PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
New London
Pilot
updated May 2010Helicopter operations: There is no helicopter service.
Multiple pilots: Only one pilot is used to take a vessel from sea to berth.
Over carried pilots: If a pilot is over carried he will be landed at the next port of call.
Key data
updated Nov 2017Size limits
LOA 305m, draught 10.3m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Admiral Harold E. Shear | 10.30 m | 305 m | 3 |
| Buckeye Terminal, Groton | 10.30 m | 274 m | 1 |
| Allyn's Point Plant Wharf | 7.00 m | 186 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2017Approach
New London Harbor is approached through the main entrance channel extending from deep water in Long Island Sound to deep water in the upper harbour. The federal channel with a depth of 12.2m MLW, width of 152.4m approaches for vessels to utilize the State Pier facility for a turning basin.
The area adjacent to the Long Dock is shoaling which precludes utilization for larger vessels without dredging, water depths are estimated to range from 4.8m to 8.5m at MLW.
Anchorages
The following anchorages, the limits of which are established in New London Harbour (with reference to Fort Trumbull, 41°20.6'N 072°05'W):
General anchorage (0.5nm NNE and 0.8nm SSE).
Site A: One the western side of Greens Harbor, begin about 91m SE'ly from the S side of Thames Street extended. Then to 84°, 384m. and then to 156°, 388m. Finally to 240°, 192m to the shore and then back NW'ly to the starting point.
Site B: Beginning on the western side of Greens Harbor at a point on shore 13m SE'ly from the southern side of Converse Place extended, and then to 54° 155m. From there it travels to 114°30', 502m and then to 266°30', 228m. Finally travel to 234°, 210m to the shore, and NW'ly along the shore to the starting point.
Site C: Beginning on the western side of the Thames towards the N side of Jacob's Rock, which is the US Coast Guard Academy Sailing Centre, at a point where the causeway meets the western shoreline. Then N'ly along the shore a distance of 182m, and then to the point 90°, 219m. Finally 180°, 182m to the Jacob's Rock causeway and to the starting point.
Site C is primarily used by the US Coast Guard Academy, and its related vessels. Temporary floats or buoys may be used and the anchoring of vessels and placing of moorings are at the discretion of the Chief, Waterfront branch, US Coast Guard Academy, New London.
Site D: Begins on the western part of the Thames River just 114m N of the railroad bridge at 41°21.56'N 072°05.32'W. Then moves E'ly to 41°21.56'N 072°05.47'W and then SE'ly to 41°22.02'N 072°05.40'W. Finally it moves down river along the charted foul grounds to the starting point.
Restrictions
Pilotage required for foreign flag and U.S. Vessels under register.
Tugs
Thames Tugboat Co. One Tug up to 3,000hp available with advance notice. Tel: +1 860 443 9433.
Charts and publications
BA 2732, 2754. Admiralty Pilot NP68, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Pilot vessels monitor VHF Ch 16, 13; Working Ch 11, 18A, 79, listen at least 1 hour before vessel's arrival.
Submarines: Ch 12, 13.
Marine: Ch 09, Tel: +1 860 443 3786.
Harbour Master, Tel: +1 860 443 2756 / +1 860 443 6304.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Nov 2017Repairs
Available.
Dry docks
Thames Shipyard, Inc in New London, Tel: + 1 860 442 5349. Floating dock is situated in Winthrop Cove, close W of No 1 State Pier. Lifting capacity 2,000t, length 55m, width 25.6m.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Not normally available locally. Arrangements for bunker barges should be made well in advance through vessel's agent.
Medical
Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 3km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Groton-New London Airport, 6km.
Nearest railway: New London Railway Station, 1km.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs. The stevedoring working hours are from 0800-1630hrs Mon-Fri.
Requests for cargo pick up from 0730-1400hrs are available on a first come first served basis. Trucks signing in after 1400hrs may not have same day loading. Overtime is available for an extra charge, and must be requested.
About New London
updated Nov 2017Where it is
Situated on the NE of the United States, at the mouth of the Thames River in New London, Connecticut.
The port
There are no bridges across the main ship channel in New London Harbour for vessels bound for State Pier from the sea. Submarines of substantial draught may be operating in the approaches to New London Harbour, operating from Groton. Numerous sport fishing boats frequent the vicinity of the entrance buoys and New London dumping ground mid May-mid June.
The port handles general cargo, bulk cargo, Ro-Ro, passengers and liquid cargo.
Questions about New London
What are the pilot arrangements at New London?
Helicopter operations: There is no helicopter service.
What time zone is New London in?
Local time at New London is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at New London?
The deepest berth listed is at The Admiral Harold E. Shear: 10.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at New London?
1025.
Which load line zone is New London in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at New London?
Port State Control at New London: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of New London?
The UN/LOCODE of New London is USGON.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at New London say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.