July 26, 2023
Week 30
Safety Notice – Navigational Range and Sector Lights on Electronic charts
The Coast Guard has become aware that the Range and Sector Light Characteristic labels are not displayed on Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC’s). Mariners are advised to search ENC data directly within the Electronic Display and Information System or refer to the Light List for complete information of Range and Sector Light Characteristics.
Special Notice
Transit with caution as there is a lot of construction activity between Narragansett Bay and the Vineyard Wind I wind farm
Aids to Navigation Updates
Watch Hill Light – extinguished as of July 19,2023
Little Narragansett Bay Entrance Lighted Buoy 5 off station as of July 26,2023
Block Island Wind Farm WTG-3 Fog Horn inoperable as of August 30,2023
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
Pawcatuck River Channel Daybeacon 19 watching properly as of July 26,2023
Quonset Point Terminal Approach Buoy EB-A deleted
Quonset Point Terminal Approach Buoy EB-B deleted
Chart Terminations and Corrections
NOAA has started ending production and maintenance of paper nautical charts.
Chart 13205 “Block Island Sound and Approaches” will be cancelled August 30,2023
Chart 13209 “Block Island Sound and Gardiners Bay” cancelled on July 5,2023
- Submarine cable being installed in the region
Chart 13215 “Block Island Sound-Point Judith to Montauk Point, Connecticut-Rhode Island-New York” cancelled on July 5, 202
Chart 13214 “Fishers Island Sound” cancelled on July 5, 2023
Chart 13217 “Block Island RI” cancelled on July 5, 2023
Chart 13218 “Martha’s Vineyard to Block Island” will be cancelled August 30,2023
- Submarine cable being installed in region
Chart 13219 “Pt. Judith Harbor RI” cancelled on July5,2023
Chart 13221 “Narragansett Bay Rhode Island-Massachusetts” will be cancelled August 2,2023
- Remove the RACON and Whistle from Narragansett Bay Entrance Buoy NB and ADD an AIS signal to the navigation aid.
Chart 13223 “Narragansett Bay, including Newport Harbor,RI” will be cancelled August 30, 2023
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 “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
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 May 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.
BLOCK ISLAND WIND FARM– US Naval Undersea Warfare Center will be conducting a four- month scientific study south of the Block Island Wind Farm from March 2023 to July 2023. Three passive hydrophones will be deployed and attached to 150 lb. pyramid anchors and spherical, orange surface floats, 24 hours per day sever days a week, see chart below.Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area.
NARRAGANSETT BAY– Regent Craft Inc. will be testing a prototype wing in the ground effect (WIG) craft in Narragansett Bay from July 7,2023 until August 31, 2023. The testing areas include the waters of Narragansett Bay west of Prudence Island. Testinhg of the prototype will last approximately 2-4 hours, Monday through Friday with occasional tests on weekend and occur during daylight hours.only. All mariners are advised 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.
ONE TIME EVENTS
Narragansett Bay-MT. HOPE SAILING ASSOCIATION RACE WEEK- RACE/REGATTA– Mariners are advised that this regatta is scheduled to be held in the vicinity of the Mt. Hope Bay, Narragansett Bay, RI. The event will take place from July 26 to July 30 from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Expect up to 45 vessels, 23-45 ft in length. Mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution. Mariners may contact the person in charge at (401) 842-1510. Chart 13221
Narragansett Bay- NEW ENGLAND SOLO/TWIN- RACE/REGATTA– Mariners are advised that this regatta is scheduled to be held in the vicinity of Newport, RI around Block Island to Martha’s Vineyard, MA to Castle Hill Light. The event will take place from July 28 to July 29 from 12:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Expect up to 70 vessels, 21-50ft in length. Mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution. Mariners may contact the person in charge at (401) 862-7175. Chart 13221
Narragansett Bay- QUEENS CUP – RACE/REGATTA – Mariners are advised that this event will take place July 29,2023 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the vicinity of Brenton Point and Halfway Rock, Narragansett Bay, RI. Expect up to 16 vessels, 36 to 82 ft in length. Mariners may contact the person in charge by phone (401) 845-9633. Chart 13221
NARRAGANSETT BAY- CHELIS B. BAUKUS MOONLIGHT RACE- RACE/REGATTA – Mariners are advised that the Chelis B. Baukus Moonlight Race is scheduled to be held in the vicinity of Providence River and Upper Narragansett Bay. The event will take place on July 29, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM. Expect up to 10 vessels, 20-50 ft in length. Mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution. Mariners may contac the person in charge by phone (401) 941-0220.
