Cape Ann to Boston Harbor, Massachusetts

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Cape Ann to Boston Harbor, Massachusetts

Contents

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This chapter describes the Massachusetts coast along the northwestern shore of Massachusetts Bay from Cape Ann southwestward to but not including Boston Harbor. The harbors of Gloucester, Manchester, Beverly, Salem, Marblehead, Swampscott and Lynn are discussed as are most of the islands and dangers off the entrances to these harbors.

 COLREGS Demarcation Lines

The lines established for this part of the coast are described in 33 CFR 80.120 and 80.125, chapter 2.

 No-Discharge Zone

The State of Massachusetts, with the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency, has established a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) in all coastal waters of Massachusetts described in this volume, extending about 3 miles offshore.

Within the NDZ, discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from all vessels is prohibited. Outside the NDZ, discharge of sewage is regulated by 40 CFR 140 (see chapter 2).

 Massachusetts Bay

is the body of water lying westward of a line connecting Cape Ann Light on Teacher Island with Race Point Light on the northwestern extremity of Cape Cod, about 38 miles south-southeastward. It includes Boston Harbor, described in chapter 11, and Cape Cod Bay, described in Chapter 12. Between Cape Ann Light and Boston Harbor, 24 miles to the southwestward, the principal harbors are Gloucester, Beverly, Salem, Marblehead and Lynn, all available to vessels of moderate draft. The coast is rocky and generally bold with numerous detached islands, rocks and sunken dangers.

 Gloucester Harbor

is one of the most important fishing ports in the United States and an important harbor of refuge. It is 5 miles southwestward of Emerson Point, the easternmost point of Cape Ann, 26 miles from Boston and 234 miles from New York. The entrance is marked on its eastern side by Eastern Point Light. There is an outer and inner harbor, the former having depths generally of 18 to 52 feet and the latter, depths of 13 to 25 feet.

Gloucester Inner Harbor limits begin at a line between Black Rock Danger Daybeacon and

is a city of great historical interest, the first permanent settlement having been established in 1623. The city limits cover the greater part of Cape Ann and part of the mainland as far west as Magnolia Harbor. Its principal industries are directly or indirectly connected with the fishing or related industries in the processing, freezing, canning or shipment of fish and lobsters.

The principal import is seafood. Limited amounts of general cargo are the principal export.

 Prominent features

(), 57 feet above the water, is shown from a 36-foot white conical tower with a covered way to a dwelling.

A breakwater extends 750 yards west-northwest from the shore near Eastern Point Light and is marked at its outer end by Gloucester Breakwater Light (), 45 feet above the water and shown from a 37–foot white house and tower on a brown square skeleton framework structure. A sound signal at the light is activated by keying the microphone five times on VHF-FM channel 83A.

, on the west side at the entrance to Gloucester Harbor, is a rocky headland split by a deep cleft, known as , into which the sea enters during heavy weather. , 0.3 mile northeastward of Normans Woe and over 0.1 mile offshore, is a rounded rocky islet 45 feet high, surrounded by extensive ledges. A bell buoy is about 0.2 mile east-southeast of Normans Woe Rock. The stone building and double tower of the John Hays Hammond Museum, about 0.3 mile northward of the rock, are conspicuous from seaward.

Tenpound Island Light (), 57 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical tower on the west side of Tenpound Island off the entrance to Inner Harbor; a sound signal is at the light. The ruins of several piers are on the north side of the island. The island is owned by the city of Gloucester.

 COLREGS Demarcation Lines

The lines established for Gloucester Harbor are described in 33 CFR 80.120, chapter 2.

 Channels

The entrance westward of the breakwater between Dog Bar and is about 0.6 mile wide. About 500 yards westward of Round Rock Shoal is an unmarked rocky ledge covered 23 feet. This leaves only a channel about 400 yards wide with depths of 38 to 55 feet into the outer harbor.

between the end of Dog Bar and the eastern edge of Round Rock Shoal is only about 150 yards wide with depths of 16 to 22 feet.

During heavy southeasterly gales, the sea at times breaks nearly the whole distance across the entrance. Strangers should enter by the deepest channel westward of Round Rock Shoal, where there is reported to be a space known not to break.

A Federal project provides for a 20-foot channel from the northeasterly part of Gloucester Harbor into Inner Harbor, connecting with 20-foot north and south access channels which lead on either side of the Gloucester State Fish Pier to the head of the harbor. An 18-foot channel and a 16-foot channel lead from the Inner Harbor entrance channel into Harbor Cove and Smith Cove, on the northwestern and southeastern sides of Inner Harbor, respectively. For detailed channel information and minimum depths as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. Surveys and channel condition reports are available through a USACE hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix A. The channels are marked by buoys.

The southern entrance to and Annisquam River is through Blynman Bridge at the head of Western Harbor. This is the inside route to Ipswich Bay on the north side of Cape Ann, described in chapter 9. The school tower 500 yards north-northwest of the bridge is prominent. Rocks, marked by a daybeacon, are close southward of the canal entrance.

 Anchorages

The best anchorage in the outer harbor for vessels coming in for shelter or bound to Gloucester is , the cove in the eastern part of Gloucester Harbor northward of and southward of Tenpound Island, known locally as . This is the one most frequently used. It has good anchorage, soft mud and clay bottom in about 23 to 30 feet, and is also used by vessels taking shelter.

In , the semicircular cove northwestward of Tenpound Island in the northern part of Gloucester Harbor, there is also good anchorage, soft mud and clay bottom in 20 to 27 feet. Give the shore a berth of 300 yards. In 2003, a wreck covered 16 feet was reported in Debris was still present at that location in 2025. There are no wharves. The city of Gloucester maintains a parkway along the shore of Western Harbor to . The Gloucester Fisherman statue faces the harbor from this parkway about 200 yards eastward of the entrance to Blynman Canal.

A dredged anchorage, about 300 yards southwestward of the Gloucester State Fish Pier, is available in Inner Harbor. The anchorage is partially marked by buoys. Mooring permits for the Inner Harbor are issued by the deputy harbormaster, who patrols the harbor in a police/fire boat; the patrol boat monitors VHF-FM channel 16 when underway.

, in the southeast part of Inner Harbor, provides good anchorage for small craft in 6 to 15 feet but is somewhat congested with moorings. , on the northwest side of the entrance to Inner Harbor, has depths of 15 feet in the dredged area with lesser depths along the edges. Gloucester Coast Guard Station is on its northeast side. A dredged anchorage is on the east side of the entrance to Harbor Cove.

