Port Alberni

1. Cape Beale Pilot Boarding Station Pilot boards48°47.2′N 125°12.5′W
2. Port Alberni pilot boarding Pilot boards48°47.2′N 125°16.0′W

Size limits

LOA 190m, beam 32.26m, 55,183DWT

Water density

1012

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.5m (springs), 1.4m (neaps).

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

Approach

The port is approached through Alberini Inlet and entered between Polly Point (49°13'N 124°49'W) and Stamp Point, 0.4nm W. The controlling depth is 25.6m.

Directions: From a position between Polly Point (49°13'N 124°49'W) and Stamp Point, 0.4nm W, the route leads generally NNE for a short distance to the required alongside berth, passing:

WNW of two privately maintained light floats (0.2 and 0.4nm N) which mark the outer limits of the booming ground.

ESE of Hohm Island Light (white round tower, 8.0m in elevation, 0.8nm NNW), exhibited from the SE side of the island which is bare and rocky.

A reef, which dries, extends 0.5nm NE of the island and a detached rock, with a depth of 7.3m over it, lies 0.1nm NE of the island. A boom mooring held in place by submerged anchors and cables extend 0.35nm NNW of the island, marked by privately maintained lights. A triangular shaped log float, marked by a privately maintained light, is moored close SE of the island.

Useful marks: Lights, privately maintained, are exhibited from the terminal extremities 0.575nm, 0.8nm and 0.9nm N respectively.

A light, privately maintained, is exhibited in an area of submerged anchors and cables, 0.95nm N of Polly Point.

Caution: A pipeline and cable are laid across the river at the extremity of Lupsi Cupsi Point also three pipelines are laid across the river in the vicinity of an overhead cable, with a clearance of 31m, spanning the Somass River, 0.4nm N of Lupsi Cupsi Point (49°14.7'N 124°49.0'W).

Port limits

S Limit: A line drawn on a bearing of 320° from the most NW'ly point of Congreve Island through Tzartus Island and across to the entrance of Useless Inlet.

N Limit: 0.2nm N of Clutesi Haven Marina in the Somass River.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The waters of Alberni Inlet are within the Prince Rupert (Tofino) Traffic Zone. Masters must request clearance from Prince Rupert (Tofino) Traffic before proceeding to, or departing from, any berth within Port Alberni harbour limits. Requests are made through Vessel Traffic Services (Canadian Coast Guard), Amphitrite Point VHF Ch 74. Tel: +1 250 726 7777.

Anchorages

There are four designated anchorages numbered 1, 2, 3 and E. The Harbour Master will assign the relevant anchorage. Vessels over LOA50m must obtain permission from the Port Authority prior to anchoring within the harbour. Vessels up to 20.1m draught can anchor safely. There are 3 deep sea anchorages with 20.0m minimum depths each with 275m radius.

Restrictions

Lining the harbour are several vulnerable close to surface installations, including log boom tie-ups, log dumps and fish farms. Log booms being towed may be encountered; also dredge scows in season. Seaplane services also operate in the area.

Dangerous Cargoes: No vessel carrying dangerous goods or explosives should enter the harbour without prior notice to the Port Authority. Any such vessel experiencing mechanical difficulties within a 48 hour period before the vessel's ETA at the harbour, will not be permitted to enter without the prior approval of the Port Authority.

Tugs

Tugs up to 1,200hp are available from Pacific Towing Services (Alberni Division).

Mooring

Harbour regulations require that whilst alongside a vessel's anchors must be stowed and a wire hawser of suitable size for towing is to be lowered from the bow and secured so that the bight of the hawser hangs just clear of the surface of the water. Full details concerning mooring practices and procedures can be found on the Port Authority's website http://www.portalberniportauthority.ca.

Charts and publications

BA 4922. Can 3668 and 3671. Admiralty Pilot NP25, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA including vessel's length and draught should be sent to Port Alberni Terminals. Tel: +1 250 723 7922, Fax: +1 250 723 1629.

Canadian Coast Guard require pre arrival report sent 96 hours prior to arrival if from a foreign port. See country section for further details.

Communications

San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all HF frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station.

Inmarsat can also be used.

Notice of readiness

The custom of the port is to tender NOR on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line at berth. If an outer anchorage is used, Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.

Documents

Information regarding documentation is available from agents.

Customs and immigration

Port Alberni Canada Customs Agent, Tel: +1 250 754 0341.

Flags

Vessel's national colours should be flown from 0800hrs until sunset as long as the vessel remains in the harbour.

If dangerous goods or explosives are on board, vessels should display the International Code Flag 'B' during daylight hours and, in restricted visibility, an all-round red light visible from all directions.

Notices and regulations

Notices to the Master of a vessel, from the port, are received via the shipping agent.

Harbour regulations require that whilst alongside, anchors must be stowed and a wire hawser, suitable for towing is to be lowered from the bow and secured so that the bight of the hawser hangs just clear of the surface of the water. Vessels should not be left unattended.

Further details concerning General Notices and Regulations can be found on the Port Authority's website: http://www.portalberniportauthority.ca).

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, 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 Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Repairs

There are machine shops in the port capable of carrying out minor repairs as well as electronic works. A patent slipway for vessels up to 40m in length and 150t.

Dry docks

There are no drydock facilities available for deep sea vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: By road tanker after special arrangement with the Harbour Master. No vessels exceeding LOA50m is permitted to bunker within the harbour unless prior approval has been granted by the Port Authority.

Fresh water: Available at all deep sea berths.

Stores: Available (limited).

Medical

West Coast General, Port Alberni. Mariners Doctor on call.

Transport

Nearest airport: Port Alberni, 5km, light aircraft only. Seaplane services operate in the area.

Nearest railway: Port Alberni, no passenger service.

Nearest Highway: Highway 4.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1600hrs. (Harbour office weekdays, not weekends or statutory holidays). Port Alberni Terminals 0700-1700hrs.

Where it is

Port Alberni is located at the head of Alberni Inlet, a narrow deep water inlet, leading NE from Barkley Sound, on the SW coast of Vancouver Island, 39km from the inlet entrance.

The port

The port covers all the waters of Alberni Inlet and is ice free and open all year. The harbour offers safe passage via Alberni Inlet and can accommodate Panamax size vessels. The area can be subject to tsunami waves.

Port Alberni terminals cover an area of 6.88ha, mainly handling forest products.

Traffic

Approx 900,000t of cargo and 240 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Port Alberni?

The pilot boards at Cape Beale Pilot Boarding Station, 48°47.2′N 125°12.5′W. Port Alberni has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Port Alberni in?

Local time at Port Alberni is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the water density at Port Alberni?

1012

Which load line zone is Port Alberni in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Alberni?

Port State Control at Port Alberni: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Alberni?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Alberni is CAPAB.

What crews who called at Port Alberni 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.

Read and add tips for Port Alberni →