La Rochelle-Pallice

1. Bouée de « Chauveau » – seaward limit of La Rochelle compulsory pilotage zone Pilot46°06.6′N 001°16.0′W
2. La Rochelle / Charente pilot boarding position – 1 M South of 'Chauveau' buoy Pilot boards46°05.6′N 001°16.0′W

Size limits

LOA 264.6m, beam 42m, draught 16m, 120,000DWT.

Sea Lock dimensions: Max vessel LOA 165m and max beam 21.30m.

Water density

1023-1026.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 5.1m (springs), 2.5m (neaps).

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

Approach

The principal approach is through Pertuis d'Antioche. Pertuis d'Antioche is approached SSW of the W part of Ile de Re (46°12.0'N 001°25.0'W) and entered between the E part of the island and Pointe de Chassiron (46°03.0'N 001°25.0'W), the NW point of Ile d'Oleron.

The approach channel (098°-278°) leads 17nm E into Petrius d'Antioche through Fosse d'Antioche, a trench about 1nm wide between 20.0m depth contours on each side.

Approaching Fosse d'Antioche: The approach channel passes over the deepest part of the sill at the outer end of Fosse d'Antioche and N of a 12.0m patch (46°05.0'N 001°37.0'W) and of a wreck with a least charted depth of 12.0m (1.5nm NE).

The line of bearing 132° of Chassiron Light (46°03.0'N 001°25.0'W) passes the W end of Ile de Re parallel to and about 1.5nm off the 10.0m depth contour, in a least charted depth N of the approach channel of 17.0m. Vessels should not pass SW of Ile de Re in lesser depths, or closer to the island than 3nm.

Directions for entering Coureau de la Pallice: Initial position 46°06.0'N 001°17.0'W, at the E end of Fosse d'Antioche and the approach channel.

La Rochelle Leading Lights: Front light (white round tower, red top and bands, 14m in height) (46°09.4'N 001°09.0'W) whose intensified sector is 056°-062°.

Rear light, (white octagonal tower, green top, 23m in height) (235m ENE of front light), which is obscured by Tour Saint-Nicolas (80m W of front light) between the bearings of 061° and 065°.

The alignment (059°) of these lights, exhibited also by day but with different characteristics, leads ENE to a position 0.5nm NW of Roche du Sud Lightbuoy (W cardinal) (46°06.4'N 001°15.1'W) passing 0.1nm SSE of Chauveau Lightbuoy (S cardinal) (46°06.6'N 001°16.0'W).

Approaching Mole d'Escale: Leading marks: Front: white rectangular mark painted on the S wall of Mole d'Escale (46°09.6'N 001°14.3'W).

Rear: Mole d'Escale Light (directional) (grey square tower of old Gare Maritime building; height 36m) (340m NNW of front mark).

By day the alignment (016°) of these marks, at night the white sector (014.75°-017.25°) of the direction light, leads NNE through Coureau de la Pallice, passing (positions given from direction light):

ESE of Plateau de Chauveau whose ESE edge is covered by the red sector, and WNW of Plateau du Lavardin that extends 0.6nm S from Le Lavardin Light Beacon (isolated danger) (1.5nm S).

Then, ESE of Roches de Chauveau (2.5nm SW), a rocky flat that extends 0.7nm SSE and SSW from Pointe de Chauveau, with Chauveau Lighthouse marking the SE corner.

Then close ESE of an unmarked 9.7m patch (0.8nm SSW), covered by the red sector, and, ESE of Marie-Anne Lightbuoy (E cardinal) marking a wreck (0.8nm SW).

Caution: The front leading mark may be obscured if a vessel is secured at the E berth of Mole d'Escale tanker terminal (0.1nm SSW of front mark). By day, if the front leading mark is unclear, it is reported that the centre of the S par of Mole d'Escale can be used until the white mark become visible.

Entering harbour: A dredged channel leads ENE into Bassin Chef-de-Baie, passing:

NNW of an obstruction, least depth 8.5m, lying 0.1nm WSW of the head of Nouvelle Jettee Sud, a breakwater, surmounted by a light beacon (white structure, green top; height 11m) (46°09.3'N 001°13.9'W).

Then NNW of the head of Nouvelle Jetee Sud, then SSE of the head of Mole Nord, a mole, surmounted by a light beacon (grey tower red top, 9m in height) (0.2nm NNE).

Entering Avant-Port: The dredged channel leads NE, passing (positions given from the head of Mole Nord):

SE of Mole Nord, and NW of the lightbuoy (W cardinal) (0.2nm ESE) marking the NW corner of the undredged E portion of Bassin Chef-de-Baie.

Then NW of the head of Jetee Sud (0.25nm E), the breakwater on the S side of Avant-Port, surmounted by a light beacon (white beacon, green top; height 4m).