 Dangers

Gloucester Harbor and approaches have very broken ground and many rocks and ledges, some of them unmarked; careful navigation is necessary, especially in thick weather.

The principal dangers are marked for vessels of 24-foot draft or less to an anchorage in Southeast Harbor and for 18-foot draft or less into the inner harbor. Strangers are advised not to bring in greater drafts without a pilot.

, on which the breakwater is built, extends 100 yards westward of the end of the breakwater where it is marked by a buoy.

, a rocky ledge about 400 yards in extent northeast to southwest and covered 13 feet, extends from 0.15 to 0.3 mile westward of the breakwater light. It is marked on its northeastern edge by a buoy and on its southwestern edge by a lighted buoy.

, 175 yards eastward of Tenpound Island, is marked by a daybeacon. The passage between Tenpound Island and Rocky Neck is shoal and foul and should not be attempted, especially by strangers.

and , on the eastern side of the approaches to the Inner Harbor, are covered 18 and 17 feet, respectively; a buoy is off the northwest side of Mayflower Ledge. Two shoal spots, covered 17 and 20 feet and marked by a buoy, are about 220 yards southwestward of Tenpound Ledge. There are also unmarked depths of 19 feet about 230 yards north-northwestward of Tenpound Island Light. , on the western side of the approach, is covered 4 feet and marked on its eastern end by a lighted buoy. Babson Ledge, 500 yards north of Tenpound Island, is covered 13 feet and marked on its south side by a buoy.

, a high and partly wooded island on the east side at the entrance to Inner Harbor, is connected with the easterly shore by a causeway. , about 100 yards off the western end of Rocky Neck, is marked by a daybeacon.

 Current

The tidal currents in Gloucester Harbor do not greatly interfere with the movements of vessels, as they set directly in and out of the harbor and their velocity is comparatively small. However, the tidal currents in the entrance to Blynman Canal average over 3 knots at strength, and greater velocities to 10 knots were reported in 1992 in the vicinity of Blynman Bridge (State Route 127). Mariners are advised to use caution when approaching the bridge, especially during maximum flood and ebb.

 Ice

Ice seldom extends outside Tenpound Island at the entrance to Inner Harbor. The movement of boats generally keeps Inner Harbor open.

 Pilotage, Gloucester

Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign originating vessels over 350 gross tons and/or 7-foot draft and for U.S. vessels over 10,000 gross tons.

Pilotage service for Gloucester is provided by Eastern Point Pilots, P.O. Box 705, Rowley, MA 01969, telephone 978–948–3900. Office is manned 24 hours; pilots are available 24 hours. Pilot operations are based out of Gloucester. Eastern Point Pilots are state and federal pilots for the ports of Massachusetts north of Nahant to the New Hampshire border. This includes the ports of Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Manchester, Rockport and Newburyport. Pilotage is compulsory for vessels defined above entering these ports.

The 27-foot pilot boat, VIGILANT, has a 300-horsepower jet drive and a gray hull and white superstructure.

Pilot boarding station is in , about 1.3 miles S of Eastern Point Light. About 1 hour before vessel arrival the pilot boat monitors VHF-FM channel 16. Working channels are 12 or 06. Arrival notice is requested 24 hours ahead of ETA with an update at minus 8 hours. For departure sailings, a 4-hour minimum notice is requested. Vessels are requested to provide a leeward side for boarding with secure pilot ladder with a 1 meter (about 3 feet) above the water clearance. Daylight restrictions apply for vessels in the port of Salem when the combined LOA and maximum beam exceeds 750 feet. Tide restrictions may apply to loaded vessels due to ranges in tide fluctuation and weather.

 Towage

Tugs are available from Boston.

 Quarantine, customs, immigration and agricultural quarantine

(See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Appendix A for addresses.)

Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public Health Service, chapter 1.)

Gloucester is a customs port of entry.

 Coast Guard

The Gloucester Coast Guard Station is on the east side of Harbor Cove at Gloucester.

 Harbor regulations

The harbormaster can be reached at 978–325–5750. A speed limit of 5 miles per hour is enforced in the Inner Harbor.

 Wharves

There are many wharves along the Inner Harbor at Gloucester. Most of these facilities are used by the fishing industry. A description of several of the principal wharves follows.

Gloucester State Fish Pier, at the head of Inner Harbor, has 1,000 feet of berthing space along its north side with reported depths of 22 to 24 feet alongside. Several piers with shoal depths alongside extend from the south side of the pier. The State Fish Pier is used to tranship and process seafood. Water is available, and diesel fuel can be obtained by lighter.

The Quincy Market Cold Storage and Warehouse Company operates three wharves at Gloucester. The wharves are used to unload imported frozen seafood products. Cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of 4 million cubic feet are available. Mobile cranes and forklifts are available, and diesel fuel can be obtained by lighter. A description of the wharves follows.

Rogers Street Wharf (), on the north side of Inner Harbor, has a 300-foot face with depths of 22 to 24 feet reported alongside.

Rowe Square Wharf, about 100 yards northeastward of the Rogers Street Wharf, has a 450-foot face with depths of 22 to 24 feet reported alongside.

East Main Street Wharf, on the south side of Inner Harbor and on the north side of the entrance to Smith Cove, has a 360-foot face with depths of 21 feet reported alongside.

 Supplies

Fuel oil is not available in bunker quantities, but diesel fuel can be had as desired from tank trucks and lighters. Marine and most other supplies are obtainable in town. Water is available at most of the wharves.

 Repairs

Gloucester has ship repair plants on Rocky Neck and on the northwest side of the harbor. The two plants have machine and other shops and can carry out all repairs to wood and steel vessels. The shipyard pier on Rocky Neck is 270 feet long with 15 to 16 feet reported alongside. The yard has a 10-ton crane. The largest marine railway can haul out craft up to 145 feet in length and up to 600 tons in weight. Radio and electronic repairs can be made.

Boston is the nearest port where large vessels can be drydocked for extensive repairs to hull and machinery.

 Small-craft facilities

A town float landing, with a reported 2 feet alongside, is at the head of Harbor Cove. Gloucester has many small-craft facilities along the waterfront. Sewage pump-out, marine railways up to 50 feet and several 20-ton mobile hoists are available.

Party fishing boats operate from several points in the harbor during the summer, and charter boats, rowboats and outboards can be hired.

Eastern Point Yacht Club is on the north side of the entrance to the cove at the inner end of Gloucester Breakwater. There is a depth of 8 feet at its float landing, to which water is piped. The club maintains guest moorings and restrooms, showers and dining room and provides certain services for visiting members of yacht clubs.

