Prince Rupert

1. Triple Island Pilot Boarding Station Pilot boards54°19.0′N 130°53.1′W

Size limits

LOA 400m, beam 51.2m, draught 20.0m, 250,000DWT.

Water density

1013-1025.

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 most usual approach is made by way of Brown Passage (54°19'N 130°53'W), then across Chatham Sound using either the N or S Route, the two designated deep water routes. The port should be entered from the S between Digby Island and Kaien Island. The inner harbour entrance is 457m wide, with a least depth at the harbour entrance is 35m.

Port limits

The harbour limits comprise all waters of Prince Rupert Harbour, Tuck Inlet, Morse Basin, Wainwright Basin, Porpoise Harbour, Venn Passage and the E part of Metlakatla Bay. The limits also extend S to include the Kinahan Islands, Greentop Islet and Holland Rock.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessel traffic services operate on VHF Ch 11 and 71.

Vessels should establish communications with "Prince Rupert Vessel Traffic" on VHF Ch 11 when 50nm W of Queen Charlotte Islands.

A new shore-based radar, monitored by MCTS VTS, provides extensive coverage from the Prince Rupert Harbour and approaches and past the Triple island Pilot station to the West.

Restrictions

Under Keel Clearance: UKC should not be less than 10% of max draught unless by prior permission of the Harbour Master.

Vessels carrying explosives shall not enter or depart the harbour, or move within it, except with the permission of the Prince Rupert Port Corporation.

Within Prince Rupert Harbour, vessels should proceed at safe speed, minimising wake, when passing within a minimum of 91m of the shore between Fairview Terminal and Ritchie Point. Additional reduction is required to ensure no wake when passing docks and floats, particularly at Digby Island Floats in Venn Passage and within Porpoise Harbour.

Bunkering: Except at a certified fuelling facility, no vessel over LOA 50m is to bunker or refuel within the harbour, unless with prior approval from the Harbour Authority and the Fuel Transfer Safety Checklist is completed. Bunkering is not permitted during cargo operations.

Lightering of Cargo: Only to be conducted with prior authorisation from Port Authority.

Ridley Terminal - During LPG loading, all operations will cease during adverse weather conditions (lightning/thunder storms, earthquakes or tsunami).

Tugs

All vessels require the use of tugs when arriving or departing berths at Prince Rupert Port. All vessels will also require the use of tugs while underway in Prince Rupert Harbour when it is appropriate for navigational safety or when ordered to by the Port Authority. Tugs are normally ordered through the ship's Agent or in an emergency by calling Prince Rupert Traffic on VHF Ch 71. SAAM SMIT Towage and Wainwright Marine Service Ltd. provide tugs in the Prince Rupert area.

Minimum of two ship docking tugs for escort during transit to/from Porpoise Harbour. Tugs to be in escort from Buoy D30 to Porpoise Harbour Dock for inbound transit and from Porpoise Harbour Dock to Buoy D30 for outbound transit.

Mooring

All vessels requiring a berth at Port Authority berths, should apply for allocation.

Lineboats are required at berths located on Ridley Island and at the Westview Terminal. Linesmen are available at all berths through the Agent or Terminal.

Vessels may warp without a Pilot provided conditions permit. Main engines should be on standby and ready for immediate use. VHF Ch 71 should be monitored throughout the warp. MCTS should be notified at commencement or completion.

Vessels berthing in Prince Rupert Harbour shall always maintain a water column of at least 10% of their draught under the vessel at all states of the tide. No vessel may load on a falling tide beyond a draught equal to 91% of the available water column at the lowest daily tide.

Charts and publications

Canadian 3957, 3958, 3955, 3964. British Columbia Coast Sailing Directions PAC 205.

BA 4938, 4937, 4936, 3754, 4920. Admiralty Pilot NP26, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA must be advised 96 hours prior to arrival. Mandatory report to be sent to Prince Rupert Coast Guard and agent 96 hours prior to arrival. See Country section for further details and Port Information Guide (www.rupertport.com).

Communications

Masters of vessels in Prince Rupert Harbour are obliged to report and/or request permission for a number of issues/events. A full List of Issues to be Reported, and how to report them (verbal, telephone, email or VHF), can be found in the Port Information Guide (www.rupertport.com).

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

Details of the current Arrival and Departure Checklist can be found in the latest version of the Port Information Guide (http://www.rupertport.com/operations/port-information-guide/2/0/0/0/0).

A full list of Original Documents to be made available on all vessels can be found on this website.

All vessels requiring an International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate must ensure that a valid, in date, copy is sent to the Port Security Operations Centre.

Health

The Master shall complete and present promptly at the first port of arrival in Canada, a Declaration of Health in the prescribed form.

Advanced notification to a quarantine station applies only if a condition of health irregularity occurs onboard. Masters should familiarise themselves with section 12 of Canadian Quarantine Regulations.

A request for pratique should be sent by radio to Victoria Quarantine station 24 hours prior to arrival.

Customs and immigration

Prince Rupert is a port of entry and as such has Customs facilities.

