Nanaimo

1. Nanaimo pilot boarding b Pilot boards49°12.4′N 123°52.3′W
2. Nanaimo pilot boarding c Pilot boards49°12.8′N 123°54.2′W

Size limits

Draught 11.1m, LOA 320m, beam 32.26m, 55,770DWT.

Water density

1019.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range approx 2.9m (springs), approx 0.9m (neaps).

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

Approach

Nanaimo can be reached from seaward using many different channels.

One main route to Nanaimo leads via Satellite Channel (48°42'N., 123°29'W), Sansum Narrows, Stuart Channel, Dodd Narrows (49°08'N, 123°49'.), and Northumberland Channel. It passes the Vancouver Island facilities of Cowichan Bay, Chemainus Bay, and Ladysmith Harbor. Satellite Channel, although a good route to take, is narrow and not recommended for transit without local knowledge. Dodd Narrows has a minimum width of 55m but Northumberland Channel much wider and clear.

An alternate route to Nanaimo is via Trincomali Channel, Dodd Narrows, and Northumberland Channel. Although Trincomali Channel can be navigated without difficulty, there are fewer anchorage locations along this route.

Dodd Narrows, Porlier Pass, and Gabriola Passage lead into the Strait of Georgia from the channels located between the Gulf Islands. Porlier Pass, which is situated between Galiano Island and Valdes Island, is used by large vessels, but is more difficult to transit than Active Pass. Vessels are not recommended to use Gabriola Pass, located between Valdes Island and Gabriola Island.

The harbour is approached from the anchorage area E of Protection Island and entered between Gallows Point (49°10.2'N 123°55.1'W) and the Harbour Entrance Light, 0.3nm S.

McKay Channel, the entrance channel to Nanaimo Harbour, has a navigable width of 0.15nm at its narrowest.

The alignment (254.25°) of Colliery Leading Lights leads through the entrance to the harbour.

The harbour entrance has a depth of 13m. Meakin Channel depth is approx 8.5m and Middle Bank 7.1m.

Minimum controlling depths of the inner harbour for approach to the Nanaimo Assembly wharf are 8.0m for berths A and B and 9.0m for berth C.

The Port Authority should always be consulted for latest depth levels.

Port limits

The port limits include all waters inside a line drawn through Buoy "P15" (S of Horsewell Channel) in the N and Galiano Gallery on Gabriola Island in the S, including Departure Bay. The Inner Harbour and Northumberland Channel to Dodd and False Narrows.

Anchorages

Anchorages NA-1 to NA-5 experience high volume during winter months, anchorages assigned as first come first serve.

Note: Vessels using these anchorages are required to have a current edition of local chart Can 3447. When wind speeds exceed 25kt the vessel should have engines on standby and second anchor ready for letting go.

Smaller vessels can obtain anchorage in Nanaimo Inner Harbour.

Good anchorage for small craft can be obtained 0.2nm NW of Satellite Reef in a depth of 7.9m. Care must be taken to avoid the submarine cable pipeline.

Submarine cables are laid between Gallows Point and the harbour entrance beacon and from Good Point WSW across the harbour.

Seaplane waterdrome areas "A" and "B" are marked on Canadian Chart 3447.

Restrictions

Inner Harbour: Main channel depth 9.5m at CD. The controlling depth for approach to Nanaimo Assembly Wharves "A" and "B" is 8.0m and 9.0m for Berth "C".

Duke Point: Controlling depth is berth depth of 13.5m at CD.

Max speed for vessels in the harbour is 5 knots.

No airdraught restrictions.

Tugs

Tug service is not compulsory; however, tug assist is at the pilot's discretion.

Charts and publications

BA 4922, 4952, 4956, 4957. Can 18425, 17499. Admiralty Pilot NP25, NP286(5). US Coast Pilot 154.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent on departure from last port to the agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities.

See also Country section for 96 hour reporting details to Canadian Authorities.

Communications

San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all VHF frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station. Inmarsat can also be used.

Notice of readiness

The custom of the port is for NOR to be tendered on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line ashore at berth. If an outer anchorage is used Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.

Documents

The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Thereafter, Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents.

The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.

Health

Pratique can be requested by radio to Quarantine Victoria.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.

Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land.

Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).

Immigration officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes Immigration Crew List.

Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Notices and regulations

Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks.

Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessels arrival, through the agent.

During a vessel's stay at Nanaimo, it will be visited by a Port Patrol Officer who will seal the bilge, complete a ballast water form and check on the garbage storage area.

Nanaimo Port authority General By-Laws apply within Harbour Limits. A copy of this can be obtained from the Port Authority.

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

Available by arrangement with local agent.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Available by road tanker or barge, port authority permission required.

Stores: Provisions available.

Medical

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, 4km.

Crew change

Contact agent for information.

Transport

Nearest airport: Seaplane Terminal (Inner Harbour), Nanaimo International Airport, 15km.

Nearest railway: Nanaimo, E & N Railway Company.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Nanaimo is the major port of Vancouver Island, located on the E coast, 36nm W of Vancouver city.

The port

The Port of Nanaimo is a multi-use facility, consisting of several small deepsea dock areas. The area is known, primarily, for its timber production. Forest products form the main export, with warehouse space, outside storage and barge ramps provided, which makes Nanaimo the load centre port for Vancouver Island. There is a cruise ship terminal designed for pocket cruise ships with a depth alongside of 8.5m, with a larger cruise berth under construction.

Navigation is continuous throughout the year.

Traffic

Approx. 4,600,000t of cargo, 300 vessels, 30,000TEUs and 5,200,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Nanaimo?

The pilot boards at Nanaimo pilot boarding b, 49°12.4′N 123°52.3′W. Nanaimo has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Nanaimo in?

Local time at Nanaimo is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Nanaimo?

The deepest berth listed is at Nainaimo Assembly Wharf: 11.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Nanaimo?

1019.

Which load line zone is Nanaimo in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Nanaimo?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Nanaimo?

The UN/LOCODE of Nanaimo is CANNO.

What crews who called at Nanaimo 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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