 Communications

Gloucester has rail and highway connections, and taxi and bus service. Schools, churches, banks, restaurants, lodging, a library and a hospital are in the city.

 Magnolia Harbor

is a cove about 1.5 miles westward of the entrance to Gloucester Harbor and just north of . The summer resort of is conspicuous on the eastern side. It has a public pier and float with 3 feet reported alongside. A rock that uncovers is just southward of the outer end of this pier, and the partial submerged ruins of two piers are about 150 yards farther southward. The harbor, used by many small craft, does not have very good holding ground and is exposed to southerly weather.

There are no facilities at the public pier, but gasoline can be obtained in cans from garages at the head of the harbor. Magnolia has hotels, restaurants, markets and stores and provisions and marine supplies can be obtained.

 Prominent features

Prominent features are the large summer homes on , an old wartime white concrete observation tower on and a large pavilion and several bathhouses on the beach at the head of the harbor. The edges and head of the harbor are shoal and foul, and none of the dangers are marked. The harbor at best is temporary anchorage for small craft in foul weather or offshore winds.

, west of Magnolia Harbor, is shoal and foul at the head. There is one private landing on the east side of the entrance, but no facilities. Large private homes on Coolidge Point and Crow Island are conspicuous. There are several rocks awash in the entrance to the cove.

 Manchester Harbor

Off the shore eastward of Manchester Harbor entrance, between Gloucester entrance and House Island, are many islands, rocks and ledges extending about 0.8 mile offshore. The farthest outlying ones, named in order from eastward are , 34 feet high and bare; , covered 13 feet; , covered 1 foot; , showing at high water; , part of which uncovers 3 feet; , covered 5 feet; a ledge, covered 17 feet and marked by a buoy, about 350 yards south of Gales Ledge; and , covered 18 feet. Of the several coves, only Manchester Harbor is of interest to navigation.

The shoreline of this section of the coast is lined with summer homes, many of which are large and conspicuous. The beach at is conspicuous.

, about 5 miles west-southwest of Gloucester Harbor, is an arm of extending in a northeasterly direction for 1 mile west of Gales Point to the town of Manchester. The entrance to Manchester Bay is northward of Bakers Island Light, between , partly wooded, on the east, and on the west. The ruins of two stone houses, one in the center and another on the west end, are on Great Misery Island.

Manchester Harbor is principally a yachting center, with only a small amount of local commercial fishing. The harbor above is practically landlocked and secure in all weather.

 Prominent features

Conspicuous objects include a white square observation tower on Gales Point, a large standpipe on Moses Hill north of the town, the bascule span of the railroad bridge, and the fishing pavilion at the end of the town wharf next to the yacht club at

 Channels

The approach channel to Manchester Bay from the eastward, between Whaleback and House Island, is clear and about 250 yards wide; the approach from southward, westward of Whaleback, is 500 yards wide.

, privately dredged and marked by buoys, leads from Manchester Bay to an anchorage basin at the head of Manchester Harbor; dredged anchorage basins are on either side of the channel about 300 yards northeast of Proctor Point. Shoaling to an unknown extent was reported in about For detailed channel information and minimum depths as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. Surveys and channel condition reports are available through a USACE hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix A. The railroad bridge, about 1 mile above the entrance and just above the anchorage basin, has a 48-foot bascule span with a clearance of 6 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.603, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) A mooring basin with depths of about 7 feet is above the bridge.

 Anchorages

By local regulations, vessels over 45 feet in length must anchor in Manchester Bay. The anchorage is northward of a line between Great Misery and House Islands as far as Manchester Channel Buoy 5. Those desiring to anchor only overnight, or from head winds, may find fair holding ground and good shelter except in southerly gales.

The anchorage basins in Manchester Harbor are restricted to craft not over 45 feet in length. This regulation is strictly enforced.

 Dangers

There is a bad ledge locally known as Bow Bell, with a rock awash on it, on the east side of the channel opposite the yacht club and public landing on Tucks Point, just above Proctor Point. A buoy marks the northwestern edge of the ledge. It is usually covered, and the only indication of it is a hole, or clear spot, amidst the craft moored or anchored in the vicinity. Care should be taken to avoid anchoring on the ledge.

, a dangerous ledge in the entrance to Manchester Bay, is about 400 yards long east and west, and 200 yards wide. Near the middle of its northern side is a rock awash at low water, marked by a daybeacon.

, which uncovers 9 feet, is 300 to 400 yards eastward of the northeast end of Great Misery Island and is marked by a daybeacon.

, awash at low water, is 300 yards northwestward of House Island and is marked by a buoy on its west side. , which uncover, are 250 yards northward of White Ledge, and are marked by a buoy off the west side.

, bare and rocky, is 300 yards from the north shore of Manchester Bay and should be given a berth of more than 200 yards.

 Harbor regulations

In addition to the local regulations restricting the size of craft using the anchorage basins in Manchester Harbor, a speed limit of 5 miles per hour is enforced within the harbor.

The harbormaster and deputies supervise the moorings and on application will usually find a vacant one for a visitor or advise where best to anchor. The yacht yards maintain guest moorings.

 Wharves

A town pier and float landing, used by commercial lobstermen, are on the east side of the harbor, about 0.5 mile above Proctor Point; depths of 6 feet are reported at the face of the pier and 3 feet at the float; water and electricity are available.

 Small-craft facilities

There are commercial and private float landings in the harbor. Four public landings and two small-craft launching ramps are available; depths of 5 to 10 feet are reported alongside the landings.

Two yacht yards with marine railways with capacities up to 70 feet or 80 tons are on the west side of the harbor. Hull, engine, electrical and electronic repairs can be made; a machine shop is available. The yard can provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, provisions, marine supplies, a pump-out facility and dry covered or open winter storage; lifts up to 35 tons are also available. An outboard marina is on the west side of the harbor just above the bridge. The Manchester Yacht Club, at Tucks Point, has depths of 10 feet alongside its floats; water is available.

Manchester has rail, bus and taxi services.

 Salem Harbor, Beverly Harbor and Marblehead Harbor

, Beverly Harbor and , each of which in turn will be described in detail, form a large irregular indentation in the shore of Massachusetts Bay, 11 miles southwestward of Cape Ann and 12 miles northeastward of Boston Harbor entrance. Gales Point is the northern end and Marblehead Neck the southern point at the entrance to this large indentation, which includes within its limits the harbors of Manchester, Beverly, Salem and Marblehead, the distance between the two points being 4 miles. This wide space is studded with islands, bare rocks and sunken ledges, through which are several channels leading into the harbors.

