Sasebo

1. Sasebo Ko pilot boarding place Pilot boards33°06.9′N 129°37.8′E

Size limits

LOA 323.6m, beam 43m, draught 12.8m, 82,165DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range, max 3.39m; min 0.41m.

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

Approach

There is no draught limitation in the channel.

Anchorages

Quarantine anchorage at position 33°05.30'N 129°42.00'E. Anchorage area comprises 11 mooring buoys for commercial shipping and 109 buoys used by the US Navy.

Anchorage is afforded in Ebisu Wan in the SE part of Area No 3, in a depth of 10.0m, shell and mud.

There are numerous mooring buoys in the harbour, the majority of which are controlled by the US Navy but may be used by commercial vessels with appropriate permission.

Explosive anchorage and mooring: An anchorage for vessels carrying explosives is situated 0.75nm SSE of Iori Saki and a mooring buoy for their use is situated 1.1nm E of the point.

Prohibited anchorage and restricted area: An area where anchoring is prohibited and where vessels with a draught of 6.0m or more may not navigate lies within a radius of 250m of a dangerous wreck situated 1.5nm E of Yorifune Saki on the S side of the fairway. The wreck is marked on its E side by a buoy.

Restrictions

There are no restrictions on entry or sailing after sunset.

Speed limit: Vessels must not exceed a speed of 5kts in the approaches to Sasebo Ko within a line joining Bansho Hana, 1.5nm S of Kogo Saki, Shira Se and Shichiro Saki, a point lying 1.75nm NNW of Kogo Saki. Vessels entering are required to immediately reduce speed when a signal for vessels leaving is displayed.

Overhead cables: Two cables, with least vertical clearance of approx 19m, span Hario Seto 1.5 and 2nm S of the N entrance.

Tugs

There are 10 tugs available; 1 x 6,000hp, 1 x 4,000hp, 3 x 3,600hp, 2 x 3,000hp, 3 x 2,600hp.

Charts and publications

JP 187, 198, 213. Japanese W1232, W1233. BA 2347, 3480. Admiralty Pilot NP42C, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

See Country information.

Communications

There is a port radio station which also serves Nagasaki port.

VHF: Call "Sasebo-Ho-An" on Ch 16, 12.

Documents

See Country information.

Health

See Country information for radio pratique.

Free Pratique: Formalities will be carried out at position 33°05.5'N 129°42.0'E.

Customs and immigration

Formalities will be carried out at Nagasaki.

Flags

Berthing signals consisting of the designation flags and alphabetical flags of the International Code of Signals are displayed at Kogo Saki Signal Station.

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: Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Position: Section Chief.

Address: 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8918, Japan.

Tel: +81 3 5253 8070.

Fax: +81 3 5253 8134.

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

The shipyard and repair shops are capable of carrying out all kinds of ship outfitting and repair work.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by barge.

Bunkering: Domestic oil is available; Bonded oil can be brought from Moji, Tokuyama or Tsurusaki, with sufficient notice.

Medical

There is a civic hospital in the town.

Transport

Nearest railway: Sasebo.

Nearest Airports: Nagasaki, (approx 48km) and Itazuke (approx 112km)

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Stevedore's Working Hours: Weekday: 0830-1630hrs, 1630-2130hrs. Sun and holiday: Available subject to negotiations (max 3 gangs).

Log Gangs: Available (4 gangs).

Where it is

Sasebo is located on the E coast of Kyushu in Sasebo-wan.

The port

Sasebo is a large, deep water port with a significant naval presence. The harbour is sheltered by a screen of islands, thereby providing good protection from typhoons. Aside from the naval berths, the port area is home to numerous heavy industries and also has berths for tanker operations. Lightering can be carried out.

Traffic

Approx 2,200,000t of cargo, 800,000 passengers, and 20,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Sasebo?

The pilot boards at Sasebo Ko pilot boarding place, 33°06.9′N 129°37.8′E.

What time zone is Sasebo in?

Local time at Sasebo is UTC+9. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Sasebo?

The deepest berth listed is at Sasebo US Military Oil Storage Terminal: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sasebo?

1025.

Which load line zone is Sasebo in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sasebo?

Port State Control at Sasebo: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sasebo?

The UN/LOCODE of Sasebo is JPSSB.

What crews who called at Sasebo 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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