Chester CT Harbor Management Commission

04/29/2026

02/03/2026

Did you know you can renew your boat registration online? Click here to learn more:

Learn about three ways (online, in-person, by mail) to renew your boat or other water vessel in Connecticut.

02/02/2026

Lower CT River train bridge update!
From 2/11/26 at 10:00 p.m. to 3/6/26 at 5:00 a.m., the Conn River Bridge will be closed for maintenance of the lift span. Barges and manlifts will occasionally restrict the channel under the lift span.

12/08/2025

The waterways of Old Saybrook were lit for the first time with a new breakwater light to memorialize three men killed in a September 2024 boat crash.

11/27/2025

Attention mariners:

The spindle at the Northern end of the East Breakwater in Old Saybrook has been replaced with a day marker and light.

10/19/2025

United States Coast Guard
Good morning stakeholders,

The Coast Guard North East District Commander seeks public input on AtoN changes proposed. A special notice for the Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal (CBMP) has been posted in the Local Notice to Mariners for public comment. Coast Guard is modernizing and rightsizing the buoy constellation, whose designs mostly predate Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC), and Electronic Charting Systems (ECS), for long-term reliability and serviceability.

Based on nearly 3,000 public comments received on the initial proposal, significant revisions have been made. The revised proposal now includes retaining 121 aids previously slated for removal, while 71 aids are still proposed for discontinuation with supporting changes to nearby buoys (relocations, lighting/sound additions, AIS virtual AtoNs) and 162 buoys remain proposed for discontinuation without additional changes. The original public comment period, set to end in July 2025, has been extended to November 15, 2025, in response to substantial public feedback.

This initiative seeks to:

Ensure long-term buoy system sustainability at navigationally critical locations.
Better understand how navigation practices are changing through modern navigational tools.
Balance the use of physical aids with other navigation tools.
Maintain physical aids as a key component of the nation’s Marine Transportation System.
Interested mariners are strongly encouraged to comment on this in writing, either personally or through their organization. Comments are requested by 15 November 2025, with specific details on aid usage (formal aid name with LLNR), vessel type (recreational or commercial), how the signal is used to locate good water in relation to hazards, and any recommended changes to be submitted in writing via email to [email protected] , referencing Project No. 01-25-015. Telephone calls will not be accepted.



V/R



Sector Long Island Sound

MSIB 03-25 - Update 1 - Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative.pdf

10/14/2025

Wakesurfing is a recreational activity of growing interest to many residents and businesses in Connecticut. Therefore, Connecticut DEEP will be conducting an informational study on the operation of wake boats and the activity of wakesurfing in the state. Because circumstances vary across waterbodies, the findings of this study may be of interest to municipalities considering future approaches regarding wakesurfing or wake boat use and the study could also help inform state-level policy.

We would like to hear from you.

DEEP has published PUBLIC NOTICE which details opportunities for public comment and engagement on the scope of the study. Comments are due by October 22, 2025, and can be provided as outlined in the notice.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] .

Peter B. Francis, CRBP
Director & State Boating Law Administrator
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation/Boating Division
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
333 Ferry Road, PO Box 280, Old Lyme, CT 06371

10/11/2025

Be aware of the fishing restrictions - CT River

10/07/2025

Last night’s Harvest Moon over the CT River.

10/05/2025

CONNECTICUT — State lawmakers whose districts border the Connecticut River say they are continuing their fight against upriver pollution.

State Representatives Tami Zawistowski and Devin Carney sent a letter in August to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Mark Sanborn, asking for his help to prevent Massachusetts and other upriver states from discharging sewage and other pollutants into the river.

“When these discharges occur, you can actually see some of the solid waste from untreated sewage floating down with the current,” lawmakers said.

Lawmakers asserted such discharges pose significant health and environmental risks to downstream communities, including in Connecticut. The discharges are particularly a problem following major rain events, according to lawmakers.

They gave an example of Holyoke, Massachusetts in July discharging millions of gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater.