Salem has some commercial shipping with the importation of coal and petroleum products. Marblehead is principally a yachting center.

 Prominent features

The most conspicuous landmarks approaching the harbor are Bakers Island, Great Misery Island, Childrens Island and Marblehead Neck; a white square observation tower 90 feet high on Gales Point; a large standpipe on Moses Hill back of Manchester Harbor; the church spires in Beverly; the large powerplant with three stacks on Salem Neck; the red brick tower of Abbott Hall and two standpipes, one with conical top in Marblehead; and the light, large mansions and homes on Marblehead Neck. Two large mansions on the estate along the north shore westward of Manchester Harbor also stand out. Bowditch Ledge Daybeacon, about 1.9 miles southwest of Gales Point, is 30 feet high with red and white diamond-shaped daymark on a conical granite monument and is readily discernible to anyone approaching the harbor.

(), 111 feet above the water, is shown from a white conical tower on the north end of Bakers Island. A sound signal at the light is operated by keying the microphone five times consecutively on VHF-FM channel 83A. Many summer homes are on the island, and there is a ferry landing on the west side.

(), 130 feet above the water, is shown from a 105-foot brown square skeleton tower with black top on the northern extremity of , a high, rocky promontory connected with the mainland by a sandbar and causeway.

, 500 yards east-southeast of the northern end of Marblehead Neck, is a high bare rock.

, 1.7 miles south-southeast of Bakers Island, about 60 feet high and resembling a sugarloaf, has deep water around it. It is one of the most distinctive marks in the approach to the harbor.

and are rocky islets on the extensive ledges southward of Bakers Island. , the southerly part of the ledges, show at high water as a low bare ledge. An unmarked 13-foot spot is about 0.3 mile southwestward of South Gooseberry Island.

, about 0.8 mile northeastward of Marblehead Neck, is privately owned, bare and more than 0.3 mile long. The island has several houses toward its center and is used by the Marblehead YMCA as a summer day camp. There is a pier and float landing on the southwest side. Extensive ledges, bare and submerged, surround the island.

, 0.7 mile north-northeastward of the north end of Childrens Island, is small, grassy and rocky.

, northward of Marblehead, is a low grassy islet.

 COLREGS Demarcation Lines

The lines established for Salem, Beverly, and Marblehead Harbors are described in 33 CFR 80.120, chapter 2.

 Channels

Three main channels leading through the islands and rocks at the entrance are known as Salem Channel, Childrens Island Channel and Marblehead Channel. Several other channels of less importance are used only by local boats. Most of the dangers adjacent to, or on the channel edges, are marked. For detailed channel information and minimum depths as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. Surveys and channel condition reports are available through a USACE hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix A.

, the deep-draft and most northerly channel, leads westward between Bakers and Great Misery Islands and through for about 3 miles, thence southwestward through a dredged section to a turning basin on the northwest side of Salem Harbor. The entrance is marked by Hospital Point Lighted Range on bearing 276.3°. Several buoyed dangers, described later under dangers, are close to the sailing line. Salem Channel is well marked.

, the middle one, has its entrance near Halfway Rock. It leads in a northwesterly direction between Childrens Island on the west and Satan Rock, Brimbles and Eagle Island on the east. The least depth in Childrens Island Channel, about 26 feet, is between Eagle Island and Childrens Island.

, deep, clear, sheltered and buoyed, leads from Salem Channel in a southwesterly direction between Hardy Rocks and Eagle Island on the northwest and Bakers Island, Pope Head Shoal and Brimbles on the southeast. It is used by most craft bound to Marblehead Harbor from the northeastward.

, the southwesterly one, leads in a northwesterly direction between Childrens Island and Marblehead Rock, thence northeasterly between Chappel Ledge and Childrens Island, thence northerly between Coney Ledge and Eagle Bar to Salem Sound. Dangers of less than 18 feet in Marblehead Channel are marked except for a 17-foot spot in about Fifteen-foot Rock, about midway between Marblehead Rock and Cormorant Rock, is marked by a lighted bell buoy.

leads westerly along the northern shore of the peninsula between Marblehead and Salem Harbors. The channel, fringed by rocks and ledges, is less than 100 yards wide in its narrowest part and is not recommended for strangers drawing more than 10 feet.

 Anchorages

Special anchorages are in Salem, Beverly and Marblehead Harbors and in Bass River. (See 33 CFR 110.1, 110.25, and 110.26, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) A submerged pipelines extends from Cat Cove to just south of Folger Point. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting or anchoring in this area.

 Dangers

The approaches to Salem, Beverly and Marblehead Harbors have very broken ground, and all of the channels lead between islands and rocks, bare and submerged. Caution is necessary at all times. Strangers should not attempt to enter or leave in thick weather.

An extensive area of rocky patches and reefs, marked by buoys on its northeasterly, easterly and southerly sides, extends about 2 miles southeastward of Bakers Island, ending with , which is covered 20 feet. A lighted whistle buoy is about 0.7 mile east-southeastward of the ledge. In this area are and , all unmarked. Middle and Inner Breakers are partly bare at low water, and all break in heavy weather.

; of which uncovers 7 feet, and , covered 3 feet, are a part; extends from 0.6 to 0.8 mile westward of Bakers Island Light. The shoal is marked on its eastern side by a daybeacon.

, 1.2 miles west-northwestward of Bakers Island Light and 300 yards southward of Salem Channel, is marked by a daybeacon 30 feet high with red and white diamond-shaped daymark on a conical granite monument; the daybeacon is very conspicuous when approaching the harbor. The extension of the ledge northeastward is marked by a lighted buoy. , covered 10 feet, and two ledges, covered 14 and 16 feet, all unmarked, are 0.4 mile eastward, 0.1 mile eastward, and 0.2 mile southeastward of Bowditch Ledge, respectively. , covered 14 feet and marked by a lighted bell buoy, is on the northern end of Bakers Island Shoals. These dangers are all south of the Salem Channel range line.

North of Salem Channel, a ledge covered 12 feet and marked by a buoy extends southwestward from Little Misery Island. , covered 18 feet and unmarked, is about 0.5 mile westward of Little Misery Island. , covered 13 feet and about 0.1 mile westward of Misery Ledge, is marked close to the southward by a lighted buoy.

