Statistics & Notices
Newport Harbor Light: 41 29.6N, 71 19.6W. F G, 33ft. 11M. White Stone tower.
Latitude: 41º 29' 12"N Longitude: 71º 18' 20"W
Harbormaster: Monitors VHF 16 (tel: 401-845-5815)
U.S. Coast Guard: Station located at Castle Hill, VHF 16 & 22. Tel. 846-3675
Port of Entry: Office in Post Office building on Thames Street. Call on VHF Channel 16. See customs & immigration information on page 9.
The Harbor: Newport is one of the most popular yachting harbors anywhere. The approaches are deep and safe in almost any weather. Reserve dockage early, moorings are available only on a 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 the 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 Bowen’s Wharf, 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.
Moorings: Hundreds of moorings in the harbor, many for transients. Call Oldport Marine on VHF 68 or Newport Mooring Service on VHF 09.
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/American 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: Prominent fueling facilities on both Goat Island and the east side of the harbor. Propane gas available from BOC Gas, 846-3706
Pump-Out: Available at Goat Island Marina, Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport Shipyard and a mobile pump-out boat.
Repairs: Extensive. Large yachts with haulout facilities at Newport Shipyard.
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. Click here to go to the NHG Directory.
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 22 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 the 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 restriced in her ability to maneuver.
• A sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of a vessel not under command, a vessel restriced 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.
Inland Lights and Shapes Navigation Rules:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, Regulations 33-CFR International and Inland Waters, Rule 23:
(A) a power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:
(i) a masthead light forward
(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so
(iii) sidelights
(iv) a stern light
(C) a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.USCG & Homeland Security
Mariners can be valuable contributors to the protection of our nation by reporting suspicious activities in and around the water.
Call the Maritime Domain Awareness program hotline at (508) 457-3211 (24 hours a day, seven days a week) to report any unusual or questionable activity on the water in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Some examples of unusual or suspicious activities to report include:
Unfamiliar individuals who:
- Loiter or take photos, notes or sketches near
commercial/passenger vessel activities, bridges
or waterside facilities
- Attempt to rent/buy fishing or recreational
vessels with cash for short term use
- Attempt to gain access to waterside facilities
without proper identificationTo report any suspicious or unusual
activities, call Coast Guard Group Woods
Hole at (508) 457-3211 or in the event of
an emergency, dial 911.
U.S. CUSTOMS
1-800-973-2867 (24 Hrs)Port of Newport
Inspector/Port of Newport: Arlene Enos
401-847-2744
(Office Hours: 0800-1700)Providence Area Port
Supervisory Inspector: Brian Pires
401-941-6326 ext. 114
Service Port Director: Richard A. Barrette
401-941-6326 ext. 112