Cowichan Bay

Size limits

LOA 196m, draught 10.4m.

Largest vessel handled: "Hoegh Mallard", LOA 200.5m, beam 30.9m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.1m (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 approach from Satellite Channel, S of Separation Point, is deep and without danger. The approaches to the deepsea berth, in the SW portion of the bay on the edge of the mud flat, are deep and open.

Directions: The port is entered S of Separation Point where a light is exhibited. The bay is deep and there are no off lying dangers.

Useful Marks:

Separation Point Light (white round tower, 6.0m in height) (48°44.6'N 123°34.1'W) exhibited from the extremity of the point.

Lights (privately maintained) mark the N and S ends of the lumber wharf (48°44.9'N 123°37.5'W).

Port limits

The port falls within the jurisdiction of Chemainus Harbour.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Assigned frequency 156.55MHz, Ch 11.

Anchorages

There are 8 anchorages located in the bay and the S side of Satellite Channel. Nos 1 to 4 lie within the bay and Nos 5 to 8 in the W part of Satellite Channel; the bottom is mud throughout.

Tugs

Available, larger tugs available at 48 hours notice.

Charts and publications

BA 4954. Admiralty Pilot NP25.

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: By road tanker and in moderate quantities. Larger quantities are available by barge from Vancouver.

Stores: Available from the town of Duncan (10km).

Medical

Cowichan District Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Victoria, 69km.

Nearest railway: Railroad tracks on wharf.

Nearest Highway: Highway No 1 is located to the E of the port.

Working hours

By arrangement.

Where it is

The port of Cowichan Bay is situated on the Saanich Inlet on the SE coast of Vancouver Island.

The port

Cowichan Bay is a large, accessible bay and includes the Thetis Island public port facility.

The main wharf is owned by Canadian National Railways and operated by Westcan Terminals Ltd.

The port is principally used for the export of lumber. The navigation season is all year round.

Traffic

Approx 12 vessels visit the port annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Cowichan Bay?

Compulsory. Refer to "Canadian General Information, re Pacific Coast Pilotage".

What time zone is Cowichan Bay in?

Local time at Cowichan Bay is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the water density at Cowichan Bay?

1025.

Which load line zone is Cowichan Bay in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Cowichan Bay?

Port State Control at Cowichan Bay: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cowichan Bay?

The UN/LOCODE of Cowichan Bay is CACCB.

What crews who called at Cowichan Bay 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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