Benicia

Size limits

LOA 335.28m, beam 50.3m, draught 12.2m, 265,000DWT.

Water density

1010.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Approx. 2.0m.

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

Approach

Carquinez Strait, which is entered between Semple Point (38°03.9'N 122°13.5'W) and the town of Valona (0.5nm S), is a channel, 6nm long, connecting San Pablo Bay with Suisun Bay. It is spanned by bridges at both ends. It is deep throughout, except for an extensive shallow bank on the N side of the strait which fronts the shore between Dillon Point (38°03.6'N 122°11.6'W) and Benicia Point (1.75nm SE), and banks which extend towards the fairway S of Benicia Point.

Regulated navigation area: A regulated navigation area has been established near the Southern Pacific Railway Bridge. The following general regulations apply to all power driven vessels of 1,600GT or over and to tugs with a tow of 1,600GT or over, navigating within these areas.

Restrictions

Carquinez Strait Bridges: Two fixed bridges, with one central pier, span the strait at Semple Point. Each span has a horizontal clearance of 304m. The vertical clearance under the N span is 44.5m and under the S span is 40.8m.

Benicia-Martinez Highways Bridge: A multi span fixed bridge, spans the E end of Carquinez Strait between Suisun Point (38°02'N 122°07'W) and Army Point (almost 1nm NNW). The main navigational span, between Piers No 10 and 11, has a horizontal clearance of 134m and a vertical clearance of 41m. This span almost coincides with that of the adjacent railroad bridge.

Southern Pacific Railroad Lift Bridge: This has a number of fixed spans and is situated close E of the highway bridge. The lift span has a vertical clearance of 21.3m when closed and 41m when open. The horizontal clearance is 89m. The operators can be contacted by VHF radio.

A regulated navigation area is established within 183m of the bridge in the main channel. When visibility is less than 915m E bound vessels shall not transit this area. W bound vessels, if visibility is reported to be less than 915m, shall not proceed past Mallard Island (38°02.5'N 121°55.0'W) until the visibility has improved to more than 915m.

Overhead power cables: Span the strait in 2 places, 0.25nm W and 1.25nm E, of the Carquinez Strait Bridges. The least vertical clearance is one of 54.5m under the W set of cables.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 4914, 590. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

VHF: Ch. 16, 10.

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

Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: All grades of fuel and lubricants available from one of the many companies operating in the area.

Medical

John Muir Medical Center, Concord is 19km from Benicia Port.

Transport

Nearest airport: Oakland International and San Francisco International Airports.

Nearest railway: The area is served by the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads.

Airport facilities: All facilities are available.

Where it is

Benicia is situated on the northern shore of the Carquinez Strait, California.

The port

This deep water port is one of the W coast's leading centres for imported vehicles. Facilities at Avon, Martinez, Ozol, Crockett, Selby, Oleum, Mare Island and Vallejo can also be found under this entry.

What are the pilot arrangements at Benicia?

Compulsory. Available from San Francisco Bar Pilots.

What time zone is Benicia in?

Local time at Benicia 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 Benicia?

The deepest berth listed is at Marathon Petroleum Martinez Refinery: 12.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Benicia?

1010.

Which load line zone is Benicia in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Benicia?

Port State Control at Benicia: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Benicia?

The UN/LOCODE of Benicia is USBNC.

What crews who called at Benicia 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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