Bucksport Inlet

About

Introduction:

Bucksport is located up the Penobscot River just north of Verona Island about nine miles upstream from where the river empties into Penobscot Bay. Bucksport is 30 miles northeast of Mount Desert Island and 30 miles north of Vinalhaven.

The image above is a view from the east looking over the town of Bucksport where the Eastern Channel empties into the Penobscot River. In the foreground is the Verona Bridge, which has a fixed vertical clearance of 19 feet that limits many boats from further exploring Eastern Channel via Bucksport. Off to the right (north) is the town of Bucksport, while to the left (south) the northern end of Verona Island can be seen.

There are two marine service and marina facilities in Bucksport, which both can be seen above. The Bucksport Town Dock administers the transient moorings off the town waterfront and has a dinghy dock for use by boaters. Port Harbor Marine is the larger facility in the image above and has transient slips, gas (only), and a limited marine supply shop. Neither facility was advertising the availability of repairs at this writing.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 13309.

From the Penobscot River south of Verona Island, first pick up green can buoy “3,” which is located at an approximate waypoint of N44 29.60 W068 48.07. Once you have safely navigated to green can buoy “3,” set a new course to the north-northwest toward quick flashing red buoy “6,” which, along with red daybeacon “6A,” mark the location of Odom Ledge.

After clearing Odom Ledge, set a course to the north and stay center channel until you reach the large fixed bridge (135-foot vertical clearance) that links Verona Island with the mainland. After you have made it under the bridge, head off to the north-northeast a bit and Buskport should become readily visible.

You can either tie of to one of the town moorings (administered by the town of Bucksport) or see if a transient slip might be available at Port Harbor Marine. There are a few shops and a market shore where you can take on supplies. Keep in mind that gas is the only shoreside fuel available in Bucksport. There are stations ashore, but you will obviously need to lug it back to the boat in jerry jugs.

Local Notices to Mariners:

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