Mulgrave

Size limits

Max LOA 245m, beam 32.26m, 77,549DWT.

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

Spring range 2.4m; Neap range 2.0m.

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

Approach

The ports are approached through the following routes:

From the E, through Chedabucto Bay or Lennox Passage and from the N, through St George Bay and Canso Lock.

The N approach through Canso Lock is closed due to navigation during the winter months, usually from Jan to early Apr.

From a position in mid channel approx 0.5nm NNW of Point Tupper, the track into Ship Harbour leads E, then passing N of Premier Shoal, soft mud, extending approx 0.3nm NNE from Point Tupper.

Port limits

The limits of the combined ports are as follows:

S limit: A line drawn SW from Bear Head, (45°33'N 061°17'W) to Melford Point on the opposite shore.

N limit: Canso Causeway, (45°39'N 061°25'W).

Anchorages

Small vessels with a draught of less than 6.1m may anchor near the head of Ship Harbour, clear of a submarine cable that crosses the harbour approx 0.5nm E of Point Tupper.

Restrictions

The Canso Causeway due to N approach carries railway track, closes the strait approx 2.6nm NW of Mulgrave Marine Terminal and opposite end of Martin Marietta Wharf. There are overhead cables which cross the navigation lock, "Canso Canal" with a vertical clearance of 41m. The lock at the E end of the causeway allows vessels to navigate the strait free of current. The lock is located between the gates and cross at its S end by a swing bridge carrying the rail tracks. Canso Canal with length of 250m, width of 24.4m and depth 9.8 is restricted to vessels with max LOA 224m, beam 23.3m and draught 8.5m.

Tugs

Available.

Charts and publications

BA 2670, 4748, 4765. Can 4306. Admiralty Pilot NP65, NP286(5).

Communications

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°28.33'N 063°37.27'W); Ecum Secum (44°57.87'N 062°08.92'W);

Kingsburg (44°16.53'N 064°17.25'W). HF and MF frequencies are used, depending upon distance from station.

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

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.

A penalty for non compliance will be implemented.

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.

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

Repairs

Diving and underwater inspection available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at 600-700gpm.

Fuel: Available.

Medical

Mulgrave Medical Centre, 0.5km.

Transport

Nearest Airport: Celtic Air Services, approx 10km.

Nearest Highway: Trans-Canada Highway.

Nearest Railway: Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railroad.

Where it is

Mulgrave is situated on the western shore of the Strait of Canso opposite Point Tupper and Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia.

The port

Port consists of Mulgrave Marine Terminal operated by Strait Superport which mainly served as offshore supply base and handling cargo including breakbulk, fishing, road salt, aggregate, slag, kraft pulp, and fertilizer. Cape Porcupine Quarry Terminal mainly used for exporting aggregates.

What are the pilot arrangements at Mulgrave?

Compulsory.

What time zone is Mulgrave in?

Local time at Mulgrave 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 Mulgrave?

1025.

Which load line zone is Mulgrave 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 Mulgrave?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Mulgrave?

The UN/LOCODE of Mulgrave is CAMUL.

What crews who called at Mulgrave 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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