July 19, 2023
Week 29
Special Notice
Transit with caution as there is a lot of construction activity between Narragansett Bay and the Vineyard Wind I Wind farm
US Coast Guard Auxiliary- Public Education Courses-Find by Zip Code
The National Public Education Calendar Database provides a single, unified national database that holds and displays all public education courses taught our various floatillas nationwide. In addition, a Zip Code search permits members of the general public to enter a Zip Code of interest, and find all public education courses being taught within a selected distance from that Zip Code.
Aids to Navigation Updates
Watch Hill Light extinguished first reported July 19,2023
Newport Pell Bridge Radar Transponder Beacon Inoperable June 27,2023
Bristol Harbor West Channel Buoy 3 off station July 4, 2023
Mt Hope Bay Bridge Radar inoperable. First reported May 15th
Braga Bridge Sound Signal Inoperable. First reported January 15th
Quonset Point Terminal Approach Buoy EB-A missing. First reported July 19, 2023
Quonset Point Terminal Approach Buoy EB-B missing. First reported in 2022
Pawcatuck River Channel Daybeacon 19 missing. First reported in 2021.
Pawcatuck River Channel Daybeacon 23 discontinued for dredging, since 2015
URI Coastal Monitoring Lighted Research Buoy discontinued 2021.
Chart Terminations and Corrections
Chart 13205 “Block Island Sound and Approaches” will be cancelled August 30,2023
- Submarine cable being installed in region
- Relocate Block Island Breakwater Outer Basin Light 8 from 41.10.30.993N and 071.33.19W to 41.10.30.972N and 071.33.358W
Chart 13209 “Block Island Sound and Gardiners Bay” cancelled July 5,2023
- Submarine cable being installed in region
Chart 13215 “Block Island Sound-Point Judith to Montauk Point, Connecticut-Rhode Island-New York” cancelled July 5, 2023
- Submarine cable being installed in region
- Relocate Block Island Breakwater Outer Basin Light 8 from 41.10.30.993N and 071.33.19W to 41.10.30.972N and 071.33.358W
Chart 13214 “Fishers Island Sound” cancelled on July 5, 2023
Chart 13217 “Block Island RI” will be cancelled July 5, 2023
Chart 13218 “Martha’s Vineyard to Block Island” will be cancelled August 30,2023
- Submarine cable being installed in region
- Relocate Block Island Breakwater Outer Basin Light 8 from 41.10.30.993N and 071.33.19W to 41.10.30.972N and 071.33.358W
Chart 13219 “Pt. Judith Harbor RI” cancelled July5, 2023
Chart 13221 “Narragansett Bay Rhode Island-Massachusetts” will be cancelled August 2, 2023
Chart 13223 “Narragansett Bay incl Newport Harbor” will be cancelled August 30, 2023
SUMMARY of ADVANCED APPROVED CHANGES
Advance Notice
Chart 13221 RI-Mount Hope Bay-Kickamuit River
The U.S. Coast Guard is considering making the following changes to Aids to this waterway.Change the seasonal status of the following aids to navigation in the Kickamuit River from Permanently maintained to Remove from the winter season from November 15 to May 1. Steel hulls will be premanently changed to foam hulls to compensate for shoaling in the river.
- Kickamuit River Buoy 1
- Kickamuit River Buoy 2
- Kickamuit River Buoy 4
- Kickamuit River Buoy 6
- Kickamuit River Buoy 7
Previously advertised as a Proposal in the LNM May 20,2022. Refer to Project No. 01-22-014. Email can be sent to D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil.
RI-SEACOAST-NARRAGANSETT BAY (Chart 13221)- EASTERN APPROACH
The U.S. Coast Guard will be making the following changes to Aids to Navigation to facilitate navigation in this waterway.
Remove the RACON and WHISTLE from Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy NB and ADD an AIS signal to the Aid. Previously advertised as a Proposal in the LNM January 2023. Refer to Project Np. 01-23-004. Email can be sent to: DO1-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil.