Zawistowski’s district includes Suffield, East Granby, and Windsor Locks, while Carney’s district encompasses Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.

Sanborn responded to lawmakers in a Sept. 18 letter, indicating the EPA has spent a “significant amount of time and resources” to work with all communities, including in Connecticut, to address these issues in a robust and timely manner.

He indicated the EPA has been working with Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke for many years, and all have made significant reductions in their annual CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) discharge volumes.

“All three communities are working under enforcement actions signed with EPA and (the Department of Justice) to further reduce the volume of sewage mixed with stormwater that is discharged from their systems,” Sanborn wrote.

He indicated the communities have spent hundreds of millions of dollars towards infrastructure improvements that have reduced these discharges.

“While we have made progress in reducing CSO discharges, a significant amount of work remains,” Sanborn wrote. “EPA has been, and will continue to be, focused on this issue. We will continue to work with all communities and our state partners to reduce, and where possible eliminate, CSO discharges.”

Zawistowski said she appreciates the EPA’s timely response and is glad to have open communication with the federal agency as state lawmakers continue to push for an end to the upriver pollution.

“Unfortunately, the official reply falls short of providing any immediate, short-term solutions and insists that changes are being made, albeit slowly and as funding permits,” Zawistowski said.

Carney said lawmakers will continue to fight to protect the Connecticut River, which he described as being vital to the state’s communities, economy, and environment.

“As legislators representing both ends of the Connecticut River as it traverses our state, we remain committed to finding practical, workable solutions that will have a much more immediate and greater impact to this important health and safety issue than waiting decades for funding and projects to eventually be completed,” Carney said.

State Senators Stephen Harding, John A. Kissel and Heather Somers wrote a letter on Aug. 29 to Connecticut Attorney General William Tong expressing concerns about wastewater from Massachusetts in the Connecticut River.

In a Sept. 18 response letter, Tong said he shares their concerns about untreated discharge on Connecticut’s “environment, public health, agriculture, aquaculture, economy, and quality of life.” According to Tong, wastewater discharged over the state line in Massachusetts is regulated by the EPA.

“I would be happy to join you in writing to the EPA and urging the agency to better support efforts by communities, including through increased funding for infrastructure modernization projects,” Tong wrote.

09/23/2025

DIRECTIONS AND REFERENCE POINTS
BOW, STERN, PORT, STARBOARD

Mariners rely on four fixed words so commands stay crystal‑clear no matter where anyone is standing. The bow is always the front of the boat and the stern refers to the rear. When you’re facing forward the port side is left and starboard is right. These terms never change with a skipper’s position, which prevents mix‑ups during tense moments like passing in a narrow channel

FORE AND AFT
If you’re guiding a crewmate, direct them towards the bow by saying “move fore” or send them towards the stern with “move aft”. Pairing these terms with specific locations on the boat, for example – “fore of the console,” gives precise, fast directions.

ABEAM AND BEAM
When another vessel or buoy sits directly off your side, it’s considered abeam. The beam is the measurement of your boat’s widest point – a key number when selecting a trailer or slip.

WATERLINE, FREEBOARD, DRAFT
The waterline marks where the hull meets the surface. The vertical distance up to the gunwale is freeboard and the distance down to the keel or prop skeg is the draft. The draft tells you where you can safely float in the shallow water. For reference, a typical 20‑foot bay boat needs about 10 to 14 inches of water before it touches bottom.

THE HULL
HULL SHAPES AND CHINES
A single piece of fiberglass, aluminum, or wood forms the hull – the watertight shell that keeps you afloat. Most powerboats use a “V” shape forward to slice chop and flatten out toward the transom for stability.
The angle where the side meets the bottom is the chine. A hard chine is sharp and crisp for planing speed whereas a soft chine sweeps smoothly, softening the ride.

KEEL AND BALLAST
Running along the centerline is the keel, the structural spine of the boat. On sailboats, it also adds ballast, a low and heavy weight in the hull. Even some small power crafts carry ballast in the fuel and water tanks. It’s important to know where heavy loads sit to help you trim the boat.

