PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Caracas Bay
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory for vessels of 50GT and over. Pilots are available from Willemstad.
Vessels must provide a lighted, manned, properly secured and clean pilot ladder fitted with sufficient spreaders.
A lifebuoy with a "Holmes Light" and a reliable heaving line should be placed close to the pilot ladder. The embarkation and disembarkation must be supervised by an officer.
Vessels arriving or leaving with a freeboard exceeding 9.1m must use an accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder (Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1960).
Vessels should stay 1.0nm off shore SW of the harbour entrance to await a pilot. Both anchors should be ready for immediate use.
Defects of engines, steering gear, anchor gear and other defects which influence manoeuvring abilities of the vessel must be reported to the Harbour Master before entering.
Key data
updated Mar 2017Size limits
LOA 320m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 0.8m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caracas Bay Terminal | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2017Anchorages
Only in consultation with Port Authority.
Tugs
Compulsory for berthing, available from Willemstad.
Mooring
Vessels dock with their port side to the piers, thus allowing passengers to disembark directly onto the pier.
General berthing information: Operation for berthing/loading unberthing is continuous with no tidal restrictions.
Charts and publications
BA 702, 1412, 2193; Dutch 2714. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).
Inspections
ISPS
Curacao is now a new constituent country of the Netherlands.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
About Caracas Bay
updated Mar 2017Where it is
Caracas Bay is an open deep water bay on the S coast of Curacao, 8km (5nm) SE of Willemstad.
The port
There are two piers, operated by Curacao Ports Authority (CPA). The port handles liquid cargo and passengers.
Some of the world's largest cruise vessels regularly dock at these piers. The two piers are naturally protected from prevailing wind and sea.
If cargo operations are required, lighters and stevedores can be transported from Willemstad. The Willemstad Harbour Master has overall jurisdiction.
Questions about Caracas Bay
What are the pilot arrangements at Caracas Bay?
Compulsory for vessels of 50GT and over.
What time zone is Caracas Bay in?
Local time at Caracas Bay is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the water density at Caracas Bay?
1025.
Which load line zone is Caracas Bay in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Caracas Bay?
The UN/LOCODE of Caracas Bay is CWCRB.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Caracas Bay 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.