Puerto La Cruz

Size limits

Max LOA 289.56m, beam 49.07m, draught 16.76m, 120,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 0.3m.

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

Approach

The entrance to Pozuelos Bay is located at 10°18.3'N 064°41.1'W. The depth in the entrance channel is 9.0m, and the exit channel has a depth of 18.0m.

Bahia Bergantin is entered between Punta Bergantin (10°15'N 064°38'W) and Punta Guaraguao 0.8nm SSW. It is well sheltered and vessels of up to 304m in length can turn round in the bay.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A Vessel Traffic Service Scheme, with radar surveillance, is maintained for the control of shipping. The system provides coverage from Bahia Bergantin to Puerto Jose (10°06.0'N 064°52.0'W).

Restrictions

Submarine cables: A submarine cable is laid across the N entrance to Bahia de Pozuelos.

Tugs

Compulsory. There are 2 x 3,000hp and 2 x 4,000hp tugs available. A minimum of two are required for berthing/unberthing. For vessels over 110,000DWT 4 tugs are required by the terminal.

Mooring

In accordance with terminal regulations it is compulsory to wait for the official pilot and tugs at the anchorage zone. Vessels must not continue towards Buoy No 2 without pilot onboard and/or tugs secured. Towage service is governed by the Standard Towage Conditions. Vessel must comply with MARPOL Regulation 13; in respect of propeller being 100% immersed and trim according to the same rule.

There is a max depth of 10m at the entrance channel (S of Burro Island). Buoy No 5 is located at the position of 9.0m depth. If there is a vessel alongside Jetty No 7, 9.0m will be the max arrival draught allowed, otherwise the exit channel is used as the entrance channel.

Vessels may berth at this facility starboard or port side to according to the Port Manoeuvre Guide guidelines. The terminal has 7 berths. Port side manoeuvres to Jetties No 3, 6 and 7 should be possible if prevailing weather allows.

During docking manoeuvres to jetties equipped with cargo loading arms as cargo system, a vessel, while approaching the jetty, must align its manifold to the shore cargo system in order to prevent striking the loading platform. Therefore, Master should place vessel's pumpman near cargo manifold to advise him and shore Loading Master accordingly. This is especially so at Jetty No 7 as it requires a vessels longest parallel body length.

During undocking manoeuvre from Jetty No 7, with vessel berthed starboard side to; tugs must remain secured until vessel leaves Bergantin Bay.

While alongside berth, the following rules must be followed:

Master must ensure that all moorings are properly tended during cargo operations and sufficient personnel are onboard at all times.

Tension winches must be kept in manual break mode and all wires and lines must be in good condition.

Should any hazard occur when another vessel is docking/undocking or there is any movement of the vessel while moored at this facility then transfer operations will stop temporarily.

The permitted draught for each jetty should be requested from the PDVSA Marine representative.

Ship/shore access: Vessels at Berths No 1, 2, 3 and 6 are responsible for maintaining a safe gangway between the ship and shore throughout the transfer operations. Gangway safety net must be fitted.

Manning/vacating berth: The vessel is required to maintain engines, vessel trim and stability and manning levels to deal with cargo operations and be able to vacate the berth at short notice and/or in case of emergency.

Vessels for Berth No 6 (El Chaure) always berth starboard side alongside unless instructed differently.

Charts and publications

BA 230, 1498, 1966, 2191. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent 72 hours prior to vessels arrival to agent. Additional ETA's to be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival or if a difference in ETA of more than 6 hours occurs after the last ETA message.

ETA message should include the following information: ETA at pilot station, Master's name, last port, ballast condition, last 3 cargoes, arrival/departure draught and arrival/sailing displacement.

Communications

It is recommended that Mobile Radio, Curacao Radio, Portishead Radio or Maritex be used for passing messages. Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Ch 16 and 12.

