cove. A breakwater, marked by a private light, extends Pine Island is bluff and grassy, about 1.3 miles west southeasterly from the east end of Avery Point. A 5 mph of Mumford Point. It is surrounded by shoal water and speed limit is enforced in the cove. rocky bottom, and is marked off the southwest side by a lighted bell buoy. A rock, covered 6 feet, in 41°18'35\"N., (368) A yacht club, marina, and launching ramp are in 72°03'16\"W., is about 0.3 mile northwestward of Vixen the cove. Berths, guest moorings, gasoline, electricity, Ledge. water, ice, marine supplies, and a 14-ton mobile hoist (366) A special anchorage is on the north side of Pine are available at the marina; hull and engine repairs can Island. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.51, chapter 2, for be made. In 2000, a reported depth of 7.5 feet could be limits and regulations.) carried to the marina. (369) A special anchorage is in the cove. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.51, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 7 ¢ 265
73° 72°30' 72° 266 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 Index of Chart Coverage in Chapter 8 Hartford CONNECTICUT 12378 Norwich 41° CONNECTICUT 12377 THAMES RIVER 41° 30' RI 30' VER 12375 New London 13213 12372 12354 New Haven Essex HOUSATONIC RIVER 12374 12372 NIANTIC BAY 12373 Guilford Harbor Westbrook Harbor 13211 Branford Harbor 12371 BLOCK ISLAND SOUND Orient Point 12370 LONG ISLAND SOUND 41° 12362 12358 41° Port Je erson L O N G I S L A N D 72°30' NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN 73° 72°
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 267 Eastern Long Island Sound (1) This chapter describes the eastern portion of Long reaching the eastern part of the sound. Small vessels can Island Sound following the north shore from Thames select anchorage eastward or westward of Kelsey Point River to and including the Housatonic River, and then Breakwater, also in Duck Island Roads. Off Madison the south shore from Orient Point to and including Port there is anchorage sheltered from northerly winds. New Jefferson. Also described are the Connecticut River; Haven Harbor is an important harbor of refuge. the ports of New London, New Haven, and Northville; (11) Several general anchorages are in Long Island and the more important fishing and yachting centers Sound. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.146, chapter 2, for on Niantic River and Bay, Westbrook Harbor, Guilford limits and regulations.) Harbor, Branford Harbor, and Mattituck Inlet. (12) (2) No-Discharge Zone COLREGS Demarcation Lines (13) The States of New York and Connecticut, with the (3) The lines established for Long Island Sound are approval of the Environmental Protection Agency, have described in 33 CFR 80.155 chapter 2. established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in Long Island Sound and a portion of the East River, extending from the (4) Hell Gate Bridge in the west to Block Island Sound in the east (see charts 12339 and 13205 for limits). Chart 12354 (14) Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. (5) Long Island Sound is a deep navigable waterway Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by lying between the shores of Connecticut and New York 40 CFR 140(see chapter 2). and the northern coast of Long Island. (15) (6) In this region are boulders and broken ground, but little or no natural change in the shoals. The waters are Tides well marked by navigational aids so that strangers should (16) The time of tide is nearly simultaneous throughout experience no difficulty in navigating them. As all broken ground is liable to be strewn with boulders, vessels Long Island Sound, but the range of tide increases from should proceed with caution in the broken areas where about 2.5 feet at the east end to about 7.3 feet at the west the charted depths are not more than 6 to 8 feet greater end. Daily predictions of the times and heights of high than the draft.All of the more important places are entered and low waters are given in the Tide Tables. by dredged channels; during fog, vessels are advised to (17) The effect of strong winds, in combination with the anchor until the weather clears before attempting to enter. regular tidal action, may at times cause the water to fall The numerous oyster grounds in this region are usually several feet below the plane of reference of the charts. marked by stakes and flags. These stakes may become broken off and form obstructions dangerous to small (18) craft. Mariners should proceed with caution especially at night. Currents (19) In the eastern portion of Long Island Sound the (7) current turns from ½ to 1½ hours earlier along the north Caution shore than in the middle of the sound. (8) Submarine operating areas are in the approaches (20) Proceeding westward from The Race in the middle of the sound, the velocity of current is 1.8 knots off Cornfield to New London Harbor, Connecticut River, and off Point, about 1 knot off New Haven, 1 knot off Eatons the northern shore of Long Island. As submarines may Neck, 0.4 knot between Peningo Neck and Matinecock be operating submerged in these areas, vessels should Point, and 0.5 knot eastward of Hart Island. proceed with caution. (21) About 1.5 miles east-southeastward of Bartlett Reef, the velocity of flood is 1.2 knots and ebb 1.6 knots. The (9) flood current sets 285° and the ebb 062°. (22) At a point about 3 miles southward of Cornfield Anchorages Point, the flood current sets 256° with a velocity of 2 (10) New London Harbor is the most important of the knots and the ebb sets 094° with a velocity of 1.7 knots. (23) About 1 mile north of Stratford Shoal (Middle anchorages sought for shelter in the eastern part of Long Ground) Light, the velocity is 1 knot, the flood setting Island Sound. Niantic Bay and the approach between Bartlett Reef and Hatchett Reef are used to some extent by small vessels when meeting unfavorable weather or
268 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 westward and the ebb eastward. (See Tidal Current Tables formations from leaving the harbor. Tides have little for predictions.) effect upon the ice. Additional information concerning ice conditions in the waters adjoining Long Island Sound (24) is given under the local descriptions. (33) Vessel Traffic Service, New York, operated by the Weather, Long Island Sound and vicinity U.S. Coast Guard, serves New York Harbor. (See 33 CFR (25) Weather is most favorable from mid-May to 161.1 through 161.25, chapter 2, for regulations.) mid-October, when the most common hazards are (34) thunderstorms and fog. There is also a rare threat of a tropical cyclone. During June, July and August on the Pilotage, Long Island Sound average, there are 20 to 25 days per month with conditions (35) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in generally considered ideal even for small boaters. Fog is most likely in spring and early summer. Fog, or the lack Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. of it, at inland locations is not a guide to conditions in vessels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign the Sound or its approaches. Areas along the coast, at the trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pilot heads of bays and within rivers may be relatively clear, by contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block while offshore the fog is thick. For example, on exposed Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; Block Island heavy fog is encountered about 10 to 12 telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; percent of the time from April though August compared FAX 401–847–9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels to 1 to 3 percent at Westhampton. Thunderstorms on the engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to have a other hand are more likely over land, but can be viscous U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless the in the Sound, especially in a squall line preceding a master has recency for the intended area. cold front in spring and early summer. Winter winds are (36) The pilot boat sets radio guard at least 1 hour before mostly out of the west through north, but gales blow less a vessel’s ETA. than 5 percent of the time in these somewhat sheltered (37) Vessels to be boarded should provide a ladder 3 feet waters. Waves are restricted by limited fetch except to the above the water on the lee side. east. However, choppy conditions can create problems. (38) Pilot services must be arranged at least 24 hours in advance through ships’ agents or directly by shipping (26) companies. (39) Pilotage, in the waters of Long Island Sound for Ice enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels engaged in coastwise (27) In ordinary winters the floating and pack ice in Long trade), is available from, but not limited to: (40) Northeast Marine Pilots, Inc., 243 Spring Street, Island Sound, while impeding navigation, does not render Newport, RI 02840; http://www.nemarinepilots.com; it absolutely unsafe, but in exceptionally severe winters telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; the reverse is true; none but powerful steamers can make FAX 401–847–9052. Pilot boats are NORTHEAST IV, their way. 52-foot, gray hull and superstructure, word PILOT on (28) Drift ice, which is formed principally along the both sides and NORTHEAST II, 47-foot, gray hull and northern shore of the sound under the influence of the superstructure, word PILOT on both sides. The boats prevailing northerly winds, drifts across to the southern monitor VHF-FM channels 16, 10, 13, 14; work on 10. side and accumulates there, massing into large fields, and (41) Interport Pilots Agency, Inc./Connecticut State remains until removed by southerly winds, which drive it Pilots, P.O. Box 236, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758; http:// back to the northerly shore. www.interportpilots.com; telephone 732–787–5554 (24 (29) In ordinary winters ice generally forms in the western hours); email: [email protected]. Pilot boats are end of the sound as far as Eatons Neck; in exceptionally CONNECTICUT PILOT, 65-foot with blue hull and severe winters ice may extend to Falkner Island and white superstructure and KEN JOHNSON, 48-foot with farther eastward. blue hull and white superstructure. These boats monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 13, work on 11, and are (30) equipped with AIS. (42) Constitution State Pilots Association, 9 Nottingham Effects of winds on ice Drive, Old Lyme, CT 06371, telephone 203–627–5057. (31) In Long Island Sound northerly winds drive the ice to Pilot boat is CONSTITUTION, 65-foot with black hull and white superstructure displaying the word PILOT on the southern shore of the sound and southerly winds carry both sides. The boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16, 13, it back to the northern shore. Northeasterly winds force and 9A; works on 13 or 9A. the ice westward and cause formations heavy enough to (43) Connecticut River Pilots Association (CRPA), P.O. prevent the passage of vessels of every description until Box 107, Old Saybrook, CT 06475; telephone 860–388– the ice is removed by westerly winds. These winds carry 4167. Pilot boat TRUDEE II is 36-foot, with black hull, the ice eastward and, if of long duration, drive it through white superstructure, and with the word PILOT on the The Race into Block Island Sound, thence it goes to sea and disappears. (32) In New Haven Harbor, the influence of the northerly winds clear the harbor and its approaches unless the local formation is too heavy to be moved. Southerly winds force the drift ice in from the sound and prevent the local
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 269 (47) Thames River and New London, Connecticut N Image courtesy of Airphoto/Jim Wark (2004) house, forward. The boat monitors VHF-FM channels 16 a highway bridge and a railroad bridge. The main harbor and 13; works on 13. comprises the lower 3 miles of Thames River from Long (44) See Pilotage, New London-Groton (indexed as such), Island Sound to the bridges, and includes Shaw Cove, this chapter; Pilotage, New Haven (indexed as such), this Greens Harbor, and Winthrop Cove. It is approached chapter; Pilotage, Bridgeport (indexed as such), chapter through the main entrance channel extending from deep 9; Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northville-Riverhead water in Long Island Sound to deep water in the upper (indexed as such), this chapter; and Pilotage, Offshore harbor. The harbor is generally used by vessels drawing Terminal, Northport (indexed as such), chapter 9. 9 to 30 feet; the deepest draft entering is about 36 feet. Petroleum products, seafood products, copper, lumber (45) and other forest products are the principal waterborne commodities handled at the port. Charts 13213, 13212, 12372 (51) Greens Harbor, a small-craft shelter just north of the entrance, has general depths of 6 to 17 feet. Special (46) New London Harbor, near the east end of Long anchorages are in the harbor. (See 33 CFR 110.1and Island Sound at the mouth of the Thames River, is an 110.52, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) important harbor of refuge. Vessels of deep draft can find (52) New London Coast Guard Station and Fort anchorage here in any weather and at all seasons. Trumbull State Park are on the west side of the main channel northward of Greens Harbor. (48) Waterborne commerce in New London Harbor and (53) Shaw Cove is a dredged basin about 0.8 mile on the Thames River is chiefly in petroleum products, northward of Greens Harbor. In 2015, the controlling chemicals, coal, copper, lumber, seafood products and depth was 14 feet in the entrance channel through the general cargo. south draw of the bridge, thence 12 feet was available in the basin. The railroad bridge over the entrance has a (49) Security zones have been established in New swing span with clearances of 6 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 London Harbor. (See 33 CFR 165.1 through 165.7, through 117.59 and 117.223, chapter 2, for drawbridge 165.30, 165.33, and 165.140, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) regulations.) (50) New London is a city on the west bank of Thames River about 2.5 miles above the mouth. The town of Groton on the east bank is connected to New London by
270 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 (54) Winthrop Cove, northward of Shaw Cove, is part Sarah Ledge, 0.7 mile northeastward of Rapid Rock and of the main waterfront channel. The fixed railroad bridge marked by a buoy, has a least depth of 14 feet and is the near the head of this cove has a clearance of 4 feet. easternmost shoal on the west side of the main channel approach. (55) (65) On the east side of the main channel foul ground extends about 1 mile offshore. New London Ledge, Prominent features marked by New London Ledge Light, has a least depth (56) New London Ledge Light (41°18'21\"N., of 7 feet. Black Ledge, just to the northeastward of New London Ledge, has a rocky islet, 2 feet high, on it. Depths 72°04'39\"W.), 58 feet above the water, is shown from a are 5 to 18 feet on the ledge. Buoys mark the shoal area. red brick building on a square white pier on the west side (66) Broken ground fringes the shore southwestward of New London Ledge; a sound signal is sounded at the of New London Harbor Light. A rock with 3 feet over station. it is located about 0.1 mile from shore in the bight just (57) Other prominent features in approaching New southward of the light and shoal soundings extend as London Harbor are: New London Harbor Light, on far as 0.2 mile from shore where an 8-foot sounding is the west side of the entrance channel; the monument at located. Fort Griswold; the microwave tower atop a building in (67) White Rock, an islet in Greens Harbor, is 250 yards downtown New London; the large sheds at the shipyard from the 18-foot curve on the western edge of the channel. on the east side of the river opposite Fort Trumbull State Hog Back, a small ledge awash at low water, is 150 Park and the highway bridge at New London. yards southwestward of White Rock and about 0.3 mile from the western shore, and is marked by a buoy. Rocks, (58) covered 2 to 6 feet, are in the middle of the northern part of Greens Harbor. Melton Ledge, northward of White Channels Rock, with one-half foot over it, is 125 yards eastward of (59) AU.S.NavyprojectforNewLondonHarborprovides Powder Island and is marked by a buoy; a rock awash is close westward of Melton Ledge. for a channel 40 feet deep to Fort Trumbull, thence 38 feet to the Submarine Force Library and Museum, thence 36 (68) feet to the U.S. Navy Submarine Base. A Federal project provides for a channel 23 feet deep in the waterfront Bridges channels north of Fort Trumbull and in Winthrop Cove. (69) Four bridges cross the Thames River below (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) Lighted and unlighted buoys and Norwich: three near Winthrop Point and one about a 354° lighted range mark the channel. The range does 0.2 mile southward of Fort Point. The Amtrak Thames not mark the center of the lower end of the channel. Railroad Bridge, 3 miles above the mouth, has a vertical (60) Pine Island Channel, northeastward of New lift span with vertical clearances of 29 feet down and 135 London Ledge Light, between Pine Island and Black feet up. The bridgetender of the railroad bridge monitors Ledge, has a rocky and very broken bottom on which the VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KT-5473. In 1998, it least found depth is 9 feet. It is used some by local vessels was reported that cross currents of 1 to 2 knots can be between New London Harbor and Fishers Island Sound, encountered in the vicinity of this bridge. Just above but should be avoided by any vessel drawing more than the railroad bridge are two high-level fixed bridges with 10 feet. clearances of 135 feet and 7.9 miles farther up the Thames is a fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 75 feet. A (61) racon is on the south span on the two high-level fixed bridges. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.224, Anchorages chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (62) General and naval anchorages are in the approaches (70) Overhead power cables with a clearance of 160 feet cross the river about 5.5 miles below Norwich. to, and in, New London Harbor. (See 33 CFR110.1 and 110.147, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Special (71) anchorages are in Greens Harbor and in the vicinity of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and Currents 110.52, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (72) The tidal currents follow the general direction of the (63) channel and usually are not strong. At Winthrop Point, on the west side of the river at New London, the velocity Dangers is 0.4 knot, and at Stoddard Hill, about 6.5 miles above (64) On the west side of the approach to New London New London, 0.7 knot on the flood and 0.4 knot on the ebb. During freshets or when the river is high and the Harbor, foul ground extends about 1 mile from shore in wind is from the north, the current can have considerable the vicinity of Goshen Point (chart 13211). The southerly southerly set even on the flood. and southeasterly limits of this area are marked by buoys. (73) Ice obstructs navigation about 2 months each year The area has numerous rocky patches and boulders, some above the naval station, which is some 5 miles above showing above water, and should be avoided by small craft. Rapid Rock, marked by a buoy on its southeast side, is about 1.6 miles southwestward of New London Ledge Light; it has a least depth of 10 feet. An unmarked ledge covered 35 feet is about 100 yards south by eastward of Rapid Rock and is the outermost shoal to the southward.