PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Fall River
Pilot
updated Feb 2016Pilotage for the Fall River area is provided by the Northeast Marine Pilots Inc., Newport, Rhode Island. This is compulsory for all foreign vessels and US vessels under register when entering and departing Narragansett Bay and all ports within the waters of the State of Rhode Island.
The Pilot boarding area is S of a line extending from Point Judith to Sakonnet Point.
Vessels arriving from the sea should approach via the Narrangansett Bay TSS inbound traffic line.
Vessels bound for Fall River should call Brightman Street Bridge, when entering Mount Hope Bay, if they need the bridge opened.
Key data
updated Apr 2022Size limits
LOA 199.98m, beam 32.26m, draught 10.7m, 63,498DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 2.8m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weavers Cove Terminal | 11.43 m | — | 1 |
| Fall River Sate Pier | — | 118 m | 2 |
| Brayton Point Power Plant | — | 200 m | 1 |
| Borden & Remington Wharf (Tillotson Complex) | — | 174 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 2016Approach
Depth at entrance to the port is 22.8m.
Anchorages
Available either side of the dredged approach channel or anywhere in Mount Hope Bay where depth or bottom are suitable.
Restrictions
A speed limit of 5kn is in force4 in the channel off the piers and wharves.
Tugs
Tugs are available at Fall River and more powerful tugs are available at Providence for use at Fall River.
Charts and publications
BA 1227. Admiralty Pilot NP68.
Reporting before arrival
updated Feb 2016ETA and pre-arrival notices
Inbound vessels should give 6 hours advance notice of their ETA, through the Boston Marine Operator.
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
Note - Vessels with a LOA19.8m (65ft) or over, inward bound to Mount Hope Bay from the sea and outward bound from Mount Hope Bay for the sea, via Narragansett Bay, are required to make Safety Signal (Securite) calls on both VHF Channels 13 and 16. See Pilot Section for details.
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.
Customs and immigration
Fall River is an official Port of Entry.
Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
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 Apr 2022Repairs
Available in Boston for larger vessels.
There is a shipyard at Somerset, near the Charles M Braga Junior Memorial Bridge on the W side of the river, which handles vessels up to 50m in length.
Dry docks
Available in Boston.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available
Bunkering: Available
Medical
Nearest hospital: Charlton Memorial Hospital (1.5km).
Transport
Nearest airport: New Bedford Regional Airport (40km).
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime available.
About Fall River
updated Feb 2016Where it is
Fall River is situated on the E coast, approx 46M SSE of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts. The City of Fall River is lies on the East Shore of the mouth of Taunton River and the head of Mount Hope Bay. Port facilities are along the Taunton and Sakonnet Rivers and in Mount Hope Bay.
The port
The port has facilities for Ro-Ro, general cargo and bulk vessels. Latterly, the port area has experienced a period of economic decline, with the closure of power station facilities.
Traffic
Approx 3,077,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Fall River
What are the pilot arrangements at Fall River?
Pilotage for the Fall River area is provided by the Northeast Marine Pilots Inc., Newport, Rhode Island.
What time zone is Fall River in?
Local time at Fall River is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Fall River?
The deepest berth listed is at Weavers Cove Terminal: 11.43 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Fall River?
1000.
Which load line zone is Fall River in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Fall River?
Port State Control at Fall River: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Fall River?
The UN/LOCODE of Fall River is USFAV.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Fall River 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.