Les Sables d'Olonne

Size limits

LOA 110m, beam 16m, draught 5.0m to 6.2m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean spring range 4.5m; mean neap range 2.1m.

N and E winds decrease the water level by 0.3m and advance the time of HW by 30mins; S winds increase the water level by 0.4m and delay the time of HW by 40 mins.

Tidal streams: Tidal streams in the approaches are weak and rotary clockwise. In the entrance channel between the breakwaters the in-going tidal stream normally does not exceed 1kt. When the sluice-gate of the scouring basin is open the tidal streams attain a rate of 1.5kts ingoing, 2kts outgoing.

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

Approach

Approach and entry: Rade des Sables d'Olonne (46°29.0'N 001°47.0'W), the outer anchorage, is approached from the SE and SSW by two main channels and from the SW by a secondary passage used by local craft.

Length of entrance channel is 1,100m. The harbour is entered through a channel leading NNW from the anchorage.

Approach routes: The 2 main channels and 1 secondary channel are:

Passe du Sud-Ouest; the charted SSW approach channel that is governed by the traffic regulations under "Restrictions", the approach is recommended in heavy weather and Passe du Sud-Est, the SE approach, controlling depth 7.0m where it passes inshore of Barre Marine.

Passe Secondaire, not suitable for commercial vessels, the SW inshore approach which is dangerous in bad weather from SW due to breakers and should only be attempted by day and with local knowledge.

Passe du Sud-Ouest: Initial position 46°23.0'N 001°52.5'W.

Leading Lights: Front light (metal mast 12m in height) (46°29.5'N 001°46.3'W) on the sea front.

Rear: La Potence Light (square tower, white house, 20m in height) (330m NNE of front light).

The alignment of these lights (032.5°), which are exhibited throughout 24 hours, leads NNE into Passe du Sud-Est, passing (positions given from front light):

ESE of Nouch-Sud Lightbuoy (S cardinal) moored 0.17nm S of Le Nouch (1nm SW), an underwater rock, then:

WNW of a depth of 8.0m (0.85nm SSW) on Barre Marine, a shoal over which the sea breaks heavily except in fine weather and ESE of an unmarked rock (depth 4.9m) (0.7nm SW).

Passe du Sud-Est: Initial position approx 46°26.0'N 001°43.0'W. Leading lights: Front: Jetee des Sables Light (white truncated conical tower, green top, 9m in height) (46°29.5'N 001°47.4'W) on the breakwater head.

Rear: Tour d'Arundel Light (white turret on large grey crenellated square tower, 27m in height) (465m NW of front light). Part of the tower is hidden behind a tall building.

The alignment (320°) of these lights, leads into and through Rade des Sables d'Olonne, passing (positions given from front light):

Over Basse de la Pironniere in a least charted depth of 8.8m (2.25nm SE), then:

SW of the 5.0m depth contour enclosing several rocky patches lying approx 0.4nm offshore in the vicinity of Pointe de Tanchette (1.5nm SE), and, over the E part of Barre Marine (1nm SE), then:

NE of an underwater rock (depth 4.9m) (0.65nm SSE).

Passe Secondaire: Initial position 46°28.0'N 001°49.0'W, approximately 1.5nm SE of Petite Barge Lightbuoy (S cardinal).

Leading Marks:

Front: L'Estacade Old Lighthouse (white square masonry tower, 10m in height) 46°29.5'N 001°46.4'W, standing on the sea front.

Rear: La Potence Lighthouse (350m NE of front mark).

The alignment of these marks (051°), which passes close SE of Saint-Pierre Church (0.1nm NE of front mark) whose distinctive tower is more prominent than the leading marks, leads NE into Rade des Sables-d'Olonne (0.6nm SW of front mark), passing (positions given from front mark):

SE of Le Brou (1.25nm SW) an unmarked rocky patch, then:

Close NW of the 5.0m depth contour enclosing Le Nouch (1nm SW), then:

NW of Nouch-Nord Buoy (N cardinal) (0.85nm SW) moored nearly 0.2nm NNE of Le Nouch, and SE of the 5.0m depth contour enclosing Le Noura (0.9nm WSW), an unmarked underwater rock on which a dangerous sea breaks in heavy weather.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: Rade des Sables d'Olonne (46°29.0'N 001°47.0'W), the roads SE of the harbour entrance, is a fair weather anchorage exposed to winds between SE and W and dangerous in SW squalls. Not suitable for commercial vessels.

The best holding ground lies close to the 320° leading line 0.25nm NW of its intersection with the 032.5° leading line, depth 10m, bottom muddy sand, but a wreck lies close SW.

Petite Rade lying N of the above position provides anchorage in depths from 6.0-8.0m bottom sand and clay. Not suitable for commercial vessels.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring, fishing and trawling are prohibited, due to a submarine pipeline that extends 0.8nm SW from the shore, 3nm SE of Les Sables d'Olonne.

A vessel anchoring in the area due to force majeure is required to buoy and slip its cable when getting underway.

Restrictions

Approach channel and waiting area: Vessels exceeding 1,600GT laden with hydrocarbons or dangerous cargo are required to use the 300m width approach channel, whose centre line is the 033° alignment of leading lights and extends from 8nm to 0.8nm SSW of La Potence Light (46°29.6'N 001°46.1'W). The designated waiting area for these vessels is situated at the inner end of the approach channel. The access channel, 200m in width, whose centre line is the 320° alignment of leading lights, is subject to compulsory pilotage for the type of vessel described above.

Nitrate of ammonium: Maximum permitted quantity 2,400t.

Charts and publications

BA 2663, 3638. Admiralty Pilot NP22. NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify agents or pilot station of ETA 48 hours prior to arrival, with any amendments of more than 2 hours at least 4 hours in advance.

Communications

VHF: Pilots & pilot vessel: Ch 16, 12. Pilot boat on standby 30mins before boarding, pilotage provided by La Loire, call Pilote Les Sables.

Harbour Master: Ch 16, 12, call Les Sables-d'Olonne Port.

Lock: Ch 12.

Hours: Harbour Master: Mon-Fri 0800-1800hrs LT.

Lock: Two hours before or after HW Spring tides or 1 hour 30 minutes before or after HW Neap tides.

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.

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

Minor shipyard repairs available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker from Nantes or La Rochelle, marine diesel and petrol from service stations in Avant-port.

Medical

Surgical Clinic Porte Oceane, 5.3km & Hospital de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, 26.7km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Les Ajoncs Airport located at La Roche-sur-Yon, 45.5km.

Working hours

Normal hours: 0700-1200hrs, 1400-1900hrs. Overtime available by arrangement.

Where it is

Les Sables d'Olonne is situated on the W coast of France, approx 70nm WNW of La Rochelle.

The port

It is an important fishing port that also handles small cargo vessels and has a large marina. Main imports are fertilisers and timber, main exports are grains. There is a wet dock of approx 30,000m² for merchant vessels and 2 tidal docks for fishing vessels and pleasure craft.

Traffic

Approx 983,411tof cargo and 434 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Les Sables d'Olonne?

Pilotage is provided by La Loire Pilots.

What time zone is Les Sables d'Olonne in?

Local time at Les Sables d'Olonne is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Les Sables d'Olonne?

1025.

Which load line zone is Les Sables d'Olonne 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 Les Sables d'Olonne?

Port State Control at Les Sables d'Olonne: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Les Sables d'Olonne?

The UN/LOCODE of Les Sables d'Olonne is FRLSO.

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