Parrsboro

Size limits

Max draught 8.5m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area. For ships over 100m in length, Winter Dec 16 to Feb 15, Summer Feb 16 to Dec 15. For ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Tidal rise approx 11.3m to 12.5m at neap, tidal rise approx 12.7m to 14.2m at spring.

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

Approach

The harbour dries from just outside the entrance. At high water there is a last depth of about 6.7m in the entrance channel off Parrsboro Light.

The harbour is approached between Partridge Island, (45°22'N 064°20'W) and Clarke Head, (4nm ENE) and is entered between Crane Point (0.8nm NE of Partridge Island) and McLaughlin Bluff approx 1nm farther ENE, height 27m.

The directions for entering the harbour are as follows: From a position 0.7nm E of Crane Point the entrance channel, which dries is marked by buoys and leads NW passing between the NE end of Lighthouse Bar and the public pier (0.1nm NNW), on the SE head of which stands a light (framework tower, 6m in height). Then a tortuous and narrow drying channel leads to the town.

Dangers extending 0.125nm E from Crane Point and 0.2nm S from Mcalughlin Bluff are marked by buoys.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Vessels awaiting the tide to enter harbour can anchor in 18m, 2nm SE of Parrsboro Light.

Coastal anchorage: Vessels may anchor in a depth of approx 22m clear of rocks, 0.5nm to 1.0nm offshore anywhere between Morden (45°06'N 64°57'N) and the mouth of Scots Bay but proonged W and SW winds can create heavy seas here which make the anchorage unsuitable for smaller vessels.

There is another anchorage for vessels waiting for a favourable tide to enter the Minas Basin about 1.0nm SE of Cape Split in 18m but this is not recommended during the autumn when E gales frequently shift around to the W.

Restrictions

The harbour is protected by Lighthouse Bar, a natural bank which covers at extreme HW and which, together with a new breakwater, extends 0.6nm NE from near Crane Point.

There is a large tidal range in the harbour and it is only accessible by vessels with moderate draught that can take to the ground at low water. It is reported that vessels with a max draught of 5.2m at neaps and 6.7m at springs are able to enter the harbour but depths should be checked very carefully.

Due to the high tidal range vessels are required to enter only on high tide.

Tugs

Not available.

Charts and publications

BA 4745. Admiralty Pilot NP59, NP286(5).

Communications

Halifax Coast Guard Radio (callsign "VCS") can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. Amver messages can be passed through "VCS".

Halifax Coast Guard CRS has sites at Sambro (44°28.33'N 063°37.27'W); Ecum Secum (44°57.87'N 062°08.92'W);

Kingsburg (44°16.53'N 064°17.25'W). HF and MF frequencies are used, depending upon distance from station.

VHF: Ch 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR normally tendered when vessel secured alongside berth except most tankers tender on arrival pilot station or at port limits.

Documents

Documents are received by Canada Customs on arrival or in the absence of Customs it is the responsibility of the vessel's agent to take documents to Canada Customs and Immigration.

Health

Pratique should be applied for when arriving from a country which has infectious diseases or death onboard from unknown causes. Pratique is applied for through the vessel's agent.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: For each officer or crew member the allowance is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 0.9kg of tobacco and 1.1 litres of liquor or 8.2 litres of beer or ale.

A penalty for non compliance will be implemented.

Immigration: Routine filing of documents is undertaken by the vessel's agent. There are no restrictions on crew and/or passengers except those who require a visa. If they do not possess a visa they must remain aboard the vessel.

Flags

State flag to be flown over the stern and Canadian flag at the mast.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Tokyo 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.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Repairs

Repairs of a minor nature can be carried out to machinery.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: All grades of fuel oil available.

Medical

South Cumberland Community Care Centre, Parrsboro, 2.2km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Halifax International Airport, 160km.

Working hours

By arrangement.

Where it is

The port of Parrsboro is located on the N side of Minas Basin, western Nova Scotia, at the mouth of the Parrsboro River.

The port

The town of Parrsboro is located on the W bank of the River Parrsboro, which has a dam, approx 1.5nm from river mouth. A public pier, which dries at LW, is located 0.2nm NNW of Parrsboro Light, on the E bank of the river. The port is now used by fishing vessels, small recreational vessels and limited quantities of coastal freighters.

What are the pilot arrangements at Parrsboro?

Pilotage is not compulsory but local knowledge is required for entry to the harbour.

What time zone is Parrsboro in?

Local time at Parrsboro is UTC−4. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−4 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Parrsboro?

The deepest berth listed is at Parrsboro Marine Terminal: 8.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Parrsboro?

1025.

Which load line zone is Parrsboro in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area.

Who carries out Port State Control at Parrsboro?

Port State Control at Parrsboro: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Parrsboro?

The UN/LOCODE of Parrsboro is CAPAR.

What crews who called at Parrsboro 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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