TRANSOM AND GUNWALE
The flat vertical face at the stern is the transom. It’s the mounting surface for outboard motors and is drilled for scuppers, trim‑tab actuators, and through‑hulls. The upper edge where the deck meets the side is the gunwale (pronounced “gunnel”). Cleats are mounted on the gunwale to tie off lines and hang fenders, helping protect both your hull and the dock.

DECK AND BULKHEADS
A non‑skid deck caps the hull, giving you and your crew a place to stand. Below are bulkheads, or transverse walls, that stiffen the structure and create watertight compartments. Solid bulkheads can contain flooding to a single bay, another invisible piece of safety engineering working for you.

LIVING AND WORKING SPACES ABOARD
COCKPIT AND CONSOLE
Most center‑console boats put the cockpit, or open working area, below the gunwales for security. The console houses the helm, electronics, and often a head or small berth. On multi‑engine rigs, clear console sightlines are critical when transiting a crowded inlet.

CABIN, BERTH, AND SALOON
Step through the companionway and you’ll enter the cabin. A berth is any built‑in bunk; dedicate an entire room to sleeping and you have a stateroom. Larger cruisers include a saloon, a common living area, a galley for cooking, and a head for the toilet.

FLYBRIDGE AND CASTING DECKS
The flybridge is an open deck built above the cabin top or hardtop. Its height delivers unbeatable 360‑degree visibility at slow speed. Anglers prize the elevated casting decks at the bow and stern of bay boats, giving space to work a rod while spotting fish.

SWIM PLATFORM
Families gravitate to the swim platform bolted just below the transom. Keep the boarding ladder ready when kids hop in and out so you never have to haul someone over the gunwale.

HARDWARE THAT KEEPS YOU TIED, MOVING, AND DRY
CLEATS, FENDERS, AND GROUND TACKLE
Robust cleats spaced fore and aft let you rig spring lines that hold the boat off a pier in changing wind. Snap on fenders before you come alongside. For holding position offshore, deploy your ground tackle: anchor, chain, rope (“rode”), and windlass if installed.

SCUPPERS AND BILGE
Self‑bailing cockpits drain overboard through scuppers cut in the transom. Water that makes it below deck collects in the bilge, where an automatic pump kicks on to pump it out. Make sure to test that float switch every month – bilge failures are one of the most common causes of a of swamped vessel.

HATCHES AND DAVITS
Flush hatches provide dry storage and ventilation. A davit, or a small crane, is used to hoist dinghies or personal watercraft clear of the swim platform.

T‑TOPS, BIMINIS, AND HARDTOPS
Shade equals stamina. A canvas T‑top or Bimini stretches over the helm, however, many owners upgrade to a fiberglass hardtop for integrated lighting and speakers.

RUNNING GEAR
PROPELLERS, RUDDERS, AND PODS
Single‑engine outboards combine steering and propulsion into one unit: turn the motor on and the boat follows. Inboards rely on fixed propellers and movable rudders. Modern pod drives swivel like outboards but keep engines inside, freeing transom space for a full‑width swim deck.

TRIM TABS AND STABILIZERS
Hydraulic trim tabs at the transom fine‑tune your running angle. Start with tabs up and lower them gradually as you get underway to push the bow down. This helps smooth the ride and improve fuel efficiency. Gyro stabilizers, which use rapidly spinning flywheels, are now common on boats 25 feet and larger. They can reduce roll at rest by up to 95% according to manufacturer sea trials.

POWER AND CONTROL
INBOARD VS. OUTBOARD VS. JET
Inboard engines sit low and central, shrinking cockpit footprint but improving balance.
Outboard engines bolt to the transom, simplify winter storage, and tilt clear of the water for shallow beaches.
Jet drives draw water in, accelerate it through an impeller, and eliminate an exposed prop – ideal for rivers crowded with swimmers or logs.

