Miami

1. Miami Pilot boards25°46.1′N 080°03.1′W

Size limits

LOA 367.28m, Beam 51.2m, draught 13.6m, 165,538DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

The normal mean tidal range at the harbour entrance is 0.76m; for the bay it is about 0.61m. The extreme tidal range is about 1.22m. E'ly winds may raise the water level 0.45m at the harbour entrance and from 0.3m - 0.45m in the bay. The tidal currents at the entrance to Biscayne Bay may reach a velocity of 1.5 - 3.0kts through the main channel.

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

Approach

The harbour consists of a main entrance channel with several subsidiary channels, the whole lying SW of MacArthur Causeway which connects the cities of Miami and Miami Beach. Connections with the Intracoastal Waterway are made at the inner ends of Main Channel, 2.75nm WNW of Miami Light, and Fisherman's Channel, 2.75nm W of Miami Light, where the mouth of River Miami is situated.

Channel depths and widths:

Outer Bar Channel and Bar Cut, depth 15.8m, width 152m.

Government Cut, depth 15.8m, width 152m.

Main Channel, depth 10.97m, width E part 122m and W part 275m.

Main Turning Basin: The main turning basin is 518m N to S and 502m E to W, with a controlled depth of 10.97m.

Fisher Island Turning Basin: Located between the Main Channel and the N side of Fisher Island. It is dredged to 15.2m to provide a turning basin at the junction of Main Channel and Fisherman's Channel.

Lummus Island Turning Basin: This turning basin is located at the centre of Fisherman's Channel and to the W of the gantry berth area. It has a diameter of 457m with a controlled depth of 15.2m.

Port limits

The limit of the port is a line across Government Cut, joining the heads of the entrance training walls.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Security Zone: A moving security zone is established 100m around all passenger vessels, vessels carrying cargoes of particular hazard, or vessels carrying liquefied hazardous gas (LHG) during transits entering or departing the port of Miami. This moving security zone is activated when the subject vessel passes "M" Light buoy at approximate position (25°46.1'N 080°05.0'W), when entering the port. Fixed security zones are established 100m around all passenger vessels, vessels carrying cargoes of particular hazard, or LHG while they are docked in the port. Only authorised vessels may enter these zones.

A fixed security zone, encompasses all waters between Watson Park and Star Island on the MacArthur Causeway south to the port of Miami.

This fixed security zone is activated when two or more passenger vessels, vessels carrying cargoes of particular hazard, or vessels carrying LHG, enter or moor within this zone.

Anchorages

For vessels anchoring outside the harbour, the prescribed anchorage area is located eastward of a line about 1.5nm offshore and northward of a line about 0.2nm N of the sea buoy marking the main channel entrance. The northern and southern extremities of the anchorage area are marked by nun buoys. To avoid possible damage to cables laid on the ocean bottom and natural coral reefs in the vicinity, refer to anchorage area 110.188 on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration survey charts 11466 and 11468.

Restrictions

Any vessel anchoring in an emergency outside the designated area shall move within the designated area immediately after the emergency has ended.

All vessels shall lay at anchor with as short a cable as conditions permit.

The Coast Guard COPT may close the anchorage area and direct vessels to depart the anchorage during periods of adverse weather or at other times as deemed necessary in the interest of port safety.

Prohibited anchorage: Except in a serious emergency, no vessel may anchor anywhere in the vicinities of the entrance and approach channels leading to the cities of Miami and Miami Beach.

A precautionary area has been established, radius 1nm centred on M Light Buoy. Large commercial ships inbound and outbound from Miami board and disembark pilots within this area and may be severely limited in their ability to manoeuvre. All vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating within this area.

Charts and publications

BA 3698, 3699, 8227. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

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

In the case of a voyage of less than 96 hours but at least 24 hours, an APIS manifest must be submitted prior to departure of the vessel from the foreign port.

In the case a voyage of less than 24 hours, an APIS manifest must be submitted at least 24 hours before entering the first U.S. port or place of destination.

Note: Vessels engaged in international commercial trade, of less than 300GT and who are not otherwise required by USCG to provide a notice of arrival, engaged in voyages less than 24 hours in duration, are required to provide an APIS manifest no later than 60 minutes prior to departure from the last foreign port.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16; 12, 13.

Pilot Office: Ch 16.

Pilot Vessel: Ch 16; 12.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

ETD: Vessels departing from the United States: An APIS manifest must be submitted no later than 15 minutes before the vessel departs from the United States.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Regulations for Inland Waters: The limit of the waters to which these regulations apply is a line across Government Cut, joining the heads of the entrance training walls.

Speed: It is unlawful for any vessel or craft to proceed at a speed which will endanger other vessels or structures. Official signs are posted indicating limiting speeds through critical parts of the harbour or waterways.

Precautionary area: This is an area, radius 1nm, centred on "M" Lightbuoy. Large commercial ships inbound and outbound from Miami board and disembark pilots within this area and may be severely limited in their ability to manoeuvre. All vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating with this area.

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

Minor repairs at several repair firms. Largest patent slip hauls out vessels up to 500DWT and a vertical boat lift operates to the same limit for craft up to 45.7m LOA.

Dry docks

No drydock facilities available. Largest marine railway (patent slip) hauls out vessels up to 500DWT and a vertical boat lift operates to the same limit for craft up to 45.7m in length.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available. Supplied via hose at all berths.

Stores: Provisions of all kinds available.

Bunkers: LNG Bunker available using barge.

Medical

Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, 4.8km. There are 2 clinics available in the port.

Transport

Nearest airport: Miami International Airport, 12.8km.

Airport facilities: Full passenger and cargo services by 84 scheduled airlines.

Nearest railway: At the Port of Miami.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Overtime 1700-0700hrs plus weekend working always available.

Where it is

The Port of Miami is situated in Biscayne Bay, Florida, directly adjacent to Downtown Miami, 2.1nm from the Atlantic Ocean.

The port

The Miami port area consists of approx 213ha and is located on the 2 connected islands of Dodge and Lummus in the protected Biscayne Bay and access is provided by a single bridge off Biscayne Blvd.

The port of Miami is the world's largest cruise port, with 7 passenger terminals serving 8 cruise lines with 26 year round and seasonal cruise ships. There are 5,742m of cruise ship berthing space available.

There are 3 principal cargo handling terminals; Seaboard Marine, POMTOC (Port of Miami Terminal Operating Corp) and South Florida Container Terminal.

The port primarily handles containerised cargo and small amounts of breakbulk, vehicles and industrial equipment.

Principle cargo passing through the port include:

- Fruits and vegetables

- Apparel and textiles

- Non-refrigerated food products

- Paper

- Electronic equipment

- Stone, clay and cement tiles

- Construction and industrial equipment

- Trucks, buses and automobiles.

Traffic

Approx 9,612,000t of cargo, 1,090,000TEUs, 2,220 vessels and 7,000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Miami?

The pilot boards at Miami, 25°46.1′N 080°03.1′W.

What time zone is Miami in?

Local time at Miami is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Miami?

The deepest berth listed is at Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC): 13.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Miami?

1025.

Which load line zone is Miami in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Miami?

Port State Control at Miami: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Miami?

The UN/LOCODE of Miami is USMIA.

What crews who called at Miami 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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