Chesapeake Bay Pilot Notes
Thimble Shoal Channel
Waypoint
Old Point Comfort Light
Little Creek, VA: 36 55N, 76 11W
Pilotage: Little Creek, in the extreme S end
37 00.1N, 76 18.38W Fl (2) R 12s
of Chesapeake Bay, lies on the outskirts of
(W sector) R 14M; W 18M.
the city of Norfolk and is sometimes used by
White tower 54ft. W 265°-038°.
boats preparing for or arriving from offshore.
Naval vessel traffic is common in the vicin-
Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA:
ity and Little Creek is the Naval Amphibious
36 52N, 76 20W (see chart three pages ahead)
Fleet’s base. Creek entrance is between two
Pilotage: The two cities of Norfolk and
jetties marked by lights R4 and G 3. Yield to
Portsmouth are divided by the Elizabeth
all military vessels.
River. From the Thimble Shoal Channel,
Dockage/Moorings: Several marinas in
Old Point Comfort and Fort Wool mark the
Fisherman’s Cove, the western branch of the
beginning of Hampton Roads. The Newport
creek. The main harbor is strictly military.
News Channel and James River branch to the
Anchorage: No room to anchor. W and Norfolk Harbor Reach (to the S) leads
Fuel: Diesel and gas available at Little
into the Elizabeth River. The channels have
Creek Marina.
numerous aids to navigation.
Supplies: Marine supplies at marinas. Most
A high volume of commercial shipping and
parts and supplies available here or in nearby
naval traffic (including submarines and air-
Norfolk. A shopping center w/ grocery store
craft carriers) flows through Hampton Roads
is about a 15-minute walk from most marinas.
and Elizabeth River, day and night. Monitor
Services: Repair, haulout facilities, and
VHF 16 / 13 at all times when underway. Be
most other services available. Norfolk Inter-
prepared for huge ships assisted and maneu-
national Airport is nearby.
vered by tugs in the channel as they negotiate
Waypoint
in and out of commercial wharves.
Little Creek Entrance Lighted Buoy
Waypoints
Lighted Buoy G 5
36 56.48N, 76 10.8W Fl R 2.5s 6M Red
36 57.98N, 76 20.00W Q G Gong Green
Hampton, VA: 37 01N, 76 20W
Coast Guard: Station located in Portsmouth.
(see chart on next spread)
Dockage/Moorings: Transient dockage
Pilotage: Entered from the N side of
available on both sides of the Elizabeth River
Hampton Roads, a daymarked channel W
near Mile 0 of the Intracoastal Waterway.
of Old Point Comfort leads past Hampton
The W branch of the Elizabeth also has facili-
Bar and into the Hampton River to the small
ties which are not included here.
harbor of Hampton. Hampton Roads carries
Anchorage: Popular anchorage is off Hos-
heavy commercial and military traffic.
pital Point, next to Tidewater and across
Landmarks: Old Point Comfort on the
from Waterside Marina. Do not venture too
north side of Hampton Roads and Fort Wool
close to shore, as the bottom shoals rapidly.
to the south.
The area is subject to wakes and noise from
Dockage/Moorings: A town dock and
passing commercial vessels.
marina complex is located at the head of the
Fuel: Portsmouth side only.
channel before the fixed bridge. Transient
Supplies: Marine supplies available in
dockage also available at several private ma-
Portsmouth. Groceries and other shopping
rinas.
require bus, cab or a long walk.
Anchorage: There is little room to anchor.
Services: Engine repairs, haulout and parts
A small, marked anchorage area is located
availability on Portsmouth side. Laundry at
near the town dock south of the bridge.
marinas. A ferry service shuttles pedestrians
Fuel: Diesel and gas at Bluewater Yachting
between Portsmouth and Norfolk for a nom-
Center and Sunset Boating Center.
inal charge. Tidewater Yacht Agency also
offers a water taxi service VHF 16. Visitors’
centers on both sides of the river provide
information about attractions and services.
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