Summer Cruise 2009 – Planning Information
Stonington, Connecticut to Chatham, Massachusetts
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Summer Cruise 2009 – Planning Information
Stonington, Connecticut to Chatham, Massachusetts
Disclaimer
The information presented in this sailing guide is intended to assist each skipper in their planning for our summer cruise. It is the responsibility of each skipper to determine that these routes and waypoints are suitable for their individual use and do not stand them into harm.
Trip planning is as much art as it is science. There are limitless potential tracks that could be used between destinations. Based on your personal experience and local knowledge, your choice of route may differ from these notes and others on the cruise. There is no “one right way”; there are lots of different ways that are equally acceptable as long as the skipper has done their planning.
Execution of the trip plan is another matter entirely. Weather happens in New England. We will likely encounter fog, rain and other conditions that will affect us along our route. It is important to monitor your progress along your route so you have a point of reference if the unexpected happens.
Lastly, remember to keep these thoughts in mind if you are following another boat in the fleet:
- You are always responsible for the safe navigation of your vessel. Following another boat does not absolve you from proper planning prior to the voyage.
- There are a number of different models of boats in our fleet. Your draft may vary considerable from the boat you are following.
- Be courteous. Anticipate the movements of the boat you are following. Make sure they have enough sea room to safely navigate.
- Remain vigilant. The environment is dynamic and ever changing. Always know what actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe.
- Remain comfortable. If you are uncertain where the boat you are following may be headed, stand off and determine your own route. They are not responsible for leading you where you wish to go.
2009 Summer Cruise Overview
The Cruise Committee has planned an exciting 2 week summer cruise to Chatham, MA. The dates for this trip are: July 4th to July 19th, 2009.
The ports of call for our 2009 trip are: Stonington, DutchHarbor, New Bedford, Quissett, Chatham, Oak Bluffs, Cuttyhunk and Block Island.
2009 Summer Cruise Itinerary
Day / Date / Place / Distance / CurrentSat / Jul 4 / Home to Stonington / Various / Cranes Reef: 0900
E Fishers I (R8): 0945 E
Sun / Jul 5 / @ Stonington
Mon / Jul 6 / To DutchHarbor / 31 nm / Napatree PT: 1115 E
Tues / Jul 7 / To New Bedford / 36 nm
Wed / Jul 8 / @ New Bedford
Thurs / Jul 9 / To Quissett / 14 nm
Fri / Jul 10 / @ Quissett
Sat / Jul 11 / To Chatham / 36 nm / Woods Hole N: 0615 F
Woods Hole S: 0715 F
DennisPort: 1345 E
Sun / Jul 12 / @ Chatham
Mon / Jul 13 / @ Chatham
Tues / Jul 14 / To Oak Bluffs / 31 nm / Cross Rip: 0445 E, 1030 F
East Chop: 0515 E, 1115 F
Wed / Jul 15 / @ Oak Bluffs
Thurs / Jul 16 / To Cuttyhunk / 19 nm / East Chop: 0700 E
Quicks Hole: 0600 E, 1300 F
Fri / Jul 17 / To Block Island / 37 nm / Sow Pigs: 0300 E, 1100 F
SandyPoint: 1415 F
Sat / Jul 18 / @ Block Island
Sun / Jul 19 / To Home / Various / Race: 0335 F, 0945 E, 1545 F
Objective
The objective of this document is to provide cruise participants with a set of waypoints and potential routes to assist with their cruise planning along our intended route.
Information into and out of each harbor will not be provided. There are a number of commercial publications that cover this in detail.
Information will not be given for the initial leg to Stonington or the final leg from Block Island to home. There are many possible origins and destinations for the fleet.We could not cover those in this document.
Stonington to DutchHarbor
Applicable Charts:
- 12300 Approaches to New York – Nantucket Shoals to Five Fathom Bank
- 13205 Block Island Sound and Approaches
- 13214 Fishers Island Sound
- 13215 Block Island Sound – Point Judith to Montauk Point
- 13218 Martha’s Vineyard to Block Island
- 13221 Narragansett Bay
- 13223 Narragansett Bay – Including NewportHarbor
We stay inside the Three Nautical Mile Line throughout this leg. Rhode Island has declared all waters inside the Three Mile Territorial Limit to be No Discharge Zones. Likewise, Connecticut has declared all her territorial waters to be No Discharge Zones.
