PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Bellingham
Pilot
updated May 2010Puget Sound Pilots Association. Six hours notice of ETA is required. Pilots board 1.3nm NNE of Ediz Hook Light (48°08'N 123°24'W).
Key data
updated Aug 2018Size limits
LOA 381m (Berth No. 01 and No. 02 combined), draught 12.8m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 3.0m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham Shipping Terminal (BST) | 12.80 m | 381 m | 3 |
| Bellingham Cold Storage (BCS) | — | — | 1 |
| Bellingham Cruise Terminal (BCT) | — | — | 1 |
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
Whatcom Creek Waterway on the SE side of the harbour, Squalicum Creek Waterway on the NW side and I and J Street Waterway, in between, provide dredged channel access to the port facilities.
Channel depths: Whatcom Creek Waterway has a project depth in the outer and middle reaches 9.1m, then, through the inner reach, 5.5m.
The project depth is 5.5m in I and J Street Waterway and 7.9m in Squalicum Creek Waterway. The outer reach of Whatcom Creek Waterway is usually near the project depth.
Caution: Controlling depths in these channels may be considerably less than project depths, for the latest controlling depths, charts and the port authorities should be consulted.
Anchorages
There are anchorages available in Bellingham Bay. An explosives anchorage and a designated general anchorage lie in the N part of Bellingham Bay. Bottom hard with thin layer of mud, ships liable to drag in heavy weather.
Tugs
Available. Larger tugs available from Seattle.
Charts and publications
BA 80, 2531. Admiralty Pilot NP25.
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Ch 16.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
Available by arrangement with agent. For crew not to be detained onboard, vessels must have either a Crew List with visas or each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Flags
All vessels must fly the US flag while at the port.
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 Aug 2018Repairs
Available.
Dry docks
Fairhaven Shipyard (48° 43.198'N 122° 30.928'W) has one drydock of 3,200t capacity and 118.5m long.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Medical
Bellingham, 4km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Bellingham, 5km NW of port.
Airport facilities: Daily departures for passenger and air cargo.
Nearest railway: Bellingham. Burlington North Railroad mainline.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs.
About Bellingham
updated Aug 2018Where it is
Bellingham is situated on the Western seaboard in Washington State, 78nm N of Seattle.
The port
The port consists of three main areas: Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Bellingham Shipping Terminal and Bellingham Cold Storage.
Questions about Bellingham
What are the pilot arrangements at Bellingham?
Puget Sound Pilots Association.
What time zone is Bellingham in?
Local time at Bellingham is UTC−8. Clocks go to UTC−7 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−8 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Bellingham?
The deepest berth listed is at Bellingham Shipping Terminal (BST): 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Bellingham?
1025.
Which load line zone is Bellingham in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Bellingham?
Port State Control at Bellingham: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Bellingham?
The UN/LOCODE of Bellingham is USBLI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Bellingham 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.