Great Haste is a bare rock surrounded by ledges on the south side of Salem Channel, 2.4 miles westward of Bakers Island. , close northwestward of Great Haste, is awash at low water and marked by a daybeacon. A 17–foot spot on the northwest end of , about 650 yards north-northwest of the daybeacon, is marked on the north side by a lighted buoy.

(), 300 yards northwestward of North Gooseberry, is a rugged, bare rock surrounded by ledges to a distance of 150 yards. A buoy marks , the western extremity of the ledges around the islet.

, 0.5 mile east-southeastward of Childrens Island, is a small bare rock marked by a daybeacon. The rock should be given a berth of over 200 yards.

is a rock awash at low water 0.3 mile south-southeastward of Eagle Island. It is marked by a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on an iron spindle. The daybeacon should be given a berth of over 200 yards.

, an extensive foul ledge and shoal area extending from Eagle Island to the northward, eastward and westward and terminating with , covered 6 feet, on the northeast and covered 5 feet, on the southwest, is marked on its eastern, southern, and western extremities by buoys.

, 0.7 mile northwestward of Childrens Island, is 10 feet high. , covered 14 feet, about 350 yards eastward of Grays Rock, is marked to the eastward by a lighted buoy. , an extensive ledge extending southeastward from Coney Island, is marked at its easterly end by a buoy.

Islands and rocks, sunken and bare, extend 2 miles southward and southwestward from the south end of Marblehead Neck. Some of these dangers are marked by buoys, and the channels between them are used by local boats, but the area should be avoided by strangers. A lighted bell buoy marks , covered 8 feet, the southeastern end of the broken ground.

Dangers showing above water are , bare at high water; , awash at low water; , awash at low water and marked by a buoy; , high, rocky and grassy; , awash at high water; , bare at low water and marked by a daybeacon; and , marked by several houses.

A bar with little depth connects Tinkers Island with , the southern end of Marblehead Neck.

, at the eastern end of a reef extending 500 yards eastward from the middle of Marblehead Neck, uncovers 6 feet and is marked by a buoy.

No attempt has been made to describe all of the dangers, shoals, rocks and ledges, as all those known are charted. Most of those in or near the fairways, or near the channel edges, are marked. The chart should be the guide and due caution exercised. Important dangers within the limits of the three harbors will be described where necessary under the description of each individual harbor and its facilities.

A buried high-pressure natural gas pipeline extends along the sea floor from south of Woodbury Point in Beverly eastward along the bottom into Salem Sound and then southeast into Broad Sound. Mariners are advised to use extreme caution when anchoring in these areas.

 Current

The tidal current in Salem and Marblehead Harbors has little velocity. In Beverly Harbor it has considerable velocity and sets across the channel in places. During the first half of the ebb the current sets across the shoal extending northeastward from Monument Bar.

 Ice

The head of Salem Harbor on the flats usually is closed by ice every winter during January and February, but the formations rarely extend beyond the coal pier except in unusually severe winters. Northerly and northwesterly winds are most favorable to local formation in Salem Harbor.

Winds from southward and westward, during light formation, have a tendency to carry the ice off to sea, while those from eastward usually break up the formation both in the harbor and its approaches.

Ice rarely obstructs Marblehead Harbor to such an extent as to hinder navigation. Fishermen have made it a refuge when it was impossible to get into Gloucester, Salem or Lynn Harbors. The formation of ice in Marblehead is entirely local, and it remains only a short time.

 Pilotage, Salem Harbor, Beverly Harbor and Marblehead Harbor

Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and for U.S. vessels under register in the foreign trade that draw over 7 feet. Pilotage is optional for coastwise vessels who have on board a pilot licensed by the federal government, but most deep-draft vessels take a pilot. The pilot usually boards in the vicinity of Eastern Point Lighted Whistle Buoy 2 (). See Pilotage, Gloucester, earlier this chapter, indexed as such, for additional information.

 Towage

Tug assistance is usually needed for deep-draft vessels. The nearest tugs are based at Boston.

 Quarantine, customs, immigration and agricultural quarantine

(See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Appendix A for addresses.)

Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public Health Service, chapter 1.)

Salem is the customs port of entry for Manchester, Salem, Beverly, Danversport, Marblehead, Peabody and Lynn.

 Harbor regulations

Moorings in the three harbors are under supervision of their respective harbormasters. A speed limit of 5 miles per hour is enforced within the limits of the harbors by the harbormasters and by police patrol boats.

 Wharves

An oil storage terminal is in operation at Salem Terminal. Other wharves are in ruins or in various stages of disrepair and disuse. Several fish wharves in Salem are in operation.

 Supplies

Fuel, water, provisions, ice and marine supplies can be obtained at the ports.

 Repairs

There are machine shops at Beverly and Salem that can carry out repairs. There are no drydocks; the nearest is at Boston. There are numerous yacht and boatyards which do repairs, haul out and store. The largest of the marine railways in the harbors, located at Salem, can haul out craft up to 100 feet in length. Dry covered and open winter storage is available.

Beverly Harbor is north of Salem Neck at the western end of Salem Sound and is formed by the confluence of Danvers River, Bass River and North River. It forms the approach to the city of Beverly, a manufacturing and resort city on the north side of the harbor just inside the entrance.

 Channels

leads from Salem Sound to and the marinas on the north side just below the State Route 1A Highway bridge. The channel is buoyed, and most of the dangers are marked. Monument Bar and Lobster Rocks, both on the south side of the channel, are marked by daybeacons.

An unmarked channel, known as , is entered just westward of Monument Bar Daybeacon. The channel leads southward from Beverly Channel to an anchorage area and . Shoaling of unknown extent has been reported just inside the channel entrance. Collins Cove is mostly bare and seldom used. , marked by a daybeacon, is on the southeast side of the channel. An overhead power cable across Collins Cove, about 0.2 mile above the entrance, has a clearance of 50 feet.

 Anchorages

Special anchorages are in Beverly Harbor. These anchorages are on Monument Bar, north of Salem Neck, in Collins Cove, in the southwestern part of the harbor, and in Beverly Cove and Mackerel Cove, in the northern part of the harbor. (See 33 CFR 110.1, and 110.25, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) A pipeline area extends from Tuck Point to Salem Neck; care should be taken to avoid anchoring in this area.

 Harbor regulations

The harbor is patrolled, and a speed limit of 5 miles per hour is enforced.

The harbormaster has an office at the town pier just east of the State Route 1A bridge.

 Pilotage, Beverly

For Pilotage at Beverly and vicinity see Pilotage, Gloucester, indexed as such, this chapter.

