Sitra

Size limits

Draught 12.8m, 110,000DWT.

Water density

1030.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

For Sitra: MHWS 2.3m, MHWN 1.9m, MLWS 0.7m, MLWN 1.0m

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

Approach

The buoyed channel from Sitra anchorage to the Bahrain Light Vessel is primarily for vessels confined by their draught. Vessels intending to transit this channel must obtain clearance from Bahrain Port Control prior to entering.

The buoyed channel has a min depth of 13.2m at CD. This permits unrestricted use at all states of the tide for vessels drawing up to 12.2m. Vessels in excess of 12.2m and up to a max 13.4m are restricted by tidal range. Vessels with draughts of less than 9.2m are requested to make use of Sitra Inward and Vidal Buoys.

The colour of beacon structures and buoys is often obliterated by guano.

The alteration of course positions in the following directions is based upon a radius of turn of 0.5nm. This may necessitate an increase in engine revolutions, together with full helm in some vessels.

Inward under 9.2m: From a position 26°27.8'N 051°00.0'E, 2.5nm SE of No 3 Buoy, (26°28.5'N 050°57.4'E), a course should be set to a position 0.75nm N of Sitra Inward Buoy, (26°21.1'N 050°49.7'E), (Q(9) 15s), leaving the Caisson Wreck Buoy, (26°24.2'N 050°52.7'E), (Q(6)+L Fl 10s) at least 0.5nm to starboard, then;

From the position above course should be set towards No 16 Buoy, (26°12.9'N 050°46.3'E), (Fl Y 6s).

When the vessel has reached a position with No 16 Buoy, 1.5nm ahead, course can be adjusted to S, passing W of Vidal Buoy, (26°14.1'N 050°47.2'E), (Fl (2) R 10s) until Sitra Lightbuoy, (Q(6)+LFl 10s) bears W.

If instructed by Bahrain Port Control (BPC) or the pilots to proceed in to meet the pilot, course should be altered to pass S of No 18 Buoy, (26°10.3'N 050°43.9'E), (Q R) to the Pilot Station 0.5nm S of Sitra Lightbuoy; thus keeping clear of the deep water channel.

All vessels, unless otherwise instructed should proceed to an anchorage S of No 27 Buoy (VQ (6) + LFl 10s).

Inward over 9.2m:

Vessels wishing to use the deep water channel should follow the reciprocal of the courses described for the recommended deep water departure channel. Vessels with draughts of between 9.2m and 12.2m may be required by Bahrain Port Control to depart from the marked channel at certain points to allow freedom of movement for vessels with draughts in excess of 12.2m.

Deep water departure channel:

The pilot will normally leave the vessel, after having crossed the Mina Sulman Approach Buoy, 0.2nm S of Sitra Lightbuoy, with the vessel proceeding close N of No 18 Buoy (Q R).

When No 18 Buoy comes abeam, course should then be altered to 090° which will bring Sitra Lightbuoy dead astern, bearing 270°, to pass S of No 27 Buoy.

As No 27 Buoy (South cardinal yellow above black pillar buoy), (VQ (6) + LFl 10s) comes abeam to port, course should be altered to 022°.

When Buoys 21, 23 and 25 are sighted in line bearing 344° course should be altered to 344°.

On course 344°, No 25 Buoy (Green Cone), (Fl G 5s) and No 23 Buoy (green conical) (Q G) will be passed close on the port side and No 16 Buoy (yellow can), (Fl Y 6s) on the starboard side.

As No 21 Buoy (E cardinal), (VQ (3) 5s) comes abeam to port, course should be altered to 015°, which should bring No 12 Buoy (yellow can), (Fl Y 2s) dead ahead and No 21 Buoy dead astern. The bearings of these buoys should be watched closely to estimate and correct for cross set, which is sometimes quite strong on this course and the next. On this course No 14 Buoy (yellow can), (Fl Y 10s) will be left to starboard.

On No 19 Buoy (green conical), (Fl G 3s) coming abeam, course should be altered to 002° bringing No 15 Buoy (green conical), (Oc G 5s) dead ahead. No 12 Buoy will then be left close to starboard and No 17 Buoy (green conical), (Q G) will be left to port.

