Fernandina

1. Pilot Boarding Area A Pilot boards30°42.9′N 081°14.6′W
2. Saint Marys Pilot boards30°43.3′N 081°20.0′W

Size limits

Max LOA 299m, beam 32.26m, draught unrestricted and 63,301DWT.

Water density

Brackish.

Load line zone

Summer Zone.

Tides

Mean spring range 2.1m; mean neap range 1.5m

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

Approach

The port is approached through Saint Mary's Entrance and entered through Amelia River. The approach to St Mary's Entrance is marked by "STM" Lightbuoy (safe water; ball topmark; whistle) moored 12.75nm E of Amelia Island Light structure (30°40.0'N 081°26.5'W).

The entrance channel is dredged to 14m and is 122m wide which leads to St Mary's Entrance, 1.25nm WNW of "STM" Lightbuoy, the outer part leads 4nm WNW, when the inner part leads W and across the bar between the breakwater heads.

Adjacent to the Port of Fernandina Terminal is a 950ft turning basin allowing the North/South berth to be easily accessible.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained in the following positions:

1nm N of STM Lightbuoy (30°41.0'N 081°12.0'W), in a depth of 16.4m, sand and mud, with good holding.

0.75nm N of Entrance Channel, 3nm E of the head of the N breakwater, in a depth of 12.8m, sand and mud bottom with good holding.

Restrictions

All vessels should proceed through the harbour at a speed not exceeding 5kts.

There are many different species of marine life within the waters of Fernandina including weakfish, Atlantic croaker, spot drum, star drum, bay anchovy, hogchoker, and southern hake (SAIC 2005b). Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead hammerhead shark may also be found within the vicinity of the port during summer months. It is worth noting that the West Indian manatee can also be spotted within the waters of the port and the species is federally listed as an endangered species. The primary threat to the manatee is the collision with vessels.

A wreck with a swept depth of 11.9m over it lies 2.5nm ENE of the head of the N breakwater.

A spoil ground and a disused spoil ground lie 7nm and 4nm ENE of Amelia Island light structure.

A dangerous wreck, whose position is approx, lies 0.25nm SE of the head of the N breakwater.

Tugs

Available, and required for berthing and leaving. Operated by Moran Towing Company.

Mooring

It is approx one hour run time to the berth however during Right Whale calving season from Nov-Apr the time extends to an hour and a half.

Charts and publications

BA 2818. Admiralty Pilot NP69, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port are required to send to US Coast Guard (USCG) and ship's agent Notice of Arrival & Departure (NOA/D) and Crew/Passenger Lists at least 96 hours prior to arrival. It should be sent to the central National Clearing House: Tel: +1 800 708 9823, Fax: +1 800 547 8724, Email: [email protected]

US Coast Guard (USCG) NOA/D notification changes: Starting 22 Oct 2013 users should begin using NOAD InfoPath Template 6.2.1, NOA/D Workbook 7.1 or OCS Notice of Arrival (NOA) Workbook 1.1. It is requested that the Workbooks are completed electronically and then sent via email or imported into the eNOAD web application. The Workbooks must be kept saved as .xls format documents.

Notice of Arrival Requirement on the Outer Continental Shelf:

The United States Coast Guard Final Rule requiring the filing of Notice of Arrival (NOA) for US and foreign floating facilities, mobile offshore drilling units (MODU's), and vessels planning to engage in Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activities, came into effect Feb 14 2011.

The NOA OCS requirements to report arrival times, locations and information regarding the vessel, voyage, cargo, and crew is essential for overall maritime domain safety and security awareness.

Moreover, obtaining knowledge of all individuals, floating facilities, MODU's, and vessels engaging in OCS activities will better equip the USCG to prevent and respond to a safety or security incident on the OCS. If the USCG receives specific threat information for an area, the knowledge obtained from these requirements will enable them to know who is in the area, what they are doing, and how to contact them.

The NOA for the OCS can only be submitted to the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) directly online through the USCG/CBP Electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure eNOA/D web site.

The Final Rule may be viewed online at:

http://www.maritimedelriv.com/Port_Security/USCG/USCG_Files/NOA_for_OCS_FR_Notice.pdf.

Communications

Ocean Highway and Port Authority contact info:

Callsign "Fernandina Pilot"

VHF: Ch 16

Harbour Master: Ch 11

Tugs: Ch 11

Pilots: Ch 11

CSX Railway contact info:

Telephone (Emergency): +1 800 232 0144

Moran Towing Company contact info:

Telephone: +1 904 757 6900

Fax: +1 904 757 7994

Coastguard Sector Jacksonville contact info:

Telephone: +1 904 714 7557

Health

Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the regulations of the US Public Health Service.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard vessel each crew member must have a valid US visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

All vessels are berthed and leave under the direction of the Harbour Master, who is also the pilot. All vessels should proceed through the harbour at a speed not exceeding 5kts.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

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.

Repairs

Minor repairs possible.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at Port of Fernandina Terminal.

Bunkering: Available by barge or road tanker at Port of Fernandina Terminal.

Stores: Available at Port of Fernandina Terminal.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Baptist Medical Centre Nassau (3.9km) and Southeast Georgia Health System-Camden Campus (18.4km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Jacksonville International Airport (29.5km), Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport (6.8km).

Nearest railway: The port has direct access to an 11 rail car loading/unloading train. This is located along the warehouse within Port of Fernandina Terminal and services WestRock and Rayonier Advanced Materials Terminal. One train arrives at the Port of Fernandina Terminal between 0800-1000hrs and leaves approx 1500-1700hrs per day. One train arrives at WestRock Terminal between 0700-0900hrs and leaves approx 1900-2100hrs. Port of Fernandina receives approx 6-11 rail cars per day, Rayonier receives approx 4 rail cars per day and WestRock receives approx 19-22 rail cars per day.

Nearest highway: The port is closely situated to the A1A/SR 200 highway. This highway runs throughout the central and northeast of Florida and enables the port access to Interstates 95, 10, US 301, US 1, US 23 and US 90.

Public transport: Bus routes throughout Fernandina.

Working hours

Port of Fernandina Terminal working hours is throughout 24 hours. The container interchange gate 0700-0900hrs Mon-Fri and the warehouses 0700-2300hrs Mon-Fri. It is worth noting that the interchange gate and warehouse is able to work throughout 24hrs if needed.

Rayonier working hours 0730-1600hrs Mon-Fri.

Where it is

The port of Fernandina is situated on the River Armelia on Florida's E coast.

The port

Port of Fernandina is a deep water port with rail capabilities. The main terminal handles a range of products including; steel, aluminium, machinery, paper & forest products, consumer goods, oats, building materials, plastics, beverages, frozen and chilled foods, and newsprint. Nearby saw and paper mills are visited by barges to service their facilities.

The port has a storied past due to the fact that it one of the busiest ports in the US during the sailing ship era. Over the years the port expanded and in 1985 the Ocean Highway and Port Authority financially assisted the construction of a modern terminal at the port which now greatly contributes to the local community. The major markets of the port include; Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Houston, New Orleans and Jacksonville.

Traffic

Approx 274,000t of cargo, 13,300TEU and 80 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Fernandina?

The pilot boards at Pilot Boarding Area A, 30°42.9′N 081°14.6′W. Fernandina has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Fernandina in?

Local time at Fernandina is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Fernandina?

Brackish.

Which load line zone is Fernandina in?

Summer Zone.

Who carries out Port State Control at Fernandina?

Port State Control at Fernandina: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Fernandina?

The UN/LOCODE of Fernandina is USFEB.

What crews who called at Fernandina 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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