PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Nice
Pilot
updated May 2010- Nice pilot boarding place Pilot boards43°40.3′N 007°17.2′E
- Saint-Laurent-du-Var boarding (Nice pilots) Pilot boards43°36.2′N 007°10.0′E
- Beaulieu-sur-Mer boarding (Nice pilots) Pilot boards43°41.5′N 007°22.5′E
Compulsory, except for vessels with LOA less than 50m. The limits of the pilotage area are the meridian of Cap Ferrat, the meridian of 007°12.5'E and a line drawn 3nm offshore between these meridians. The ETA should be reported 24 hours in advance, especially if arriving at night and confirm ETA when within VHF range, Ch 08. The pilot boards about 1nm from the entrance to the port (in bad weather pilot boards 2-3nm from the entrance to the port). Contact Nice pilot station 1 hour before arrival, Tel: +33 93 55 24 41,
Email: [email protected].
English and French is spoken by the pilot.
Nice also provides pilotage for other ports in the area from Pointe du Trayas to the Italian border.
Key data
updated Feb 2018Size limits
Harbour - Draught 8.4m, LOA 220m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 9.0m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Nice | — | 215 m | 5 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2018Approach
Nice harbour is protected from SW by Jetee du Large, which extends 0.3nm SE from Le Chateau, its outer end being marked by a light structure (white pyramidal tower) 20m in height. Light structures (white column, red top) are also situated at the mid point and at the NW end of Jetee du Large. The entrance, 0.05nm in width, lies between Jetee du Large and Epi de la Poudriere, a ridge of rocks, on which a breakwater has been constructed, extending SW from the shore towards the head of Jetee du Large. A light structure (white pole, green top) is situated on the head of the breakwater.
Port limits
The port limits for Nice are 43°41'N 007°17.0'E.
Traffic schemes and VTS
None.
Anchorages
Anchoring is prohibited in a chartered regulated area extending from the harbour entrance for a distance of 1nm between SW and SSE. Anchoring is also prohibited in a charted prohibited area which extends from the W edge of the regulated area, following the shoreline at a distance of approx 0.2nm, SW to the N limit of the restricted area.
Restrictions
No traffic movements permitted when car ferries are entering or leaving the port.
Speed is limited to 5kts within 300m of the shoreline, whether or not there is beach buoyage. Manoeuvre speed within the basin is 3kts, depending on weather conditions.
Tugs
There is 1 x 1,000hp tug with 12.5t bollard pull available.
Charts and publications
BA 2246. Admiralty Pilot NP46, NP286(3).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
The same declaration must also be made before leaving the port.
Communications
For merchant vessels, call "Nice Port" on Ch 16 and 12; cruise vessels call "Nice Pleasure" on Ch 16 and 09.
Standard messages
Confirmation of arrival. Eventual gas free confirmation in case of OBO.
Notice of readiness
NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.
Health
Request for pratique to be made to Harbour Control prior to arrival.
Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates, possible with prior notice to agent.
Customs and immigration
Usual regulation for cigarettes and spirits.
Seaman's Book and/or passport must be available onboard for presentation to the immigration department.
Flags
Flags to be displayed: During bunkering "B" flag and on arrival "Q" flag.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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.
ISPS
Position: Head of Sea Defense.
Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France
Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30
Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53
Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
About Nice
updated Feb 2018Where it is
Nice is situated on the SE coast of France.
The port
The port of Nice is protected by a breakwater to the S which is an extension of the Admiral Infernet Quay; consisting of the Commercial, Admiral and Lympia Basins, the latter is used by yachts.
Other berths handle ferries, general and dry bulks, including cereals. The port is also an important yacht resort, with the associated bunkering and repair facilities. The main material being freighted in the port is cement.
Traffic
Approx. 465,000t of cargo, 766,000 passengers and 1,300 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Nice
Where does the pilot board at Nice?
The pilot boards at Nice pilot boarding place, 43°40.3′N 007°17.2′E. Nice has 3 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Nice in?
Local time at Nice is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Nice?
1025.
Which load line zone is Nice in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Nice?
Port State Control at Nice: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Nice?
The UN/LOCODE of Nice is FRNCE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Nice 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.