2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Pilot Notes
Vessels proceeding with the current have
Light 2
the right-of-way over those proceeding
against the current. All yachts must relin-
39 33.8N, 75 33.6W Q R 5M
quish the right-of-way to deeper draft com-
Skeleton tower and house, 38ft.
mercial ships, which are common in the
Light 3
Canal and which have limited maneuvering
ability due to their draft and size. Avoid close
39 33.1N, 75 37.3W Fl G 2.5s 3M
encounters with ships in these confined wa-
Pile 20ft. Higher intensity towards center span of bridge t
ters; large bow waves, stern wakes and hull
ilo
suction, can be dangerous.
Chesapeake City, MD: 39 32N, 75 49W
P
Transiting the Canal under sail, stopping or
Pilotage: Chesapeake City is located to-
anchoring in the ship channel, are all prohibited.
ward the W end of the Chesapeake & Dela-
The canal traffic dispatcher on VHF 16/13
ware Canal. Mariners transiting the canal
should be informed immediately in case of
should monitor both 16 and 13 for informa-
engine failure.
tion concerning traffic in the canal.
Bridges: There are four fixed bridges with
A small basin is located on the S side of a
y
a minimum clearance of 136ft, and a verti-
the Canal near the Chesapeake City bridge.
cal lift railroad bridge. The rail bridge has a
A shoal crosses the entrance to the basin e B
clearance of 45ft down and 138ft up.
and has been reported to carry less than 5ft
Tides and Currents: The mean range of tide is
ar
at low water; keep to the E side of the en-
5.5ft at the Delaware River end of the Canal and
trance channel.
w
2.7ft at Chesapeake City. High and low waters in
Dockage/Moorings: Slips are available
the Delaware River are about 2 hours later than
in the small basin on the S side. Another
e
la
in the Elk River. The tides are greatly affected
marina, Summit North, is located 5nm E of
D
by the winds; NE storms raise the level, and W
Chesapeake City along the canal.
storms lower it. The tidal current through the
Anchorage: Limited space is in the S basin.
Canal exceeds 2kts on both the ebb (westward)
Fuel: Diesel and gas at Summit North 5nm
and flood (eastward). Storms may increase cur-
to the E.
rent velocities to 3kts or more. Sailboats and
Supplies: Limited marine supplies and gro-
other low-powered vessels are encouraged to
ceries in Chesapeake City.
transit the Canal with a favorable current.
Services: No repairs or haulouts in Chesa-
Waypoints
peake City. Museum within walking dis-
Junction Lighted Bell Buoy CD
tance. Summit North provides haulout and
repairs as well as other services including
39 33.87N, 75 33.3W Fl (2+1) R 6s 4M Red/Green
courtesy van for shopping.
band.
Delmarva Coast
not be entered without substantial local
knowledge. The inlets are subject to shifting
shoals and breakers. Buoys in all these har-
Tides p. 411, Differences p. 525
bors are frequently shifted and charts cannot
Currents p. 606, Differences p. 703
be relied upon.
A series of canals connect the inshore bays
Pilotage: The outer coast of the Delaware/
along the coast, allowing an inshore passage
Maryland/Virginia penninula is marked by
from Lewes to the Chesapeake Bay, but it
several inlets, but only one viable safe haven,
will only accommodate boats with about 3ft
Ocean City, MD. The coastline is composed
draft. The channels wind though extensive
of low-lying marshes and beaches that can be
marshes, and are subject to drying depend-
difficult to distinquish, except for the several
ing on the tides and winds.
resort communities along the beaches. Sandy
Waypoints
shifting shoals extend from the coastline;
transit well offshore.
Delaware Lighted Buoy D
The Atlantic coast harbors of Chin-
38 27.3N, 74 41.78W Fl Y 6s 6M Yellow
coteague, Wachapreaque, Quinby, Great
RACON K (– • –).
Machipongo and Sand Shoal Inlets should
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