Lake Charles

Size limits

Draught 12.19m, LOA 320m, beam 53.34m, 165,209DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.46m average. Diurnal range of tide in Calcasieu Pass is 0.6m. Flood waters may increase the normal river level at Lake Charles 0.5m. There is little current in the river except during freshets.

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

Approach

* Lake Charles Pilots have recommended that maximum draught of vessels transiting the Calcasieu Ship channel be limited to 11.88m (39 feet) FW.

Areas of particular concern: Two areas in the Calcasieu River are considered to be particularly troublesome. These areas are listed in order of ascension when proceeding from sea.

A regulated navigation area has been established in Calcasieu River from the Calcasieu jetties to and including the port of Lake Charles.

The Trunkline LNG facility on Industrial Canal is within a safety zone. Additionally, the waters surrounding laden LNG carriers transiting Calcasieu River are a safety zone.

Note: While this regulation prohibits meeting, crossing or overtaking situations within established safety zones unless specifically authorised by the USCG, COTP, routine planned necessary meeting situations involving piloted vessels, in the wider sections of the Calcasieu River Waterway channel, may be authorised if attending pilots concur and agree that the manoeuvres can be safely accomplished. Overtaking and proximate crossings involving LNG vessels remain prohibited. Pilots are expected to report violations of established safety zones to the Coast Guard. Announcement of the existence of safety zones and enforcement responsibility remains with the USCG.

Channels:

The Calcasieu entrance has been improved by breakwaters (jetties) and a deepwater channel. The breakwaters extend seaward from the shoreline for about 1.1nm and are mostly above normal high tide. A Federal project provides for a channel 12.8m deep across the outer bar from that depth in the Gulf to the entrance breakwaters, then 12.2m through the breakwaters, then to and in the Industrial Canal and turning basin N of Choupique Island, then to the Port of Lake Charles Wharves, and then 10.7m to the Interstate Route 10/US Route 90 highway bridge. (See Notice to Mariners and latest editions of charts for controlling depths).

The channel is marked by lights, lightbuoys, and a lighted mid channel whistle buoy at the entrance. A lighted 351° 51.7' range leads across the bar between the jetties and into the pass.

Calcasieu Channel Lighted Whistle Buoy "CC" (29°20.0'N 093°13.3'W) is equipped with a strobe light and a Racon.

Port limits

Port Authority control extends from the N end of Calcasieu Lake to the suburb of Westlake, on the N side of Lake Charles city.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Navigation guidelines, Calcasieu River:

In recent years a substantial number of ocean going vessels of increased size and draught have been entering the Calcasieu River Channel and proceeding to and from berths as far up the channel as the Port of Lake Charles. The channel, however, has not been appreciably widened in recent years. Based upon reported marine casualties to vessels and upon reports of navigational problems arising from increased ocean going traffic, and after consultation with local marine interests, the COTP has developed certain guidelines to enhance safe navigation.

It is recommended that all vessels, particularly those which must navigate in the channel because of draught constraints, hereafter referred to as deep draught vessels, strictly adhere to these guidelines.

For purposes of these guidelines, low powered vessels are those which are unable to maintain a speed of at least 8kts, through the water; full powered vessels are those which are able to maintain 8kts or more through the water. Poor handling vessels are those which, because of steering characteristics, are unable to consistently navigate within the channel half width. In all cases, vessels towed on a hawser are considered to be poor handling vessels if the overall length of the tow exceeds 152m from the stern of the towing vessel to the stern of the tow.

Tandem tows, except for small scows and non descript vessels which operate outside the main channel, are unmanageable and navigation should not be attempted.

The entrance channel between the breakwaters is marked by Range A. Tides and currents should be obtained from the appropriate Tide and Tidal Current Tables. Vessels arriving at the bar should give a Security call on Ch 13, 30 minutes before entering the breakwaters. So as not to delay river traffic, low powered or poor handling vessels intending to enter the river should be prepared to delay up to 45 min, if necessary, to allow full powered and more manoeuvrable vessels to precede them through the breakwaters.

