San Carlos

Size limits

The vessel handled (MIGUEL HIDALGO II) LOA 183m, and DWT 46,900GT

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

Variable. Mean spring range 1.7m; mean neap range 0.5m. Tidal streams in the channel can reach 3kts.

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

Approach

Puerto San Carlos is approached through Canal de Puerto San Carlos, which is a narrow channel with a minimum width of 180m. The least depth of the fairway is approx 9.14m, length 12nm.

There are a total of 29 buoys, 14 red, 12 green and 3 white flashing buoys in Magdalena Bay.

The entrance to the channel is located between Punta Entrada and Punta Redonda, changing course to 338°, the entrance buoy of the channel is 6.5nm, then continuing through the channel to arrive at the cargo dock, with a depth of 12.1m alongside.

Caution: The buoys in the channel may be moved to align with changes in channel depths.

Port limits

Extend N from the parallel of the Fairway Light Buoy, (24°38.5'N 112°05.2'W).

Anchorages

Anchorage on arrival may be obtained close SW of the fairway lightbuoy (safe water) (24°38.5'N 112°05.2'W). Anchorage with good holding may be obtained off the berths in depths of 6.0 to 10m, sand. Vessels awaiting a pilot anchor in the anchorage triangle, between the arrival white buoy, Punta Belcher and Lat 24°36.42'N.

Cargo vessels anchor in an area 1nm SE of the arrival buoy.

Tugs

Not available.

Charts and publications

BA 4812, 1028. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(7).

Communications

The following coastal radio stations are recommended:

West coast Mexico: International station and Mobile Radio (USA).

East coast Mexico: Mobile, Alabama Radio.

The stations work throughout 24 hours.

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: Ch 16 is used to contact the port on arrival.

Telephone: +52(01)612 1360198

Contact Information for the following:

Pilots:

Tel: +52 612 1360542

Email: [email protected]

Port Authority:

Tel: +52 612 1236500

Fax: +52 612 1236500

Email: [email protected]

Notice of readiness

Tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Documents

Documents are received by the Harbour Master, Health Inspector, Immigration Authorities, Customs Authorities, Agricultural Inspector. There are no special forms for completion.

Health

Pratique will be granted by the Port Authorities once they arrive onboard 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

Where it is

San Carlos is located on the SW coast of the Lower California Peninsula, 266km NW from La Paz.

The port

San Carlos is a small port, also able to accommodate cruise ships. Cargo handled ranges from grain exports to fish and chemical imports (for use in the production of fertiliser). There is also a tanker berth for the electricity supplier.

What are the pilot arrangements at San Carlos?

Compulsory and available 0800-1800hrs (local time) and in daylight only.

What time zone is San Carlos in?

Local time at San Carlos is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at San Carlos?

The deepest berth listed is at Federal Commission of Electricity: 10.66 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is San Carlos 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 San Carlos?

Port State Control at San Carlos: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of San Carlos?

The UN/LOCODE of San Carlos is MXSCR.

What crews who called at San Carlos 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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