PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Big Creek
Pilot
updated May 2010- Big Creek pilot boarding place Pilot boards16°21.7′N 088°24.0′W
Pilotage is compulsory. Pilot will board off English Cay by prior arrangement.
Key data
updated May 2010Size limits
Vessels up to LOA 70m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Group | — | — | 2 |
| Big Creek Group | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2017Approach
Approach and entry: Big Creek is approached from the vicinity of No 2 Lightbuoy (E Cardinal) in the Narrows. The approach is via a recommended track and marked intermittently by buoys and lightbuoys; then entry is through a channel marked by lightbuoys. To accommodate larger vessels, the total length of the channel has, reportedly, been increased by 1.8nm from 1.5nm to 3.3nm and has been widened from 63m (208ft) to 120m (396ft) with the depth increased from 6.7m (22ft) to 11.0m (36ft). Vessels should check latest depths as the area is subject to an accumulation of sand and sediment.
The new channel width of 120m, allows vessels to turn in a basin of approx 500m².
Anchorages
Anchorage is available 0.4nm SSE of Placentia Point, in a depth of 6.0m.
Charts and publications
BA 1797. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).
US Sailing Directions 148 (Caribbean Sea Volume II). US28162.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (for ships).
Tel: +501 223 5026.
Email: [email protected]
Port Security Information: Belize Ports Authority.
Address: Caesar Ridge road, Belize City, Belize.
Tel: +501 227 2480.
Fax: +501 227 2500.
Mob: +501 610 5991.
Email: [email protected].
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
About Big Creek
updated Aug 2017Where it is
The port of Big Creek is located on the W side of the entrance to Placentia Lagoon, to the S of Belize Port.
The port
Big Creek is a private port owned by the Big Creek Group (BCG) and includes Banana Enterprise Limited (BEL) which exports banana, sugar and citrus products, Haney Farms Ltd. and Belagro Agriculture. The port also handles containers, break bulk cargo and dry bulk, including grain, and provides some services for the offshore industry. The location provides easy access for the export of these products from Belize.
The port area has recently been expanded to accommodate deeper draught and larger vessels, with the approach channel being lengthened and dredged to 11.0m and an alongside depth also of 11.0m.
The Group allotted a portion of its land adjacent to the port for the storage of crude oil in six tanks; the oil being piped in from the current oil production facility in Spanish Lookout. Latterly, this 60,000 barrel storage facility has been under utilised and awaits a new oil find.
Traffic
Approx 240,400t of cargo and 160 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Big Creek
Where does the pilot board at Big Creek?
The pilot boards at Big Creek pilot boarding place, 16°21.7′N 088°24.0′W.
What time zone is Big Creek in?
Local time at Big Creek is UTC−6. No summer time.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Big Creek?
The UN/LOCODE of Big Creek is BZBGK.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Big Creek 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.