Arecibo

1. Port Arecibo Pilot boards18°29.4′N 066°43.1′W

Size limits

Max draught 6.0m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.6m.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Directions for entering harbour: Approaches: The recommended approach from both E and W is to remain at least 3nm off the coast until in a position to close the port.

From east: From the vicinity of 18°33'N 066°41'W, the line of bearing, 200°, of the cathedral (1nm WSW), which has a belfry and a dome, and a large building near it, all of which are prominent, leads towards the entrance channel.

From west: From the vicinity of 18°33'N 066°47'W, the line of bearing, 132°, of Punta Morrillos Light leads towards the entrance channel.

Entrance channel: A dredged entrance channel, with a controlling depth of 7.0m leads into the port.

From a position 0.7nm NW of Punta Morrillos Light, with the light bearing 132° and the cathedral bearing 200°, the track leads 165° with a position midway between 2 prominent, high chimneys (1.75nm S) on a bearing ahead, passing: WSW of Tres Hermanos, the outermost of which (0.9m high) (0.27nm W) lies close off the breakwater, then WSW of Roca Coginera (0.32nm WSW), at the outer end of the mole extending 350m SW from Punta Morrillos, marked off its W side by No 1 Buoy, then ENE of No 2 Buoy (0.5nm WSW), then WSW of a depth of 2.2m (0.27nm SW).

Port limits

Reported that the entrance was dredge to a controlling depth (6.04m) and depths between 1.0m and 5.5m at the basin off the wharf.

Anchorages

Anchorage is available approx 0.25nm NW of the head of the mole, in depths of 15.0 - 16.0m positioned by the following: The alignment (118°) of Roca Coginera (0.3nm WSW) with the bluff on the S side of the hill (0.3nm S).

The line of bearing, 216°, of the cathedral (1nm WSW).

Anchorage is also available approx 0.25nm W and NW of the above position, in depths of 16.0 - 22.0m, well clear of Roca Resuello, which dries, (1nm WSW).

A wind from the N may make the anchorage untenable.

Charts and publications

BA 3408, 478. Admiralty Pilot NP71.

Communications

San Juan Radio transmits on 2530kHz, receives on 2134kHz and keeps watch on 2182kHz

VHF: Ch 16 and 14.

Customs and immigration

Arecibo is not a Customs port of entry.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Port Authority of Puerto Rico

Address: PO Box 362829, San Juan, 00936-2829, Puerto Rico.

Tel: +1 787 729 8725

Fax: +1 787 723 8217

Mob: +1 939 630 8832

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available. Served by barges either alongside the vessel at the pier or at anchor. Other combustible liquids are delivered in road tankers by Shell, Esso, Texaco, and Seahorse Oil Terminal.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Dr Cayetano Coll y Toste, 3.4km and Hospital Dr Susoni, 4.0km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Antonio Nery Juarbe Pol Airport, 5.7km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Port Arecibo is located on the N coast of the island, 32nm W of San Juan.

The port

Port Arecibo is an open bay, partly protected by a breakwater extending 0.2nm SW from the headland. However, the port is not considered safe for vessel operations, which are practically non-existent, except for tug-barge operations (liquid chemicals are pumped out from a tank-barge alongside the pier through a pipeline to the Rico Chemical storage tanks ashore). A sizeable fleet of pleasure craft use a section of the berthing facilities. There has been a significant growth in tug-barge traffic calling at the port. Port installations are under the control of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.

Traffic

Approx 4,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Arecibo?

The pilot boards at Port Arecibo, 18°29.4′N 066°43.1′W.

What time zone is Arecibo in?

Local time at Arecibo is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the water density at Arecibo?

1025.

Which load line zone is Arecibo in?

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Arecibo?

Port State Control at Arecibo: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Arecibo?

The UN/LOCODE of Arecibo is PRARE.

What crews who called at Arecibo 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.

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