Santo Tomas de Castilla

Size limits

LOA 299m, draught 11m, 76,002DWT, Beam 40m.

Water density

1015.

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

Max. 0.54m, mean 0.27m.

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

Approach

Approach and entry: The approach is from the N, passing through Bahia de Amatique (dredged channel). The entrance channel is 19,700m in length, width 90m, dredged to 11.0m and marked by lighted buoys.

Leading Lights: From a position in the vicinity of "ST" Lightbuoy 15°48.0'N 088°36.0'W the alignment, 189.5°, of Puerto Santo Tomas Leading Lights, leads through the centre of the entrance channel:

Front light (red triangular mark on metal framework tower) approx. 15°41.0'N 088°37.0'W, visible on leading line only.

Rear light (red triangular mark on metal framework tower) 347m S of the front light, visible on leading line only.

Anchorages

Anchor as required S to SW of Puerto Barrios Jetty in depths of 4.0-9.0m, mud bottom, but clear of the entrance channel, the approaches to and N of Puerto Barrios jetty, a submarine pipeline N of Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla turning basin (15°42.0'N 088°37.0'W).

Vessels with a draught of more than 7.3m can anchor about 1nm N of Villedo Lighthouse. Vessels of less than 7.3m draught can anchor in the inner harbour.

Restrictions

Due to the limited size of the port, vessels can moor stern to the quay to help manoeuvre.

Tugs

Four tugs available, and are compulsory for any type of manoeuvring within the port.

Tugs: VHF Channels 9 & 16.

Mooring

The alignment, 237°, of lights in line, close NNW of the front leading light, is used to assist when anchoring stern to the wharf; the holding ground in the turning basin is not good.

Charts and publications

BA 2988, 1573. Admiralty Pilot NP69A, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent with vessel's appointment, usually 10/15 days prior to arrival, to the vessel's agent. Further ETA's to be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival. In addition to arrival date and time the message should include the vessel's arrival draughts.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16 & 12.

Pilot: 16, 12. Tel: +502 7948 3283.

Marine Traffic Control: Ch 14 & 25.

Tugs: Ch 16 & 09.

Notice of readiness

Usually tendered on dropping anchor in an anchorage zone.

Documents

The above are required by the Port Authorities and may be completed on the ship's own forms.

Health

The Quarantine Officer boards either at the anchorage or alongside the wharf as required, throughout the day.

Customs and immigration

There are no Customs restrictions for personal items for crew and officers. Such items should be duly declared in the Crew Personal Effects List. Non compliance may result in a fine.

Immigration: Crew and Passenger Lists required, Shore passes issued by Agency/Customs and are Immigration approved.

Flags

Should be displayed as per Interco. Fines may be payable for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

The Drug Enforcement Agency may, at their sole discretion, request permission from the ship's Master/agent to carry out a sniffer dog inspection of the ship.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y Vivienda.

Address: 8 Avenida y 15 Calle, Zona 13, Ciudad de Guatamala, Guatamala

Tel: +502 362 6051

Fax: +502 362 6066

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Available at the Astillero Naval de la Marina de la Defensa Nacional adjacent to the Empresa Portuaria Nacional Santo Tomas de Castilla Terminal.

Medical

At the port: Medical Service Facility and Port Fire section.

Hospital Nta Sta de Fatima, Puerto Barrios, 8.9km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Puerto Barrios, 8km.

Airport facilities: Domestic flights.

Nearest railway: National railway network for connection to capital city.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours if required.

Stevedores work from 0700-1700hrs and from 1800-0600hrs.

Where it is

Santo Tomas de Castilla is situated in Santo Tomas Bay in the Bay of Amatique in the Caribbean, close to Puerto Barrios and is 300km from the capital, Guatemala City.

The port

It is the main port of entry into Guatemala and consists mainly of dry cargo berths. Other cargoes handled include bagged coffee, containerised and Ro-Ro cargo, palletised bananas, pipelines for tallow, oil products, vehicles and general cargo. The port also has cruise facilities and has a Free Zone status.

Traffic

Approx. 9,500,000t of cargo, 301,000TEU, 1,150 vessel's and 16,400 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Santo Tomas de Castilla?

Compulsory for vessels over 500GT.

What time zone is Santo Tomas de Castilla in?

Local time at Santo Tomas de Castilla is UTC−6. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Santo Tomas de Castilla?

The deepest berth listed is at Empresa Portuaria Nacional Santo Tomas de Castilla: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Santo Tomas de Castilla?

1015.

Which load line zone is Santo Tomas de Castilla 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.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Santo Tomas de Castilla?

The UN/LOCODE of Santo Tomas de Castilla is GTSTC.

What crews who called at Santo Tomas de Castilla 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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