PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Astoria
Pilot
updated May 2010For helicopter boarding, vessels should contact pilots 12hours before and again at 15nm from the approach light buoy CR on VHF Ch 09.
Vessels should contact pilots 1 hour in advance for final instructions.
Pilots board:
By pilot boat - 1nm E of approach light buoy CR.
By helicopter - 5-10nm W of approach light buoy.
Key data
updated Apr 2022Size limits
LOA 299m, beam 35m, 9,480DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer zone.
Tides
Range 2.2m with an extreme tidal range of approx 3.6m. On a flood tide a velocity of 2kts is seldom exceeded, but the velocity sometime attains 5kts during ebb tide. The variation is due largely to the strength of the river discharge, with a max velocity during the freshets which occur during the months of May, Jun and July. The freshets do not affect the height of the water at Astoria.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pier 1 | — | 300 m | 2 |
| Pier 2 | — | — | 3 |
| Bornstein Seafoods Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Columbia River Maritime Museum Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Pier 3 | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Apr 2022Approach
The channel in the Columbia River, from the ocean to Astoria has a width of 182m and a projected depth at LW of 13.7m. See also separate entry for Columbia/Snake River System.
Anchorages
Two anchorage areas lie close N and W of Tongue Point, on either side of No 42 Lightbuoy on the S side of the S channel.
Restrictions
A fixed highway bridge E of the port of Astoria has a clearance of 58m.
Many shrimp boats operate near the entrance to the Columbia River with bright working lights, communication can be made via VHF if they hamper navigation on approach to the river entrance.
Tugs
Tugs available on request.
Charts and publications
BA 2839. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Pilot Office and Pilot vessels Ch 16, 09, 13.
Helicopter Ch 16, 09.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard vessels each crew member must have a valid US visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
Inspections
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: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Apr 2022Repairs
Topside repairs only available at Pier No1.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available, delivery to the vessel through portable hose, portable meters and hose connections. Rates of delivery 10,000gal/hr, water pressure 100psi, except Pier No 3.
Bunkering: Oil facilities for ocean vessels are maintained at Pier 2. The rate of delivery for heavy fuel oil is 1,500bbls/hr, and for diesel oil, 800bbls/hr.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Columbia Memorial Hospital, 3.4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Astoria Regional Airport-AST, 8.0km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours in 3 shifts.
About Astoria
updated Jun 2022Where it is
Astoria is the first port upon entering the Columbia River, situated 8.6nm upstream from the sea.
The port
The harbour comprises three piers with wharfage for nine ocean going cargo and passenger vessels.
Cargo handled: Cruise ships and seafood.
The small port of Warrenton is situated on the W side of Young's Bay and is the proposed site of the Oregon LNG facility.
Questions about Astoria
What are the pilot arrangements at Astoria?
For helicopter boarding, vessels should contact pilots 12hours before and again at 15nm from the approach light buoy CR on VHF Ch 09.
What time zone is Astoria in?
Local time at Astoria is UTC−8. Clocks go to UTC−7 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−8 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the water density at Astoria?
1000.
Which load line zone is Astoria in?
Summer zone.
Who carries out Port State Control at Astoria?
Port State Control at Astoria: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Astoria?
The UN/LOCODE of Astoria is USAST.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Astoria 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.