Observations and Considerations along the Route
- Departing Stonington, we sail south leaving Stonington Harbor Approach Gong Buoy 3 (LLNR 20165) off to starboard and turn on to our second leg when south of Stonington Harbor Approach Buoy 2 (LLNR 20160).
- Our turn is to the east towards Napatree Point Ledge Lighted Bell Buoy 6 FL R 4s (LLNR 20045).
- Once abeam of the this buoy, we turn nearly due east and sail through Watch Hill Passage between Watch Hill Lighted Bell Buoy 2 FL R 6s (LLNR 20025) and the Watch Hill Passage Buoy “WH”, a green over red can (LLNR 20035). NOTE: It would be appropriate to leave the Watch Hill Passage Buoy WH off your port side – contrary to these course descriptions.)
- Once clear of the Watch Hill Passage, we turn slightly north to follow the Rhode Island coast. We hold this course and sail just south of Point Judith Bell Buoy 4 (LLNR 19465).
- Along this leg of the route, we will encounter a number of different fishing boats. We will see both trawlers and charter boats. The charter boats may be adrift or anchored and will move when least expected. Keep a watchful eye as you move through the area.
- As we approach Point Judith, we may encounter the Block Island Ferries.
- We turn slightly north until Point Judith Light Oc (3) W 15s (5s fl 2s ec. 2s fl 2s ec. 2s fl 2s ec.) (LLNR 19450) bears 322 degrees true at a distance of ½ mile.
- Ideally, we would ride the ebb current from Long Island Sound to this point and pick up the flood current to carry us towards Narragansett Bay.
- Slack water before the flood at this point on July 6 is 05:22 AM and 05:20 PM.
- What happens if we are a little late? Not too much, we will buck a head current of up to ½ knot along the Rhode Island coast and a knot or less as we enter Narragansett Bay.
- Here, we turn north following the Rhode Island coast until we are abeam of Whale Rock Lighted Gong Buoy 3 FL G 4s (LLNR 19090)
- Once abeam of the buoy, we turn further north and sail up the West Passage of Narragansett Bay towards Dutch Island South End Lighted Gong Buoy “DI” Fl (2+1) R 6s (Red and green bands) (LLNR 19105)
- Once you are north of West Passage Wreck Lighted Buoy “WR6” Q R (LLNR 19103), you can begin your turn towards DutchHarbor. Stay north of Beaverhead Point Shoal Buoy 2, unlit red nun (LLNR 19110)
DutchHarbor to New Bedford
Applicable Charts:
- 12300 Approaches to New York – Nantucket Shoals to Five Fathom Bank
- 13218 Martha’s Vineyard to Block Island
- 13221 Narragansett Bay
- 13223 Narragansett Bay – Including NewportHarbor
- 13228 WestportRiver and Approaches
- 13229E SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13230Buzzards Bay
- 13232 New BedfordHarbor and Approaches
There are a number of more direct routes (i.e. shorter) from DutchHarbor into New Bedford than the one discussed below. The area is studded with rocks and shoals. The route discussed below was designed to keep us away from the rocks as much as practical. Each skipper should study their charts and guides to make sure they are familiar with the area.
Along this route, we will buck a head current of up to one knot. Keep this in mind as you are planning your passage.
Observations and Considerations along the Route
- We depart DutchHarbor the same way we came in. Stay north of Beaverhead Point Shoal Buoy 2, unlit red nun (LLNR 19110).
- Once you are abeam of West Passage Wreck Lighted Buoy “WR6” Q R (LLNR 19103), turn to the south.
- When you are southwest of Newton Rock Bell Buoy NR (green and red bands) (LLNR 19085), turn to east towards Brenton Point LightedWhistle Buoy 2, Q R
- Also conspicuous is Beavertail Light, Fl W 9s (LLNR 17780), a square granite tower, attached to a white dwelling. The light is obscured from 175° to 215° true. The light is lighted throughout 24 hours. The light also has a HORN: 1 blast ev 30s (3s blast). The light has a 15 mile nominal range.
- Whale Rock Lighted Gong Buoy 3 will be off to the west.
- As you pass to the south of Brenton Point LightedWhistle Buoy 2, turn slightly north of east towards Schuyler Ledge Bell Buoy 2 (LLNR 17560).
