Information about Newburyport Merrimack River, MA

Boating in Newburyport Merrimack River, MA Map View

At Newburyport the usual and best anchorage is in the channel about 400 yards below the highway bridge, favoring the north side of the channel and keeping clear of the two charted cable areas. The current is reported to run strongest along the south shore here. The holding ground is good.
The yacht club maintains guest moorings as do many of the service facilities and marinas. Numerous private moorings are maintained off Newburyport under control of the Harbormaster.
Public floats are along the south side of the river at Newburyport, about 0.2 mile west of Merrimack River Coast Guard Station. In 1979, 8 feet was reported alongside the floats. Berthing is under the control of the Newburyport Harbormaster.
Navigation:
Click the “Map View” button above to see a chart of this harbor.
U.S. Route 1 highway bridge, which crosses the river at Newburyport, has a bascule span with a clearance of 35 feet. In the open position, the draws overhang the channel above a height of 55 feet. The bridgetender monitors VHF-FM channel 16 and works on channel 13; call sign WQA-806. The railroad bridge immediately westward has a swing span with a clearance of 13 feet. The channel is through the north draw.