San Vicente

1. San Vicente Zona de Desembarco de Prácticos – Terminal Abastible Pilot boards36°44.6′S 073°10.0′W
2. San Vicente Zona de Desembarco de Prácticos – Terminales SVTI, ENAP y CAP Pilot boards36°44.2′S 073°08.3′W
3. San Vicente Zona de Embarque de Prácticos N° 2 (ZEP 2) Pilot boards36°43.6′S 073°11.1′W

Size limits

Harbour - Draught 12.8m, LOA 366.43m, beam 53.0m, 164,772DWT.

Offshore - Draught 13.4m, LOA 250m, 55,047DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Southern Summer zone.

Tides

Range 1.8m.

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

Approach

The port is entered through a traffic separation scheme, between Punta Gualpen (36°45'S 073°11'W), and Punta Lobos 2.5nm NE.

Port limits

On the NW, a line joining Punta Gualpen and Punta Pardo 2.5nm NE.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A Traffic Separation Scheme has been established in the entrance to Bahia San Vicente.

Anchorages

The bay offers anchorage in depths of less than 20m, with a good holding ground of sand and mud. It is prohibited to anchor N of a line joining Muelle CAP and a light buoy (port hand) marking Roca Villa de Burdeos, 2nm ENE of Punta Hualpen, without a pilot. The N part of the bay provides the best protected anchorage.

In bad weather it is recommended that vessels making a landfall at Bahia San Vicente, or anchored within the bay, should leave and either heave-to at sea or head for Bahia Concepcion to anchor in the lee of Isla Quiriquina.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

SVTI Berth - There are 2 x 1,200hp tugs with 42t bollard pull available.

CAP Berth - There are 2 x 1,400hp tugs with 55t bollard pull available.

LPG Berth - There are 2 x 1,200hp tugs with 40t bollard pull available for vessels min. LOA 100m and max. LOA 180m. There are also 3 x 1,200hp tugs with 40t bollard pull for vessels with min. LOA 180m and max. LOA 190m.

Mooring

Hualpen Gas Plant - San Vicente - The buoys that are used as part of the MBM facility are located approximately:

Buoy No. 1 - 36° 44.661'S 73° 10.036'W

Buoy No. 2 - 36° 44.720'S 73° 9.779'W

Buoy No. 3 - 36° 44.817'S 73° 9.764'W

Buoy No. 4 - 36° 44.801'S 73° 9.876'W

Buoy No. 5 - 36° 44.736'S 73° 9.993'W

It is not possible to perform simultaneous berthing/unberthing/mooring/untying of the LPG Berth and MBM.

Charts and publications

BA 4246, 4247, 4249. Chilean 6112. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA should be sent to the vessel's agent 24 hours in advance and contact the pilot station 1 hour prior to arrival. The ETA message must confirm that all cargo gear is in proper working order, if any cargo shifting is expected, if there is dangerous cargo onboard for discharge and/or transit and arrival draught.

Communications

Radio: Messages can be sent via Playa Ancha Radio (callsign "CBV") Valparaiso which listens throughout 24 hours on 500kHz and works on 8522kHz and 16663kHz.

VHF: Pilot: Ch 16.

Port: Ch 16, 09, 14.

Standard messages

Masters must report their position, course, speed and ETA next port as soon as they enter Chilean waters (200nm) to Directemar Valparaiso by cable. Thereafter, the same information is to be sent daily, whilst in Chilean waters, at 0800hrs and 2000hrs. Reports to be sent via Playa Ancha Radio.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered upon arrival at the anchorage.

Documents

Puerto San Vicente is an integral part of Puerto de Talcahuano (see separate entry), vessels entered for one or the other are received without further formalities.

Note: SY = Sanitary (Health) authorities, AG = Agriculture department, IM = Immigration, PC = Port Captain, CU = Customs.

The Port Captain will also wish to see the vessel's certificates and Immigration Officer will want to see all passports.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Crew's own personal possessions must tally with those listed on the Crew Personal Effects List. If there is a discrepancy, penalties range from confiscation of the goods not declared to imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the misdemeanour.

Immigration: Crew List is checked against passports. There are no restrictions on crew and passengers in transit proceeding ashore provided they are in possession of a landing card. Some foreign nationalities require an entry visa if embarking or disembarking.

Flags

Vessels entering Chilean waters must at all times fly the Chilean flag at the foremast and also whilst in port. Fines for not complying may be imposed by the authorities.

Notices and regulations

It is expressly forbidden to throw overboard any ballast, rubbish or waste or to spill petroleum whilst in Chilean waters and harbours.

Garbage is not allowed to be disposed of ashore.

Vessels must comply with the use of rat guards, safety nets and gangway railings.

Any repairs to the main engine must be authorised.

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: Chilean Maritime Authority.

Contact: Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Operations.

Address: Subida Cementerio No 300, Playa Ancha, Valparaiso, Chile.

Tel: +56 32 208637.

Fax: +56 32 208662.

Mob: +56 9 939 3937.

Email: [email protected]

Telex: 330607 ANGEL CK

Website: http://www.directemar.cl

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

Repairs

Ship repairs are available at Talcahuano.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Ordered from Talcahuano.

Medical

Two hospitals, Navy and Las Higueras, 2km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Carriel Sur International (6.5km SE) Concepcion (15km).

Airport facilities: Four flights daily to Santiago.

Nearest railway: Talcahuano.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of San Vicente is located approx 680km due S of the capital Santiago, in the NE part of Bahia San Vicente.

The port

The port is protected by a breakwater extending 525m SW from the shore at Punta Liles. Almost all of the port facilities are located within the E part of the bay, except for the LPG Berth and MBM located in the SW part of the bay. The port handles various types of bulk, general and liquid cargoes as well as containers. Principal exports include iron and steel, timber, containers, fishmeal and other commodities.

Traffic

Approx 3,700,000t of cargo and 300,000TEUs handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at San Vicente?

The pilot boards at San Vicente Zona de Desembarco de Prácticos – Terminal Abastible, 36°44.6′S 073°10.0′W. San Vicente has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is San Vicente in?

Local time at San Vicente is UTC−3. Back to UTC−4 on 4 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 5 Sep 2027.

What is the maximum draft at San Vicente?

The deepest berth listed is at Hualpen Gas Plant - San Vicente: 13.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at San Vicente?

1025.

Which load line zone is San Vicente in?

Southern Summer zone.

Who carries out Port State Control at San Vicente?

Port State Control at San Vicente: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of San Vicente?

The UN/LOCODE of San Vicente is CLSVE.

What crews who called at San Vicente 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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