Massachusetts Pilot Notes
Provincetown, MA: 42 03N, 70 11W Harbormaster: Monitors VHF 09 and 16.
Pilotage: Provincetown is located on the
508-487-7030. Office on town wharf (Mac-
Cape Cod Bay side of the end of Cape Cod.
Millan Pier) behind breakwater.
The harbor is wide open and easy to get
Dockage/Moorings: Provincetown Ma-
rina, VHF 09. The town maintains a dinghy
in and out of regardless of the conditions.
dock (in season) on the E side of MacMillan
Greater shelter may be had behind the break-
Wharf, and a landing dock behind the
water.
breakwater. For moorings, try Provincetown
Landmarks: The Pilgrim Monument, 348ft, Moorings on VHF 09.
is conspicuous from all directions.
Anchorage: Anchoring allowed only in
Caution: There are 4 white/orange bouys
designated areas. Boaters are advised to give
outside Provincetown marking an aquacul-
the ferries a lot of room, especially when the
wind kicks up. Tides run as high as 9-12ft, so
ture site.
prepare for a wide swinging circle at low tide.
Waypoints
Fuel: Available on the town wharf.
Lighted Bell Buoy 1 Supplies: Good shopping, but groceries are
42 00.4N, 70 11.6W Fl G 4s 4M Green
a long walk.
Services: No haulout facilities. Limited
Long Point Shoal Lighted Bell Buoy 3 repairs. Good access to post office, banks,
42 02.0N, 70 09.7W Q G 4M Green
and laundry.
Facility Location Phone VHF
Scituate Harbor Marina Scituate Harbor 781-545-2165 12
Cole Parkway Municipal Marina Scituate Harbor 781-545-8724 14
Brewer Plymouth Marine Plymouth Harbor 508-746-4500 72
Sandwich Marina Cape Cod Canal 508-833-0808 8
Northside Marina Sesuit Harbor 508-385-3936 7
Provincetown Marina Provincetown Harbor 508-487-0571 8
Cape Cod Canal
Landmarks: Approaching from the N
and E, look for the power plant at the E end
Tides p. 372, Differences p. 521
of the canal. From the W, Cleveland Ledge
Currents p. 570, Differences p. 694
Light in Buzzards Bay marks the beginning
Pilotage: The Cape Cod Canal is about
of the approach channel.
7 miles long from the base of Hog Island
Waypoints
Channel to Cape Cod Bay. Timing passages Lighted Bell Buoy CC
with tidal flow is critical for most boats.
41 48.9N, 70 27.6W Mo (A) W 6M Red/White
The flood current sets E at an average of 4.0
knots; the ebb set W at about 4.5 knots. If
stripes with red spherical topmark
your engine fails, notify Canal Traffic Con- Lighted Buoy 1
trol VHF 12/14 immediately and a tug will
41 47.1N, 70 28.1W Fl G 2.5s 4M Green
be dispatched. Do not anchor in the canal.
Both banks of the Cape Cod Canal are Bridges: The Sagamore and Bourne Bridg-
lighted by mercury vapor lights spaced about es each have a vertical clearance of 500ft. The
500ft apart, 140ft from the edge of the chan- railroad bridge at W end of the canal has a
nel, 25ft above water. A long series of lighted vertical lift span with a clearance of 135ft
aids mark Hog Island Channel, the Buzzards when open and 7ft when closed for a train.
Bay approach. When the bridge is closing, a patrol boat
with a blue flashing light warns boats ap-
proaching with the current.
48