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 271 New London Ledge Light, but seldom forms below the (85) station. In extremely severe winters, however, heavy ice from the sound, driven in by winds, has been known to Wharves extend about 1.8 miles above the entrance. Between New (86) New London Harbor has more than 30 wharves and London and the mouth of the river small vessels may navigate with comparative safety in ordinary winters; piers. Most of these facilities are used as repair berths, and even in severe weather, it is rare that navigation for for mooring recreational craft, fishing vessels, barges, small vessels stops for more than a week. Steamers ferries, and government vessels. Depths alongside these can nearly always enter and leave with safety. Drift ice facilities range from 10 to 40 feet. Only the deep-draft sometimes forms a decidedly dangerous obstruction in facilities are described. For a complete description of the approaches through Long Island Sound during severe the port facilities refer to Port Series No. 4, published winters, especially during February and March, and small and sold by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (See vessels are much hindered in their movements during Appendix A for address.) The alongside depths are January, February, and March. reported; for information on the latest depths contact the (74) Freshets usually occur in the river in the spring. It is private operator. reported that they seldom exceed 2 feet above high water (87) Amerada Hess Corp. Wharf (41°20'09\"N., at Norwich. 72°04'58\"W.): on the east side of the river opposite Greens (75) New London Harbor and Thames River are easy of Harbor; T-head pier with 55-foot face, 960 feet of berthing access by day or night, but local knowledge is required to space with dolphins; 40 feet alongside; deck height, 8 take drafts greater than 20 feet above the submarine base. feet; pipelines to storage tanks; fresh water connection; railroad and highway connections; receipt and shipment (76) of petroleum products and receipt of molasses; bunkering vessels; owned and operated by Hess Oil and Chemical Pilotage, New London-Groton Division, Amerada Hess Corp. (77) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in (88) Admiral Shear State Pier: the more easterly of the two long piers southwestward of the Thames River bridges, Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. about 1.3 miles northward of Amerada Hess Corp. Wharf; vessels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign 200-foot face, 26 feet alongside; west side 1,000 feet, trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pilot 23 to 27 feet alongside; east side 1,020 feet, 34 to 38 by contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; 90,000 square feet Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; of covered storage, 20 acres of open storage; electricity, telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; potable and feed water connections on pier; railroad and FAX 401–847–9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels highway connections; receipt and shipment of general engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to have a cargo, copper, zinc, steel and wood products; owned by U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless the the State of Connecticut and operated by Logistec U.S.A. master has recency for the intended area. See Pilotage, Inc., a division of Logistec Stevedoring of Montreal. Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. (89) Supplies of all kinds are available. Gasoline and diesel oil can be obtained from oil companies on 48 hours’ (78) notice by tank truck. Water is available at most of the piers, wharves, and marinas. Towage (79) Tugs to 3,200 hp are available at New London. (90) Vessels usually proceed to the upper harbor without Repairs assistance, although a tug may be required when entering (91) Ashipbuilding company at New London can perform with a head wind and contrary current. Large vessels normally require tugs for docking and undocking. all kinds of repairs on steel-hulled vessels. The company (80) New London is a customs port of entry. has floating drydocks with lifting capacities from 1,000 to 10,000 tons. The company’s largest drydock is on the (81) west side of the river, and has a maximum pontoon length of 300 feet, a width between wingwalls of 110 feet, and Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural is about 0.9 mile north of the Thames River bridges. quarantine (92) Cranes to 70 tons and floating derricks to 25 tons are (82) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and available at New London. Appendix A for addresses.) (93) Several companies in New London are in the (83) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with business of wrecking, salvage, and marine contracting regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public work. They are equipped with pumps, divers’ outfits, Health Service, chapter 1.) New London has several floating equipment, and other gear. hospitals. (84) Harbor regulations are in force for New London (94) Harbor. The harbormaster has authority to berth vessels, shifting them if necessary, but occasion for doing so Small-craft facilities seldom arises. (95) There are numerous small-craft facilities in Greens Harbor and Shaw Cove. (See the small-craft facilities
272 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 tabulation on chart 12372 for services and supplies (108) Allyn Point, on the east side about 5 miles above available.) New London, is the site of a large private pier for receiving liquid chemicals, with a reported depth of about 30 feet (96) alongside. It is marked by an elevated water sphere and several small tanks on the pier. Communications (97) New London has good railroad and bus (109) Fort Point, on the east side 8 miles above New London, has a long fuel pier marked by privately communications. Automobile-passenger ferry service is maintained red lights, and on shore is a building with available to Block Island, Fishers Island, and to Orient several stacks. Numerous piles are in the water southward Point, Long Island. of the pier. The fixed highway bridge crossing the river about 0.2 miles south of Fort Point has a clearance of 75 feet. (98) Thames River above New London has a dredged (110) The red brick buildings of the Norwich State channel to Norwich, the head of navigation. In 2006, the Hospital are on a bluff just north of Fort Point and are a controlling depth was 25 feet from the bridges at New conspicuous landmark. London to the north end of the turning basin opposite Smith Cove, thence 7.1 feet (14.9 feet at midchannel) (111) At Thamesville, on the west side of the river about to Stoddard Hill, thence 15 feet to the turning basin at 1 mile below Norwich, are two finger piers each with Norwich with 12 feet in the turning basin except for breasting dolphins used to receive petroleum products shoaling to lesser depths near the upper limits of the from barges. Depths of 20 to 25 feet are reported alongside basin. The channel is well marked by navigational aids. the face of the piers. (99) (112) Norwich, a city at the head of navigation on Thames River at its junction with Shetucket River and Yantic Caution River, is about 11 miles above New London. In 1981, (100) The dikes along the Thames River from Easter Point waterborne commerce to Norwich consisted of petroleum products. Small boats generally anchor in Shetucket (41°28.2'N., 72°04.5'W.) to Norwich are submerged at River just above the fixed bridges at Norwich, which have half tide. a minimum clearance of 11 feet. (101) (113) Pilotage,Thames River Charts 13211, 13212, 12372 (102) For Pilotage for the river see Pilotage, New London- (114) Bartlett Reef Light (41°16'28\"N., 72°08'14\"W.), Groton (indexed as such) earlier this chapter. 35 feet above the water and shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped dayboard, is about 3.3 miles southwestward of New London Ledge Light and marks the south end of Bartlett Reef. A mariner (103) The U.S.Coast Guard Academy is on the west activated sound signal at the light is initiated by keying side of Thames River about 1 mile north of the center of the microphone five times on VHF-FM channel 79. New London. The administration building, with its white The reef, about 1.3 miles long in a general north-south tower and clock, and the lighted chapel spire are very direction and about 0.3 mile wide, is covered 2 to 18 feet prominent, but are not visible until almost abeam of the and has rocks awash near its northern end. The north end academy. Depths alongside the 410-foot-long academy of the reef is marked by a buoy. A lighted bell buoy and pier were reported in 2005, to be 30 feet at the face, 30 an unlighted buoy are about 0.9 mile southward and about feet along the south side, and 30 to 34 feet on the north 0.3 mile eastward of the light, respectively. side. (115) Ageneralanchorageisabout0.8milenortheastward (104) The U.S. Naval Submarine Base is on the east side of Bartlett Reef Light. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.147(a) of the Thames River about 2.5 miles above New London. (4), and (b), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) USS Nautilus is permanently moored just south of the base as part of the Submarine Force Library and Museum. (116) Twotree Island, small and bare, about 1.4 miles northwestward of Bartlett Reef Light, is surrounded by (105) A restricted area is off the U.S. Naval Submarine shoals. A buoy marks rocks awash that extend off the Base. (See 33 CFR 334.75, chapter 2, for limits and northern end of the island. regulations.) (117) Twotree Island Channel leads northward of (106) Just below Gales Ferry, on the east side about 4 Bartlett Reef and Twotree Island. With an adverse current miles above the bridges, are the crew training quarters in the sound, this channel is used to some extent by light and boathouses of Harvard and Yale Universities. tows and sailboats with a leading wind in the daytime, Opposite Gales Ferry is the town of Bartlett, site of a as the tidal currents turn about 1 hour earlier along the prominent power plant with two tall and conspicuous north shore than in the middle of the sound. About 0.3 stacks. A privately dredged channel with depths of about mile southwestward of Seaside, the tidal currents have 20 feet leads to the dock and coal tipple. (107) At Montville Station, just above Bartlett, is a dock with a depth of 23 feet at the face. The northeast end of the dock is in ruins. Overhead power cables with a clearance of 160 feet cross the river 0.5 mile above the station near Kitemaug.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 273 a velocity of 1.2 knots, and ebb 1.6 knots. Flood sets a clearance of 11 feet; in 2010, a replacement bascule westerly and the ebb easterly. The channel is buoyed, but bridge was under construction just south of the existing strangers are advised to use it with caution and should bridge. The State Route 156 highway bridge, about 0.1 never attempt to beat through. northward, has a bascule span with a clearance of 32 feet. (118) From Goshen Point (41°18.0'N., 72°06.8'W.) (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.215, chapter westward, there are scattered boulders which extend 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender at each offshore as much as 0.2 mile in places. Jordan Cove, bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call signs KGA- 1.5 miles west of Goshen Point, is foul in its northerly 511 and KXR-911, respectively. half, and the southerly part is obstructed by Flat Rock, (127) Strangers attempting to enter Niantic River are bare at low water and marked by a buoy, and High Rock, cautioned to pass through the bridges either at slack water which shows at high water and is marked by a buoy. or against the current. (119) Millstone Point, on the east side at the entrance of (128) Above the head of the dredged channel, small craft Niantic Bay, is occupied by the buildings of the Millstone can navigate for about another 1.5 miles to Golden Nuclear Power Station. A 389-foot red and white stack Spur (East Lyme) with local knowledge. The river from at the station and a radio tower on the point are the most westward of Sandy Point to the stone bulkhead at Golden conspicuous landmarks in the area. A cove with depths Spur is deep and clear; vessels generally follow the west of 2 to 17 feet is on the west side of the point. A rock bank. Pine Grove,Sandy Point, and Saunders Point are with 1 foot over it lies 60 feet off the mouth of the cove. summer resorts on Niantic River. The station maintains channel markers and a range for occasional barge traffic. A dredged area for the power (129) station’s water intakes is 0.2 mile northwest of the cove. Currents (120) (130) The tidal currents through the bridges set fair with Charts 13211, 12372 the channel; the flood velocity is 1.6 knots and the ebb velocity, 0.8 knot. It has been reported that much greater (121) White Rock is an islet on the east side of the velocities may be expected under storm and freshet entrance to Niantic Bay 0.5 mile westward of Millstone conditions. (See Tidal Current Tables for predictions.) Point. Little Rock, two rocks partly bare at low water, is 150 yards east of White Rock. Rocks with a least depth of (131) 8 feet extend 0.25 mile northwest from Millstone Point. A rock, covered 11 feet, is about 300 yards south-southeast Ice of White Rock and is marked by a lighted bell buoy. (132) Ice generally closes the river to navigation for about (122) Niantic Bay, 4.5 miles westward of New London 3 months during the winter. Harbor, is a good anchorage sheltered from easterly, northerly, and westerly winds. It is a harbor of refuge in northerly gales and can be used by small vessels and tows. The general depth of the bay is about 19 feet; the (133) Smith Cove is on the west side of Niantic River water shoals gradually northward. The entrance is 1.5 about 1.5 miles above the channel entrance. A channel, miles wide, and the dangers are marked by buoys or show marked by private daybeacons, leads westward from the above water. river channel into the cove. In 1999, the channel had a reported depth of 5 feet. (123) Niantic and Crescent Beach are summer resorts with railroad communication at the north end and (134) northwest side of the bay. Small-craft facilities (124) The Niantic Bay Yacht Club basin at Crescent Beach (135) There are several small-craft facilities just above is protected on the south, east, and partially on the north side by a U-shaped breakwater; a private seasonal light the entrance at Niantic and Waterford, on the west side is near the outer end of the breakwater. and east side of Niantic River, respectively, and in Smith Cove. (125) A special anchorage is on the west side of Niantic Bay off Crescent Beach. (See 33 CFR 110.1and 110.53, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (136) Harbormasters are at Niantic and Waterford. A 6 (126) Niantic River empties into the northeast end of mph speed limit is enforced on the river. Niantic Bay and is entered through a dredged channel that leads from the bay, thence through a narrow passage at (137) Black Point, on the west side at the entrance to the entrance, thence to a point about 300 yards northward Niantic Bay, is flat with bluffs at the water and is occupied of the entrance to Smith Cove. The channel is marked by many summer cottages. Broken ground extends 0.6 by daybeacons and seasonal buoys. Two bridges cross mile south of the southwest side of the point. the narrow passage at the entrance. The more southerly is the Amtrak bridge, with a 45-foot bascule span and (138) Strangers entering the bight between Black Point and Hatchet Point should proceed with caution as there is broken ground with several rocks and ledges. An area with covered rocks and shallow ledges extends about 0.6 mile south of Griswold Island. A rock with a least depth of 3 feet is at the outer end of this area; buoys mark the west side of the rocky area and the south side of the outer rock. North Brother, in the northwest part of the bight
