Marine Safety

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If you have an EMERGENCY, DIAL 911 or (203) 977-4444 or use VHF Ch. 16

Think Safety First

Courtesy Works: You are responsible for any injury or property damage caused by your wake. Always be aware of your wake and remember that most of Stamford Harbor is a "slow-no-wake" area. 

Boat Safe - Boat Sober: The Stamford Police Department's Harbor Unit, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Law Enforcement Division are partnering to get intoxicated boaters off the water. 

Boating Laws: Registration of your vessel and learning the laws of boating are essential for safe boating. You are required by law to have your CT Safe Boating Certificate on board at all times while operating your vessel. Consult the current CT's Boater Guide for more information. 

Safety Equipment: It is your responsibility to have the safety equipment required by law, to keep it on board in good condition, and know how to properly use it. There must be a wearable life jacket for each person aboard your vessel. 

Give Commercial Traffic a Wide Berth: Stamford Harbor is a commercial harbor with frequent tug and barge traffic. A tug towing or pushing a barge is restricted in its ability to maneuver and therefore has the right of way over all other vessels. 

Contacts

Harbor Master: (203) 219-2334; VHF CH. 16; harbormaster@stamfordct.gov

Stamford Police Department Harbor Unit: (203) 977-4444; Call 911 if you have an emergency; VHF CH. 16

U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Long Island Sound: (800) 774-8724; 24-hour Emergency Line: (203) 468-4401; VHF CH. 16

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection EnCon Police: (860) 424-3338 (24-hour emergency and report violations) 

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 7-4: VHF Ch. 16; www.flotilla74.org

Hinckley Yacht Services: (203) 274-8340; VHF Ch. 9 

Crabshell Docks: (203) 967-7229; VHF. Ch. 9

Stamford Landing Marina: (203) 965-0065; VHF Ch. 9 

TGM Anchor Point Marina: (203)-363-0733; VHF Ch. 68 

Harbor Point Marinas: (203)-355-6045

Ponus Yacht Club: (203) 323-7157

Czescik Park Marina: (203) 977-5008

Safe Harbor Yacht Haven: (203) 359-4500; VHF Ch. 9

East Norwalk Blue Pump-Out Boat: (203) 857-1077; VHF Ch. 77

Stamford Yacht Club: (203) 323-3161; VHF Ch. 72

Seaview House Marina: (203) 219-4693

Halloween Yacht Club: (203) 348-5510; VHF Ch. 72

Marine Emergency 1 FINAL1

The Stamford Ambulance Exchange Point (AEP) Program are four pre-identified strategically chosen locations. Boaters will be directed to respond to these locations during emergency situations or operations on the water that require First Responder resources or advanced medical care.

Stamford Ambulance Exchange Point (AEP) Locations

  1. AEP #1 - Cove Island Marina Boat Ramp
  2. AEP #2 - West Beach Boat Ramp
  3. AEP #3 - Harbor Point Marina Mega Dock
  4. AEP #4 - Hinckley Fuel Dock 

BOATING SAFETY

Many Stamford residents enjoy our waterfront year-round, and boaters should remember the following tips from the U.S. Coast Guard:  

COLD WATER BOATING

Cold-water immersion is the cause of many boating-related fatalities. The danger increases as water temperature decreases below normal body temperature (98.6 Degrees F). Spring water temperatures can be in the 30-40 degrees early in the season.

Dos and Don’ts

  • Do make sure that onboard a manually propelled vessel wearing a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) is the law from October 1st to May 31st.
  • Do make sure everyone is wearing a life jacket. Even experienced swimmers will experience shock within one minute in the frigid water and lose muscle control within 10 minutes.
  • Do call 911 or VHF Channel 16 to report and emergency.
  • Do share with someone you trust all the details of your trip before you leave shore - including boat, persons, towing or trailer vehicle, communication equipment, and emergency contacts. This is your float plan.
  • Do dress properly for the weather, always wear layers, and bring an extra set of clothes in case you get wet. Remember, dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.
  • Do use your navigation lights to alert other boaters of your presence in dark and/or foggy conditions. Recreational boats operating at night are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise.
  • Do catch your breath. A sudden, unexpected fall into cold water causes an involuntary gasp (or torso) reflex. It takes less than one-half cup of water in your lungs to drown. If you remain calm, you have a greater chance of self-rescue.
  • Don’t panic if you fall into the water. Stay afloat with the help of your life jacket, regain control of your breathing, and keep your head above water in vision of rescuers.
  • Don’t keep heavy boots on if you’re in the water. Look for ways to increase your buoyancy. If you’re in the water with others, huddle together with everyone facing inward to help everyone stay afloat and keep warm.
  • Don’t apply heat to extremities like arms and legs of a rescued victim. This sudden change in temperature could cause cardiac arrest.  
Stages of Cold-Water Immersion
  • Cold shock. You have one minute to adjust to the cold shock response – don’t panic.
  • Swimming failure. You have 10 minutes of meaningful movement to get help and get out of the water.
  • Hypothermia. You have about one hour before you become unconscious from hypothermia.
  • Post-rescue collapse. You “give up” and collapse after or right at the time of rescue.

For more information, tips and resources, visit the
U.S. Coast Guard’s website: https://uscgboating.org, or the
National Safe Boating Council’s website: https://safeboatingcampaign.com.