Brest

1. Brest boarding — good weather Pilot boards48°18.2′N 004°40.9′W

Size limits

Max LOA 339.80m, breadth 39.00m, 87,375DWT and 11.80m draught.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Tidal range:

HAT: 7.9m

MHWS: 7.0m

MHWN: 5.5m

MSL: 4.13m

MLWN: 2.7m

MLWS: 1.1m

LAT: 0.3m

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

Approach

Rade de Brest is approached through Avant-Goulet and Goulet de Brest and is entered from Goulet de Brest between Pointe du Portzic (48°22.0'N 004°32.0'W) and Pointe des Espagnols, about 1nm S.

Rade-Abri and Port Militaire are entered from Rade de Brest through Passe Sud.

The commercial harbour is entered from the E side of Rade-Abri through Passe de l'Ouest the usual passage, or from Rade de Brest through Passe de l'Est, at the E end of Port de Commerce.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels may request the passage of their choice.

Vessels with a risk of grounding, pollution or accident because of damage or other difficulties should wait outside the Goulet de Brest in an area designated by the Control Centre.

Anchorages

Vessels may anchor in Grande Rade with permission from the Brest Port Naval Authority, using VHF Ch 74. Anchorage in the spoil ground S of Pointe des Espagnols (48°21.0'N 004°32.0'W) is not recommended as there may be much less water than charted, nor is it recommended within an area of 500m radius situated in position 137° x 3,900m from Pointe du Portzic Lighthouse, formerly used as a spoil ground in which the holding ground is poor.

An anchorage, 360m radius, 720m diameter, shown on the chart as a reserved anchorage for vessels awaiting a pilot to berth, is situated 0.5nm SW of the head of Jetee Sud.

Anchorage may be obtained in W winds in Baie de Roscanvel in depths of 12.0-22.0m, holding ground sand and mud.

Vessels looking to anchor W of Goulet de Brest can do so in Camaret Bay. Depths range between 10m-14m good holding ground however gravel and coral lies near the centre of the bay.

Restrictions

La Cormorandiere, a large rock, sits S side of the entrance to Rade de Brest and is marked by a beacon.

At the W side of Rade de Brest, submerged submarines may occasionally exercise, if so they are escorted by surface vessels which display the appropriate signals.

Tugs

Two tugs, 1 of 1,400hp, pull 34t and 1 of 1,400hp, pull 24t available. Navy tugs may be available under certain conditions if early notice is given.

Charts and publications

BA 3428, 3429, 3427, 2643. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be advised through the agent, 48 hours in advance of arrival at the Charles Martel Lightbuoy (48°18.8'N 004°42.8'W) stating vessel's name, callsign, nationality, draught and cargo.

Pilotage should be requested 12 and 3 hours in advance of ETA at the Waiting Area S of S Mathieu by VHF to Vigie de Saint Mathieu (Semaphore Signal Section). Vessels should call the pilot vessel direct on VHF before arrival at S Mathieu.

Vessels should contact Base Navale on VHF Ch 74 for anchorage instructions.

Mandatory reporting to Jobourg or Dover traffic for vessels if over 1,600GT carrying hydrocarbons, dangerous or polluting cargoes at least 1 hour before entering territorial waters of France/UK.

Communications

VHF Pilots: Ch 12 callsign "Pilote Brest". Tel: +33-2-9844-3495 (office hours) and +33-6-0355-4958 (mobile 24 hours). Fax: 33 (0)2 98 43 26 58. Email: [email protected]

Harbour Master: Ch 16, 12 callsign "Capitainerie Brest". Tel: +33 2 98 33 41 42, Fax: +33 2 98 33 41 50.

VTS: Vigie du Raz, Cap de la Chevre (Daylight only), Vigie de Saint Mathieu all Ch 16.

Vigie du Portzic Ch 16, 08.

Brest Port Naval Authority: Ch 74.

Captaincy: Tel. 02 98 76 59 96 – Port Officer 24hr call. Additional office hours Tel. 06 64 48 13 96. Email. [email protected]

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Health

Request for pratique to be made on arrival at the pilot station. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate possible.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: For each crew member 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits.

New Customs Forms to be completed for vessels sailing between 2 French ports.

Immigration may require Crew List and valid passports to be shown.

Notices and regulations

Rade-Anbri: All vessels need authorisation to navigate in Rade-Abri and must not exceed a speed of 10kts.

Except in cases of emergency, anchorage is prohibited.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Damen Ship Repair (previously Sobrena): The shipyard offers a broad range of services for any vessel type, including LNG tankers, oil tankers, semi-submersibles, shuttle tankers, FPSO's, offshore construction vessels, jack-up rigs, Ro-Ro vessels and ferries. Two repair quays are available. 1 x 90t portal crane and 1 x 12t portal crane available at QR 1, 1 x 100t portal crane and 2 x 15t portal crane available at QR 4.

Dry docks

FR 1: 1 x 30t portal crane

FR 2: 1 x 90t portal crane, 1 x 12t portal crane and 1 x 20t portal crane

FR 3: 1 x 100t portal crane and 2 x 15t portal crane

Note: Extra cranes available if requested include; 2 x 100t mobile cranes, 1 x 120t mobile crane and 2 x 40t mobile cranes.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths and by lighter to vessels in Rade de Brest.

Bunkering: LNG bunkering is available at Quai Est 5 (Inner). Fuel and diesel oil are available by bunker barge or trucks at Quai Reperation - General Cargo, Quai Reperation 05 - Tanker 1, Quai Reperation 05 - Tanker 2, Quai Reperation 05 - Tanker 3 and Berth Quai Ouest 6.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Naval and civil hospitals available.

Crew change

Possible at all times, ship alongside or moored in roadstead.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aeroport Brest-Guipavas (10km).

Airport facilities: National connections including regular flights to Paris.

Nearest railway: Brest.

Working hours

Mon to Fri 0600-1000hrs, 1030-1400hrs, 1400-1755hrs, 1830-2150hrs. Sat 0600-1000hrs. Overtime available.

Where it is

Brest is located on the NW coast of France at the W entrance to the English Channel, approx 550km from Paris.

The port

The port has extensive cargo handling and ship repair facilities, 3 dry docks and 2 repair quays. The main cargoes handled by the port are cement, grain, containers, reefer and general cargoes.

Traffic

Approx 2,600,000t of cargo and 42,000TEU handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Brest?

The pilot boards at Brest boarding — good weather, 48°18.2′N 004°40.9′W.

What time zone is Brest in?

Local time at Brest is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Brest?

The deepest berth listed is at Agri-Bulk Terminal: 11.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Brest?

1025.

Which load line zone is Brest in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Brest?

Port State Control at Brest: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Brest?

The UN/LOCODE of Brest is FRBES.

What crews who called at Brest 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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