Nuku'alofa

1. Nuku'alofa pilot boarding place (inner, Ava Lahi) Pilot boards21°03.4′S 175°13.0′W
2. Nuku'alofa pilot boarding place (outer, Ava Lahi) Pilot boards20°58.3′S 175°10.6′W
3. Pilot boarding place Pilot boards21°06.3′S 175°05.9′W

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 330m, draught 10.0m.

Off Shore: LOA 80m, draught 5.0m, DWT 3000.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 1.5m.

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

Approach

Directions for approach to Ava Lahi: From the vicinity of position 20°58'S 174°56'W, the approach leads W for 11nm and SW for 3nm, the track leads SW towards Hakau Mama'o Light (21°00' S 175°013'W) and outer pilot boarding position to join the leading line into Ava Lahi, the main entrance, or via Piha Passage, for vessels less than LOA 137m, draught 5.5m.

Ava Lahi is entered on the alignment (145°) of Malinoa Leading Lights, with a controlling depth of 12.2m in the channel, to the anchorage or to Queen Salote Wharf.

Port limits

Nuku'alofa Harbour comprises of all areas defined below excluding islands from their HW marks:

A straight line joining the positions from 21°06.8'S 175°14.3'W to 21°07.5'S 175°09.1'W then S'ly to a point on 21°08.5'S 175°09.1'W and then a line W'ly following the contour of the high water mark until the point of commencement at 21°06.8'S 175°14.3'W.

Traffic schemes and VTS

No Traffic Separation Scheme but IALA Buoyage "A" System in use.

Tugs

1 x 2,400hp tug available.

Mooring

Vessels usually berth starboard side alongside, approaching from W and passing N of Ualanga'Uta and Mounu reefs.

Berth No 1: Heading 090°/270°. Berth No 2: Heading 045°/225°.

Charts and publications

NZ/T 827, 8275. Admiralty Pilot NP61, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA 72, 48, 24, 12 and 6 hours prior to arrival. Vessels calling for the first time must appoint an agent, at least one week before vessel's arrival in Tonga, to inform authorities of relevant information prior to granting permission to enter Tongan waters.

Communications

HF Radio: 6215kHz.

VHF: Port: Calling and safety Ch 16 and working Ch 14.

Notice of readiness

As agreed by owner/charterer and agents.

Documents

Cargo documentation/ISPS: Cargo documentation and ISPS forms to be sent to the vessel's agent at least 1 day prior to arrival. This includes Hold Plan, Dangerous Goods List and amounts.

A Maritime Declaration of Health signed by the Master to be presented on arrival.

Customs and immigration

Vessels are not permitted to travel to the outer islands of the group without specific authority from the Customs and Immigration departments.

Flags

All vessels to fly Tongan flag when entering ports in Tonga.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Marine and Ports.

Position: Head of Department and Registrar of Ships.

Address: PO box 397, Vuna Road, Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

Tel: +676 26233

Fax: +676 26234

Mob: +676 878 6558

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Minor repair facilities are available.

Dry docks

Government Ministry of Marine and Ports:

Slipway: Length 30m, width 10m, depth 2.5m, lift 200t.

Boat lift: Length 12m, width 5.0m, depth 1.5m, lift 10t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Limited supplies available by road tanker to all berths.

Medical

Vaiola Hospital and other medical facilities are located approx 4km from the port.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Fua'amotu, 22km.

Airport facilities: Direct International connections to Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand and Samoa's.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0830-1230hrs and 1330-1630hrs, overtime, 16.30-0830hrs.

Tongan ports are 24 hours and 6 days working ports. Sundays are not normally worked except in special circumstances as approved by the Tongan Government.

Where it is

Nuku'alofa is situated on the N coast of Tongatapu Island.

The port

Nuku'alofa is the principal port of Tonga and a port of entry. Coral reefs extend up to 9.0nm off the N coast and other isolated banks and shoals lie within 5.0nm farther N. Several islands and islets lie on the reefs in the close approaches to the harbour. The port handles Ro-Ro, container, breakbulk and cruise vessels and liquid cargo.

Traffic

Approx 400,000t of cargo, 25,000 TEU and 190 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Nuku'alofa?

The pilot boards at Nuku'alofa pilot boarding place (inner, Ava Lahi), 21°03.4′S 175°13.0′W. Nuku'alofa has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Nuku'alofa in?

Local time at Nuku'alofa is UTC+13. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Nuku'alofa?

The deepest berth listed is at Queen Salote Terminal: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Nuku'alofa?

1025.

Which load line zone is Nuku'alofa in?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Nuku'alofa?

The UN/LOCODE of Nuku'alofa is TOTBU.

What crews who called at Nuku'alofa 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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