In order to pass a distance of over 0.1nm E of No 15 Buoy (green conical), (Oc G 5s) course should be altered to 016° as No 10 Buoy (yellow can), (Fl (3) Y 10s) comes abeam to starboard and then altered to 356° as No 15 Buoy comes abeam to port. This course should pass 0.35nm W of Bahrain Approach Buoy (W cardinal), (VQ (9) 10s). It may be advisable to reduce engine revolutions shortly after steadying on course 356°, in order to be able to increase revolutions, if required, to provide better steerage on the next course over the bar.

When Bahrain Approach Buoy bears 051° course should be altered to 051°. As this heading is approached it should be found that No 8 Buoy (red can), (Fl R 2s) and No 6 Buoy (red can), (Fl (3) R 6s) are in line to starboard, as Bahrain Approach Buoy comes abeam at 0.25nm and then should commence to open. Buoys No 13 (green conical), (Fl G 5s) and No 11 (green conical), (Q G) are parallel to the course on the port side of the vessel, give clearance on the 13.1m patches, and given the extent of the bar which should be traversed at slow speed.

On No 11 Buoy coming abeam to port, course should be altered to 054° passing between No 9 (green conical), (Fl G 10s) and No 4 Buoy (red can), (Q R), followed by No 7 Buoy (green conical), (Fl G 5s) to port.

When No 2 Buoy (red can), (Fl (2) R 10s) bears E, course should be altered to 071° to pass close S of No 5 Buoy (green conical), (Fl G 3s).

No 5 Buoy should be close abeam to port when course is altered to 057° and speed reduced in readiness to cross the spit which extends in a S'ly direction from No 3 Buoy, light (VQ (6) + LFl 10s) and which has a min depth of 13.25m at CD.

When No 1 Buoy (green conical), (Q G) bears 040° course should be altered to 040° bringing Bahrain Light Vessel, (Fl (3) 20s) on the starboard bow 1.5nm after No 1 Buoy has been left to port, the min depth of water is greater than 15.2m and it is safe to go full ahead.

Masters can expect to have to make adjustments from time to time, to the recommended courses, due to set. The effects of the tide and current should be watched for at all times.

GIIC berth approaches: The area surrounding the wharf and its approaches have been dredged for deep draught vessels.

To assist in pilotage, leading beacons and marker buoys have been installed. The beacons, rear (Fl (2) 2s 12m) and front (Q 7m) are situated parallel and 320m to the W of the wharf centreline, and provide clearance for max draught vessel turning from the main fairway into the dredged area. The buoys, "GIIC S", (Fl Y 3s) and "GIIC N", (Fl 3s) mark the E edge of the dredged area unloading berth.

Anchorages

The normal anchorage for arriving vessels waiting orders or tide is 1nm S of No 27 Buoy.

Vessels may only anchor in Sitra Inner Anchorage after specific permission has been granted by Bahrain port control. Sitra Inner Anchorage is located on the N side of the fairway between Sitra Lightbuoy and Mina Sulman and is afforded some protection during the prevailing NW winds by Muharraq Island and the ASRY-GIIC causeways. Permission will be granted for vessels working with ASRY drydock, working barges, or taking bunkers by barge.

Prohibited Anchorage: The whole of the navigable waters to the W of Sitra Lightbuoy are restricted for anchorage unless specific permission has been granted by the Bahrain port control.

The area S of a line joining Sitra Lightbuoy and Mina Sulman Approach Buoy is the fairway to Mina Sulman and as such anchorage is prohibited.

Merchant vessels carrying explosives are not permitted to enter the Sitra Inner Anchorage, unless permission has been granted and an anchorage allocated. Masters of such vessels will be advised by Bahrain port control to anchor in the explosives anchorage, in a position 1.5nm SE of Sitra Lightbuoy.

The "Offshore" anchor should be cleared and lowered to the waterline, ready for letting go, before approaching the berth. Anchor buoys are not to be used.

Tugs

There are 2 tugs available on a 24-hour basis, 4,000hp and 3,000hp. Each tug is fitted with fire pumps, monitors and foam and can provide assistance fighting fires. When assisting in berthing and unberthing operations, the tugs are under the direct orders of the Bahrain pilot, who will decide on the number of tugs, normally 2, to be used.

Mooring

Ballast draught should be sufficient to completely immerse the propeller. Pilots may decline to berth vessels if they are not sufficiently ballasted.

Trim: whilst alongside berth the period of undesirable trim should be minimised.

GIIC (Gulf Industrial Investment Co):

Under normal circumstances, berthing and unberthing operations are conducted throughout 24 hours, at the discretion of the Sitra Pilot, wind, weather, tide and other circumstances permitting.

