Gizo

Size limits

LOA 160m, 15,000DWT.

Controlling depths: S entrance: Depths of 20.0m or more except for a 7.3m patch in the entrance to the harbour.

NE entrance: Depth 14.0m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range MHWS 0.8m, MLWS 0.4m.

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

Approach

South approach: Ocean going vessels should approach Gizo Harbour from the SW and enter through the narrow channel close E of the eastern extremity of Gizo Island.

Initial position: Approx 4nm SW of Titiana Point (08°06'S 156°49'E), the S extremity of Gizo Island.

The S entrance is approached on a line bearing 068° off the NW edge of Epangga Island (08°06'S 156°52'E) and then, when they can be distinguished, on the alignment (068°) of a leading beacon and mark:

Front beacon (white triangle, point down topmark) (08°06.5'S 156°51.5'E).

Rear mark (white triangle, point down, painted on rocks) at extreme NW edge of Epangga Island 0.5nm ENE of the front beacon.

Passing (positions relative to front leading beacon):

NNW of the westernmost of the 2 Eeles Patches (4nm SSW), then:

At 0.125nm NNW of an 11.3m patch (3.5nm WSW) then:

NNW of Spivey Shoals (2.5nm SW), then:

NNW of a patch with a least depth of 5.5m (1.25nm SSW) over which the sea breaks heavily in a moderate swell.

The track described has been wire swept to a depth of 12.8m.

When the front leading beacon is 0.9nm distant, the track leads on the alignment (032.5°) of the Nusatupe Island leading beacons:

Front beacon (white; white square with red triangle topmark) 08°05.4'S 156°51.6'E.

Rear light beacon (orange metal framework tower) 0.3nm NNE of the front beacon.

The sea breaks heavily on the seaward sides of the fringing reefs on both sides of the S entrance channel; sometimes with a S swell the sea also breaks on the SE end of Logha Island Reef (0.5nm N of the entrance).

From a position approx 250m E of a beacon (red and white; square topmark) marking the edge of the steep to reef fringing the SE extremity of Gizo Island and which dries in patches, the track leads on the alignment (359°) of a pair of leading beacons (black and white; triangle point up topmark) on Logha Island Reef (08°05.6'S 156°51.1'E), passing (positions relative to front beacon):

W of a buoy (black and white chequered) (0.5nm S) marking shoals with depths from 3.4m to 5.8m over them, on the E side of the channel, then:

E of the edge of the reef, marked by 2 beacons (red and white; square topmarks), on the W side of the channel.

When the front leading beacon on Logha Island Reef is 0.22nm distant, the track leads to the anchorage on the alignment (301°) of a pair of leading beacons (red and white; point down topmark) on Nusambaruku Point (08°05.5'S 156°50.3'E), which is distinctive, passing (positions relative to Logha Island Reef front beacon):

Over a 7.3m patch (400m S), then:

SSW of a 4.3m patch marked by a beacon (black and white; diamond topmark) 400m W.

North approach: There are 6 channels through the NE part of the barrier reef which give access to Gizo Harbour. Most of them are very intricate but they can all be used by small vessels. The channel generally used, lies N of Panapagha Island (08°05'S 156°53'E), but it should be used in the morning when light conditions are favourable and the reefs can be seen; because of the narrowness of the entrance and sharp turn inside, it is not recommended without local knowledge.

Northeast entrance: The principal entrance to Gizo Harbour from the NE lies close N of Panapagha Island (08°05'S 156°53'E). It is little more than 0.05nm wide and has depths from 14m to 17m in it. The entrance is approached from the E with the N extremity of Nusatupe Island (1nm W of the entrance) bearing 263.5°.

The track through the entrance leads on the alignment (269°) of leading light beacons:

Front light (orange metal framework tower, elevation 5m) on Mathews Reef (close W of the entrance).

Rear light (orange metal framework tower, elevation 7m) on a reef NE of Nusatupe Island (0.6nm W of the front light). Passing:

Between a pole beacon (red and white, chequered square topmark) standing on the edge of the reef 140m N of Panapagha Island and a beacon (black triangle, point up, topmark) marking the edge of the below water reef on the N side.

Within the entrance, the track leads WNW, passing:

NNE of Mathews Reef, which dries in places, and:

SSW of a small detached reef, which dries (500m N of the front leading light), lying close off the inner edge of the barrier reef, then:

NNE of a 5.8m patch lying 185m N of a beacon (red and white chequered square topmark) marking the NW extremity of Mathews Reef.

