Jacksonville

1. Jacksonville Pilot boards30°23.7′N 081°20.4′W

Size limits

Max LOA 366.07M, beam 51.2m, draught 13.1m and 160,978DWT.

Beam unrestricted at JAXPORT Cruise Terminal, Berth 10.

Water density

Brackish. The river water may be fresh at Jacksonville at LW and with W'ly winds.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range 1.7m; mean neap range 0.5m.

Tidal streams are strong in St Johns River as far as Jacksonville. The tidal streams in the entrance between the breakwaters require special attention. It is reported that 1 hour after the beginning of a strong wind from any direction from N through E to S, a very strong flow sets with the wind across the end of the breakwaters, and the condition is usually dangerous; when such winds reach gale force, the positions of the buoys should not be relied upon as they may drag out of position.

Between the breakwaters on the in-going tide the flow is 2kts and on the outgoing tide the flow is 2.25kts. At Mayport on the ingoing tide the flow is 2.25kts and on the outgoing tide about 3kts. At a point 2.75nm above the entrance the flow is 2.75kts.

Off Drummond Point, 1nm W of Broward Point, the tidal stream attains a rate of 1.5kts, and off Jacksonville, 2kts. The rate of the in-going stream is increased by NE'ly and E'ly winds, and the out-going stream by SW'ly and W'ly winds.

Above Jacksonville tidal streams average less than 1kt. The winds have considerable effect on the water level and rate of the streams. Strong N'ly or NE'ly winds raise the water level about 0.6m at Jacksonville and about 0.3m at Palatka. Strong S'ly and SW'ly winds lower the water level about 0.3 to 0.4m, increase the rate of the out-going stream, and decrease or may interrupt the in-going stream.

Dangerous cross flow may be encountered at the following points along the St Johns River:

At the entrance to St Johns Bar Cut Range between the breakwaters (30°24'N., 081°23'W)

At the intersection with the Intracoastal Waterways (30°23.0'N., 081°27.5'W)

At the junction of Blount Island Channel and Dames Point Turn (30°23.0'N., 081°33.5'W)

At the junction of Trout River and Trout River Cut Range (30°23.4'N., 081°37.6'W)

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

Approach

Jacksonville is approached from E and entered through St Johns River. The depth of the access channel from the sea to the Talleyrand Docks and Terminal is 11.5m. The max, airdraught is 53m. There is no LOA restriction.

Note: The final stretch of the main shipping channel from Drummond Point to Talleyrand Terminal, is dredged to a maintained depth of 12.5m. Further deepening to 13.7m is being considered by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Port limits

A line drawn from the outer end of the N breakwater to the outer end of the S breakwater.

Anchorages

Vessels waiting outside the entrance to St John's River may, weather permitting, anchor in anchor berths 1 to 6 or A to D, in depths of 10.0m to 16.1m, 2.5nm NE of ''STJ'' Lightbuoy (30°23.6'N., 081°19.1'W). Pilots sometimes anchor vessels in the channel opposite Mayport Basin while waiting for the weather to clear upstream, but this anchorage is not recommended due to the strong currents.

Limits of the Federally designated anchorages established at the port of Jacksonville in the St John's River and in the Atlantic Ocean off Fort George inlet, N-NE of the entrance jetties near Mayport are described below.

Anchorage "C" (Temporary anchorage for vessels exceeding 7.3m draught, vessels remaining more than 24 hours must obtain a permit from the COPT): Shoreward of a line beginning at a point on the S shore W of the entrance to Miller Creek at 081°38.2'W, then N, 274m, then E to 081°37.4'W, then to 30°19.1'N., 081°37.3'W, then E to 081°37.0'W, then S to Empire Point.

Anchorage "D" (Reserved for light draught barges and schooners): Bounded on the W by a line along the E side of Terminal Channel and on the E by a line along the W side of Arlington Cut. Beginning at a point at 30°19.30'N 081°37.25'W, then to 30°20.07'N 081°37.18'W, then to 30°20.00'N 081°37.05'W, then to 30°19.20'N., 081°37.17'W, then to the starting point. Vessels are not permitted to anchor within 91m of Terminal Channel or Arlington Cut.

Anchorage "E" (Reserved for vessels awaiting quarantine inspection or by special permit from the COTP): Beginning at a point near the E'ly shore of the river at 30°21.42'N 081°36.52'W, then W to 081°37.15'W, then N to 30°22.07'N, then to the starting point.

Anchorage "F" (Reserved for deep draught barges and schooners):

Special anchorage areas:

Area "A": The waters within an area bounded by a line beginning at a point located at the W bank of St John's River at 30°15.11'N., 081°41.23'W, then to 30°15.13'N., 081°41.14'W, then to 30°14.03'N., 081°41.11'W, then to 30°15.04'N., 081°41.20'W, and then to the starting point.

