Connecticut Cruise Ship Taskforce

The Admiral Harold E. Shear State Pier at New London, Connecticut is a deep-water pier with easy port access—there are no bridges or obstructions to pass through or around. It is easy to get to and tugs are not required for berthing.

The berth that is used by cruise ships is on the east side of the northern-most pier (pictured above). The pier’s length is 1,000 feet and width is 250 feet. Water depth at Mean Low Water is 35 feet.

Thanks to the hard work by Logistec USA, Inc. and the USCG Captain of the Port's Office in New Haven, CT, State Pier is in full compliance for all cruise ships that wish to make port-calls at Connecticut's Port of New London.

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Due to Homeland Security regulations State Pier will be a Secure Area. Visitors will not be permitted on the ship, pier or State Pier property. Please follow directions for Guest Access or Media Policy below.

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Are you a cruise ship passenger wishing to meet up with a freind in New London? Or are you coming to New London to meet a passnger? Please follow these steps for a perfect meet:

You will want to come to Admiral Harold E. Shear State Pier. To reach State Pier:
From I-95 South: take Exit 84S (at the end of the Gold Star Bridge) and merge onto CT-32, following signs for Downtown New London. Turn left at your first stop light onto Crystal Avenue. Proceed to first stop light and turn right onto State Pier Road.
From I-95 North: take Exit 83 toward CT-32N. At bottom of ramp, turn left onto Williams Street. Procieed under highway, then turn right on Cole Street. Bear right onto State Pier Road.

There are many signs in downtown New London that direct you to “State Pier.”

Proceed to Security stop point and identify yourself as being there to meet cruise ship passengers. Our staff will direct you to a parking lot. Your friends (passengers) will be directed as they leave the ship to proceed to that parking lot. Should any members of that party have mobility issues they should speak with one of the Connecticut Cruise Ship Task Force staff (they all are wearing bright yellow jackets or shirts) on the pier and they will assist.

Our suggestion for anyone meeting someone from a cruise ship is for both of you to communicate by cell phone. It's a good idea for the passenger to call you as they are leaving the ship—that way you can be watching for them.

Please remember to make sure your guests are returned to the ship at least one hour before the published departure. Since they are not on a ship-sponsored shore excursion, the ship is not required to wait for them should they not be aboard at sailing time.

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Due to U.S. Coast Guard/Homeland Security regulations, members of the press and others cannot be granted access to the pier itself during passenger vessel operations. Only cruise ship passengers, staff and crew of the vessel and those employees of Logistec USA, Inc, police, fire department and vetted(TWIC) personnel of the Conn. Cruise Ship Task Force will be allowed pier access.

Members of the working media may be granted access to the State Pier property only if we have their required identification on file within 24 hours of a passenger ship arrival.

Media access to a passenger vessel at State Pier can ONLY be arranged if we submit your request within one week of the ship's arrival here.

Please submit your request to our offices by calling (866) 646-6161 or emailing to ct_cruise_ship@sbcglobal.net . Final approval for a media visit aboard is made by the cruise line. Information required by the cruise line is; full legal name, date of birth, citizenship status, a driver's license number with issuing state and your employer information.

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m/s Maasdam at State Pier in New London 27 October 2004. (Photo courtesy A. Vincent Scarano)

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