PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Ocean Cay
Pilot
updated Mar 2016Pilotage is compulsory and provided by the company Port Director.
Key data
updated May 2010Load line zone
Summer.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Marine Reserve Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2016Approach
The harbour consists of a turning basin which is approached by a channel, length 1nm, the outer end is marked by No 1 Lightbuoy. The channel is marked by lightbuoys and light beacons.
The alignment 075° of 2 leading lights, (red and white daymarks on metal framework towers, 200m apart), leads into the turning basin, in which there are depths of 14.6m.
Charts and publications
BA 1496. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(5).
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Mar 2016Medical
Nearest hospital at Mercy Hospital, Miam, FL.
Transport
Nearest airport: Ocean Cay Airport (private use airport), 0.6km and South Bimini Airport located at South Bimini, 33km.
About Ocean Cay
updated Nov 2019Where it is
Ocean Cay is situated on the N side of the Great Bahama Bank. It is approx 60nm E of Miami and 100nm WNW of Nassau.
The port
The 40ha island, which was built in 1970, is composed of mainly limestone flanked by a natural bedrock foundation. Ocean Cay was formerly used for the mining of aragonite. The island which is now called as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, has become an exclusive nature paradise for cruise passengers operated by MSC Cruises.
Questions about Ocean Cay
What are the pilot arrangements at Ocean Cay?
Pilotage is compulsory and provided by the company Port Director.
What time zone is Ocean Cay in?
Local time at Ocean Cay is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
Which load line zone is Ocean Cay in?
Summer.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Ocean Cay?
The UN/LOCODE of Ocean Cay is BSOCE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Ocean Cay 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.