Funafuti

1. Funafuti pilot boarding place (Te Ava Pua Pua passage) Pilot boards08°34.6′S 179°07.8′E

Water density

1005.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.8m (springs), 1.3m (neaps).

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

Approach

Funafuti is approached from N, W or S through the lagoon and entry into the lagoon is through entrance channels:

Te Ava i Te Lape (08°26'S 179°06'E), least depth of 5.6m on the bar.

Te Ava Fuagea (08°33'S 179°04'E), deep but encumbered with dangers at its inner end; unmarked.

Te Pua Pua (08°34'S 179°07'E), depths in excess of 12.7m but width of navigable channel restricted to 0.1nm; sandbanks encroaching from each side.

The best passage is from SE but local knowledge is desirable when navigating entrances and within the lagoon.

From a position 1nm NE of Te akua Fasau (08°30.6'S 179°09.0'E), the track from Te Ava I Te Lape continues SE, passing SW of Te akua Asano, marked by two beacons, then S of Ulu Bunga, then to a suitable anchorage.

Anchorages

Fongafale anchorage (08°31'S 179°12'E) affords several suitable anchorages NW, W and SW of the village of Fongafale on Funafuti Island.

Anchorage may be found in a depth of 11.0m on a bank 1.25nm NNW of Tepuka (08°28'S 179°05'E) with the W extremity of the island bearing 153°, and on the alignment (071°) of Te Afualiku, 1.75nm NNE of Tepuka and Pa'ava, 3nm NE of Tepuka.

Being in the lee, a convenient anchorage is provided in fine weather outside of the atoll with ample swinging room.

Restrictions

A submarine pipeline, 185m NNW of Funafuti Wharf, projects 139m from the shore.

Tugs

None available.

Mooring

Vessels berthing on the outer side of the head, secure head and stern to dolphin mooring points off the beach approx 90m from each end of the wharf.

Tankers secure to a mooring buoy and bollards on the beach close to the oil tanks (8°30.1'S 179°11.7'E), discharging fuel oil through a floating hose.

Charts and publications

BA 2983, 4625. Admiralty Pilot NP61, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Port authority 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

Radio: Vessels en route to Tuvalu can establish radio contact through Funafuti Island CRS, RT Frequency 6215kHz.

VHF: Pilots and Port: Ch 16 (24 hours). Call sign 'Rarotonga Port Control'.

Tel: +688 20054, +688 20062, +688 20744, Fax: +688 20058,

Documents

Documents required by Customs for clearance, are passports and Crew Lists.

Health

Radio pratique should be requested with ETA report but health officials will board the vessel on arrival.

Notices and regulations

Available upon request.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Tuvalu Ship Registry.

Address: 10 Anson Road, 25-16, International Plaza, 079903, Singapore.

Tel: +65 6224 2345

Fax: +65 6227 2345

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Available, only while afloat.

Dry docks

Available for vessels less than 800GT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available to local vessels only.

Bunkering: Available, diesel from a 300 gallon tank.

Medical

Princess Margaret Hospital 1nm S of the port: Tel: +688 20765.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Funafuti International (FUN) Regular services by Air Fiji and Air Pacific to Fiji and Tarawa from airport 2km from Funafuti Wharf.

Ferries: There are two inter-island ferries, "Nivaga ll" and "Manu Folau", calling regularly at Funafuti.

Working hours

Normally 0730-1615hrs.

Where it is

Funafuti is situated on Fongafale Island on the E side of Funafuti atoll.

The port

The port handles general cargo, container and liquid cargo.

Where does the pilot board at Funafuti?

The pilot boards at Funafuti pilot boarding place (Te Ava Pua Pua passage), 08°34.6′S 179°07.8′E.

What time zone is Funafuti in?

Local time at Funafuti is UTC+12. No summer time.

What is the water density at Funafuti?

1005.

Which load line zone is Funafuti in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Funafuti?

The UN/LOCODE of Funafuti is TVFUN.

What crews who called at Funafuti 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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