Bar Harbor (USBHB)

The port is currently closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. Bar Harbor is a town and anchorage. It is a port of entry, summer resort and yachting centre. The harbour is also visited by cruise liners.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area for ships over 100m in length, Winter Dec 16 to Feb 15, Summer Feb 16 to Dec 15. For ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Bar Harbor is situated on the W shore of Frenchman Bay, 4nm N of Great Head, in the state of Maine.

Largest vessel handled: Anchorage: "QE 2", LOA 293.5m, draught 9.0m.

Approx 96 vessels visit the port annually.

Anchorage is obtained in depths of 1.8-23.8m, S and SE of the E side of Bar Island; the depths decreasing rapidly towards the drying bank, of mud and gravel with scattered boulders, which connects the S extremity of Bar Island with Mount Desert Island. Large vessels, sometimes anchor N or NW of Bar Island, in depths of 12.8-18.3m, soft bottom. The bank inside Bar Island will be avoided by keeping the N side of Sheep Porcupine Island open on the N side of Bar Island. The W shore of this anchorage is fairly bold with the exception of a rock, which dries 1.5m, lying 0.6nm WNW of the W extremity of Bar Island and 0.125nm offshore at the entrance to Duck Brook. Vessels should keep over 0.5nm SE of a line joining Bald Rock (44°25'N 068° 13'W) and No 2 Buoy, 0.7nm SW. Anchorage Positions: ..... A 44°23.3'N 068°11.3'W A1 44°23.3'N 068°11.3'W A2 44°23.1'N 068°11.2'W B1 44°24.2'N 068°12.1'W B2 44°24.2'N 068°12.7'W Anchorage A is a general anchorage reserved for passenger vessels, small commercial vessels and pleasure craft. Anchorage B is a general anchorage reserved for passenger vessels of LOA 61m or more. To reserve anchorage contact the Harbour Master.

The principal entrance is from E between Bald Porcupine Island and Sheep Porcupine Island, it is clear of dangers. There is also a channel, leading into the harbour from S, width 138m, depth 11.3m, between the SW end of the breakwater and W shore. This channel is generally used by local vessels, but caution is necessary; in calm weather at HW there may be no indication of the breakwater except for the day beacon, marking its SW end. Local vessels sometimes enter from N through a channel with a depth of 4.0m, in mid channel, between Sheep Porcupine Island and the high islet lying close to the E side of Bar Island (44°24'N 068°13'W). Neither of these inshore channels should be attempted without local knowledge. Caution: Charted approach routes should be strictly followed, as fixed fishing gear is likely to be encountered in the harbour approaches. The presence of coloured floats will indicate the fixed fishing gear and should be avoided.

BA 4746. NOAA 13318, 13312. Admiralty Pilot NP68, NP286(5).

Pilot boards in the following positions: ..... If arriving from S 44°17.3'N 068°07.4'W If arriving from E 44°18.3'N 068°05.2'W

Swell: Although the breakwater affords some good shelter, a swell sets into the harbour with SE winds and vessels should not attempt to ride out a gale from that direction. Ice: Port operations are not affected by ice.

Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.