Pensacola

1. Pensacola Pilot boards30°15.8′N 087°17.5′W

Size limits

Max draught 9.6m, LOA 224.96m, beam 32.30m, 52223DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Average Range 0.2m, max 0.4m.

Tidal Stream: The normal max strength of the tidal stream in Caucus Channel is 2-2.5kts and sets SW. The in-going stream which sets NE, is weaker.

Severe conditions have resulted in strengths of up to 5kts off the US Naval Air Station and 8kts on Caucus Channel.

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

Approach

The approach should be made from the S within the Safety Fairway. The track leads N for 2.5nm, passing Caucus Channel No 1 Lightbuoy (port hand) 30°16.3'N 087°17.5'W. Entry to the harbour is made by marked and dredged channels, approx 3nm in length, cut through the offlying shoals, leading to an opening between 2 islands.

Caucus Channel:

From a position at the N end of the approach Safety Fairway, the alignment (341.25°) of Caucus Cut Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel for a distance of approx 2.8nm, controlling depth 13.4m, width 244m.

Front light (red vertical mark, white stripe, on framework tower on piles) 30°19.6'N 087°17.7'W.

Rear light (similar structure), 0.7nm NNW of front light,

The alignment (000°) of Fort Barrancas Channel Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel for 0.9nm.

Front light (red vertical mark, white stripe on framework tower, on piles) 30°20.0'N 087°17.5'W.

Rear light (similar structure), 320m N of the front light.

The track proceeds NE for approx 0.3nm round the W end of Santa Rosa Island, then, alignment 273.5° astern of Navy Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel for approx 1.3nm.

Front light (red vertical mark, white stripe on framework tower, on piles) 30°20.1'N 087°19.1'W.

Rear light (similar structure) 273m W of the front light. The track then continues E for approx 1.5nm and NNE for approx 0.75nm to enter Bay Channel, passing S and ESE of a charted prohibited area.

Bay Channel:

The alignment 032.5° of Bay Channel Leading Lights leads through the centre of the channel, controlling depth 10.1m, width 91m.

Front light (framework tower on piles), 30°24.4'N 087°11.6'W.

Rear light (similar structure) 1.0nm NNE of the front light.

The final approach to the port is made from one of two channels, East Channel which leads to the deeper berths at the eastern end of the inner harbour and west Channel which leads to berths of a lesser depth at the western end.

East Channel:

From the position at the NNE of the channel the alignment (169°), astern, and the near reciprocal (348.5°) ahead of East Channel and Inner Leading Lights, respectively, leads through the centre of the channel for 0.7nm, directly into the turning basin and wharf area. Controlling depth 10.1m, width 91m.

West Channel;

From a position NNE of Bay Channel, the alignment 348° of West Channel Leading Light leads through the centre of the channel for 1.1nm directly into the turning basin and wharf area. Controlling depth 10.1m, width 91m.

Front light (red vertical mark, white stripe on framework tower, on piles), 30°24.0'N 087°13.1'W.

Rear light (similar structure) 184m N of the front light.

Caution: Submarine cables cross the channel in mid position 30°20.6'N 087°18.5'W.

Anchorages

Pensacola Bay offers a safe natural harbour with good holding ground.

The limits of the outer fairway anchorages are in the following positions:

30°11'N 087°20'W, in depths of 18.0-22.0m.

30°16'N 087°14'W, in depths of 13.0-22.0m.

Submarine cables cross the entrance channel in mid position 30°20.0'N 087°17.5'W.

Restrictions

Restricted areas are established in the waters adjacent to the Naval Air Station and adjacent to Fair Point (30°21.6'N 087°12.3'W).

Tugs

Previous notice is required to obtain the service of tugs, as the company concerned is usually engaged on towage through the Intracoastal Waterway.

Charts and publications

BA 3851. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

All vessels must provide a firm 24hr ETA.

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.

US Health will not board a ship at anchor or at a sea berth. If the Certificate is not expired, only a 30 day extension will be issued.

Customs and 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.

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.

Repairs

Facilities are available in Bayou Chico for hull and machinery repairs. The largest slipway is 61m, the length of the cradle is 56.4m and has a lifting capacity of 789t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available via pipeline.

Bunkering: Available via road tanker or barge.

Transport

Nearest airport: Pensacola Regional (12.8km).

Nearest railway: The Port of Pensacola facilities are served by the CSX Transportation Inc. (CSX), Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Alabama Gulf Railroad (AGRR) by reciprocal switching arrangements.

Working hours

The normal working hours of the Port of Pensacola are from 0800hrs - 1200hrs and 1300hrs -

1700hrs, Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

Where it is

Pensacola is located on the NNW shore of Pensacola Bay, Florida.

The port

Pensacola is a safe, natural harbour, with good anchorage located in the Gulf of Mexico. The port is 12.9km from the open sea with the entrance being at the western end of Santa Rosa Island. The harbour is connected to the Intra-coastal Waterway and is directly served by Burlington Northern Seaboard (railway) System. Main imports include aggregates and exports include lumber, board/paper, freezer equipment and plywood. Conveyor and bagging facilities are available.

Traffic

Approx 375,000t of cargo, 1200TEUs and 43 passengers are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Pensacola?

The pilot boards at Pensacola, 30°15.8′N 087°17.5′W.

What time zone is Pensacola in?

Local time at Pensacola is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Pensacola?

The deepest berth listed is at Port of Pensacola: 9.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Pensacola?

1025.

Which load line zone is Pensacola in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Pensacola?

Port State Control at Pensacola: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Pensacola?

The UN/LOCODE of Pensacola is USPNS.

What crews who called at Pensacola 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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