PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Savu Savu
Pilot
updated May 2010- Savusavu pilot boarding position Pilot boards16°50.0′S 179°14.7′E
Pilotage is compulsory and can be arranged through agents in Suva, 48 hours prior to arrival. The pilot is embarked at either Suva or Lautoka and remains onboard during loading/discharging at Savu Savu, disembarking on completion at the port of embarkation where an outward clearance can be obtained.
Alternatively the pilot can fly to Savu Savu and board the vessel 1.25nm W of Point Reef Light.
Key data
updated Jul 2014Size limits
LOA 110m, draught 5.0m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.
Tides
Range 1.5m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savu Savu Dry 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 Aug 2010Approach
Point Passage (16°50.0'S 179°15.0'E) is the best and most frequented channel into Savu Savu Bay and has deep water in the fairway. It is entered between Point Reef, extending 1.5nm SW from Lesiaceva Point and Sybil Rocks (1.5nm NW), the E extremity of a chain of reefs extending across the entrance to the bay from the W side.
Directions: The track through Point Passage leads NE in mid channel, passing:
SE of two dangerous rocks (16°49.5'S 179°14.0E), then:
NW of Point Reef Light (16°50'S 179°17'E) and of a beacon (black pole, white triangle topmark) (0.025nm NW of the light) marking the NW extremity of the reef, and:
SE of Sybil Rocks (1.75nm NW of Reef Point Light), a group of small coral heads with depths from 1.8-3.0m over them and of a 9.0m patch (0.5nm NE of Sybil Rocks), then:
NW of Naviavia (Via Via) Islet (0.5nm SW of Lesiaceva Point), sand and coral with a clump of coconut palms on it, the tops of which have an elevation of 18m.
Caution: The sea does not break on Sybil Rocks and they do not show clearly after rain when the water is muddy.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained by vessels loading copra in a depth of approx 44m, good holding ground, with the summit of Nawi Island (16°46.3'S 179°20.7'E) bearing 082°, distant 0.35nm.
Charts and publications
BA 378, 379. Admiralty Pilot NP61, NP286(5).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be advised to the vessel's agent 72 hours prior to arrival. Further ETA's should be sent 48, 24, 12 and 6 hours prior to arrival. The messages, in addition to date and time of arrival information, should also include any requirements and health condition of crew and passengers.
Any cancellation/delays to be advised in advance.
Communications
VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, listening watch only when a vessel expected.
Notice of readiness
Tendered as per vessel's Charter Party.
Health
Health authorities require that the vessel cables details of ports visited within 50 days of arrival. This should be sent with the 48 hour ETA message. Details to be sent to Port Health Authority on Fax: +679 313568. Radio pratique will be granted to a vessel which has not visited a port in a malarial area within 50 days.
The authorities will board, inspect and spray a vessel which has visited a malarial port. Such a vessel will not be allowed to berth at night. A quarantine officer will sight Maritime Declaration of Health and Ship Sanitation Control Certificate on boarding. Vessel must anticipate delays since port health board at quarantine anchorage from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
No further pratique formalities are required in Fiji other than at the first port of entry.
Flags
Vessels to fly Fiji's national flag.
Notices and regulations
Vessel operations are governed by the Port Authority and Maritime Regulations, copies of which are obtainable.
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: Maritime and Port Authority of Fiji (MPAF).
Position: Security Officer.
Address: PO Box 780, Suva, Fiji.
Tel: +679 331 2700.
Fax: +679 330 0064.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Stores: Provisions and fresh vegetables are available by prior arrangement.
Medical
There is a small local hospital.
Transport
Nearest airport: Approx 8km.
Working hours
Normally, Mon-Fri 0800-1300hrs, 1400-1700hrs.
About Savu Savu
updated Jul 2014Where it is
Savu Savu is situated on Vanua Levu Island.
The port
Savu Savu has facilities for discharging at either berths or at anchor using lighters and ship's gear throughout. The port is not used frequently by foreign vessels.
Traffic
Approx 430t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Savu Savu
Where does the pilot board at Savu Savu?
The pilot boards at Savusavu pilot boarding position, 16°50.0′S 179°14.7′E.
What time zone is Savu Savu in?
Local time at Savu Savu is UTC+12. No summer time.
What is the water density at Savu Savu?
1025.
Which load line zone is Savu Savu in?
South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Savu Savu?
Port State Control at Savu Savu: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Savu Savu?
The UN/LOCODE of Savu Savu is FJSVU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Savu Savu 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.