Picton

1. Picton boarding position Alpha Pilot boards41°04.6′S 174°18.9′E
2. Picton boarding position Bravo (heavy weather) Pilot boards41°03.6′S 174°19.8′E
3. Tory Channel Reporting Arc (Picton) Pilot41°15.0′S 174°22.5′E

Size limits

LOA 362m, beam 39m, draught 15.3m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Neap range: 0.6m, Spring range: 1.7m.

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

Approach

Voluntary Code: (Refer to "Country Information").

From Cook Strait, the harbour can be approached either direct from the N though Queen Charlotte Sound, a distance of 20nm, or though Tory Channel, which leads into the sound from the E, a distance of 17nm. If using the Tory Channel heavy ferry traffic may be encountered.

The recommended track for foreign vessels is to use the N entrance passing midway between Cook Rock (40°03.0'S 174°25.0'E and Walker Rock (40°59.0'S 174°20.0'E) at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound and then to the pilot station, with min depths of 13.4m in the main channel west of Long island. However vessels with a draught over 10.5m must use the alternative channel to the E of Long Island with min depth of 19.2m.

The inner part of the Sound is generally over 20.0m in depth.

The harbour is entered from N, between the Snout (41°15.0'S 174°02.09'E), 3nm NE of Picton, and Wedge Point, 2nm N of Picton.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Instructions as per New Zealand Pilot and Local Harbour rules.

Anchorages

Designated anchorage area is W of Mabel Island (41°16'S 174°00.7'E) and including Shakespeare Bay, in depths of 20.0-27.0m.

Prohibited anchorage: Vessels are not permitted to anchor elsewhere in the harbour.

Restrictions

Limiting depths in the approaches are 19.0m in Queen Charlotte Sound and 25.0m in Picton approach.

Vessels entering or leaving Picton Harbour are to navigate at a speed not exceeding 12kts whilst S of Mabel Island Light (41°16.2'S 174°00.9'E) (white concrete post).

During the hours of darkness or in restricted visibility, navigation S of Mabel Island is restricted to one vessel over 500GT at a time.

Night berthing and unberthing is available. Vessels with a draught greater than 10.5m are not permitted to berth or unberth at night.

Vessels may not berth or unberth at Waitohi Wharf in Picton Harbour with wind speeds in excess of 30kts, without the permission of the Harbour Master.

Horizontal clearance: The fairway has a least width of 0.175nm.

Security Reporting System: All vessels entering the Security Areas are to contact Picton Harbour Radio on VHF Channel 19 and identify themselves.

Tugs

Two tugs are available.

Charts and publications

NZ 46, 6153, 6154. Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice has to be given at least 48 hours prior to arrival to agents and port authorities.

Communications

Maritime Radio VHF: Ch 16.

Picton Harbor Radio VHF: Ch 19.

Call sign "Picton Harbour Radio", VHF Ch18, available through 24 hours.

Marlborough Sounds Maritime Pilots: Tel: +64 3 520 3399, email: [email protected].

Harbour Master: Tel: +64 3 520 7400, email: [email protected]

Port and pilots contacts: [email protected]

Standard messages

Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or at arrival at the pilot station.

Documents

Crew List and Statutory Authority are required.

Health

As per national requirement.

Customs and immigration

As per national requirement.

Notices and regulations

Regional Council By Laws apply. Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.

Port State Control here: 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 New Zealand

Maritime Safety Authority

PO Box 27006, 275-281 Upper Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 382 8198.

Fax: +64 4 382 4934.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.

Contact person: Maritime Security Adviser.

Address: PO Box 27006, Level 8 Gen-I Tower, 109 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6005, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 471 5366.

Fax: +64 4 494 1270.

Website: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz

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

Repairs

Available. A diver is available for underwater inspections. There is a slipway, capacity 100t, at Carey's Boat yard in the SE part of the harbour.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at 30tph.

Bunkering: By road tanker only.

Medical

Wairau Hospital, 29km.

Crew change

Possible with local accommodation available most of the time, except during high holiday periods.

Transport

Nearest airport: Blenheim, 36km.

Airport facilities: Crew change and airfreight facilities available.

Nearest railway: Picton.

Seaplanes have operated in the harbour.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, 365 days a year.

Where it is

Picton is situated on the N Coast of South Island in Queen Charlotte Sound, almost directly opposite Wellington.

The port

Picton is the South Island terminal for the inter island freight and passenger ferry services to Wellington. The port is also used for the export of logs, grain, timber, salt, coal, fish, meat and it is a popular port of call for cruise lines.

Picton Harbour and Shakespeare Wharf are together with marinas in the area operated by Port Marlborough.

Principal imports are cement, livestock and general cargo.

Traffic

Approx 787,000t of cargo and 3,700 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Picton?

The pilot boards at Picton boarding position Alpha, 41°04.6′S 174°18.9′E. Picton has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Picton in?

Local time at Picton is UTC+13. Back to UTC+12 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+13 on 25 Sep 2027.

What is the water density at Picton?

1025.

Which load line zone is Picton in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Picton?

Port State Control at Picton: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Picton?

The UN/LOCODE of Picton is NZPCN.

What crews who called at Picton 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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