Rio Gallegos

Size limits

80,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Tides

Range 9.01m.

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

Approach

Access to the port is via the North Channel, marked by leading lights, as the entrance via the South Channel is suspended.

Anchorages

Anchorage can be located approx 8nm NE of Branco Light Beacon, (51°33'S 068°47'W). Note: Areas of foul ground exist.

Tugs

Available, but not compulsory.

Mooring

Berthing: Vessels should enter the harbour during the last of the ingoing tidal stream, to arrive at the berth at or near HW. Off the town, HW occurs approx 20 min after Punta Loyola.

Berthing priority is granted to vessels in order of arrival.

Charts and publications

BA 3813. Admiralty Pilot NP6, NP286(7).

Communications

Note: As soon as a call from a ship is detected, on any frequency, the auto scanner system will stop and will establish contact. The station will then return to the main scanning loop.

The ship must wait for the message and then change over signal to send traffic. The first row of the message must start with the telex number and the message must end with KKKK. The ship will then receive the time to be charged for the contact. It is then ready to send a new message or return to stand by mode.

VHF: Ch 16, 09, 12, 14 and 15.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.

This is alongside if berth is free on arrival or on anchoring in the port roads if berth is occupied or if charterer, for any reason, does not accept vessel alongside.

If loading at more than one port, NOR should be presented at first loading port only, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Charter Party or contract; notwithstanding that the Master is obliged to keep agents/charterers well informed of progress and position whilst shifting between ports.

Documents

An additional copy of all the above, except Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards, should be made for the Master to keep on file in case they are required.

Note: CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, CG = Prefectura (Coastguard), PH = Sanidad (Port Health), AG = Agent, FP = Federal Police.

Prefectura (Coastguard) Declaration, Immigration Declaration and Customs Declarations are all presented to the Master, on special forms, for his signature by the attending agent and officials.

Cargo Manifests or In Ballast Declaration: Cargo Manifests or a Ballast Manifest have to be presented on arrival but these are normally dealt with, on behalf of the Master, by the agent. In the case of Buenos Aires, a computerised Manifest for all ports of call is transmitted directly from the agent's office to the Customs House, the "Maria" system being used.

In all other cases, an indexed manifest, in the prescribed form, is presented to the Customs Officer attending the vessel on arrival. Notwithstanding the above, at outside ports the Master is also required to present up to 4 manifests on arrival. This usually refers to vessels carrying bulk cargoes such as fertilisers.

Health

Pratique should be applied for at least 3 working days prior to arrival. The pratique message can be passed to the ship's agent by telex of fax for onward transmission to the Port Health Authorities.

Free pratique is only granted after Sanidad (Port Health) officer attends on arrival. This visit does not normally prevent the commencement of cargo operations.

Cholera: The salient points of Ministry of Health and Social Security regulation No 1333 of 1.12.92, affecting vessels arriving, are in Country section.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates: To obtain a new Ship Sanitation Control Certificate with fumigation, a minimum of 30 hours is required.

If Ship Sanitation Control Certificate expires on route, or is due to expire within a few days, exemptions for 6 months can be obtained if applied for between 0700 to 1300hrs, Mon to Fri. Outside these times, Port Health will grant an extension for 30 days.

The Port Health Authority can be contacted via Tel: +54 966 22306.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The daily allowance is 40 cigarettes and 0.25 bottle of spirits. For non compliance a fine of from 1-5 times the value of the goods plus duties on any extra cigarettes/spirits above the given limit.

Immigration: An Immigration Officer attends onboard to stamp Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards. The crew require an Argentine Shore Pass (fichas) on which appear a thumb print and photograph as well as personal details. If they are not already onboard they are prepared on the vessel's entry. A photographer can attend onboard. The Master, in the ETA message, should state the number of crew members requiring shore passes. Passengers require passports and landing cards.

There are no restrictions for either crew or passengers to proceed ashore with the above mentioned documents.

The Immigration Dept can be contacted via Tel: +54 966 20205, Customs Dept, Tel: +54 966 26690.

Flags

The national flag of Argentina is to be flown from the highest point on the vessel from sunrise to sunset. Fine for non compliance is an unspecified amount.

It is important to fly the "Q" flag on entering port until free pratique is granted by the Port Health officer attending onboard. Fine for non compliance is possible.

Notices and regulations

Transmission of all SECOSENA messages is via MF or HF radio.

Certificates of Competency: The Coastguard (PNA) have recently been asking to see all deck, engine and radio officers Certificates of Competency. They must be valid and acceptable to the country under whose flag the vessel is registered. This refers in particular to vessels sailing under flags of convenience.

There are at present temporary port authority regulations regarding the LOA, draughts, night time sailing and the non use of the South Channel until such time as the buoyage system is improved.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Prefectura Naval Argentina.

Contact person: General Prefect, Prefecto Nacional Naval.

Address: Av Eduardo Madero 235, piso 2, 1106 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tel: +54 11 4318 7521/7522/7523

Fax: +54 11 4314 0317.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www. prefecturanaval.gov.ar

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

Repairs

Radio equipment service is available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: MDO/MGO can be obtained locally for delivery by road tanker to Illia Berth, prior notice of 2 working days is required.

Medical

There is a modern public hospital and 4 private clinics available in the area.

Transport

Nearest airport: Rio Gallegos.

Nearest railway: Punta Arenas, Chile.

Working hours

Mon to Fri 0700 to 1300hrs and 1300 to 1900hrs, Sat 0700 to 1300hrs, overtime is available.

Where it is

Rio Gallegos is the capital of the Santa Cruz Province. It is situated in the mouth of the River Gallegos.

The port

The port of Rio Gallegos consists of wharves which handle coal, general cargo and domestic vessels.

Traffic

Approx 15 vessels visit the port annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Rio Gallegos?

Pilotage is compulsory.

What time zone is Rio Gallegos in?

Local time at Rio Gallegos is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the water density at Rio Gallegos?

1025.

Which load line zone is Rio Gallegos in?

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Rio Gallegos?

The UN/LOCODE of Rio Gallegos is ARRGL.

What crews who called at Rio Gallegos 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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