PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Lunenburg
Pilot
updated Dec 2010- Lunenburg boarding location — La Have River Pilot boards44°15.0′N 064°19.0′W
- Lunenburg boarding location — Local Pilots Pilot boards44°19.5′N 064°13.5′W
Not compulsory. Licensed pilots are available on request via any coast radio station, to "Pilots Halifax" or contact Harbour Master. Vessels to send ETA 24 hrs and 6 hrs in advance.
Pilot boards in following positions, by arrangement:
44°31'.40N 63°30'.40W, Halifax.
44°15'.00N 64°19'.00W, La Have River.
44°22'.00N 64°08'.90W, local.
44°19'.50N 64°13'.50W, local - primarily for Lunenburg.
Key data
updated Mar 2021Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area. For ships over 100m in length, Winter Dec 16 to Feb 15, Summer Feb 16 to Dec 15. For ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
HW: 2.3m
LW: 0.4m
Approach
updated Mar 2021Approach
The entrance channel is dredged to a depth of 5.8m.
From the harbour entrance the dredged channel leads to a public pier (0.9nm NNW of Battery Point), situated near the end of the Lunenburg waterfront which extends for approx 0.65nm along the N shore of the harbour.
A dredged channel then continues W affording access to various port installations including a number of piers which project from the waterfront into the harbour and shipyards. On the E side of the head of the entrance channel a dredged area gives access to more piers and shipyards.
Close within the seaward end and on the E side of the entrance channel a dredged area leads to another public pier and to a large fish processing plant, (0.3nm N of Battery Point) with 2 piers, operated by High Liner Foods Inc.
The W side of the harbour consists of a shallow bay.
Caution: If navigating in the W part of the harbour outside the limits of the dredged channels care is necessary to avoid a 3.4m shoal, (approx 0.5nm W of a conspicuous water tower), marked close E by "EE" Buoy, (preferred channel to starboard).
Anchorages
There is anchorage with good shelter in 4.0-5.2m, as convenient, in Lunenburg Harbour. A good berth in 5.2m lies 0.25nm N of Head Rock.
Anchorage is forbidden within the limits of the harbour, in such positions that would permit vessels to swing closer than 150m to any pier except when manoeuvring alongside a pier or when permitted to do so by the Harbour Master.
Tugs
Available.
Charts and publications
BA 4751 and 4757, Can 4328. Admiralty Pilot NP59.
Reporting before arrival
updated Dec 2010Communications
Radio: Halifax Coast Guard Radio (callsign "VCS") can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. Amver messages can be passed through "VCS".
Halifax Coast Guard CRS has sites at Sambro (44°28.3'N 063°37.3'W); Ecum Secum (44°57.9'N 062°08.9'W); Kingsburg (44°16.5'N 064°17.3'W). HF and MF frequencies are used, depending upon distance from station.
Harbour Master: Tel: +1 902 521 2452, Fax: +1 902 634 4307.
Pilot Vessel: VHF Ch 12 and 16.
Notice of readiness
NOR normally tendered when vessel secured alongside berth except most tankers tender on arrival pilot station or at port limits.
Documents
Documents are received by Canada Customs on arrival or in the absence of Customs it is the responsibility of the vessel's agent to take documents to Canada Customs and Immigration.
Health
Pratique should be applied for when arriving from a country which has infectious diseases or death onboard from unknown causes. Pratique is applied for through the vessel's agent.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Lunenburg is a port of entry for Customs purposes.
Allowances: For each officer or crew member the allowance is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 0.9kg of tobacco and 1.1 litres of liquor or 8.2 litres of beer or ale.
Penalty for non compliance with the above is forfeiture. If ship's bond count is not accurate, overage results in forfeiture and penalty, under results in payment of duty, taxes and penalty.
Immigration: Routine filing of documents is undertaken by the vessel's agent. There are no restrictions on crew and/or passengers except those who require a visa. If they do not possess a visa they must remain aboard the vessel.
Flags
State flag to be flown over the stern and Canadian flag at the mast.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Apr 2021Repairs
Several shipyards are located in the area, capable of undertaking major repairs to both steel and wooden hulled vessels and to machinery.
Dry docks
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from pipelines at most piers.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Fishermen's Memorial Hospital (1.5km), Lunenburg Family Health (1.8km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Halifax International (105km).
Working hours
Normal office hours or by arrangement.
About Lunenburg
updated Mar 2021Where it is
Lunenburg is located NW of Battery Point at the NW head of Lunenburg Bay, S coast of Nova Scotia.
The port
This port handles small fishing and sailing vessels. Seafood cargo services are also operated by this port.
The town of Lunenburg lies along the N shore of the harbour and is an important fishing centre, providing good shelter. The harbour is open throughout the year.
Questions about Lunenburg
Where does the pilot board at Lunenburg?
The pilot boards at Lunenburg boarding location — La Have River, 44°15.0′N 064°19.0′W. Lunenburg has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Lunenburg in?
Local time at Lunenburg is UTC−4. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−4 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the water density at Lunenburg?
1025.
Which load line zone is Lunenburg in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area.
Who carries out Port State Control at Lunenburg?
Port State Control at Lunenburg: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Lunenburg?
The UN/LOCODE of Lunenburg is CALUN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Lunenburg 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.