274 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 and South Brother, in the center, are prominent bare south end of the west jetty at the entrance to Connecticut rocks. Johns Rock, covered 6 feet, is in 41°17’12”N., River. A sound signal is at the light. 72°14’57”W., about 0.5 mile southwest of South Brother. (151) (139) Anchorages Anchorage (152) Secure anchorage can be had eastward or (140) A special anchorage is east of Giants Neck. (See northeastward of Lynde Point Light. Farther up anchorage 33 CFR 110.1and 110.54, chapter 2, for limits and can be selected in the wider parts of the channel. Special regulations.) An unmarked rock is within the anchorage anchorages are at Old Saybrook, Essex, Chester, Lord area, about 0.1 mile south of Giants Neck; depth over the Island, Eddy Rock Shoal in the vicinity of Connecticut rock is not known. River Light 45, and Mouse Island Bar vicinity. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.55, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) (141) Hatchett Point has several large dwellings. A reef (153) extends about 0.2 mile off the southwest side of the point. Dangers (142) Hatchett Reef, 0.6 to 1 mile south-southwestward (154) Saybrook Outer Bar, which obstructs the mouth of of Hatchett Point, has a least depth of 5 feet and is marked by buoys. Close to the southeast side of the reef the depths the Connecticut River, is shifting, with depths of 2 to 12 are greater than 30 feet. A bar extends westward from feet extending nearly 2 miles off the mouth; it is marked Hatchett Reef to Saybrook Bar. off its southeastern end by a lighted bell buoy. (155) In 1976, obstructions were reported in the channel at (143) the railroad bascule bridge 3 miles above the mouth of the Connecticut River; a least depth of 13 feet is reported in Charts 12375, 12377, 12378, 12372 the channel in area 40 to 50 feet from the east abutment of the bridge. Mariners requiring greater depths are advised (144) Connecticut River rises in the extreme northern to avoid this area of the channel during passages. part of New Hampshire, near the Canadian border, and flows southerly between the States of Vermont and New (156) Hampshire and across Massachusetts and Connecticut to Long Island Sound. It is approximately 375 miles long Bridges and is one of the largest and most important rivers in (157) Several drawbridges and fixed bridges cross New England. The head of commercial navigation is at Hartford, about 45 miles from the mouth. Waterborne Connecticut River between the entrance and Hartford. commerce on the river is mostly in petroleum products The distance above the mouth, type, and clearance of and chemicals. each bridge follows: 3 miles, railroad with bascule span, 19 feet; 3.5 miles, Raymond E. Baldwin (IS 95) (145) The river water is fresh at and above Deep River. Bridge, fixed highway, 81 feet; 14.6 miles, State Route Each year after the spring freshets, shoals with least 82 highway with swing span at East Haddam, 22 feet; depths of 10 feet are found in places on bars in the upper 27.8 miles, railroad with swing span at Middletown, 25 river; dredging to remove such shoals is begun as soon feet; 32.2 miles, Arrigoni Bridge (State Route 66), fixed as the water subsides. highway, 89 feet; 41.2 miles, Wm. H. Putnam Bridge (State Route 3), fixed highway near Wethersfield, 80 feet (146) Between the entrance and Middletown the river over main channel; 44 miles, Charter Oak Bridge (U.S. banks are hard and in some places rocky, but between 5/State Route 15), a fixed highway bridge at Hartford, 69 Middletown and Hartford the river flows through alluvial feet for a width of 215 feet; 44.9 miles, Founders Bridge, bottom land, where freshets and ice jams may cause fixed highway, 49 feet; 45.2 miles, Bulkeley Bridge (I- shoaling. 84), fixed highway, 39 feet; and 46 miles, fixed railroad, 28 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.205, (147) chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridgetender of the bascule railroad bridge at mile 3 monitors VHF- Channels FM channel 13; call sign KT-5414. Vessels requesting (148) A Federal project for Connecticut River provides for the opening of this bridge are cautioned to confirm by radiotelephone that the bascule span is safely raised and a 15-foot jettied entrance channel and 15-foot dredged stabilized before making passage. The bridgetender of cuts across the bars to Hartford, 45 miles above the the highway swing bridge at East Haddam at mile 14.6 entrance. (See Notice to Mariners and the latest editions monitors VHF-FM channel 13; call sign KXR-913. of the charts for controlling depths.) (158) Overhead power cables across the Connecticut (149) The channel above the jettied entrance channel River have a least clearance of 100 feet, except for the usually follows the banks on the outside of the curves of one at Laurel, 24.2 miles above the mouth, which has a the river, except through the dredged cuts across the bars clearance of 65 feet. which are marked by navigational aids. (150) Saybrook Breakwater Light (41°15'48\"N., 72°20'34\"W.), 58 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical tower on a brown cylindrical pier on the
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 275 (159) result when storms move northward along the Mid- Atlantic Coast, frequently producing strong and persistent Tides northeast winds associated with storms known locally (160) The time of tide becomes later and the range as “coastals” or “northeasters”. Seasonally, weather characteristics vary from the cold and dry continental- diminishes in progressing up the river. High water and polar air of winter to the warm, maritimes air of summer, low water at Hartford occur about 4.5 and 6 hours later, the one from Canada, the other from the Gulf of Mexico, respectively, than at the entrance. Caribbean Sea, or Atlantic Ocean. (169) Summer thunderstorms develop in the Berkshire (161) Mountains to the west and northwest, and move over the Connecticut Valley and, when accompanied by Currents wind and hail, sometimes cause considerable damage to (162) At the entrance the currents have considerable crops. Thunderstorm days average 20 each year. June, July, and August are the most favored months. During velocity at times and always require careful attention, as the winter, rain often falls through cold air trapped in the the tidal current of the sound often sets directly across the valley and creates extremely hazardous ice conditions. direction of the current setting out or in between jetties. On clear nights in the late summer or early autumn, cool This condition is reported to be especially dangerous air drainage into the valley and the moisture from the during the first 3 hours of ebb tide. (Consult the Tidal Connecticut River produce steam and/or ground fog Current Tables for times and velocities of currents at a which becomes quite dense throughout the valley and number of locations in Connecticut River.) temporarily hampers transportation. An average 162 days (163) During the ebb, a strong current runs from the each year report fog. Lyme Landing toward the center of the railroad bridge. (170) The average annual temperature for Hartford is Towboats with vessels in tow should steer for the east 50°F (10°C). The warmest month is July with an average pier of the draw and should not swing out for the draw temperature of 74°F (23.3°C) and the coolest is January until almost in it, to avoid being set to the west side of with an average temperature of 26°F (-3.3°C). The the channel. Because of river discharge, the ebb current warmest temperature on record is 102°F (38.9°C) recorded usually will be considerably stronger than the flood. Ebb in July 1966 and the coolest temperature on record is current velocities of 1 knot or more have been observed -26°F (-3.3°C) recorded in January 1961. Each month, under normal conditions on the bars in Connecticut River except June, July, and August has recorded temperatures between Higganum and Hartford; the velocities of the below freezing. Each month, June through September, flood currents are much less. has recorded temperatures in excess of 100°F (37.8°C). An average of 18 days each year records temperatures in excess of 90°F (32.2°C) and an average of 134 days each year has a temperature of 32°F (0°C) or cooler. An (164) Freshets occur principally in the spring, when the average of eleven days each year has temperatures of 5°F snow is melting, although occasional floods have occurred (-15°C) or lower. in every month of the year except July and September. At (171) The average annual precipitation for Hartford is Hartford the usual rise due to spring freshets is between 44.20 inches (1123 mm). Precipitation is fairly uniform 16 and 24 feet. The highest freshets are generally of with the difference between the wettest and driest month short duration, but the period during which the river at being less than one inch (25.4 mm). The wettest month Hartford is at the level of 8 feet or more above mean is November, averaging 4.07 inches (104 mm) and the low water averages nearly 2 months of each year. Below driest month is February averaging 3.13 inches (80 mm). Middletown the height of the crest of a freshet decreases Average snowfall, on an annual basis, totals 44 inches rapidly. At the mouth the variation in water level is due (1118). February 1961 holds the record of the greatest to the tides. snowfall in a 24-hour period with 14.3 inches (363 mm). (172) The National Weather Service office is at Bradley (165) Ice closes the river to navigation a part of every International Airport, northwest of Hartford. (See winter for wooden hull boats. The duration of closing is Appendix B for Hartford climatological table.) about 2 months. (173) (166) Routes Weather, Hartford and vicinity (174) To enter Connecticut River from eastward, pass (167) Hartford is well inside the northern temperate southward of Hatchett Reef and Saybrook Bar, until climatic zone in a prevailing west to east movement of air Saybrook Breakwater Light bears 315°. Steer for carrying the majority of weather systems into Connecticut Saybrook Breakwater Light on this course through the from the west. The average wintertime position of the buoyed opening between the south end of Saybrook Bar “Polar Front” boundary between cold dry polar air and warm moist tropical air is just south of New England, which helps to explain the extensive winter storm activity and the day-to-day variability of local weather. In the summer, the “Polar Front” has an average position along the New England-Canada border and Hartford has a warm and pleasant climate. (168) The location of Hartford, relative to the continent and ocean, is also significant. Rapid weather changes
276 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 and the east end of Long Sand Shoal to the entrance (187) A “Slow no-wake” speed limit is enforced at Old channel between the jetties. Saybrook between the railroad bridge and Buoy 20, 0.25 (175) To enter from westward, pass 1 mile southward of mile above the Connecticut Turnpike Bridge. Falkner Island Light on course 076°. This will lead about 0.4 mile northward of the lighted bell buoy on the western (188) North Cove, a dredged small-boat basin that affords end of Long Sand Shoal and about 0.2 mile southward excellent anchorage, is entered through a dredged channel of the lighted bell buoy southward of Cornfield Point. that leads westward from the main channel about 0.4 mile Then steer about 067°, with Saybrook Breakwater Light northward of Saybrook Point. The entrance channel is a little on the port bow to the entrance channel between marked by private buoys. the jetties. (176) Boating regulations for waters within the State of (189) From Saybrook Point to Hartford local knowledge is Connecticut can be found at http://www.dep.state.ct.us / required to carry the best water. Small craft should have rec/boating/guide.htm. no difficulty in following the channel. (177) (190) Lieutenant River, leading to Old Lyme, enters the east side of Connecticut River about 1.4 miles northward Pilotage, Connecticut River of Saybrook Point. Pipe stakes mark the south side of (178) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in the channel across the bar at the entrance. A midchannel depth of about 3 feet can be carried over the bar to about Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. 0.2 mile above the second bridge. A railroad bridge with vessels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign a 33-foot fixed span and a clearance of 11 feet crosses trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pilot the river 0.4 mile above the entrance. An overhead power by contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block cable with a reported clearance of about 10 feet is on Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; the north side of the bridge. About 0.3 mile above that telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; bridge is a highway bridge with a 24-foot fixed span and Fax 401–847–9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels a clearance of 6 feet. A harbormaster is at Old Lyme. engaged in coastwise trade) see Pilotage, Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. (191) The passage to the east and north of Calves (179) Pilot services are arranged in advance through ships’ Island, about 1 mile above the railroad bridge crossing agents or directly by shipping companies. A 24-hour Connecticut River, is used extensively for mooring small advance notice is requested. craft in the summer. This passage is subject to shoaling, (180) Hartford is a customs port of entry. particularly on the north side of Calves Island; caution is advised. A small-craft facility is on the east side of the (181) passage just above the entrance. Berths, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, storage facilities, a 25-ton lift, and Wharves some repairs are available. In 2002, depths of 18 feet were (182) The Connecticut River has more than 20 commercial reported at the facility. piers and wharves, most of which handle petroleum (192) Lord Cove has its entrance about 300 yards products from barges or coastal tankers. Most of the northward of Calves Island. In 1981, a depth of 3½ facilities below Rocky Hill, about 34 miles above feet was available through the unmarked entrance. The Saybrook Point, are marginal-type wharves, while those marshlands surrounding Lord Cove and the other coves above Rocky Hill are finger-type piers with breasting between Essex and the river mouth at Saybrook are dolphins. Depths of 11 to 15 feet are reported alongside frequented by duck hunters in October and November. these facilities. Because of danger of gunfire, mariners are cautioned not to stray too close to the numerous duck blinds that exist (183) in this area. Supplies and repairs (193) The dredged section of the main channel in (184) Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and marine supplies Connecticut River westward of Calves Island has numerous obstructions and sunken rocks close to its are available at the principal towns and landings along the edges; mariners are advised to exercise caution and to Connecticut River. Boatyards along the river can make avoid the edges of the channel. engine, hull, and electronic repairs. (194) Haydens Point, about 4.6 miles above Saybrook (185) Point, is marked by a light. Foul ground is between the light and the shore. Charts 12375, 12372 (195) Essex, a town on the west bank about 5 miles above (186) Old Saybrook is a village on the west side of Saybrook Point, is the scene of considerable small-boat Connecticut River, about 1.4 miles northward of Saybrook activity. Depths alongside the town landing are about 6 Breakwater Light. There are several small-craft facilities feet. Essex Cove is the area off the main river channel along the west side of the river from Saybrook Point skirting the waterfront at Essex. A dredged channel, to Ferry Point, about 2 miles to the northward. (See marked by private buoys, leads from the main channel the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for through the cove, and thence rejoins the main channel to services and supplies available.) the northward. In 2007, the controlling depth was 5.5 feet
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 277 in the buoyed channel. A 5 mph speed limit is enforced. (206) A privately marked small-boat channel leads westward from the dredged buoyed channel in Essex Cove to a Small-craft facilities yacht basin in Middle Cove, northward of Thatchbed (207) There are several small-craft facilities on Pratt Creek Island. In 2008, the small-boat channel had a reported midchannel controlling depth of 4½ feet to the marina at and Chester Creek. Berths and moorings, electricity, the north end of the cove. gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, marine supplies, a pump-out, storage and a launching ramp are available in the area. (196) Lifts to 55 tons are available for complete hull, engine, and electronic repairs. Small-craft facilities (197) There are several small-craft facilities at Essex. (208) The facilities provide berths and mooring, electricity, Anchorages gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, pump- (209) Special anchorages are off Chester Creek. (See 33 out facilities, storage, and full repairs. The marina just north of the entrance to Middle Cove has an approach CFR 110.1 and 110.55(e–1) and (e–2), chapter 2, for depth of 8 feet and an alongside depth of 11 feet. limits and regulations.) (210) The Chester-Hadlyme vehicular ferry crosses the (198) river near Fort Hill, 2 miles above Eustasia Island. The ferry operates from April through November. Anchorages (211) Special anchorages are northeastward of (199) Special anchorages are at Essex. (See 33 CFR Connecticut River Light 45 (41°26.2'N., 72°27.6'W.), about 12.8 miles above Saybrook Point. (See 33 CFR 110.1and 110.55(a), (a-1), (b), and (c), chapter 2, for 110.1and 110.55(d) and (e), chapter 2, for limits and limits and regulations.) regulations.) (200) Hamburg Cove and Eightmile River, which (212) On the east side of the river, the turret of the opera empties into the north end of the cove, indent the east side house at East Haddam, 13.3 miles above Saybrook of Connecticut River, 6 miles above Saybrook Point. A Point, is prominent. A marina is on the west side of the dredged channel leads from Connecticut River to a turning river just above the swing bridge between East Haddam basin at Hamburg, a village at the head of navigation. and Tylerville. Limited guest berths, limited marine There are boulders in places outside the dredged channel supplies, electricity, water, and ice are available. In 1990, and the entrance channel is outlined by grassy flats on a reported depth of 5 feet was available in the marina each side. Buoys mark the entrance and private seasonal basin. buoys and daybeacons mark the remainder of the channel to Hamburg. The center of the turning basin has piles used (213) The shoal off the west side of the river, just north of for moorings. East Haddam, is reported to be increasing. (201) (214) Salmon Cove, on the east side of the river, 1 mile above East Haddam, is reported to be navigable only by Small-craft facility small craft at high tide. The entrance to the cove is subject (202) Asmall-craft facility, on the east side of the basin, has to shoaling. Considerable grass in the channel and cove makes boat operation difficult. sewage pump-out, water, ice, and some marine supplies. A 35-ton travel lift is available for hull and engine repairs. (215) Overhead power cables with a least clearance of 86 feet cross the cove about 1.2 miles above the mouth. (203) (216) Charts 12377, 12378 Small-craft facility (204) Eustasia Island, 8.5 miles above Saybrook Point, (217) A small-craft facility is on the west side of the river divides the Connecticut River into two channels. A light off the southeast end of the island marks the junction of about 1.1 miles above East Haddam. Berths, electricity, the two channels. The eastern channel crossing Potash water, ice, a 10-ton mobile hoist, and a launching ramp Bar through a dredged cut is better marked and easier are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. In to follow. The western channel leads to Pratt Creek, 1990, a depth of 6 feet was reported at the facility. westward of the southerly end of Eustasia Island, and to the landing at Deep River and thence crosses Chester Creek Bar through a swash channel to Chester Creek. A sand shoal and a rocky reef, both bare at low water, are (218) Haddam Island divides the Connecticut River north of Eustasia Island, between the main channel east about 3.2 miles above East Haddam. The main river of the island and Chester Creek. channel leads eastward of the island through a dredged cut known as Haddam Island Bar Channel. A pinnacle (205) A rock, covered 3 feet, is on the south side of the rock, covered 13 feet, is in the approach to Haddam Island entrance to Chester Creek in about 41°24'24.1\"N., Bar Channel in 41°29'31\"N., 72°30'49\"W. 72°25'46.6\"W. (219) The passage westward of Haddam Island is closed by a bare sand shoal lying between the island’s southerly tip and the westerly shore of the river.
