Churchill

1. Churchill Harbor pilot boarding place Pilot boards58°49.6′N 094°06.2′W

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

HW: 4.3m

LW: 0.09m

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

Approach

The harbour entrance is 278m wide in its navigable part and is marked, along with the channel leading from it to the quay 1nm SSE, by light buoys. The S buoy is moored off the S end of the quay at the limit of the dredged area.

A buoy is located NW of Merry Rock.

Port limits

The E shore of the harbour is formed by a rocky peninsula, 15m high in places, terminating at its N end in at Cape Merry.

The W shore of the harbour is also lined by a rocky peninsula but with extensive drying flats which stop 1.25 N of Cape Merry, off Eskimo Point

Anchorages

Anchorage is available seaward of the fairway light buoy, moored 4nm NE of Cape Merry, marking the outer end of the fairway to the harbour entrance.

Masters of smaller vessels must consult the harbour authorities regarding possible short term anchorage inside the harbour.

The recommended anchorage for larger vessels is 1-3nm NW to NE of the Fairway Buoy in 20-26m over sand and mud. This anchorage is exposed and vessels in light condition may drag, particularly in strong NE winds. Masters are advised to weigh anchor and stand out to sea when gales are expected until the weather moderates.

Vessels should not anchor off the harbour entrance as the ebb tide is strong and there is a danger of dragging ashore should an unexpected NE gale develop.

Restrictions

It is usual to load one vessel at a time. Loading is stopped when a vessel reaches a draught of 9.1m and continues on the flood tide to enable the vessel to depart at high water.

Magnetic variation: Across Hudson Bay, the magnet variation changes about 1° in every 10 miles.

The harbour is normally closed to unstrengthened vessels towards the end of October and open again about the third week of July.

Ice in the area normally starts to break up about the end of May, the river being ice free by mid June. Freeze-up normally begins during the last 2 weeks of October, with complete ice cover by the second week of November. These dates may vary by 2 or 3 weeks.

Ice breaker support for emergencies is normally available from the Canadian Coast Guard who can be contacted through the CCG Marine Communication Traffic Services centre in Iqualuit, NU. The centre will also provide assistance with ice routing. The CCG website gives further information on entering into Canadian Arctic and ice covered waters. For further reference see http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG.

Tugs

A tug service is available from the Hudson Bay Port Company. Three tugs are available, "HM Wilson" at 3,000hp, "Mantaywi Sepe" at 1,600hp and "George Kydd" at 600hp.

Mooring

Vessels under 160m in length may enter on the ingoing tide and, off the quay, the port anchor should be let go, to turn the vessel and berth bows N.

Large vessels enter harbour on the ebb tide, turn at the wharf and berth bows S. Lines should be well secured with a minimum of 4 headlines and 2 breast lines, as a precaution against the strong out going flow. Before loading commences, the vessel should reberth, bows N on the next flood tide. A vessel berthed bows N should use 6 stern lines as well as back springs.

Charts and publications

BA 4406, Can 5400, 5640. Admiralty Pilot NP12.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Masters should advise port authority of their ETA at Churchill Fairway Buoy upon approaching Hudson Strait/Bay via Nordreg Canada. Confirmation of vessels ETA should be sent at least 96 hours prior to arrival via the Coast Guard.

Communications

Churchill operates remote from Thunder Bay Coast Guard Radio, callsign "VBA" throughout 24 hours during the navigation season.

VHF: Harbour Control: Ch 16, 12.

Coastguard: Ch 26.

Port and Pilot operations: VHF: Ch 16, 12, 26.

Tel: +1 204 675 8823, Fax: +1 204 675 2550.

Ice Advisory Service: Information on local ice conditions is supplied to vessels in port by the Ice Information Office. Tel: +1 204 6752263, Telex: +21 07666532.

Ice breaker support for emergencies is normally available from the Canadian Coast Guard, contacted through the CCG Marine communication Traffic Services Centre in Iqualuit, NU. The centre will also provide assistance with ice routing, website: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG.

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered through the vessel's agent once the vessel has anchored at a designated anchorage or berthed alongside. The agent receives and accepts the NOR once the vessel has passed the inspection.

Customs and immigration

Churchill is a port of entry.

Flags

All vessels must fly "Q" flag until cleared by authorities after docking.

Notices and regulations

Ports Canada By-laws "A-I" are in effect.

Ships entering the Hudson Strait and Hudson Bay are subject to Canada's Arctic Water Pollution Prevention Act. This act creates a regulatory Time Date Zone that may restrict vessel navigation if there is ice present. These navigation restrictions are found above 60°N in the Hudson Strait. Vessels of Type A & B Class are permitted into the zone from June 25 to November 30. Vessels of Type C Class are permitted from July 1 to November 15. Vessels operating in the region outside of these dates are subject to the Arctic Ice Regime System (AIRS). The AIRS is administered by Transport Canada Marine Safety. The AIRS considers vessel condition and crew experience to determine the ability of a vessel to enter the zone. Vessels operating outside the zone data system may still enter using the AIRS and a qualified ice navigator.

See website: http//www:tc.gc.ca.

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

There is a fully equipped machine shop capable of minor repairs and a diver is available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by arrangement via Vessel's agent.

Supplies: Available in limited amounts. Larger quantities can be ordered in advance.

Bunkering: Coal and heavy fuel oil are available by rail if ordered in advance. Diesel oil readily available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Churchill Health Centre (1.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Churchill Airport (7.5km).

Nearest railway: Hudson Bay Railway connects to Canadian National Railroad (1km).

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs. Evenings, weekends and statutory holidays are overtime. Linesman are provided by Hudson Bay Port Company.

Where it is

The port is located on the E shore at the mouth of the Hudson River, on the W coast of Hudson Bay, Canada.

The port

This port handles vessels for bulk commodities, general cargo and tanker vessels.

Where does the pilot board at Churchill?

The pilot boards at Churchill Harbor pilot boarding place, 58°49.6′N 094°06.2′W.

What time zone is Churchill in?

Local time at Churchill is UTC−5. No summer time.

What is the water density at Churchill?

1025.

Which load line zone is Churchill 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 Churchill?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Churchill?

The UN/LOCODE of Churchill is CACHV.

What crews who called at Churchill 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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