PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Petersburg
Pilot
updated May 2010- Petersburg Bar Range Pilot boards56°49.7′N 132°55.9′W
Pilotage is compulsory with few exceptions. Pilots are available at all times and board from a tug 1nm N of Guard Islands (55°27'N 131°53'W). A VHF listening watch is maintained on the tug from 1 hour before vessel's arrival time.
Key data
updated May 2019Size limits
Draught 5.2m.
Load line zone
North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg Fisheries | — | — | 2 |
| Chatnam Strait Seafoods | — | — | 1 |
| Alaska Marine Highway Petersburg 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 2017Approach
The port is approached through Chatham Strait, then NE towards Stephens Passage and SE around the N coast of Kupreanof Island before turning W into Wrangell Narrows. Petersburg is located on the SE shore of the Narrows, approx 1nm from the entrance.
Anchorages
The harbour of Petersburg provides excellent protection for small vessels; larger vessels can find better anchorage off Scow Bay.
Anchorage may be made from 0.3-0.4nm S of Scow Bay in depths of 7.0-9.0m, mud bottom.
Restrictions
Controlling depth: The Federal project for Wrangell Narrows provides for several sections dredged to a depth of 7.3m and one section passing W of Turn Point (56°48'N 132°59'W) dredged to a depth of 8.2m. The width of the dredged channel in each section is 0.05nm. Frequent dredging is necessary to maintain the channel W of Turn Point and considerable maintenance dredging is required in some of the other sections.
A Federal project provides for a depth of 7.3m in the approaches to the wharves.
Tugs
Tugs are not normally required for berthing and unberthing but tugs used for towing barges or log rafts are available.
Charts and publications
BA 4975. Admiralty Pilot NP4, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Petersburg radio monitors Ch 16 throughout 24 hours.
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
Quarantine is administered locally. Petersburg is a Customs station administered from Wrangell.
For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Notices and regulations
Local harbour regulations impose a no wake, max speed of 4kts within the harbour basins.
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 Mar 2017Repairs
Minor repairs to machinery and electronic equipment can be undertaken.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water, provisions and marine diesel oil are available.
Medical
Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) in Petersburg, 1.3km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Petersburg James A. Johnson Airport in Petersburg, 4.5km.
About Petersburg
updated May 2010Where it is
Petersburg lies on the NW coast of Mitkof Island, 1nm within the entrance to Wrangell Narrows. This is within the Alexander Archipelago of the Alaska coastline.
The port
Petersburg is primarily a fishing and cruise port.
Questions about Petersburg
Where does the pilot board at Petersburg?
The pilot boards at Petersburg Bar Range, 56°49.7′N 132°55.9′W.
What time zone is Petersburg in?
Local time at Petersburg is UTC−9. Clocks go to UTC−8 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−9 on 7 Nov 2027.
Which load line zone is Petersburg in?
North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.
Who carries out Port State Control at Petersburg?
Port State Control at Petersburg: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Petersburg?
The UN/LOCODE of Petersburg is USPSG.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Petersburg 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.