Area "B": The waters within an area bounded by a line beginning at 30°15.03'N., 081°41.28'W, then to 30°15.02'N., 081°41.10'W, then to 30°14.56'N., 081°41.08'W, then to 30°14.54'N., 081°41.10'W and then to the starting point.

Restrictions

Draught: Vessels over 10.0m FW draught are restricted in their sailing times based on the current at St John's Entrance. The Docking Masters should be contacted for docking and undocking restrictions.

Inbound: All shipyard berths, Gate Maritime, Celotex Corp, JEA Northside, US Gypsum.

Outbound: PCS Phosphate (over 9.7m draught), Celotex Corp, US Gypsum.

Security Zones: Both temporary and permanent security zones have been created in the approaches to Saint Johns River and the Port of Jacksonville. Permission must be granted by the COTP for vessels to enter these zones.

Tugs

McAllister Towing also operates a fleet of tugs in the area.

North Florida Shipyards (Commodore's Point Facility) provide 1 x 800hp tug.

Charts and publications

BA 2808, 8030, 3691. US 11490, 11491. Admiralty Pilot NP69, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent as far in advance as possible and 24 hours prior to arrival to the ships agent.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

Note: USDA has set up a toll free phone line to answer questions about the regulation, Tel: +1 866 738 8197.

Please note that USDA will not answer any questions about CBP operational issues. Those issues are most appropriately directed to your local port if your question has not been answered on http://www.cbp.gov.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their Passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

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.

Repairs

Major repairs available.

Repairs may be made at Jacksonville Machine and Repair (JMR) Shipyard. Works at the shipyard include: Welding, water jet cutting, plasma cutting, manual lathe, sandblasting, paint, crane services and CNC machine.

Repairs may be made at BAE Systems Shipyard. Works include: Welding, pipe fitting, mechanical, and fabrication capabilities. The shipyard provides a 25,000t shiplift and may provide capabilities to Cruise ships, Offshore support/supply/crew boats, Private super yachts, Research & government vessels, Tugs and barges, U.S. Coast Guard vessels and U.S. Navy vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: UF Health Jacksonville (12.1km), HCA Florida Memorial Hospital (12.4km), Baptist Medical Center (13.8km) and Jacksonville Ascension St. Vincent's Southside Hospital (15.4km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Jacksonville International Airport, 16km.

Nearest railway: Three railroads operate at the port; CSX, Norfolk Southern, and The Florida East Coast Railroad.

Nearest highway: The port has direct access to Interstate 295.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Jacksonville.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Jacksonville (Jaxport) is located in NE Florida, the city being situated on St John's River some 24nm from the Atlantic Ocean.

The port

The Port of Jacksonville, commonly referred to by its brand name JAXPORT, is a pivotal international trade seaport located in the southeastern United States. As the largest container port in Florida, JAXPORT plays a crucial role in the nation's maritime trade, ranking among the largest vehicle handling ports in the country.

Established in 1963, the Jacksonville Port Authority oversees the operations of this extensive port, which is strategically designed to accommodate a diverse range of cargo. JAXPORT's facilities, managed by both the port authority and private terminal operators, are equipped to handle various types of cargo, including breakbulk, dry bulk, and liquid cargo. The port's capabilities extend to containers, reefers, vehicles, asphalt, gasoline, ethanol, liquefied natural gas (LNG), aggregates, sand, stone, and gypsum.

JAXPORT's intermodal transportation network is a key asset, featuring connections to over 100 trucking firms and 40 daily trains operated by Class I railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern, along with the regional rail line Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). This robust infrastructure ensures efficient cargo movement and accessibility to domestic and international markets.

In addition to its cargo operations, JAXPORT is home to a modern cruise terminal, enhancing the port's role as a multifaceted transportation hub. Notably, as of 2020, the port has expanded its services to include LNG bunkering from the Talleyrand Terminal, which is operated by Eagle LNG.

Traffic

Approx 10,200,000t of cargo, 1,400,000TEU, 1,600 vessels and 200,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Jacksonville?

The pilot boards at Jacksonville, 30°23.7′N 081°20.4′W.

What time zone is Jacksonville in?

Local time at Jacksonville is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Jacksonville?

The deepest berth listed is at Blount Island Terminal: 13.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Jacksonville?

Brackish. The river water may be fresh at Jacksonville at LW and with W'ly winds.

Which load line zone is Jacksonville in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Jacksonville?

Port State Control at Jacksonville: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Jacksonville?

The UN/LOCODE of Jacksonville is USJAX.

What crews who called at Jacksonville 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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