Caraquet

1. Caraquet Harbor pilot boarding station Pilot boards47°54.4′N 064°48.5′W

Size limits

Length 125m, draught 6.0m, 7,500DWT.

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

Range 1.9m springs, 1.0m neaps.

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 through Baie des Chaleurs. The main entrance is from the NE through Caraquet Channel, a channel for small craft enters the harbour W of Caraquet Island.

Caraquet Channel: The least depth is 5.5m (rising to 6.5m at High Tide) to the jetties at Stoke Point 47°49'N 064°51'W. There are depths of 4.5m in the channel further W.

The directions for Caraquet Channel are as follows:

From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position, the first leg of the track leads SSE on the alignment of Pointe Petite-Lameque Leading Lights to a position close ENE of "EM2" Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (47°48.5'N 064°50.5'W). Then the track leads SW on the alignment of Caraquet Leading Lights:

Caraquet Leading Lights: Front light (white square tower, red stripe 8m in height), 47°48.5'N 064°50.5'W;

Rear light (similar construction and tower, 13m in height), 0.6nm from front light.

The front light is intensified on the leading line; the rear line is visible on the leading line only.

From the position close ENE of "EM2" Lightbuoy (starboard hand) the alignment (226.75°) of these lights leads through Caraquet Channel, narrow and winding marked by buoys, between the edges of Caraquet Shoal and Poksudie Shoal, which are steep to, passing NE of the SE end of Caraquet Shoal, then NW of the SW part of Pokesudie Shoal, then SE of the SE edge of Caraquet Shoal, 2.1nm WNW.

The deepest water does not always follow the leading line.

Middle Caraquet Leading Lights: Front light (red rectangle, white stripe on a framework tower 5m in height), 47°48.2'N 064°53.2'W;

Rear light (similar construction and tower, 14m in height), 355m from front light.

The alignment (244°) of these lights leads through the buoyed channel for 2.75nm passing close to Lower Caraquet Wharf (1.3nm ENE) from which a light (framework tower, 3m in height) (47°48.7'N 064°51.4'W) is exhibited then to a position 0.5nm NE of the front light.

Stoke Point Leading Lights:

From a position 0.5nm NE of the of Middle Caraquet Front Leading Light, the alignment (093.75°), astern of the following lights leads through the buoyed channel for approx 0.7nm, passing close N of the shoal ground of the S shore marked by "EM23" Lightbuoy (port hand):

Front light (red rectangle, white stripe on framework tower, 3m in height) (47°47.4'N 064°51.6'W).

Rear light: (similar construction and tower, 8m in height) (124m from front light).

Pointe a Brideau Leading Lights: From a position close N of the shoal ground off the S shore marked by "EM23" Lightbuoy (port hand) the alignment (248°) of the following lights leads through the buoyed channel to the berths at Caraquet:

Front light (black rectangle, white stripe on a framework tower, 4m in height), 47°47.8'N 064°56.2'W:

Rear light (similar construction and tower 13m in height), 375m from front light.

Baie de Caraquet entrance: From a position approx 0.4nm NE of Pointe a Breideau Front Leading Light, the buoyed channel leads W for 1.25nm to the outer part of Baie de Caraquet, passing S of the drying sands that extend approx 2.75nm SE from Pointe de Maisonette.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is no special VTS in operation.

Anchorages

There is sheltered anchorage in a depth of 16.5m. A good anchorage is available near the outer end of Shippegan Channel, 47°53'N 064°46'W.

Tugs

Small tugs may be requested. There are no fire fighting tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 1715. Admiralty Pilot NP65. NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The Master of a vessel requiring a pilot should report their ETA at least 12 hours and 4 hours in advance (ETD 4 hours in advance) to Atlantic Pilotage Authority.

Communications

Communications: Messages can be passed through Halifax Radio "VCS" or Montreal Radio "VFN" throughout 24 hours.

Communication is possible through Inmarsat.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or upon docking with first line ashore.

Documents

The authorities will accept IMO forms.

The forms are for Revenue Canada Customs and Excise. The vessel's agent will file the documents with the Customs office after the vessel has berthed.

If the required forms are not onboard they can be delivered with the pilot if agent is notified in advance.

Health

Pratique should only be applied for when vessel is arriving from a country which has a plague outbreak or the vessel has had a death onboard and serious illness among the crew or infestation of rats. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Flags

State flag at the stern, Canadian flag on the mast.

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

Facilities for minor repairs. Patent slipway available for smaller vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: By road tanker.

Stores: Available

Medical

Caraquet Hospital, 1km.

Crew change

Crew change can be arranged on request.

Transport

Nearest airport: Pokemouche, 6km. Chatham Airport, 125km, Moncton Airport, 280km.

Nearest railway: Bathurst, 80km.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime as required.

Where it is

Caraquet is located on Caraquet Bay which is situated on the larger Chaleur Bay, (S shore), New Brunswick.

The port

Caraquet Harbour, with the town of Caraquet directly to the South, is approx 8km (5.0nm) long and protected to the North by Caraquet Island. The port has extensive wharfage for fishing vessels and mainly handles break bulk and refrigerated cargo. Cruise vessels occasionally anchor off the harbour area, with passengers helping to boost the local economy.

The villages of Lower Caraquet, Upper Caraquet, and Maisonnette lie within the limits of the port area.

Where does the pilot board at Caraquet?

The pilot boards at Caraquet Harbor pilot boarding station, 47°54.4′N 064°48.5′W.

What time zone is Caraquet in?

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

What is the water density at Caraquet?

1025.

Which load line zone is Caraquet 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 Caraquet?

Port State Control at Caraquet: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Caraquet?

The UN/LOCODE of Caraquet is CACAQ.

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