278 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 (220) The shoal off the east side of the river opposite the marina basin had a reported controlling depth of 7 Higganum Creek, 5.5 miles above East Haddam, is feet. extending westward. (234) At Rocky Hill, 1 mile above Belamose, a seasonal vehicular ferry crosses the river to South Glastonbury. A (221) A rock breakwater extends southward from the east small-craft launching ramp is just above the ferry landing. side of the river, 1 mile above Higganum Creek. In 1969, (235) The cove at Crow Point, on the west side of the the shoal, about 200 yards southward of the breakwater, river about 5.7 miles above Belamose, is used to obtain was found to be extending southward. land fill. Dredging in the cove is uneven, but the bottom is soft ooze. In 1981, it was reported that the entrance (222) A boatyard is on the north side of the river at Cobalt, had shoaled to bare and could be used only by small about 3.5 miles above Higganum Creek. Storage facilities outboards. and a 15-ton hoist are available. In 1990, a reported depth (236) A rock, covered 5 feet, is on the south side of the of 7 feet could be carried to the facility. dredged channel about 0.8 mile above Crow Point in about 41°42'43.0\"N., 72°37'46.5\"W.; and a shoal that (223) After passing through the channel in Paper Rock bares is in 41°43'11\"N., 72°38'52\"W., on the west side Shoal, 9.7 miles above East Haddam, favor the south side of Connecticut River, about 1.9 miles above Crow Point. of the river to about 300 yards southeastward of Bodkin (237) Wethersfield Cove, on the west side of the river 14 Rock, then cross to the north side and pass it close-to. miles above Portland, is entered through a narrow dredged channel that leads to a dredged anchorage basin about 0.3 (224) About 0.5 mile westward of Bodkin Rock, a dredged mile above the entrance. (See Notice to Mariners and section of the channel leads along the southerly shore of the latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) Connecticut River and southward of Mouse Island Bar. The channel is marked by daybeacons. The Interstate 91 highway bridge over the entrance has a fixed span with (225) a clearance of 38 feet. The speed limit in the channel and cove is 5 knots. Ice, transient berthing, and some Anchorages supplies can be obtained at the yacht club on the south (226) Special anchorages are along the north and east side of the cove. A town marina is on the east side of the cove; a launching ramp is available at the facility. The sides of the river, between Bodkin Rock and Portland. Wethersfield harbormaster can be contacted through the (See 33 CFR 110.1and 110.55(f) and (g), chapter 2, for local police department or town hall. limits and regulations.) (238) The only remaining commercial docks at Hartford are the bulk fuel handling facility of the Hartford Electric (227) Light Company’s powerplant on the west side of the river, about 0.2 mile below the Charter Oak Bridge, and the Caution Hartford Gas Company’s barge unloading facilities on (228) Caution is recommended when rounding the point on the west side of the river, about 0.5 mile above the Charter Oak Bridge. A public facility with floating docks is on the south side of the river, about 1.5 miles above Bodkin the west side of the river just below the Founders Bridge. Rock, to avoid a submerged crib that extends northward A flood control dike is along the west side of the river from the point. from just north of the Charter Oak Bridge to the Bulkeley Bridge. (239) Connecticut River above Hartford is practically unimproved, but is navigable about 30 miles to Holyoke (229) Portland, 26.3 miles above Saybrook Point, has for boats not exceeding 3-foot draft, when the river is not several boatyards with marine railways; the largest low. The channel is constantly shifting. railway can handle craft to 60 feet for engine and hull repairs. Gasoline, water, berths with electricity, ice, (240) storage facilities, marine supplies, a pump-out station, launching ramps, and lifts to 50 tons are available at Chart 12354 Portland. In 1990, depths of 7 to 9 feet were reported available. (241) Long Sand Shoal extends 6 miles westward from off the entrance of Connecticut River and has a greatest (230) Berthing and water are available at Harbor Park in width of nearly 0.3 mile; the shoal is constantly shifting. Middletown, across the river from Portland. Depths of The general depths on the shoal are 4 to 15 feet; bottom 18 feet are reported to be available along the wharves. is hard and lumpy. Shoaling is abrupt on both sides, but especially on the south side, where the 30-foot curve is (231) Two small-craft facilities are on the east side of the only 100 yards from it in places. The shoal is marked at river at Gildersleeve, about 2.5 miles above Portland. its eastern end by a buoy, and on the south side and west Gasoline, diesel fuel, berths with electricity, water, ice, end by a bell buoy and gong buoy, respectively. storage facilities, marine supplies, a launching ramp, and 15- and 35-ton lifts are available, and hull and engine repairs can be made. (232) FromBelamose,6.5milesabovePortland,northward to Hartford, the land is much lower, and the Connecticut River narrows, its curves become more pronounced, and both of its shores have numerous wood-stake-and-rock groins. (233) A marina on the east side of the river opposite Belamose has gasoline, berths, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, and a 15-ton lift; engine and hull repairs can be made. In 1983, the privately marked channel into
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 279 (242) At the western end of Long Sand Shoal and 1 mile been reported to extend from the vicinity of these rocks southward is an area about 0.6 mile long with rocky and to the buoy. During strong flood currents and a southwest broken bottom, and with a least found depth of 21 feet. wind, tide rips extend from the shoal water southwest of Duck Island to the vicinity of Southwest Reef over 1 (243) Sixmile Reef, about 3 miles southwestward of Long mile southwestward. Caution is advised when navigating Sand Shoal, is an area of migrating sandwaves about 2.5 small boats in this vicinity during these conditions. miles long in a west-northwesterly direction with depths (252) Duck Island Roads, between Menunketesuck of 22 to 32 feet. Shoaling is abrupt in places. A lighted bell Island and Kelsey Point, is a harbor of refuge protected buoy is off the southerly edge of this reef. With extreme by breakwaters 1,100 feet northward and nearly 0.5 mile low tides, due to northerly and westerly winds, this shoal westward from Duck Island, with the added protection may be dangerous to vessels with 15-foot draft. Tide rips of Kelsey Point Breakwater on Stone Island Reef. A occur on the reef whenever the direction of the tidal prominent landmark on Duck Island is a stone chimney. currents is opposed to that of the wind. This is especially Both breakwaters extending from Duck Island are marked true during spring tides and a southwest wind. by lights. (253) The dredged anchorage enclosed by the breakwaters (244) A ridge with depths of 29 to 37 feet is near the middle extending northward and westward from Duck Island is of Long Island Sound southward of Sixmile Reef and 5 subject to shoaling. General depths of 3 to 8 feet are in miles north-northwestward of Horton Point Light. It is the protected area, and 4 to 16 feet in the western end. marked by a lighted whistle buoy equipped with a racon. In addition to the area inside the breakwaters, a small area northward and northeastward of Duck Island (245) North Breakwater Light can be used as an anchorage in southwesterly weather. Charts 12375, 12372 (254) The western entrance of Duck Island Roads is easy of access and should be used by vessels with greater draft (246) Cornfield Point, 2 miles westward of Saybrook than 8 feet. Breakwater Light, is marked by a large red-roofed stone building. Rocky shoals and foul ground extend 0.5 mile (255) south and 1.9 miles. Cornfield Point Shoal, a small rocky patch covered 3 feet, is about 0.4 mile south of the Routes point. Westward of this shoal are Hen and Chickens, (256) Pass southward of Duck Island and keep the light on bare in spots at low water, and Crane Reef, an area of broken ground with a least depth of 3 feet; these dangers the end of Kelsey Point Breakwater bearing northward of are buoyed. About 0.5 mile west of the point is Halftide 264° until Duck Island West Breakwater Light 2DI bears Rock, surrounded by foul ground. 010°, then steer northward. Approaching from westward, the main dangers are the a 17-foot and 16-foot spot, (247) south-southwestward of Kelsey Point Breakwater Light; the 16-foot spot is marked by a buoy. Charts 12374, 12372 (257) The eastern entrance of Duck Island Roads is obstructed by a sand shoal with a least depth of 8 feet (248) Westbrook Harbor is the western part of the open about 0.3 mile eastward of Duck Island, and by boulder bight between Cornfield Point and Menunketesuck reefs which extend about 0.2 mile off the western side of Island. It has many unmarked submerged rocks and is Menunketesuck Island. This entrance is easy of access seldom used as an anchorage; the anchorage in Duck for vessels drawing up to 8 feet. Island Roads is better. The bight is characterized by (258) Anchorage, bottom generally sticky, can be had boulders. between the Duck Island West Breakwater Light 2DI and the 17-foot rocky patches southeastward of Kelsey Point. (249) Westbrook, a town on the north side of Westbrook This anchorage is exposed to winds southward of east and Harbor, is marked on its east side by an elevated tank. west. A harbormaster is at Westbrook and can be contacted through the town hall. (250) Menunketesuck Island is the outermost of several (259) Patchogue River, used chiefly by fishing and low narrow islands connected to the mainland at low water recreational craft, empties into Duck Island Roads just on the west side of Westbrook Harbor. It has boulders at west of Menunketesuck Island.AFederal project provides the south end. A boulder reef extends nearly 0.5 mile for a depth of 8 feet from deep water in Duck Island Roads south-southeastward from the point to the 18-foot curve. to about 40 yards below the first fixed highway bridge, Tide rips frequently occur on this reef. A private seasonal about 0.6 mile above the mouth; an anchorage basin is buoy is about 0.3 mile southeastward of Menunketesuck adjacent to the east channel limit between buoys 8 and Island. 10. The approach channel is marked by buoys, and the river channel is marked by private aids. A light is on the (251) Between Menunketesuck Island and Hammonasset outer end of the breakwater on the west side of the river Point, about 4 miles westward, broken ground extends mouth. about 1.5 miles offshore. A boulder reef extends 0.5 mile southward from Duck Island to the 18-foot curve and is marked by a buoy. A rock with 1 foot over it is on this reef about 300 yards south of Duck Island. Tide rips have
280 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 (260) department. A 6 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. The town maintains a fireboat at Clinton Harbor. Small-craft facilities The vessel can be contacted through the Clinton Police Department or the Coast Guard. (261) Several small-craft facilities are on the river. (See (268) Northeastward of Cedar Island in Clinton Harbor the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for are two narrow crooked channels close together, with services and supplies available.) depths of about 1 foot. The eastern one is usually marked by bush stakes; it leads to a marina and boatyard just inside the mouth of Hammock River. The western channel, marked by a private range, leads to a boatyard (262) Menunketesuck River, sharing the same entrance on Indian River. channel as Patchogue River, is a shallow stream (269) Hammonasset Point, on the southwest side westward of Patchogue River. A shoal was reported of Clinton Harbor, is a low marshy area with many extending south from shore at the junction of Patchogue wooded knolls. The end of the point is a rocky knoll. and Menunketesuck Rivers; caution is advised. The Hammonasset State Park is marked by a conspicuous junction is marked by a private seasonal buoy. Small- flagstaff and the buildings at the recreational center. In the craft facilities on the river can provide berths, electricity, summer it is an active resort. Broken ground with rocky gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, storage, marine supplies, a irregular bottom and least depths of 10 to 11 feet extends pump-out station, and engine, hull and electronic repairs; 0.5 mile southward of Hammonasset Point. A reef, with a a 12-ton mobile hoist and an 80-ton lift are available. The least depth of 3 feet and a groin on its inner part, extends privately maintained channel in the river is reported to 0.4 mile southwestward from the point and is marked be marked by seasonal private aids; local knowledge is by a buoy, northeastward of which tide rips frequently advised. occur. When rounding the point, vessels should not pass between the buoy and Hammonasset Point. West Rock (263) A 6 mph speed limit is enforced on both rivers. is the outermost of the bare rocks which extend a short (264) Kelsey Point Breakwater extends south- distance off the east end of Hammonasset Point. (270) Madison Reef, over 2 miles westward of southeastward from Stone Island and is marked by a light Hammonasset Point, extends over a mile east and west. on the outer end.The rocky, broken ground southwestward This reef consists of several rocky patches with depths of the light has a least depth of 16 feet; the outer shoal of 4 to 17 feet, with deeper water between them. Charles is marked by a buoy. Tide rips occur frequently between Reef, with a least depth of 7 feet, is about 0.5 mile the end of the breakwater and the buoy. Stone Island, at southwest of Madison Reef and marked by a buoy. the north end of the breakwater, is mostly covered at high (271) Kimberly Reef, about 1.9 miles southward of water. There are several rocks of unknown depth between Charles Reef, is an area of broken ground with a least Stone Island and Kelsey Point. Anchoring should be depth of 12 feet. Rocks with a least depth of 20 feet, avoided in the area surrounding the breakwater as the marked by a lighted bell buoy, are about 0.2 mile south bottom is broken and rocky. of the shoal. A bank with depths of 14 to 28 feet extends (265) The bight at the entrance of Clinton Harbor and about 1.5 miles west of Kimberly Reef to Falkner Island. westward of Kelsey Point Breakwater affords anchorage, (272) Vessels of 10-foot draft can anchor northward of but is exposed to southeasterly and southwesterly winds. Madison Reef, but should proceed with caution to avoid (266) Clinton Harbor, the bight westward of Kelsey Point the rocky patches at lesser depths. Breakwater, is the entrance to Hammonasset River, (273) Tuxis Island, northward of Madison Reef and 0.2 a stream used chiefly by fishing and recreational craft. mile south of Middle Beach, is high and rocky. Between Wheeler Rock, awash at low water, is just outside the bar the island and the shore the water is shallow and the and is marked by a lighted buoy. A dredged channel leads ground foul. Rocks awash are 200 to 600 yards eastward north, around Cedar Island to the town dock at Clinton. of the island, and an islet is 100 yards westward of the The channel is marked by buoys to Cedar Island and island. A steel bulkhead in ruins, the top of which is awash thence by seasonal private buoys to the anchorage basin at at high water, extends from shore to Gull Rock, a high Clinton. Buoys are shifted often due to changing channel bare ledge about 300 yards east-northeastward of Tuxis conditions. Local knowledge is advised. From opposite Island. the basin to the upstream limit of the Federal project, the (274) Madison, a town on the railroad, has one landing southwest and south side of the channel is obstructed by which bares alongside at low water and is in disrepair. A a series of pilings. Boats may be moored between the few small craft moor in the cove on its north side. Rocks, pilings; caution is advised. Above the dredged channel, bare at low water, are 100 yards eastward of the landing. the midchannel controlling depth is about 2 feet in the A beach club building, with a small stone landing, is Hammonasset River to the overhead pipeline and bridge northward of Tuxis Island. A church with a prominent crossing about 2 miles above Clinton. Private daybeacons tower and gilded dome is 0.8 mile northward of Tuxis mark this section of the channel. Island. (267) Several boatyards and marinas are in the harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 for services and supplies available.) Mooring facilities are available by arrangement with the town dockmaster who can be contacted through the town hall or police
