Chesapeake Bay Pilot Notes
Facility Location Phone VHF
Bell Isle Marina Hampton 757-850-0466
Old Point Comfort Marina Fort Monroe 757-788-4308 68
Bluewater Yachting Center Hampton 757-723-6774 72
Chesapeake Channel
Waypoints
to Wolf Trap
Wolf Trap Light
37 23.4N, 76 11.4W Fl W 15s 11M Red
Pilotage: Between Thimble Shoal Light and
Wolf Trap Light are numerous unlit aids. Use
octagon on square tower 52ft.
caution at night. Beware of extensive fish-
traps along the W shore.
Wolf Trap to Smith Point
Wolf Trap Light
(Potomac River)
37 23.4N, 76.11.4W Fl W 15s 11M
R octagon on square tower 52ft.
Tides p. 429, Differences p. 525
Smith Point Fairway Lighted Buoy SP
Currents p. 618, Differences p. 704
37 52.8N, 76 09.2W Fl Y 2.5s 6M Yellow
Pilotage: Rappahannock Spit lies on the N
side of the mouth of the Rappahannock Riv-
Washington, D.C.: 38 53N, 77 01W
er and is marked by Windmill Point Light,
Pilotage: The Potomac River winds for
which should be passed well to the E. From
nearly 100nm NW from the Chesapeake to
Windmill Point a course can be set for Smith
Washington DC, above which the river be-
Point on the S shore at the mouth of the Po-
comes narrow and rocky.
tomac River. Shoals extend from well E from
Caution: The 10nm-wide mouth of the
Smith Point Light.
Potomac is known for steep seas when high
Regulations: The danger zone of a naval fir-
winds combine with strong tides. Construc-
ing range begins about 4nm NNE of Wolf Trap
tion zone around the Woodrow Wilson
Light and extends N to Tangier Sound Light,
Bridge requires extreme caution as well as
just S of Tangier Island. The danger zone also
strict control of wake before entering the
contains a designated hurricane anchorage for
work zone.
shallow and deep-draft naval vessels. During
Bridge: The nearly completed Woodrow
hurricane warnings, naval ships may be an-
Wilson Memorial Bridge consists of two,
chored in the fairway; caution is advised.
six-lane spans with 70ft clearance. For infor-
Hazards: The bay is narrow near Smith
mation on scheduled bridge openings call
Point, and Smith Point Lighted Buoy SP lies
877-463-6992 (menu item 0) or visit www.
in the down-bound and up-bound commer-
wilsonbridge.com.
cial shipping lanes.
Coast Guard: Bolling AFB N of the Wood-
row Wilson Bridge.
Waypoints
Customs/Port of Entry: 703-318-5900.
Windmill Point Light Harbormaster: Metropolitan Police De-
37 35.8N, 76 14.2W Fl W 6s
partment Harbor Patrol regulates the harbor.
All vessels longer than 26ft staying more
(2 R sectors) W 8M; R 6M. Sector: R 293°-082° and
091.5°-113°. NR on platform 31ft.
than 24 hours must report to the harbor
patrol headquarters 550 Water Street, SW or
Smith Point Light contact the harbormaster on VHF 16/17 or
37 52.78N, 76 11.02W Fl W 10s
call 202-727-4582.
(R sector) W 22M R 18M. W square tower
on brown cylinder 52ft. R 003°-156°. 1 horn every 15s.
122