Port Williams

1. Canal Beagle pilot transfer place (Argentine pilot, S of Punta Moat) Pilot boards55°02.0′S 066°43.0′W
2. Canal Beagle pilot transfer place (Chilean pilot, N of Punta Waller) Pilot boards55°01.5′S 066°48.0′W
3. Puerto Williams pilot boarding place Pilot boards55°08.0′S 066°33.4′W
4. Pilot boarding place Pilot boards54°55.9′S 067°06.1′W

Size limits

LOA 123.0m, draught 9.5m, 11,384t displacement.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Tides

Range 2.4m (springs), 1.5m (neaps).

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 the harbour are as follows:

Initial position: Approx 1nm ENE of Punta Gusano Light; the line of bearing 230° of the light on the bow of the hulk "Portales" (54°55.12'S 067°36.16'W), leads SW to the berths passing (from Punta Gusano Light):

NW of a shoal 1.5nm E, with a depth of 5m over it, lying 0.3nm off the coast of Isla Navarino and marked by abundant kelp, then;

SE of Punta Gusano Light (white GRP tower with red bands, 5m in height), then;

NW of Rio Uquika beacon (orange square wooden tower with white band), radar reflector, 5m in height, 0.7nm SE, standing on a drying patch off the mouth of Rio Uquika, then;

NW of tanker mooring buoys, 0.5nm S.

Port limits

The port area is enclosed by a line drawn from Punta Gusano light, 54°56'S 067°37'W, to the position of Banco Herradura Lightbuoy, 1.1nm NNE to Punta Trucco (Piedrabuena), front light 2.7nm ESE.

Anchorages

There is good anchorage, located approx. 54° 55.446'S 67° 35.664'W, in depth of 31m, with Punta Gusano Light bearing 330° x 0.28nm.

Tugs

Not available.

Charts and publications

BA 1373. Chilean 13150. Admiralty Pilot NP6, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent to the vessel's agent 5 days prior to arrival. Additional ETA's should then be sent on a daily basis at 0800hrs.

The ETA message must confirm that all cargo gear is in proper working order, if any cargo shifting is expected, if there is dangerous cargo onboard for discharge and/or transit and arrival draught.

Communications

Radio: Messages can be sent via Playa Ancha Radio (callsign "CBV") Valparaiso which listens throughout 24 hours on 500kHz and works on 8522kHz and 16663kHz.

VHF: CBM Radio Naval Station: Ch 16.

Port: Ch 16, 09, 14. Email: [email protected].

Standard messages

Masters must report their position, course, speed and ETA next port as soon as they enter Chilean waters (200nm) to Directemar Valparaiso by cable. Thereafter, the same information is to be sent daily, whilst in Chilean waters, at 0800hrs and 2000hrs. Reports to be sent via Playa Ancha Radio.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the anchorage.

Documents

Note: SY = Sanitary (Health) authorities, AG = Agriculture department, IM = Immigration, PC = Port Captain, CU = Customs.

The port captain will also wish to see the vessel's certificates and immigration officer will want to see all passports.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Crew's own personal possessions must tally with those listed on the Crew Personal Effects List. If there is a discrepancy, penalties range from confiscation of the goods not declared to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the misdemeanour.

Immigration: Crew List is checked against passports. There are no restrictions on crew and passengers in transit proceeding ashore provided they are in possession of a landing card. Some foreign nationalities require an entry visa if embarking or disembarking.

Flags

Vessels entering Chilean waters must at all times fly the Chilean flag at the foremast and also whilst in port. Fines for not complying may be imposed by the authorities.

Notices and regulations

It is expressly forbidden to throw overboard any ballast, rubbish or waste or to spill petroleum whilst in Chilean waters and harbours.

Garbage is not allowed to be disposed of ashore.

Vessels must comply with the use of rat guards, safety nets and gangway railings.

Any repairs to the main engine must be authorised.

Port State Control here: 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.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Chilean Maritime Authority.

Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.

Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.

Tel: +56 32 208637.

Fax: +56 32 208662.

Mob: +56 9 939 3937.

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK

Website: http://www.directemar.cl

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Performed at anchorage, located approx. 54° 55.446'S 67° 35.664'W, by bunkering tanker vessel "Tamina."

Medical

Naval hospital, in town.

Transport

Nearest airport: Punta Arenas.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs and 1400-2100hrs.

Where it is

Port Williams is located on the N coast of Isla Navarino, 2.5nm W of the W end of Paso Mackinlay.

The port

Port Williams is a Chilean Naval base, with small craft stationed on the Beagle Channel. Practically all movements are Naval, the commercial vessels entering port being cruise ships and fuel or gas tankers from Punta Arenas.

Where does the pilot board at Port Williams?

The pilot boards at Canal Beagle pilot transfer place (Argentine pilot, S of Punta Moat), 55°02.0′S 066°43.0′W. Port Williams has 4 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Port Williams in?

Local time at Port Williams is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Port Williams?

1025.

Which load line zone is Port Williams in?

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at Port Williams?

Port State Control at Port Williams: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Williams?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Williams is CLWPU.

What crews who called at Port Williams 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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