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 281 (275) marks the shoal off the northern end of Falkner Island, and a lighted bell buoy is off the southern end of Stony Charts 12373, 12372 Island. (283) From Indian Reef westward are rocky shoals and (276) Guilford Harbor, a bight 5.5 miles westward of islets extending from 0.2 to 0.7 mile off Vineyard Point Hammonasset Point, is used only by small craft. East and Sachem Head.Chimney Corner Reef, about 0.3 River and Sluice Creek empty into Guilford Harbor from mile south of Sachem Head and marked by a buoy, is the northward. The approach to the harbor is obstructed a rocky broken area on which the least depth is 9 feet. by rocks and foul ground. The outermost dangers are Westward of it are Goose Rocks Shoals, on which are Half Acre Rock (41°15'17\"N., 72°39'10\"W.), Outer Goose Rocks, the northerly of which is bare and the White Top (41°15'03\"N., 72°40'00\"W.) and Indian southerly one covered at high water. The outer limit of Reef (41°14'52\"N., 72°40'21\"W.) extending about 1 Goose Rocks Shoals is marked by a lighted bell buoy. To mile southwestward of Outer White Top. Indian Reef ensure clearing the westerly end of Goose Rocks Shoals, is marked on its south side by buoys. Stakes and fish care must be taken not to round the buoy too closely. traps may exist northward of Riding Rock (41°15'32\"N., (284) Sachem Head Harbor, an anchorage for small craft 72°39'52\"W.) on the southwest side of Sachem Head, is 0.3 mile long and 0.1 mile wide, and has depths of 3 to 8 feet at the (277) The approach channel to Guilford Harbor, marked floats and in the moorings; it is sheltered except from by buoys, leads along the southeasterly side of Indian westerly winds. The island forming the south point at the Reef, thence westward of Half Acre Rock to a dredged entrance is connected with the shore by a bridge. A yacht channel about 0.5 mile northwestward of Half Acre Rock. clubhouse is on the island. From the north point of the The dredged channel leads northward through the harbor island a breakwater extends 100 yards in a northwesterly and eastward of Guilford Point to a junction with Sluice direction; a rock awash, marked by a private seasonal Creek and East River, about 0.6 mile above the channel light, is off the end of the breakwater. A rock covered at entrance. At the junction, the dredged channel leads half tide is 50 yards off the southeast side of the harbor, northwesterly into Sluice Creek for about 0.1 mile and about 350 yards eastward of the end of the breakwater. northeasterly into East River for about 0.4 mile to an (285) The approach to Sachem Head Harbor for small craft anchorage basin. A lighted buoy marks the entrance to from eastward is along the south side of the rocks making the channel and unlighted buoys mark the channel to the off from the south side of Sachem Head. Approaching junction. eastward of Goose Rocks, give the rocks a berth of over 300 yards. The approach from westward is clear between (278) At high water and with local knowledge, small boats Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. can go above the anchorage basin in East River to the (286) Uncas Point, the western extremity of Sachem fixed railway bridge, about 1.3 miles above the basin. A Head, is marked by a rocky islet on its west side and town marina, just above the entrance to Sluice Creek, has a privately maintained seasonal light. Just northward of berths with electricity, water, ice and a launching ramp. the islet a stone jetty with a bulkhead on its north side In 1993, depths of 1½ to 6 feet were reported alongside extends about 100 yards in a northwesterly direction from the marina. the shore. Vessels can anchor in the angle near the shore where the depth is about 4½ feet. (279) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced in the harbor. (287) Joshua Cove, northwestward of Sachem Head, is (280) West River empties into the western side of Guilford little used, but affords good anchorage in its entrance for small vessels in northerly or easterly winds in 6 to 10 feet, Harbor 0.2 mile westward of Guilford Point. The entrance soft bottom. The approach from southwestward is clear channel is marked by buoys and a 321.3° lighted range. between Goose Rocks and Leetes Rocks. (281) There are two boatyards with several marinas and (288) Leetes Rocks, midway between Sachem Head marine railways on West River. The largest marine railway and the north end of The Thimbles, are two rocks bare can handle craft up to 40 feet; berths with electricity, at low water, with an area of broken ground around water, ice, gasoline, diesel fuel, limited supplies, a 12- them. A 9-foot spot is about 200 yards southward of the ton mobile crane, a 25-ton lift, and complete engine and southerly rock, and a 3-foot spot is 0.3 mile northeast of hull repairs are available. the southerly rock. (282) Falkner Island and Goose Islands, with Stony (289) Leetes Island Quarry is a prominent feature on the Island to the southward, are about 3 miles south of south side of Hoadley Point; on the north side of the cove Guilford Harbor. Each is surrounded by reefs and rocks eastward of the point are the ruins of an old dock. that bare at low water. A depth of about 16 feet can be (290) The Thimbles, about 1.6 miles west of Sachem carried between Goose Islands and Falkner Island by Head, comprise many islands, islets, and rocks that bare. staying in the middle of the passage and avoiding the All of the area, extending over 2 miles from Hoadley 8-foot and 11-foot spots, about 0.35 mile 244° and 0.4 mile Point southwestward to East Reef, is foul with rocky 300° from the light on Falkner Island, respectively, and bottom and many shoals. To lesser extent, the area from the shoals and reefs extending from the islands. Falkner Island Light (41°12'43\"N., 72°39'13\"W.), 94 feet above the water, is shown from a 46-foot white octagonal tower near the center of Falkner Island. A lighted gong buoy
282 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 East Reef for 2 miles westward and northwestward to yacht basin entered through a privately dredged channel Branford Harbor entrance is dotted with islets and rocks. that leads from southward of St. Helena Island north- The whole area is suitable only for small pleasure craft, northwestward to the basin. In 1994, the entrance channel which are very active here in summer. Many oyster stakes and basin had reported depths of 5 feet.The basin approach are encountered; these do not mark channels and caution northward of St. Helena Island has depths of 3 to 5 feet. should be used to avoid fouling them. Caution also is Gasoline, diesel fuel, ice, and water may be obtained at advised to avoid fouling the pipelines and cables in the the yacht club landing. area. (297) From Brown Point to Branford Harbor, 2.5 miles (291) The outermost of The Thimbles proper is Outer westward, bare rocks and shoals extend up to about 2 Island, marked by a house chimney. A boat landing miles offshore. A seawall extends westward from Brown protected by a stone jetty is on the northeast side of this Point, and the shore is thickly settled. A rock bare at half island, and an unmarked rock, bare at lowest tides, is 200 tide is 600 yards westward of Brown Point and 300 yards yards eastward. The reefs southwestward of Outer Island, from shore. to and including East Reef and Browns Reef, are buoyed. (298) Rocks bare at low water are eastward of Haycock (292) From eastward a buoyed channel leads through The Point, and rocks that bare at half tide are off the southeast Thimbles. The channel passes between Wayland Island side and southwest end of Green Island. The foul ground and a buoy marking the foul area southward of Cat Island. extends about 0.6 mile south-southwestward from The channel extends between Davis Island and Dogfish Haycock Point, including Foot Rocks which are partly Island, thence north of East Crib and West Crib into the above water. more open water westward of The Thimbles; it is good (299) Branford Reef, about 1.8 miles southward of Indian for about 13 feet. Neck and 5 miles eastward of New Haven entrance, is (293) Stony Creek, a village on the railroad, extends marked by a light. This reef is surrounded by shoal water southward to Flying Point (41°15.5'N., 72°45.1'W.). A for a distance of 150 to 450 yards from the light. dredged channel west of Flying Point leads north to a (300) Deep water is between Branford Reef and Negro turning basin at Stony Creek. The channel is marked by Heads, a reef bare in one place at low water about 0.9 buoys. Rocks were reported in the northwest corner of mile northward. Shoreward of Negro Heads are Spectacle the basin. Gasoline, marine supplies, inside storage, and Island, Sumac Island, and Clam Island, together with a small-craft launching ramp are available at marinas numerous rocks bare and covered. eastward of the turning basin; small craft can be hauled (301) A private boat landing is on the northwest side of out on a flatbed trailer for hull and engine repairs. The Clam Island. Small craft can enter Maltby Cove between village dock is on the southeast side of the turning basin. the bare rocks off the southwest end of Clam Island and (294) Between the rocks westward of Rogers Island and Jeffrey Rock, favoring the northwest side of Clam Blackstone Rocks, a privately dredged channel, about Island. Private markers are sometimes at the entrance. 0.9 mile westward of Flying Point, leads northeastward The northwest side of the cove is foul, the principal to a quarry wharf on the west side of a dredged basin. In danger being a rock bare at low water near the middle, 1995, the reported controlling depths were 14 feet from northwestward of Clam Island; the rock is sometimes the channel entrance to the basin, thence a depth of 14 marked by a seasonal private spindle. feet was available in the basin except for lesser depths (302) Jeffrey Point, the eastern point at the entrance of along the north and west edges. The entrance channel is Branford Harbor, has a bare rock close to its western end. marked by a private 028° range consisting of a front and (303) Branford Harbor is a shallow cove between middle light and a rear daybeacon. Jeffrey Point and Johnson Point. Vessels up to 10-foot (295) Thimble Island Harbor, in the western part of The draft can select anchorage in the harbor southward of Thimbles, affords good shelter for small craft between the Mermaids in 10 to 14 feet, protected against all but Pot Island and Money Island on the east and High southerly and southwesterly winds. Boats up to 5-foot Island and West Crib on the west. Although open draft can select a well-sheltered anchorage in the upper southwestward, the sea from that direction loses much part of the harbor above the Mermaids. The harbor is used of its force before reaching the inner harbor. A rock with chiefly for recreational boating and by the small local 3 feet over it and marked by a buoy is 80 yards off the lobster fishing fleet. east side of High Island, just above its south end. Vessels (304) The dangers in the approach and entrance to sometimes anchor near midchannel, between this rock Branford Harbor either show above water or are marked and the north end of Pot Island in depths of 13 to 18 feet, by buoys. Cow and Calf, 1.3 miles southwestward of soft bottom, but care should be taken to avoid the cables Jeffrey Point, are two boulders close together bare at low in the area. The harbor is easy of access between Outer water. Boulders, reported covered 10 feet, are about 0.2 Island and Inner Reef. mile northward of Cow and Calf. Five Foot Rock, 0.5 (296) Pine Orchard, about 3 miles westward of Sachem mile northeastward of Cow and Calf, has 5 feet over it. Head, is a summer resort extending northward and Taunton Rock, 0.9 mile northeastward of Cow and Calf westward of Brown Point. A breakwater extending about near the middle of the entrance to Branford Harbor, is 300 yards southeastward from Brown Point protects a large but low and bare. Blyn Rock, midway between
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 283 Johnson Point and Taunton Rock, is covered at extreme range from 4 to 5 feet in the eastern part of the gut with high tide. Bird Rock, 0.2 mile northward of Blyn Rock, shoaling to bare in the northern and western parts. Two has 5 feet over it. rocks awash are on the north side of the gut about 125 (305) Little Mermaid, showing a little above high water, yards inside the entrance. The gut offers good protection and Big Mermaid, a high rock marked by a light, are from all but easterly winds, mud bottom.Amarine railway near the middle of Branford Harbor. Two bare rocks are at a boatyard on the north side of the gut can handle boats near the head of the harbor. A rock, bare at low water to 36 feet for hull repairs; storage facilities are available. and usually marked by stakes, is about 100 feet north- The yard can be reached only at high tide. Old Clump is northeastward of the north end of Lovers Island. a bare rock about 400 yards south of the bight. (316) Farm River, locally known as East Haven River, (306) about 1.5 miles westward of Branford Harbor, is used by local craft. In 1981, it was reported that depths of Routes 3 feet could be carried in the river to the fixed bridge (307) To enter Branford Harbor from eastward, pass with a clearance of 4 feet about 1 mile above the mouth. Several boatyards on the river provide gasoline, berths, southward of the lighted buoy marking Negro Heads, electricity, water, storage, and limited marine supplies; steer about 306° heading for Taunton Rock, and enter diesel fuel can be delivered by truck. A 10-ton mobile between Taunton and Jeffrey Rocks; or a 333° course hoist and a 12-ton crane can handle vessels for complete with Branford Reef Light astern will lead into the harbor engine and hull repairs. between Jeffrey and Taunton Rocks. From westward, pass (317) East Indies Rocks, about 0.4 mile south of the southward and over 100 yards eastward of the lighted entrance to Farm River, cover at half tide and are marked bell buoy marking Cow and Calf, thence westward of the by a buoy to the eastward; a rocky shoal with a least depth buoys marking Blyn Rock and Bird Rock to the buoyed of 5 feet is 0.2 mile to the eastward. A small ledge, bare channel in the harbor. at low water, is midway between East Indies Rocks and (308) Local craft pass northwestward of Cow and Calf the south side of Mansfield Point, the western entrance Shoal and midway between Johnson Point and Blyn point to Farm River. Darrow Rocks, a group of bare Rock. rocks, are on the east side of the entrance to the river. The westernmost rocky knoll is marked by a flagstaff. A ledge, bare at low water, with a buoy off its southern end, is 200 yards south of the flagstaff. (309) Branford River, narrow and crooked, extends (318) Mansfield Point and the shore westward of northeasterly from Branford Harbor. At low water the the entrance to Farm River are thickly settled. Bus channel above Branford Point is defined by bare shoals communication is available to New Haven. on each side. During the summer numerous stakes used as moorings mark both sides of the channel. A privately (319) dredged channel and basin at a marina 0.5 mile east of Branford Point had reported depths of 9 feet in 1999. Charts 12371, 12372 (310) The principal waterborne commerce at Branford (320) New Haven Harbor, an important harbor of refuge, is in petroleum products. There are several marinas and is about 68 miles from New York, 179 miles from Boston boatyards on the river. (See the small-craft facilities via Cape Cod Canal, and 171 miles from Nantucket tabulation on chart 12372 for services and supplies Shoals. It comprises all the tidewater northward of the available.) breakwaters constructed across the mouth of the bay, including the navigable portions of the West, Mill, and (311) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river. Quinnipiac Rivers. It is about 2 miles wide. The inner (312) The harbormaster at Branford controls all moorings harbor, northward of Sandy Point and Fort Hale, is shallow for the most part, except where the depths have and anchoring; he can be contacted through the small- been increased by dredging. The main entrance channel, craft facilities. between Middle Breakwater and the East Breakwater, (313) Johnson Point is the western entrance point to leads northward to Tomlinson Bridge at New Haven. Branford Harbor; a rock covered 2 feet is about 100 yards Anchorage basins for medium draft vessels are on the off its south side. A small privately dredged basin on the west side of the channel north of Sandy Point. Waterborne southwest side of the point is well protected in all but commerce in the harbor consists of petroleum products, southerly winds. In 1971, it was reported that 4 feet could scrap metal, lumber, automobiles, gypsum, paper and be carried to and in the basin. pulp products, steel products, chemicals, rock salt, and (314) Gull Rocks, about 0.3 mile westward of Johnson general cargo. Point, consist of small islets and submerged rocks that extend about 0.5 mile southwestward from shore on the (321) New Haven, at the head of the harbor, is an important easterly side of the entrance to a large cove. A rock, bare manufacturing city. at half tide, is in the northwestern part of the cove about 350 yards southward of Short Beach. The northwest end of the cove has a yacht club landing with a reported depth of 2 feet alongside. (315) Farm River Gut, a small bight on the west side of the cove, is a good anchorage for small craft. Depths
