Gulf of Maine Passage

Route Overview

 

Departure: New York City - Port Washington (Accessible by the LIRR)

Primary Route: NYC Long Island Sound – Block Island – Gulf of Maine – Lunenburg, NS

 

Estimated Distance:

 

550–600 nautical miles, depending on route and anchorages Key Points: Offshore passage planning, international landfall, transit of busy waters, changing sea states, and arrival in a historic Canadian port

 

 

Passage Breakdown

 

New York City to Long Island Sound & Block Island

 

• Crew briefing, vessel preparation, and customs/immigration check before departure

• Clearing New York Harbor and transiting under several major bridges on the East River

• Possible overnight anchorage at Block Island (weather dependent), chance to adjust for coastal conditions

 

Offshore to Gulf of Maine

 

• Departure from Block Island area into open water, setting course for the Gulf of Maine

• Continuous watch rotation (3 hours on, 6 hours off), active navigation, log keeping, and monitoring of commercial traffic

• Experience managing tides, currents, and weather systems as conditions transition northward

 

Final Approach to Nova Scotia

 

• Navigation and landfall planning for the Nova Scotia coast

• Entry and clearance at Lunenburg, customs/immigration, and final debrief

• Opportunities for crew to explore the historic port upon arrival

 

Training Focus

 

• Coastal and offshore passage planning, including US–Canada clearance protocols

• Navigation using GPS, chartplotter, radar, AIS, and paper charts

• Watchstanding: helm, lookout, log entries, and systems monitoring

• Managing tides, fog, and cold-water sailing in the Gulf of Maine and Nova Scotia approaches

• Emergency procedures and international entry documentation

 

Expected Conditions

 

Winds: S–SW prevailing winds along the US coast, shifting to more variable as the route moves north; 10–20 knots typical, stronger with frontal passages
Seas: 3–7 feet offshore, potential for larger swell in open water, short-period chop near land
Weather: Highly variable—can include summer warmth near NYC and cold, damp conditions approaching Nova Scotia; fog and rain possible, especially near the Canadian coast
Hazards: Heavy commercial traffic near New York, fog in Gulf of Maine and Nova Scotia, complex tides and currents, variable sea state

 

Why This Passage is Relevant

 

• International offshore passage with varied navigation challenges

• Exposure to busy coastal, offshore, and cold-water sailing conditions

• Practical experience with customs, documentation, and port entry

• Ideal for sailors seeking to broaden offshore skills and add substantial miles