statistics & notices

Newport Harbor Light: 41º 29' 36"N, 71º 19' 38"W

F. G. 33ft. 11M. White stone tower.

Seamen’s Church Institute: 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 UU.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.

boating regulations

The basics, as indicated in the reference guide to state boating laws

Minimum operator age is 16. Adult supervision and education for minors is required. Licensing is required for all operators of all personal watercraft (PWC). There is no minimum age for certification.

Personal Floatation Device (PFD) Rhode Island law requires all children age 12 and under to wear a life jacket whenever a recreational vessel up to 65 feet is under way and the children are on deck, even in the cockpit.

All vessels are required to have wearable life jackets on board, they have to be the right size, in good condition, USCG approved, and there has to be one for each person in the boat. (This law applies to dinghies.) In addition vessels 16 feet in length and longer have an additional requirement to carry an approved type IV throwable USCG approved flotation device. PWC Operators and passengers are required to wear a lifejacket. Anyone towed behind a vessel such as water skiers, tubers, wake boarders, or other devices must wear a USCG approved life jacket.

A boater with blood alcohol concentration of .08, under the influence of a controlled substance, or drugs will be considered intoxicated. All state and local police agencies will be enforcing ”boating under the influence” laws.

Illegal Dumping is subject to a $500 fine and/or one year in jail. RI is a zerodischarge state, meaning no waste, treated or untreated, may be discharged in state waters. This prohibits a Y-valve through hull discharge and requires Y-valves to be locked. Second offenses double the punishment: a $1000 fine, and another year in jail.

No water skiing in Newport Harbor. Towing skiers outside the harbor requires an on-board observer, at least 12 years old with an unobstructed view. A “skier down” flag is not required, but a kill-switch is. Water-skiers must be at least 12 years old.

Don’t tow a water skier in heavily traveled or restricted waters, such as swimming areas, narrows, winding channels and areas containing docks, floats and buoys. If a skier tumbles, the boat should approach skier from the leeward side. Stop the motor before taking the skier aboard, and be careful not to swamp the boat when doing so. In smaller craft, it is normally safer to take skiers aboard at the stern.

Lights Insure that when operating your vessel at night, that your running lights work and are properly displayed.

Dinghies should have a lantern (light) that can be displayed if approached by another vessel.

Speed/Safety 5 MPH, no-wake speed limit in public harbors is enforced. Keep a sharp look out when operating your vessel, Newport and vicinity is a very busy and congested area with all types of vessels. When operating in congested areas obey speed/wake signs and buoys and watch your wake at all times, this will help prevent injuries and damage to moored and docked boats.

Every Motorboat on RI waters must be registered with DEM. The number must be painted or attached to the bow of the boat and the certificate of number must be aboard when underway.

Accidents resulting in damage over $100, injury or death, must be reported to the Department of Environment Management, Division of Enforcement, 83 Park Street, Providence, RI 02903.

Scuba divers must use flags. Boaters must leave a 50-foot radius around dive flags to ensure the safety of the divers below or on the surface. Divers must be certified and wear large-volume buoyancy control devices and submersible pressure gauges. Spearfishing is allowed, but guns may only be loaded and unloaded on the water. Divers unfamiliar with RI waters should check with diving shops for information, events and dive sites.

HUNGRY? Licenses are required for removal of lobsters.

Penalties for illegal removal are severe and strictly enforced.

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

u. s. department of homeland security/customs and border protection CBP

customs instructions

The following procedures delineate U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP)/Department of Homeland Security requirements for international mariners. As the unified border agency of the United States CBP enforces all customs, immigration and agriculture related laws and regulations.

I urge all mariners to follow the letter of the law as willful violators will be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Thank you for your continued support in assuring that international travelers to Newport are met with professional and courteous service. I am sure that a strong partnership between

U. S. Customs and Border Protection and the international boating community will continue to keep Newport a safe and welcoming destination for all international travelers. To find additional information on CBP rules and regulations go to www.cbp.gov. Diane K. Christman, SUPERVISORY OFFICER

U. S. PLEASURE BOATS

(U.S. Coast Guard documented or state registered owned by U.S. citizens) “The master of any U.S. pleasure boat must report to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer immediately upon arrival from a foreign port or place and must declare any foreign merchandise purchased or acquired. The report of arrival must include the name of the vessel, its nationality (flag), the name of the master with date of birth, the number of persons on board, and place of mooring. No person shall board or leave the vessel (other than the master to contact CBP) until being granted permission to do so by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer. The master must return to the boat without delay and can not carry any item fromthe boat. Immediately prior to exiting the U.S for a foreign port or place the master must obtain clearance from a CBP Officer.”