During LNG/LPG movements in the Calcasieu River, special restrictions may be placed on this waterway by the local COTP. Copies of the local LNG/LPG Operations Plan may be obtained from the Port Arthur Coast Guard Marine Safety Office.

Traffic Guidelines:

Efficient and safe pilotage area traffic movement is dependent upon pilots exercising good professional skill and judgement with respect to visibility, vessel draught, vessel speed, state of tide, wind speed and direction, channel depth, direction and speed of currents, individual vessel manoeuvring characteristics, presence of other vessels, and width of channel.

Meeting and passing situations involving two vessels with combined beams exceeding 50% of the available channel width are restricted. Both involved pilots may, however, agree that conditions are such that meeting or passing can be accomplished safely.

In fog, or any condition that restricts visibility, vessels will not normally be moved until conditions improve to a point where 1nm visibility is available throughout the route to be transited.

All vessels transiting the channel must be ballasted to a condition that keeps the propeller and rudder submerged to a sufficient degree to maintain control of the vessel.

LNG vessels transiting within the pilotage area shall be piloted in accordance with the current US Coast Guard Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Vessel Management and Emergency Plan put into effect by the USCG COTP.

Anchorages

Large vessels should anchor in Calcasieu Pass Fairway Anchorage, E of the safety fairway. Vessels up to 3.7m in draught can obtain excellent anchorage in the bend in the river at Cameron. While waiting for daylight or fog to lift, ships can anchor out of the fairway anywhere in Calcasieu River. No anchorages exist in the landcuts, and ships entering cuts are expected to complete passage. In fog, deep draught vessels should anchor 2-3nm E of the pilot boarding station.

Dangers: Seaward of the breakwaters, a moderate to strong current sweeps across the channel, normally setting in a W direction; however, strong W winds will cause a current reversal; mariners should exercise caution and be on the alert. A mud slush lying on the bottom, approximately 1.5m above the hard surface, will frequently be found in the channel seaward of the jetties and at various places above the pass. This material can hardly be detected by the leadline. A 0.3m to 1.2m layer of soupy material, some 2.4m to 3.0m above the hard bottom and 6.0m to 7.0m below the surface, is occasionally encountered in the same localities.

Spoils banks of undetermined depth exist on the W side of the entrance channel and outer channel except within 1nm N and S of Calcasieu Channel Lighted Buoy 29, which area, the Lake Charles Pilots report, has been left clear for Pilot Station No 1. Mariners are advised to avoid navigating across the spoil banks, because the actual depths may be considerably less than the charted depths.

A submerged obstruction was reported in the fairway anchorage W of the safety fairway in about 29°37.3'N 093°27.7'W.

Restrictions

Max vessel size: Vessels transiting the Calcasieu Ship Channel, above the Calcasieu Intersection: LOA 280m, beam 48.1m, draught 12.19m.

Vessels transiting the Calcasieu Ship Channel up to the Calcasieu Intersection and east to the Industrial Canal basin are limited to LOA 320m, beam 50m, draught 12.19m.

The maximum size of vessels above the Port of Lake Charles City Docks (Mile 34) is restricted to LOA 230m, beam 32.3m, draught 10.97m.

The maximum size of ships berthing at PPG shall not exceed LOA 214m, beam 32.3m.

Minimum Clearance on I-210 Bridge: With the PORTS information now available; the pilots have set a minimum safety margin on all vessels passing under the I-210 Bridge of 1.0m of calculated clearance by subtracting the airdraught of the ship from the PORTS air gap sensor reading.

The following is a regulated navigation area - The Calcasieu River from the Calcasieu breakwaters up to and including the Port of Lake Charles.

Intracoastal Waterway:

The waterway crosses Mermentau River between Miles 201.6W and 202.5W and continues W in a landcut. The Mermentau River is navigable for more than 32nm N of the crossing. S of the waterway, the river leads through Grand Lake to the Gulf.

