Sarnia

Size limits

LOA 308.77m, beam 32m, draught 8m, 93,641DWT.

Water density

1000.

Tides

Nil.

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

Approach

Approach channel width: 471m. Max depth in entrance channel is 8.23m.

There is an extensive shoal are at the S end of Lake Huron in the approach to the head of the St. Clair River. A dredged channel, maintained to approx 8.5m, leads S for 6nm through the shoals to the head of the river. Lake Huron Cut Lighted Buoys 11 and 12 mark the entrance to this channel from the Lake. A leading line of 180.4° to Point Edward on the Ontario side of the River starts at Lighted Buoys 7 (equipped with a Racon) and 8.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Sarnia Traffic: The Canadian Coast Guard operates Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) in Canadian waters from Long Point in Lake Erie through the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers to De Tour Reef Light in Lake Huron. The service is mandatory from Detroit River East Outer Channel Lighted Buoy 1 and West Outer Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 1 to a point 30 minutes north of Lake Huron Cut Lighted Horn Buoy 11. The service is voluntary in the remaining waters. The service is designed to enhance the safe and expeditious movement of marine traffic by encouraging the monitoring of a common radio frequency by vessels within each sector of the service.

The service is divided into two Traffic Sectors, each with a specific operating frequency:

Sector 1, VHF-FM Ch 11 (156.55MHz), the Canadian waters from De Tour Reef Light to Lake St. Clair Light in Lake St. Clair; and Sector 2, VHF-FM Ch 12 (156.6MHz), the Canadian waters from Lake St. Clair Light to Long Point Light in Lake Erie.

The VTS is administered by the VTS Centre at Sarnia, Ontario, at the head of the St. Clair River. The centre is equipped with VHF transmitting and receiving facilities both locally and from remote sites. Participating vessels should report their name and ETA at the next calling-in point to the VTS Centre and, on request, will receive all reported information on vessel traffic in their area.

A list of Calling-In Points for Sarnia Vessel Traffic can be found in the Communications section of this Guide. For further information on Sarnia Vessel Traffic area, see also http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/Marine-Communications/RAMN-2015/Atlantic-Part3-Vessel-Traffic-Services.

Restrictions

There is an area of wrecks (43°09.2'N., 82°21.5'W) approx 4nm NE of Lake Huron Cut Lighted Buoys 11 and 12 and also approx 2.7nm NE of the river entrance.

Tugs

Available throughout 24 hours; 1 x 1,400hp diesel tug.

Mooring

Suncor Terminal has rubber fendering and conventional mooring arrangement for all lines.

Charts and publications

US (NOAA) 14852,14853,14865. US Coast Pilot Vol 6.

Can 2260. BA4794. Admiralty Pilot NP286(5).

Suncor Terminal: International vessels must transit the St. Lawrence Seaway to access Sarnia. Masters are referred to:

Canadian Hydrographic Service Publication CEN303 (Welland Canal and Lake Erie) and CEN 304 (Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River) and CEN 305 (Lake Huron, St Mary's River, Lake Superior).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent a min of 3 days prior to arrival at Montreal. Additional ETA's should be sent on passing Montreal.

Standard messages

Berthing instructions are passed to a vessel by the agent in Montreal. The message advises berth location, docking side, anticipated cargo, berth availability, anticipated time alongside, any navigational problems anticipated and local conditions.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered as per Charter Party on arrival.

Documents

The above are faxed by the vessel's agent to Customs.

Forms are delivered onboard by the agent as the vessel passes Montreal.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: One carton of cigarettes and 1 bottle of liquor per crew member, per port, is allowed from the bonded store. Penalties for non compliance are seizure of the goods and fines.

Immigration: Authorities are notified by Customs only when crew changes are to take place or there are stowaways onboard or deserters. No one is allowed ashore until the ship is cleared.

Flags

Canadian flag to be displayed as a courtesy.

Notices and regulations

Garbage from foreign ships may not be landed.

Masters of laden tankers destined for or departing Suncor’s Sarnia Terminal are advised that vessels must be in compliance with the “Joint Industry - Coast Guard Guidelines for the Control of Oil Tankers and Bulk Chemical Carriers in Ice Control zones of Eastern Canada” when transiting the Gulf and River St. Lawrence in winter.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, 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.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Repairs

Slip available for major marine repairs including work on hull, boiler and engine.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available. Truck delivery. No marine fuelling barge allowed to come alongside at Suncor tanker berths during cargo and ballast transfer or while tank cleaning and gas freeing operations are in progress.

Stores: Available, by arrangement.

Medical

St Joseph's and Sarnia General.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sarnia.

Nearest railway: Sarnia.

Where it is

Sarnia is located at the head of the St Clair River at its junction with Lake Huron.

The port

Sarnia is a major petro-chemical centre, known as the "chemical valley' of Canada. The harbour area provides seagoing access for supplies and project cargo and is a year-round berthing and repair facility for Great Lakes shipping. The navigation season is from mid March to the end of December. In the coldest months, berths in the port area used for over-wintering of larger vessels (Lakers), often rafted alongside each other. Transport Canada have transferred operation of the main port area to City of Sarnia Harbour. Other berths and terminals along the river are operated privately.

Vessels using the Suncor Terminal should refer to a copy of their handbook, "Sarnia Marine Terminal - Information to Vessels" obtainable from the Company's website (www.suncor.com).

Traffic

Approx 1,800,000t of cargo (670,000t of grain) and 150 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sarnia?

Compulsory. The waters of Lake Huron in the approach to St.Clair River S of 43°05'30"N are Great Lakes designated waters; registered vessels of the United States and foreign vessels are required to have in their service a United States or Canadian registered pilot.

What time zone is Sarnia in?

Local time at Sarnia is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Sarnia?

The deepest berth listed is at Shell: 8.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sarnia?

1000.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sarnia?

Port State Control at Sarnia: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sarnia?

The UN/LOCODE of Sarnia is CASNI.

What crews who called at Sarnia 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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