Cartwright

A reasonably protected harbour and an alternative to Nain if wishing to make a landfall in Labrador from Greenland. Although not as short a crossing as to Nain, it does have the advantage of not giving away quite so much ground to windward against the SE winds which are relatively common late in the season

Berthing is possible on the west facing side of the public quay (the easternmost of the 2 quays in the harbour). If possible, avoid berthing on the south facing side which is used by the Labrador ferries. The short east facing side of the quay is shoal and is not suitable for berthing. Alternatively anchor off the public quay and use the dinghy pontoon to the east of the quay for landing.

The harbour is well sheltered from all but fresh south westerly winds, in which case the local fishermen recommend vacating the public quay and either trying to get some shelter behind the fishing quay half a mile to the west of the public quay, or proceeding further west up the sound and anchoring in the lee of Earl Island.

Fresh water, albeit heavily discoloured, is available by hose on the public quay and there is a single shower/washing machine in the fish plant which may be used by visitors. Small supermarket with basic provisions, together with a post office, fuel station and motel which doubles as the town's only bar. There is no mobile phone coverage but wifi is available on the public quay (get the current password from the fish processing plant).

Cartwright may not be the most scenic of harbours, and the facilities are not 5 star, but you would struggle to find a more friendly and welcoming community anywhere in the world. The local fishermen have been described as the "cold water cowboys" which neatly encapsulates the frontier atmosphere of this remote outpost. We spent a week there waiting for a hurricane to pass through to the south of us and were sad to leave at the end.

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