- Along the way, you will pass 0.15 miles south of Seal Ledge Bell Buoy 2A (LLNR 17680) and north of Entrance LightedWhistle Buoy SR Mo (A) W (LLNR 17575)
- Also conspicuous is SAKONNET LIGHT, Fl W 6s, Red sector visible from 195° to 350° true (LLNR 17577)
- As you pass to the south ofSchuyler Ledge Bell Buoy 2 turn slightly north toward Buzzards Bay LightedGong Buoy 3Fl G 4s (LLNR 16010).
- Along the way, you will pass south of Elisha Ledge Buoy (LLNR 17555). This is a can with green and red bands on small rocky ledge.
- As you approach Buzzards Bay Lighted Gong Buoy 3, make sure you pass south of Hen and Chickens Buoy 1 (LLNR 16015). This is a green can marking some shallow waters.
- Once you are past Hen and Chickens Buoy 1 turn north towards Buzzards Bay LightedGong Buoy 5Fl G 6s (LLNR 16030). Pass south and east of Buzzards Bay Lighted Gong Buoy 5.
- You will pass north and west of Buzzards Bay Lighted Gong Buoy 3
- When you are southeast of Buzzards Bay Lighted Gong Buoy 5, turn north towards New Bedford ChannelLighted Buoy 1 Q G (LLNR 16805).
- Along the way, you will pass south and east of Buzzards Bay LightedBuoy 7Fl G 2.5s (LLNR 16045)
- When you are between New Bedford Channel Lighted Buoy 1 Q G and New Bedford Channel Lighted Buoy 2 Q R (LLNR 16810), make your way up the marked channel into New BedfordHarbor. The channel is another 6.5 miles to the hurricane barrier and another mile inside the harbor to PopesIsland.
- New Bedford is a busy harbor for commercial fishing. You are likely to encounter big fishing boats entering or leaving New Bedford as you progress down the channel.
New Bedford to Quissett
Applicable Charts:
- 13218 Martha’s Vineyard to Block Island
- 13229CSouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13229E SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13229FSouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13230 Buzzards Bay
- 13232 New BedfordHarbor and Approaches
This is our shortest leg on the trip. Along this route, we cross Buzzards Bay. We are essentially sailing perpendicular to the current.Slack water before the ebb is around 11:00 AM. Slack water before the flood is around 4:00 PM.
This is a busy seaway. We will likely encounter fishing boats entering or leaving New Bedford and other traffic moving to or from the Cape Cod Canal out in the Bay. Also watch for traffic coming out of Woods Hole.
Observations and Considerations along the Route
- We depart New Bedford using the same route we used to enter the harbor.When you are between New Bedford Channel Lighted Buoy 1 Q G and New Bedford Channel Lighted Buoy 2, head slightly north of east towards Quissett HarborEntrance LightedBuoy 2 Fl R 4s (LLNR 16330)
- Along the way, we pass north of Weepecket Rock LightedGong Buoy 8Fl R 2.5s (LLNR 16325). This buoy marks the northeasterly end of a shoal.
- Upon you arrival at Quissett Harbor Entrance Lighted Buoy, make your way though the marked channel into QuissettHarbor.
- Some guidance from the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire Embassy Guide (Fifth Edition, page 183) “When you think of Quissett, think of rocks. … You’ll see a fair number of rocks lining the shore, but don’t worry about the scenery; there’s at least 8 feet of water (mlw) in the channel. The entrance into QuissettHarbor is explicitly marked with cans and nuns. As long as you steer midchannel, keeping the greens close to port, you’ll avoid the half-tide rocks that are visible most of the time.”
Quissett to Chatham
Applicable Charts:
- 12300 Approaches to New York – Nantucket Shoals to Five Fathom Bank
- 13218 Martha’s Vineyard to Block Island
- 13228 WestportRiver and Approaches
- 13229A SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13229B SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13229C SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13229D SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13229E SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13229F SouthCoastCape Cod – Buzzards Bay MA
- 13230 Buzzards Bay
- 13232 New BedfordHarbor and Approaches
- 13233 Martha’s Vineyard
- 13235 Woods Hole
- 13237 Nantucket Sound and Approaches
Over the past several years, there has been a lot of work done to the aids to navigation marking the Woods Hole area. Many aids have been relocated (albeit slightly) to better mark the channels for navigation. Make sure your charts are up to date before passing through this area.
Stay alert along this route and expect to find boats fishing in unexpected locations and quite a bit of commercial traffic. We are taking the North Channel in Nantucket Sound to attempt to avoid some of the commercial traffic.
As with other routes, there are many different options you may select to move through this area. Everyone should select a route in which they have confidence.
