Deseado

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Tides

HW 6.11m, LW 0.12m. Currents in entrance channel up to 5-6 knots.

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

Approach

The entrance channel is narrow, with a width of 200m, marked by 2 pairs of leading lights. The flow of the tide often exceeds 5kts, it is therefore usual to enter the port at the ebb and sail on a rising tide.

Anchorages

Anchorage can be obtained SSE of Roca Foca, (47°45'S 065°50'W), in depths from 15-20m. The best berth is 2.7nm SE of Roca Foca. A foul patch lies approx 1.2nm S of Roca Foca.

The coast between Punta Guanacos and the mouth of Rio Deseado is fronted by shoals and should not be approached within 2nm.

Restrictions

A mud and gravel bank lies 200m W of the wharf, with a depth of 4.87m at zero. When sailing on a rising tide, a back current runs inside the bank and assists in opening the bow. The vessel can then cross the bank, drop anchor on the outer edge and swing on the still rising tide until facing the entrance.

Tugs

Tugs are not available, and are not required to aid vessels berth. However in certain conditions the pilot launch, 600hp can assist.

Mooring

It is advisable to berth 1 hour prior to high tide and moor starboard side to the wharf to facilitate sailing.

Charts and publications

BA 3334. Admiralty Pilot NP6, NP286(7).

Communications

Note: As soon as a call from a ship is detected, on any frequency, the auto scanner system will stop and will establish contact. The station will then return to the main scanning loop.

The ship must wait for the message and then change over signal to send traffic. The first row of the message must start with the telex number and the message must end with KKKK. The ship will then receive the time to be charged for the contact. It is then ready to send a new message or return to stand by mode.

VHF: Port: Ch 12, 14 and 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with charter party terms.

This is alongside if berth is free on arrival or on anchoring in the port roads if berth is occupied or if charterer, for any reason, does not accept vessel alongside.

If loading at more than one port, NOR should be presented at first loading port only, unless otherwise stated in the relevant charter party or contract; notwithstanding that the Master is obliged to keep agents/charterers well informed of progress and position whilst shifting between ports.

Documents

An additional copy of all the above, except Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards, should be made for the Master to keep on file in case they are required.

Note: CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, CG = Prefectura (Coastguard), PH = Sanidad (Port Health), AG = Agent, FP = Federal Police.

Prefectura (Coastguard) Declaration and Customs Declarations are all presented to the Master, on special forms, for his signature by the attending agent and officials.

Cargo Manifests or In Ballast Declaration: Cargo Manifests or a Ballast Manifest have to be presented on arrival but these are normally dealt with, on behalf of the Master, by the agent. In the case of Buenos Aires, a computerised Manifest for all ports of call is transmitted directly from the agent's office to the Customs House, the "Maria" system being used.

In all other cases, an indexed manifest, in the prescribed form, is presented to the Customs officer attending the vessel on arrival. Notwithstanding the above, at outside ports the Master is also required to present up to 4 manifests on arrival. This usually refers to vessels carrying bulk cargoes such as fertilisers.

Health

Pratique should be applied for at least 3 working days prior to arrival. The pratique message can be passed to the ship's agent by telex or fax for onward transmission to the Port Health Authorities.

Free pratique is only granted after Sanidad (Port Health) Officer attends on arrival. This visit does not normally prevent the commencement of cargo operations.

Cholera: The salient points of Ministry of Health and Social Security regulation No 1333 of 1.12.92, affecting vessels arriving, are in Country section.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates: There is no resident Port Health officer therefore exemptions and extensions cannot be obtained.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The daily allowance is 40 cigarettes and 0.25 bottle of spirits. For non compliance a fine of from 1-5 times the value of the goods plus duties on any extra cigarettes/spirits above the given limit.

Immigration: An Immigration Officer attends onboard to stamp Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards. The crew require an Argentine Shore Pass (fichas) on which appear a thumb print and photograph as well as personal details. If they are not already onboard they are prepared on the vessel's entry. A photographer can attend onboard. The Master, in the ETA message, should state how many crew members require shore passes. Passengers require passports and landing cards.

There are no restrictions for either crew or passengers to proceed ashore with the above mentioned documents.

Flags

The national flag of Argentina is to be flown from the highest point on the vessel from sunrise to sunset. Fine for non compliance is an unspecified amount.

It is important to fly the "Q" flag on entering port until free pratique is granted by the Port Health officer attending onboard. Fine for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

Transmission of all SECOSENA messages is via MF or HF radio.

Certificates of Competency: The Coastguard (PNA) has, recently, been asking to see all deck, engine and radio officers Certificates of Competency. They must be valid and acceptable to the country under whose flag the vessel is registered. This refers in particular to vessels sailing under flags of convenience.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Prefectura Naval Argentina.

Contact person: General Prefect, Prefecto Nacional Naval.

Address: Av Eduardo Madero 235, piso 2, 1106 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tel: +54 11 4318 7521/7522/7523

Fax: +54 11 4314 0317.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www. prefecturanaval.gov.ar

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Facilities exist for minor repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available

Bunkering: Available

Stores: Available

Medical

There are medical facilities available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Deseado.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1300hrs and 1300-1900hrs, overtime is available.

Where it is

The port of Deseado is situated in the Province of Santa Cruz at the entrance of the Deseado River.

The port

The port which is operated by Unidad Ejecutora Portuaria de Santa Cruz (UN.E.PO.S.C.) handles ranges cargo such as heavy machinery, container and chemicals such as cynide, potassium and ammonium nitrate.

Traffic

Approx 40,000t of cargo and 19,000 TEU are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Deseado?

Compulsory for foreign vessels.

What time zone is Deseado in?

Local time at Deseado is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Deseado?

1025.

Which load line zone is Deseado in?

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Deseado?

The UN/LOCODE of Deseado is ARPUD.

What crews who called at Deseado 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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