Event_Info

Boating on the Charles

Boating Guidelines 

• Stay 100 feet from shore.

• Stay 1000 feet from barges.

• Craigie Drawbridge at Museum of Science will not open after fireworks until 1:00 AM July 5th.

• Vessels over 12 feet in height must stay upriver of the Longfellow Bridge after fireworks. Vessels over 12 feet in height cannot clear Drawbridge.

• Boats will not be able to anchor within the “restricted areas,” around barges or along the shoreline between Massachusetts Ave and Longfellow Bridges.

• Boats will be allowed to transit the river in designated channels that will run along the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river until 9:00 PM on July 4th. Channel will not reopen until after the fireworks.

• All Lagoons are closed to the Public.

• Due to tidal conditions, longer wait times than normal may occur to pass downriver through the New Charles River Dam.

• Gloucester Street dock is the Dinghy Dock, used for drop off and pick up only, no tying up to dock. All other docks closed.

• Massachusetts State Police will monitor Channel 16, and enforce all restrictions.

• The Charles River is a “No Discharge Area.” Discharge of boat sewage or other waste is prohibited. Designated pump-out facilities are located at The Charles River Yacht Club (Cambridge, right by MIT) and the Watertown Yacht Club.

Please help keep the Charles River clean!