Massachusetts Pilot Notes
Anchorage: There is no anchorage in the Control for information on commercial traf-
canal. The Harbor of Refuge in Sandwich, fic and bridge closures. There is a 10mph,
on the E end has docks in a basin on the S no-wake zone throughout the canal.
side. On the W end, sheltered anchorage is in Caution: Midway between the Bourne and
nearby Onset and Red Brook Harbor. Sagamore bridges, a pair of overhead cables
Regulations: All vessels over 65ft are re- with a vertical clearance of 160ft cross the ca-
quired to contact Cape Cod Canal Control nal. These cables are prone to producing false
on approach to request permission to enter radar echoes which make it appear that an
the canal. Canal Control operates on VHF 12 oncoming vessel is rounding the bend.
/ 14. Recreational vessels can contact Canal
Race Point to Nantucket
and unpredictable tidal currents as well as
frequent fog. Nantucket Shoals should be
Shoals, Outside Cape Cod
avoided without local knowledge.
Traffic Separation: A traffic separation
Tides p. 372, Differences p. 521
scheme marking the shipping approach to
Currents p. 576, Differences p. 694
Boston exists between 6 and 10nm off the
outer coast of Cape Cod. Avoid the shipping
Regulations: Endangered Right Whale
lanes. The separation between inbound and
Habitat. NOAA has designated Cape Cod
outbound lanes is marked by a series of yel-
Bay and the region east of Cape Cod as Criti-
low buoys.
cal Habitat for this species, and has identified
Waypoints
the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanc- Race Point Lighted Bell Buoy RP
tuary as an additional area of importance.
42 04.9N, 70 16.8W Mo (A) W 6M Red/White
See Special Warnings and Notices in the
Rules and Regulations chapter for details
stripes with red topmark.
on vessel regulations for operating in these Peaked Hill Bar Lighted Whistle Buoy 2PH
areas. In the spring, the whales also gather
42 07.0N, 70 06.2W Fl R 4s 4M Red
in the Precautionary Area within the Great
South Channel. Pollock Rip Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy
Hazards: From the E, Pollock Rip and
41 33.9N, 69 50.7W Mo (A) W Red/White
Great Round Shoal are the main channels
into Nantucket Sound. Due to heavy ship-
stripes with red spherical topmark
ping traffic, Pollock Rip Channel should be Great Round Shoal Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy GRS
avoided during heavy seas or foggy weather.
41 26.1N, 69 43.3W Mo (A) W 6M Red/White
Hazards: Nantucket Shoals is among the
most dangerous water on the U.S. coast.
stripes with red spherical topmark. RACON G (– – •).
These shifting shoals range from 3ft to 4 Lighted Whistle Buoy GRC
fathoms deep and stretch 23nm E and 39nm
41 24.3N, 69 54.9W Mo (A) W 6M Red/White
E of Nantucket. The area is marked by strong
stripes with red spherical topmark
Nantucket Sound
Consult the Tidal Current Tables for Pollock
Rip Channel and corrections for the various
Tides p. 378, Differences p. 522
shoals in the Nantucket Sound.
The Pollock Rip and Great Sound Shoal
Currents p. 576, Differences p. 694
Channels join the main channel, which crosses
the S side of the Sound to Martha’s Vineyard.
Pilotage: Nantucket Sound is marked by
The Northern Channel follows the Cape Cod
extensive shoals and heavy commercial fishing
shore to Vineyard Sound.
traffic. Stay in the main channels. Thick fog
Muskeget Channel runs along the E side of
occurs frequently and steep, confused seas de-
Martha’s Vineyard, exiting the Sound. The
velop quickly on and around the shoals; depths
S end of the channel is marked by shifting
may be less than charted in wave troughs. Tidal
shoals and tidal curents of 2-5kts.
currents can be strong and confusing as well.
50