Communications: In case of any transfer operation requirements the vessel may contact the terminal representative via the jetty duty operator or otherwise by VHF Ch 10 or 16. If at any time communications fail, all transfer operations must be discontinued until they are restored.

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered in accordance with the Charter Party. The normal place for tendering NOR is on arrival at the anchorage or all fast at the berth.

Documents

Customs and Harbour Master's clearance are prepared and delivered onboard by the agent prior to vessel's departure.

Cargo documents such as Bills of Lading, Quality and Quantity Certificates, Certificates of Origin, etc are prepared/released by terminal operators. These documents are presented to the Master prior to departure for his signature.

Health

Pratique and Customs clearance can only be granted on arrival either at anchorage or on completion of berthing.

Vessels coming from ports which have cholera will not be allowed to deballast overboard. A sanitary inspection is performed at the pilot station prior to entering port.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: An allowance is made for approx 5 days of cigarettes and alcohol out of bond. The bond is sealed after the vessel's clearance. Additional allowances may be made on request to the Customs authorities. Bonded items are not allowed to be taken ashore. Penalty is confiscation and a possible fine.

Immigration: Issue shore passes that are valid for 72 hours.

Flags

The national flag of Venezuela should be displayed in port. Vessels not complying will receive orders from the National Guard to stop cargo operations. A written report will be requested prior to cargo operations recommencing.

Notices and regulations

Water ballast exchange must be conducted prior to arrival. When conducting an exchange of ballast water, ships should aim to be at least 200 nautical miles, and no less than 50nm from land and at a depth of at least 200 meters.

Piracy: There has been cases of armed robbery in Puerto La Cruz.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuaticos.

Position: Gerente de Puertos.

Address: Av Rio Orinoco, Urb Las Mercedes, EDF Inea Piso 3, Caracas, Venezuela.

Tel: +58 212 909 1540

Fax: +58 212 909 1540

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.inea.gob.ve

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

ISPS Compliance: The US Coast Guard has reported that a vessel arriving at US ports in one of its five subsequent calls from ports in Venezuela will be subject to increased attention and are more likely to be boarded and inspected due to their country's failure to maintain effective anti terrorism measures. To ensure compliance with USCG regulations masters must increase vessel security to equivalent of Marsec Level 2 standards while in Venezuelan ports.

Repairs

Some repairs available.

Repairs/Inspection and tests: No hot work is to be performed during vessels stay alongside. No inspections or tests are to be conducted without the approval of the Terminal Manager nor disable any safety or operational equipment or interfere with the duties of the officer in charge of cargo operations. No engine repairs may be undertaken that would at any time impair the vessels readiness to sail.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Fresh water available at all berths. Loading rate approx 4-10tph.

Bunkering: All grades are available.

Medical

PDVSA Industrial Clinic Puerto La , 4.5km.

Transport

Nearest airports: Barcelona, 16km; Valencia 32km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Puerto La Cruz is situated on the SE shore of Bahia de Pozuelos and includes the oil terminals at Guaraguao, El Chaure and Los Cocos in the Bahia Bergantin, which belongs to Mochima National Park.

The port

The oil terminals are controlled from the port office and Customs house in Ciudad de Puerto La Cruz. The Guaraguao Terminal consists of 7 oil berths. El Chaure Terminal is considered to be Berth No 6 and Los Cocos Berth No 7. They are operated by PDVSA Petroleo and Gas SA.

What are the pilot arrangements at Puerto La Cruz?

Compulsory. Vessels requiring a pilot should give 48 and 24 hours notice of ETA through Puerto La Guaira coast radio station.

What time zone is Puerto La Cruz in?

Local time at Puerto La Cruz is UTC−4. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Puerto La Cruz?

The deepest berth listed is at Guaraguao Maritime Terminal: 16.76 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Puerto La Cruz?

1025.

Which load line zone is Puerto La Cruz in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Puerto La Cruz?

The UN/LOCODE of Puerto La Cruz is VEPCZ.

What crews who called at Puerto La Cruz 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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