Esquimalt

Size limits

Draught 10.3m.

Largest vessel handled: "Queen Elizabeth II", LOA 314m, beam 36m (for repairs).

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range 1.8m; mean neap range 0.3m.Tidal streams in Esquimalt Harbour and for some distance outside are weak. At the entrance, between Scroggs Rocks and Macaulay Point, the W entrance point of Victoria Harbour, the tidal streams run parallel with the shore at 0.2 to 2kts: the flood sets SE and the ebb NW.

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

Approach

Approach: The harbour is approached through Royal Roads and entered between Fisgard Island and Duntze Head (48°26'N 123°26'W), 0.3nm E.

From a position SW of Scroggs Rock Light, the alignment (015°) of Inskip Island Leading Lights (standing on the largest island of the Inskip Islands, 0.9nm N of Scroggs Rocks Light), leads through the entrance to the harbour.

Inskip Island Leading Lights: Front light, (white mast, white daymark, fluorescent red vertical stripe, 48°25.8'N 123°26.3'W), stands on a reef extending S from the SW extremity of Inskip Island. Rear Light (white tower, white daymark, fluorescent red vertical stripe), stands 0.05nm NNE on the W side of the island.

The alignment passes WNW of Scroggs Rocks Light, then:

ESE of Fisgard Island Light (white round tower, floodlit, 22m in height, 48°25.8'N 123°26.8'W) exhibited from Fisgard Island, the W entrance point to Esquimalt Harbour, which is 7.0m high and bare. "V17" Lightbuoy (port hand) marks shoal waters which, extends 0.1nm E of Fisgard Island, then:

WNW of Duntze Head (48°2'N 123°26'W), the E entrance point to Esquimalt Harbour, then:

WNW of Grant Knoll (48°26.0'N 123°2'W), 0.1nm N of Duntze Head, then as required for a harbour berth.

Shoal patches: Village Rocks, which dry, lie 0.45nm E of Grant Knoll (48°26'N 123°26.2'W), are marked by "V20" Lightbuoy (starboard hand). It should be noted that shoal water extends a short distance N of the buoy. Malacca Patch, with a least depth of 2.1m, extends 0.05nm W from the point separating Lang Cove from Pilgrim Cove. Whale Rock, with a depth of 1.7m over it lies 0.2nm W of Inskip Island and is marked by a "VC" Lightbuoy (preferred channel to port).

Caution: Submarine cables lie across the harbour WNW from the vicinity of Grant Knoll. Another submarine cable lies between Fisgard Island and a position close S of Duntze Head.

Port limits

The harbour limits are defined as all the tidal waters northward from a line running E-W through the S tip of the S of the Brothers Islands.

Traffic schemes and VTS

All vessels entering or departing Esquimalt Harbour are required to contact the Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) Operations on VHF Channel 10, or by telephoning at +1 250-363-2160, to obtain clearance. The Harbour and its approaches come under a Controlled Access Zone, from the extremity of Albert Head and the western tip of Saxe Point. Any vessel which is in close proximity to this Zone, may be approached and hailed by any vessel representing the Queen's Harbour Master, Military Police or Military Force Protection Vessel.

Anchorages

ROYAL ROADS ANCHORAGE: When a vessel is en route, the Vessel's Agent should, prior to anchoring at a Royal Roads anchorage, obtain permission and an anchorage position from an Esquimalt Harbour Official, by contacting the Queen’s Harbour Master, on VHF Channel 10, or by telephone at 250-363-2160.

Secure anchorage is available in Esquimalt Harbour, in depths of approx 11m, N of a line joining Yew Point (48°26.2'N 123°26.7'W) to Grant Knoll. Anchorage within Constance Cove, E of a line joining Grant Knoll to Ashe Head is reserved for naval vessels.

Caution: Log debris and deadheads lie on the bottom in the area N of a line joining Ashe Head, Whale Rock (48°26.6'N 123°26.8'W) and McCarthy Island, 0.25nm NNW of Whale Rock.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited S of a line joining Yew Point to Grant Knoll. E of a line joining Grant Knoll to Ashe Head in Constance Cove and in an area extending 0.15nm SE from McCarthy Island.

Victoria anchorages are often used in addition to the one temporary anchorage available in Esquimalt. Under new regulations, the Department of National Defence will have regulatory authority over anchorage areas currently within the limits of Victoria.

Restrictions

Controlling depths in the approaches to the main berths are in excess of 11m.

A WM Military Exercise Area, used for surface firing, extends across the harbour from Jetty "F" (48°26.5N 123°26.8'W) to Munroe Head, 0.65nm ESE.

Tugs

Tugs are available from Seaspan International Ltd.

Charts and publications

BA 1897; Can 3419, 3440. 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. ETA at the pilot boarding ground should be given 48 hours in advance.

Communications

Further details for Communications can be found on http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/about/structure-marpac-poesb-home.page

The Harbour Master's office and harbour patrol craft are equipped with VHF radios and monitor Ch 73. All vessels inward and outward bound vessels are requested by the Harbour Master to advise the Queens Harbour Master Operations on VHF Ch 10 of their position before crossing the area between Fisgard Island and Duntze Head, 0.3nm E.

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.

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. The port is a quarantine sub-station.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.

Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land.

Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).

Immigration Officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes Immigration Crew List.

Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Notices and regulations

A full set of Practices and Procedures for using the port area of Esquimalt Harbour, can be found on the Royal Canadian Navy's website: http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/about/structure-marpac-poesb-practices-procedures.page

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

Esquimalt Graving Dock, length 357.8m, breadth 41m, depth over the sill 12.2m. There is also a naval drydock and patent slip.

Dry docks

Esquimalt Graving Dock: Length 357.8m, width 41m, depth over sill 12.2m. The graving dock can be divided into various length sections by inserting internal caissons. There is also a Naval drydock and patent slip.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Bunkers available by road tanker or barge from Victoria. Fuelling available only for Naval vessels.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Facilities in Esquimalt.

Transport

Nearest airport: Victoria International Airport, 28km.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime available if required.

Where it is

Esquimalt is located 100km from the Pacific Ocean on the northern bank of Juan de Fuca Strait, 5km from the port of Victoria, British Columbia.

The port

Esquimalt is primarily a naval base with maintenance facilities which can be made available for private sector contract work, when not in use by the Canadian Navy. Berths are also used for the supply of materials and project cargoes.

Esquimalt Harbour is administered by the Department of National Defence and is governed by the Canada Marine Act, Transport Canada's Natural and Man-made Harbour Regulations and local Practices and Procedures (The Esquimalt Harbour Management Authority).

The port is well protected with a deepwater entrance from the waters of the Royal Roads anchorage.

What are the pilot arrangements at Esquimalt?

Refer to Canadian General Information, section on Pacific Coast Pilotage.

What time zone is Esquimalt in?

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

What is the water density at Esquimalt?

1025.

Which load line zone is Esquimalt in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Esquimalt?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Esquimalt?

The UN/LOCODE of Esquimalt is CAESQ.

What crews who called at Esquimalt 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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