PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Guayanilla
Pilot
updated Sep 2017Compulsory for merchant vessels of more than 1000GT. Pilot services are available day and night. The pilot boarding area is as follows: For Guayanilla, 2nm S of Punta Gotay (17°59.0'N 066°45.6'W).
Key data
updated Jan 2020Size limits
Draught 12.8m, LOA 296.98m, beam 48.7m, 95,253DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 0.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORCO Terminal | 12.80 m | 229 m | 5 |
| Peerless Oil & Chemicals, Inc. | 11.50 m | 213 m | 2 |
| EcoElectrica LNG Import Terminal | 11.30 m | 297 m | 1 |
| Texaco Terminal | 10.97 m | 253 m | 1 |
| Demaco Terminal | — | 164 m | 1 |
| PPG Terminal | 7.30 m | 160 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2020Approach
Bahia de Guayanilla is approached from the S and entered by a marked channel between the reefs.
It is advisable that the reefs on both sides of the entrance should be cleared by about 1 mile when approaching from E or W. There is very deep water close to them in places and the sounding gives no warning of approach. Especially at night, it is recommended that the leading lights or No 1 light buoy should be identified before closing the coast.
Port limits
Reported that the controlling depth was 12.5m in the entrance channel as far as the dredged channel in the N part of the bay.
Anchorages
Anchorage is available, with good holding in thick mud, as required, keeping 0.5nm off the N shore. It is recommended that larger vessels should be anchored in Bahia de Guayanilla rather than Bahia de Tallaboa. The following anchorage areas are positioned from Punta Gotay Pier:
The usual anchorage area is between 0.5nm and 1nm NE of Punta Verraco (1.25nm WNW) in a depth of 11.0 - 15.0m, providing protected anchorage for up to 5 vessels.
Anchorage is also available, for vessels with a draught of less than 5.5m, at the head of the harbour between Punta Pepillo (1.25nm N) and the village of Playa de Guayanilla (1.5nm NNW). Small fishing vessels anchor at the N end of this bay.
Hurricane anchorage: A cove, positioned 035°, 1nm from Punta Gotay (17°59.0'N 066°45.6'W) provides a good hurricane anchorage for small craft with a draught of less than 3.0m.
Tugs
Available.
Charts and publications
BA 3408, 2600. Admiralty Pilot NP71.
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2020ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice of ETA should be sent 48 and 24 hours in advance.
Communications
San Juan Radio transmits on 2530kHz, received on 2134kHz and keeps watch on 2182kHz.
VHF: Ch 16 and 14 are monitored by the port.
VHF: Tugs Ch 16; 06 09 11 14.
VHF: Radio Ch 16; 06 09 12 14.
Health
Quarantine for high fever or contagious diseases and need to notified to the ships agent.
Customs and immigration
For Customs service, Guayanilla is under the jurisdiction of the Ponce Custom house.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Port Authority of Puerto Rico
Address: PO Box 362829, San Juan, 00936-2829, Puerto Rico.
Tel: +1 787 729 8725
Fax: +1 787 723 8217
Mob: +1 939 630 8832
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Sep 2017Repairs
Available at Ponce.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Fuel: Available.
Medical
Metropolitano hospital, 13.8km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Mercedita Airport, 29.1km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Guayanilla
updated Sep 2017Where it is
Guayanilla Harbour is situated on the S coast of the island, 7.5nm W of Ponce.
The port
It is the largest hurricane harbour and one of the best in Puerto Rico. The harbour is protected at its entrance by extensive reefs which extend 1nm or more offshore. The entrance channel between these reefs is approx 1.5nm in length and approx 0.4nm wide.
The port has facilities for deep draught tankers at the Tallaboa sector of the port. Commonwealth Oil Refining Company owns a dock and operates numerous berths. Port operations are under the control of the Captain of the Port. On the Guayanilla peninsula there is the EcoElectrica LNG facility which has taken over as the main fuel for the power station, which has LPG as backup fuel.
Questions about Guayanilla
What are the pilot arrangements at Guayanilla?
Compulsory for merchant vessels of more than 1000GT.
What time zone is Guayanilla in?
Local time at Guayanilla is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Guayanilla?
The deepest berth listed is at CORCO Terminal: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Guayanilla?
1025.
Which load line zone is Guayanilla in?
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Guayanilla?
Port State Control at Guayanilla: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Guayanilla?
The UN/LOCODE of Guayanilla is PRGUY.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Guayanilla 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.