Bay Bulls

Size limits

Max LOA 147m, beam 25m, draught 10.9m and 17,300DWT.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Tidal range (spring) 1.5m and tidal range (neap) 0.9m.

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

Approach

The port is entered between the South Head and Columbine Point, about 1.08nm NE.

Anchorages

The anchorage area, obtained near the head of the bay, is sheltered and in good holding ground. The depths of the anchorage range between 14.6 to 22m in mud and sand. The anchorage area is sheltered due to the fact that the head of the bay is protected by a slight bend to the NW of the inner part.

Approach: Vessels approach the entrance of the bay from a position on the coastal track abreast Bay Bulls. Vessels should then favour the N side of the bay and anchor where convenient after passing Bread and Cheese Rock.

Note: Anchorage is prohibited within a distance of 120m of the head of the East Pier in order to avoid fouling submerged rails of a slipway.

Restrictions

Caution: (7°22'N., 52°43'W.) Large jets of foam and a loud roaring noise known as "The Spout" is caused by the sea being forced through a fissure in the rocks from an underwater cavern. It can be seen from a distance of 2.6nm offshore and is conspicuous at HW during swells.

Tugs

Port is visited by tugs.

Mooring

Bollards available whilst mooring:

6 x 50 Tonne - Bollards

6 x 100 Tonne - Bollards

2 x 200 Tonne - Bollards

1 x 300 Tonne - Bollard

Note: Information relating to berths No. 01 and No. 02.

Charts and publications

Admiralty Pilot NP50.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, 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.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Repairs

Repairs and upgrades available to ocean-going vessels and offshore drilling rigs.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Waterford Hospital (24km) and Mount Pearl Medical Centre (22.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: St. John's International Airport (33.2km)

Road: Bay Bulls has direct access to Route 10; a highway which provides a 20 minute journey to St. John's.

Where it is

Bay Bulls is situated approx 20nm S of St John's Harbour on the SE coast of the Avalon Peninsula.

The port

Bay Bulls Marine Terminal is an ice-free port servicing the offshore oil, fish and local industries with direct links to St John's and Donovans by the arterial highway. Set in approx 16ha private waterfront, the port offers repairs and upgrades to ocean-going vessels and offshore drilling rigs.

Bay Bulls has limited traffic within the harbour allowing for a quick turn-around with no lost time waiting for entry or departure. The port is also ideally situated for offshore support vessels as it is the closest ice-free, deep-water port to the Grand Bank's oil fields.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bay Bulls?

Not compulsory.

What time zone is Bay Bulls in?

Local time at Bay Bulls is UTC−3:30. Clocks go to UTC−2:30 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−3:30 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Bay Bulls?

The deepest berth listed is at Bay Bulls Marine Terminal: 10.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Bay Bulls in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bay Bulls?

Port State Control at Bay Bulls: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bay Bulls?

The UN/LOCODE of Bay Bulls is CABBU.

What crews who called at Bay Bulls 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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