PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Drift River Marine Terminal
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory with approx 20 pilots considered qualified to berth ships at the terminal.
Key data
updated Feb 2023Size limits
Offshore: LOA 252.90m, draught 18.20m, 80,000DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Tides
Tides and currents: Currents throughout the entire inlet are very strong and may attain rates of more than 4kts.
Tidal current tables should be prudently utilised by tankers navigating anywhere in the Inlet. Surges of 1kt or more above the average velocity frequently occur for very short periods of time. Where currents are at a max, direction of flow at Drift River Marine Terminal vary around 035° on the flood and 210° on the ebb. Tidal range will vary from an average of 4.87m to a max of 9.44m. The tide is chiefly semi-diurnal with 2 highs and 2 lows daily. Mean surface water temperature is 42°F.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading Platform- Offshore | 18.20 m | 253 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2023Approach
The approach to Drift River loading platform is bordered by shoals and shallow water. No ship should, therefore, attempt to navigate in any of the channels without the appropriate charts.
The N-S channel passes between Harriet Point and the S end of Kalgin Island and approaches the terminal from the S.
Restrictions
Volcano: Mount Redoubt Volcano is located approx 20nm from Drift River Terminal. Loading operations may be affected during periods of activity.
Mooring
Size of mooring lines: All lines shall be 1.5in diameter wire or rope, or 9in circumference synthetic lines.
Mixing types of mooring lines: Every effort should be made to avoid mixing types of mooring lines at a mooring station, recognising that it is difficult to equally stress wire cables and synthetic lines when both are deployed at the same location. Where avoidance is not possible, the ship's crew must take particular care to adjust tension so that strain is borne equally by all mooring lines.
Charts and publications
BA 4976. Admiralty Pilot NP4, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Drift River's Fax +1 907 776 6804.
Radio communication with the terminal can normally be established when the vessel is 24 hours from the terminal. Once radio communication is established, ships will be advised of weather and ice conditions, what ships are berthed or awaiting their turn and the estimated time for berthing.
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
Company radios are used on 153.140kHz.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
A mail service is available. Mail for any vessel must arrive in Anchorage at least 3 days prior to the ship's arrival at Drift River Terminal. The address for mail to be delivered to Drift River Terminal is: Cook Inlet Pipe Line Co, 909 West 9th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA. Mail should be marked for the crew member's attention and indicate the vessel's name.
Inspections
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.
Port services
updated Feb 2023Repairs
Not possible at Drift River.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Peninsula Community Health Services Medical Centre (48km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Merrill Number 3 Airport (50km).
About Drift River Marine Terminal
updated Feb 2023Where it is
Drift River Marine Terminal is located on the western side of the Cook Inlet in southern Alaska.
The port
The terminal consist of offshore facilities.
Questions about Drift River Marine Terminal
What are the pilot arrangements at Drift River Marine Terminal?
Pilotage is compulsory with approx 20 pilots considered qualified to berth ships at the terminal.
What time zone is Drift River Marine Terminal in?
Local time at Drift River Marine Terminal is UTC−9. Clocks go to UTC−8 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−9 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Drift River Marine Terminal?
The deepest berth listed is at Loading Platform- Offshore: 18.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Drift River Marine Terminal?
1025.
Which load line zone is Drift River Marine Terminal in?
North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Who carries out Port State Control at Drift River Marine Terminal?
Port State Control at Drift River Marine Terminal: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Drift River Marine Terminal?
The UN/LOCODE of Drift River Marine Terminal is USDRF.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Drift River Marine Terminal 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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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.