PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Oswego
Pilot
updated May 2010Available, on request.
Key data
updated Jul 2024Size limits
Max LOA 237.74m, beam 24.38m, draught 7.8m and 34,433DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Oswego - East Terminal | 7.80 m | 225 m | 1 |
| Lafarge - Oswego Terminal | 7.20 m | 136 m | 1 |
| NRG - Oswego Terminal | — | 183 m | 1 |
| Heidelberg Materials - Oswego Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Sprague - Oswego Terminal | 5.50 m | 238 m | 1 |
| Oswego Station Basin | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2024Approach
Entrance depth 8.2m, width 228m and a turning basin of 46ha.
Anchorages
Anchorage grounds have not been established at Oswego however, temporary anchorage is permitted in the outer harbour providing vessels provide no interference with navigation and do not moor to the breakwaters.
Restrictions
All cargo operations will be halted at the Sprague Energy Dock in the event that wind conditions exceed 10mph.
Due to the draught limitations (6.5m) in sections of the port, vessels may be required to lighten their load by as much as 400-500t.
As of 2010, concerns were raised about the breakwaters and the armour stones that would fall into the harbour and create a hazard to navigation.
Tugs
Available.
Mooring
Mooring lines: Uniform thickness throughout, fitted with an eye not less than 2.4m in length and of sufficient strength to check the vessel.
Anchors: Vessels over 110m must have an operational stern anchor. Orange anchor marking buoys of an approved type, fitted with 22m of suitable line, must be secured to all anchors.
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF Ch 11, 12, 13, 14, 16.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Jul 2024Repairs
Available. Slipway available and located within the Oswego Coast Guard Station (43° 27.759'N., 76° 30.988'W).
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at Sprague - Oswego Terminal.
Bunkers: Available at Sprague - Oswego Terminal.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Oswego Hospital (1.25km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Syracuse Hancock International Airport (50km).
Nearest railway: Dockside rail and mainline service by CSX.
Nearest highway: Rt. 481 with connectivity to Interstates 81 and 90.
Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Oswego.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime available on request. The port operates 24hrs a day throughout the year.
About Oswego
updated Jul 2024Where it is
Oswego harbour, located in New York State on the S shore of Lake Ontario, is approx 72km S of the St Lawrence River.
The port
The Port of Oswego is the first U.S. port of call and deepwater port on the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence Seaway. The port is ice-free and as such can receive vessels all year round.
Traffic
Approx 1,000,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Oswego
What are the pilot arrangements at Oswego?
Available, on request.
What time zone is Oswego in?
Local time at Oswego is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Oswego?
The deepest berth listed is at Port of Oswego - East Terminal: 7.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Oswego?
1000.
Which load line zone is Oswego in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Oswego?
Port State Control at Oswego: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Oswego?
The UN/LOCODE of Oswego is USOSW.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Oswego 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.