PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Fuik Bay
Pilot
updated May 2010- Newport (Nieupoort) pilot boarding Pilot boards12°02.5′N 068°49.8′W
Compulsory. Pilots are provided from Willemstad. Vessels must provide a lighted, manned, properly secured and clean pilot ladder fitted with sufficient spreaders. Pilot will board 0.5nm S of the entrance or in Caracas Bay.
A lifebuoy with a "Holmes Light" and a reliable heaving line should be placed close to the pilot ladder. The embarkation and disembarkation must be supervised by an officer.
Vessels arriving or leaving with a freeboard exceeding 9.0m must use an accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder (Safety of life at Sea Convention 1960).
Vessels should stay 1nm off shore SW of the harbour entrance to await a pilot. Both anchors should be ready for immediate use.
Defects of engines, steering gear, anchor gear and other defects which influence the manoeuvring capabilities of the vessel must be reported to the Harbour Master before entering.
Key data
updated Apr 2018Size limits
LOA 107m, draught 4.3m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 0.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Company Curacao | 4.30 m | 107 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Apr 2018Approach
Fuik Bay is a navigable bay with an entrance width of 44.8m and a depth of 8.0m.
From a position SSW of the harbour, Newport leading beacons (12°03.1'N 068°50.0'W) in line bearing 027.5° lead through the entrance channel in a depth of 8.6m.
Front mark: Red cross on red and white beacon, 7m in height, standing 0.05nm NW of a mast.
Rear mark: Red triangle on red and a white beacon, 10m in height.
This alignment keeps W of 2 buoys, moored close off the E side of the channel and E of a buoy, moored close to the W entrance point.
Immediately after clearing the entrance channel inwards, a vessel is turned E on the starboard anchor and berthed heading SE. There is very little room for manoeuvring. Therefore, for safety reasons, the vessel must be properly ballasted. A following swell at the entrance sometimes makes entry difficult.
Anchorages
There is an anchorage area to the W side of the bay in depths up to 15.0m.
Restrictions
Vessels may enter during daylight hours only and vessels may sail either day or night.
Tugs
Available from Willemstad.
Charts and publications
BA 702, 1412, 2193; Dutch 2714. Admiralty Pilot NP7A.
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent to Curacao Agents at least 72, 48, and 24 hours prior to arrival.
Advance requirements: It is important to include in the ETA message all pertinent requirements.
Changes in ETA are to be advised as quickly as possible by the Master to enable the agents to adapt themselves to changed conditions.
Communications
The Curacao Radio Office (Lands Radio & Telegraafdienst) operates throughout 24 hours every day of the year.
Notices and regulations
All vessels carrying explosives, ammunition, radioactive material and other dangerous IMO cargo, for discharge at Curacao, for transhipment or in transit without transhipment, require special permission in writing, obtained prior to arrival, for entering any port in the island of Curacao.
Inspections
ISPS
Curacao is now a new constituent country of the Netherlands.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Apr 2018Repairs
The Curacao Drydock Company situated in the bay of the main harbour at Willemstad carries out hull, engine, motor and electrical repairs. All other vessel maintenance requirements are attended to.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh Water: Available through water trucks via ships agent.
Bunkering: There is equipment to supply fuel from Curoil. A fuel barge/trailer is available from the Port of Willemstad.
Medical
Saint Elisabeth Hospital, Willemstad, approx 2km from port.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Curacao International Airport (Hato), 13km.
Working hours
The port facility will be locked from 2300hrs to 0600hrs the next day for all persons. Leaving and entering the property of the mining company between 1700hrs and 2300hrs is limited. Main gate will be closed at 1630hrs and opens at 0630hrs. Guests are not allowed during 0630hrs and 2300hrs.
About Fuik Bay
updated Apr 2018Where it is
Fuik Bay is located 11km SE of Willemstad on the S coast of Curacao.
The port
Fuik Bay is a private port owned by Mining Company Curacao. The piers as well as the facilities are privately owned by this company.
Questions about Fuik Bay
Where does the pilot board at Fuik Bay?
The pilot boards at Newport (Nieupoort) pilot boarding, 12°02.5′N 068°49.8′W.
What time zone is Fuik Bay in?
Local time at Fuik Bay is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Fuik Bay?
The deepest berth listed is at Mining Company Curacao: 4.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Fuik Bay?
1025.
Which load line zone is Fuik Bay in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Fuik Bay?
The UN/LOCODE of Fuik Bay is CWFUI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Fuik Bay 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.