Seward

1. Resurrection Bay Pilot boards59°57.9′N 149°22.0′W

Size limits

Draught 10.6m, 120,000DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.

Tides

Range 3.65m.

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

Approach

The port is approached and entered through Resurrection Bay, in deep water throughout. From a mid channel position in Harding Gateway between Rugged Island (59°51'N 149°23'W) and Cheval Island 4.75nm SW, the fairway leads N, NNE the NNW, passing (with positions given from Caines Head Light, 59°59'N 149°23'W):

W of the N extremity of Rugged Island (6.75nm S), then:

WNW of Hive Island (5.5nm S), and ESE of Callisto Head (pile, red and white chequered diamond daymark) exhibited on the extremity of Caines Head, a comparatively low projecting point, then:

WSW of Thumb Cove Light (pile, red and white chequered diamond daymark) exhibited on the extremity of the N point at the entrance to Thumb Cove.

Then the track leads NNW to a position 0.5nm E of the town of Seward (7.25nm NNW) on the W side at the head of the bay.

Anchorages

Resurrection Bay is too deep for secure anchorage, however anchorage may be made in good weather near the head, in depths of 55m giving prudent clearance to the edge of the mud flats. The best anchorage is in Sunny Cove (59°55'N 149°21'W). Thumb Cove (60°00'N 149°19'W) provides good anchorage in N weather.

Tugs

Available at all times, arrangements should be made well in advance.

Charts and publications

BA 1499. Admiralty Pilot NP4, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch.16, 17.

Pilots: See South Central Alaska Pilotage Region, SW Alaska Marine pilots Assoc.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

Wet and dry repairs can be undertaken.

Dry docks

A shipyard, approx 1.5nm, has a patent slip capable of accommodating vessels up to 43m LOA.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Bunkers are available, although prior notice via ship's agents is advisable.

Stores: Available, but limited in quantity.

Medical

Fully staffed, 30 bed hospital in Seward.

Transport

Nearest airport: Seward, approx 2.25km NNE of the town.

Airport facilities: Local flights may be obtained to Anchorage.

Nearest railway: Seward, terminus of the Alaska Railroad.

Working hours

Normally 0700-2359hrs.

Where it is

Seward is located at the head of Resurrection Bay on the S coast of Alaska.

The port

The port is at the S terminus of the Alaska Railroad. It is a major coal, log and wood chip exporting port and imports general cargo for onward transhipment by road and rail. There are 522 small boat slips available.

The port is ice-free all year round.

Traffic

Approx 91 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Seward?

The pilot boards at Resurrection Bay, 59°57.9′N 149°22.0′W.

What time zone is Seward in?

Local time at Seward is UTC−9. Clocks go to UTC−8 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−9 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the water density at Seward?

1025.

Which load line zone is Seward in?

North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.

Who carries out Port State Control at Seward?

Port State Control at Seward: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Seward?

The UN/LOCODE of Seward is USSEW.

What crews who called at Seward 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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