PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
El Guamache
Pilot
updated Oct 2010- Puerto El Guamache pilot boarding place Pilot boards10°52.4′N 064°04.8′W
Compulsory. Contact pilot on VHF Ch 16. Pilot service is available 24 hours a day. It is important to confirm ETA.
Pilots will board a vessel on arrival or at anchor. The pilot boarding place, is situated 1nm NW of Punta Mangle. Care should be undertaken when a vessel is underway while picking up the pilot as the pilot launch is low powered.
Key data
updated Mar 2020Size limits
Harbour: Draught 10.5m, LOA: 292m, Beam: 45m, 181,265 DWT
Offshore: Draught 14.9m, LOA 183m, Beam : 32.2m, 51,099 DWT
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDVSA Gas Isla de Margarita | 14.90 m | 183 m | 1 |
| El Guamache Terminal | 10.50 m | 292 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2010Approach
Inner approaches: Sailing from Trinidad and Atlantic Sea, vessel's approach until 2nm S of Punta Mosquito (10°53'N 063°54'W), steering 268° for about 11.5nm to an approx position 2-3nm S of the lightbuoy moored 0.5nm SSW of Punta de Mangle. This channel can easily be proceeded through. Large vessels use the fairway between the island and mainland. The channel has a least depth of 22.0m. If coming from the western Caribbean, there are three buoys, a red light marking the shallow water of Punta de Mangle, a white light showing the entrance of the entrance and another white buoy about 2nm N of the quay showing the ferry boat pilotage zone. There is a wide navigation area approaching from N. El Guamache port light can be confused with a baseball stadium close to it. Future installations include a light beacon to help recognise the main anchoring zone.
Anchorages
Vessels bound for this terminal may anchor 200m N of the pier, in depths of approx 14.0-20.0m.The anchorage is exposed to prevailing winds from the E at 15-20kts. Good holding ground.
Outer anchorages: Vessels can anchor as convenient in Bahia de Guamache as the depths decrease gradually towards the shore, the bottom is sand.
A spit with depths less than 4.0m, extending 0.6nm SSW from Punta de Piedras (10°54.0'N 064°05.9'W) should be avoided.
There is a shoal with a depth of 3.9m lying 0.8nm SE of Punta de Piedras. The shoal is marked by a light buoy.
Restrictions
Daylight berthing only. Vessels should be aware of ferry-boats that depart from Punta de Piedras to Puerto la Cruz and Cumana and vice versa. This is a constant service as the island has no bridge connection to mainland. Ferry boats usually work on VHF Ch 16 and 06.
Tugs
Two tugs are normally in the port, "Rio Yocoyma" with 26.5t bollard pull and "Piar" with 29.8t bollard pull, tug lines. Both are fire fighting vessels.
Mooring
Vessels are normally berthed port side alongside, on occasions using their starboard anchor. Mooring arrangements on completion being 2 head/stern lines and necessary springs.
Mooring lines: There are 7 sets of bits available on the pier.
Charts and publications
BA 230. Admiralty Pilot NP7A.
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuaticos.
Position: Gerente de Puertos.
Address: Av Rio Orinoco, Urb Las Mercedes, EDF Inea Piso 3, Caracas, Venezuela.
Tel: +58 212 909 1540
Fax: +58 212 909 1540
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.inea.gob.ve
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that a vessel arriving at US ports in one of its five subsequent calls from ports in Venezuela will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures. To ensure compliance with USCG regulations masters must increase vessel security to equivalent of Marsec Level 2 standards while in Venezuelan ports.
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Major repairs are possible at anchor, only minor repairs available at the pier
Dry docks
No drydock available on Margarita Island but major drydock is located at Puerto Cabello.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from berth at rate of 70tph, price US$3.00 per ton.
Bunkering: Diesel only by road tanker.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Porlamar.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours. Office hours Mon-Fri 0730-1700hrs.
About El Guamache
updated Mar 2020Where it is
El Guamache is situated at the extreme S point of Margarita Island.
The port
The port is in an open bay with one berth for general cargo vessels, one berth for RO-RO vessel and one tanker berth.
Traffic
Approx 3000TEU handled annually.
Questions about El Guamache
Where does the pilot board at El Guamache?
The pilot boards at Puerto El Guamache pilot boarding place, 10°52.4′N 064°04.8′W.
What time zone is El Guamache in?
Local time at El Guamache is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at El Guamache?
The deepest berth listed is at PDVSA Gas Isla de Margarita: 14.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at El Guamache?
1025.
Which load line zone is El Guamache in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of El Guamache?
The UN/LOCODE of El Guamache is VEEGU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at El Guamache 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.
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.