 Small-craft facilities

Jubilee Yacht Club at Tuck Point had a reported alongside depth of 14 feet in 2006. Gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice and a few moorings are available. A small-craft launching ramp is on Tuck Point.

Several marinas with depths of 10 to 20 feet alongside their floats are on the north bank east of the State Route 1A Highway bridge. These facilities can provide gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, marine supplies, pumpout facilities, provisions and guest moorings. Mobile hoists up to 35 tons can handle craft up to 55 feet in length for hull or engine repairs or dry open or covered winter storage; electronic repairs can be made.

 Danvers River

, the continuation of Beverly Harbor northwestward, has a depth of about 7 feet for 2 miles above Beverly to . The channel, buoyed for about 1.5 miles to the mouth of Waters River, is narrow and leads between flats that uncover at low water. A marina with a pier and float landing is on the south bank of the river just east of the Kernwood Avenue Highway bridge; depths of 6 to 7 feet are alongside the floats. A small-craft launching ramp and water are available. State Route 35 highway bridge at Danversport has a fixed span and is the head of navigation on Waters River, which is shoal above the bridge.

empties into the west side of Danvers River, about 0.3 mile above the entrance to Waters River. A privately dredged channel leads from the entrance to a mooring basin and public marina at the head.

Porter River, a northwesterly tributary of the Danvers River, has its entrance just eastward of the entrance to Crane River. A privately dredged channel leads from the entrance for about 0.4 mile to a mooring basin just below the State Route 35 fixed highway bridge, the head of navigation. In 2008, the controlling depth was 4 feet in the river.

 Small-craft facilities

There are several small-craft facilities on Porter River. Marine railways to 38 tons, lifts to 50 tons, marine supplies, storage facilities and other services are available; hull and engine repairs can be made. The Danversport Yacht Club at the entrance and west side of the river has a reported depth of 5 feet alongside its floats. Transient berths, electricity, gasoline, water, a pump-out station and other services are available.

 Harbor regulations

The harbormaster for Danversport maintains an office on the west side of Porter River at the town landing immediately below the highway bridge; all moorings are under his control. The harbormaster can be reached by VHF radio on channels 13 and 16.

 North River to Marblehead

North River, a tributary of Danvers River entering from southward just above the bridges, is nearly bare at low water in a narrow, unmarked channel that is seldom used. A boatyard with a marine railway that can haul out craft up to 40 feet in length for minor repairs or winter storage is on the west side of the river just below State Route 114 highway bridge at the head of navigation. Overhead power cables crossing the mouth of North River have clearances of 75 feet, and where they cross Collins Cove they have a clearance of 50 feet. The towers are conspicuous from seaward.

Bass River empties into the north side of Danvers River opposite the entrance to North River. A depth of about 6 feet can be carried to the Hall-Whitaker highway bridge, about 0.6 mile above the entrance, thence about 4 feet to the yacht club 0.3 mile above the bridge. The channel leads between flats bare at low water and is most easily followed at that stage. In 1978, an unknown obstruction was reported on the east edge of the channel about 0.2 mile above the entrance. Buoys mark the channel to a point about 460 yards below the bridge. The bridge has a non-opening swing span with a width of 40 feet and a clearance of 5 feet. (See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.588, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations.) The bridge is being replaced and a temporary bridge is under construction (2026). An overhead power cable on the south side of the bridge has a clearance of 48 feet.

 Anchorages

A special anchorage is about 300 yards northward of the bridge. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.25, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)

A private yacht club is about 0.3 mile above the bridge, and a ramp is just above the bridge; both are on the east bank of the river. There are no services, except a service station near the ramp. The boatyard builds or hauls out for repairs or storage craft up to 35 feet in length.

is about 1.5 miles long in a southwesterly direction. Dominion Energy’s power plant dominates the harbor. The city of Salem is on the western side of the harbor. The principal industries are tourism and electrical production. The city has many points of historical interest, including museums devoted to maritime subjects. Waterborne commerce is principally in petroleum, coal, seafood products and tourism. Salem Harbor is approached from the northward through a dredged section of Salem Channel.

 Anchorages

A special anchorage is in the south and east parts of Salem Harbor and extends eastward along the south side of South Channel to Peachs Point. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.25(c), chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) The harbor is sometimes used as a harbor of refuge, especially during the autumn. Good anchorage is available in what is known as the outer anchorage southward of the main channel and northward and eastward of Little Haste.

 Pilotage, Salem

For Pilotage at Salem and vicinity see Pilotage, Gloucester, indexed as such, this chapter.

On the western side of the dredged approach is Salem Neck. , the Salem Willows Yacht Club and a 400-foot public pier are on the northeastern extremity of Salem Neck. Excursion and party fishing boats operate from the three landings in the summer. Rowboats can also be hired. Depths of 4 feet are reported alongside the yacht club floats; gasoline and water are available. Reported depths of 10 feet are at the head of the public pier and 3 to 5 feet at the floats on each side of it.

, the eastern extremity of the neck, has many summer homes.

, a shallow foul cove which is mostly dry at low water, lies between Salem Neck and . A boat and yacht yard at the head of the cove can handle hull and engine repairs. In summer, small craft moor in the entrance to the cove between , marked by a daybeacon, and Juniper Point. The cove is open to easterly weather, but the holding ground in the entrance is reported to be good.

A private light is shown from a white conical tower on the southeastern point of Winter Island. A ramp, pier and seasonal floats are located on the southern half of the island at Winter Island Maritime Park.

, a shoal area on the east side of the dredged section of Salem Channel, is marked by a daybeacon.

Conspicuous on Salem Neck are the oil tanks of the Salem Terminal and the three stacks of the power plant adjacent to the north. The stacks are lighted.

A marina is about 300 yards southwestward of Salem Terminal Wharf. Depths of 5 to 10 feet are reported alongside the floats; water, electricity, ice, storage facilities and hull and engine repairs are available.

 Wharves

Dominion Energy, Salem Harbor, L.C.C. Power Plant Wharf (): 700-foot face; 900 feet of berthing space with dolphins; 35 feet alongside; deck height, 14 feet; pipelines extend to storage tanks with 650,000-barrel capacity; receipt and shipment of fuel oil and coal; owned and operated by Dominion Energy, L.C.C.

, on the west side of Salem Harbor about 0.4 mile southwestward of Salem Terminal Wharf, is a stone jetty about 0.3 mile long, marked at its outer end by a private light. The wharf and the old customhouse on its shore end are now part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site under the U.S. Department of the Interior.

