Anchorages
An excellent anchorage may be found at the mouth of the Warren River about 0.2 mile from the eastern shore in depths of 14 to 15 feet, soft bottom. There is not room for anchorage in the river for any but small craft. Abreast the lower end of Warren the channel is about 0.1 mile wide, with depths of 13 to 17 feet in mid-channel, and small vessels can anchor temporarily at this point.
There is no anchorage in the harbor but you can inquire about moorings owned by the town by calling 401-437-3930 (ask for the Barrington Harbormaster). Or call the Barrington Yacht Club, 401-245-1181 or stanley’s Boat Yard, 401-245 5090.
Hazards
Vessels approaching the river must take care to avoid Rumstick Shoal, which extends nearly 0.6 mile south of Rumstick Point, the southernmost point of Rumstick Neck and the western entrance point of the river. The shoal has depths of 2 to 12 feet and is marked by buoys. Rumstick Rock, 6 feet high, and Rumstick Ledge, with rocks that uncover 1 to 5 feet, are on the westerly side of the shoal.
Above the harbor lie a couple of fixed bridges with low clearance, and rocks for which to be watchful beneath, and beyond the third bridge the water shallows and become extremely tricky to navigate.
Marine Services
A shipyard on the east side of the Warren River at Warren has a hydraulic lift that can handle vessels to 300 tons or 130 feet long. Berths, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, water, ice, and marine supplies are available in Warren. Depths reported alongside the major wharves range from 7 to 20 feet. Small craft facilities are also available on the point near the confluence of the two rivers. Several boatyards are in the vicinity; mobile hoists to 25 tons are available.
Striper Marina and Stanley’s Boatyard and Marina are the two options for transients coming into Barrington harbor. There is easy access to the East Bay Bike Path, which runs from Providence to Colt State Park in Bristol, from either marina.
Engine, electronic, and hull repairs are available.
Coast Guard
Bristol
401-243-9585
VHF 16
Tow Service
Sea Tow
800-4SEATOW of VHF 16
TowBoatUS
800-391-4869 or VHF 16
Navigation:
NOAA Chart 13224 (1:20,000)
NOAA Chart 13221 (1:40,000)
Chartkit Region 2, page 27
Chartkit Region 3, page 69
Maptech Warerproof Chart 18
Warren River, emptying into the head of Narragansett Bay westward of Bristol Neck, is the approach to the towns of Warren and Barrington, and Barrington River, which joins Warren River at Warren. A church spire in Warren is prominent.
Approaches
From the bay, the channel to Warren passes between numerous shoals and rocks and is crooked and winding, but well marked. A depth of about 9 feet is in the channel to the lower wharves at Warren, and the same depth is in Barrington River to the fixed highway bridge about 0.5 mile above the entrance.
Note, a sunken wreck at about 41°43.65’N., 71°17.25’W. is on the west side of Warren River.
Small powerboats can make their way under the Barrington Bridge and railroad bridge (now a bike path bridge) into the Barrington River. It’s a great place to drop an anchor and picnic or water ski. (Consult a chart before navigating this area.)