284 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 (322) (330) Prominent features Anchorages (323) On the approach from well offshore in clear weather, (331) Inside West Breakwater and the southwest part of the prominent landmarks are: on East Rock (41°19.7'N., Middle Breakwater, anchorage is available for vessels 72°54.4'W.), the Soldiers and Sailors Monument; in up to a 19-foot draft. Caution should be exercised to New Haven, the Knights of Columbus Building, a tall avoid the fish stakes in this area. Vessels anchoring in rectangular structure with circular pillars at its corners; the area should also be aware that water levels may drop the lighted stack of the powerplant on the east side of the significantly following a long continuous northwesterly harbor opposite City Point. The lights on the ends of the wind. breakwaters, the aerolight at Tweed-New Haven Airport, (332) Vessels may anchor northward of Southwest Ledge and the abandoned tower on Lighthouse Point are also Light in depths of 18 to 20 feet, soft bottom in places. prominent. Care should be taken to avoid the ledges northward of the (324) Southwest Ledge Light (41°14'04\"N., East Breakwater. Deep-draft vessels awaiting berthing 72°54'44\"W.), 57 feet above the water, is shown from assignments can anchor about 1 mile southward of the a white octagonal house on a brown cylindrical pier at sea buoy; holding ground is excellent. the westerly end of East Breakwater. A sound signal is (333) Morris Cove, on the east side of the main channel sounded at the light. just above Lighthouse Point, affords good anchorage and is used by yachts, but is rough in westerly and southerly (325) winds. In 1981, isolated, uncharted 40-foot spots were reported in the cove. Caution is advised when anchoring. Channels New Haven Coast Guard Station is on the north side of (326) A Federal project for New Haven Harbor provides the jutting point, about 1.5 miles northward of Lighthouse Point. for an entrance channel 35 feet deep to a point just below (334) An anchorage basin on the west side of the main the junction of Mill River and Quinnipiac River. The channel southward of New Haven Long Wharf is channel is well marked. (See Notice to Mariners and sometimes used, but considerable shoaling is gradually latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) extending into the anchorage from westward. A sunken (327) West River, marked by buoys, is located on the west barge with 5 feet over it is in this anchorage about 550 side of the main channel about 3 miles above Southwest yards southward of New Haven Long Wharf. In 1985, Ledge Light. A Federal project provides for a depth of 12 depths of 10 to 5 feet were available in the anchorage feet to a point about 100 feet south of the first highway basin with lesser depths along the edges. bridge (Kimberly Avenue Bridge), thence 8 feet to about (335) Small craft and scows may anchor northward of the 0.1 mile above the bridge; an anchorage area on the south New Haven Long Wharf (Naval Reserve Pier), northwest side of the channel about 0.9 mile above the entrance has of the main channel where depths range from about 5 to a project depth of 6 feet. (See Notice to Mariners and 6 feet. latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) Principal (336) No special regulations prescribe the limits within waterfront facilities are at City Point. which vessels must anchor, except that the dredged (328) Mill River, on the west side of Fair Haven about channels must be kept clear. 4 miles above Southwest Ledge Light, is entered from the main channel through a dredged entrance channel (337) that branches into an east and west fork to the Grand Avenue Bridge, 0.6 mile above the mouth. In 2000, the Dangers controlling depths were 6.2 feet (8.2 feet at midchannel) (338) Townshend Ledge, 2.7 miles southeastward of to the Chapel Street Bridge about 0.25 mile above the entrance, thence 9 feet through the east bridge opening Southwest Ledge Light, has a least depth of 18 feet and and 6.3 feet through the west bridge opening, thence 6.5 is marked by a lighted bell buoy. feet to the junction with the east and west forks, thence (339) Stony Islet, 2.2 miles eastward of Southwest Ledge 1.4 feet at midchannel in the east fork for about 320 yards Light, is low, bare, and surrounded by ledges bare at low and 4.9 feet at midchannel in the west fork for about 480 water to a distance of about 100 yards. A partly bare ledge yards, thence in 1980, 1 foot at midchannel in the east fork is about 0.2 mile north-northwestward of Stony Islet. and 1.5 feet at midchannel in the west fork to the head of From this ledge and Stony Islet westward to the entrance the channel. of New Haven Harbor, an area of foul ground with many (329) Quinnipiac River, on the east side of Fair Haven rocks bare at low water extends about 0.5 mile offshore. about 4 miles above Southwest Ledge Light, has a This area should be avoided. dredged channel to Grand Avenue Bridge, about 1 mile (340) Shoals with 16 to 18 feet over them extend over 0.5 above the mouth. In 2000, the controlling depth was 15.7 mile southeastward from the breakwaters on both sides of feet at midchannel to the Ferry Street Bridge about 0.5 the dredged entrance channel. A spoil area with reported mile above the mouth, thence 8.4 feet at midchannel to depths of 15 feet is on the eastern side of the entrance the Grand Avenue Bridge. channel. An 18-foot spot is on the east side of the main
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 285 channel, at the first turn westward of Southwest Ledge (352) Light. (341) The bights on the west shore of New Haven Harbor Ice from Pond Point northward are shoal with bare rocks (353) Ice generally obstructs navigation to some extent and foul ground in most of them. The shore is rocky at Woodmont, about 2 miles northeastward of Pond Point. for low-powered vessels from December to March and (342) Black Rock, bare at low water and marked by a sometimes extends to the mouth of the harbor. During seasonal buoy, is 0.2 mile off the north end of Morris severe winters the accumulation of ice is local. Except Cove. Opposite, on the west side, is a breakwater, partly in severe weather, powered vessels can always enter and covered, extending from Sandy Point and marked by leave the harbor without much difficulty. In New Haven a light. Shag Bank, a flat extending about 0.5 mile Harbor northerly winds tend to clear the harbor of ice if northward from Sandy Point, has a sand tip about 0.1 the formation is light; southerly winds are apt to force in mile long. drift ice from the sound. (343) (354) Bridges Weather, New Haven and vicinity (344) Tomlinson Bridge, at the head of the main harbor (355) New Haven’s climate is typical of coastal areas at the confluence of Mill and Quinnipiac Rivers, has a of southern New England. It is vigorous without being vertical lift span with a clearance of 13 feet down and overly severe. New Haven is located at the widest part of 61 feet up. Just above this bridge is a fixed highway Long Island Sound, and the tempering effect of the water bridge under construction (2013). The bridgetender of is most pronounced in this vicinity. During the summer the Tomlinson Bridge monitors VHF-FM channel 13; season, the sea breeze holds temperatures 5 to 15°F (3 to call sign KXJ-688. An overhead power cable with a 8°C) lower in the afternoon; during the winter season, clearance of 91 feet crosses the channel just above the minimum temperatures in the southern section of the fixed highway bridge. city are usually 5 to 10°F (3 to 6°C) higher than those (345) Aregulated navigation area is at Tomlinson Bridge. reported from northern sections. The highest summertime (See 33 CFR 165.1 through 165.13, and 165.150, temperatures occur with a moderate northerly wind. chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) The lowest winter readings also occur with a northerly (346) Over Mill River, about 0.3 mile above the entrance, wind. The average temperature for New Haven is 51.7°F is the Chapel Street Bridge with a swing span having a (10.9°C). July is the warmest month with average clearance of 7½ feet. The fixed highway bridge at Grand extremes of 81°F (27.2°C) and 64°F (17.8°C). January is Avenue has a clearance of 6 feet over the east fork and a the coldest month with average extremes of 37°F (2.8°C) clearance of 2 feet over the west fork. Bridges above this and 22°F (-5.6°C). The warmest temperature on record point have minimum clearance of 2 feet. Small unmasted is 100°F (37.8°C) recorded in August 1948 and again boats go as far as the bridge at State Street, 0.5 mile above in July 1957. The coldest temperature on record is -7°F Grand Avenue. Overhead power cables crossing the west (-21.7°C) recorded in January 1961. fork have a minimum clearance of 80 feet. (356) Precipitation is quite evenly distributed throughout (347) The Ferry Street Bridge over Quinnipiac River, 0.6 the year with only a 1.25 inch (32 mm) spread between mile above the Tomlinson Bridge, has a bascule span with the wettest and driest months. The annual average a clearance of 25 feet. The Grand Avenue Bridge, 0.5 precipitation is 42 inches (1067 mm). The wettest mile farther upstream, has a center-pier swing span with month, December, averages 4.24 inches (108 mm) and a clearance of 9 feet. Above this are several fixed bridges the driest month, June, averages 2.93 inches (74 mm). and trestles. The elevation of the land increases northward from (348) Kimberly Avenue Bridge over West River has a fixed the station and results in somewhat higher amounts of span with a clearance of 23 feet. precipitation in the northern suburbs as well as a few more (349) (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.213, thunderstorms each year. During the winter, a variety of chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) precipitation is found in most storms. It is common to have rain along the shore, freezing rain and sleet a short (350) distance inland, and snow in the northern parts of the city. Heavy snow is rather uncommon in the immediate coastal Currents area and usually melts in a few days. Farther inland, the (351) In the entrance between the breakwaters, the tidal snow becomes progressively heavier and a layer of snow covers the ground most of the winter. Annual average current has a velocity on flood of 1.4 knots, and ebb 0.9 snowfall totals 34 inches (864 mm). February is the knot. The flood sets 319° and the ebb 152°. In the draw of snowiest month averaging over nine inches (229 mm). Tomlinson Bridge, the velocity is 0.4 knot. The flood sets Snow has fallen in each month, October through May. 015° and the ebb 215°. Ebb velocities are increased by The 24-hour record snowfall is 17.1 inches (434 mm) freshets. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for predicted recorded in April 1957. times and velocities of currents.) (357) Prevailing wind direction varies with the seasons. From late spring until fall, winds are predominantly south
286 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 to southwest due to the effect of the sea breeze. During (365) Pilot services are arranged in advance through ships’ the winter, the prevailing winds are northerly. Strong agents or directly by shipping companies. southeast winds cause unusually high tides and some local flooding in low-lying coastal areas two or three (366) times a year. (358) Since 1871, 17 tropical systems have passed within Towage 50 miles of New Haven, Connecticut. The most infamous (367) Tugs up to 1,800 hp are available at New Haven, and perhaps, was the hurricane of 1938. This storm passed with 15 miles west of the city on September 21 raking tugs to 4,000 hp can be obtained by prior arrangement. the city with 85-knot winds while moving at a forward Vessels usually proceed to the harbor without assistance. speed in excess of 40 knots. Most recently, hurricane Large vessels normally require tugs for docking and Gloria passed within 20 miles to the west on September undocking. Arrangements for tug service should be made 27, 1985. Highest winds at time of landfall were barely 24 hours in advance, usually through ships’ agents or hurricane strength but two days prior, Gloria had directly by shipping companies. The tugs monitor VHF- been supporting winds in excess of 125 knots. Due to FM channels 13 and 16 and use channel 19A as a working geographical orientation, all tropical systems approach frequency; call sign KEE-234. the coastline from the south or southwest. (368) Launch service to ships at anchor is available. (359) The National Weather Service maintains an office at Launches monitor VHF-FM channel 16 and use channel the Tweed-New HavenAirport, about 3 miles southeast of 19A as a working frequency. the city. (See Appendix B for New Haven climatological (369) New Haven is a customs port of entry. table.) (370) (360) Quarantine, customs, immigration, and agricultural Routes quarantine (361) To enter New Haven Harbor from eastward, it is (371) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Appendix A for addresses.) safer for large vessels to pass southward of Branford (372) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with Reef and Townshend Ledge to the entrance channel. To regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public enter from westward, pass northward of Stratford Shoal Health Service, chapter 1.) Light at a distance of 1.8 miles and head for the entrance (373) New Haven has many public and private hospitals. channel. (362) The passage eastward of East Breakwater has boulder (374) patches and is very broken, but can be used by small craft drawing less than 6 feet, taking care to avoid the Coast Guard foul ground along the northeast side of the passage. This (375) The Captain of the Port maintains an office in New passage is buoyed, and local vessels of 10- to 12-foot draft use it at high water. Avoid Quixes Ledge, which extends Haven. The nearest vessel documentation office is in about 200 yards southeastward from the eastern end of Bridgeport, CT. (See Appendix A for addresses.) the breakwater, and pass about 100 yards eastward of the (376) The harbormaster at New Haven has charge of the breakwater. The principal danger inside the breakwater anchoring of vessels; he can be contacted through the is the reef, marked by a buoy, that extends 300 yards local police department. southwestward from Lighthouse Point. Adams Fall, a (377) The city police maintain a harbor patrol during the rock with 5 feet over it and marked by a buoy, is 0.4 mile summer. southwestward of Lighthouse Point. (378) (363) Wharves Pilotage, New Haven (379) The deep-draft facilities at the Port of New Haven (364) Pilotage by state licensed pilot is compulsory in are along the north and east sides of the inner portion Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. of New Haven Harbor. Facilities for smaller vessels vessels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign and barges are along the sides of the harbor and in Mill, trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pilot Quinnipiac, and West Rivers. Depths alongside the by contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block facilities in Quinnipiac River range from about 5 to 15 Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; feet; Mill River, 12 to 13 feet; and West River about 12 telephone 401–487–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; to 18 feet. Only the deep-draft facilities are described. FAX 401–847–9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels For a complete description of the port facilities refer to engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to have a Port Series No. 4, published and sold by the U.S. Army U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless the Corps of Engineers. (See Appendix A for address.) master has recency for the intended area. See Pilotage, The alongside depths for the facilities described are Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8. reported; for information on the latest depths contact the private operator. All the facilities have direct highway connections, and most have railroad connections. Water and electrical shore power connections are available at most piers and wharves. (380) General cargo at the port is usually handled by ship’s tackle; special handling equipment, if available,
