Natal

1. Natal pilot boarding place Pilot boards05°44.8′S 035°12.0′W
2. Natal Pilot boards05°44.8′S 035°10.5′W

Size limits

LOA 190m, beam 30m. Max draught 9.3m, 2,100TEU.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Mean Spring Range 1.9m, Mean Neap Range 0.9m.

The tidal streams are felt above Cidade de Natal. In the rainy season, approx Apr to Aug, the out-going tidal stream attains a rate of 2.5kts and tends to set an incoming vessel on to Cabeca de Negro, 05°45'S 035°12'W and Recife Baixinha; great caution is necessary when entering the river under these conditions.

The in-going tidal stream attains a rate of 1.5kts.

When making the port due allowance should be made for the currents which set very strongly onshore at times, especially during SE winds when the current is N-going. During NE winds the current is S-going.

Currents set very strongly onshore at times, especially during SE winds when the current is N-going, due allowance should be made for these when making the port. During NE winds the current is S-going.

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

Approach

The S side of the entrance is formed by Recife de Natal, which borders the coast for 1.75nm to the S, at the head of which is Recife de Natal Light.

Masters of vessels approaching Natal from the North will avoid all dangers by keeping at least 2.0nm offshore and should not steer for the harbour entrance until Recife de Natal Light (Fl(1).G.5s) a green square masonry tower, 12m in height and visible from 17.0nm (5°45.095'S 35 11.679'W) bears 235°.

The port is entered through a gap 0.15nm wide, in the barrier reef, which forms a natural breakwater trending N and S, abreast the mouth of the river. The approach channel is approx 10.0m in depth with a width of 100m (wider upriver where the channel bends).

On the N side of the entrance, Cabeca de Negro, an above water rock forms the extremity of the reef, from which depths of less than 5.5m extend 0.05nm S; to the end of it, the reef converges on the coast. The sea breaks continually on this part of the reef and the shoals between it and the coast.

Anchorages

Vessels awaiting a pilot should anchor and area 0.5nm E of Recife de Natal Light structure in depths of 10.0m to 12.0m, sand. The area is designated for vessels awaiting pilot or a berth. Maximum waiting time is 48 hours. This anchorage may also be used for up to 24 hours by vessels in transit provided the port captain is advised 24 hours before arrival.

There is anchorage on good holding ground off the city, however as the SE wind blows constantly vessels usually anchor close off the wharf, in the certainty that they will not swing towards it.

A fairway anchorage lies close to the E shore, 1nm SW of Recife de Natal Light.

There are 3 submarine cables extending E then SE from Praia do Meio, approx 2nm S of Recife de Natal Light; vessels are prohibited from anchoring in their vicinity.

Restrictions

Controlling Depth: From the entrance bar to the main city wharf there is a least charted depth in the buoyed channel of 8.7m. However, depths alongside are 12.0m.

Ponte de Todos bridge (05°45.36'S 035°12.15'W): Vertical clearance 55m. Horizontal clearance 184m.

Tugs

Tugs: Must be used for vessels over 160m in length and 8.m draught.

Mooring

Turning Basin Length 540m, width 250m, depth 10.0m.

It is recommended that berthing be carried out port side-to on the ebb tide and unberthing be done on the flood tide.

Charts and publications

BA 504, 3979. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

US 24230, 24233, 24234 and 24235. US Sailing Directions No 124 (East Coast of South America).

Brazil: BR_802_ (Porto de Natal).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be advised 48hrs and 24hrs in advance.

Pilots require 2 hours notice of ETA.

The Port operates a Port Without Paper programme (see Country information).

Customs and immigration

The port is a Bonded Port, allowing immediate recording in the SISCOMEX loading system and beginning of Customs Clearance.

Contraband: Brazilian laws are very strict with respect to smuggling and masters are requested to instruct their crews not to take more than 2 packets of cigarettes and other articles ashore. Cigarettes in cartons, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, souvenirs, explosives, firearms, etc should be collected prior to arrival in port and listed with the items in the Crew's Personal Effects List and placed in the custody of the master.

Immigration: All a vessel's passengers and/or crew members may only enter the national territory after their documents have been inspected by the federal police department, the revenue authorities and the port health authorities.

Vessels owners are responsible for the disembarkation and the embarkation of transit passengers as well as crew members who fail to join a vessel before it sails. Such responsibility includes the maintenance and other expenses until repatriation. In the event of non existence of a compulsory deposit as guarantee to cover such expenses, owners will sign, at the federal police department, a form of responsibility inherent to such obligations as therein expressed.

Flags

All vessels, while in Brazilian ports, must fly the Brazilian national flag from 0800hrs to sunset.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Comissao Nacional de Seguranca Publica nos Portos, Terminais e Vias Navegaveis - CONPORTOS.

Contact person: Ezio Borghetti.

Position: Secretario Executivo.

Address: Esplenada dos Ministerios, Bloco T, 5 andar - Ministerio da Justica, DF, 70064-900, Brasilia, Brazil.

Tel: +55 61 429 3173.

Fax: +55 61 429 9169.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.mj.gov.br

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Fuel oil and diesel are available either from the petroleum terminal or from road tankers.

Medical

Natal.

Transport

Nearest airport: Natal (domestic air service).

Where it is

Natal is situated on the right bank of the Portengi River, 3km from the beginning of the estuary.

The port

Exports consist of sisal fibre, kaolin and agricultural produce. Approx 30% of the port's cargo is the shipment of fruit. Offshore drilling for petroleum is also served.

Traffic

Approx 570,000t of cargo, 39,000TEU and over 200 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Natal?

The pilot boards at Natal pilot boarding place, 05°44.8′S 035°12.0′W. Natal has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Natal in?

Local time at Natal is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Natal?

1025.

Which load line zone is Natal in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Natal?

The UN/LOCODE of Natal is BRNAT.

What crews who called at Natal 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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