Bridgetown

Size limits

Offshore: Draught 10.0m, LOA 172m, BCM 60m, 22,352DWT.

Harbour: Draught 9.9m, LOA 362.12m, beam 47.02m, 81,755DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.6m.

Currents are generally weak and variable to the W of the breakwater. However an unpredictable N or S set of up to 2.5kts can be experienced immediately to the W of the breakwater head.

The swell is particularly noticeable in Nov and is at a minimum in the summer.

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

Approach

The harbour is approached from the NW or from the S and is entered between the breakwater head and the SW corner of the bulk grain terminal.

Approach from NW: From the vicinity of 13°08'N 059°41'W, with the Barbados Hilton Hotel (13°04.7'N 059°36.8'W) bearing 130°, the track leads along this line of bearing towards Carlisle Bay, clear of dangers, passing through the pilot boarding area.

Approach from S: From the vicinity of 13°04'N 059°39'W the track leads N towards Bridgetown Deep Water Harbour for a distance of about 2.75nm, or NE towards Carlisle Bay for a distance of 2nm, passing Needhams Point (13°04.7'N 059°36.8'W).

The entrance channel has been dredged to a depth of 13.5m, the Inner Basin to a depth of 11.0m and the turning basin to a depth of 12.5m. The approach to the Grain Terminal has a least depth of 11.9m.

Port limits

The seaward limit of Bridgetown deep water harbour is established by a line joining the N end of the breakwater to the N extremity of the bulk grain terminal, 0.3nm NNE.

Anchorages

Carlisle Bay Outer anchorages are as follows:

Quarantine anchorage: Located in Carlisle Bay: with depths of 18m to 50m, lies within a circular area with its centre about 0.9nm WNW of Needhams Point (13°05'N 059°37'W).

Explosives anchorage: The anchorage for vessels carrying explosives is centred 0.6nm NW of the breakwater head light, in depths of from 9m-25m.

Smaller vessel anchorage: Anchorage is available in depths of over 20m, with good holding ground, Needhams Point Light bearing 129° x 1nm.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in the approach to the harbour and as follows:

Within 0.1nm of an outfall (13°05.8'N 059°37.6'W); and within an area 0.1nm S of the ruins of the Police Pier (13°05.5'N 059°36.8'W). This area is centred on an outfall pipe which extends 220m seaward from a wooden jetty, 97.5m in length.

Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the time of movements but it is recommended that movements are made before 0900hrs or after 1800hrs to avoid fresh winds. Larger vessels may move before 0730hrs and it is reported that the local pilots usually commence berthing and unberthing operations at daybreak. Currently cruise ships have priority morning berthing and afternoon departure.

Port Exclusion Zone: Established in the approaches to Deep Water Harbour, extending WSW from the NW corner of the Grain Terminal, to the Fairway Lightbuoy, then gradually SE to the Esso Jetty.

Tugs

Compulsory for all vessels over 1,000t. There are 2 tugs available: Pelican II – 4,660hp and Barbados II – 5,500hp. Radar is installed on both tugs along with firefighting, salvage and pollution control equipment.

Tugs join vessels at the entrance to the harbour basin.

Mooring

Bridgetown Control issue berthing instructions and control movements.

Charts and publications

BA 502, 2485. Admiralty Pilot NP71, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send initial ETA to agents 72 hours prior to arrival. This should be followed by ETA messages, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival. ETA should be sent as early as possible to pilots, before Thursday 1100hrs LT for Saturday service, and before Friday 1400hrs LT for Sunday service. The ETA message should include date and time of arrival, tonnage of cargo for discharging, total number of crew, last port, next port, number of passengers in transit and number of passengers landing.

Vessels should submit Form 'A' prior to arrival and contact signal station as soon as possible after entering national waters.

Communications

VHF: Barbados Port/Pilots: Ch 12, 06, 16, callsign "8PB" operates throughout 24 hour, Tel: +1 246 430 4782. Email: [email protected]

Tugs: Ch 06, 12.

Oistins Bay Mooring Boat: Ch 09.

Health

Pratique may be obtained by radio, between 4 and 18 hours before arrival, giving last port of call, number of passengers and stating whether there is any illness onboard; in which case the port health doctor will be notified and will board the vessel on arrival. Specially trained port health Inspectors are on duty throughout 24 hours. The port health officers can administer vaccinations. Vaccinations for yellow fever must be valid for all persons onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Inspection of ships in Barbados

The Harbour Master's Department and the International Transport Division (above) have joint responsibility for inspection of ships.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Barbados Defence and Security.

Position: Permanent Secretary.

Address: Prime Minister's Office, Government HQ, Bay Street, St Michael, Barbados.

Tel: + 1 246 228 5332.

Fax: +1 246 228 4386.

Email: [email protected]

Position: Permanent Secretary.

Address: Prime Minister's Office, Government HQ, Bay Street, St Michael, Barbados.

Tel: +1 246 228 5332

Fax:+1 246 228 4386

Email:[email protected]

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths in the deep water harbour.

Bunkering: Most grades available by pipeline. There are 16 refuelling points along the berths of the port of Bridgetown. These permit any vessel with a max draught of 10.0m to be refuelled at any berth.

Lubes are delivered by road tankers.

Offshore supply facilities: These are available throughout 24 hours, advance notice is required.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown; Bayview Hospital, Bridgetown. An emergencyhelicopter service is available.

Crew change

Possible, by tug or helicopter.

Transport

Nearest airport: Grantley Adams International, Bridgetown, 21km.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1100hrs, 1200-1600hrs, 1600-1900hrs and 1900-2300hrs.

Throughout 24 hours for container vessels.

Where it is

Bridgetown is located on the SE coast of the Island of Barbados, in the Atlantic, approx 90nm E of the chain of E Caribbean islands.

The port

Bridgetown is the main port serving Barbados and has extensive facilities for handling a variety of cargo. Developments includes a container park which can accommodate 2,000 containers stacked 2 high, 80% of the container cargo now moving through the port with bulk sugar, molasses, grain and general cargo forming the remainder of cargoes handled.

Imports: Mineral fuel, petroleum products, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, machinery, transport equipment.

Exports: Mineral fuel and lubricants, foodstuffs and manufactured goods.

Traffic

Approx. 1,300,000t of cargo (of which approx. 1,800t is comprised of iron ore and 63,000t grain), 93,000TEU, 1,000 vessels and 99,000 passengers are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bridgetown?

Compulsory, only naval vessels are exempted.

What time zone is Bridgetown in?

Local time at Bridgetown is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Bridgetown?

The deepest berth listed is at Esso Terminal (Deep Water Harbour): 11.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bridgetown?

1025.

Which load line zone is Bridgetown in?

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bridgetown?

The UN/LOCODE of Bridgetown is BBBGI.

What crews who called at Bridgetown 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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