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 287 is mentioned in the description of the particular facility. (389) Cranes up to 250 tons and warehouses and cold storage facilities adjacent to the waterfront are available. Supplies (381) Wyatt Light Oil Pier: north end of harbor 0.35 mile (390) OilbunkeringterminalsatNewHavenaremaintained northeastward of New Haven Long Wharf; 150-foot face, 715 feet of berthing space with dolphins, 38 feet by the major oil companies. Fuel oil and diesel oil in alongside; deck height, 11 feet; receipt and shipment of the usual commercial grades are obtainable. Barges are petroleum products; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. available for bunkering in the anchorages outside the (382) Wyatt Heavy Oil Wharf: 50 yards east of Wyatt breakwaters or at the piers; 24-hour advance notice is Light Oil Pier; west side 210 feet, 480 feet of berthing required, and arrangements should be made through space with dolphins; 30 feet alongside; deck height, 11 ships’ agents. Water, provisions, and marine supplies can feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum products, receipt be procured. of asphalt; owned and operated by Wyatt, Inc. (383) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf: on each (391) side of harbor, 200 yards south of Tomlinson Bridge; 60- foot face, 735 feet of berthing space with dolphins; 35 feet Repairs alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels normally moor (392) New Haven has no facilities for making major repairs starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of petroleum products; owned and operated by Gulf Oil Refining and or for drydocking deep-draft vessels; the nearest such Marketing Co. facilities are at Boston, MA, and New York. Machine (384) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Pier: 100 yards shops in the area can make limited repairs to machinery southward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Wharf; and boilers, and fabricate shafts and other pieces of north side 400 feet, 25 feet alongside; south side 380 equipment. feet, 25 feet alongside; deck height, 10 feet; receipt and shipment of petroleum products; owned and operated by (393) Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. (385) ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf: 300 yards Small-craft facilities southwestward of Gulf Refining and Marketing Co. Pier; (394) There are excellent facilities on the east and west 110-foot face, 760 feet with dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 15 feet; vessels normally moor starboardside- sides of the harbor and on West and Quinnipiac Rivers. to; receipt and shipment of petroleum products; owned (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12372 and operated by ARCO Petroleum Products Co. for services and supplies available.) (386) New Haven Terminal, Scrap Metal Dock: 275 yards southward of ARCO Petroleum Products Co. Wharf; (395) 640-foot face; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 14 feet; two 30-ton traveling gantry cranes, crawler cranes to 250 Charts 12370, 12364 tons; receipt and shipment of general and containerized cargo and steel products, shipment of scrap metal, receipt (396) Pond Point, about 5 miles southwestward of the of copper, zinc, and lumber; owned and operated by New New Haven Harbor entrance, has a rocky shoal with little Haven Terminal, Inc. depth over the greater part of it that extends about 0.3 mile (387) New Haven Terminal Pier: 50 yards southward southward. It is marked by a buoy. A prominent white of Scrap Metal Dock; north and south sides, 650 feet mast is on the point. usable, can accommodate tankers up to 700 feet; 35 and 39 feet alongside, north and south sides, respectively; (397) Welches Point, 0.8 mile westward of Pond Point, deck height, 13 feet; cranes up to 50 tons; 36,000 square forms the east side of the entrance of the Gulf. A reef feet covered storage; receipt and shipment of general extends 0.2 mile southward from the point and is marked cargo, receipt of petroleum products, petrochemicals, by a buoy. Several scattered rocks extend a southeasterly chemicals, copper, zinc, lumber, and steel products; direction for about 0.5 mile from the buoy. owned and operated by New Haven Terminal, Inc. (388) Exxon Co. Terminal Wharf: 175 yards southward (398) The Gulf, a bight betweenWelches Point and Charles of New Haven Terminal Pier; 80-foot face, 700 feet with Island, about 6.5 miles westward of New Haven Harbor dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 13 feet; vessels entrance, affords anchorage in 6 to 15 feet and is sheltered normally moor starboardside-to; receipt and shipment of in all but southerly and southeasterly winds. The entrance petroleum products; owned and operated by Exxon Co., is clear. The shoaling is gradual, and soundings are the U.S.A. best guide on the northwest side of the bight; the western side of Welches Point and the reefs around Charles Island extending to the mainland should be approached with caution, as the shoaling is abrupt. (399) Milford Harbor, comprising the lower portion of the Wepawaug River, is entered at the mouth of the river between two jetties at the head of The Gulf. The westerly jetty extends southward from Burns Point, and the easterly jetty is marked by Milford Harbor Light 10. The harbor is used chiefly for recreational boating, and occasionally for the receipt of shellfish and fish. A dredged channel leads from The Gulf through the jettied entrance to a point about 400 feet above the town wharf, 0.6 mile above Burns Point. The channel is marked lighted and unlighted buoys and a light. There are several
288 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 small-craft facilities and a 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the east and Stratford Point on the west upriver for in the harbor. The National Marine Fisheries Service, about 4.3 miles to the lower end of Culver Bar. (See U.S. Department of Commerce, maintains a laboratory Notice to Mariners and the latest editions of the charts and research vessel base on the west side of the harbor, for controlling depths.) Above the lower end of Culver about 0.2 mile northward of Burns Point. Bar, the river channel extends through several dredged sections across river bars to the towns of Derby and Shelton about 11.5 miles above the river entrance. In 2005, the controlling depths were 2.2 feet in the buoyed (400) Charles Island, on the southwest side at the channel from the lower end of Culver Bar and across entrance to The Gulf, is low and partly covered with trees. Mill Bar to the naturally deep river channel, thence 5.7 The island is connected to the mainland by The Bar, a feet in the dredged channels across lower Oronoque Bar narrow neck about 0.5 mile long and surrounded by rocks and 3.0 feet across upper Oronoque Bar, thence 5.5 feet awash and shoals. A buoy marks the end of a shoal that across Camp Meeting Bar, thence 6.2 feet across Drews extends 250 yards east-northeastward from the island, Bar except for shoaling to 3.9 feet in the lower part of and a lighted bell buoy marks the end of a rocky area that the dredged channel along the left edge, thence 7 feet extends 0.4 mile southward from the island. Northward across Mouthrops Bar and Hidelom Rock Bar, thence of Charles Island is a good anchorage in 10 to 16 feet, 7 feet in the left outside quarter of the dredged channel sheltered from southerly to southwesterly winds. across Twomile Island Bar with shoaling to bare in the remainder of the channel, thence 7 feet in the dredged (401) Between Charles Island and Stratford Point, about channel near Sow and Pigs Jetty. The channel is marked 3 miles southwestward, several summer resorts are along to a point about 2.5 miles below Derby and Shelton. the shore and the Housatonic River empties into Long Island Sound just above the point. The shoals which extend southward from Stratford Point toward Stratford Shoal Light (see chart 12354) consist of narrow ridges (408) Stratford is a town on the west side of the river of hard sand with deeper water between, and have oyster 2.3 miles above the entrance. The principal wharf has beds marked with stakes. Depths of 12 feet or less extend a depth of about 9 feet at its end. The harbormaster 1 mile offshore. at Stratford controls anchorages and moorings, and has jurisdiction from the entrance of the river to the Shelton (402) Stratford Point Light (41°09'07\"N., 73°06'12\"W.), town line. Harbor regulations may be obtained from the 52 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical harbormaster who may be contacted through the Stratford tower, with dark red band midway of its height, from the police or at the Town Hall. southerly part of the point. (409) Stratford has several small-craft facilities. (See (403) the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart 12364 for services and supplies available.) Chart 12370 (410) Devon is on the east side about 1 mile above Stratford. (404) Housatonic River rises in the Berkshire Hills of Local small craft anchor near the east bank of the river, western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and empties just north of the highway bridge, in depths up to 10 feet. A into Long Island Sound about 10 miles southwestward 40-foot marine railway at a small–craft facility at Devon of the New Haven Harbor entrance. The river is joined can haul out craft for engine and hull repairs; gasoline, by the nonnavigable Naugatuck River in the vicinity of water, ice, marine supplies, and storage are available. In Derby, CT. Housatonic River is navigable to a point about 1981, depths of 4 feet were reported alongside the facility. 1 mile above Shelton, CT, where it is closed by a power dam. The head of navigation for all practical purposes is (411) Shelton, a town on the west side of the river about at the towns of Derby and Shelton, 11.5 miles above the 11.5 miles above the entrance is connected to Derby by entrance. Small vessels can anchor in the river abreast of two bridges; the town has several important factories. In Stratford, where the channel has an available width of 1971, the wharves at Derby and Shelton were in ruins and about 500 feet. The waterborne commerce on the river unsuitable for craft of any size. is principally in barge shipments of aggregate, fuel oil to the power plant at Devon, and seasonal commercial (412) shellfishing. Navigation above Devon is limited to recreational boating. Bridges (413) About 1 mile above Stratford is U.S. Route 1 (405) On the east side of the entrance to Housatonic River, a breakwater extends out from Milford Point across the highway bridge with a bascule span having a clearance bar and is marked at its south end by Housatonic River of 32 feet. Two bridges cross the river about 0.3 mile Breakwater Light 2A. The inner section of the breakwater farther up: the first, Interstate Route 95 fixed highway is awash at high water. bridge, is under construction (2013), and the second, a railroad bridge with a bascule span, has a clearance of 19 (406) feet. The bridgetenders of the U.S. Route 1 bridge and the railroad bridge monitor VHF-FM channel 13; call signs Channels KXJ-695 and KU-6035, respectively. An overhead power (407) A Federal project provides for an 18-foot dredged cable with a clearance of 135 feet crosses at the railroad channel from Long Island Sound between the breakwater
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 289 bridge. Other cables, near Pecks Mill, 1.5 miles above, reported to have encroached into the channel. By steering have minimum clearance of 79 feet. a midchannel course no difficulty should be encountered. (414) The fixed highway bridge about 3.7 miles above Stratford has a clearance of 79 feet. At Shelton, two fixed highway bridges and a fixed railroad bridge have a least clearance of 17 feet. In 1983, the railroad bridge suffered (425) Pilots and tugs can be obtained at New Haven. severe structural damage. The area should be avoided, (426) A 5 mph speed limit is enforced on the river near but if transit is necessary, extreme caution should be exercised. anchorage and mooring areas and near boat slips. (415) (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.207, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) (427) (416) Chart 12354 Tides (428) Stratford Shoal Middle Ground, 5.4 miles south (417) The mean range of tide is 5.5 feet at Stratford and 5 of Stratford Point and covered 9 to 18 feet, is marked by Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light (41°03'35\"N., feet at Shelton. The time of the tide becomes later and the 73°06'05\"W.), 60 feet above the water and shown from range diminishes in progressing up the river. At Stratford a gray granite octagonal tower projecting from a house the tide is about 0.8 hour later than at the entrance whereas on a pier, and by buoys that mark the outer ends of shoal at Shelton high water is about 1.8 hours later and low areas extending 1 mile north, 0.9 mile northeast, and 0.5 water about 2.8 hours later than at the entrance. The river mile south of the light. A sound signal is at the light. water is fresh about 6 miles above the entrance. (429) (418) North Shore of Long Island Currents (430) From Orient Point (41°09.6'N., 72°14.0'W.), for (419) At the entrance near the end of the breakwater the about 11 miles to Horton Point, the south shore of Long flood has a strong westerly set. Between Milford Point Island Sound is generally bluff and rocky. The 10-fathom and Crimbo Point, flood and ebb have a velocity of curve is from 0.3 to 0.8 mile from shore, and the shoaling about 1.2 knots. The flood sets about 330° and the ebb is generally abrupt. The outlying dangers are Orient Shoal 135°. Just north of the draw of the railroad bridge above and the rocky patch northward of Horton Point. Stratford, the velocity of flood is 1.1 knots and of ebb, 1.3 (431) The prominent features are Browns Hills, a tower at knots. In the openings of the bridge the flood current has Rocky Point, a tank and television tower at Greenport, some easterly set, but the ebb sets fair with the openings. and Horton Point Light. Between that bridge and Shelton the tidal current has a (432) Several rocky shoals, including Orient Shoal with a velocity of about 1 knot. Because of the drainage flow least depth of 6 feet, are offshore in the vicinity of Rocky of the river, the ebb is usually greater and the flood less Point, about 5 miles westward of Orient Point. The north than 1 knot. (Consult the Tidal Current Tables for current end of Orient Shoal is marked by a buoy. predictions and further details.) (433) Several rocks can be found out to 0.6 mile offshore between Orient Point and Inlet Point. A wreck with a least depth of 29 feet is 0.4 mile north of Inlet Point. (434) Horton Point Light (41°05'06\"N., 72°26'44\"W.), (420) Spring freshets at Shelton rise 10 feet or more above 103 feet above the water, is shown from a white square mean high tide. tower attached to a dwelling on the northwest part of the point. The former lighthouse tower is close by, (421) Ice closes the river above Stratford during the winter southwestward of the present light. and sometimes extends to the entrance. (435) A rocky shoal with a least found depth of 29 feet is 1.6 miles northward of Horton Point. The shoal is a (422) ridge having a northeast-southwest direction, with abrupt shoaling on its northwest and southeast sides. Routes (436) From Horton Point for about 32 miles to Old Field (423) The channel in Housatonic River is narrow and Point, the shore is fringed with shoals that extend off a greatest distance of 1.5 miles and rise abruptly from the crooked, with little depth on either side, and across the deep water of Long Island Sound. Boulders are found bars in the channel are dredged cuts 100 feet wide. The near the shore on the shoals which extend off 0.5 mile tidal currents are strong, especially in the lower part of in places. A sand shoal, about 0.5 mile in extent with a the river, and strangers are advised to take a pilot. Small least depth of 22 feet, is about 1.1 miles northwestward craft, without a pilot, should proceed with caution and of Duck Pond Point. preferably on a rising tide. (437) The bluffs begin about 1 mile westward of Goldsmith (424) When entering the river during a flood current, care Inlet and reach their greatest elevation just eastward of must be taken to avoid being set on the shoals on the Duck Pond Point. A valley, formed by a break in the west side by strong westerly currents. In the vicinity of bluffs, is just westward of the point; a bathing pavilion is Milford Point care should be exercised to avoid a shoal on the beach. Boulders that bare at low water are on the that reportedly extends from Milford Point to the eastern edge of the channel. Care should also be exercised off the extreme northern end of Nells Island as a shoal is
