Ponta Delgada

1. Ponta Delgada pilot boarding Pilot boards37°43.5′N 025°38.5′W

Size limits

LOA 340m, beam 40.64m, draught 10.5m, 47,302DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Mean spring range approx 1.4m, mean neap range approx 0.6m.

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

Approach

Directions for entering harbour:

Entrance leading lights: Front light, (black lantern on a column at W end of yellow house, 3m in height), 37°44.5'N 025°39.6'W;

rear light, (black lantern on red and white post, 3m in height), 190m NW of front light, exhibited from the SW corner of the wall surrounding Mae de Deus, a conspicuous white church.

The alignment 321° of these leading lights leads to the harbour entrance close NE of the breakwater head from which a light, (red truncated conical tower, white bands, 5m in height), is exhibited.

Harbour leading lights: Front light, (on E bastion of Forte de Sao Braz, 4m in height), 37°44.2'N 025°40.4'W;

rear light, (on the corner of Forte de Sao Braz, 5m in height), 60m from the front light.

From close NE of the breakwater light the alignment 266° of these lights leads to the head of the harbour passing, (with positions from the breakwater light):

S of the entrance to Porto da Calheta, 0.25nm NNW, then; S of a lightbuoy, (S cardinal), 0.3nm WNW, marking Baixa de Sao Pedro a rocky shoal on the N side of the harbour, then; S of a line of small craft mooring buoys extending WSW from the S cardinal lightbuoy.

Port limits

The port limits are 2nm from the lighthouse located at the end of the breakwater.

Anchorages

Located outside the artificial harbour, in the roadstead and off the breakwater, anchorage suitable for all vessels whose draughts are too deep for admission into the artificial port. (Over 12.2m depth), good holding ground. Anchoring is not permitted within the harbour.

Restrictions

The maximum basin space available to turn in is 800m.

Vessel compasses may be affected by local magnetic anomalies. Sector lights are thought better to use than range lights.

Tugs

Compulsory for vessels over 1,500GT. There are three tugs available (1,100HP, 2,600HP, 3,400HP).

Mooring

Vessels berthing at Quays 6, 10 and 12, should go starboard to, except when requested otherwise by the Port Authority. Line Handlers are available in the port until 15.00hrs (except for emergencies).

Cruise Quay has Cell Rubber Fenders.

Charts and publications

BA 1957,1956,1950. Admiralty Pilot NP67, NP286(1).

US 51082, 51081. US Coast Pilot 143.

Notice of readiness

Generally tendered after vessel has berthed alongside.

Health

Maritime Declaration of Health is required on arrival. Vaccination Certificates are not compulsory in normal circumstances.

The pilot requests the master to hoist the quarantine flag when vessel comes from an infected port or when sick people are carried on board, the port doctor then boards for inspection and nobody is allowed to board or leave vessel before completion of inspection.

Pratique can be applied for by radio or after authorities board the vessel. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs: All luggage is inspected for disembarking crew. Usually Customs officials do not board vessels and do not seal Bonded Stores Areas.

Officers and crew are allowed to take ashore a reasonable allowance of tobacco and alcohol for their own consumption.

Vessels from the European Community will have shore passes issued. Crew members of vessels, the country of registration of which has no diplomatic relations with the Azores, will be issued shore passes on a case by case basis.

Immigration: Officials board vessels on arrival at berths. Visas are required for embarking and disembarking crew. Passports, Seaman's books and related documentation are not collected and stamped on arrival.

Maritime Police may board vessel on arrival.

Notices and regulations

Tankers: Vessels carrying explosives, inflammable liquid or any other dangerous cargoes, before entering port must hoist International Code flag "B" at foremast during the day and a red light at night.

Upon boarding the vessel the harbour pilot enquires from the master whether there are explosives and any dangerous cargoes onboard. Masters are requested to supply accurate information as to the quantity and nature in order to enable the port authority to select a suitable berth or anchorage.

Port State Control here: Paris 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.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Instituto Portuario e dos Transportes Maritimos.

Position: Chairman.

Address: Edificio Vasco da Gama, Rua General Gomes Araujo, P-1399-005, Lisbon, Portugal.

Tel: +351 21 391 4712

Mob: +351 91 971 3089

Website: http://www.imarport.pt

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

Repairs

Available. Carried out afloat to all classes of vessel. There is 1 slipway 70m in length, for small vessels up to 1,000t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from shore connection at all quays at Inner Harbour. Number of hoses: 2 per vessel. Connection dimensions from 50mm (quick connection).

Bunkering: Available at rates of 100tph and 30tph. Fuel oil 180CST and (30CST up to 160CST blended) ex quays pipeline. Gasoil, lubricants and others available on request, either ex quays pipeline or by tank truck.

No bunkering fuel is available directly from quay at the Cruise Vessel berth.

Offshore Ship Supply Service: Vessels can be supplied by launch off the port's breakwaters. The launch normally used for the service can handle a payload up to 800kg. If a vessel requires to take a larger payload a tug or other vessel can be used. Fresh water and gas oil can also be delivered using this service.

This service can be arranged through a vessel's port agent.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Regional de Ponta Delgada. A private clinic can provide services for visiting crew.

Transport

Nearest airport, Joao Paulo II, Airport 3km from the port. Inter island flights and mainland Lisbon, Porto.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0700-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Sat 0800-1200hrs. Overtime by arrangement.

Where it is

Ponta Delgada, situated on the southern coast of Sao Miguel Island, is the principal port, and the capital of, the Azores.

The port

The main commercial area of the port is to the W side of the inner harbour which is protected by a breakwater on its S side. A new cruise terminal (Gateway of the Seas) is located on the N side next to a substantial yacht marina.

The main imports of Sao Miguel Island include fuel, gas oil, petroleum products, butane, molasses, maize, wheat, other cereals, flour of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, manufactured fertilisers, animal feed stuff, clinker and manufactured goods.

The main exports include: Wood, dairy products and manufactured goods.

Where does the pilot board at Ponta Delgada?

The pilot boards at Ponta Delgada pilot boarding, 37°43.5′N 025°38.5′W.

What time zone is Ponta Delgada in?

Local time at Ponta Delgada is UTC−1. Clocks go to UTC+0 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Ponta Delgada?

The deepest berth listed is at Ponta Delgada Port: 10.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ponta Delgada?

1025.

Which load line zone is Ponta Delgada in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ponta Delgada?

Port State Control at Ponta Delgada: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ponta Delgada?

The UN/LOCODE of Ponta Delgada is PTPDL.

What crews who called at Ponta Delgada 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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