Long Island/Hells Gate Tidal Charts - Are they on NT+ card

[Pamlicotraveler]

Am planning on navigating through Long Island Sound through Hells Gate down the East river later this summer. I have been reading the importance of the timing for the passage since the currents are 4 knots etc.... I have the current NT+ card. Does that contain the tidal information I need?

We don't worry too much about tides around here, at least as far as tidal current speeds, and when we do we just look at Reeds or something similar. Does our new NT card have what we need or is there something we should have or download prior to leaving that could give us the tidal info? Opinions will be appreciated.

[christyleigh]

I don't know if you are covered electronically but since you mentioned Reeds I would certainly recommend you carry one since you'll be dealing with Hell Gate and The Race up in RI Sound which is also a serious 3+ kt concentrated current in the Watch Hill area which you can ride most of the way to BI if your timing is right.

[tweitz]

The important thing is not the tide table but the tidal current table. Reed's or Eldridge's will give you a good description, but Hell Gate and the East River are not a problem if you hit them at the right time, they are a bear if you ignore the timing. For example, in a normal tide cycle the current under the Brooklyn Bridge and along Roosevelt island will hit over 5 knots.

[tokobe]

And for Hell's Gate it is appropriately named. Sections can be very dangerous as its not an upen channel underwater. One truly only wants to transit at slack. Eldridge is the reference to use, and one is strongly advised not to challenge the current. There are sevtions with whirl pools and underwater ledges that would not be very friendly to anyone passaging other than slack unless your horsepower and underbody are built for such fun.

As to the Race, timing your passage eastbound with the tide flow not only greatly enhances SOG, it will save substantial fuel. And as you transit the Race, make a point of reading up on Plum Island. I understand our government uses that as a restricted island where interesting chemical and biological items reside/are developed.

Safe passage.

[tweitz]

I often sail near Plum Island, and I keep watching for those two headed cows, but no luck yet...

[Pamlicotraveler]

Originally Posted by tokobe

And as you transit the Race, make a point of reading up on Plum Island. I understand our government uses that as a restricted island where interesting chemical and biological items reside/are developed.

Oh, that's great to know. But God forbid we use our LectraSan in those waters. They'd lock us up.

[CalebD]

Anthrax, hoof and mouth disease, African swine fever, hog cholera and quite a few other nasty bugs are studied at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center which operates a Biosafety Level 3 facility. Just do not try landing there.
When passing through Hell Gate take notice of the famous railroad bridge. Hitchcock used the arches under this bridge in a short scene in one of his iconic movies. Can't remember which one.

[jimmalkin]

We run through E River and Hells Gate (Helles Gat in the original Dutch) quite often. Use Eldrige. The heavy current in East River and round the bend to the E under the Triboro Bridge exists for sections less than a mile in length - be cautious, be studious and if you can motor at more than 6 kts through the water, you can run against the less than max tidal flow. Prior comment about timing for the Race is spot on - it can make hours of difference - and the Race can trap you for hours. Have fun.

[camaraderie]

Here's on line tides for several key points in your cruise area including hell gate for your planning purposes:
Tide Location Selection for New York

This power squadron article is a must read!
Boating_Guide_to_America:State_NY:Place_The_East_R iver_Hell_Gate_and_Flushing_Bay

And here is the tidal flow based on high water at the Battery;

High Water at The Battery

Ambrose Channel 0.5 - 1.2 knts into harbour
Narrows 1.5 into harbour
Harbour 1.2 - 1.6 into harbour
Hudson 1.6 - 1.9 upriver
Hell Gate (East River) 3.3 landward

+ 1 hr After HW

Ambrose Channel 0.4 - 0.6 West to East across outer channel
Narrows 0.5 into harbour
Harbour 0.6 into harbour
Hudson 1 - 1.8 up river
Hell Gate (East River) 2.0 landward

+2 After HW

Ambrose Channel 1.6 NW to SE
Narrows 0.7 seaward
Harbour 0.5 seaward
Hudson 0.7 - 1.1 upriver
Hell Gate (East River) 1.8 seaward

+3 After HW

Ambrose Channel 2.5 NW to SE
Narrows 1.6 seaward
Harbour 1.0 - 1.5 seaward
Hudson slack
Hell Gate (East River) 4.0 seaward

+4 After HW

Ambrose Channel 3.0 NW - SE
Narrows 2.2 seaward
Harbour 2.1 seaward
Hudson 1.4 seaward
Hell Gate (East River) 4.8 seaward

+5 After HW

Ambrose Channel 2.6 seaward
Narrows 2.4 seaward
Harbour 2.5 seaward
Hudson 2.2 seaward
Hell Gate (East River) 5.0 seaward

Low Water at Battery

Ambrose Channel 1.3 - 2.1 NW - SE
Narrows 1.8 seaward
Harbour 1.6 - 2.6 seaward
Hudson 2.8 seaward
Hell Gate (E River) 4.2 seaward

+1 After LW

Ambrose Channel slack
Narrows 1.0 seaward
Harbour 1.9 seaward
Hudson 2.6 seaward
Hell Gate (East River) 2.7 seaward

+2 After LW

Ambrose Channel 1.3 SE - NW
Narrows slack
Harbour 0.8 seaward
Hudson 1.9 seaward
Hell Gate (East River) 1.3 landward

+3 After LW

Ambrose Channel 2.0 SE - NW
Narrows 1.1 landward
Harbour 0.7 landward
Hudson 1.0 seaward
Hell Gate (East River) 3.1 landward

+4 After LW

Ambrose Channel 2.0 SW - NW
Narrows 1.9 landward
Harbour 1.3 landward
Hudson 0.3 upriver
Hell Gate (East River) 3.7 landward

+5 After LW

Ambrose Channel 1.4 SW - NW
Narrows 2.1 landward
Harbour 1.6 - 1.9 landward
Hudson 1.3 upriver
Hell Gate (East River) 3.8 landward