Fort-de-France

1. Fort-de-France pilot boarding place Pilot boards14°35.4′N 061°06.0′W

Size limits

LOA 339.8m, beam 44m, draught 15.0m, 114,218DWT.

Water density

1025-1028.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Tides

HW: 0.24m

LW: 0.06m

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

Approach

The obligatory approach channel for vessels over 1,000GT carrying hydrocarbons or dangerous cargoes is defined as the direct route closest to 090° from 7nm off the coast to the waiting zone and tanker anchorage.

Entrance channel: Passe du Carenage has a least depth of 10.4m in position 14°35.75'N 061°04.00'W. Initial position; 0.55nm SSE of Fort Saint Louis Light (14°35.8'N 061°04.2'W).

Carenage Leading Lights:

Front light (yellow column on a white metal framework tower, black bands, 12m in height) (0.5nm N of Fort Saint Louis Light), standing on Morne Pichevin.

Rear light (similar structure, 14m in height) (145m from the front light).

The alignment (004°) of these lights leads through Passe du Carenage, into harbour, passing (with positions from the front light):

W of a lightbuoy (0.75nm S) marking the SW extremity of Banc de la Carriere, then:

E of No 4 Lightbuoy (0.7nm SSW), marking the SE extremity of Banc du Fort Saint Louis, then:

W of No 7 Lightbuoy (0.55nm S) marking the W extremity of Banc de la Carriere.

Port limits

The seaward limit of Port de Fort-de-France is defined by a line drawn from Pointe de Negres through No 3 Lightbuoy (1.75nm ESE) then to Pointe Desgras (14°35.4'N 061°01.6'W).

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: There are a number of good anchorages in Baie de Fort-de-France. Those situated outside the inner port are as follows, with positions from Fort Saint Louis Light (14°35.8'N 061°04.2'W):

Mouillage des Famands (0.6nm WSW).

Mouillage de la Dillon (0.8nm SE).

Mouillage des Trois Ilets (3.5nm SSE).

Mouillage de la Riviere Salee (4.25nm SE).

Cohe du Lamentin (2nm E).

Tanker anchorage (2.5nm SW): Vessels over 1,600GT carrying hydrocarbons or dangerous cargoes must anchor in the tanker anchorage 2nm S of Pointe des Negres.

Recommended anchorages: Suitable for small vessels, with good holding in sand and mud, are as follows:

On the alignment (041°) with the S extremity of Fort Saint Louis bearing 094°.

The line of bearing, 014°, of the mouth of Riviere Madame (0.3nm WSW of the front mark), with the S extremity of Fort Saint Louis bearing 088°.

With Fort Saint Louis Light bearing 071°, 0.35nm.

Prohibited anchorage: An explosives dumping ground, 600m in diameter is situated 5nm SSE of the tanker anchorage. Anchoring, dredging and fishing are prohibited.

Tugs

Two tugs available, one fitted with fire fighting equipment.

Mooring

Linesmen available by pilot station.

Charts and publications

BA 494, 371. Admiralty Pilot NP71, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

If the above procedure is not respected or information on the arrival notice is inexact, vessels will be subject to a fine.

Communications

St Lys Radio (France) may be used for passing messages throughout 24hrs a day.

Satellite communication is possible.

VHF: Port Control: Ch 16; 12, 13.

Pilot: Ch 16, 13.

MRCC Fort-de-France (CROSSAG): Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered on arrival at the pilot station. It is normally accepted when gangway is rigged and authorities can board.

Documents

All cruise vessel passengers visiting Martinique must carry a valid passport with them, when going ashore. This is a legal requirement of the Government (Oct 2019).

(1) These are special forms which are brought onboard by the Customs broker.

Health

Pratique should be applied for on arrival and may be applied for by radio with the presentation of Health Certificates.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates may be renewed, advance notice is required.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: Max allowance is 75cl of alcohol and 200 cigarettes. All hi-fi equipment, cameras, etc must be mentioned on Personal Effects List.

Immigration: All passenger and crew passports must be available for inspection on arrival. There are visa requirements for passengers of certain nationalities.

Flags

Martinique, being a part of France, requires that vessels fly the French flag.

Notices and regulations

Submarine cables: Anchoring, dredging and trawling are prohibited within 300m of the charted submarine cable which extends W then SSW from a position 0.2nm S of Pointe Desgras to a position 0.75nm NW of 1L Lightbuoy (14°34.2'N 061°02.5'W), then generally W from about 0.3nm N of Pointe du Bout (14°33.6'N 061°03.4'N).

ISPS

For ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Minor repairs can be carried out. Divers are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available except during the dry season.

Bunkering: Available if ordered in advance, with 12hrs notice.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Had Martinique Les 3s (1km).

Crew change

For details contact agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Lamentin International (15km).

Working hours

Mon-Sat 0700-1100hrs and 1300-1530hrs. Overtime available until 2200hrs.

Where it is

The island of Martinique is located in the Windward chain of the Lesser Antilles between Dominica and St Lucia, and is under French jurisdiction. Fort-de-France is the capital and major port; situated in a safe harbour, about 39km2 in area.

The port

The harbour is easy to enter, with good anchorage over holding ground (soft bottom), in 10.0 - 22.0m of water. There is accommodation for cruise ships, general/bulk, Ro-Ro /container vessels and tankers; bananas, sugar and fertiliser form the main exports, while raw materials and oil products are imported. A power plant, located in Bellefontaine, approx. 7.5nm NW from the main port area, has a petroleum products pier used by small tankers.

Traffic

Approx 3,600,000t of cargo, 187,000TEU, 1,500 vessels and 350,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Fort-de-France?

The pilot boards at Fort-de-France pilot boarding place, 14°35.4′N 061°06.0′W.

What time zone is Fort-de-France in?

Local time at Fort-de-France is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Fort-de-France?

The deepest berth listed is at Pointe Des Grives Terminal: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Fort-de-France?

1025-1028.

Which load line zone is Fort-de-France in?

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Fort-de-France?

The UN/LOCODE of Fort-de-France is MQFDF.

What crews who called at Fort-de-France 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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