Chesapeake

Size limits

LOA 237m, beam 73.998m, draught 12.8m, 72,370DWT.

Water density

Chesapeake 1005 (Portsmouth and Norfolk 1010).

Load line zone

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Portsmouth and Norfolk 1.0m. Masters should consult individual terminals as to tidal range and flow in Elizabeth River (South Arm).

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

Approach

Larger and deeper draught vessels access the Chesapeake port from the North, from seaward, by crossing Chesapeake Bay and accessing the Southern Arm of the Elizabeth River, passing the port areas of Craney Island, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Gateway facilities.

On the East Bank of the Southern Arm, the port area starts at approximately 36°49'19.35"N 76°17'23.87"W and on the West Bank (and including the East Bank area from this point) the port area starts at 36°47'55.52"N 76°17'36.01"W.

From seaward, crossing Chesapeake Bay, at its entrance between Cape Henry and Fishermans Island to the North and Chesapeake Beach to the South, is the 25km long Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The road bridge is split in two places by two tunnels under the Bay, each 1.5km long enabling vessels to transit the Bay via the Thimble Shoal Tunnel Channel to the South (used by vessels accessing port facilities at Portsmouth, Norfolk and Port of Virginia). The deepest route to and from Chesapeake Bay is south of Chesapeake Light through the buoyed Deep-Water Route in the southeasterly approach. Ships entering Hampton Roads from the sea follow a course between the Virginia Capes, across the lower end of Chesapeake Bay via Thimble Shoal Channel into the deep waters of Hampton Roads. Federal project main channel depths are 15.2m (50ft) from the Virginia Capes to Baltimore and 16.7m (55ft) from the Capes to Hampton Roads.

Thimble Shoal Channel, an improved approach to Hampton Roads, begins 2.3nm NW of Cape Henry Light and extends approx 9.5nm WNW. The Channel extends from the Virginia Capes across the lower end of the Chesapeake Bay into the deep waters of Hampton Roads. Thimble Shoal Channel is 304.8m wide and approx 13nm long with a depth of 16.7m (55ft).

Separating Chesapeake Bay from Hampton Roads is an access passage for vessels approx 1.0nm wide and 15.2m deep, where the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel crosses from the North end of Fort Wool to just west of Old Point Comfort Light, on the North side.

Two channels then extend through Hampton Roads, one southward into Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia International Gateway Terminal and Chesapeake and one westward to Newport News and up to the James River.

Norfolk Harbour Channel: Extends from Hampton Roads into the Southside cities via the Elizabeth River into Norfolk, Portsmouth and Chesapeake.

Elizabeth River is approached through Hampton Roads, and entered between Swells Point and Craney Island Disposal Area, 3nm SSW.

The project depths for the approaches to, and Elizabeth River are as follows:

Norfolk Harbor Entrance Reach depth 15.2m, width 305m,

Norfolk Harbor Reach and Craney Island Reach depth 16.7m, least width 244m, Lamberts Bend to Town Point Reach depth 13.7m, least width 229m,

Southern Branch (Lower Reach and Middle Reach) depth 13.7m, least width 114m, then Southern Branch (Upper Reach) depth 10.7m, least width 76m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A TSS is established in the NE and SW approaches to Chesapeake Bay.

Anchorages

Anchorages A to D, marked on charts, are for Naval vessels only.

Anchorage E is an explosives anchorage for commercial vessels, prior permission to anchor in this anchorage must be obtained from the COTP.

Restrictions

Transit to Chesapeake berths may be affected by development work on Craney Island Marine Terminal. Vessels are asked to monitor navigational notices concerning this area. This is a 300ha site, on reclaimed land NW of Craney Island Fuel Terminal, on the Western side of the approaches to Elizabeth River. The new terminal will have 1,220m of berth length for four vessels with 16.7m depth alongside and 15.2m in the approach channel. There will be a total of ten gantry cranes and 960 reefer plugs.

Under Keel Clearance: For single hull tank vessels 5,000gt or more, operating in the area of Hampton Roads waters Zone, prior to transiting this area, Masters are required to confer with their Pilot regarding conditions which may affect UKC, which include, but are not limited to, the vessel's navigational draught, controlling depth of the channels, weather and environmental conditions. Certain uncontrollable conditions such as shoaling, weather or types and levels of vessel traffic, may cause UKC to be modified.

Restricted Area: A naval restricted area extends E and S of Old Point Comfort, and the danger zone of an army firing range extends to seaward from a point 1.5nm N of the point.

LPG vessels: LPG vessels on passage between Thimble Shoal Channel No 3 Lightbuoy and DCP Midstream (Atlantic Energy) Terminal on the W side of Upper Reach of Southern Branch of Elizabeth River have a safety zone established around them.

Tugs

Larger vessels should consult individual Terminals as to tug usage.

Vessels usually proceed from Cape Henry ports in the Hampton Roads area under their own power and without assistance. A large fleet of tugs is available at Norfolk to assist in docking or undocking and in shifting within areas of restricted manoeuvrability.

Charts and publications

BA 2814, 2919. Admiralty Pilot NP69. NP286(5).

NOAA 12221, 12222, 12245, 12248, 12253. US Coast Pilot 3 (Norfolk).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

US Customs and Border Protection have offices at Newport News and Richmond. Information can be found on their website www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry.

For crew not to be detained onboard a vessel each crew member must have a valid US visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

There are numerous shipyards in the Hampton Roads area, and other facilities, capable of undertaking all types of repair.

Bunkers, water and stores

Masters should consult individual Terminal owners.

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Several companies operate bunker services in the Hampton Roads area, with all grades of fuel oil, lubricants and greases.

Stores: Available from many chandlers in the area.

Medical

There are several hospitals in the Chesapeake area and in Norfolk and Portsmouth. (See also Safety Section).

Transport

Nearest airport: Norfolk International.

Where it is

The port area of Chesapeake is located inland along the Southern Arm of the Elizabeth River, Virginia (not to be confused with the town of Chesapeake City, Maryland).

Access for larger vessels is via Hampton Roads, to the North, and then South, passing the port areas of Craney Island, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Gateway facilities.

The port

Chesapeake has extensive frontage and port facilities on the navigable portions of the Western and Southern Branches of the Elizabeth River, mostly owned and operated by private businesses. Chesapeake Port does have a Port Authority but this only administers the financing and development of waterside areas, working with these private businesses. Many of the facilities listed are used by larger, sea-going vessels. Moving southwards along the South Arm of Elizabeth River, pusher tugs become more prominent for transhipment of cargoes.

The majority of port facilities in the Chesapeake area are privately owned and operated.

What are the pilot arrangements at Chesapeake?

Pilotage is compulsory in Cheasapeake Bay (including Hampton Roads) for all foreign vessels and for US vessels under register in foreign trade.

What time zone is Chesapeake in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Chesapeake?

The deepest berth listed is at Enviva Port of Chesapeake: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Chesapeake?

Chesapeake 1005 (Portsmouth and Norfolk 1010).

Which load line zone is Chesapeake in?

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Chesapeake?

Port State Control at Chesapeake: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Chesapeake?

The UN/LOCODE of Chesapeake is USUFG.

What crews who called at Chesapeake 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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