FOREIGN FLAG PLEASURE BOATS

“The master of a foreign flag or undocumented foreign vessel must immediately report arrival to

U. S Customs and Border Protection and make formal entry within 24 hours. In absence of a Cruising License foreign vessels must obtain a permit to proceed before leaving for another U.S. port. Formal entrance requires the master to complete customs forms 1300-1304 along with a passenger/ crew list. A Cruising License is a Customs and Border Protection document, which allows foreign pleasure boats from certain counties to travel to other U.S. ports without having to make formal entry (paying clearance fees/tonnage tax). The vessel master must report arrival at each U.S. port.”

U. S CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

“All persons entering the U.S. from a foreign port or place must present themselves to a U.S Customs and Border Protection Officer immediately upon arrival. All crew members entering the U.S. from a foreign port must present a valid passport and non-immigrant B1/B2 Visa. U.S. citizens must have a passport when entering from outside the western hemisphere or valid photo identification and birth certificate when arriving from a contiguous territory." Note: You must obtain a Visa if arriving by yacht even if you are from a Visa waiver country. The Visa Waiver program only is in effect if arriving on a consignatory carrier (i.e., commercial air carrier).

IMPORTED (PURCHASED ABROAD)

Sailboats and motorboats with other than outboard motors are dutiable at 1.5 percent/those with outboard motors are dutiable at 1.3 percent.

Temporary entry under Bond-A foreign pleasure boat may be entered duty free for up to 90 days to participate in races or other exhibits if the contests are not for money purses.

U. S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WARNING

If you fail to immediately report arrival or comply with the above requirements (example: if you allow persons on board your vessel before being cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer) you are subject to a penalty of $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for subsequent offenses and your vessel may be seized. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers are vested with warrantless search (border search) authority.

The smuggling of drugs, unreported currency in Excess of $10,000, weapons or other contraband can result in imprisonment and the seizure of your vessel. Drug use and personal amounts of drugs aboard your vessel can result in the seizure of your vessel or the issuance of a penalty of up to $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for the second offense.We urge all international mariners to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection and report suspicious activity or violations of the above laws.Under federal law you could be entitled to a reward of up to $250,000.

NAVIGATION FEES

EffectiveMarch 12, 2001 pursuant to 19 CFR 4.98 Customs and Border Protection announces a revision to the navigation fees collected by Customs and Border Protection Officers. These fees are collected from private interests for services provided by the government in accordance with 31 U.S.C.

9701. The fees are calculated in accordancewith 19 CFR 24.17(d). Entry of a vessel, from a foreign port or place (includes cruising permit):

a. U.S. Flag...........................................................$25.00

b. Foreign Flag.....................................................$19.00 Clearance of a vessel, including American, to a foreign port or place:

a. Less than 100 net tons ....................................$19.00

b. 100 net tons and over.....................................$37.00

CONTACT NUMBERS & REPORTING PROCESS:

Report Violations To The U.S. Customs And Border Protection Supervisor, Providence at: 401-941-6326 ext. 254 1-800-973-2867 (24 Hr Contact)

1. Immediately Upon Arrival (or in advance) Report Arrival 24HR: call 1-800-973-2867 and advise need to be connected to the Customs Area Security Center (CASC) for pleasure boat reporting.

2. You may call CASC direct at 207-532-2131 or E-mail advanced arrival notice to: CASC-Houlton@dhs.gov

3. The CASC will request from the Master the intended port of landing, the name of vessel, documentation number and names, dates of birth and citizenship of crew and connect you with a local CBP Officer for inspection.

Port of Newport (Office Hours: 0800-1700) 401-847-2744 Supervisor: Diane K. Christman 401-941-6326 ext. 254 Providence Area Port Port Director: John P. Makolin 401-941-6326