Shoaling Notices in Rhode Island Waters
Chart 13221 “Greenwich Bay-Warwick Cove”– Shoaling has been observed within the federal navigation channel to at least depth of 3 ft mean low water. Shoaling is encroaching from the west and has impacted the western part of the channel, reducing the authorized width from 150 feet to approximately 90’ between Warwick Cove Buoy 3 and Warewick Cove Buoy 7.
Chart 13205 “BLOCK ISLAND SOUND AND APPROACHES-Point Judith Pond”– Shoaling has bee observed within the channel to a least depth of 5.5 ft mean low water in approximate position 41.22’48N and 071.33’55W between Point Judith Pond Channel Buoy 2 and Point Judith Channel Buoy 4. Shoal is encroaching from the East side of the channel protruding west.
Chart 13221 “Mount Hope Bay-Kickamuit River” – Shoaling has been reported in the Kickamuit River in the vicinity of Kickamuit River Buoy 2. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution.
Summary of Onging Dredging and Marine Construction Projects
NEWPORT-GOULD ISLAND
Cavanagh Marine, Inc. will be conducting surface pile jacket repair and anode installation and underdeck repairs, at Building 35, Gould Island Newport, RI in position 41.32.373N and 071.20.715W, from July 12,2023 to October 30,2023. Operations will run Monday through Friday, between 6 AM to 6 PM. Equipment on scene will be a Floating Barge/Work Platform, Push Boat and Support Vessel, monitoring VHF-FM CH 16 for any concerned traffic. Barge/work platform on site not impeding navigation. Request vessel in the vicinity keep their wake down so we can have safe diving operation underneath the pier.
BLOCK ISLAND WIND FARM
The Lift Boat RAM XV will be jacked down at Block Island Wind Farm Tower 4 from approximately May 14 to August 1,2023 to attend to Tower Four while it undergoes maintenance. Mariners are requested to navigate with caution in the area and not pass beneath the RAM XV. RAM XV will be monitoring VHF-FM CH 16 for any concerned traffic. Mariners are urged to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. Details can be found at Orsted Mariners Briefings Offshore Wind Farm Information for Mariners, orsted.com and us.orsted.com/mariners.
RI- BLOCK ISLAND
Updated 5/1/23 -The University of Rhode Island will be conducting education research in position 41-06-00.000N and 071-32-38.40W from April 6 to July 22, 2023. Seven days per week24 hours a day. Equipment on the scene will be a SOFAR Spotter Buoy with SMART Mooring Attachment, 35-meter cable, 135 pound anchor, with an amber flashing light. Mariners are advised to use caution and transit at slow speed to minimize wake when transiting the area.
RI NARRAGANETT BAY-MT HOPE BAY
Vessel-Testing – Regent Craft Inc. will be testing a prototype wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) craft in Narragansett Bay and Mt. Hope Bay beginning July 7,2022 until approximately August 31, 2023. The testing areas include the waters of Narragansett Bay, east and west of Prudence Island, and Mt. Hope Bay. Testing of the prototype will last approximately 2-4 hours, Monday through Friday with occasional tests on weekends and occur during day light hours only. All mariners are advised to use caution when transiting through these areas and avoid these areas if possible while testing is ongoing to deconflict traffic conditions. The vessel can be reached on VHF channel 13/16. For further information, please contact U.S Coast Guard Sector Southeast New England at 508 457-3211.
RI- NEWPORT- GOULD ISLAND
Naval Undersea Warfare Center will be conducting continued testing using surface and subsurface devices north and east of Gould Island in the vicinity of the torpedo test range restricted area marked on NOAA Chart 13223 and the Newport Bridge Monday – Friday from Jan 2023 through December 2023. Mariners are requested to cooperate with participating vessels for the safety of all. Any concerned traffic can contact Navy support craft on VHF channels 13 and 16.
