Nepoui

1. Noumea pilot boarding station — Passe de Mueo (other vessels) Pilot boards21°25.0′S 164°55.0′E

Size limits

LOA 161m, beam 27m, draught 8.1m, 28,428DWT.

Water density

1035 max in dry season.

Load line zone

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Tides

Range 1.65m (semi-diurnal).

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

Approach

Passe de Mueo is entered, during daylight only, on the leading line bearing 072°

Front mark: White beacon, 9m in height, on the S point of Ile Didot (21°22'S 165°01'E).

Rear mark: White beacon, 7m in height, on the N extremity of Prequ'ile Beco (1nm ENE of the front beacon).

From a position approx 0.15nm NNW of a light (white metal framework tower, green top, 10m in height) on the N extremity of the reef on the S side of the entrance, the recommended track leads E through the dredged channel marked by buoys (port and starboard hand). A depth of 8.3m lies near the centre of this channel.

From the E end of the dredged channel, the track is altered to 031° on 2 leading marks standing on the reef extending SW from Ile Grimoult (21°22'S 165°00'E).

Front mark: White tower, 1m in height.

Rear mark: White tower, 13m in height, 400m NNE of the front mark.

Passing W of No 5 and No 7 Buoys marking the E side of the channel and E of No 10 Buoy marking its W side.

Abeam No 10 Buoy, course is altered to 343° heading to Observatory Rock, at the SE extremity of Nepoui peninsula, ahead, passing W of a beacon (starboard hand) marking the edge of the reef fringing the W side of Ile Grimoult. When Observatory Rock is 0.8nm ahead course is altered to 024° on SLN conveyor.

Nepoui Bay is entered W of a green buoy marking the extremity of a spit extending from the SW end of Presqu'ile de Moueo.

Mueo Passage: Entrance to Nepoui Harbour.

Restrictions

Entry and departure during daytime only.

Tankers restricted to max draught 8.0m, LOA 140m, 15,000DWT and 8,000t products. Other vessels (ore-carriers) restricted to draught 8.1m, LOA 163m and max beam 25.5m.

Restricted area: A nature reserve has been established in Baie de Nekoro (21°22.1'S 165°01.3'E).

Tugs

One tug, which is on compulsory standby during tanker transits from passage to Nepoui harbour.

Mooring

One launch is available.

Charts and publications

BA 935, 4636. French 7322. Admiralty Pilot NP61, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent 48 hours prior to arrival with further ETA 24 hours before arrival. Further messages should be sent if requested. The ETA message, in addition to date and time of arrival, should also include the passage to be used for entering (if applicable), LOA, draughts forward and aft, number of crew and passengers, Master's name, flag, port of arrival and port of destination.

Communications

Radio: There is a port radio station at Noumea which operates throughout 24 hours. RT (HF) 2182kHz, 4125kHz, 6215kHz.

VHF: Distress and calling: Ch 16. Pilot working on Ch 12.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be handed to the agent on berthing or at the anchorage.

Documents

The above forms are for Customs, Immigration and agency.

Health

Pratique accorded by pilot when boarding. Application can be made through the vessel's agent or through the Harbour Master.

The port has no special health regulations but the crew should be healthy and there should be no notifiable disease onboard.

Ship Sanitation Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The allowances for officers and crew are 200 cigarettes or 500gm of rolling tobacco and 1 bottle of alcohol. Penalties for non compliance are fines of the value of the local resale price of the goods.

Immigration: There are no specific Immigration procedures and formalities at the port. Agent liaises with the relevant authorities.

Flags

The French flag is to be displayed whilst the vessel is in port. Vessels not complying may be subject to a fine at the Custom's discretion.

Notices and regulations

There are no specific regulations but the Master should be advised by the agent.

ISPS

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

Medical

Available.

Where it is

Nepoui, which is also known as Mueo, is located on the NW coast of New Caledonia.

The port

Nepoui is a small port, near to town of Mueo, with a buoy mooring terminal for the export of nickel ore, which is also used by tankers for the import of oil and liquefied gas.

Where does the pilot board at Nepoui?

The pilot boards at Noumea pilot boarding station — Passe de Mueo (other vessels), 21°25.0′S 164°55.0′E.

What time zone is Nepoui in?

Local time at Nepoui is UTC+11. No summer time.

What is the water density at Nepoui?

1035 max in dry season.

Which load line zone is Nepoui in?

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Nepoui?

The UN/LOCODE of Nepoui is NCNEP.

What crews who called at Nepoui 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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