290 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 shoals that fringe the shore between Duck Pond Point (449) The southwest berth has depths alongside of 50 feet, and Mattituck Inlet. and can accommodate tankers of up to 42,000 DWT and up to 600-foot length, of 42-foot maximum draft. Barges (438) mooring in this berth must be at least 220 feet long. Chart 12358 (450) A private sound signal is on the platform. Private lights are on the northeast and northwest corners, and two (439) Mattituck Inlet, 6.7 miles southwestward of Horton lights mark the center of the platform. Lights are also on Point Light, is entered between two short jetties. The inlet each of the dolphins. is marked by a long break in the bluffs. The outer end of the west jetty is marked by a light. A gong buoy about 1 (451) mile north of the jetty light marks the entrance of the inlet. The sides of the channel are sandy, and, although shoaling Wharf is liable to occur at the entrance, strangers can enter the (452) An 800-foot barge pier is just east of Jacobs Point inlet without great danger. A Federal project provides for depths of 7 feet in the channel from the entrance of and southward of the platform. The pier is used for receipt Mattituck Creek to the turning basin at Mattituck. (See and shipment of petroleum products and has tank storage Notice to Mariners and the latest edition of the chart for for 5¼ million barrels. Depth alongside is 13 feet. Lesser controlling depths.) The channel is marked by buoys and depths surround the area and a shoal with depths of 10 feet private markers. The overhead power cable about 1 mile is in the recommended southwest approach to the west above the entrance has a clearance of 78 feet. pier berth. Vessels with draft greater than 12 feet should exercise caution when approaching the pier and should (440) endeavor to arrive or depart at high water. Currents (453) (441) The tidal currents have an estimated velocity of about Prominent feature 3 knots in the narrow parts of the entrance of Mattituck (454) The numerous light green oil storage tanks on Jacobs Inlet. Slack waters occur possibly 1 hour after the time of high and low water. With northerly and westerly winds, Point are prominent. the sea is rough in the entrance. The inlet is sometimes closed by ice during portions of cold winters. (455) Communications (456) Vessels transiting Long Island Sound or approaching (442) Several marinas and a boatyard are inside the inlet. A 70-ton mobile hoist at the boatyard can haul out craft for the facility may do so through a VHF-FM marine operator. engine, hull, and radio repairs. Marine supplies, gasoline, Available marine operator stations’ name and channel diesel fuel, water, and covered and wet storage can be are: obtained. A transient dock, operated by the Mattituck (457) Riverhead 28 Park Commission, is at the head of the inlet; depths of (458) New Bedford 26 about 6 feet are at the dock. A dockmaster is at the dock; (459) New London 26 water is available. (460) Bridgeport 24. (461) Upon the approach of an incoming vessel, the (443) Mattituck is a village on the railroad at the head of platform, voice call “TOSCO Corporation Offshore the inlet. Provisions can be obtained. Platform”, or “Riverhead Platform”, or “TOSCO’s Riverhead Terminal”, monitors VHF-FM channels 16, (444) Jacobs Point is about 11 miles southwestward of 13 and 19A; works channel 19A. Horton Point Light. (445) (462) Vessels calling at the platform are moored at any time, Offshore Terminal, Riverhead weather conditions permitting. The tidal current periods (446) An offshore platform for the delivery and receipt of are substantially the same as at The Race. Strong winds from the north and northwest are experienced during the petroleum products is in open roadstead, off Northville, winter and spring. Tidal currents during maximum ebb NY (and Riverhead, NY), about 1.2 miles northward and flood may reach 3 knots. of Jacobs Point. It is owned and operated by TOSCO Corporation, Riverhead, NY. (463) Vessels awaiting berth at the platform will normally (447) A safety zone surrounds the offshore facility. (See anchor north of the platform. A vessel drawing more 33 CFR 165.155, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) than 50 feet of water may wish to anchor in deeper water (448) The facility consists of a 45- by 100-foot steel northwest of the platform. Pilots are familiar with the platform structure with breasting dolphins and mooring best anchorages. Holding ground is good and a scope of dolphins providing two berths; one on the northeast side 8 shots (120 feet) is considered adequate. and one on the southwest side. The deck height is 24.5 feet. The northeast berth has depths alongside of 64 feet, (464) and can accommodate tankers up to 225,000 DWT and up to 1,150-foot length, of 62-foot maximum draft. Pilotage, Offshore Terminal, Northville-Riverhead (465) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. vessels which are under register (i.e.) engaged in foreign
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 291 trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pilot in the high bluffs. The entrance to Wading River is by contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block protected by a short jetty on the west side. In 1981, a Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; reported depth of about 3 feet could be carried in the river telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; to a town launching ramp 0.1 mile above the entrance. FAX 401–847–9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels A small canal, about 350 yards westward of the entrance engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to have a to Wading River, leads southward to the site of a nuclear U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless the power station. The canal, closed to general navigation, master has recency for the intended area. See Pilotage, had a reported depth of about 12 feet in 1989. Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8 and (478) Tuttles White Bank is a high white bluff 0.6 mile Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches, (indexed as westward of Wading River. such), chapter 11. (466) The pilot serves as docking master and remains (479) on board on standby while the vessel is moored at the platform. Pilot services are arranged in advance through Charts 12362, 12364 ships’ agents or directly by shipping companies. (480) Mount Sinai Harbor, 22.5 miles westward of (467) Mattituck Inlet, is marked by a low break in the beach nearly 1 mile long. The entrance is between two rubble Tugs mound jetties; caution should be exercised when near (468) TugserviceisavailablefromNewHaven,Providence, them. The jetties are each marked on the outer end by a private light. In 2015, the W jetty was reported partially Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. Normally submerged at high tide and the adjacent east beach has two or three tugs are used for docking and one or two tugs receded, creating a breach between the jetty and land. A for undocking. channel marked by private buoys leads eastward from the entrance to small-craft facilities on the north shore of the (469) harbor. Launch service (481) Small-craft facilities in the harbor can provide (470) J & H Launch Service, Port Jefferson (516–331– transient berths, gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, pump-out facilities and launching 5336), provides transfer service for vessels at anchor or ramps. The minimum approach and alongside depths to alongside the platform. the facilities is 10 feet. (471) Supplies (482) A speed limit of 6 mph is enforced in the harbor by (472) Fueling of a ship alongside the platform is not the Suffolk County Police. permitted. A ship may fuel while at anchor from a barge. (483) Mount Misery, 180 feet high, between Mount Sinai Water is not available from this facility. Stores may be Harbor and Port Jefferson, slopes off gradually toward brought on board via launch while alongside or at anchor. the sound where the bluffs are about 60 feet high and very prominent. Sand banks dug out by sand and gravel companies are very conspicuous. (473) New York City is the quarantine, customs, (484) Port Jefferson Harbor, on the south shore of Long immigration, and agricultural quarantine port of entry Island Sound eastward of Old Field Point, is entered for Northville. Officials are stationed in New York City. through a dredged channel that leads between two jetties (See Appendix A for addresses.) Arrangements for such which are in ruins to a docking area near the southwestern inspections must be made by ships’ agents in advance, end of the harbor; the jetties are each marked by a light. usually not less than 24 hours Monday through Friday The approach is marked by a lighted whistle buoy, about and 48 hours on Saturday and Sunday. Officials will 1.1 miles northwest of the entrance. Two stacks on the board vessels in the anchorage prior to arrival within the west side near the head of the harbor are conspicuous vicinity of the offshore mooring facility. landmarks. A 12 mph speed limit is enforced in the main entrance channel, and a 5 mph speed limit is enforced at (474) the head of the harbor in the vicinity of the mooring areas and wharves. Chart 12354 (485) A 121°-301° measured nautical mile is westward (475) Between Mattituck Inlet and Port Jefferson the shore of the entrance to Port Jefferson Harbor on Old Field is fringed with rock shoals extending in places 1.5 miles Beach. The front markers are orange posts about 8 feet offshore. The outer ends of the shoals are marked by high; the rear markers are rectangles mounted on legs buoys. about 12 feet high, painted red with a 6-inch black vertical stripe in the middle. (476) Horse in Bank, 7.3 miles westward of Mattituck Inlet, is an area of white patches in the brush-covered (486) The approach to Port Jefferson Harbor is clear, bluff at Friars Head. The feature is at the western end of taking care to avoid Mount Misery Shoal with depths Roanoke Point Shoal and 14 miles westward of Horton Point Light. (477) The valley of Wading River, about 20 miles westward of Horton Point Light, forms a broad break
292 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 of 7 to 12 feet, about 0.8 mile north-northeast of the east (496) jetty light. (487) A Federal project provides for a channel 26 feet deep Tugs from Long Island Sound to the south end of Port Jefferson (497) TugserviceisavailablefromNewHaven,Providence, Harbor. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling depths.) The channel is marked by Brooklyn, or Staten Island on advance notice. Normally, lighted and unlighted buoys and a directional light with two tugs are used for docking and one for undocking. a 145.7°–147.3°white sector. (488) Shoals with little depth are on both sides of the channel from the entrance to Port Jefferson to Lighted Bell Buoy 5 inside the entrance. The ground from the (498) Port Jefferson is a town at the southern end of east jetty to the lighted bell buoy is broken, with shoals the harbor. The principal industries of the port are the covered 4 to 11 feet. The lighted bell buoy cannot be shipping of sand and gravel and the distribution of seen over the breakwater at low tide by small vessels petroleum products. approaching the harbor. (499) (489) Small-craft facilities Currents (500) There are small-craft facilities at the head of the (490) In the channel between the jetties the velocity of the harbor. (See the small-craft facilities tabulation on chart tidal currents is 2.6 knots on flood and 1.9 on ebb; flood 12364 for services and supplies available.) A launching sets 151° and the ebb 323°. It is reported that on the ebb ramp is at the head of the harbor. there is a current with a velocity of 1 to 2 knots across the entrance to the harbor. (501) (491) Wharves (502) Depths ranging from 2 to 29 feet are reported Ice (492) Ice forms over the entire harbor and interrupts alongside the commercial wharves and piers at the head of the harbor. The oil wharf on the west side of the harbor, navigation in very cold weather, but does not endanger about 400 yards from the head, has depths of 29 feet shipping in the harbor. alongside the face and 20 feet along the north side. The power plant wharf, about 150 yards northwestward, has (493) depths of 29 feet alongside. Pilotage, Port Jefferson (503) (494) Pilotage by a state licensed pilot is compulsory in Communications Long Island Sound for foreign flag vessels and U.S. (504) Port Jefferson is served by railroad and bus. A ferry vessels which are under register (i.e. engaged in foreign trade). Such vessels can arrange for a state licensed pilot operates to Bridgeport, CT. by contacting the joint rotation administrator, Block Island Pilots at 243 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840; telephone 401–847–9050 (24 hours), 800–274–1216; Fax 401–847–9052. Enrolled vessels (i.e. U.S. vessels (505) Conscience Bay is entered through a long, narrow engaged in coastwise trade) may be required to have channel at the northwest end of Port Jefferson Harbor. a U.S. Coast Guard Federally licensed pilot unless the The bay and entrance have depths of 1 to 2 feet. Strangers master has recency for the intended area. See Pilotage, should not attempt to enter as there are many rocks at the Long Island Sound (indexed as such), chapter 8 and entrance. Pilotage, New York Harbor and Approaches, (indexed as such), chapter 11. (506) Setauket Harbor, on the western side of Port (495) Pilot services are arranged in advance through ships’ Jefferson Harbor, has a narrow crooked channel. In agents or directly by shipping companies. 1981, a reported depth of about 2½ feet was available in the channel to the boatyard at Setauket. The entrance from Port Jefferson is marked by private seasonal buoys. Gasoline, moorings, and limited marine supplies are available at the boatyard; a flatbed trailer can haul out craft to 32 feet long. (507) Setauket is a village on the south shore of Setauket Harbor about 1 mile above the entrance.
U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 8 ¢ 293
74° 73°30' 294 ¢ U.S. Coast Pilot 2, Chapter 9 Index of Chart Coverage in Chapter 9 12363 12369 Bridgeport HUDSON CNOENWN Y O R K U T E C T IC 12368 Stamford Norwalk N NE W Y O RIVER 12367 Greenwich LONG ISLAND SOUND EW JE R S RK Old Field Point EY SMITHTOWN BAY 41° 41° 12364 HUNTINGTON BAY New Rochelle MAMARONECK HARBOR OYSTER BAY 12342 12364 Port Washington 12365 HEMPSTEAD HARBOR EAST RIVER 12366 LONG ISLAND 12335 Manhattan 12339 12338 12363 New York City Brooklyn 73°30' 74°
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