REPORTED UNEXPLODED ORDANCES (UXO)
The Coast Guard advertises this information through local, Sector Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNMs) and through the weekly, First Coast Guard District LNM. BNMs are additionally available directly to mariners by email sign-up at the CG Navigation Center Web Site (Subscribe to Our RSS Feeds | Navigation Center (uscg.gov). Once identified NOAA will then chart the UXO location so they are available on electronic navigation chart updates. Information on proper reporting and safety procedures for UXOs can be found at the following link: Home – DENIX (osd.mil)
RI- NARRANGANSETT BAY – WEST PASSAGE – UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE- UPDATE 9/2/2022
Sixteen (16) unexploded ordnances have been located via survey in Narragansett Bay – West Passage in positions:
(1.) 41-27-7.68N 071-24-35.64W; (2.) 41-27-25.74N 071-24-38.94W; (3.) 41-27-33.60N 071-24-38.34W (4.) 41-24-49.80N 071-22-58.14W (5.) 41-26-40.32N 071-24-42.54W (6.) 41-26-34.44N 071-24-8.22W; (7.) 41-26-00.18N 071-24-30.48W; (8.) 41-28-00.96N 071-24-28.68W; (9.) 41-24-43.74N 071-214.44W; (10.) 41-24-56.52N 071-21-59.64W; (11.) 41-24-52.62N 071-23-43.62W; (12.) 41-27-38.880N 071-24-6.978W; (13.) 41-26-4.324N 071-24-30.591W; (14.) 41-27-36.236N 071-24-37.026N; (15.)41-26-44.709N 071-24-38.974W; (16.) 41-24-45.927N 071-21-39.508W. Mariners are urged to avoid the ordnances and transit the area with caution.
Recurring Events
2023 Ida Lewis Yacht Club Shields Wednesday Night Series – Race/Regatta held from May 17, 2023 – September 20,2023 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Event to be held in the vicinity of Gould Island to Rose Island. Expect up to 30 vessels 30 ft in length. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 401 486-5318.
Shields Class Aloha Series- Race/Regatta– scheduled to be held June 4, July 16, August 20 and September 23, 2023 from Gould Island to Goat Island from 1:30 to 6 PM. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 401 486-5318.
M32 Catamaran MIDTOWN SERIES– Race/Regatta scheduled to be held between Halfway Rock and the Pell Newport Bridge weekly starting June 2 to October 1, 2023 from 12 noon to 4:30 PM. Expect up to 12 vessels, 32 feet in length capable of sailing at over 20 knots. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 413 364-0067.
2023 Ida Lewis Yacht Club J24 Fleet 50 Thursday Night Series – Race/Regatta. Races scheduled from May 25 – August 31,2023 from 6 PM to 8 PM between Rose and Goat Island and Castle Hill. Expect up to 10 vessels 24’ in length. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 401 486-5318.
Bristol Yacht Club Millard Race Series- Race/Regatta. Races to be held every Wednesday in the vicinity of Mt. Hope Bridge, Sandy Point, East Potters Cove and West Poppasquash Neck May 24 to September 6,2023 from 5 PM to 7 PM weekly. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 508 245-1192.
Wickford Yacht Club Wednesday Night Racing– Race/Regatta runs from May 17 to September 6,2023 from 4 PM to 7:30 PM in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. Expect up to 50 vessels up to 50’ in length. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 617 510-0384.
Rhode Island Yacht Club Tuesday Series- Race/Regatta. The races are held from May 16 to September 19,2023 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM in the vicinity of the Upper Providence River to Prudence Island. Expect 15 vessels, 25’ to 50’ in length. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 401 941-0220.
Jamestown Yacht Club Weekly Race Series, Race/Regatta every Tuesday from May 9 to August 29,2023. Expect up to 55 vessels, 20-66’ in length racing between Prudence Island and Beavertail Light. Mariners may contact person in charge by cellphone at 401 782-7271.
ONE TIME EVENTS
Narragansett Bay- Newport Regatta– Mariners are advised that the WATERMANM ECO CHALLENGE- PADDLE/SWIM is scheduled to be held in the vicinity of Narragansett Town Beach. West Passage Narragansett Bay RI. The event will take place from July 22, 2023 from 8 AM to Noon. Expect approximately 85 paddleboards and 140 swimmers. Mariners are advised to transit the area with caution. Mariners may contact the person in charge by phone at 305 807-1804.
