PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Homer
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory, with few exceptions. The pilot boards 1.0nm S of Homer Spit (59°36.0'N 151°24.6'W). Vessels are requested to maintain a speed of approx 8-10kts, with the propeller stopped and with the pilot ladder, approx 1.5m above the water, when embarking the pilot.
Vessels should establish contact with Homer Pilot Station on VHF Ch 10, 1.5 hours before ETA. Contact with the pilot vessels Mary Dele or Katmie should be made on VHF Ch 10, 30 minutes before ETA.
Key data
updated Mar 2019Size limits
Deep Water Dock: LOA 243m, 10.3m draught.
Pioneer Dock: LOA 228m, 10.3m draught.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Oct 31, Summer Nov 1 to Mar 31.
Tides
Range 5.0m average, 7.0m springs. Diurnal range of tide is 5.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seldovia Bay Ferry Homer Terminal | 10.30 m | 243 m | 1 |
| Hormer Ferry Terminal | 9.10 m | 228 m | 1 |
| Petro Marine Services 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 2010Approach
The port is approached and entered in deep water, through Kachemak Bay.
The inner part of Kachemak Bay is entered between Homer Spit Light (59°36'N 151°25'W) and Gull Island Light No 2 (framework tower; starboard hand daymark) exhibited on the summit of Gull Island 2.5nm ESE. Gull Island, height 28m, is the largest of a compact group of prominent, above water rocks lying 0.5nm off the coast on the S side. Shoal water, relatively steep to on the outer edge, which lies from 1.5 to 2nm offshore, borders the entire coast on the NW side of the inner bay, from Homer Spit to the extensive drying mud flats that fill the head of the bay 14nm NE. On the SE side of the inner bay several streams discharge the run off from glaciers lying approx 2nm inland.
Anchorages
Anchorage can be obtained 0.8nm or more N of Homer Spit Light, depth 18.2-27.0m, soft bottom.
Gas carriers which are not gas free should anchor not less than 2.0nm E of Homer Spit (in case of venting), in 55m, mud and sand. The holding ground is not good in strong NE winds.
Tugs
There are 2 tugs available.
Charts and publications
BA 1499. Admiralty Pilot NP4, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice of ETA at pilot embarkation point, 1nm S of Homer Spit (59°36'N 151°25'W), should be sent 36 and 24 hours prior to arrival with any subsequent amendments of more than 3 hours.
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Port: Ch 16. Call: WHG651.
Homer Pilots: Ch 10. Pilotage is arranged through South Central Alaska Pilotage Region.
Health
Quarantine is administered locally.
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Customs and immigration
Homer is a Customs station administered from Anchorage.
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: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Mar 2019Repairs
Limited minor repairs.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: All fuel classes, except heavy bunker oil, are available from Harbour Enterprises Inc located on Pioneer Dock.
Medical
South Peninsula General, Homer 10.9km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Homer Airport, 8km.
Nearest railway: Moose Pass, 200km.
Airport facilities: Daily air service. Three terminals for passengers and cargo.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Homer
updated Mar 2019Where it is
Homer is located on the E side of the SE end of Homer Spit, close to the entrance to Cook Inlet, Alaska.
The port
The port is ice-free, handles a small amount of cargo and significant export of wood products, including logs and wood chips, is primarily used as a home base for the USCG and a link to the Alaska Highway system with a ferry service to Kodiak and the Aleutians.
Questions about Homer
What are the pilot arrangements at Homer?
Pilotage is compulsory, with few exceptions.
What time zone is Homer in?
Local time at Homer is UTC−9. Clocks go to UTC−8 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−9 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Homer?
The deepest berth listed is at Seldovia Bay Ferry Homer Terminal: 10.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Homer?
1025.
Which load line zone is Homer in?
North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Oct 31, Summer Nov 1 to Mar 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Homer?
Port State Control at Homer: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Homer?
The UN/LOCODE of Homer is USHOM.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Homer 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.