Back River is part of a series of smaller back waters that lead from Knubble Bay, the Sasanoa River and Hockomock Bay behind Westport Island, and then north to where it meets the Sheepscot River at the town of Wiscasset. Wiscasset has two marina facilities but as of this writing their policies regarding transient facilities is unknown.

The image above is a view from the south-southwest looking north-northeast over Back River near where it empties into Montsweag Bay at Long Ledge. To the right (east) is Westport Island, while off in the distance the Cosweagan Narrows Bridge (48-foot fixed vertical clearance) can be seen where the Back River meets the Cosweagan Narrows. Even farther upriver to the left is the town of Wiscasset.

Use NOAA Chart 13293.

Back River is entered from the south via a passage through Montsweag Bay. From the south through Montsweag Bay, first pick up red nun buoy “6” at Bull Head, and then continue northeast to intercept green can buoy “7” and red nun buoy “10.”

Once you have cleared green can buoy “7” and red nun buoy “10,” head farther north to pickup green can “13” at Long Ledge, and then continue north up the Back River until you reach red nun “16” at a narrow point in the river.

Once you have cleared red nun buoy “16,” your next task is to run behind (east) of Berry Island, which is marked by green can buoy “17” and red nun “18.” The rest of the journey runs through Cosweagan Narrows, and then farther north to the Sheepscot River and the town of Wiscasset. The Cosweagan Narrows fixed bridge has a closed vertical clearance of 48 feet.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.