Pointe-a-Pitre

1. Pointe-a-Pitre boarding — draft greater than 7.4m Pilot boards16°08.5′N 061°30.0′W
2. Pointe-a-Pitre boarding — draft less than 7.4m Pilot boards16°11.0′N 061°31.4′W

Size limits

LOA 270.93m, beam 42.8m, 80,295DWT.

Water density

1024.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean Spring Range 0.3m; Mean Neap Range 0.1m.

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

Approach

Approach is through Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin, a deep bight formed between Grance-Terre and the island of Basse-Terre, and entered through a dredged channel which passes between the coast of Grance-Terre and the offshore islands. The channel, 5nm in length, 170m wide, buoyed and lighted, leads between the off lying shoals. The upper end from Cochons Island to the wharves is dredged to 12.0m.

Initial position: From 2.0nm W of Ilet du Gosier Light.

Pointe-a-Pitre Leading Lights: Front light (white column on a white pylon, 14m in height) (2.75nm NW) standing near the middle of Presqu'ile a Monroux.

Rear light (white column on a white mast, 20m in height) (0.35nm NNW of the front light), standing close S of Pointe Fouillole, with a distinctive yellow building close SE.

The light structures may be difficult to identify until close-in, but they are conveniently situated in an obvious gap between the blocks of buildings resembling basketball backboards. The rear light may be obscured by trees.

The alignment (348°) of the leading lights leads into the harbour entrance.

From a position 0.35nm SSE of the front leading light, the channel into harbour leads generally NW for approx 1.75nm, with a least depth of 12.0m, marked on both sides by lightbuoys and sea buoys, using the IALA system (Region B).

Anchorages

Anchorage to be used when waiting to enter harbour. Authorisation to anchor must be obtained from Port Control, VHF Ch12.

There are several outer anchorages:

Mouillage No 1 - 16°12.5'N 061°32.2'W.

Mouillage No 2 - 16°12.4'N 061°32.5'W, (for tankers).

Mouillage No 3 - 16°12.2'N 061°32.3'W.

Mouillage No 4 - 16°12.3'N 061°31.1'W, (for coasters).

Anchorage to the E of the leading line is not recommended due to shallow water.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in the vicinity of submarine cables laid to the S of Ilet du Gosier, for a distance of approx 1.5nm.

Restrictions

Under normal conditions the maximum size of vessel handled is LOA 220m and a draught of 11.0m. Vessels with a length of 300m can be accommodated at the Container Terminal, but normally the length is restricted because, with a fresh breeze, the narrow entrance channel can be difficult for longer vessels.

Tugs

There is 1 tug available, "Pointe Vigie", 2,100hp.

Mooring

During the Hurricane season (May to Oct), all vessels must be moored. The port is not considered a save haven in hurricane conditions.

Charts and publications

BA 593, 618, 804, 1042, 2600. Admiralty Pilot NP71, NP286(7).

US 25566, 25563. US Coast Pilot 147.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

In the event of any changes, a corrected message should be sent.

Thirty minutes prior to arrival at pilot station, the Master should contact Port Authorities by VHF Ch 12 for berthing instructions.

If the above procedure is not respected or information on the arrival notice is not exact, vessels will be subject to a fine.

Notice of readiness

NOR tendered on arrival.

Documents

CS =Customs; IM = Immigration; HA = Health Authorities; PA = Port Authority.

Health

Quarantine officials from the Port Health Authority board on arrival.

Pratique should be applied for on arrival and is not available by radio.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be renewed with sufficient advance notice.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: Maximum allowances are 75cl of alcohol and 200 cigarettes. All radios, cameras, etc must be mentioned on Personal Effects List. Minimum fine for non compliance will be implemented.

Immigration: Master should have all crew and passenger passports available for inspection on arrival.

Visas are required for passengers of certain nationalities.

Flags

Vessel must hoist the French flag.

Notices and regulations

Declaration of Dangerous Goods should be faxed to the Port Authorities 48 hours prior to arrival.

The 24 hour ETA message should be faxed to the Port Authorities confirming no damage to vessel or equipment.

ISPS

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

Repairs

Available. Facilities for minor repairs only.

Dry docks

Drydock available for vessels with max LOA 40m, draught 4.0m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: By road tanker or by tanker barge, capacity 400t.

Stores: Available with prior notice.

Medical

Pointe-a-Pitre Hospital, 3km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aeroport Pole Caraibe, 5km.

Airport facilities: International daily flights to Paris and Miami.

Working hours

Mon-Sat: 0630-1300, 1430-2130 and 2200-0400hrs. Work on Sunday and public holidays is possible.

Where it is

Point-a-Pitre is located at the end of a well sheltered roadstead on the island of Grande-Terre, one of a group of islands which form Guadeloupe.

The port

Guadeloupe is under French jurisdiction and a Caribbean cruise ship port of call. The main islands are Basse-Terre, a banana growing region and Grande-Terre, a sugar producing territory. The Pointe-a-Pitre port area consists of the Port de Jarry berths on the West side of the harbour and Port de Pointe-a-Pitre berths on the East side.

In addition to bulk sugar cargoes and bananas, the Pointe-a-Pitre handles minerals, grain, petroleum and general cargo.

There is a container terminal at Pointe Jarry dealing with 90% of Guadeloupe's freight traffic and used by multipurpose/ refrigerated container vessels on regular services to Europe.

Traffic

Approx 3,600,000t of cargo, 202,000TEU and 983,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Pointe-a-Pitre?

The pilot boards at Pointe-a-Pitre boarding — draft greater than 7.4m, 16°08.5′N 061°30.0′W. Pointe-a-Pitre has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Pointe-a-Pitre in?

Local time at Pointe-a-Pitre is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the water density at Pointe-a-Pitre?

1024.

Which load line zone is Pointe-a-Pitre in?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Pointe-a-Pitre?

The UN/LOCODE of Pointe-a-Pitre is GPPTP.

What crews who called at Pointe-a-Pitre 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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