A waterway we love —and can make safer.

A federally recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization funding navigational safety and marine stewardship initiatives on Cockenoe Harbor and Seymour Point, Long Island Sound.

Saugatuck Safe Harbor Foundation · Federally Recognized 501(c)(3) · EIN 42-2864855

Who We Are

A Foundation for Our Waterway

Saugatuck Safe Harbor Foundation is a Connecticut nonprofit and federally recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization funding navigational safety improvements and marine stewardship initiatives on Cockenoe Harbor, Seymour Point, and the surrounding waters of western Long Island Sound.

We are organized exclusively for charitable and public benefit purposes. All initiatives are limited to public navigable waters. No project serving individual private properties will be considered.

The Foundation is volunteer-led, with a board of directors drawn from the Westport and Norwalk community. Every dollar raised goes directly to project work.

501(c)(3) Public Charity · EIN 42-2864855
Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Consult your tax advisor.

Pecks Ledge Lighthouse · Long Island Sound

Our Work

Proposed Initial Initiatives

The Foundation is currently focused on two proposed initiatives in Cockenoe Harbor and the Seymour Point area. All work is limited to public navigable waters and will be subject to required federal, state, and local review and approval.

Navigational Channel — Cockenoe Harbor

Proposed extension of an existing federally authorized navigation channel to improve safe access at all tide levels, reduce groundings, and protect the seabed from unintended vessel traffic. A Phase 1 hydrographic survey will determine scope and quantities before any permit applications are filed.

Hazard Marker — Seymour Point

Installation of a Coast Guard-approved navigational hazard marker at a charted submerged rock near Seymour Point Oyster Flats — an unmarked hazard presenting real risk to boaters at lower tide levels. This initiative follows a faster regulatory track than dredging and will be coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard.

All proposed initiatives are designed to preserve the current character of the harbor. No channel markers or buoys beyond what is required for safety. Any application as envisioned will have no connection to or impact on any individual or group of existing private docks. Projects will maintain appropriate distance from all designated commercial shellfish areas.

Project Update

Summer 2026

First Project Underway — Hydrographic Survey Selected

Saugatuck Safe Harbor Foundation has selected its first project: a professional hydrographic survey of the Bermuda Lagoon channel entrance and adjacent Cockenoe Harbor waters. The survey will be conducted by Redniss & Mead, a licensed Connecticut land surveying and civil engineering firm, and will produce detailed depth mapping, engineering drawings, and cubic yard calculations — the essential foundation for permit applications and the dredging project planned for 2027.

The Foundation has contracted for this initial phase survey work. Founding contributors are supporting this effort and we welcome additional support from waterway users and community members who share our mission.

If you would like to support safe, navigable waters for our community, please contact us below.

Safety Resources

Boating Safety & Local Information

A curated collection of resources for boaters, fishermen, and waterway users on Long Island Sound and the Westport area.

Navigational Charts

Tide & Weather

U.S. Coast Guard

Connecticut & Local

Safe Boating

Marine Environment

Get Involved

Submit a Project Idea

The Foundation welcomes submissions from boaters, fishermen, harbor users, and community members. The board reviews all proposals and evaluates them against our mission of public navigational safety and marine stewardship.

All initiatives must be limited to public navigable waters. Projects serving individual private properties are outside our mission.