Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente

Size limits

LOA 120m, beam 16.5m, draught 6.5m, 6,334DWT.

Water density

1010.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Springs 5.7m, neaps 3.1m.

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

Approach

La Charente estuary: Initial position (46°00.5'N 001°12.0'W) in Rade de l'Ile d'Aix.

Forte la Pointe Leading Lights: Front light (white square tower, red top; 9m in height) (45°58.0'N 001°04.3'W).

Rear Light (white square tower, red top; 23m in height) (600m ESE of front light).

The alignment (115°) of these lights, which passes close NNE of two dish-shaped radar antennae (3.5nm ESE of rear light), leads ESE into the estuary to a position 1.75nm WNW of the front light, passing (positions given from front light):

Through an area (2nm-6.5 WNW), extending 0.15nm each side of the alignment, that has been systematically examined for obstructions with side-scan sonar and:

NNE of Les Palles Lightbuoy (N cardinal) (4.0nm WNW) moored 0.07nm N of a wreck that has dried 2.7m, then:

NNE of Sabliere Buoy (starboard hand) (2.5nm WNW) moored near the outer edge of the shallowest part of the bar (controlling depth 0.5m).

Port-des-Barques Leading Lights:

Front Light (white square tower 6m in height) (45°57.0'N 001°04.0'W).

Rear Light (white square tower, black band on W side; 16m in height) (480m SE of front light).

The alignment (134.5°) of these lights then leads SE into the river entrance to a position 0.4nm NW of the front mark and 0.1nm NE of the beacon (starboard hand) marking the head of a jetty at Port-des-Barques, passing (positions given from front light):

Close NE of Fontenelles Buoy (starboard hand) (2.25nm NW) marking a drying mud bank extending NW from Les Fontenelles, drying ledges, then:

Close NE of Moucliere Buoy (starboard hand) (2.0nm NW) marking Grave de la Moucliere, a continuation SE of the drying ledge, then:

Close NE of a patch that dries 0.4m (1.75nm NW) where there are greater charted depths approx 0.1nm NE of the alignment.

La Charente River: From the vicinity of Port-des-Barques Jetty to Traverse de Soubise (45°56.0'N 001°00.0'W), the fairway is indicated by a continuous series of charted alignments lettered in reverse alphabetical sequence from "T" to "F". Each alignment is marked by one or two pairs of leading beacons consisting of a tall white post surmounted by the appropriate letter painted black and enclosed within a white circular frame. Beacons common to two alignments bear both letters.

From Traverse de Soubise to Martrou (45°55.0'N 000°57.5'W), the fairway narrows but is unmarked except by alignment "E" where it crosses to the S bank.

This section passes:

Between the ferry landings at Soubise (45°56.0'N 001°00.0'W), then beneath the Martrou Bridge.

Then the fairway through Traverse de l'Avant-Garde is indicated by the alignments "C", "B" and "A". The final section passing Rochefort and then to Tonnay-Charente is unmarked.

The axis of Richefort Bassin No 3 is angled obliquely to that of the channel in the river outside; vessels enter directly without swinging ship. If entry or departure is not made at HW slack it can only be carried out heading into the tidal stream in the river. Vessels more than LOA 100m enter at the beginning of the out-going tidal stream rather than at HW slack.

La Charente: Vessels are swung by grounding their bows in the mud of the swinging berth on the S bank and using their main engines. Vessels more than 95m in length are unloaded before being swung.

Port limits

The port limits are: Downstream: Long 001°00.1'W, at Pointe de la Sabliere (Lat 45°58.3'N). Upstream: Long 000°53.5'W.

Anchorages

1nm SE from Chauveau Lightbuoy (46°05.6'N 001°16.0'W) (in waiting area).

Vessels at the waiting anchorage should advise the pilot station on arrival and maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch16 and 12.

Restrictions

Day and night berthing/unberthing permitted, including the movement of dangerous and polluting cargoes.

