El Tablazo

Size limits

LOA 250m, draught 9.45, 50,000DWT

Water density

1000-1003.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 0.91m.

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

Approach

Entrance is by Buoys No 61 and 63 with a distance from San Carlos pilot station of 16.5nm or 8 hours from Guaranao pilot station. A channel branching NE from the primary channel of Canal de Maracibo abeam "B64" Lightbuoy (10°44'N 071°33'W) leads towards the 2 main piers; it has a least depth of 11.6m. This approach passes SE of "AP5" and "AP6" Lightbuoys and NW of a line of 3 lightbuoys up to 0.5nm SW of the liquids pier.

Anchorages

Anchorage with good holding ground can be obtained 1nm WSW of the bulk pier by vessels calling at El Tablazo.

Tugs

The use of tugs is compulsory during berthing and unberthing manoeuvres.

Charts and publications

BA 1517, 1525. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent to agent 72 hours prior to vessel's arrival. Additional ETA's to be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival or if a difference in ETA of more than 6 hours occurs after the last ETA message.

ETA message should include the following information: ETA at Guaranao pilot station, Master's name, last port, ballast condition, last 3 cargoes, arrival/departure draught and arrival/sailing displacement.

Communications

It is recommended to use Portishead Radio. Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 12 and 06.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in front of the terminal, on arrival at the anchorage.

Documents

Customs and Harbour Master's clearance are prepared and delivered onboard by the agent prior to vessel's departure.

Cargo documents such as Bills of Lading, Quality and Quantity Certificates, Certificates of Origin, etc are prepared/released by terminal operators. These documents are presented to the Master for his signature prior to departure.

Health

Pratique and Custom's clearance can only be granted on arrival, either at anchorage or on completion of berthing.

Vessels coming from ports which have cholera will not be allowed to deballast overboard. A sanitary inspection is performed at the pilot station prior to entering port.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: An allowance is made for approx 5 days, or for 2 days plus the day of stay, of cigarettes and alcohol out of bond. The bond is sealed after the vessel's clearance. Additional allowances may be made on request to the Customs authorities. Bonded items are not allowed to be taken ashore. Penalty is confiscation and a possible fine.

Immigration: Issue shore passes that are valid for 72 hours.

Flags

The national ensign of Venezuela should be displayed in port. Vessels not complying will receive orders from the National Guard to stop cargo operations. A written report will be requested prior to cargo operations recommencing.

Notices and regulations

Only one vessel manoeuvre may be effected at a time.

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.

Repairs

Not permitted at port.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Maracaibo.

Crew change

Permitted.

Transport

Nearest airport: La Chinita International, Maracaibo.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

El Tablazo is situated near the entrance on the E shore of Lake Maracaibo.

The port

The port offers four berths handling mainly petrochemical products and urea. It comprises of a bulk pier, connected by conveyor to the terminal complex and a liquids pier SE of it.

Traffic

Approx 60 vessels visit the port annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at El Tablazo?

Compulsory; Vessels are boarded by Berthing Master on arrival off the piers and go alongside heading NE.

What time zone is El Tablazo in?

Local time at El Tablazo is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at El Tablazo?

The deepest berth listed is at El Tablazo Petrochemical Terminal: 9.45 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at El Tablazo?

1000-1003.

Which load line zone is El Tablazo in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of El Tablazo?

The UN/LOCODE of El Tablazo is VEETV.

What crews who called at El Tablazo 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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