Puerto Barrios

1. Puerto Barrios boarding position A Pilot boards15°56.9′N 088°39.9′W
2. Puerto Barrios boarding position B Pilot boards15°48.5′N 088°37.0′W
3. Puerto Barrios boarding position C Pilot boards15°46.3′N 088°37.1′W

Size limits

LOA 225.73m, Beam 32.26m, 63,495DWT, Draught 12m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.

Tides

Range 0.3m.

Currents: Off the pier the outgoing current sets NW at 0.4kts, very occasionally reaching over 2kts. The ingoing current sets SE at 0.2-0.6kts.

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

Approach

The approach is from the N, passing through Bahia de Amatique and the entrance to Bahia de Santo Tomas de Castilla. Both Puerto Barrios and Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla use the same approach channel, which is entered from the vicinity of the Safe Water Lightbuoy in position 15°48.0'N 088°36.0'W.

Directions for entering harbour: Entrance channel: From a position in the vicinity of the safe water lightbuoy (15°48.0'N 088°36.0'W) the alignment (189.5°) of Puerto Santo Tomas Leading Lights leads through the centre of the entrance channel:

Front light (red triangular mark on metal framework tower) (15°41.6'N 088°37.2'W), visible on leading line only.

Rear light (red triangular mark on metal framework tower) (347m S of the front light), visible on leading line only.

Useful marks: Bajo Villedo Light (15°45.3'N 088°37.0'W).

Muelle de Puerto Barrios Head Light (15°44.1'N 088°36.7'W).

Anchorages

Anchorage is available SSW of the pier at depths of 5.6 to 7.5m while the holding ground is poor, however it is prohibited North of the pier due to inbound traffic.

Restrictions

Normally entry is permitted only in daylight, but can be arranged at night given sufficient notice. Departure is permitted at any time. A wreck lies 1.9 miles S of the terminal and is marked by a lighted buoy.

Tugs

Compulsory.

Charts and publications

BA 2988, 1573. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent with vessel's appointment, usually 10/15 days prior to arrival, to the vessel's agent. Further ETA's to be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival. In addition to arrival date and time the message should include the vessel's arrival draughts.

Communications

Inmarsat communication with the port is not yet possible.

VHF: Traffic Control Tower: Ch 16 (stand-by), Ch 12.

Presersa Port Agent: Ch 07A (stand-by).

Port Tel: 502-792-01500

Pilot VHF channels 12 or 16, Tel: 502-794-83283

Standard messages

Vessles sound three long blasts on the whistle/siren to request board officials aboard, if quarantine flag is taken down only one blast on the whistle/siren must be sound. On arrival at the terminal, two long blasts must be sound and then two long blasts and two short blasts on the whistle/sound when berthed alongside.

Notice of readiness

Usually tendered on dropping anchor in an anchorage zone.

Documents

The above are required by the Port Authorities and may be completed on the ship's own forms.

Health

The Quarantine officer boards either at the anchorage area or alongside the wharf as required, throughout the day.

Customs and immigration

There are no Customs restrictions for personal items for crew and officers. Such items should be duly declared in the Crew Personal Effects List. Non compliance may result in a fine.

Immigration: Crew and Passenger Lists required, Shore passes issued by agency/Customs and are Immigration approved.

Flags

Should be displayed as per Interco. Fines may be payable for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

The Drug Enforcement Agency may, at their sole discretion, request permission from the ship's Master/agent to carry out a sniffer dog inspection of the ship.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y Vivienda.

Address: 8 Avenida y 15 Calle, Zona 13, Ciudad de Guatamala, Guatamala

Tel: +502 362 6051

Fax: +502 362 6066

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker.

Medical

Nta Sta de Fatima Hospital, 1.2km.

Crew change

Available with advance notice to agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Puerto Barrios Airport, domestic flights, 2.1km.

Nearest railway: National railway network for connection to capital city.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours if required.

Where it is

Puerto Barrios is situated at the eastern side of the entrance to Santo Tomas Bay, in the Bay of Amatique at the head of the Caribbean Gulf of Honduras.

The port

The port has one pier with 3 berths and has facilities for handling containers, bananas, grain, fertilisers and oil.

Traffic

Approx 5,000,000 cargo, 575,000TEU containers and 600 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Puerto Barrios?

The pilot boards at Puerto Barrios boarding position A, 15°56.9′N 088°39.9′W. Puerto Barrios has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Puerto Barrios in?

Local time at Puerto Barrios is UTC−6. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Puerto Barrios?

The deepest berth listed is at Terminal Ferroviaria Puerto Barrios: 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Puerto Barrios?

1025.

Which load line zone is Puerto Barrios in?

North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Puerto Barrios?

The UN/LOCODE of Puerto Barrios is GTPBR.

What crews who called at Puerto Barrios 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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