Kayak Map - New York Harbor Parks

Make Your Trip
Safe and Fun
FILE A FLOAT PLAN: When planning a voyage,
no matter how short or simple you intend it to be,
take a few minutes to leave a float plan, including
departure/arrival times, number of people and color of
kayaks with a responsible friend. Give it to someone
who WILL call for assistance if you don’t return on time.
If it’s a spur of the moment trip, write a plan just before
you go and leave it in an envelope marked “FLOAT
PLAN” on the dashboard of your vehicle. Make sure to
always monitor the weather before and during your trip.
Write down where you intend to put in, take out and
when you expect to return. A simple form is available at
COMMERCIAL VESSEL TRAFFIC:
Stay well away from commercial vessels, and avoid
crossing channels and thoroughfares, especially
in restricted visibility. Large vessels often cannot
deviate from their course and fishing vessels should
be expected to operate on highly erratic courses
as they tend gear.
CHECK THE WEATHER REPORT:
(www.weather.gov) and KNOW THE TIDES
(http://www.tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/monitor.html)
and when to expect FOG.
But Please, Observe A Few Simple Rules!
 Do not go paddling alone.
 Dress for the weather and know what to expect.
Include a hat for sun protection. Layers are better
than one heavy item in cooler weather.
 Practice boarding and re-entry from the water.
 Bring a hand-pump and/or bailer to help
get water out of your vessel.
KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS: You alone are
the best judge of your own physical limitations, the
capabilities of your kayak, and most importantly,
your ability to operate your craft and gear.
Respect the indiscriminate power of the sea along
the exposed coast, and carefully avoid operating in
restricted visibility, including fog, rain, and darkness.
■ Any person who destroys, causes the loss of,
or injures any park system resource is liable to the
United States for response costs and damages
resulting from such destruction, loss, or injury.
■ Disposing of refuse is prohibited anywhere
but in designated receptacles.
Title 16 United States Code (USC) sections 1 & 460cc;
Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 2.1
16 USC 1 § 19jj-1
■ Polluting or contaminating park area waters
is prohibited.
■ In addition to the regulations contained in 36 CFR,
the National Park Service (NPS) adopts applicable laws
and regulations of the United States Coast Guard
(USCG). NPS applies the adopted laws and regulations
to vessels and their operation on all waters (navigable
and non-navigable) subject to NPS jurisdiction.
36 CFR 2.14 (a) 6
■ The disposal of human body waste is prohibited
except at designated restrooms.
36 CFR 3.2 (a) (The USCG laws and regulations
are found in Title 14 USC, Title 33 USC, Title 46
USC, and 33 CFR chapter I, 46 CFR chapter I and III
and 49 CFR chapter IV.)
■ Vessel operators must not operate in a negligent
manner or in a manner that willfully creates an
unreasonable risk or harm to a person, persons or
property, even if harm was not intended.
■ A person convicted of violating regulations
within the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National
Recreation Area (NRA), including any provision
not noted here, shall be punished by a fine or by
imprisonment, or both, and shall pay all court costs.
 Secure items to your craft to avoid having to
try and collect them if you capsize. A “leash”
for your paddle is available and also a good idea
for the same reason.
16 USC 1.3 & 36 CFR 1.3 (a)
 Bring drinking water, snacks, an extra layer
of clothing and the following in a water-proof bag:
sunscreen, insect repellent, a cell phone and
first aid kit.
http://www.floatplancentral.org
■ This is a National Park —Help protect this land.
All plants, animals, waters and other natural
features are protected by park regulations
against removal, destruction, and injury.
■ A permit is required to launch and recover
a canoe or kayak within the Jamaica Bay Unit of
Gateway NRA. Violation of this requirement is
prohibited and therefore subject to penalties.
36 CFR part 1.6 (a), 1.5 (d), and 1.5 (f)
 Use a strap to secure eyewear to your head.
■ Launching or recovering a vessel,
including canoes and kayaks, is prohibited
except at a designated launch site.
 A large “car wash” sponge is useful for
eliminating puddles.
36 CFR 3.8 (a) (2)
 Consider carrying rescue gear for safety:
rescue sling, throw rope, or tow system
appropriate for your craft.
SIGNALING CAPABILITY: Sea kayaks are
exceptionally difficult to see from a distance, especially
in marginal conditions. Compensate for this fact by
choosing brightly colored sea kayaks and clothing,
use retro-reflective tape and carry advanced signaling
equipment. In a sea kayak you’re disadvantaged by size.
Get the most advanced signaling equipment
available to you. At least one kayak in a group should
carry an electronic communications device, preferably
a VHF marine radio or cellular phone. All kayaks should
carry a whistle or air horn, signal mirror, and strobe light.
 Pack a spare paddle.
36 CFR 2.14 (a) 1
36 CFR 2.14 (a) 8 & 9
36 CFR 3.8 (8) & (9)
■ Except to the extent that directives of the
USCG have expressly or implicitly preempted
inconsistent state laws and regulations or as
otherwise provided by 36 CFR 3.2 (a), vessels
and their operation on all waters subject to NPS
jurisdiction are governed by non-conflicting
boating safety laws and regulations of New York
State within the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway NRA.
■ The appropriate personal floatation device
must be worn, not carried, at all times while
launching, recovering or operating a hand-launched
vessel such as canoes and kayaks.
36 CFR 3.2 (b)
36 CFR 3.7
36 CFR 3.8 (b) 2
■ In order to insure the perpetuation of significant
wildlife species and habitats of Jamaica Bay, access
to the marshes and islands within the boundary of
Gateway NRA is prohibited under penalty, except
where or when specifically designated.
