Ladysmith

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Mean spring range 2.4m; mean neap range 0.6m.

Approach

Ladysmith Harbour is approached from Stuart Channel and entered between Sharpe Point (48°59'N., 123°46'W) and Boulder Point 1.5nm SSE. The approach channel has depths of 36m and gradually decreases.

Port limits

The port limits cover a portion of Stuart Channel and fall within the limits of Chemainus Harbour. The N limit coincides with the Chemainus Harbour limit and the S limit extends from Boulder Point (48°58'N., 123°45'W) across Stuart Channel to Josling Point, 5nm ESE.

Anchorages

Anchorage can be obtained in Berth Nos 1-7 between the outer part of Ladysmith Harbour and a position 1.25nm SE of Boulder Point, or in Berth Nos 8 or 9, in the outer part of Kulleet Bay.

Three designated anchorages lie within the harbour (Nos 1 to 3).

Restrictions

It is worth noting that the channel decreases along the harbour to a drying mud flat lying at the head.

Tugs

Vancouver or Victoria or through agent.

Charts and publications

BA 4956, 76. CAN 3475. Admiralty Pilot NP 25.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

To be sent on departure from last port to the consigned agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities.

Communications

San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all HF frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station.

Inmarsat can also be used.

Notice of readiness

The custom of the port is to tender NOR on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line at berth. If an outer anchorage is used Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.

Documents

The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents.

The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.

Health

It is not necessary to apply for pratique unless there is an infection or dead person onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

If there is any sickness onboard the vessel will be quarantined.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.

Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land.

Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).

Immigration officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes Immigration Crew List.

Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Notices and regulations

Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks.

Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessels arrival, through the agent.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Tokyo 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.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at the marina for private pleasure vessels.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hillside Medical Centre (0.7km), Ladysmith Community Health Centre (1km) and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (24km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Nanaimo Airport (7.8km), Ganges Harbour Airport (28km) and Vancouver International Airport (51.3km).

Nearest public transport: Coach lines operate between Victoria and Nanaimo.

Where it is

Ladysmith, originally known as Oyster Harbour, is located 10km S of Nanaimo on the E side of Vancouver Island, off Stuart Channel, Canada.

The port

There are limited local facilities at Ladysmith, British Columbia, located along the 49th parallel. All major services are available from Nanaimo or Victoria. Ladysmith Harbour had a facility for deep-sea vessels loading logs however it is now used as booming grounds for local sawmills and as a safe anchorage for larger vessels. A small marina for private pleasure vessels is located within the harbour.

Coal was a huge export from Ladysmith in the early decades of the twentieth century, dating back to 1899, due to the mine located at Extension, British Columbia. The coal mine ultimately closed in 1931, as a result of the Great Depression.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ladysmith?

Refer to "Canadian General Information, re Pacific Coast Pilotage".

What time zone is Ladysmith in?

Local time at Ladysmith is UTC−7. No summer time.

Which load line zone is Ladysmith in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ladysmith?

Port State Control at Ladysmith: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ladysmith?

The UN/LOCODE of Ladysmith is CALAD.

What crews who called at Ladysmith 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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