Sisimiut

1. Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg) Pilot boards66°54.1′N 053°48.7′W

Size limits

Draught 7.6m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 4.4m springs, 2.0m neaps. Tide heights may be higher in a gale. There are weak tidal streams within the harbour. In the S and W approaches there is a N/S tidal stream of approx 2.0-3.0kts.

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

Approach

Directions: Sydlobet is normally preferred to Nordlobet.

In clear weather, approach Sisimiut from S with Praestefjeldet bearing 028°, or from WSW with Kaellingehaetten bearing 074°; both these courses lead to Jakobs Skaer. On nearer approach to land care must be taken not to be set to the N.

Approach: The S approach channel is normally preferred to the N channel. In clear weather approach Holsteinsborg from S with Praestefjeldet bearing 028° or WSW with Kaellingehaetten bearing 074°. Both these courses lead to Jakobs Skaer. On nearer approach to land, care must be taken not to set N. On reaching Jakobs Skaer, 66°53.9'N 053°48.6'W, alter course SE of Mollers O until Praestefjeldet Leading Lights (shown May 1-Aug 1) can be brought into line. The front light (orange hut) is situated on the S side of Sagdlerssuaq, 66°57.0'N 053°43.0'W, an island 12m high, lying close offshore and the Rear light (orange hut, 500m N) stands on the shore 0.6nm S of Praestefjeldet. The lights in line (007°) lead through the fairway of the S approach channel clear of all dangers.

Leading Lights:

Maintain this alignment until leading lights established close N of Holsteinsborg and situated on the S side of the entrance to the inner harbour, can be brought into line.

Front light (metal framework tower, topmark orange triangle, point up, 7.0m in height, 66°56.6'N 053°40.5'W)

Rear light (metal framework tower, topmark orange triangle, point down, 20m in height, 300m E).

Aligned (092.5°) they lead into the outer harbour. Course can be altered gradually onto this alignment as soon as clear N of Qiingmit, an islet that lies on the S side of the entrance, 0.7nm WSW of the Front Leading Light.

The N approach channel is safe and may be more convenient for departure from Holsteinsborg, when it is easier to identify the outer off-lying islet.

Entry: The harbour can be entered during the day and night throughout the year. Ice will restrict entry to suitably ice strengthened vessels during winter. An extensive archipelago containing numerous dangers fronts the entrance to Holsteinsborg. Kangerdluarssuk ungatdleq, 67°04.0'N 053°50.0'W, is a short narrow fjord entered approx 7.0nm NNW of Holsteinsborg and Kangerdluarssuk Tugdleq 67°00.0'N 053°40.0'W a similar fjord lies midway between.

Caution: On the NE corner of Tommermandsoen, an unmarked sewer outfall pipe extends approx 300m NW. There is also an oil pipeline and a submarine cable laid across the entrance.

Anchorages

Contact port officials for anchor positions.

A pair of anchorage lights is established on the S shore of Yderhavn. The lights aligned (174.5°) are exhibited 0.35nm WNW of the bridge. Front light (metal framework tower, topmark orange triangle, point up, 4.0m in height) and Rear light (metal framework tower topmark orange triangle, point down, 6.0m in height, 24m N).

On the N shore of Yderhavn, approx 0.5nm N of the bridge, there are two Anchorage Beacon towers (topmarks red triangle, front point up, rear, point down, 120 m apart, aligned 002°).

Anchorage may be obtained anywhere in the outer harbour in depths of approx 30-50m, blue clay and sand, but permission is required to anchor within the harbour limits from the Port Authorities. A recommended anchorage berth lies on the alignment of Tommermandsoen Anchorage Light Beacons. Anchorage, with swinging room of 0.2nm, is available in Ulkebugt, 0.7nm within the entrance on the alignments of two pairs of beacon towers (topmark red triangles) which stand on the N and E shores in depths of approx 23m, clay, good holding ground.

Strong SW winds create a swell and if gale force, the anchorages in the outer harbour are unsafe. The swell is not felt in Ulkebught.

Restrictions

Contact port officials for further information.

Mooring

Contact Port officials for berthing information.

Charts and publications

BA 251. Admiralty Pilot NP12, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

To be advised to Port Operator 24 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

Radio: VHF: Ch 16. Holsteinsborg Radio callsign "OYR". Aasiaat Radio, Ch 16.

Documents

Cargo Manifest is required.

Customs and immigration

If there is anything to declare, contact the Port office.

ISPS

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

Repairs

Most repairs are available. There is a boatyard and patent slip of 250t lifting capacity.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers can be delivered by pipeline from a shore storage area.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Sisimiut hospital (Peqqinnissaqarfik Qeqqa), 1km.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Sisimiut Airport, 2.5km.

Airport facilities: National connections only. Limited air freight facilities are available.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs.

Where it is

Sisimiut, also known as Holsteinborg, is situated on the W coast of Greenland.

The port

The port handles general cargo, container, passenger and liquid cargo.

Where does the pilot board at Sisimiut?

The pilot boards at Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), 66°54.1′N 053°48.7′W.

What time zone is Sisimiut in?

Local time at Sisimiut is UTC−2. Clocks go to UTC−1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−2 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Sisimiut?

1025.

Which load line zone is Sisimiut in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sisimiut?

The UN/LOCODE of Sisimiut is GLJHS.

What crews who called at Sisimiut 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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