Then the track leads W, passing:

N of Stork Reefs (280m NW of rear leading light), 2 small reefs which dry, each marked by a pole beacon (black triangle, point up topmark).

From a position approx 0.5nm WNW of the rear leading light, the track leads 160° on a line of bearing 340°, astern, off the W edge of Patumate Islet (1.25nm NW of the rear leading light), between the reefs fringing Nusatupe Island, on which there is an airfield and Logha Island.

Then the track leads 257.5° on a line of bearing 077.5°, astern, of the S extremity of Nusatupe Island, to join the recommended track leading to the anchorage from S, passing (positions relative to Logha Island Reef front leading beacon):

Midway between a detached reef (0.5nm ESE) marked by a beacon (black and white, disc topmark) and a 4.0m patch (0.5nm SE), then:

N of a 4.5m patch (0.5nm SSE).

Northwest entrance: The NW entrance to Gizo harbour lies approx 0.5nm NNE of Nega Point (08°04'S 156°50'E). The track through the entrance leads on the alignment (201°) of leading lights:

Front light (white tripod on concrete base, elevation 5m) 0.37nm NNE of Nega Point.

Rear light (white metal tripod, elevation 11m) on Nega Point.

The channel from this entrance to Gizo harbour, passing W of Logha Island, is deep and the reefs on both sides are marked by beacons.

Anchorages

South of the S entrance to the harbour, anchorage can be found in depths of 39m with coarse sand and good holding. This position is with Epangge Island front leading beacon (08°06.5'S 156°51.5'E) bearing 059° x 1nm. The anchorage is exposed to S winds and swell.

Inside the harbour, anchorage can be found in depths of 25.0m with Nusambaruku Point front leading beacon bearing 287° x 0.25nm.

Anchorage can also be found in a depth of 24m, sand and shell, with Nusambaruku Point front leading beacon bearing 301° x 0.35nm.

Restrictions

Entry during daylight hours only.

Mooring

If berthing at wharf, all ropes must have rat guards attached to them. During the night, floodlights must be switched on.

Charts and publications

BA 1735, 3995. Admiralty Pilot NP60, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA and ETD to be advised 24 hours prior to arrival/departure through agents, to all Customs Boarding Officers, Immigration, Health and Agricultural Officers prior to arrival.

Communications

Radio: Honiara Radio, 500kHz, 2182kHz, 6213kHz.

VHF: Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR may be tendered after pratique has been granted and the quarantine flag lowered.

Health

Master requests free pratique (12 hours prior to arrival). Health/Quarantine Officer may at his discretion grant pratique by radio.

Customs and immigration

For Immigration formalities, both inward/outward clearance will be given on foreign vessels. Master must supply ship's documents on arrival/departure.

ISPS

ISPS Compliance: The ISPS Code is not in force in the Solomon Islands.

The US Coast Guard has reported (13 September 2004) that vessels arriving at US ports from the Solomon Islands, after visits to ports in Africa and the former Soviet Union, will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to report compliance with the ISPS Code.

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

Description: Solomon Islands consist of a double chain of 6 large islands and many smaller ones extending over 900nm of ocean in a SE/NW direction, lying between Lat 06°30'S and 13°00'S and 156°00'E and Long 162°30'E. Santa Cruz Islands and Duff Islands, lying between 09°40'S, and 12°45'S and Long 165°40'E and Long 167°15'E, are part of the Solomon Islands.

Repairs

Minor repairs can be undertaken.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at the berth at approx 7tph.

Bunkers: Limited supplies available.

Medical

Gizo Hospital, 05.km.

Crew change

Possible. Details to be supplied by vessel's Master to the Immigration Officer.

Transport

Nearest airport: Nustatupe Island (1.6km) connects with Honiara and other small islands.

Airport facilities: Small terminal building.

Working hours

By arrangement, but generally from 0700-1200hrs and 1300-1800hrs.

Where it is

Gizo Harbour is situated on the N side of the SE extremity of Gizo Island and is sheltered on its NE side by Logha Island. The island of Gizo is at the western end of the Solomon Islands.

The port

Gizo is the administrative centre and headquarters for the Western District of Solomon Islands. Exports include fish, timber and cattle.

What are the pilot arrangements at Gizo?

Available.

What time zone is Gizo in?

Local time at Gizo is UTC+11. No summer time.

What is the water density at Gizo?

1025.

Which load line zone is Gizo in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Gizo?

The UN/LOCODE of Gizo is SBGZO.

What crews who called at Gizo 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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