PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Port Townsend
Key data
updated Feb 2024Size limits
Max LOA 83.39m, beam 18.5m, draught 3.4m and 1,400DWT.
Load line zone
Summer.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Townsend Paper Mill | — | — | 1 |
| Ferry Terminal | 3.40 m | 83 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2025Anchorages
Available in depths of 13.0-16.5m, mud, between 0.5-0.75nm S of the wharves at Port Townsend. During S gales, better protection can be obtained by anchoring closer inshore off the N end of Marrowstone Island (48°06'N., 122°41'W), or near the head of the inlet. There is a designated explosives anchorage 0.5nm SE of Point Hudson (48°07'N., 122°45'W).
Tugs
Tugs can be obtained from Seattle, by prior arrangement.
Charts and publications
BA 46, 4950. Admiralty Pilot NP25.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Feb 2024Repairs
Storage and marine repairs are available for pleasure vessels within the marina. The Port Townsend Boatyard contains a travelift with the capabilities of lifting vessels with a max LOA 45m, beam 9.3m and 330DWT.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Jefferson Healthcare | Medical Centre (2.3km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Jefferson County International Airport (5.6km) and King County International Airport - Boeing Field (72.8km).
Nearest highway: Port has direct access to State Route 20. The route runs 702km (longest highway in Washington) from Discovery Bay in the W to Newport in the E.
Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Port Townsend.
Working hours
Boatyard office Mon-Fri 0800-1615hrs.
About Port Townsend
updated Feb 2024Where it is
Port Townsend is located in the N of Washington state at the entrance to Puget Sound.
The port
The port services a local paper mill and a ferry service. A marina is located within the harbour which houses a Coastguard Station.
Questions about Port Townsend
What time zone is Port Townsend in?
Local time at Port Townsend is UTC−8. Clocks go to UTC−7 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−8 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Port Townsend?
The deepest berth listed is at Ferry Terminal: 3.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
Which load line zone is Port Townsend in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Port Townsend?
Port State Control at Port Townsend: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Townsend?
The UN/LOCODE of Port Townsend is USTWD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Port Townsend 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.
Plan a route to Port Townsend →
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.