Nassau

Size limits

Max Harbour: LOA 364.75m, beam 48.47m, draught 9.3m and 61,146DWT.

Max Offshore: LOA 192m, BCM 94.77m, draught 11.0m and 52,825DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 0.91m. MHWS 1.3m and MHWN 1.2m.

Tidal currents run E'ly on the flood and then W'ly on the ebb at rates approx 1kts. It is reported that during the flood current a strong W set exists outside of the harbour whereas an E set exists inside the harbour.

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

Approach

The port is approached through North East Providence Channel between West Breakwater and Paradise Cay.

The main entrance channel depth at entrance is 11.6m, length 1,524m, width 182m with a turning basin of 518m, depth 10.9m. Normal safe max draught is 10.3m.

From a position NNW of Paradise Island Lighthouse the route leads SSW towards the harbour entrance, passing the pilot boarding place.

Before crossing the 18.3m depth contour it is advisable to be on the alignment 151.5° of the green light, which lead through the centre of the entrance, passing between No 1 Lightbuoy and No 2 Lightbuoy, then W of East breakwater, 0.15nm NW of Paradise Light.

A side channel to Arawak Cay with a depth of 8.2m is located W of the harbour.

Eastern channel which runs from the turning basin, passing to Potter Cay is only suitable for vessels with draught of 3m. Two bridges span the channel from Potter Cay to Paradise Island, allowing maximum vertical clearance of 21m when passing through this channel.

Port limits

Nassau Harbour is bounded (with reference to Fort Fincastle), 25°04.4'N., 077°20.3'W;

On the W by a line joining Silver Cay (1.75nm WNW) and the coast S;

On the N by Paradise Island, (W point 3.5nm WNW) and Athol Island;

On the E by a line joining the E point, (4.5nm E) of Athol Island and East End Point, (5.0nm ESE).

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a Vessel Traffic Service Scheme in operation for the control of shipping. Permission is required before entering, changing berth or leaving Nassau harbour.

Anchorages

Anchorages are just off Nassau Harbour and extends over an area N and E of the W end of Paradise Island. These anchorages range to approx 0.3nm offshore where the water depth becomes too great.

Temporary anchorage in depths of 14.0m or deeper for vessels not entering harbour and located approx about 0.1nm N of the E breakwater light. This area is usable in S'ly winds. Strong N'ly to NE'ly winds require use of an anchorage near Clifton Bluffs off the SW tip of New Providence Island.

For vessels to the Clifton Bluff area, anchorage has been charted SE in good holding ground of 14.0m sand. The front range beacon of the 076° range was reported to be destroyed. A stack reportedly lies about 0.3nm N of the beacons. Anchorage may also be given in South West Bay, in 9.2m, with Clifton Bluff bearing about 322°, distant 1.3nm.

Restrictions

Nassau: Masters should note that when the bar is dangerous the lighthouse will display a red light during night time and a red flag during the day. In the event that sea conditions permit vessel entry but not departure of boars from the harbour then a white flag will be displayed at the flagstaff on the W end of Paradise Island. Separate signal will be hoisted in the event of a hurricane shown from the lighthouse and at Fort Fincastle. In the event that the hurricane/storm will impact New Province Island then a second flag, red with yellow stripes, is hoisted below the normal red flag with black square centre.

The bridges between Potter Cay, Paradise Island and Nassau have a vertical clearance of 21m. Seaplanes may use part of the channel and are best seen on the charts. Further restrictions found on the N section of the island in areas around the harbour include: small craft anchorages, mooring cables, submarine pipelines and cables

Clifton Pier: Tankers not permitted to berth if wind speeds greater than 20kts. Over 15kts 3 tugs are recommended, (depending on horse power of tugs), if Master wishes to berth. The vessel must have outboard anchor available to use during berthing, so as to assist in unberthing.

With currents greater than 2kts or waves/swell greater than 1m cargo operations must be suspended.

