Puerto Vallarta

Size limits

Port max draught: 8.9m.

Largest vessel handled: "Star Princess", 108,977GT, LOA 290m.

Water density

1024.

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 1.0m.

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

Approach

There is a breakwater on the North side of the harbour entrance, 160m in length. The harbour entrance is approx 183m wide at its narrowest point, with a maintained depth of 12.0m.

A series of red and green buoys mark the entrance channel.

There are leading lights. Red and white framework towers with white rectangular topmarks. Front tower (Dir Fl(1).WRG, 35m high, visible from up to 9.0nm). Back tower (Iso(1).W.2s, 17m high, visible from 10.0nm). When in line on a bearing of 055° (235°), they lead through the entrance channel to a least depth of 10.4m.

Note the leading towers and lights may be difficult to distinguish at first light and in daylight, and should not be confused with two red and white lattice radio masts, each marked by a red obstruction light, standing close NW of the leading lights.

A turning area, diameter approx 300m, is located in the middle of the harbour. A second pair of leading lights (metal structures), in line bearing 90°(270°), are used for swinging in the middle of the harbour. A Racon transmits from the Port Administration building.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic schemes have not been adopted.

Anchorages

Depths in this vicinity may be unreliable due to constant shifting nature of the bottom.

There are a number of sheltered anchorages situated out from the breakwaters.

Two of these are the West Anchorage (located approx 1.0nm West of the Breakwater and 0.5nm out from the shore) and East Anchorage (approx 0.5nm SW of the Eastern side of the harbour entrance).

Restrictions

A Spoil Ground is located spreading 250m along the shoreline, West of the West Breakwater.

Tugs

Not available.

Charts and publications

BA 1027. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).

US 21338, 21017. US Sailing Directions No 153.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA to be advised to agent 24 hours prior to arrival. ETA message to include: ETA, draught, LOA and ETD.

Notice of readiness

Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Health

Pratique will be granted by the Port Authorities once they arrive on board the vessel. Free pratique is not granted by radio.

Vessels arriving from South America have to be fumigated.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances for officers and crew do not exist for personal possessions which must be kept onboard. Penalties for non-compliance will result in confiscation of the goods and fines.

Immigration: Formalities depend on the nationality of the crew. Nationalities that are not restricted in Mexico can proceed ashore provided they have a shore pass which can be issued by the port agent upon request of the Master. Joining and off signing crew members have to be declared 24 hours prior to the time and date of arrival/departure.

Vessel is cleared on arrival and departure.

Notices and regulations

Cargo documents have to be in the port in order for the vessel to be programmed.

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: Director General for Merchant Navy/Office of National Protection of Maritime Ports.

Position: Director General for Merchant Navy

Address: Avenida Nuevo Leon 210, 3rd Floor, Colonia Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Piso Deleg. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F.

Tel: +52 55 5265 3216.

Fax: +52 55 5265 3215.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.sct.gob.mx/e-mar

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

Repairs

Not available.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by pipeline.

Medical

Available.

Crew change

Possible through agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport, 2.7km North (Code PVR).

Working hours

Normally throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Puerto Vallarta is situated at the mouth of the Cuale River, in Banderas Bay, on the Pacific coast.

The port

The only berths available are for cruise liners. There are no alongside facilities for handling cargo.

Traffic

Approx 142 vessels and 327,028 passengers visit the port annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Puerto Vallarta?

Compulsory. Available throughout 24 hours.

What time zone is Puerto Vallarta in?

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

What is the water density at Puerto Vallarta?

1024.

Which load line zone is Puerto Vallarta 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.

Who carries out Port State Control at Puerto Vallarta?

Port State Control at Puerto Vallarta: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Puerto Vallarta?

The UN/LOCODE of Puerto Vallarta is MXPVR.

What crews who called at Puerto Vallarta 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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