NOAA maintains a number of possible current predictions along this route. I have selected a few to include in Appendix B. I have noted the others and provided a link to the NOAA web site for those who would like to review the additional information.
A number of the legs along this route are short and in areas of strong current. The most challenging parts of the route are at the beginning. Make sure you are prepared before getting underway.
This is a fairly long sail. We will start the morning with the flood current pushing us along. As we near Chatham, expect the current to ebb against us. The good news is that the closer we get to Chatham, the weaker the current becomes.
Observations and Considerations along the Route
- As you depart QuissettHarbor, you will turn slightly south of west as you pass Quissett Harbor Entrance Lighted Buoy heading towards Woods Hole Passage Lighted Bell Buoy 13 Fl G 4s (LLNR 15835).
- As you approach Woods Hole Passage Lighted Bell Buoy 13, turn to the southeast and head towards Woods Hole Passage Lighted Bell Buoy 10 Fl R 4s (LLNR 15825). Leave Woods Hole Passage Lighted Bell Buoy 13 close aboard, preferably on your port side.
- You will pass the Woods Hole Passage Buoy 11 green can (LLNR 15830) close off your starboard side. This is roughly the location for the Woods Hole – North End current predictions.
- The currents will pick up and become stronger as you enter Woods Hole Passage.
- Pass south of Woods Hole Passage Lighted Bell Buoy 10, leaving the buoy on your port side. Steer towards Woods Hole Passage Buoy 7 green can (LLNR 15795) and Woods Hole PassageLIGHT WFl W 2.5s (LLNR 15810). You are now in the section of Woods Hole Passage called the Branch. Do not sail beyond Buoy 7 or you will find yourself outside the channel. It is also important to stay within the marked channel until we get through Woods Hole Passage. There is a tremendous amount of ledge in this area outside the channel just below the surface of the water.
- Woods Hole Passage LIGHT W is described as “NG on skeletontower” in the light list. NG means Diamond-shaped dayboard divided into four diamondshaped colored sectors with the sectors at the side cornerswhite and the sectors at the top and bottom corners green,with a white reflective border
- Along the way, you will pass Woods Hole Passage Buoy 8 red nun (LLNR 15820) close aboard off your port side
- As you approach your marks, you will pass Woods Hole Passage Buoy 6 red nun (LLNR 15815) close on your port side. Turn sharply to the ENE and steer towards Woods Hole Passage Directional Light Oc W 4s (LLNR 15773). You are now in the section of Woods Hole Passage called The Strait
- Where you turn is the approximate location of Woods Hole - 0.1 mile SW of Devils Foot Island current predictions. Expect strong currents in this area.
- As you pass between Woods Hole Passage Buoy 5 green can (LLNR 15800) on your starboard side and Woods Hole Passage Buoy 4A red nun (LLNR 15807) on your port side, turn sharply southeast into the Broadway section of Woods Hole Passage. Sail towards Great Harbor Channel Lighted Buoy 5 Fl G 4s (LLNR 15715) with the intention of leaving this buoy off your starboard side. This section of the passage is called Broadway
- As you turn, you will pass between Woods Hole Passage Junction Buoy SB green can with a red band (LLNR 15790) off your port side and Woods Hole Passage Buoy 5 off the starboard side.
- The next aid you will see off the starboard side is Broadway Daybeacon 3 (LLNR 15760), a square green dayboard with a green reflective border.
- We will pass two more buoys as we progress towards Great Harbor Channel Lighted Buoy 5. The next is Broadway Buoy 2 red nun (LLNR 15765) off the port side and Broadway Buoy 1 green can (LLNR 15755) off the starboard side.
- As you transit this area, you will notice that the current is subsiding a bit.
- As you pass north and east of Great Harbor Channel Lighted Buoy 5, turn towards the south and head towards Great Harbor Channel Entrance LightedBell Buoy 2 Fl R 4s (LLNR 15700) with the intention of passing close to the buoy off your port side.
- Looking back over your shoulder, you should see Great Harbor Range Front Light QG (LLNR 15685) and Great Harbor Range Rear Light QG (LLNR 15690) in line. The dayboards are rectangular red dayboards bearing a central whitestripe.
- Off on the port side is a shallow spot known as Great Ledge. The ledge is marked by Great Harbor Channel Buoy 4A red nun (LLNR 15710) and Great Harbor Channel Buoy 4 red nun (LLNR 15705).
