Located off Middle River just north of the city of Baltimore, Norman Creek is a tributary that runs off the south side of Middle River near Barren Point. Norman Creek and the Middle River are 32 miles southeast of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and 23 miles north of the city of Annapolis.

Use NOAA Chart 12273 and 12278.

Middle River and Frog Mortar Creek are reached via an approach from the east via Chesapeake Bay. From the Chesapeake Bay, first set a course for quick flashing green buoy “1,” which is located at an approximate waypoint of N39 16.253 W76 20.024. Once you have intercepted quick flashing green buoy “1,” set an approximate course of 311 degrees magnetic for about 1.6 miles to meet flashing green buoy “3,” and then a little farther on, flashing green “5.”

From flashing green “5,”head northwest to flashing red “6,” and then set a course of about 315 degrees magnetic for about 1.4 miles to an unnumbered flashing (2+1) light near the mouth of Frog Mortar Creek and Martin State Airport. Once you have reached the flashing red (2+1) light, simply turn toward the west to pick up red daybeacon “2A” (visible in the image above) which is located at the mouth of Norman Creek. Depths in Norman Creek are around five feet at the entrance and five feet all the way back to its head, but the current chart reports two-foot depths, so proceed with a sharp eye on the depth sounder.

At the head of Norman Creek is the Sunset Harbor Marina, which has a few transient slips and a lift for haul-out and repairs. You can also purchase groceries, marine supplies and small sundry items at their smallish marina store.

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