Canadian Boarder Services Agency (CBSA) require marine carriers to transmit vessel and cargo information electronically in advance of arrival at the first port in Canada. They have also introduced a system of selective boarding in Prince Rupert and vessel clearances are now generally carried out by ships agents. Customs Officers do however, make spot checks.

Certain countries and territories now give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) when applying for a visa. Depending on citizenship, individuals that plan to travel through Canada without stopping or those who are visiting for 48 hours or less may require a transit visa. A transit visa may not be required if travel is from the United States.

Vessels lightering crew and passengers from anchorages are requested to give two hours notice to the Port Security Operations Centre. Lightering by life boat is permitted only at the Northland Cruise Ship Terminal, when crew are requested to remain with the lightering vessel.

Flags

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

Notices and regulations

Details of the latest Rules and Regulations for the operation of Prince Rupert Port can be found in the latest version of the Port Information Guide (www.rupertport.com).

Vessels with explosives onboard shall not enter or leave the harbour, except with the permission of the Port Authority.

Vessels at anchor must have their engines on standby and a second anchor ready to let go in winds of 25kts or more.

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.

Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessel's arrival, through the agent.

No vessel entering or leaving the harbour shall proceed, when between Charles Point and Ritchie Point at a speed exceeding 8kts.

In the harbour vessels shall not exceed a speed of 4kts when passing vessels with scows (dump barges) alongside, vessels engaged in dredging, diving operations or log loading or any small craft moored at a float (pontoon) or wharf.

The length of towing hawsers shall be decreased below 46m on entering harbour to the extent deemed necessary by the Towing Master.

A white flag with a diagonal red stripe shall be displayed when log handling or similar operations occur alongside a vessel or wharf.

Noise: Exhaust mufflers should be fitted to every vessel using internal combustion engines. No unnecessary use of whistles, sirens or foghorns should take place. Testing of sound alarms should be kept to a minimum and the PSOC informed before any testing.

Shore Access: When two or more vessels are alongside eachother, and the outer vessel does not have a gangway of its own stretching to the shore, the outer vessel may have access to shore via the inner vessel.

Rodent Guards: Every warp or line used to secure a vessel to shore, should have a suitable device to prevent the passage or rodents between berth and shoreline or vice versa.

Watch Alongside: A watch should be kept and maintained at all times when in harbour.

Lights: Vessels within port are required to display appropriate lights, and daytime shapes, according to latest Collision Regulations.

Unmanned Air Vehicles/Drones: The use of UAVs is not permitted over land or waters within the port without prior permission from the Port Authority. All commercial work or research with UAVs must first be authorised by Transportation Canada Civil Aviation Regional Office.

ETD: Full details of Departure Checklists can be found in the Port Information Guide (www.rupertport.com).

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

Minor repairs to all types of marine equipment and electronics are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Fuel oil available.

Fresh water: Available.

Medical

Prince Rupert Regional Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Prince Rupert Airport, 3km.

Airport facilities: There are daily flights to Vancouver.

Nearest railway: Canadian National at dockside.

Working hours

Prince Rupert Port Authority main office hours are from 08:00 - 16:30, Monday - Friday. The port operates continuously 24/7 throughout the year.

Where it is

Prince Rupert is situated at the N end of the Hecate Strait with Queen Charlotte Island to the W.

The port

Prince Rupert is the second largest port on the W coast of Canada and includes the Ridley Island terminals. The port area is a large, deep, natural harbour with a min depth in the approach channel of 38m, has easy access and is well lit with year round ice free navigation.

Prince Rupert is the ocean terminus of the trans continental rail and highway systems. It is the pivotal point for BC and Alaskan Ferries and is the regional focus of fishing, forestry, mining and pulp manufacturing.

Exports handled are aluminium ingots, waste paper, scrap steel, chilled fish and poultry, forest products, coal and grain, imports handled are general cargo, containers and oil.

The port is soon to have its own marine fuel delivery service, serving larger vessels, operated by Wolverine Terminals. This will mean that larger vessels berthing alongside, or anchoring in the harbour area, will no longer have to bunker at alternative West Coast ports.

Several major projects for development of industrial and energy-related port facilities in the area have recently been put on hold, or cancelled altogether, mainly as a result of uncertainty caused by an ever changing situation in global energy and economic developments. However, the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal is currently being constructed and the planned Pembina LPG Terminal, Watson Island, is still on course for development. There has also been an additional boost with an encouraging increase in cruise liner traffic and passenger visits.

Traffic

Approx 26,000,000t of cargo, 880,000TEU, 1,000 vessels and 79,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Prince Rupert?

The pilot boards at Triple Island Pilot Boarding Station, 54°19.0′N 130°53.1′W.

What time zone is Prince Rupert in?

Local time at Prince Rupert is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Prince Rupert?

The deepest berth listed is at Westview Wood Pellet Terminal (Prince Rupert): 20.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Prince Rupert?

1013-1025.

Which load line zone is Prince Rupert in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Prince Rupert?

Port State Control at Prince Rupert: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Prince Rupert?

The UN/LOCODE of Prince Rupert is CAPRR.

What crews who called at Prince Rupert 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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