HELM, THROTTLE, AND WHEEL
The helm groups everything you need: wheel or tiller, throttle for forward, neutral, and reverse, trim control, and navigation screens. Make sure to scan gauges every fifteen minutes while underway; early warning signs like rising engine temp or dropping fuel pressure save you the pain of needing a tow back to the ramp.

FEATURES ANGLERS LOVE
LIVEWELLS AND FISH BOXES
Aerated livewells keep bait frisky and insulated fish boxes preserve the day’s catch on ice. Proper plumbing is key; overflow should drain overboard not the into the bilge.

ROD HOLDERS, ROCKET LAUNCHERS, RIGGERS
Flush‑mount rod holders along the gunwale free your hands while rigging, while T‑top mounted rocket launchers store rods high and dry. Use outriggers to spread trolling lines wide, downriggers carry lures deep.

SAFETY AND NAVIGATION GEAR
LIGHTS AND SOUND
Every night run should start with a light check: red on port, green on starboard, and an all‑around white stern or masthead light. Always have a loud horn or whistle as “inland rules” demand a five‑second blast when powerboats alter course in fog.

HIGH‑TECH AIDS
GPS chartplotters overlay radar, sonar, and AIS targets so you see reefs and traffic at a glance. Keep a magnetic compass as backup – electronics fail, magnetism does not.

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
The Coast Guard found that 75–percent of fatal accident victims in 2023 drowned; 87 percent of those were not wearing a life jacket. Stow an approved PFD for each person, plus a throwable, fire extinguisher, flares, and an EPIRB registered with NOAA. Pack a ditch bag with drinking water, a flashlight, and a signaling mirror any time you leave sight of land.

KEY MEASUREMENTS
Term
What It Measures
Why It Matters
Length Overall (LOA)
Tip of bow to end of swim platform
Determines slip and trailer size
Beam
Widest width
Affects stability and trailer permits
Draft
Waterline to deepest gear
Controls how shallow you can run
Freeboard
Waterline up to deck edge
Impacts dryness and boarding ease
Displacement
Weight of water displaced
Ties directly to payload and performance

Memorize these figures before you attempt a skinny‑water shortcut or commit to a lift at the marina.

09/18/2025

WHAT IS MOORING A BOAT
Mooring is securing your boat to a fixed structure such as a buoy, piling, or seabed anchor so it stays put, even when wind, waves, and current pick up. Done right, mooring is safer than dropping a casual anchor and costs less than renting a slip. It includes a permanent anchor, chain, and buoy, and typically requires a mooring field with available space.
KEY PARTS OF A MOORING SYSTEM
THE ANCHOR

Mushroom anchors bury in soft mud or sand and can hold up to 5 times their weight
Pyramid (Dor‑Mor) anchors bite fast and have a high holding‑power‑to‑weight ratio are great where bottom space is tight
Helix anchors screw into the seabed. A DHS field test recorded over 12,000 lbs. of holding force – enough to break a shackle – before the anchor budged. They leave almost no scour marks, making them the eco‑friendly choice
Deadweight blocks (often concrete) are cheap and simple but rely on sheer mass
THE RODE

The rode is the line that secures the boat to the mooring. Rope, chain, or a combination of both connect the seabed anchor to the buoy. Heavy chain at the bottom keeps the pull shallow, while lighter chain or rope above lets the buoy float.
THE BUOY & PENNANT

A white buoy with a blue band is the international standard, although local color codes may vary. The pennant is a line with an anti-chafe cover that connects the buoy to the bow of the boat.
HARDWARE

Swivels stop the chain from twisting as the boat swings 360° around a single‑point anchor. Galvanized shackles should be sized to the larger of the two chains they join.
THE MAIN TYPES OF MOORINGS
SWING (SINGLE‑POINT) MOORING

One anchor, one buoy. Your boat can rotate freely with wind or tide, lowering stress on gear but requiring ample 360° swinging room.
PILE MOORING

Pairs or clusters of piles are driven into the seabed. You ease your boat in between them and tie off at the bow and stern; these are more common in tidal harbors.
MEDITERRANEAN (“MED”) MOORING

