Chemainus

Size limits

Max LOA 199.9m, draught 9.8m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.4m (springs); 0.5m (neaps).

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

Approach

The port is approached from the Strait of Georgia by Porlier Pass and Houston Passage. Approaches to the port are deep and without danger provided the track indicated by the leading lights is maintained.

Direction: From a position in Stuart Channel N of Bare Point Light (48°57.8'N 123°42.3'W) the route leads SSW.

Front light, (red trapezium daymark, white stripe on white mast, elevation 8.0m) (48°55.5'N 123°42.7'W) at the N end of the main wharf.

Rear light, (red inverted trapezium daymark, white stripe on white mast, 13m high) on the roof of a building (0.125nm SSW of the front light).

The alignment (199°) of these lights leads through the harbour entrance to the main wharf passing:

ESE of Hospital Rock (48°55.8'N 123°42.7'W) a detached rocky patch with depths of 3.0m over it.

"U30" Lightbuoy (starboard hand) is moored on its E side.

Caution: An unmarked rock, with a depth of 14m over it lies less than 0.1nm E of the leading line 0.2nm N of Bare Point.

Another unmarked rocky patch, with a depth of 9.8m over it, lies very close W of the leading line 0.05nm SE of Hospital Rock.

Useful mark:

A beacon (white tower, red band), 0.125nm N of Hospital Point, (48°55.7'N 123°43.0'W) stands on Bird Rock, which dries 3.0m and extends 0.15nm N of the point. The coast, for 0.75nm NW of Hospital Point, is fronted by rocky shoals, lying up to 0.3nm offshore with depths of less than 1.8m over them in places. Lights (privately maintained) are shown from the main wharf, the ferry wharf and dolphin close N.

Port limits

The harbour limits are unusually large and in addition to embracing most of the waters of Stuart Channel, all of Sansum Narrows and the N end of Satellite Channel, extend into Houston Passage.

Anchorages

Anchoring is not advisable because of the extensive booming grounds and congestion in the bay. Vessels awaiting a berth usually anchor in Houston Passage where there are four designated anchorages.

Restrictions

Submarine cables cross the entrance to the bay from Hospital Point (48°55.7'N 123°43.0'W) and extend up to 0.3nm N from Hospital Point.

Tugs

Tugs are available but are not normally necessary.

Charts and publications

BA 79, 3475. CAN 3441 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 frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station.

Inmarsat can also be used.

VHF: Pilots: Ch 16.

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.

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 vessels 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

Minor repairs and underwater inspections are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Lubricants and diesel oil normally available. Fuel oil not available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospital in the town.

Transport

Nearest airport: Nanaimo, 15km.

Nearest railway: Chemainus.

Nearest Highway: Highway No 1.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1700hrs.

Where it is

The port of Chemainus is situated on the W side of Chemainus Bay, on the SE coast of Vancouver Island.

The port

The port mainly handles forest products with one of the largest mills on the Pacific coast, fuel oils and general cargo. The port is open all year.

What are the pilot arrangements at Chemainus?

Refer to "Canadian general information, re Pacific Coast Pilotage".

What time zone is Chemainus in?

Local time at Chemainus is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the water density at Chemainus?

1025.

Which load line zone is Chemainus in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Chemainus?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Chemainus?

The UN/LOCODE of Chemainus is CACHM.

What crews who called at Chemainus 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 Chemainus →