Chesapeake Bay Pilot Notes
distance. Laundry at marinas and harbor- from Apr 1–Oct 15 VHF 09 from 1000 to 2000
master’s office only. Bus service available to hours. City-wide Wi-fi. Visitors center next to
shopping malls and grocery stores. Cab and the harbormaster’s office provides information
limo service available to BWI and DC airports. about the area’s services and attractions. An-
Hospital nearby. City-operated pumpout boat napolis Water Taxi VHF 68.
Chesapeake Bay
Baltimore, MD: 39 15N, 76 33W
Pilotage: A busy commercial port, Balti-
Bridge to Chesapeake
more also draws cruising yachts for its many
attractions. Two channels lead from the bay
& Delaware Canal into the Papapsco River’s mouth: the Craig-
hill Channel which begins at the William P.
Tides p. 426, Differences p. 525 Lane Jr. (Chesapeake Bay) Bridge to the S and
Currents p. 624, Differences p. 704 the Brewerton Channel, which connects to
the Tolchester Channel, to the N. The Craig-
Pilotage: Heading N from the Bay Bridge,
hill Channel ends at the Francis Scott Key
yachts connect to Tolchester Channel about
Bridge where the Fort McHenry Channel be-
10nm to the NNE, which leads to the Elk
gins. Harbor approaches are clearly marked
River. The channel’s doglegs are defined
and easy to navigate, with the Middle Branch
with several front and back ranges. Channel
of the Patapsco forking to W just below Fort
buoys are located 75ft outside the channel
McHenry. The West Channel leads to North-
limit. The canal is well marked with a series
west Harbor and the Inner Harbor. Numer-
of navigational aids.
ous ranges guide traffic up all the channels.
Caution: Busy with commercial and recre-
Caution: Water outside the well-marked
ational traffic.
channel can be shallow and the area carries
Coast Guard: Located in Curtis Bay.
heavy commercial traffic.
Port of Entry: Contact U.S. Customs 410-
Regulations: A restricted area exists
962-2666.
around the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Waypoint
Grounds Reservation. Do not land here
Lighted Buoy 3
at any time. The following water areas are
closed to the public at all times: Spesutie
39 10.80N, 76 26.70W Q G Green
Narrows (all waters north and east of a line
Harbormaster: The Maryland Port Adminis-
between Bear Point and Black Point); all
tration 800-638-7519 has jurisdiction over the
creeks except Lauderick Creek; the water
commercial facilities and harbor regulations.
adjacent to Carroll Island which lies between
Dockage/Moorings: There are several hun-
Brier Point and Lower Island Point, also
dred transient slips available at over a dozen
known as Hawthorne Cove; the waters im-
different marinas in the Inner Harbor, North-
mediately off the mouth of Romney Creek;
west Harbor, Canton area and Middle Branch.
the waters adjacent to Abbey Point Recovery
Fuel: Diesel and gas.
Field, more accurately described as Area
Supplies: Marine supplies and limited pro-
Number 16; the waters on N side of the Bush
visions available at most marinas. The neigh-
River from Pond Point to Chelsea Chimney
borhood of Canton on the north shore of
are closed for fishing purposes.
Northwest Harbor has a large supermarket as
Landmarks: Love Point Light on shoal E
well as a West Marine and other shops within
side of bay. Pooles Island and Turkey Point
walking distance of marinas. Otherwise, ex-
Light (to port).
tensive groceries may require cab or bus.
Waypoints Services: Repairs and haulout available at a
Lighted Bell Buoy 11
limited number of marinas, as well as at sev-
eral boatyards in Bear Creek, Stony Creek,
39 09N, 76 19.2W Q G
and Rock Creek along the Patapsco River ap-
Lighted Bell Buoy 1ER
proach to Baltimore. Bus and cab available.
Water Taxis serve the Inner Harbor, Fort
39 23.84N, 76 03.25W FL G 2.5s Green
McHenry and other attractions.
132