Newport Harbor Light: 41º 29' 36"N, 71º 19' 38"W F. G. 33ft. 11M. White stone tower.

Seamen’s Institute of Newport: 41º 29' 12"N, 71º 18' 02"W Harbormaster: Monitors VHF 16 / Tel: 401-845-5815

U. S. Coast Guard: Station located at Castle Hill, VHF 16 & 22A. Tel. 401-846-3675 Port of Entry: Customs office in Post Office building , 320 Thames St. Call on VHF Channel 16. 401-847-2744. See page 12 for customs instructions.

The Harbor: Approaches are deep and safe in almost any weather. Reserve dockage early, moorings are available only on first-come, first-served basis. The limited anchoring area can be jammed with too many boats on inadequate scope. Holding is suspect in much of the harbor.

Harbor Courtesies: Speed limit in harbor is 5 m.p.h., no wake. Quiet hour in the harbor is 2300 to 0700 (11pm to 7am).

Dockage: Several marinas on the east side of the harbor and one on Goat Island. Public dinghy landings available at Ann Street Pier on east side of harbor, at Sail Newport, at the area labeled “King Park“ on the chart on the south side of the harbor, and at the new ferry terminal in the north east corner of the harbor and Newport Shipyard. For dinghy dock locations, see maps on page 30, 31 & 32.

Moorings: Hundreds of moorings in the harbor, many for transients. Call Oldport Marine on VHF 68, Newport Mooring Service on VHF 09 or the Harbormaster on VHF 16 & 14.

Anchorage: The designated anchorage is a small triangle at the southern end of the main harbor, north of Ida Lewis Yacht Club. You must contact the Harbormaster (VHF 16) for anchoring directions. Limited anchoring may be found north of the Goat Island causeway. All areas are crowded in summer season.

Transit Precautions: Newport Harbor is busy and filled with anchored and moored vessels. When transiting thoroughfare and channels use caution. Be vigilant and take note of the following: Western Federal Channel along the east side of Goat Island: Obstructed by moorings and moored vessels when the wind is out of the East and Southeast. Restricted breadth of the channel should be noted. Proceed with caution.

Federal Channel southeast sector off of Newport Shipyard: (Now abandoned as a Federal Channel). The docking floats extend about 300 plus feet into the turning basin south of the Goat Island Causeway and are not lighted at night. Proceed with caution.

Federal Channel north of Goat Island Causeway: Obstructed by moorings and moored vessels. Proceed with caution.

Fuel: Fueling facilities on both Goat Island and the east side of the harbor. See directory for specific listings.

Pump-Out: Available at all marinas and yacht clubs and mobile pump-out boats, VHF 9 & 73. See maps and directory for more locations.

Disposal: No discharge zone. The discharge of plastic or garbage mixed with plastic into any waters is prohibited.

Discharge of all garbage is prohibited in the navigable waters of the US and in all other waters within three nautical miles of the nearest land. Discharge of dunnage, lining and packing materials that float is prohibited within 25 miles. Unground garbage may be discharged beyond 12 nautical miles from land. Other garbage ground to less than one inch may be discharged beyond 3 nautical miles.

Violators are subject to civil penalty up to $25,000; a fine up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years.

Repairs: See directory on page 56. The only large yacht haulout facility in the harbor is Newport Shipyard. (300 tons)

Supplies: Extensive, although groceries are a walk from the waterfront. Ashore is every conceivable variety of shop and restaurant, plus a well stocked nautical bookstore. See directory on page 56, maps on page 30, 31 & 32 and advertisements throughout this Guide.

Storm Preparation: During or in anticipation of heavy weather/ hurricane, use a double mooring bridle, chaffing gear on mooring line, and strip your vessel’s deck of excess gear and sails.

Commercial Maritime Security: Notices are announced on Channel 22A VHF. Traffic intentions are announced on channel 13 VHF Bridge to Bridge.

Harbor Jurisdiction: Newport Harbor is under the jurisdiction of the State of Rhode Island DEM and is considered a federal project area. U.S. Coast Guard also has jurisdiction.

Right of Way: In order of right…
A vessel not under command, and a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

A vessel engaged in fishing, not including vessels fishing with trolling lines or other nonrestrictive apparatus, shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of a vessel not under command, and a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

A sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, and a vessel engaged in fishing.

A power-driven vessel, when underway, shall keep out of the way of a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, a vessel engaged in fishing and a sailing vessel.

Navigation Rules U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 33 Inland Rules pertain to Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. A complete set of international and inland rules and regulations can be viewed and downloaded online at the USCG/Homeland Security’s website: www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm

The Division of Enforcement, in conjunction with the Community College of RI, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron, conducts boating safety classes regularly. Call 401-333-7077 or 333-7165 for information. To take the boating safety course on-line, log onto:
www.boat-ed.com/ri/ri_internet.htm