Rimouski

Size limits

Draught 7.3m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 4.8m (MWL).

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

Approach

A dredged channel, from the NW, with a depth of 5.2m, width 60m and length of 1,500m marked by flashing lights and buoys leads in from deep water to the wharves.

The directions for entering Rimouski harbour are as follows:

The initial position is 2.0nm W of Pointe au Pere Light.

Leading lights: Stand near the shore, S of the berths.

Front light (orange trapezium daymark, black stripe, on a square framework tower, 11m in height; Racon), 48°28'N 068°31'W.

Rear light (similar daymark, inverted and tower, 18m in height), 731m S of the front light.

The lights are visible on the leading line only.

The alignment (178.5°) of these lights leads through Rade de Rimouski, then through the buoyed and dredged channel to the berths.

Entering the harbour:

Leading Lights stand near the shore, S of the berths.

Front light (orange trapezium, black stripe on square framework tower 11m in

height), Racon (48°28'N 068°31'W)

Rear light (similar construction, inverted and tower, 18m in height) 701m from the front light.

The lights are visible on the leading line only.

From a position approx 1.8nm W of Pointe au Pere Light the alignment (178.5°) of these lights lead through Rade de Rimouski, then through the buoyed and dredged channel to the berths. The entrance channel has a least depth of 4.3m. Care should be exercised in the approach as these depths may be less than charted.

Approach from the West: Round the NE end of the Ile Saint-Barnabe when the head of the NE jetty is in line with the inner end. At night it is advisable to bring the rear leading light E of the front light before shaping course for the dredged channel.

Caution: Master should be aware that several red and white lights are shown during operations at Rimouski airport. These lights are visible from the river and should not be confused with navigational aids on the waterway.

Port limits

Covers an area from 8.6nm W to 4.3nm NNW

Anchorages

Anchorage can be taken in Rimouski Roads N of the piers. The best anchorage, is a depth of 8m, lies with Rimouski light, situated on the outer end of the East Pier, hearing 177°, distant 1 mile. To obtain better shelter from W winds, small vessels can anchor, in depths of less than 5m, with Rimouski Light baring 129°, distant 0.75 mile

Restrictions

The access channel, basin and berth Nos 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 require maintenance dredging every two years to keep clearance at required levels.

Tugs

Available.

Mooring

Care should be taken when berthing not to allow the vessel to pass W of the line of the W jetty, as that side of the dredged channel is edged with shallow flats and boulders.

Charts and publications

BA 307, 310. Can 1236. Admiralty Pilot NP65.

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 only.

Dry docks

Drydock at Les Mechins, 112km E of Rimouski.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Diesel and fuel lines available on the W jetty or by road tanker.

Provisions: Available by ship's chandlers in moderate.

Medical

Hospital in Rimouski.

Transport

Nearest airport: Rimouski 1km SE of the wharves.

Nearest railway: Rimouski is connected to the railway system.

Nearest Highway: Highway 132 is located nearby.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs, overtime as required.

Where it is

Rimouski is situated on the S bank of the St Lawrence River opposite Matane (on the N bank).

The port

The port is situated 2.4km from the town of Rimouski. The harbour is used to tranship softwood destined for local saw mills and for handling bulk salt and sand. There is a small amount of container traffic. It is also a departure point for general cargo for the Lower North Shore.

There is year round navigation. Occasionally the assistance of icebreakers may be required. Berths 1 to 5 are operated by the Port of Rimouski for Quebec Port Terminals Inc. Many fishing boats use the inner spur wharf to land their catches and load supplies.

What are the pilot arrangements at Rimouski?

Not compulsory but available.

What time zone is Rimouski in?

Local time at Rimouski is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Rimouski?

1025.

Which load line zone is Rimouski in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Rimouski?

Port State Control at Rimouski: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Rimouski?

The UN/LOCODE of Rimouski is CARIM.

What crews who called at Rimouski 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.

Read and add tips for Rimouski →