2. Recreational. Small-craft harbors are designed for various recreational craft, including 

 sailboats, rowboats, pedal-craft, air-cushion, and vehicle. Other exotic craft are not 

 specifically covered, although the basin and entrance planning techniques described will, in 

 most instances, be found satisfactory for all classes of using craft. 



3. Harbor of Refuge. Most of the boats and small vessels that fall within the general 

 classification of small craft have relatively short cruising ranges. To take these craft on trips 

 that extend beyond half of their safe cruising range in any large body of water may be 

 extremely hazardous unless harbors are available along the route at safe cruising intervals. 

 Such harbors may be needed only for replenishment of fuel or provisions, for shelter during 

 unexpectedly bad weather and when equipment fails, and for sick or injured boaters. 

 Depending on the class of boat and characteristics of the region, the safe cruising distance is 

 usually between 20 and 40 miles, or 2 hours' cruising time. When a remote harbor is 

 provided specifically to accommodate transient craft rather than as a home port for the 

 local craft of the immediate area, it is designated as a harbor of refuge. Such a harbor need 

 not have all the refinements of a home port, but must have an entrance that is navigable in 

 adverse weather, access to emergency aid, and appropriate facilities to accommodate the 

 transient boater. In remote areas, harbors of refuge meeting just the needs of the transient 

 boaters often are subsidized. In these instances, the harbor of refuge may possibly be made 

 self-sustaining by berthing a small number of home-based craft in addition to meeting the 

 periodic needs of transient craft; it may not survive economically on either type of craft 

 alone. 



III. SITE ANALYSIS 

 1. General. In selecting a harbor site, two basic needs must be fulfilled regardless of the 

 body of water on which it is to be located. The site must provide safe navigation access to 

 cruising waters, and have adequate land access, including approach roads, for boat owners to 

 conveniently reach their craft. Other important factors in site selection are: (a) enough 

 protected water area or low land that can be excavated to navigable depth, and areas for 

 future expansion; (b) adequate perimeter land or low land that can be filled for vehicle 

 parking, harbor service structures, roads, and ancillary facilities, including land needed for 

 future expansion; and (c) utility service to the site, such as electric power, potable water, 

 telephone, gas, and sewerage. 



In addition to these physical factors, several environmental, economical, and sociological 

 factors may have a governing influence on site selection. These factors are discussed in detail 

 later in this report, but are mentioned here because of their importance in the early phases 

 of harbor planning. They include legislative restraints, zoning ordinances, permit 

 requirements, land ownership problems (also those involved with submerged lands), and 

 water quality and ecological preservation factors. Before any site is finally selected, all of 

 these factors must be considered and any conflicts resolved (Sec. VII). 



13 



