Boston

1. Boston Pilot boards42°23.5′N 070°49.5′W

Size limits

LOA 368.5m, beam 51.2m, draught 11.64m, 153,679DWT.

Water density

Brackish.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Mean spring range 3.1m, mean neap range 2.3m.

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

Approach

The outer entrance has three main channels of approach: N entrance channel, the main channel, has a project depth of 12.2m in the E part and 10.7m in the W part and is 335m wide.

South Entrance channel to Weymouth Fore River has a project depth of 10.7m at MLW and South channel has a project depth of 9.1m MLW and is 304.8m wide. There are several minor channels.

The Inner main ship channel is 12.2m deep and 365m wide, it starts at President Roads, where the approach channels converge, and runs to the head of the Innerchannel at Charlestown. The Inner consists of a main channel and several tributary arms; E Boston is on one side of the channel with the city of Boston on the other, Chelsea and Charlestown are situated at the head.

Port limits

Boston Harbour includes all tidal waters which lie within a line joining the S point of Deer Island and Point Allerton, 3.75nm SE.

Anchorages

PRESIDENT ROADS: General anchorage No 2 (42°20'N 070°58'W), lies on the N side of Boston main channel between Deer Island and Governor Island Flats. It is the principal anchorage in Boston Harbor. Anchorage is available in depths of 8.0-20.0m, good holding ground.

Quarantine Anchorage: The N part of the area is used as a quarantine anchorage.

Explosives Anchorage: The Captain of the port may authorise this area to be used as an explosives anchorage, in which case vessels may have to move at short notice.

LONG ISLAND ANCHORAGE: General anchorage No 3 (42°19'N 070°57'W), lies between Gallops Island and Georges Island to the E and Long Island to the W. Anchorage is available in depths of up to 10m, good holding ground. The anchorage is sheltered from E winds. Berths in this anchorage are allocated by the Captain of the port.

NANTASKET ROADS: Explosives anchorages No 5 (42°18'N 070°57'W) is situated SW of Georges Island (42°19'N 070°56'W) at the inshore end of the South entrance channel.

Good anchorage may be obtained in depths of up to 15.0m, clear of a submarine gas pipeline, and SE of a line drawn between the S extremity (42°19.0'N 070°55.7'W) of Georges Island and 4P Light Beacon (red triangle on grey framework tower on pile structure) (2nm SW).

CASTLE ISLAND ANCHORAGE: General anchorage No 4 for small vessels (42°20'N 071°01'W), lies in the approach to Dorchester Bay. Anchorage is generally available in depths of 2.0m but there is deeper water in its S part.

INNER ANCHORAGE: Anchorage in the inner harbour is only permitted in anchorage area No 1 on the N side of Boston main channel, 1nm NW of Governors Island (42°20.0'N 071°00.5'W). This anchorage has depths of 8.0-10.0m.

Caution: A tunnel crosses Boston main channel from a position 0.1nm E of Pier 5 (42°21.0'N 071°02.0'W), passing between anchorage areas. Three other tunnels cross the channel approx 1nm further NW. Anchoring is prohibited within an area extending 0.1nm each side of the tunnels.

LNG/LPG vessels at anchor should maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 13 and 16.

Tugs

Available, tugs up to 2,000hp are stationed at Boston Harbor and maintain constant watch on VHF Ch 10. Arrangements for tugs are made in advance through the agents. Tugs meet vessels off Anchorage area No 1 (42°21'N 071°02'W) or No 2 (42°20'N 070°58'W).

Charts and publications

BA 1528, 1516, 1227, 2492. Admiralty Pilot NP68, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

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

LNG/LPG vessels should inform Captain of the Port Boston 72 hours in advance of arrival at Board Sound Anchorage stating agent, vessel's overall height, maximum draught and confirmation of seaworthiness.

Any change should be sent immediately to Captain of the Port.

Communications

Pilot Office Tel: +1 617 569 4500. Email: [email protected].

Marine information broadcasts for LNG/LPG vessels, beginning 24 hours prior to vessel's transit, will be made on Ch 16 transferring to Ch 22.

LNG/LPG vessels at anchor should maintain a watch on VHF Ch 13 and 16.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

Immigration and Agriculture Quarantine Officers are stationed in Boston. Pratique may be granted by radio. Advance arrangements should be made through ship's agents and officers will then board vessels at berth. Quarantine anchorages are in the N part of President Roads and off Bird Island Flats.

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.

Traffic regulations: Navigation Rules of US Inland Waters apply within a line joining the easternmost tower at Nahant (42°25.4'N 070°54.6'W) to B Lightbuoy, then to the E radio tower at Hull (42°16.7'N 070°52.5'W).

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.

Repairs

Facilities are available to carry out all types of hull and engine repairs to vessels of all sizes. The largest repair facility is located in South Boston.

Dry docks

South Boston yard has two drydocks, the largest of which has a length of 358m, width of 38.7m and depth over the sill of 10.9m. A patent slip in the port can handle vessels up to 55m in length and 1,000t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Boston.

Transport

Nearest airport: Logan International, Boston, 5km.

Nearest railway: Boston.

Working hours

By arrangement.

Where it is

Boston is situated on the W shore of Massachusetts Bay on the eastern seaboard of the USA.

The port

Boston comprises an inner and outer harbour covering in total, 12,032ha. The principal exports are vehicles, lumber and logs, iron and steel, leather, recycled paper and machinery. Imports are alcoholic beverages, frozen seafood, footwear, furniture and petroleum products. The chief coastal trade is in bulk gypsum, liquid sulphur, cement and petroleum.

Traffic

Approx 12,000,000t of cargo, 237,000TEU, 900 vessels and 370,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Boston?

The pilot boards at Boston, 42°23.5′N 070°49.5′W.

What time zone is Boston in?

Local time at Boston is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Boston?

The deepest berth listed is at Conley Terminal: 11.64 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Boston?

Brackish.

Which load line zone is Boston in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Boston?

Port State Control at Boston: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Boston?

The UN/LOCODE of Boston is USBOS.

What crews who called at Boston 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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