2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Pilot Notes
Cape Canso to Halifax
Port Bickerton Bell Buoy VC
45 01.2N, 61 39.2W Mo (A) W Safe wtr mk Red
Pilotage: There are several small sheltered
harbors between Cape Canso and White-
w/white vertical stripes, radar reflector.
head Island. Most have narrow approaches St. Marys River Bell Buoy VK
and none offer any type of port facilities.
44 59.6N, 61 49.7W Mo (A) W Safe wtr mk Red
Whitehead Harbor has safe anchorage, but a
particularly difficult approach which should
w/white vertical stripes, radar reflector.
t
only be done in clear, calm weather with lo- Liscomb Fairway Whistle Buoy VP
ilo
cal knowledge. The entrance to Tor Bay is
44 55.0N, 61 53.6W Mo (A) W Safe wtr mk Red
P
littered with rocks, small islands and the Tor
Bay ledges. Entry is not recommended.
w/white vertical stripes, radar reflector.
West of Tor Bay, Isaac’s Harbor and Port Geddes Shoal Whistle Buoy X26
Bickerton offer safe haven, but no facilities.
44 44.5N, 62 28.2W Fl R Red
An inside passage runs from Beaver Har-
radar reflector.
ia
bour to the Liscomb area, but is not rec-
o
t
ommended without detailed knowledge. Jeddore Rock Light, on summit
Numerous rocks and shoals obstruct the pas-
44 39.8N, 63 00.6W L Fl W 12s 96ft 8M Skeleton
sage and buoyage is questionable.
square tower, 46ft
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v
a Sc
Waypoints:
N
Avondale Reef light buoy TT10
45 09.7N, 61 39.0W Fl R 4s Red
Halifax Approaches
Caution: Halifax city wastewater goes
directly into the harbor. Using the water for
Halifax
swimming, bathing, laundry, or deck wash-
Pilotage: Halifax is an expansive harbor with
downs, including in the Northwest Arm, is
a wide, but heavily used approach. Extensive
not recommended.
commercial shipping traffic uses the harbor.
Dockage/Moorings: Short-term dockage
Fog is frequent in the summer. A Vessel Traffic
is available at several wharves downtown,
System is in place for commercial shipping.
including the Maritime Museum of the Atlan-
Mandatory reporting points are noted on the
tic, Queen’s Quay, north of the museum; and
charts. Halifax VTS operates on VHF 14. Re-
Historic Properties, a waterfront shopping
porting is mandatory for vessels 20m (65.6 ft.)
district and food court. Be prepared to leave
or more in length. While smaller vessels are
at short notice if the docks are needed by large
not required to report in, monitoring channel
visiting ships. Most of the downtown wharves
14 is recommended for information on large
are exposed to the southeast, and vessel wakes
commercial ship movements.
can make it rocky for yachts and small craft.
Commercial shipping ports are located along
Limited docking and/or moorings may be
the east side of the harbor. Yacht facilities are
available at the two yacht clubs in the North-
located up the Northwest Arm and downtown.
west Arm: The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht
Pleasant Shoal extends 0.6 mile from Point
Squadron is located near the entrance to the
Pleasant at the entrance to the Northwest
Arm, southeast of Fleming Park; the Arm-
Arm. The shoal is marked by buoys; do not
dale Yacht Club is located at the head of the
pass inside of them.
Northwest Arm.
The Northwest Arm is a no-wake zone.
Anchorage: Small craft anchorage is avail-
Hazards: Sambro ledges extend more
able on the north side of the Dartmouth
than five miles out from Sambro Island and
waterfront, across the harbor from down-
include a number of shallow, awash and ex-
town Halifax. Vessel traffic makes it very
posed rocks. Yachts approaching from the
rocky. Preferred small craft anchorage is in
west may prefer to use Sambro channel, a
the Northwest Arm, in the cove on the north
deep but narrow passage between the main-
side of Fleming park. A conspicuous tower is
land and Sambro Island.
located on the south side of the cove.
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