The Rochefort Basin No 3 is accessible from approx 3 hours before to 3 hours after HW for vessels under LOA 90m.

The lock is open 1 hour before to 1 hour after HW for vessels of more than LOA 90m. Maximum beam allowed to enter the lock is 165m. Max size for Rochefort and Tonnay-Charente is 115m, up to 120m at discretion of the pilot.

Inside the river the maximum speed allowed is 12kts and 10kts when approaching Martrou Bridge.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 2747, French 4333, 6333, 7415. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA should be given 24 hours prior to arrival or on departure from last port of call to the Harbour Office, Tel and Fax: +33 5 46 99 44 93, or via vessel's agent. Draught, IMO number and dangerous cargo list must be included.

Communications

Bordeaux Arcachon Radio, St Nazaire Radio and Inmarsat satellite to be used.

VHF: Pilots & Port; Ch 16, 12. Harbour Master's Office available during office hours, pilots 24 hours.

Port operation and marketing:

Tel: +(33) (0) 5 46 99 58 69

Fax: +(33) (0) 5 46 99 58 73

Email: [email protected]

Harbor Master Office:

Tel: +(33) (0) 5 46 99 44 93

Fax: +(33) (0) 5 46 88 25 31

VHF: Ch 12

Email: [email protected]

Piloting of La Rochelle Charente:

Tel: +(33) (0) 5 46 42 63 05

Fax: +(33) (0) 5 46 42 26 96

VHF: Ch 12 and 16

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.larochelle-charentepilot.com

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered at the berth, Mon-Fri from 0900-1200hrs and 1400-1800hrs.

Documents

Cargo documentation: Presented onboard at completion.

Health

Request for pratique to be made on arrival at the berth.

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates is possible.

Customs and immigration

Customs Office: Douanes Francaise, Bassin No 3, F-17306 Rochefort.

Customs allowances: For each crew member 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits. Heavy fines will be incurred for non compliance of these allowances.

Visa is required for non EC citizens, who wish to join or leave the vessel. All passengers to be declared separate from crew.

Notices and regulations

Grain statement, in case of loading grain and a port declaration upon arrival.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Only minor repairs are allowed at Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente harbour. The main repairs must be carried out at La Pallice harbour.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at every berth except the 3 river waiting berths of Tonnay-Charente.

Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers are available at every berth by road tanker from La Pallice. Bunker operations are subject to Harbour Master's authorisation.

Medical

Rochefort Hospital, Tel: +33 5 46 82 20 20.

Crew change

Possible with the Immigration authorities agreement.

Transport

Nearest airport: Rochefort Saint-Agnant airport (6km) with direct flights to Paris, Bordeaux, Marseilles, etc, available every day. La Rochelle (56km).

Airport facilities: Domestic connections only.

Nearest railway: Rochefort Railway station has connections to all the main French towns with frequent daytime services to La Rochelle. There are high speed train connections at La Rochelle (3 hours from Paris).

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs and 1400-1800hrs. Overtime available on Saturday morning. Tonnay-Charente silo and elevator: Mon-Sat 0515-1300hrs and 1300-2045hrs. Weekend, Fri 1800hrs to Mon 0800hrs.

Where it is

Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente are located on the W coast of France, on the right bank of the Charente River approx 15nm SE of Ile d'Aix. Tonnay-Charente is located 3nm above Rochefort.

The port

The port handles timber, cereals, coal, sands, liquid cargo, breakbulk and dry bulk.

Traffic

Approx 838,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente?

Compulsory. The Pilot boards 1nm S of Chauveau Lightbuoy (46°05.6'N 001°16.0'W).

What time zone is Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente in?

Local time at Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente?

The deepest berth listed is at Rochefort Terminal: 6.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente?

1010.

Which load line zone is Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente 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 Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente?

Port State Control at Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente?

The UN/LOCODE of Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente is FRRCO.

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