Port Mellon

Size limits

Max LOA 212.5m, beam 32.26m, draught 11.6m and 62,967DWT.

Load line zone

Summer.

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

Approach

The port fronts Thornbrough Channel and the approach to it is deep and free of dangers.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Assigned frequency is 156.6MHz, Ch 12.

Tugs

Available from Seaspan, Rivtow, Squamish Tugs and HSPP, mv "Seaside Princess".

Charts and publications

BA 579, Canadian Chart 3526. Admiralty Pilot NP25.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels initial ETA should be sent on departure from last port to the consigned agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities. Canadian Coast Guard require pre arrival report to be 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.

Port Mellon Contact Information:

Telephone: +1-604-884-5223

Facsimile: +1-604-884-21770

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

The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Thereafter, Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents.

The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.

Health

It is not necessary to apply for pratique unless there is an infection or dead person onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

If there is any sickness onboard the vessel will be quarantined.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs clearance must be obtained from Vancouver, Port Mellon is not a port of entry.

Customs allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.

Passengers onboard are subject to a search of their personal effects if they intend to land.

Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).

Immigration Officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes Immigration Crew List.

Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Notices and regulations

Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks.

The port is situated within Sector 3 of the Victoria Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), administered by Victoria

Traffic.

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at the main berth.

Bunkering: Available from the bunkering berths.

Stores: Available from Vancouver.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Gibsons Health Unit (12.7km), Sumac Place (Mental health facility, 12.5km), Sechelt Hospital (19.6km), St. Paul's Hospital (37km) and Lions Gate Hospital (37.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Sechelt Airport (Regional 18km), Vancouver International Airport (43km).

Bus: Routes available in Langdale (9.6km).

Highway: British Columbia Highway 101 (9.5km).

Where it is

Port Mellon is situated to the W side of Thornbrough Channel in Howe Sound, the port is located near the town of Gibsons on the Sechelt Peninsula.

The port

The port services Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill; a leading provider in (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft) NBSK pulp and one of the oldest running mills in the province (1909). The distribution of cargo means that the port provides the mill economic access to pacific rim economies.

What are the pilot arrangements at Port Mellon?

Provided by the Pacific Pilotage Authority Canada (PPA) and compulsory for vessels over 350GT.

What time zone is Port Mellon in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Port Mellon?

The deepest berth listed is at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill Terminal: 11.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Port Mellon in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Mellon?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Mellon?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Mellon is CAPML.

What crews who called at Port Mellon 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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