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NAVOPLAN
NAVOPLAN
Port Intelligence Brief

Newport News, United States

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59 Verified Intelligence Items
55Verified
Intelligence
38Official
Sources
91%Overall
Confidence
📍
CoordinatesN 36 58' .0012"
W 76 25' 59.9988"
Harbor ProfileNorth Atlantic Ocean
Size: Medium
🛂
EntranceTidal Range: 2.95 ft
Depth: 41.00 ft
🕒
Port StatusPort of Entry: Yes
Shelter: Good
🔄
Last UpdateJun 28, 2026
09:30 ET
🧭 Approach & Entrance 8 items
🛟 Shelter & Refuge 6 items
Local Cautions 6 items
🛒 Crew Rest & Resupply 7 items
Harbor / Authority 6 items 🔒
📡 Contacts & VHF 4 items 🔒
🛥 Marinas 7 items 🔒
Fuel & Utilities 5 items 🔒
🛂 Clearance & Formalities 4 items 🔒
🚑 Medical & Emergency 6 items 🔒
Current Briefing

Approach & Entrance

Newport News approach intelligence includes pilotage, entrance channel depths, harbor communications, traffic density, anchoring restrictions, and operational cautions for arrival planning.

Verified Intelligence
🧭

Pilotage Requirement And Notice

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

Virginia law (Code of Virginia, Chapter 9 Branch Pilots): masters inward from sea to any port in Virginia/Hampton Roads must 'take the first Virginia pilot that offers his services'; master/agent must give at least two hours' notice of need for a pilot.
96% Confidence
🧭

Charting Authority / Official Charts

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

NOAA Office of Coast Survey is the U.S. national charting authority; use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts and the NOAA charting products for Chesapeake Bay/Hampton Roads (example: Chart 12221 Chesapeake Bay Entrance / NOAA ENC coverage).
95% Confidence
🧭

Regulated Navigation Area (Rna) / Local Uscg Restrictions

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

33 CFR §165.501 establishes a Regulated Navigation Area for the Chesapeake Bay entrance and Hampton Roads — includes anchoring/anchorage limits, speed restrictions in named reaches, requirements for corrected charts and radar for vessels >100 GT, pilot or person with local experience when in inland waters, and permission requirements under certain MARSEC/port security conditions.
95% Confidence
🧭

Submerged Pipeline (Newport News–Craney Island)

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

Submerged 24-inch pipeline from Newport News to Craney Island; stitch points A–E charted with coordinates (examples from Coast Pilot): Stitch Point A 36°58'23.9"N, 76°23'42.1"W; B 36°57'34.7"N, 76°23'28.8"W; C 36°57'04.0"N, 76°23'20.4"W; D 36°56'33.1"N, 76°23'12.0"W; E 36°55'55.7"N, 76°23'09.4"W. Pipeline depth below seabed noted in Coast Pilot.
93% Confidence
🧭

Federal Channels / Project Depths (Newport News Channel)

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

Newport News Channel project depth: 55 ft (authorized project depth; approach to Hampton Roads via Thimble Shoal Channel). USACE Norfolk District documentation and US Coast Pilot cite project/maintenance depths — verify latest channel-condition reports.
92% Confidence
🧭

Tidal Currents And Typical Velocities

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

Coast Pilot summary: current velocity about 1.0 knot in Hampton Roads and about 0.6 knot in the Elizabeth River; currents significantly wind-influenced; NOAA Tides & Currents provides tabulated predictions and PORTS where available.
90% Confidence
🧭

Local Shoal / Reported Rocky Bottom And Entrance Caution

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

Coast Pilot caution: vessels entering Newport News Creek 'should not cut between Buoy 1 and the bridge‑tunnel interchange' — bridge‑tunnel interchange is surrounded by shoal riprap. Reported rocky bottom (6 ft) at 36°57'30"N, 76°24'37"W (reported 2007); exercise caution and confirm current surveys/NOTMARs.
90% Confidence
🧭

Naval Danger Zones / Restricted Areas

Official Source · Verified Jun 28, 2026

Coast Pilot notes naval danger zones and restricted areas extend northward from vicinity of Little Creek to edge of Thimble Shoal Channel (see 33 CFR 334.310, 334.370 for details).
88% Confidence