- Along this leg, we also pass near the location for the Woods Hole – South End current predictions.
- As you pass south and west of Great Harbor Channel Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy 2, turn towards the east and steer towards Nobska Point Lighted BellBuoy 26 Fl R 4s (LLNR 15555).
- The water is good on either side of this mark. The preferred way to pass would be south of the mark.
- This is the approximate location for the current predictions for Nobska Point, 1 mile southeast of. You can follow the link to see the predictions on NOAA’s web site.
- An alternative, and shorter route, would be to head directly towards Falmouth Harbor East Shoal Buoy 17 green can (LLNR 15115). This route takes you closer to a number of hazards. Study your charts closely if you choose to take this route.
- As you pass south of Nobska Point Lighted Bell Buoy 26, turn towards the northeast and pass between Falmouth Harbor East Shoal Buoy 17 and Falmouth Harbor West Shoal Buoy red nun with green bands (LLNR 15120).
- The bottom in this area comes up from 50+ feet to 10 feet. Watch out for the currents formed by this change in the bottom.
- When you are between the buoys, you are in the approximate location for the current predictions forNobska Point, 1.8 miles east of. You can follow the link to see the predictions on NOAA’s web site.
- As you pass between Falmouth Harbor East Shoal Buoy 17 and Falmouth Harbor West Shoal Buoy N, turn slightly to the east to pass between L'Hommedieu Shoal Buoy 15 green can (LLNR 14815) and Davis Neck Shoal Buoy 14 red nun (LLNR 14820)
- When you are between the buoys, you are in the approximate location for the current predictions forL'Hommedieu Shoal, north of west end.
- The water is shallow south of L'Hommedieu Shoal Buoy 15
- As you pass between L'Hommedieu Shoal Buoy 15 and Davis Neck Shoal Buoy 14, turn towards the east and pass between Wreck Shoal West Lighted BellBuoy 10 Fl R 4s (LLNR 14790) and Eldridge Shoal Buoy 9 green can (LLNR 14785).
- Along this route, you must pass north of L'Hommedieu Shoal Buoy 13 green can (LLNR 14810).
- You will pass south of Succonnesset Shoal LightedBuoy 12 Fl R 2.5s (LLNR 14800) and between L'Hommedieu Shoal Buoy 11 green can (LLNR 14805) and Succonnesset Shoal SouthBuoy green can with red bands.
- As you pass south of Wreck Shoal West Lighted Bell Buoy 10, turn towards the northeast towards Bishop and ClerksSouth Approach Buoy 4 red nun (LLNR 14500).
- Along the leg, pass between Wreck Shoal West Lighted Bell Buoy 8 FL R 2.5s (LLNR 14780) and Horseshoe Shoal Buoy 7 green can (LLNR 14770)
- As you continue along the route, pass north of Nantucket Sound North SideLighted Bell Buoy 5 Fl G 2.5s (LLNR 14765).
- Portions of this leg are outside the Three Nautical Mile Line.
- Pass north of Bishop and ClerksSouth Approach Buoy 4 and steer towards Kill Pond Bar Lighted Whistle Buoy KP Fl (2+1)R 6s (LLNR 14180)
- Along the route, pass north of Bishop and Clerks Light Fl W 6s (LLNR 14490), a white and red cylindrical tower, and Bishop and Clerks Lighted Bell Buoy 1 Fl G 4s (LLNR 14885) by about a half mile.
- Pass south of the privately maintained Kill Pond Bar Fish TrapLight S Fl Y 6s (LLNR14190) located on a pile at the offshoreend of weir to avoid the fish traps.
- This is also the approximate location of the DennisPort, 2.2 miles south of current predictions.
- As you pass south of Kill Pond Bar Lighted WhistleBuoy KP, steer towards Stage Harbor Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy SH Mo (A) W (LLNR 13855)
- Pass south of Chatham Roads Bell Buoy 3 (LLNR 13800)
- Pass north of Chatham Roads Buoy 4 red nun (LLNR 13845)
- Arrive at StageHarbor Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy SH
- The entrance to StageHarbor is marked by Stage Harbor Lighted Buoy 1 Fl G 4s (LLNR 13865) and Stage Harbor Buoy 2 red nun (LLNR 13870)
- Keep in mind that the positions of the buoys marking the channel into StageHarbor are frequently shifted with changing conditions. The positions may differ from what you see on your chart plotter.
Chatham to Oak Bluffs