Campbell River

Size limits

It is reported cruise vessels of up to LOA 310m can be accommodated.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 4.8m.

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

Approach

Campbell River is approached and entered direct from Discovery Passage.

Directions: Tyee (Discovery Terminal) Wharf. From a position in the vicinity of the light (50°02.4'N 125°14.6'W) the route to the wharf leads W from the fairway in Discovery Passage.

BC Ferry Terminal Leading Lights: Front light (50°01.7'N 125°14.5'W).

Rear light (close WSW of front light).

The alignment (252°) of these lights, lead from Discovery Passage across 10m and 5.0m contour lines to the ferry terminal. Passing SSE of Ferry Terminal No 2 Light (red and white triangular daymark on square mast on pile dolphin (50°01.8'N 125°14.3'W), which marks the edge of shoal water on the N side of the approach to the terminal and Ferry Terminal No 3 Light (black, white and green rectangular daymark on mast on 4 pile dolphin) (50°01.7'N 125°14.3'W) which marks the edge of shoal water on the S side of the approach, then NNW of Campbell River N Breakwater Head Light, (50°01.7'N 125°14.4'W).

Caution: The entrance to Campbell River is a seaplane operating area. A regular ferry service operates across the passage between Campbell River and Quathiaski Cove.

Port limits

All waters S of a line extending E from Middle Point (50°05.4'N 125°18.5'W) to the Quadra Island shore 0.3nm S of Copper Cliffs (50°06'N 125°16'W), to a line drawn W from Cape Mudge (50°00'N 125°12'W) to the Vancouver Island shore.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Discovery Passage is under the Vancouver Traffic Zone (Sector 4) and is assigned VHF Ch 71.

Anchorages

Due to strong tidal streams and a poor holding ground, only a temporary anchorage should be considered off Campbell River. Duncan Bay (50°04.5'N 125°17.5'W) provides the only safe anchorage for large vessels; small craft can find shelter within the small craft harbour.

Tugs

Available.

Charts and publications

BA 4922, Admiralty Pilot NP25.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent on departure from last port to the consigned agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities.

Communications

San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all HF channels and 500kHz, depending on distance from station.

Inmarsat can also be used.

Notice of readiness

The custom of the port is to tender NOR on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line at berth. If an outer anchorage is used Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.

Documents

The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Thereafter, Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents.

The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.

Health

It is not necessary to apply for pratique unless there is an infection or dead person onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

If there is any sickness onboard the vessel will be quarantined.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.

Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land.

Campbell River is a Customs port of entry.

Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).

Immigration officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes immigration Crew List.

Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Notices and regulations

Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks.

Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessel's arrival, through the agent.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, 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.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Repairs

Hull, engine, electronic and electrical repairs available.

Medical

Hospital and full range medical facilities available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Campbell River Airport, S of town, 8km.

Nearest highway: Highway 19.

Where it is

Campbell River is located on the E coast of Vancouver Island, at the southern entrance to Discovery Passage.

The port

Campbell River comprises a series of small harbours along the Discovery Passage route plied by vessels to Alaska. The principal industrial activities are pulp and paper manufacturing, lumber, mining and commercial fishing. There is also a cruise ship terminal.

Seymour Narrows is the narrowest point on the Inside Passage and cruise ships, freighters, tugs and barges pass through the Narrows en route between Puget Sound or southern BC to the N coast or the Alaska Panhandle. Ships transit the Narrows only near slack water as tidal streams can be as much as 16kts. Overhead power cables with a vertical clearance of 58m cross the Narrows.

Numerous timber yards are also found along the river.

BC Ferries operate a small fast ferry service located at 50° 1.657'N 125° 14.521'W.

Campbell River Marine Terminal, located 50° 7.134'N 125° 22.968'W, is a full service facility providing an array of assistance to tugs and barges in the area.

Traffic

Approx 917,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Campbell River?

Pilotage is compulsory, refer to "Canadian general information, re Pacific Coast Pilotage".

What time zone is Campbell River in?

Local time at Campbell River is UTC−7. No summer time.

Which load line zone is Campbell River in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Campbell River?

Port State Control at Campbell River: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Campbell River?

The UN/LOCODE of Campbell River is CACAM.

What crews who called at Campbell River 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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