Chesapeake Bay Pilot Notes
Planning
Customs Ports of Entry
Norfolk, VA • Newport News, VA • Alexandria, VA
NOAA Coastal Charts 1:80,000 scale
Washington, DC • Crisfield, MD • Cambridge, MD
2221 Chesapeake Bay Entrance
Annapolis, MD • Baltimore, MD
12225 Wolf Trap To Smith Pt.
12230 Smith Pt.To Cove Pt. 12264 Chesapeake Bay Patuxent River
12263 Cove Point To Sandy Point and Vicinity 1:40,000
12273 Sandy Pt.To Susquehanna 12274 Head of Chesapeake Bay 1:40,000
12285 Potomac R., Ches. Bay To Washington 12277 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal 1:20,000
Detail charts 12278 Chesapeake Bay Approaches
12222 Chesapeake Bay Cape Charles to Baltimore Harbor 1:40,000
to Norfolk Harbor 1:40,000 12283 Annapolis Harbor 1:10,000
12224 Chesapeake Bay Cape Charles U.S. Coast Guard: Call for assistance
to Wolf Trap 1:40,000 on VHF 16 or 2182 kHz.
12225 Chesapeake Bay Wolf Trap Stations:
to Smith Point 1:80,000 Cape Charles, VA • Milford Haven, VA • Portsmouth, VA
12230 Chesapeake Bay Smith Point St. Inigoes, MD • Annapolis, MD • Crisfield, MD
to Cove Point 1:80,000 Baltimore, MD • Still Pond, MD
12263 Chesapeake Bay Cove Point
to Sandy Point 1:80,000
Bay Approaches
more prominent than the privately main-
tained lights marking the channels.
Tides p. 414, Differences p. 525
Hazards: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tun-
nel complex has on several occasions suf-
Currents p. 606, Differences p. 704
fered damage from vessels. In every case, ad-
verse weather prevailed with accompanying
Pilotage: The mouth of Chesapeake Bay
strong winds from the NW generally related
is about 12nm from Cape Henry to Cape
to a frontal system. Weather deterioration
Charles and vessels enter from the Atlantic
in the lower bay is quite often sudden and
by way of two traffic separation zones, the
violent and constitutes an extreme hazard to
Northeast Approach and the Southern Ap-
vessels operating or anchoring in this area.
proach. Inside the mouth, three channels
The proximity of the bridge-tunnel complex
fork into three different directions: Thimble
to main shipping channels and anchorages
Shoal Channel, Chesapeake Channel, and
adds to the danger. Currents in excess of 3kts
North Channel. Norfolk-bound vessels use
can be expected in the area.
Thimble Shoal Channel. For points N, follow
Military helicopters routinely conduct
the Chesapeake Channel. The North Chan-
airborne mine countermeasures exercises at
nel is primarily a small boat channel with a
low altitudes over Willoughby Bay, Thimble
75ft bridge restriction.
Shoals Channel, and open bay waters from
When approaching the Bay entrance, use
the Naval Station Norfolk piers to the Chesa-
the CH buoy as a waypoint for both Thimble
peake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Propwash and sub-
Shoal Channel and Chesapeake Channel.
merged tows from these helicopters can be
Bridges: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tun-
particularly dangerous to sailboats and other
nel extends from the N at Fishermans Island
small craft.
(SW of Cape Charles) and across the bay to
Regulations: The approach to the bay is
a point 6nm W of Cape Henry. The cross-
marked by two Traffic Separation Schemes.
ing extends more than 12nm with vehicular
The NE Approach is marked by a line of
tunnels under Thimble Shoal Channel and
fairway buoys that separate the courses of
Chesapeake Channel. The northernmost
inbound and outbound vessels. Vessels should
fixed bridge spans the North Channel. In
leave all buoys to port. The S Approach is the
addition to channel buoys and lights, day-
deepwater route used by deep-draft ships and
beacons and fog signals mark the openings
aircraft carriers. Keep as near to the outer lim-
at Thimble Shoal and Chesapeake Channels.
it of the route on the starboard side as is safe
At night, the floodlighted tunnel houses are
and practical. The precautionary area centers
116