Bocas del Toro

1. Bocas del Toro pilot boarding Pilot boards09°23.2′N 082°12.5′W
2. Canal de Bocas del Toro pilot boarding place Pilot boards09°21.7′N 082°12.0′W

Size limits

Passenger/Cruise "ARTANIA" LAO 230m, DWT 4660t and Max draught 8.0m.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean maximum range 0.3m; mean minimum range 0.1m.

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

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: Ocean going vessels can anchor as convenient SW of Bajo Garcia in depths from 22.0-24.0m, mud, 0.75nm S of Punta Carenero (09°20.4'N, 082°14.3'W).

Inner anchorages: A good berth can be found inside the shoals in depths from 13.0-18.0m, from 0.1-0.15nm SW of Punta Carenero.

Small craft may obtain more sheltered anchorage nearer the town, W of Punta Carenero, where the channel has depths of 4.0m.

Charts and publications

Admiralty Pilot NP7A.

Port State Control here: 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.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority:

1. For Ports and Ship Registry:

Contact person: Chief of Port Security Department

Address: Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), Diablo Heights, Building 5534, PO Box 8062, Panama 7, Republic of Panama.

Tel: +507 232 7352

Mobile: +507 660 61057.

Website: www.amp.gob.pa

2. For the Panama Canal:

Contact person: Manager - Canal Security Division.

Address: Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Balboa - Ancon, Republic of Panama, PO Box 5413, Miami FL 33102-5413

Tel: +507 272 4646, Cell: +507 614 1941.

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Phoenix Management Service Group, Universe Security Group (London), Singapore Technologies.

RSO - Security Consultant Services: MUSC, Secure Maritime Group (St Petersburg, Florida).

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

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Panama has signed a PSI ship boarding agreement with the USA aimed at stemming the flow of weapons of mass destruction. If a US or Panama flagged vessel is suspected of trafficking proliferation related cargo, either party to this agreement can request authorisation to board, search and possibly detain the others vessel and its cargo.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: available.

Bunkering: Available.

Fuel: Available.

Medical

There is a small hospital in the town.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bocas del Toro Isla Colon International Airport, 1.9km.

Where it is

Bocas del Toro stands on the E part of the low peninsula close W of Punta Carenero, the SW end of Cayo Carenero.

The port

It is a port of entry and clearance for many vessels trading in bananas. Alongside berths for barges handling cargo from ocean going vessels in the outer anchorage and small coastal vessels.

Cargo handled: General cargo, bulk cargo and vehicles.

Traffic

Approx 17,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Bocas del Toro?

The pilot boards at Bocas del Toro pilot boarding, 09°23.2′N 082°12.5′W. Bocas del Toro has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Bocas del Toro in?

Local time at Bocas del Toro is UTC−5. No summer time.

Which load line zone is Bocas del Toro in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bocas del Toro?

Port State Control at Bocas del Toro: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bocas del Toro?

The UN/LOCODE of Bocas del Toro is PABOC.

What crews who called at Bocas del Toro 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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