Long Island Pilot Notes
Western Long Island Sound
from most other wind directions can be had
in either Morris Cove or W of the entrance
Tides p. 387, Differences p. 523
channel. Sheltered anchorage at the head of
Currents p. 582, Differences p. 699
the harbor on the W side, NE of Long Wharf,
though this is a noisy commercial area.
Fuel: Gas and diesel at City Point.
Pilotage: W of Port Jefferson on the S shore
Supplies: Available from the marinas in
and Bridgeport on the N shore, the sound
West River. Groceries and other services can
grows narrower and commercial traffic be-
be found via a cab ride into the city.
comes more dense approaching the entrance
Services: Repairs and haulouts at the mari-
to the East River. Commercial traffic gener-
nas along West River. Train stations.
ally follows the buoyed passage S of Execu-
tion Rocks, but yachts may avoid the traffic
Milford Harbor
by passing N of the rock. Vessels awaiting a
Anchorage: N of Charles Island, behind
fair tide at Hell Gate can find safe haven in
the bar. Holding ground is mud. Most of the
Flushing Bay or Westchester Creek and an-
inner harbor is filled with private moorings,
chorage in Little Bay near Willets Point or N
leaving little room for anchoring.
of Throgs Neck.
Dockage: An extensive number of tran-
Waypoints
sient slips are available at several marinas
Middle Ground Light
located in Milford Harbor.
41 03.6N, 73 06.1W Fl W 5s 13M
Stratford Harbor
Gray granite octagonal tower 60ft rising from house on pier.
(see chart next spread)
1 horn every 15s.
Pilotage: Stratford Harbor is located at the
Cable and Anchor Reef Lighted Bell Buoy 28C mouth of the Housatonic River. The entrance
41 00.55N, 073 25.13W Fl R 4s 4M Red
channel is clearly marked, but shifting shoals
abut the channel. Respect all buoys. Choppy
conditions may prevail when wind and cur-
New Haven, CT: 41 14N, 72 55W rent conflict, but the main channel is free of
(see chart next page) breakers.
Pilotage: New Haven is a large open har- Currents: Flood current sets SW at the
bor, protected by two breakwaters. Extensive breakwater. Currents within the channel
shoals dominate W side of the harbor. often exceed 2kts, and tend to be stronger at
Caution: New Haven is a busy commercial ebb due to river discharge.
port. Expect to encounter tug and barge traf- Bridges: Three bridges cross the river at
fic and large ships. Stratford. The U.S. 1 highway bridge has a
Waypoint
bascule span with a vertical clearance of 32ft
New Haven Harbor Lighted Whistle Buoy NH
and opens on demand. The I-95 bridge is
fixed with a vertical clearance of 65ft. The
41 12.1N, 72 53.8W Mo (A) W 6M Red/White railroad bridge has a bascule span with 19ft
Port of Entry: U.S. Customs 203-773-2040.
vertical clearance. The railroad bridge is
Coast Guard: Station located 1.5 miles N
manned 0500-2100, and monitors VHF 13.
of Lighthouse Point 203-468-4486.
Between March and December, the railroad
Dockage/Moorings: Several marinas are
bridge opens on demand with advance no-
located near City Point at the entrance to the
tice, except during morning and evening
West River. The rest of New Haven harbor is
rush hours. As much as 6 hours notice may
a commercial shipping port, with numerous
be required. Call Metro-North 212-340-2050
oil and freight piers.
to schedule an opening.
Anchorage: Behind the breakwaters at the
Dockage: Extensive marinas line the
entrance to the harbor. Much of the harbor
Housatonic, offering transient slips and all
is exposed to the south, but good protection
manner of repairs and supplies.
80