A lighted buoy marks the entrance to two dredged channels leading along the east and west sides of Derby Wharf, respectively. The northerly channel leads to an anchorage basin on the east side of the wharf. In 1993, the channel had a controlling depth of 7 feet with 1 to 8 feet available in the basin except for shoaling to bare along the northern and northeastern sides. A public float is midway along the wharf; moorings are available in the basin. The southerly channel, on the west side of the wharf, leads to South River.

, a short estuary extending into the city of Salem, has its entrance through a dredged channel leading along the west side of Derby Wharf.

On the west side of South River, large industrial buildings and warehouses are conspicuous. The fixed bridge across South River has a 43-foot span with a vertical clearance of 7 feet. A pumpout facility is at the Congress Street Landing. Gasoline, water and most services are available at the floats of the marina on the north bank. It has been reported that navigation through the Congress Street Bridge is hazardous during periods of maximum flood and ebb.

A channel south of Long Point and marked by private buoys leads westward from the South River entrance channel to a yacht club in

The southwestern part of Salem Harbor is shoal and at the head particularly foul, southward of Pickering Point.

South of , a large yacht yard with marina has a marine railway, the largest in the area, that can haul out craft up to 100 feet in length. A privately dredged 8-foot channel, marked by piles, leads to an anchorage basin off the yard. Water, open and covered winter storage, overnight berthage with electricity and most services are available at the yard. The yard maintains guest moorings.

, 1 mile long and 700 yards wide, is formed on the east and south by Marblehead Neck and , a narrow strip beach on the south side of the causeway and seawall connecting the south end of Marblehead Neck with the mainland. Marblehead Light marks the easterly point of the entrance. Marblehead Harbor is an excellent anchorage used mostly by yachts during the summer. The anchorage is reported uncomfortable for yachts when the wind is northeast.

The depths in the harbor up to are from 21 to 30 feet, with the exception on the east side, northerly of Boden Point, where are covered 9 feet.

Southward of Skinner Head, the depths shoal gradually with 8 feet available to within about 300 yards of the head and east side. It is reported that this part of the harbor is extremely uncomfortable for small craft during a northeaster.

 Anchorages

A special anchorage occupies most of Marblehead Harbor. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.26, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)

 Harbor regulations

The harbor, often referred to as the “yachting capital of the world,” is somewhat congested during the summer. The harbormaster reports that there are about 2,300 moorings in the harbor.

The moorings are under the supervision and control of the harbormaster, who issues permits for them. The harbor is patrolled by a police boat, and a speed limit of 5 miles per hour is enforced. The harbormaster may be contacted through the local police department and may, on request, direct a stranger to a mooring or a quiet spot for anchoring.

No directions are deemed necessary for entering. The chart should be the guide. All known dangers are charted, and most of them are marked. Some difficulty may be experienced, once in the harbor, in finding a mooring or good swinging room if the harbor is congested. In that case, the harbormaster may be of help.

, a combined business and residential community on the west side, and , all residential, on the east side of the harbor, are important summer resorts.

There are numerous float landings on both sides of the harbor at which there are depths of 6 to 25 feet. Overnight berthing, as a rule, is not permitted at any of the service or yacht club floats.

There are six yacht clubs on the harbor: Eastern, Corinthian and Pleon on the east side; and Boston, Dolphin and Marblehead along the west side. All have facilities to a varying degree, either private or available to visiting yachtsmen.

 Small-craft facilities

There are many small-craft facilities in the harbor. Wood, steel or fiberglass, sail or motor craft up to 65 feet in length can be built at Marblehead. There are two public float landings and two small-craft launching ramps usable at half tide or better; pumpout facilities are available.

Lodging, restaurants, markets, a hospital and churches are in Marblehead; bus and taxi services are available.

 Phillips Point to Revere

, 3.5 miles southwestward of Marblehead Light, is 50 feet high and rocky with woods and large homes along its shore. A rock ledge covered 12 feet is 600 yards eastward of Littles Point, the eastern part of Phillips Point. A fishing net extends eastward from Littles Point during the summer. A reef with bare heads extends 350 yards southward from Phillips Point. , 500 yards southward of the point, uncovers 5 feet and is marked by a daybeacon.

is 2 miles wide between Phillips Point and Nahant. Temporary anchorage, exposed to easterly and southerly winds, can be had in the bay in 18 to 36 feet but is seldom used. The usual anchorage is off Swampscott, northwestward of Lincoln House Point. Many small craft moor here in the summer. Several mooring buoys, used by local craft, are in the cove westward of the point, off . A 440-foot pier with 50 feet of floats at the end extends off the beach; there are depths of 5 feet at the floats, but no services. The Swampscott Yacht Club is at the shore end of the pier. A harbormaster, who maintains an office at the yacht club, supervises the moorings.

There is a public small-boat ramp with parking space adjoining the pier. Water and guest moorings are available. Gasoline can be obtained in cans from a nearby service station. Ice, provisions and marine supplies are available from the nearby markets and stores.

Nahant Bay is mostly clear. Lincoln House (Fishing) Point, and are rocky points on the northern side of Nahant Bay. A dangerous submerged rock, marked on its south side by a buoy, is about 125 yards south of Lincoln House Point. Two other rocks, covered 16 feet and 18 feet, are about 400 yards southward and about 700 yards south-southwestward of Lincoln House Point, respectively.

The town of is on the northern shore of Nahant Bay. A large blue standpipe and the school cupola are conspicuous. A church spire, lighted at night, on the shore drive at Red Rock, and an observatory, about 0.9 mile northwestward of Red Rock, are also prominent.

is a narrow strip of sand about 1 mile long in a southerly direction separating Nahant Bay from Lynn Harbor. , a high grassy head with many houses, is joined to Nahant by , a strip of beach 0.4 mile long. The white buildings and signal tower of the former Coast Guard station on Short Beach are just southward of Little Nahant.

, 60 feet high and bare, is on the southern side of the entrance to Nahant Bay. It is a bird sanctuary.

is a high peninsula about 1.5 miles long with bluff seaward faces. The town of Nahant is connected to Lynn by a highway. Among the most prominent objects are four nearly identical concrete observation towers; two are on the outer end of the peninsula just north of , one is about 0.4 mile to the northward, and the fourth is on the west side of the harbor. The top section of the southerly of the two towers just north of Pea Island is topped with a wind break painted red and reportedly is especially prominent. A former military installation, now used by Northeastern University as a marine research facility, is on , the easternmost point of the peninsula. A 60-foot windmill on East Point is reported to be prominent.

is the bight on the south side of Nahant. On entering between Joe Beach Ledge, covered 3 feet and marked by a buoy, and The Spindle (Bass Rock), awash and marked by a buoy, select temporary anchorage off the wharf in 18 to 24 feet, hard bottom. The town wharf on the east shore at the head has about 6 feet alongside the float landing; a hard-surface launching ramp for small boats is on the north side of the shore end of the wharf. Water is available at the float. There is a sailing club on the wharf, and a harbormaster controls the moorings. The Boston pilot boats land and pick up pilots at this wharf and maintain a mooring off the wharf.

are bare rocks extending 300 yards southward from the southeast end of Nahant. A ledge, awash at lowest tides, extends 100 yards southward from the southernmost Shag Rock. A lighted buoy is south of the ledge.

