Gold River

Size limits

LOA 190, beam 32.26m, draught 11.88m, 60,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 4.2m.

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

Approach

Gold River is approached by way of Nootka Inlet on the W coast of Vancouver Island.

Directions: From a position N of Muchalat South Shore Light (49°39.2'N 126°12.8'W), the route leads generally E for approx 3.75nm to a position SE of the berthing piers, passing N of Victor Island Light (red and white triangle on framework tower, 9.0m in elevation), exhibited from the N side of the Island which lies near the middle of the inlet. Jacklah Bay, S of Victor Island, has booming grounds and a wharf. Then the route follows S of Gold River Light (white round tower, green band, 8.0m in elevation, 1.5nm ENE), exhibited from a point close SSW of the berthing area then, according to the allocated berth or to continue to the head of the inlet, the route leads E for a short distance, then generally SE in mid channel for approx 3.75nm, passing NE of Guaquina Point (2.5nm E) to Matchlee Bay, where the inlet terminates and the Burman River flows into it over an extensive drying flat. Booming grounds line the E and W shores of the inlet SW of Guaquina Point.

Port limits

Comprise all waters of Muchalat Inlet E of a line drawn from Muchalat Inlet S Shore Light (49°39.2'N 126°12.8'W) to the N shore.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Assigned frequency of VHF Ch 74.

Anchorages

Not available as depths off the port are too deep. Anchorage can be obtained in Nootka Sound, in the Spanish Pilot Group or Plumper Harbour.

Restrictions

Entrance channel along Muchalet Inlet is 320m wide and provides no depth restriction for the largest permitted size of vessel.

Tugs

Available at 12 hours notice.

Charts and publications

BA 4922, 4944. Admiralty Pilot NP25.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent on departure from last port to the consigned agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities.

Communications

San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all HF frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station.

Inmarsat can also be used.

VHF: Ch 16 and 74.

Notice of readiness

The custom of the port is to tender NOR on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line at berth. If an outer anchorage is used Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.

Documents

The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Thereafter, Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents.

The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.

Health

It is not necessary to apply for pratique unless there is an infection or dead person onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

If there is any sickness onboard the vessel will be quarantined.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.

Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land.

Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).

Immigration officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes Immigration Crew List.

Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Notices and regulations

Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks.

Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessel's arrival, through the agent.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Stores: Available from Victoria or Nanaimo, if requested in advance. It should be noted that the access roads for supplies are sometimes closed in winter due to snow.

Medical

Clinic with doctors in Gold River village.

Transport

Nearest Highway: Highway 28.

Ferries: Ferry services routes to and from Yuquot, Zeballos, Kyoquot, Tahsis and Port Eliza.

Working hours

By arrangement.

Where it is

Gold River Port area, Vancouver Island, is located on the west side of the Gold River, where it flows into the north side of Muchalat Inlet.

The port

The Gold River port area is located at a remote, protected inlet, approx 22.0nm from the open sea and shielded from high winds by mountainous area of trees to the NW.

The port, which was principally used by the Gold River Paper Mill, is on the W side of the entrance to Gold River and has facilities which can be used by sea going cargo vessels. Cargo includes break bulk (supplies) for more remote communities, fisheries and logging businesses.

Green Island Energy company (part of Muchalat Industries Ltd.) has started a 90 megawatt thermal generating plant on the site of the former Paper Mill. The new thermal plant uses biomass as fuel, making substantial use of the timber resources in the area. Some of the existing shoreside facilities are used for timber storage and processing. Timber is transported along the river by being towed in rafts.

The harbour has a Public Pier. The "MV Uchuck lll" calls on a regular ferry route, providing a year-round freight and passenger service for Gold River and other remote west coast communities located in Nootka Sound, Yuquot (Friendly Cove), Tahsis and Kyuquot.

Traffic

Approx. 47,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Gold River?

Refer to "Canadian General Information, re Pacific Coast Pilotage".

What time zone is Gold River in?

Local time at Gold River is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Gold River?

The deepest berth listed is at Green Island Energy - Deep Sea Port Terminal: 11.88 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Gold River?

1025.

Which load line zone is Gold River in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Gold River?

Port State Control at Gold River: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Gold River?

The UN/LOCODE of Gold River is CAGOR.

What crews who called at Gold River 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.

Read and add tips for Gold River →