■ Swimming, wading or diving in park waters is
prohibited, except where specifically designated.
■ All vessels, including canoes and kayaks, must
observe all restrictions indicated by regulatory markers.
■ Operating or being in physical control of a vessel,
including canoes and kayaks, is prohibited while
under the influence of alcohol or one or more
drugs when impaired.
36 CFR 3.10 (a) (1)
■ The owner of a vessel, including canoes and
kayaks, are responsible for the abandonment of
the vessel and must remove the vessel and all
components and cargo in accordance with
procedures established by the park superintendent,
unless specifically waived or prohibited.
36 CFR 3.14 (a)
 Tether a whistle to your PFD (lifejacket).
 Learn More
http://www.floatplancentral.org
36 CFR1.5 (a) 1
36 CFR 3.16
■ The use of canoes, kayaks, and similar rigid devices
within designated swimming areas is prohibited.
■ Vessel operators are required to report
accidents involving the injury, death, or
disappearance of a person or when total
property damage is $2,000 or more.
36 CFR 3.5
36 CFR 3.17
GATEWAY TO
AMERICA
official
guides
Paddling
Jamaica
& Guide
Bay Map
For Kayakers
Jamaica Bay is part of Gateway National
Recreation Area and is home to 9,000 acres of
marshes, ponds, islands and beaches. This guide will
help you explore the bay by kayak or canoe and will
provide the information you need for a safe trip.
Paddling Jamaica Bay is produced by the
National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy
with support from:
Meet a
Few of Our
Feathered
Friends
Over 300 species of
birds can be seen in
the lush marshes and
islands of Jamaica Bay.
Avocets,
ospreys,
ibis
and more
can be
found in
the bay.
While
paddling,
make sure
to keep
a lookout
for some
of these
magnificent
birds.
Paddling
Jamaica Bay is part of
a series of Gateway to America
Official Guides produced by the
National Parks of New York Harbor
Conservancy that tell the story of the
rich history and natural splendor of
New York Harbor through the prism
of its 22 national park sites.
This map and guide will help you
navigate Jamaica Bay and explore the only
wildlife refuge in the national park system.
To find out more about these parks visit
nyharborparks.org.
The National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy
is a nonprofit organization in partnership
with the National Park Service.
Visit the Sites:











African Burial Ground  Breezy Point
Canarsie Pier  Castle Clinton  Federal Hall
Floyd Bennett Field  Fort Hancock
Fort Tildenn  Fort Wadsworth  Gateway
Governors Island  Grant’s Tomb  Great Kills Park
Hamilton Grange  Hoffman Island
Jacob Riis Park  Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Lower East Side Tenement Museum affiliated site
Miller Field  Sandy Hook  St. Paul’s Church
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Swinburne Island  Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace
Gateway National Recreation Area is the primary steward of
Jamaica Bay, home to a complex of wetlands and uplands that support a large
diversity of both native and migratory fish, birds and other wildlife. In addition
to providing critical habitat for wildlife, the wetlands of Jamaica Bay also provide
important services for humans: marshes act as a protective barrier against storm
surges and shore erosion, while improving water quality by absorbing pollutants.
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Gateway National Recreation Area
New York / New Jersey
O
our
Canarsie
Pol
Mill Basin
Outlet
u rs
5 ho
Jamaica Bay
Wildlife Refuge
*
h
us
e
Av
/2
11
*
urs
ho
^
"
Floyd Bennett
Field
O
"
Ruffle
Bar
!
Sea-Plane
Ramp
Jamaica Bay
Rockaway Point
Yacht Club
!
O
"
Rockaw
Riis
Landing
O
"
Blvd
ay Point
Gateway NRA
Legislative Boundary
Jacob Riis
Atlantic Ocean
Fort Tilden
Breezy Point
á
"
Swimming: Only allowed where and when lifeguards are on duty
Bayswater
Launch Sites
!
á
"
á
"
Cross Bay
Rockaway Inlet
Big Egg
Veterans Bridge
i
"
Silver
Hole
Subway
Islands
l
moria
s Me
odge
ge
Gil H
y Brid
e Pkw
Marin
q
Dead Horse
Bay
Joco
Black
Wall
Little
Egg
Plumb
Beach
East
High
Yellowbar
u rs*
3 ho
!
O
"
b
"
"m
"^
Broad
Creek
Stony
Creek
O
" ^
"
O
Pumpkin
Patch
Duck
Point
O
"
!
ho
ur
s*
Elders
Point
!
End of
Gerritsen
^
"
b
"m
"
s*
O
"
m
"^
"
21
/2
O
tb
Fla
Salt Marsh
Nature Center
(Gerritsen Inlet)
!
O
John F. Kennedy
International Airport
Cross Bay Blvd.
Mill Basin
Marina
Canarsie Pier
3 1/ 2 h
Sebago Canoe Club
(Paerdegat Basin)
- NY Water Trail Locations
Belt Pa
rkway
O
North
Channel
el
Chann
North
ge
bo Brid
Addab
O
" - Kayak Launch Spot
b
" - Picnic Area
^
" - Parking
m
" - Restrooms
i
" - Ranger Station
á
" - Swimming
0.5
0.25
0
0.5
1
Miles
Plumb Beach
Sea Plane Ramp
Mill Basin
Canarsie Pier
North Channel
O
Estimated Travel Times *
1 1/2 hours
3 hours
5 hours
3 1/2 hours
2 1/2 hours
These routes are only a suggestion based on Ranger lead tours.
*Times are only estimates, weather conditions, tides and abilities can
drastically affects travel times.