Drop your anchor ahead of the pier, then back down until the stern kisses the quay. It’s a great space‑saver, but the prop walk, cross‑winds, and tight quarters can be a challenge for new boaters.
RUNNING OR TRAVELLING MOORING

A small boat is tied to a line that runs to shore allowing it to be hauled in or out as needed. This is ideal for tidal flats where boats might otherwise be left high and dry.
CANAL MOORING

Narrowboats on inland canals use pins, rings, or bollards in pre‑surveyed spots, with slack adjusted for locks and weirs.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT GEAR
The simplest rule of thumb: make sure your anchor weighs 5 to 10 times your boat’s length in feet. For example, a 20‑ft runabout needs a 100–200 lb mushroom anchor. The scope, or ratio of rode length to water depth, should be at least 3:1 for everyday weather; more is better in storms.

Consider bottom type when choosing your anchor:

Mud/Sand: Mushroom or helix
Rocky: Deadweight
Weed/Grass: Pyramid or helix to cut through growth
HAZARDS IF YOU GET IT WRONG
The stakes are real. The U.S. Coast Guard logged $63 million in property losses in 2023, and investigators listed “improper anchoring or mooring” as one of the recurring causes.

When pennants chafe through, boats can break loose. Insurance claims show approximately 50% of hurricane damage at docks could be prevented with better lines.
Chains corrode invisibly near the bottom link. Inspect them annually, and if you’re in warm, salty water, more frequently.
Too‑short of scope raises the pull angle. Anything above 25° means the holding power drops “precipitously.”

When forecasts turn ugly, hauling out or moving to a “hurricane hole” still beats any mooring in exposed water.
HOW TO MOOR A BOAT THE RIGHT WAY
PLAN THE SPOT

Scout charts for depth, bottom type, and swinging room. Stay clear of channels, bridges, and underwater cables.
APPROACH UNDER CONTROL

Come in slow at idle speed with the bow pointed into the wind or current. Approach at a 45° angle so you can maintain sight of the buoy off your bow.
SNAG THE PICKUP & SET THE PENNANT

Hook the pickup line or buoy ring with a boat hook, pass the pennant through your bow chock and cleat off using a cleat hitch. Nylon lines should form a gentle “belly,” never piano‑string tight.
VERIFY THE SET

Back down gently in reverse, feeling the rode stretch. Watch nearby fixed objects; if they move while your helm is neutral, the anchor is dragging.
INSPECT & MAINTAIN

Inspect your mooring annually by diving, hiring a diver, or hauling the gear ashore. Replace any chain where a link has worn down by more than 30% of its original diameter.
MOORING VS. DOCKING VS. ANCHORING
Now with an understanding of how to moor your boat and its inner workings, it’s important to understand how it differs from docking and anchoring.
DOCKING

Docking secures a boat to a fixed structure like a pier or slip using dock lines. It involves maneuvering alongside other boats and pilings slowly and tying off with bow, stern, and spring lines. Docking allows easy access for loading and shore power but requires managing tides and tight space near other boats.
ANCHORING

Anchoring uses a temporary onboard anchor lowered to the seabed to hold a boat in place. It suits open water where moorings are unavailable. Anchoring offers flexibility and no fees but requires space, good holding ground, proper anchor type, and careful scope management.
FAQS
WILL MY ANCHOR REALLY HOLD?

A 500‑lb mushroom set in mud can resist 2,000 to 3,000 lbs. of pull; a properly installed helix of the same diameter can exceed 12,000 lb.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY PENNANT?

Inspect your pennant every season and replace it at the first sign of chafe. UV and salt degrade lines faster than you may think.
CAN I LEAVE MY BOAT ON A MOORING ALL WINTER?

Only if your harbor doesn’t freeze solid. Ice will shift and grind the chain, and trapped water can burst buoys.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Mooring is equal parts engineering, seamanship, and routine care. When you size the anchor correctly, use quality hardware, and check it routinely, you’ll sleep better – whether your boat is a 17‑foot skiff or a 45‑foot cruiser.