PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Providence
Pilot
updated Aug 2010Compulsory for foreign going vessels and US vessels under register when entering and departing from Narragansett Bay and all ports in the State of Rhode Island.
Pilots embark in the vicinity of 41°23'N 071°21'W, S of a line extending from Point Judith (41°21'N 071°29'W) to Sakonnet Point, 14nm ENE.
Pilot boats have either black or grey hulls with white superstructures and the word "PILOT" on the side. Pilot services are normally arranged 24 hours in advance. Contact Northeast Marine Pilots Inc, Tel: +1 401 847 9050, Fax: +1 401 847 9052.
Pilots for US registered vessels in coastwise trade board off Point Judith. The pilot boats have a blue hull with white superstructure and maintain a listening watch on VHF 2 hours before a vessel's ETA.
Key data
updated Dec 2022Size limits
Draught 11.89m, LOA 254.00m, beam 43.00m, 115,118DWT.
Water density
1012-1016.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Mean spring range approx 1.6m; mean neap range approx 1.1m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProvPort Terminal | — | 254 m | 6 |
| Sims Metal Management Terminal | 11.89 m | 200 m | 1 |
| ExxonMobil - East Providence Terminal | 11.89 m | 195 m | 2 |
| Motiva Enterprises Terminal | 11.88 m | 195 m | 2 |
| Sprague Operating Resources Terminal | 11.58 m | 251 m | 1 |
| Holcim - Providence Terminal | 11.28 m | 178 m | 1 |
| Inland Fuels Terminal | 8.53 m | 38 m | 1 |
| Hudson Terminal Corp. - Asphalt Facility | 8.38 m | 184 m | 1 |
| Wilkes Barre Pier | — | 184 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
Access to the port is via the eastern passage. It has a depth of 18.3m and width of 457m -1,219m for 17.6km; depth of 12.2m and width of 304m-609m for 6.4km. The dredged channel to the harbour, marked with US Coast Guard buoys, has a width of 182m and depth of 12m.
Port limits
The port area of Providence includes both sides of the navigable channel of the Providence River above Pomhan Rocks, which lie 4nm above the entrance.
Anchorages
Vessels anchor, as directed by the Harbour Master, on the edge of the channel between Fields Point and Fox Point. A few vessels may anchor E of Fox point in an area where part of Green Jacket Shoal has been removed.
Restrictions
No restrictions to berthing/unberthing.
Newport Bridge: Maximum safe clearance 60m HAT.
Tugs
Available throughout 24 hours by agreement. Vessels should request tugs at least 4 hours in advance.
To order tugs, contact Providence Tug Boats, Tel: +1 401 331 1930.
Usually 2 tugs are required for arrival and either 1 or 2 tugs are required for departure, this varies with weather conditions.
Charts and publications
BA 2731, 2890. Admiralty Pilot NP68, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
VHF: Pilots: Ch 07A.
Tugs: Ch 07A, 10, 13, 16, 18A
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
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 Jun 2017Repairs
Available for minor hull, machinery and electrical repairs.
Dry docks
No facilities for drydocking large vessels.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by barge.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Rhode Island Hospital, 2km.
Transport
Nearest airport: T F Greene Airport, Warwick, also known as Providence, 10km.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0830-1630hrs. Overtime available.
About Providence
updated Sep 2017Where it is
Providence, Rhode Island, is situated at the head of Narrangansett Bay, 23nm from the open sea and also includes the terminal at Quonsett/Davisville, also known as North Kingstown, which is located approx 8nm from the sea buoy.
The port
The port of Providence is comprised of many terminals. One of which is the privately owned marine terminal known as ProvPort, which occupies 42ha along the Providence River. Its facilities include an "on-dock" rail system with three rail spurs, 8ha of open lay down area and 27,870m² of enclosed warehouse space. Primary imports at the terminal include petroleum, asphalt, cement, LPG, coal, aluminium oxide, project/heavy cargoes and salt. Primary exports include scrap metals, automobiles and project/heavy cargoes.
Traffic
Approx 3,500,000t of cargo annually.
Questions about Providence
What are the pilot arrangements at Providence?
Compulsory for foreign going vessels and US vessels under register when entering and departing from Narragansett Bay and all ports in the State of Rhode Island.
What time zone is Providence in?
Local time at Providence is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Providence?
The deepest berth listed is at Sims Metal Management Terminal: 11.89 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Providence?
1012-1016.
Which load line zone is Providence in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Providence?
Port State Control at Providence: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Providence?
The UN/LOCODE of Providence is USPVD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Providence 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.
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.