Stamford Harbor (USXLX)

Cargo handled: Petroleum products, scrap metal, gravel and crushed rock are the principal products handled in the harbour.

Stamford Harbor is situated on the N side of Long Island Sound, 33nm E of New York.

Approx 916,000t of cargo handled annually.

A dredged anchorage with depths of 3.0-5.5m is situated 0.25nm N of the E end of the W breakwater just W of the alignment of the leading lights.

Approach and entry: The harbour is shoal and obstructed to a large extent by ledges and rocks. It is entered through a dredged entrance channel that leads N from between the 2 detached breakwaters, to a point approx 1nm above the entrance, at the junction with the dredged channels leading into East Branch and West Branch. Approach: From a position 1nm S of Shippan Point the approach to Stamford Harbor leads N, passing (with reference to Shippan Point, 41°00'N 073°32'W): Clear of a wreck (0.9nm SSW), the position of which is marked by light beacon, then: W of The Cows (0.6nm SSE), the S side of which is marked by No 32 Lightbuoy (starboard hand), then: Between No 1 and No 2 Buoys (port and starboard hand) (0.6 and 0.5nm SW) which mark the shoal water lying either side the S end of the entrance channel, then: E of Harbor Ledge (0.6nm WSW) on which stands a light (white conical tower, round red base), then: Between the ends of detached breakwaters (0.3nm WSW) No 3 Light (green square on tower) stands at the E end of the W breakwater and No 4 Light (red triangle on framework tower) stands at the W end of E breakwater. Leading lights: Front light (red rectangle, white bands, on framework tower) (41°01'N 073°32'W). Rear light (as for front light) (183m from front light). From the breakwater entrance the alignment (358°) of these lights leads through the dredged channel, which is marked by buoys, to the junction of East and West Branch.

Admiralty Pilot NP68.

Ice forms in the harbour most winters, but traffic usually keeps the channels clear. West Branch is usually navigable all the year, but East Branch is closed by ice for several weeks in severe winters. A hurricane barrier which constricts the East Branch to 27m is situated 0.45nm above the junction with West Branch. The barrier is kept open during fair weather, but will be closed on the approach of a storm or unusually high tides.

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.