PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Grand Turk Port
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is not compulsory. There are no official government licensed pilots, but local pilots are available if required. International cargo vessels, visiting cruise ships or warships usually have local shipping agents arrange for a pilot or supply pilotage information. Several marinas have pilots that assist yachts and can also help larger vessels.
Key data
updated Apr 2020Size limits
Beam unrestricted.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 0.75m springs, 0.55m neaps.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Turk Cruise Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| South Base Terminal | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Anchorages
Two designated anchorages available for vessels over 18m LOA, at Grand Turk Island. Town anchorage caters for small cargo vessels and private yachts which use the small Government wharf, depth 1.0m MLW.
Both anchorage areas are termed as primary approaches and are regulated and controlled by the dock Customs Officer who is also the Harbour Master. These anchorage zones run W from shore to the 91m contour and are marked with pole type sea buoys, on their N/S seaward boundaries. Both areas are open roadsteads, holding ground is fair but swinging room and depth is very limited. The southern anchorage area that flanks the freighter dock is the better of the two being a little broader and deeper, but not suitable for vessels larger than 80m.
Caution: Is necessary at the anchorage off the W side of Grand Turk Island as the anchor may slip off the edge of the bank into deep water; there is very little swinging room, so vessels at anchor should be ready to quit should the wind veer S of SSE.
Restrictions
Vessels normally only berth during daylight hours, but may leave at any time at Grand Turk Cruise Centre.
Tugs
No tugs available.
Charts and publications
BA 1441. Admiralty Pilot NP70.
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notify ETA 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Ch 16.
Documents
Clearance from Last Port and Health Certificate.
Customs and immigration
Customs: Vessels arriving from foreign ports are required to proceed to a Port of Entry and notify local authorities, Customs and Immigration, by calling 'Harbour Master' on VHF Ch 16 when within range. Vessels will then be instructed to either anchor in a designated anchorage zone or to moor alongside the dock and await the boarding officer who will accept reports and issue clearance.
Immigration: When giving vessels clearance the Harbour Master has authority to give crew members a seven-day stay at no charge.
Inspections
Inspection of ships in Turks and Cailcos Islands
Shipping Registry, Financial Services Commission, PO Box 173, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands.
Tel: +1 649 946 2791.
Fax: +1 649 946 2821.
ISPS
Contact: Governor.
Address: Government House, Waterloo, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tel: +1 649 946 2309
Fax: +1 649 946 2766
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
General description: The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory comprising a group of about thirty islands and cays that lie to the N of Hispaniola between Caicos Passage and Navidad Bank, 240nm SE.
Only 8 of the islands are inhabited. Middle or Grand Caicos, which is some 15nm long, is the largest island in the group. The seat of government is at Cockburn Town on Grand Turk Island. The government is currently suspended by the UK, the Governor is temporarily in authority (2009).
Port services
updated Sep 2010Repairs
There are no repair facilities for large vessels, two small ramps, no hards, (little tidal range). Several professional sport divers available who could inspect, clean fouled prop, clean bottom or perhaps patch, but currently no underwater welding or cutting equipment or services available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Shell and Texaco gasoline and regular diesel, approx 50,000 US gal storage tanks near dock, 1,200 US gal capacity road tanker.
Medical
Government Hospital, Medical centre (0.6km).
Crew change
Not possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Approx, 1km from port.
Airport facilities: Inter-island, 6-12 seat aircraft, connects with daily US airlines jet service, Miami to Providenciales.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1230hrs, 1400-1630hrs, Sat 0700-1200hrs.
About Grand Turk Port
updated Apr 2020Where it is
Grand Turk Port on Grand Turk is the principal port of the Turks and Caicos Islands which are located N of Haiti.
The port
The port consist of a cargo pier which operated by the port authority and handles ranges of cargo including container and freight. The port also have a cruise pier which handle by Grand Turk Cruise Center.
Traffic
Approx 1900 TEU handled annually.
Questions about Grand Turk Port
What are the pilot arrangements at Grand Turk Port?
Pilotage is not compulsory.
What time zone is Grand Turk Port in?
Local time at Grand Turk Port is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the water density at Grand Turk Port?
1025.
Which load line zone is Grand Turk Port in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Grand Turk Port?
The UN/LOCODE of Grand Turk Port is TCGDT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Grand Turk Port 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.
Plan a route to Grand Turk Port →
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.