Palo Alto

1. Palo Alto boarding — entry through Canal de Breton Pilot boards21°08.3′N 079°30.4′W

Size limits

Max Draught 5.50m, Vessels up to LOA 90m can be accommodated and around 3,500DWT base on the latest Max draught Audit.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 0.5m.

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

Approach

Jucaro (Sub-Port) is approached from the W by Canal de Breton and Canal Manati and from the S from Canal del Pingue.

Approach from the W is as follows: From a position in the vicinity of the inshore end of Canal Manati, 21°27'N 079°20'W, the approach to Jucaro leads E for approximately 26nm to Jucaro Anchorage, passing, (with reference to Bajo Tomeguin Light Beacon), 21°19'N 079°13'W:

N of Banco Pasabanao, (6.75nm N) the N side of which is marked by a lightbuoy, (starboard hand), then;

N of Bajo Las Charcas, (11.5nm NW), an unmarked shoal breaks even in calm weather, then;

S of No 1 Lightbuoy (port hand) (18.7nm NE) marking the SE extremity of a dredged area leading to Palo Alto.

Approach from the S is as follows: From a position 8nm WNW of Pasa Malabrigo, 20°53'N 078°29'W, the approach to Jucaro leads N and NW for approximately 40nm to Jucaro Anchorage, passing (with reference to Cayo Santa Maria Light), 21°11'N 078°39'W:

E of Cayo Santa Maria Light, (white GRP tower, red bands, 10m in height), then;

E of Cayo Tio Joaquin, SE end No 1 Light (green square on green concrete tower on piles with platform), 14.5nm NNW, which marks the S side to the entrance to the channels that leads through Cayos Ana Maria, then;

NE of Cayo Balandras, then;

Through Canal de Bamlandras, the main channel through Cayos Ana Maria, which is marked by light beacons.

Anchorages

Jucaro Anchorages No. 1 and No. 2 (once used for transhipment purposes) are situated SE and S, respectively of Cayo Obispito, 21° 32.000'N 78° 53.000'W, with depths of between 7.0-9.0m. Both anchorages provide good holding ground. Secure anchorage at Palo Alto, with depths of 6.7m, is located 1.7nm SSE of the pier, or in depths of 9.0m, 3.4nm SE of the pier.

Tugs

At Palo Alto the use of tugs is compulsory for vessels of more than LOA 120m.

Charts and publications

BA 2958. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent on departure from last port. If time permits, further ETA's should be sent 10, 7, 5, 3 and 1 day prior to arrival. The messages must include date and time of arrival and expected draughts on arrival.

Communications

Radio: Customs Coast Radio Station "CLA CU" can be used for passing messages. The station operates throughout 24 hours. Inmarsat is the preferred method of communication and should be used to contact agents, whenever possible.

VHF: Harbour Master, Pilots and agent: Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

Normally tendered when a vessel is alongside and ready to work cargo or on arrival at the outer roads of the port if no berth is available.

Health

Free pratique should be requested by radio. Health Certificates can be renewed by phytosanitary organisations.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministerio del Interior, Direccion de Proteccion.

Contact person: Manager.

Address: Santa Catalina 501, 10 de Octubre, Ciudad de la Habana, 10500, Cuba.

Tel: +53 7 577376 or +53 7 577377.

E-mail: [email protected]

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

US Coast Guard announced that it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in Cuba, during their last five port calls. In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in any port of the country; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in the port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in the port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. See 76 Fed Reg 30954.

Transport

Nearest airport: Local flights available to Havana International Airport.

Nearest railway: Jucaro 2km.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1100hrs and 1300-1700hrs; Sat 0700-1100hrs. Work is possible in certain cases on holidays and Sun.

Where it is

Palo Alto is situated on the S side of Cuba, 6.85nm SW of Jucaro.

The port

Palo Alto has one pier dedicated to handling breakbulk and dry bulk cargoes.

Where does the pilot board at Palo Alto?

The pilot boards at Palo Alto boarding — entry through Canal de Breton, 21°08.3′N 079°30.4′W.

What time zone is Palo Alto in?

Local time at Palo Alto is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Palo Alto?

1025.

Which load line zone is Palo Alto in?

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Palo Alto?

The UN/LOCODE of Palo Alto is CUPAL.

What crews who called at Palo Alto 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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