Flora MacDonald Confederation Basin

IMPORTANT 2000 NOTE

ANCHORAGE AREA CLOSED
OPTIONAL ANCHORAGES

• Minimum depth at fuel dock is 9 feet
• Average depth 20 feet
• Minimum depth in harbor is 4 feet

Is this privatization or rip off ?
Will we be charged for using waterways next?
Where will it end ?

One was able to anchor inside the breakwalls at Confederation Basin, at the souther end of the sheltered harbour. There was a convient wall hidden behind a parking lot which allows you to dinghy ashore with comparative ease. But no more a shock as we came in from a storm. After pounding through meter and a half waves and 40 knot winds we were caught off guard after being here in 1999 to find the anchorage area posted.

The City of Kingston maintains the harbor and if you are looking for shore leave on your voyage east this is the place. Everything is close by from here with an excellent information booth operated by Kingston at you door. In the summer you can listen to the music in the park or explore Kingston proper. There are 100 seasonal and 300 Transient berths which have 20 or 30 amp power depending on the dock.

For major repairs and a full service shipyard many commercial vessels pass under the basquille bridge and use Kingston Marine Services which is found a block and a half past the liquor store (which has a good vintages section) west of the channel leading to Ridout canal.

Kingston is another port where there is more entertainment and merriment ashore than even the most stalwart can investigate. Near the Confederation Basin you will find enough delightful sidewalk pubs offering imported beer and pub fare to good old fashioned rock and roll nightclubs.

OTHER ANCHORAGE AREAS

For you fellow vagrents who feel a cruising vessel need not PAY to drop its own hook there are decreasingoptions in the Kingston area. The down side is that the water to the south of Kingston often becomes quite rough due to prevailing winds which requires some manner of headland to the south west.

Navy Bay is found east accross the Cataraqui River from downtown Kingston and Confederation Basin. On approach to Kingston and the river you can usually see Martello Tower and the roofs of the Royal Military college to the east. Navy Bay is east of Point Fredrick on which the Royal Millitary College is located. There is a shoal that extends from Point Fredrick for 300 feet and the sailing school located in the bay can make it busy in season.

The docks are private so you must be prepared to anchor and watch your depth.

Your other options would include seeking shelter behind Cedar Island or if the weather is calm using the wall of the old customs dock which lies south of the Wolfe Island Fery docks. There are no services, and the entire structure - area is in dis-repair, however ther are a few spots for a couple of lucky boats which have adequate fenders and a carefull watch on approach.

You may be well advised to wait for the bascule bridge and make your way into the inner harbour. The bascule bridge on the La Salle Causway opens on the hour from 06:00 to 22:00 hrs. Except at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 17:00 for busy traffic hours. Try to avoid late afternoons as it can be a long wait as rush hoour approaches. Once inside you have access to Kingston Marine on the west shore or Rideau Marina on the east shore. Or you may find a section of wall for the night in Anglin Bay found south of Kingston Marine and officialy townhouse bulkheading.