PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
San Juan
Pilot
updated Aug 2017- San Juan Bay Pilot boards18°31.3′N 066°07.6′W
Pilotage is available day and night and is compulsory for all vessels of foreign registry, American flag vessels bound to or arriving at foreign ports and American flag vessels not having onboard a deck officer duly licensed as harbour pilot for Puerto Rico waters. The Maritime Traffic Control Station at Isla de Cabras is manned round the clock for radio communication with incoming and outgoing vessels.
Transiting vessels can communicate with the pilot station through Ch 16, 14.
Pilotage should be arranged through the agents at least 24 hours in advance. If arrangements have not been made a minimum of 2 hours notice is required.
Pilots usually board from a small motorboat (black with a white top and the word "Pilot" or the letter "P" in white on both sides of the bow) approx 3nm N of Puerto San Juan Light (18° 28.263'N 66° 7.417'W) and vessels should not be brought within this distance until boarded. In bad weather the pilot boat may be considerably delayed by breaking seas in the entrance.
Key data
updated Jan 2020Size limits
Draught 11.8m, LOA 362.12m, beam 47.02m, 74,999DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
Tides
MHHW 0.4m, MLLW 0.0m.
Currents in San Juan Bay are always slightly W going due to the prevailing NE trade winds.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puma Energy Caribe - Bayamon Terminal | 11.80 m | 259 m | 1 |
| Puerto Nuevo | 11.58 m | 240 m | 12 |
| Puerto de Tierra Area | 9.30 m | 362 m | 7 |
| Pan American Pier Terminal I | 9.20 m | 329 m | 1 |
| Pan American Pier Terminal II | 9.00 m | 339 m | 1 |
| Crowley Marine - Isla Grande Terminal (San Juan) | 8.80 m | 220 m | 1 |
| Trailer Bridge, Inc. - Army Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Total - Guaynabo Bulk Terminal | 8.60 m | 184 m | 2 |
| Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority | 8.50 m | 229 m | 2 |
| Navy Frontier Base | 8.30 m | 200 m | 1 |
| Molinos de Puerto Rico | 7.00 m | 193 m | 2 |
| Isla Grande East Terminal | 6.20 m | 177 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jan 2020Approach
Approach from E or W should be made at least 3nm off the coast to achieve a position 4nm N of Puerto San Juan Light, from which it is safe to approach the entrance direct.
Bahia de San Juan is approached from the N and entered through a dredged channel which passes between Punta del Morro, the NE extremity of Isla San Juan, on which stands Puerto San Juan Light and Isla de Cabras (0.55nm W). The harbour entrance channel (Bar Channel), has a project depth of 17.0m and the main ship channel (Anegado Channel) a project depth of 12.8m.
There are 4 other navigable channels in the inner harbour:
Army Terminal Channel: Runs in a straight N to S direction, is approximately 1nm in length and 91m wide, with a depth of 10.9m. The channel leads into the turning basin off the Army Terminal on the S shore of the bay.
Puerto Nuevo Channel: 1nm in length and 91m wide, with an average depth of 9.7m, runs ENE'ly from the Army Terminal turning basin to the Graving Dock turning basin.
Graving Dock Channel: 1nm in length, and 91m wide, with an average mid-channel depth of 9.7m runs in a general SE'ly direction from Anegado Channel to the Graving Dock turning basin.
San Antonio Channel: 1.5nm in length and 91m wide, with an average mid-channel depth of 10.9m. This channel is bounded on the N margin by commercial piers and the Frontier Base berthing facilities and in the S by Isla Grande marginal wharf and the containership terminal facilities.
Anchorages
There is no outer anchorage in which to wait for the pilot. Anchorage is prohibited in the cable area in the entrance and inside the harbour.
The following designated anchorage areas, are positioned from Puerto San Juan Light:
Area "E" (Deep Draught Anchorage) (1.5nm SE), with a project depth of 11.0m, is a temporary anchorage for use whilst awaiting customs or quarantine clearance. The time limit is 24 hours except with a permit from the Captain of the Port. A special can Lightbuoy "B" marks the SE corner of the area and a special conical buoy "A" marks the NE corner.
