Catalina

Size limits

LOA 119m, Beam 18.4m, Draught 7.3m, 8,950DWT.

Load line zone

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

Tides

At Port Union, in the SW area of the harbour, mean spring range is approx 0.8m, mean neap range is approx 0.3m.

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

Approach

For vessels bound for Catalina, follow a track NNW for 0.3nm, the enter a narrow channel marked by light buoys (lateral) into the NE area. The 5m contour N of the berths at Catalina is marked by TC14 Buoy (starboard hand).

For vessels bound for Port Union, continue SW into the SW area of the harbour, where Port Union's berths can clearly be seen.

Controlling depths:

SE approach channel, least width 185m, has depths over 7.3m in fairway.

NE approach channel, least width 370m, has depths over 6.4m in fairway.

Catalina Harbour entrance is approx 150m wide, least depth 10.3m.

NE entrance channel, 60m wide, least depth of 5.2m.

SW area of harbour has depths from 5.5 to 9.1m to within 0.25nm of its head.

Port limits

The port contains two berthing areas, one at Catalina on the NW side of Catalina Harbour and the other is mainly for fishing vessel at Port Union, to the SE of the harbour area.

Anchorages

NE area of Catalina Harbour: Good anchorage for small vessels in depths of approx 3.4m, mud.

SW area of Catalina Harbour: there is anchorage for larger vessels off the entrance in depths of 9.0m. Care must be taken to avoid Lowe Rock.

Off Port Union, there is anchorage for small vessels in depths of 7.0m, mud. Care should be taken to avoid anchoring in the vicinity of a submarine pipeline extending 0.15nm ESE from the NE corner of the Fishery Products Wharf. The pipeline is marked by 2 buoys (special).

Restrictions

After heavy gales, a swell sets into the harbour but it is not sufficient to endanger vessels.

Charts and publications

Can 4853, 4849. BA 2666, 4733. Admiralty Pilot NP50, NP 286(5).

Communications

Harbour Master, Catalina: Tel: +1 709 469 2441.

Halifax Coast Guard Radio (callsign "VCS") can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. Amver messages can be passed through "VCS".

Halifax Coast Guard CRS has sites at Sambro (44°28.3'N 063°37.3'W); Ecum Secum (44°57.9'N 062°08.9'W); Kingsburg (44°16.5'N 064°17.3'W). HF and MF frequencies are used, depending upon distance from station.

Notice of readiness

NOR normally tendered when vessel secured alongside berth except most tankers tender on arrival pilot station or at port limits.

Documents

Documents are received by Canada Customs on arrival or in the absence of customs it is the responsibility of the vessel's agent to take documents to Canada Customs and Immigration.

Health

Pratique should be applied for when arriving from a country which has infectious diseases or death onboard from unknown causes. Pratique is applied for through the vessel's agent.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Catalina is a port of entry for Customs purposes.

Allowances: For each officer or crew member the allowance is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 0.9kg of tobacco and 1.1 litres of liquor or 8.2 litres of beer or ale.

Penalty for non compliance with the above is forfeiture. If ship's bond count is not accurate, overage results in forfeiture and penalty, under results in payment of duty, taxes and penalty.

Immigration: Routine filing of documents is undertaken by the vessel's agent. There are no restrictions on crew and/or passengers except those who require a visa. If they do not possess a visa they must remain aboard the vessel.

Flags

State flag to be flown over the stern and Canadian flag at 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

Minor repairs can be undertaken.

Medical

There is a resident doctor in Catalina.

The nearest hospital is located in Bonavista, 16km.

Where it is

Catalina Harbour is located approx 15nm S of Cape Bonavista on the N side of Trinity Bay, E coast of Newfoundland.

The port

Catalina is a small fishing port, exporting fish and importing general cargo. Located in the SW end of Catalina Harbour area is the small fishing settlement of Port Union. The normal navigation season for Catalina Harbour extends from Apr to Feb.

What are the pilot arrangements at Catalina?

Pilotage is not compulsory but can be arranged through the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, giving 12 hours notice.

What time zone is Catalina in?

Local time at Catalina is UTC−3:30. Clocks go to UTC−2:30 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−3:30 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Catalina?

The deepest berth listed is at Catalina Harbour Terminal: 7.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Catalina 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 Catalina?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Catalina?

The UN/LOCODE of Catalina is CACAT.

What crews who called at Catalina 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.

Read and add tips for Catalina →