PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Aguadulce
Pilot
updated May 2010- Puerto Aguadulce pilot boarding place Pilot boards08°12.4′N 080°24.5′W
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels greater than 150GT wishing to enter or leave the port. A local pilot is available and it is recommended that his services be used due to periodic changes in the position of the sandbar across the entrance of the estuary. It is customary when docking, to run the vessel's bow into the mud bank and back the vessel into the dock. As the pilots speak very little English, Masters should be advised how this manoeuvre will be effected.
Vessels should send requests for pilots through the agent or National Ports Authority on VHF Ch 12. Pilot boards at the anchorage area near the sea buoy (08°13'N 080°25'W).
Key data
updated May 2010Size limits
LOA 100m, draught 5.02m, 2,500GT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Mean spring range 5.0m, mean neap range 2.7m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berths | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
The entrance channel is 7nm in length from the sea buoy to Puerto Aguadulce and has a width of 75-200m. It is marked on both sides by lightbuoys.
Anchorages
On arrival vessels should wait for the pilot at the anchorage in position 08°13'N 080°25'W. Depth is 7.4m (LW).
Restrictions
The port can only be entered during daylight hours at HW, which ranges between 3.3-5.3m. Due to the sandbar across the estuary, it is preferable for the vessel's draught to be at least 0.3m less than the height of the tide. Occasionally, due to heavy swells at the entrance to Aguadulce, vessels might not be able to enter if HW does not generate enough clearance between the vessel's draught and the height of the tide. Tides given for Balboa are the same as those in Aguadulce and occur at approx the same time.
Tugs
None available.
Charts and publications
BA 1929. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2019Communications
Tel: +507 501 5106, +507 501 5227, Fax: +507 501 5405, E-mail: [email protected]
Notices and regulations
Arrival and departure in daylight hours and at high water only.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority:
1. For Ports and Ship Registry:
Contact person: Chief of Port Security Department
Address: Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), Diablo Heights, Building 5534, PO Box 8062, Panama 7, Republic of Panama.
Tel: +507 232 7352
Mobile: +507 660 61057.
Website: www.amp.gob.pa
2. For the Panama Canal:
Contact person: Manager - Canal Security Division.
Address: Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Balboa - Ancon, Republic of Panama, PO Box 5413, Miami FL 33102-5413
Tel: +507 272 4646, Cell: +507 614 1941.
Recognised Security Organisations:
RSO - ISSC Issue: Phoenix Management Service Group, Universe Security Group (London), Singapore Technologies.
RSO - Security Consultant Services: MUSC, Secure Maritime Group (St Petersburg, Florida).
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
Panama has signed a PSI ship boarding agreement with the USA aimed at stemming the flow of weapons of mass destruction. If a US or Panama flagged vessel is suspected of trafficking proliferation related cargo, either party to this agreement can request authorisation to board, search and possibly detain the others vessel and its cargo.
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Not available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available via road tankers.
Medical
Hospital near port.
Transport
Nearest airport: Panama City (192km). Connection to Panama City via Chitra (25km) and Santa Clara (35km).
Nearest railway: Balboa (144km).
Working hours
By arrangement.
About Aguadulce
updated May 2010Where it is
Aguadulce is located on the Pacific coast in Parita Bay.
The port
There is a single pier available for cargo handling. As there is no fendering on the pier itself, it is recommended that vessels have some type of fendering onboard. At low tide, vessels will generally lie safely aground, the bottom alongside the pier being mud.
Principal exports are sugar and molasses.
Questions about Aguadulce
Where does the pilot board at Aguadulce?
The pilot boards at Puerto Aguadulce pilot boarding place, 08°12.4′N 080°24.5′W.
What time zone is Aguadulce in?
Local time at Aguadulce is UTC−5. No summer time.
What is the water density at Aguadulce?
1025.
Which load line zone is Aguadulce in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Aguadulce?
Port State Control at Aguadulce: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Aguadulce?
The UN/LOCODE of Aguadulce is PAAGD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Aguadulce say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.