Leading Lights: The alignment (085°) of the leading lights on the old submarine pens at the E end of Basin a Flot indicates the axis of the lock entrance to the basin:

Front light (red structure; height 19m) (46°09.6'N 001°12.6'W).

Rear light (red triangular topmark, white stripe, on white column, red top; height 29m) (154m E of front light).

Port limits

Port limits are a line joining the following:

Light at the head of Port de Peche S breakwater (46°09.0'N 001°13.6'W). Position 46°09.3'N 001°14.8'W. Position 46°10.0'N 001°14.6'W. The root of Viaduc du President Christian Morch at Pointe Saint Marc (46°10.0'N 001°13.4'W).

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Rade de la Pallice, off the SE end of Ile de Re between Pointe des Sablanceaux (46°10'N 001°15'W) and Pointe de Chauveau (1.5nm SW) provides sheltered anchorage in depths from 6.0m to 13.0m, mud, good holding, except in winds between SE and SW which cause a choppy sea during the S going tidal stream.

Restrictions

Access to the Inner Basin is through a sea lock with the following restrictions: LOA 165m, Beam 21.3m. Access draught 4.0m + tide level. The lock opens 2 hours before high tide and closes 1 hour after. Sailing and entering after locking is available.

Tugs

Three tugs of 30t, including one ocean going tug, all equipped for fire fighting and with VHF radio. Tankers of 35,000DWT or more must use four tugs when berthing at Mole d'Escale, the fourth tug obtained from Bordeaux.

Charts and publications

BA 2743, 2999, 3000, 2663, 1104, 20. Fr 6333 and 6521. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

To received permission to enter the port, all vessels of 500GT and over engaged in international trade must provide the Harbour Master with either a copy of the International Safety Certificate.

Pre-arrival details of tankers carrying flammable or dangerous liquids and gasses (or not gas free) should be sent to the Harbour Master. Information should be in accordance with the ISGOTT by email, fax or telex.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 12 and 16.

Pilotes La Rochelle-Charente: Ch 16,12. Tel: +33 5 46 42 63 05. Fax: +33 5 42 26 96. Email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Health

Request for pratique to be made on arrival at the berth.

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates is possible.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: For each crew member 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits. Heavy fines will be incurred for non compliance of these allowances.

Visa are required for non EU citizens, who wish to join or leave the vessel. All passengers to be declared separate from crew.

Notices and regulations

Dangerous Cargoes: Vessels over 1,600GT transporting hydrocarbons or dangerous substances should inform the port of their entrance in the Approach Channel, maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 16 or the designated frequency and contact the Semaphore de Chassiron.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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.

ISPS

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

One shipyard capable of major repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers are available by road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Hospital Saint Louis, La Rochelle (6km).

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: La Rochelle (2km).

Airport facilities: Domestic and international connections including regular flights to Paris, limited air freight and crew change facilities.

Nearest railway: La Rochelle (6km).

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs, 1400-1800hrs, 0500-1300hrs, 1400-2200hrs. Gangs are also available to work Mon-Fri 0900-1300hrs, 1500-1900hrs, 0600-1400hrs, 1500-2300hrs. Two hours of overtime can be done after each gangs work. Weekend work is possible.

Where it is

La Rochelle-Pallice is situated on the E side of Coureau de la Pallice, the channel separating the E end of Ile de Re from mainland France.

The port

La Rochelle-Pallice, now known as Port Autonome de La Rochelle, comprises the following ports:

La Rochelle-Pallice, the commercial port; La Rochelle Ville, the old port near the city centre, an important fishing port and La Rochelle Les Minimes, a vast marina on the S side of the entrance to the old port.

La Rochelle is naturally protected by Re and Oleron Islands and has an excellent infrastructure. It is a deep port with quick access from the sea. La Pallice Roads has depths ranging from 7.5m to more than 20m with good holding ground. The port is divided into 4 sites, the Inner Basin, the grain berth, the deep sea pier with oil terminal and the Chef de Baie quay.

Traffic

Approx 8,900,000t of cargo (including 3,700,000t of grains), 8,300TEU, 30,000 passengers and 950 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at La Rochelle-Pallice?

The pilot boards at Bouée de « Chauveau » – seaward limit of La Rochelle compulsory pilotage zone, 46°06.6′N 001°16.0′W. La Rochelle-Pallice has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is La Rochelle-Pallice in?

Local time at La Rochelle-Pallice is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at La Rochelle-Pallice?

The deepest berth listed is at Oil Terminal- Mole d' Escale: 16.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at La Rochelle-Pallice?

1023-1026.

Which load line zone is La Rochelle-Pallice in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at La Rochelle-Pallice?

Port State Control at La Rochelle-Pallice: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of La Rochelle-Pallice?

The UN/LOCODE of La Rochelle-Pallice is FRLRH.

What crews who called at La Rochelle-Pallice 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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