Berths in New York
Marinas, pilotage, currents, bridge clearance and arrival rules for yachts that come to New York.
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Superyacht marinas in New York
Figures come from the marina operators and Dockwalk. Where sources differ, the table shows both.
| Marina | Berths | Maximum length | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Piers Marina, 59 Chelsea Piers, Suite 5915, New York NY 10011 | 65 slips, including 25 mega yacht berths | 350 ft (operator). Dockwalk lists 67 m | (212) 336-6600 |
| Liberty Harbor Marina, 11 Luis Munoz Marin Blvd, Jersey City NJ 07302 | About 100 slips | From 25 ft to about 200 ft | (201) 516-7500 |
North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place shows as closed for redevelopment on the IGY Marinas page. Dockwalk lists a draught of 4.5 m and VHF channel 68 for Chelsea Piers Marina.
Services by marina
Pilotage, currents and bridges
Port of New York and New Jersey
Foreign vessels and US vessels under register entering or departing from the port must employ a pilot licensed by the State of New York or New Jersey. The Sandy Hook Pilot Association and Interport Pilots Agency, Inc. provide pilot services 24 hours a day. The pilot vessel stays about 1.5 miles southeast of Ambrose Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy A and monitors VHF channels 16, 13 and 73. Ships' agents arrange pilots. The Coast Pilot asks for 24 hours notice of the ETA and a 3-hour update (NOAA Coast Pilot 2).
Pilotage on the Hudson River
Pilotage is compulsory on the Hudson River for foreign vessels and US vessels under register. North of Yonkers, the Hudson River Pilots Association provides pilots. Between New York Harbor and Yonkers, the Sandy Hook Pilot Association serves vessels (NOAA Coast Pilot 2).
Currents and The Spider
In The Narrows the flood current is about 1.7 knots and the ebb current is 2 knots. About 2 hours after high water at The Battery, the current sets north in the Hudson River and west from the East River. A large vessel coming from the south and turning into the East River can sheer toward the shoals off the north end of Governors Island. Locals call these crosscurrents The Spider (NOAA Coast Pilot 2).
Bridge clearance, arrival and sewage
Verrazzano Narrows Bridge
The fixed bridge has a vertical clearance of 215 feet for a midchannel width of 2,000 feet. A traveling maintenance platform reduces the clearance by 15 feet when it is in operation (NOAA Coast Pilot 2).
Report your arrival
Under 19 CFR 4.2, the master of a vessel that arrives from a foreign port must immediately report the arrival to the nearest CBP facility or another location named by the port director.
Cruising licence
Under 19 CFR 4.94, the United States may issue a cruising licence to a yacht of a listed foreign country. The rule lists countries such as Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, the Marshall Islands and the United Kingdom. Check the rules for your flag.
Hudson River sewage rule
Sources. Checked 8 November 2026.
- NOAA NCEI, monthly normals 1991 to 2020, New York Central Park
- US National Hurricane Center, climatology
- NOAA Coast Pilot 2, chapter 11, New York Harbor
- NOAA Coast Pilot 2, chapter 12, Hudson River
- 22 CFR 41.41, crewmen
- 19 CFR 4.2, reports of arrival of vessels
- 19 CFR 4.94, yacht privileges and obligations
- Chelsea Piers Marina
- Liberty Harbor Marina
- IGY Marinas, North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place
- Dockwalk, Chelsea Piers Marina
- New York Boat Show
- Dockwalk, when and where to be for yacht crew jobs
- UKSA annual superyacht salary guide 2025
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