Area "F" (1nm SSE), with a controlling depth of 7.9m and a least charted depth of 7.0m in the SE part, is a restricted area, which, with a permit form the Captain of the Port, may be used as an additional general anchorage when Area "E" is full. This area is also used for loading and unloading explosives not exceeding 40t. A special can buoy "A" (1.25nm SSE) marks the SW limit of the area and No 14 Lightbuoy marks the SE limit.
Area "D" (1.75nm ESE), situated, at the E end of Cano de San Antonio, with general depths of 9.0m to 11.0m, is restricted for the use of small craft.
Tugs
Use of tugs is compulsory for vessels over 8,000GT unless fitted with bow or side thrusters. Two major towage companies are operating out of the port.
Charts and publications
BA 3408, 2600. Admiralty Pilot NP71, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notice of ETA should be given at least 24 hours in advance; if not so given then minimum notice of 2 hours is required for the pilot.
Communications
A port radio station for Bahia de San Juan is situated at Isla de Cabras which is manned day and night and through which mariners should obtain permission to enter and leave the harbour. San Juan Radio transmits on 2530kHz, receives on 2134kHz and keeps watch on 2182kHz.
VHF: Call: Maritime Traffic Control Station: KRS 893. Ch 16 and 14.
Vessels should call the Signal Station when not less than 3nm N of the Sea Lightbuoy to obtain clearance to proceed inside the harbour.
Vessels outbound should obtain clearance from the Signal Station prior to leaving their berth.
Health
Contact Agriculture Office, Tel: +1 787 749 4469 for further information.
Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.
Quarantine: Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the regulations. The quarantine station is situated on Isla San Juan. Vessels are boarded in anchorage area E, 1.5nm SE of Puerto San Juan Light.
Notices and regulations
Speed limit within the harbour is 5kts.
Restricted areas: Vessels are prohibited from passing through or anchoring in restricted areas, except as may be directed by the Captain of the Port.
Navigation Rules for United States Inland Waters (Appendix 1) shall be observed in Bahia de San Juan, inside a line joining Puerto San Juan Light to Isla de Cabras Light (0.95nm WNW).
Dredgers and dredged areas: Following is a copy of the United States regulations for: "Channel leading to San Juan Harbor, P.R; use, administration, and navigation".
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Port Authority of Puerto Rico
Address: PO Box 362829, San Juan, 00936-2829, Puerto Rico.
Tel: +1 787 729 8725
Fax: +1 787 723 8217
Mob: +1 939 630 8832
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jan 2020Repairs
Major repairs of all kinds can be carried out.
Dry docks
Drydock, length 200m, width 28m, available at 18° 26.975'N 66° 5.257'W.
Patent slip (at Punta Catano 1.75nm SSE) is able to handle vessels of 1,000t with a length of 68m and draught of 5.5m.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: All kinds are available.
Medical
In San Juan, 4km from the port.
Transport
Nearest airport: Isla Grande Airport, 11km from port.
Nearest railway: Luis Munoz Marin, 20km.
Working hours
Normally 0700-1600hrs. Overtime can be arranged.
About San Juan
updated Apr 2024Where it is
San Juan is situated on the N coast of Puerto Rico, approx 30nm W of Cape San Juan, at the NE end of the island and about 60nm E of Point Borinquen, at the NW end.
The port
San Juan is the leading commercial port of Puerto Rico. San Juan Bay extends 2.6nm to the main container terminal at Puerto Nuevo (Puerto Rico). It is the only harbour on the N coast of Puerto Rico which offers protection in all weather conditions. The port has numerous berths, mostly owned and operated by Autoridad de los Puertos de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Ports Authority).
Traffic
Approx 9,000,000t of cargo, 1,400,000TEU, 1,300 vessels and 1,300,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about San Juan
Where does the pilot board at San Juan?
The pilot boards at San Juan Bay, 18°31.3′N 066°07.6′W.
What time zone is San Juan in?
Local time at San Juan is UTC−4. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at San Juan?
The deepest berth listed is at Puma Energy Caribe - Bayamon Terminal: 11.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at San Juan?
1025.
Which load line zone is San Juan in?
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at San Juan?
Port State Control at San Juan: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of San Juan?
The UN/LOCODE of San Juan is PRSJU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at San Juan 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.