Crofton

Size limits

Max LOA 212.5m, beam 32.26m, draught 11.9m and 62,841DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 4.1m.

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

Approach

Approach: The approach to Crofton is made from the Strait of Georgia by way of Porlier Pass and Houston Passage.

The approach to the wharves is free of dangers but occasionally strong E winds can make berthing difficult and necessitate the use of tugs. Lights (privately maintained) stand on the outer ends of the wharfs.

Port limits

Port limits embrace all the waters of Osborn Bay.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The port lies within Sector 1 of the Victoria Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) System. The system is administered by Victoria Traffic. Assigned frequency 156.55MHz, Ch 11.

Anchorages

Anchorages are available near Ladysmith or Cowichan Bay. Anchorage can be obtained in Osborn Bay sheltered from the prevailing SW and W winds. The best position in a depth of about 22.0m, mud, approximately 0.25nm off the SW shore.

Restrictions

Caution: Submarine cables extend over 0.1nm offshore from a position close N of the public wharf.

Tugs

Available from Jones Marine Service.

Charts and publications

BA 4952, 4955, 4922; Canadian 3453. 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

Radio: 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.

Sansum Narrows contact info

Telephone: +1 604 666 5399

Facsimile: +1 604 666 2961

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

Arranged through Nanaimo.

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 hull repair service is available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at No 1 and No 2 Docks.

Stores: Available in small quantities.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Huli'tun Health Society (3.9km), Chemainus Medical Clinic (8.15km), Lady Minto / Gulf Islands Hospital, (9.85km) and Cowichan District Hospital (11.3km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Ganges Harbour Airport (10.8km), Victoria International Airport (29.15km) and Vancouver International Airport (49.3km).

Nearest highway: The port has access to the Trans-Canada Highway. The route runs 7,476km through the ten provinces of Canada, from the Pacific Ocean on the west coast to the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast from, Victoria, BC to St. John's, NL.

Nearest railway: Access via Dock 1.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Crofton.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Crofton is located in Osborn Bay, on the W side of Stuart Channel, on the SE coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.

The port

The harbour has three wharves used mainly for the processing and export of forest products for the Catalyst Pulp and Paper Mill - Crofton. It was announced in Jan 2024, that Paper Excellence were closing the paper operations at the mill indefinitely. The mill's pulp facilities remain operational.

Traffic

Approx. 2,200,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Crofton?

Compulsory and provided Pacific Pilotage Authority Canada (PPA).

What time zone is Crofton in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Crofton?

The deepest berth listed is at Catalyst Pulp and Paper Mill - Crofton: 11.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Crofton?

1025.

Which load line zone is Crofton in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Crofton?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Crofton?

The UN/LOCODE of Crofton is CACRO.

What crews who called at Crofton 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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