Mile Marker Zero

Welcome to Mile Marker Zero on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The AICW runs for over 1,100 miles to just beyond Plantation Key, Florida and has a connection at Fort Myer’s, Florida to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway connecting to Brownsville, Texas.  Often called “the ditch,” the AICW is frequented by both pleasure boaters and light industrial traffic.  It’s busiest in the spring and fall as snowbirds transport their boats from the warm winters of the south to the warm summers of the north.  Portsmouth is a popular stopover for boaters making this annual journey.  The AICW connects with the nearby Chesapeake Bay, James River, and Hampton Roads.  Here are a few helpful hints when visiting Portsmouth, Virginia by boat.

Marinas, Fuel, and Service

When mooring overnight in Portsmouth, you should consider a transient slip at one of Portsmouth’s professionally operated marinas.  Each marina offers amenities to make your stay more pleasurable, including power, water, pump out, and more.  There are two marinas located in Olde Towne Portsmouth, the central hub of the city and where you find bars, restaurants, and attractions.  Just around the corner and a bike ride away is Portsmouth Boating Center, a full service marina with store and fuel.  The other marinas are close by but not within walking distance of Olde Towne.  Here is a list of marinas and contact information:

• Ocean Yacht Marina – Olde Towne – (757) 321-7432 – Boat slips, dry storage, transients welcome, ships store, fuel, full service. 36° 49′ 54.8”, -76° 17′ 45.85”
• Tidewater Yacht Marina – Olde Towne – (757) 393-2525 – 350 slips, transients welcome, ships store, brokerage, restaurant, fuel. N 36° 50.483′ / W 076° 17.883′
• Portsmouth Boating Center – Parkview – (757) 397-2092 – Located at the mouth of Scotts Creek, only 800 yards from the Intra-Coastal, Portsmouth Boating Center offers transient and full time slips, dry storage, ships store, fuel, brokerage, and salvage. N 36° 50.767′ / W 076° 18.900′
• Nautical Boats – West Norfolk – (757) 483-6148 – 200 slips, wide piers. 36° 51′ 25.56”, -76° 21′ 12.09”
• Newell’s Boatworks and Marina – Scott’s Creek – (757) 399-8990 – A limited number of marina sips available for transient and permanent berthing.  Newell’s specializes in custom repairs and additions, as well as yacht restorations on both wooden and fiberglass vessels. N 36° 84.5056′ / W 076° 32.2365′
• Virginia Yacht and Boat Marina – West Norfolk – (757) 673-7167 – A small marina with limited transient slips located in West Norfolk along the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River. Specializes in boat repair and maintenance. N 36° 51.533′ / W 076° 20.833′

Free Public Mooring

The City of Portsmouth, Virginia offers limited space at the foot of High Street (High Street Landing) for short term mooring. The facility primarily accommodates day visitors who want to stop, tie up and explore the shops, museums, and restaurants in Olde Towne.  Boats under 40 feet with a draft less than 10 feet are welcome.  There are no amenities, including power, water, pump out facilities, or other services.  If staying overnight, a mooring request application must be completed online.  A completed application is not required for day visitors. Boats may tie up for a maximum of 36 hours and no more than 36 hours in a 30-day period.  Here are some rules we ask you to follow when using the complimentary docking facility.

Rules and Regulations for Free Mooring

1. Do not impede access to the Elizabeth River Ferry dock in any way
2. Please be considerate of other waterway travelers and boating guests by limiting your mooring at this location to 36 hours or less.
3. Tie-up or moor only to the docks and not to other vessels.  Do not raft-up your vessel to other vessels.
4. Mooring is on a first come, first served basis and no space may be held or reserved for vessels not actually present.
5. The dock adjacent to the Flag pole in High Street inlet is reserved for boats 35-40 feet in length.  If your boat is less than 35 feet, then please use one of our other docks for mooring.
6. The discharge or pumping out of sanitary facilities into the North harbor or High Street inlet is strictly prohibited.
7. No boater less than 18 years of age shall moor a vessel at High Street Landing.
8. The mooring of recreational vessels in the Elizabeth River is prohibited.
9. Vessels at High Street Landing may drop anchor only when tied to the dock.
10. Any vessel found to be in violation of these rules may be removed by the City at the owners expense.

The City employs a dock master to help enforce these rules.  If you have any questions, call the Portsmouth Welcome Center at (757) 393-5111. To hear a voice recorded welcome message and review of the rules for free mooring, call (757) 393-8782.  We hope you enjoy visiting Portsmouth, Virginia by boat.