Sechelt

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Ingoing and outgoing tidal streams in Sechelt Rapids attain a rate of 16kts during large tides. It is hazardous for any vessel to attempt to navigate the rapids except at or near slack water, the preferred time being at HW slack.

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

Approach

The main access to Sechelt commercial port is approached from the S side via Georgia Strait and Trail Bay.

The N side of Sechelt, used mainly by pleasure craft, is reached via Jervis Inlet and Sechelt Inlet, leading to Porpoise Bay. A least charted depth of 4.6m lies over several shoals in the centre of the fairway through the Sechelt Rapids (49°44.3'N 123°53.6'W). There are shoal patches and drying flats in Porpoise Bay.

Anchorages

Anchorage can be obtained in the NE corner of Trial Bay off Sechelt in a depth of 27.0m, close to a bluff and clear of a rock, with a depth of 8.5m over it. The anchorage is approx 1nm W of the breakwater light and is exposed to S winds.

In Porpoise Bay, anchorage with good holding ground can be obtained in a depth of 15.0m, W of Poise Island, and off the public wharf in a depth of 12.0m.

Restrictions

It is recommended that vessels over LOA 40m and draught 3.4m should not attempt to enter Sechelt Inlet (N side). This is due to the tortuous nature of the fairway and strong tidal streams through the Sechelt Rapids.

Charts and publications

BA 4920. Canadian Chart 3512, 3514. Admiralty Pilot NP25, NP286(5).

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

Where it is

Sechelt is located NW of Vancouver, at the isthmus between Sechelt Inlet and the Georgia Strait.

The port

At the NE corner of Trail Bay there is a conveyor pier, approx 450m in length, with outer section on moving arc, from the quarry for loading sand and gravel.

What time zone is Sechelt in?

Local time at Sechelt is UTC−7. No summer time.

Which load line zone is Sechelt in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sechelt?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sechelt?

The UN/LOCODE of Sechelt is CAYHS.

What crews who called at Sechelt 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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