PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Santiago de Cuba
Pilot
updated May 2010- Santiago de Cuba pilot boarding place Pilot boards19°56.0′N 075°52.4′W
Pilotage is compulsory and should be requested 12 hours prior to arrival. The service is available day and night. Pilots embark 1nm S of the harbour entrance. The pilot station is on Cayo Granma, 19°58.1'N 075°52.5'W.
Key data
updated Dec 2016Size limits
Main Harbour: LOA 214m, draught 8.7m, 20,000DWT.
Refinery Pier: LOA 214m, beam 35m, draught 10.9m.
Vertical clearance 57m in approach channel.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 0.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Refinery Hermanos Diaz | — | — | 2 |
| Grain Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Cement Factory | — | — | 1 |
| Cold Storage Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Santiago de Cuba | — | — | 3 |
| Break Bulk and Container Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
The directions for entering the harbour are as follows: From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position, 19°56.7'N 075°52.3'W, approx 1nm S of the harbour entrance, the line of bearing 040° of the W tower of the battery on Punta Estrella leads into the harbour entrance, then; the route follows the course of the harbour entrance, passing (with reference to Morro de Santiago de Cuba Light):
Between Nos 1 and 2 Lightbuoys, (port and starboard hand), 0.325nm W, then:
Between Punta Socapa and Punta Morrillo (0.325 and 0.175nm WNW). Punta Morrillo is steep, while Punta Socapa has a more gentle slope, then:
W of Punta Estrella 0.25nm NNW. A battery stands on this headland, but it stands at a lower level than the fortress on Punta Morrillo, then:
NE of No 7 Lightbuoy, (port hand), 0.725nm NNW, which lies off Cayo Granma and then into the harbour.
Passing SW of Ensenada Gasper; the entrance of which is marked by Nos 1C and 2C Lightbuoys (starboard hand). Moored at the head of this bay is No 4C Buoy (special) in position 19°58.54'N 075°52.12'W.
The Harbour Channel:
From the vicinity of No 8 Lightbuoy, (starboard hand), 19°58.5'N 075°52.6'W, an approach channel, marked by port and starboard hand lightbuoys, leads generally NE for approx 3nm to the basin at the head of the bay, passing, (with reference to Cayo Ratones, 19°59.4'N 075°51.8'W):
SE of Punta Nicola (0.9nm SW). The refinery pier, Espignon Hermanos Diaz, extends SW from this point, then:
SE of Punta Limets, (0.45nm SW). A low headland off which there are obstructions and abreast which No 11 Lightbuoy marks the edge of the channel, then:
SE of Cayo Ratones, a low and shrub covered islet. A pylon stands on Cayo Ratones. Attention is drawn to the rocks that lie 0.2 - 0.25nm ESE of Cayo Ratones, then:
NW of Bajo Los Comprades, (0.7nm NE). No 16 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) is moored on the W side of this shoal.
Anchorages
Anchor berths with good holding ground, are available in the following positions (with reference to Cayo Ratones, 19°59.4'N 075°51.8'W):
Anchorage No 1 as charted (1.25nm SW). Depths 13.0 to 15.0m, soft clay. Largest vessel, LOA 214m, draught 10.9m. Mainly used by tankers.
Anchorage No 2 as charted (0.2nm NNE), depth 9.0m mud and clay. Largest vessel LOA 186m. Max draught 8.53m for vessels up to150m LOA and max draught 8.20m for vessels of between LOA 150m and LOA 186m. Capacity up to 2 vessels.
Anchorage No 3 as charted (0.8nm NNE). Largest vessel LOA 170m . Max draught 8.2m for vessels up to LOA 150m LOA and max draught 7.62m for vessels between LOA 150m and LOA 170m. Capacity up to 2 vessels.
Anchorage No 4 not charted (0.8nm NE) (NW of Bajo Los Compadres). Largest vessel 150m LOA, draught 7.6m. Capacity up to 2 vessels.
Anchorage No 5 charted as No 4 (1.25nm NE) (ENE of Espigon Antonio Maceo). Largest vessel 140m LOA, draught 7.01m. Capacity up to 2 vessels.
Anchorage No 6 not charted (1.5nm NE) (SE of Punta Buena Vista). Largest vessel 120m LOA, draught 5.7m. Capacity up to 2 vessels.
Restrictions
Speed limit in entrance channel is 6kts.
Tugs
Available through the Port Authority.
Charts and publications
BA 443. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(7).
Inspections
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Ministerio del Interior, Direccion de Proteccion.
Contact person: Manager.
Address: Santa Catalina 501, 10 de Octubre, Ciudad de la Habana, 10500, Cuba.
Tel: +53 7 577376 or +53 7 577377.
E-mail: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
US Coast Guard announced that it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in Cuba, during their last five port calls. In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in any port of the country; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in the port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in the port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. See 76 Fed Reg 30954.
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available by barge.
Bunkering: All grades available through Empresa Consignataria. Supplied by barge and trucks.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Available through Empresa Consignataria, approx 5km.
Crew change
Available through Empresa Consignataria.
Transport
Nearest airport: Approx 8km.
Nearest railway: Santiago de Cuba, 3km.
Working hours
Mon-Fri 0700-1100hrs, 1300-1700hrs, Sat 0700-1100hrs. Work is possible in certain cases on holidays and Sun.
About Santiago de Cuba
updated May 2010Where it is
Santiago is situated on the S coast of Cuba in the Province of Oriente, 42nm W of Guantanamo Bay.
The port
The port consists of extensive berthage and storage facilities.
Imports consist of general cargo, machinery, grain and fuel.
Exports are mainly sugar, minerals and molasses.
Questions about Santiago de Cuba
Where does the pilot board at Santiago de Cuba?
The pilot boards at Santiago de Cuba pilot boarding place, 19°56.0′N 075°52.4′W.
What time zone is Santiago de Cuba in?
Local time at Santiago de Cuba is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the water density at Santiago de Cuba?
1025.
Which load line zone is Santiago de Cuba in?
North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Santiago de Cuba?
The UN/LOCODE of Santiago de Cuba is CUSCU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Santiago de Cuba 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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