PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Santa Cruz
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign merchant vessels entering or leaving the harbour and berthing or unberthing at the pier. Pilots board 1.25nm NW of the chrome ore loading berth. Requests for pilots should be made through the Masinloc Pilots Association. Pilotage is optional for local coastal vessels.
Key data
updated May 2010Load line zone
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Tides
MHHW 0.7m; MLLW 0.0m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sta Cruz Mining | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2020Approach
Entrance to Santa Cruz harbour should be made only during daylight hours and under favourable conditions.
Approach and entry: The harbour is approached from seaward, via channel through the reefs, between Hermana Mayor Island (15°48'N 119°47'E) and Hermana Manor Island, 3nm SSE, and entered N of Santa Cruz Point (15°44'N 119°52'E).
Vessels approaching from N should remain at least 2nm W of Caiman Point (15°55'N 119°46'E) and Hermana Mayor Island, and if approaching from S, at least 3.25nm W of Hermana Menor Island (15°44N 119°49'E), until in the vicinity of 15°44'N 119°45'E, then:
The line of bearing 060° of the highest part of the flat topped mountain, near the beach N of Santa Cruz, leads through the entrance channel in a least depth of 26.0m. The mountain can be further identified by another mountain behind it showing four distinct knobs. Then:
Leading beacons: Front beacon (white triangle), standing on head of chrome ore loading berth at Baluarte (15°45.2'N 119°53.4'E).
Rear beacon (white triangle) 0.15nm ESE of front beacon.
The alignment 123° of these beacons leads through the harbour to the anchorage and berth, passing (with positions from the front beacon):
NNE of No 1 beacon 1.5nm W. Shoal ground extends 0.5nm N of the beacon. Then: SSW of No 6 beacon 0.7nm N, and through the anchorage. No 6 beacon stands on a shoal with a depth of 4.1m over it, with foul ground to N and NW, and marks a similar shoal 2.5nm W, as well as a coral patch with a depth over it of 1.2m, 0.1nm SE. No 7 beacon 0.35nm NNE also marks a coral patch with a depth of 1.2m over it. Then, NNE of No 2 Beacon 0.4nm W, from where there is a clear approach to the berth.
Anchorages
There is anchorage 0.5nm NW of the chrome ore pier at Baluarte, in a depth of 16.5m, mud, or in the outer part of the harbour, in depths of more than 18.3m, but care must be taken to avoid the numerous coral patches.
Small vessels may anchor 0.3nm E of No 6 beacon, in depths of 9.0-11.0m.
During bad weather the anchorage may become untenable in the NE and SW monsoons.
Tugs
Not available.
Mooring
Vessels must berth heading W, with mooring lines secured to concrete posts on the coastal reef, it is advisable to use a stern anchor to keep the vessel off the pier.
Charts and publications
BA 4411, 4492. Admiralty Pilot NP31, NP286(4).
Inspections
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: Office for Transportation Security - DOTC
Address: The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines.
Fax: +63 2 725 4787
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Not available.
Bunkering: Not available.
Medical
Hospital at Santa Cruz.
About Santa Cruz
updated Nov 2020Where it is
Santa Cruz (Luzon) is located on the SE coast of Laguna de Bay, E of Hermana Mayor Island.
The port
The port handles dry bulk cargo.
Questions about Santa Cruz
What are the pilot arrangements at Santa Cruz?
Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign merchant vessels entering or leaving the harbour and berthing or unberthing at the pier.
What time zone is Santa Cruz in?
Local time at Santa Cruz is UTC+8. No summer time.
Which load line zone is Santa Cruz in?
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical 21 Jan to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Who carries out Port State Control at Santa Cruz?
Port State Control at Santa Cruz: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Santa Cruz?
The UN/LOCODE of Santa Cruz is PHSCR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Santa Cruz 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.