Bayou Lacassine (see also chart 11345) crosses the waterway at Mile 205.1W. N of the crossing, the bayou has a reported centreline controlling depth of 1.8m for about 15nm to Hayes. Many of the bends have been cut through to provide a shorter route. A highway bridge over Bayou Lacassine, approx 3nm S of Hayes, has a swing span with a clearance of 1.5m S of the waterway, Bayou Lacassine flows through Mud Lake into Grand Lake.

At Miles 211.5W and 212.7W, a canal on the S side of the waterway leads to Little Lake Misere, then E through The Narrows to Lake Misere and Bayou Misere to Mud Lake. The waterway arcs to the N in this section. Bell City Drainage Canal crosses the waterway at Mile 212.3W.

A fixed highway bridge with a clearance of 22m crosses the waterway at Gibbstown, Mile 219.8W. An overhead power cable 200m E of the bridge has a clearance of 32.9m.

At Mile 221.9W, an overhead power cable with a clearance of 67m crosses the waterway.

The loading docks and tanks of an oil company are on the N side of the waterway at Mile 223.3W; a cut here leads to Sweet Lake.

A pontoon bridge crosses the waterway at Grand Lake Ridge, Mile 231.5W; the overhead power cables on the S side of the crossing have a reported least clearance of 26m. A loading dock is near the crossing. Another pontoon bridge crosses the waterway at Mile 238.0W. The bridges are operated by cables that are suspended just above the water when the bridges are being opened or closed. The cables are dropped to the bottom when the bridges are in the fully open position, but remain suspended while the bridges are fully closed. Warning signs mark the approaches to both bridges. The bridge tenders of the pontoon bridges monitor Ch 13; callsigns "KJA-560" and "WXY-918", respectively. Extreme caution is advised in the vicinity of these bridges. Do not attempt to pass through the bridges until they are fully opened and the cables are dropped to the bottom.

Calcasieu Lock, Mile 238.2W, is 368m long (364m usable), 23m wide, 4.0m over the sills, and handles lifts to 1.2m. Red and green lights and day beacons are at either end of the lock. Vessels should wait for the green signal before entering the lock. The Lock Master can be contacted on Ch 14. The lock prevents saltwater from entering rice fields to the E.

The waterway enters Calcasieu River at Mile 239.2W and continues N around a bend in the river across deep Calcasieu Channel to Choupique Cutoff. Vessels and tows are advised to use caution at the junctions. A fuel dock, at which diesel fuel is available by barge, and a shipyard with two 2,000t floating drydocks are at Calcasieu Landing on the W side of the Calcasieu Landing on the W side of the Calcasieu River just N of its junction with Choupique Cutoff. The fuel dock monitors Ch 16 continuously.

The Intracoastal Waterway, from Mile 239.0W in Calcasieu River to Mile 241.4W at the entrance to Choupique Cutoff, is within the area of the Lake Charles VTIS. See Vessel Traffic Information Service (VTIS), Lake Charles.

Lake Charles (chart 11347), 9.8nm up Calcasieu River from the waterway junction at Mile 241.2W, has numerous boat landings along the shore. Good anchorage in depths of 2.4m to 3.0m is available in the lake. Chart 11331: From Mile 241.2W, the waterway passes through Choupique Cutoff and the long land cut Lake Charles Deepwater Channel for 24nm to the Sabine River at Orange.

Bayou Choupique (see also chart 11348) is part of the waterway between Miles 241.8W and 242.4W. The 3.7m deep exit leads to Calcasieu Channel while the W exit passes through marshland for many miles. The controlling depth in the W branch is about 2.4m to the highway bridge 2.5nm above the junction; the bridge has a 13.7m fixed span with a clearance of 4.6m. An overhead power cable just E of the bridge has a clearance of 19m.

At Mile 243.3W, Old Canal leads E to the Calcasieu Channel.