Tugs

Three tugs available from 2,180-4,620hp. Tugs generally meet vessels at entrance to turning basin. Tugs are available from The Bahamas Government, PO Box No-8175, Nassau, Bahamas. Tel: +1 242 322 8832, Fax: +1 242 322 5545, and Nassau Harbour Control Office, Tel: +1 242 323 3191. Tugs normally join a vessel at the entrance to the Turning Basin, normally using vessels' lines.

Charts and publications

BA 1452, 1489, 2996. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA at least 48 hours in advance and make contact 2 hours before arrival. The most convenient time of entry is 2 hours before HW.

Communications

Port Department (Nassau) contact info

Telephone: +1 242 322 8832; +1 242 326 7354

Facsimile: +1 242 322 5545

Harbour Control contact info

Call Sign: Nassau Harbor Control

VHF: Ch 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 20, 65, 66, 68, 73, 74, 79

RT Frequency: 2126 kHz, 2182 kHz, 2082 kHz, 2522 kHz

Telephone: +1 242 323 3191

Facsimile: +1 242 322 5545

Container Port contact info

Telephone: +1 242 323 7064

Facsimile: +1 242 323 7072

Pilots contact info

VHF: Ch 14, 16

Telephone: +1 242 322 7982; +1 242 322 7983

Facsimile: +1 242 322 7984

Email: [email protected]

Notice of readiness

NOR tendered when Charter Party dictates.

Health

Vessels from infected ports are not permitted to enter the dredged channel until pratique has been granted.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates renewed.

Customs and immigration

The port of Nassau operates a customs service throughout 24 hours.

Arrangements are made for immigration officers to clear vessels at the port of Nassau.

Customs allowances: Each day to officers and crew, 1 quart of spirits, not more than 1lb of tobacco and 1 quart of wine. Penalties are dependent on the nature and severity of any transgression.

Bahamas customs dept, Prince George Dock, Tel: +1 242 322 8791.

Bahamas immigration dept: Prince George Dock, Tel: +1 242 323 0330.

Flags

Interco "Q" Flag and a courtesy flag (country) are required.

Notices and regulations

Sailing Notice: All vessels shall be required to notify the harbour master's department of their sailing time at least one hour in advance. Vessels are not permitted to leave the docks until the harbour dues and other charges in respect of the vessel have been paid or otherwise settled.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Transport and Aviation/ Port Department.

Address: PO Box 8175, Prince George Wharf, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas.

Tel: +1 242 323 3230.

Fax: +1 242 525 1813.

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: ABS, BV, DNV, GL, KORGAN Register of SPG, LR, NKK, Registo Italiano Navale.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available for minor repairs only.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Notice is required for the supply of fuels and lubricants. Delivery is by barge or road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Princess Margaret Hospital (0.8km) and Doctor's Hospital (1km)

Note: Location from the Prince George Wharf Cruise Terminal.

Transport

Nearest airport: Nassau Lynden Pindling Airport (13km).

Nearest public transport: Shuttle service and taxi station located at Prince George Wharf Cruise Terminal. Bus routes throughout Nassau.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1600hrs. Additional fees and rules will apply for requests to accommodate vessels outside of the regular operating hours.

Where it is

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is situated on the N shore of New Providence Island approx 180nm SE of Miami. The harbour is bounded on North side by Silver Cay, Paradise Island and Athol Island.

The port

Nassau is a major deep-water port and one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. The port also handles a range of cargoes including breakbulk, dry bulk, vehicles and containers. Oil and gas import facilities are located at Clifton Point on the SW coast.

Traffic

Approx 138,000TEU, 2,000 vessels and 4,500,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Nassau?

Compulsory. Vessels should send ETA 48 hours in advance then contact the pilot station 2 hours before arrival.

What time zone is Nassau in?

Local time at Nassau 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 Nassau?

The deepest berth listed is at Clifton Point Terminal: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Nassau?

1025.

Which load line zone is Nassau in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Nassau?

The UN/LOCODE of Nassau is BSNAS.

What crews who called at Nassau 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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