, about 4 miles wide between Nahant on the northeast and Deer Island on the southwest, forms the approach to Nahant and the city of Lynn at its north end, and the northern approach to Boston Harbor at its south end. It has depths of 18 to 48 feet in the entrance but is shoal near the shores. A foul area with submerged rocks, some covered ½ foot, is offshore on the west side of the sound, about 0.9 mile east-northeast of the tower at Revere Beach. Pilings, awash and unmarked, about 300 yards northeastward of the foul area, are in

, the northerly end of Broad Sound, is mostly sand and mudflats that largely bare at low water and through which a channel has been dredged to the city of Lynn, an industrial community of major importance. In 1979, it had little waterborne commerce. Of the many diversified industries, a large General Electric plant, which manufactures airplane engines and electronic products, is the largest employer. In 1979, several of the wharves were being used as marinas, and the remainder were not in general use or were in ruins or disrepair.

 Prominent features

Landmarks in approaching Lynn Harbor are the standpipe on Winthrop Head, two apartment houses on Winthrop Highlands, the observation towers at Nahant, a white tank at the head of the harbor, and the radio towers on the Saugus River and the Pines River.

 Channels

A dredged channel leads from Broad Sound, at a point about 0.8 mile westward of Bass Point, to a turning basin at the head of Lynn Harbor. A privately maintained subsidiary channel leads from the basin in a southwesterly direction to the wharf of a powerplant. For detailed channel information and minimum depths as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. Surveys and channel condition reports are available through a USACE hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix A.

, a branch channel leading along the western side of Nahant, is unmarked and suitable only for small craft. Sand flats, bare or nearly bare at low water, are on each side. In 1979, it was reported that the channel had shoaled to 5 feet but that it was still being used by lobstermen and small craft.

, westward of the main channel to Lynn Harbor, leads from Broad Sound to the General Edwards Bridge and the . Pines River is entered from Saugus River just westward of the bridge.

Western Channel is marked by buoys to just below the General Edwards Bridge. Dangerous rocks awash, on the northern side of the channel, extend about 200 yards south-southeastward from a point on the north shore about 200 yards below the General Edwards Bridge; the southern extremity of the rocks is marked by a buoy. Above the bridge, the channel is unmarked and local knowledge is advised.

 Anchorages

Small craft moor off the marina and boatyard north of Bass Point and eastward of the turning basin at the head of Lynn Harbor. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.27, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) In Saugus River, some moor off the yacht club close eastward of General Edwards Bridge. Above the bridge they moor on the west side of the channel and above Fox Hill Bridge in the channel wherever space permits. In Pines River they moor in the narrow channel. Moorings are under control and supervision of the harbormaster, who can be contacted through the local police department. Depths in the anchorages are off Bass Point from 5 to 30 feet, at the head of Lynn Harbor from 7 to 17 feet, and in Saugus and Pines Rivers from 3 to 9 feet.

Some local knowledge or assistance will be needed in finding swinging room or a vacant mooring off the yacht clubs at the head of Lynn Harbor, as this area is usually heavily congested with small craft.

Many small craft moor on the east side of the harbor near Bass Point, and the boatyard there maintains about 150 moorings, with usually a few vacant.

 Dangers

The principal dangers in the approach to Lynn Harbor are , covered 14 feet and marked by a gong buoy, 0.6 mile south of The Spindle; , covered 19 feet and marked by a buoy, 0.8 mile southwest of Bass Point; and two unmarked shoals, covered 15 and 19 feet, about 0.7 mile northward of Nahant Rock.

 Current

The average velocity at strength of the tidal current at Lynn Harbor entrance is 0.5 knot.

 Harbormasters

There is a harbormaster at Lynn and one at Saugus. The former can be contacted through the Volunteer Yacht Club at Lynn; the latter through the Saugus Police Department. They supervise and control the moorings.

 Wharves

In 1979, only the wharf of the General Electric plant on Saugus River was in periodic use. Depths of 9 feet were reported alongside. A development plan for the greater use of the Lynn waterfront was being implemented in 1979.

 Supplies and repairs

There are no bunkering facilities, drydocks, or major repair facilities for large vessels at Lynn. The nearest drydocks or repair facilities for large vessels are at Boston. Marine supplies, provisions and machine shops are available in the city.

 Small-craft facilities

There are several marinas, boatyards, and private yacht clubs at Lynn and on the Saugus and Pines Rivers. Most of these facilities have gasoline, marine supplies, storage and berthing facilities, water, ice and launching ramps. The facilities on Pines River can make hull and engine repairs; an 18-ton mobile hoist and a 50-foot marine railway are available. Pump-out facilities are available at Seaport Landing Marina at the head of Lynn Harbor and at Revere through the harbormaster.

The yacht clubs include the Bass Point Boat Club, on Bass Point; the Lynn and Volunteer Yacht Clubs at the head of the harbor; the Point of Pines Yacht Club, on the south side of Saugus River, just eastward of the General Edwards Bridge; the Fox Hill Yacht Club, near the Fox Hill Bridge; and the Saugus River Yacht Club, about 0.7 mile above the Fox Hill Bridge. The clubs all have berthing facilities, guest moorings and other services available to members and guests.

Lynn has railroad and bus services, a hospital, hotels, banks, churches and many other conveniences.

Revere is a city and summer beach resort on the west side of Broad Sound. At the southern end of Revere Beach, a breakwater extends out from the shore on , forming an anchorage for small craft in 3 to 4 feet of water, but it is exposed. Parts of the breakwater are covered at high water. A pumpout facility is in Revere.

Westward of the breakwater are the ruins of a 600-foot-long pier. A shorter pier to the eastward of the ruins dries at low water.

, about 0.8 mile southward of Cherry Island Bar, has two conspicuous apartment houses just southward. The structures are about 100 feet high.

For planning, not navigation. Verify current information before departure.