At Mile 243.8W, State Route 27 highway vertical lift bridge with a clearance of 15m down and 41m up crosses the waterway. The bridge tender monitors Ch 13; callsign "KTD-558". An overhead power cable with a clearance of 42.4m is about 50yds SW of the bridge.

At Mile 245.3W, an overhead power cable across the waterway has a clearance of 42.7m.

A cable ferry and overhead power cable cross the waterway at Mile 254.1. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PASS A MOVING CABLE FERRY. The power cable has a clearance of 28.3m.

Vinton Canal crosses the Intracoastal Waterway at Mile 258.4W. The canal has a controlling depth of 1.4m to a point approx 4.0nm N of waterway, then 1.7m 0.5nm below the bridge, 7.3nm N of the junction with the waterway. An overhead power cable with a clearance of 17.7m crosses the canal just N of the junction. The canal connects with Black Bayou S of the waterway.

An overhead power cable with a clearance of 46.0m crosses the waterway at Mile 260.1W.

At Mile 264.8W, the waterway enters Sabine River and continues around the S bend of the river to the deep ship channel.

Tugs

Available up to 3,900hp from private companies.

Unless otherwise authorised by the COTP, Port Arthur, 1,000GT or greater tows on a hawser transiting the Calcasieu River are prohibited unless such tows have a tug of sufficient horsepower made up to the tow in such a manner as to ensure that complete and effective control is maintained at all times. Inbound vessels only, may shift the tow or pick up an additional tug within 100m inside the entrance breakwaters provided that such action is necessary.

Charts and publications

BA 3190, 8236. Admiralty Pilot NP69A. NP286(5)

ETA and pre-arrival notices

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

Communications

VHF: Calcasieu Pilots: Ch 16, 13 and 66A. Tel: +1 337 4775959, Fax: +1 337 4785354, Email: [email protected].

VTIS Lake Charles: Ch 66, 66A.

Port of Lake Charles: Ch16, 10.

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.

Health officials inspect vessels at berth.

Customs and immigration

Lake Charles is a Customs port of entry. For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book. Immigration/USCG require Notice of Arrival (NOA) sent 96 hrs before arrival.

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

Lake Charles has no facilities for major repairs, the nearest facilities are at Beaumont, Texas. Shipyards at Calcasieu Landing and on Contraband Bayou are available for minor above the waterline repairs to vessels and hull, and engine repairs to smaller vessels. Divers are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Available.

Fresh water: Available.

Stores: Marine supplies are available.

Medical

St Patrick's Hospital and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Lake Charles Regional Airport, 13km, Continental Express has scheduled services.

Nearest railway: Lake Charles is served by three railroads; Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and Kansas City Southern.

Nearest highway: Interstate Route 10 and US Routes 90, 165 and 171.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs. Overtime available by arrangement.

Where it is

Lake Charles is located close to the Gulf of Mexico in the State of Louisiana. The port is situated on the Eastern bank of Lake Charles some 14nm from the open sea. Access to the port is via the Calcasieu River.

The port

Lake Charles is the main port of W Louisiana. Berthing is achieved with numerous piers and wharves, which are both publicly and privately owned. The principal imports are petroleum products, barite ores and steel products. The principal exports are petroleum coke, petroleum products, chemicals, bulk and general cargo, rice, agricultural products, paper and other wood products. Other commodities handled at the port are canned foods, caustic soda, synthetic rubber, plastics, paper products, and other general cargo.

Traffic

Approx 4,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Lake Charles?

Vessel Traffic Information Service (VTIS) and Pilotage: The Lake Charles Pilots Inc will act upon all requests for pilot services without delay provided they have been given a minimum of 4 hours notice.

What time zone is Lake Charles in?

Local time at Lake Charles is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Lake Charles?

The deepest berth listed is at Cameron LNG Terminal: 12.19 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lake Charles?

1000.

Which load line zone is Lake Charles in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Lake Charles?

Port State Control at Lake Charles: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lake Charles?

The UN/LOCODE of Lake Charles is USLCH.

What crews who called at Lake Charles 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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