Owing to the confined area of operations for ore carriers arriving at the max permitted draughts for the berth and the strong cross currents experienced at the berth, arriving vessels may have to anchor S of No 27 Buoy until slack water.

Full power must be available on the main engines and the vessel must be sufficiently ballasted for the operation envisaged. The Sitra pilots will decline to berth vessels if they are not properly equipped with satisfactory mooring lines, if deck appliances are inoperable, or if steering gear, telegraphs and whistles are not in an efficient condition. The Master should notify the pilot of any defects or peculiarities pertaining to his vessel.

Charts and publications

BA 3737, 8042. US Publication 172. Bahrain Survey Directorate 1501, Admiralty Pilot NP63, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

This information should be updated every 24 hours or sooner should any major alterations to the original be made.

Vessels intending to load ammonia or methanol: Will be required to provide the following information to Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co (Telex: 9897 Answer-back KEMIA BN) via Bahrain Radio.

Vessels are required to radio "PORTHEALTH BN" with present health conditions. GPIC provide loading master independent of BAPCO who will make all the necessary arrangements, inspections and checks for loading.

BAHRAIN NATIONAL GAS COMPANY BSC:

Arrival communications: Vessels intending to load LPG at Sitra will be contacted approx 72 hours prior to arrival and will be required to furnish the following information to "BAPSHP BN".

Should the berth be unavailable, vessels will be directed to Sitra Holding Anchorage, which is 1nm S of No 27 Buoy. Vessels carrying out cooling down procedures will also use this designated anchorage.

LPG vessels will not under normal conditions use Sitra Inner Anchorage but if special circumstances warrant then permission must be first obtained from Bahrain port control.

Berthing and unberthing operations are at all times governed by prevailing weather conditions and the large freeboard of LPG vessels will be taken into account when considering berthing prospects. Mooring arrangements will be generally similar to those outlined for BAPCO berths but particular attention should be given to extra moorings when warnings of imminent weather change are received.

Berth limitations: Vessels nominated to load BANAGAS cargo shall be guided by BAPCO berth limitations.

GULF PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES CO (BSC):

Arrival communication: Vessels intending to load ammonia or methanol will be required to provide the following information to GPIC (Telex: 9897, Answerback "KEMIA BN") via Bahrain Radio.

Both on VHF Ch 74.

Should the berth be unavailable, vessels will be directed to Sitra Holding Anchorage, which is 1nm S of No 27 Buoy.

At the normal BAPCO Terminal procedures and regulations will apply in conjunction with additional safeguards. In addition to the mooring lines, 2 forward and 2 aft backsprings must be rigged. These backsprings must be of the same type of construction (nylon, polyprop, or wires with same length tails).

Access to the "T" head will be restricted.

Communications

VHF: Bahrain Pilots: Ch 16, 74, 06, 08. Tel: +973 1772 7136.

ASRY Pilots, Bahrain: Ch 16, 74, 06, 08. Tel: +973 1767 1111.

Bahrain Port Control: Ch 16, 74. Tel: +973 1716 2010. Fax: +973 1772 5534.

Alba Jetty: Ch 08. Tel: +973 1766 1751.

BAPCO Terminal: Ch 16, 74, 06, 09, 12, 14. Tel: +973 1775 5661. Fax: +973 1775 5890.

Bahrain Steel (GIIC) Terminal: Ch 68. Tel: 973 1767 3311.

All long distance radio communication should be via Bahrain Telecommunication Company's Coast Station, "Bahrain Radio" ("A9M"), PO Box 14, Manama, Bahrain, to which a regular watch should be maintained.

BAPCO: The Company does not operate a coast radio station, long distance radio communication being routed through Bahrain Radio. All vessels are requested to keep the Company fully advised on cable address "BAPCOSHIP BAHRAIN" regarding ETA. Vessels fitted with telex or fax may contact BAPCO by telex through "A9M" on Telex: 8218 BN (Answerback BAPSHP) or Fax: +973 757767, Email: [email protected].

Radio Navigation Warnings: These warnings relate to navigational information which may immediately affect the safe navigation of vessels at sea. Warnings are serial numbered, with the prefix "NAV" and authenticated by the signature MEGULITE. Warnings are broadcast by Bahrain Radio "A9M" on 487kHz, on receipt, at 0518, 0918, 1318 and 1718hrs GMT.

Each radio warning is rebroadcast for a period of from 24 hours to one month, depending upon the nature of the information it contains. At the end of the period, it is either cancelled or superseded by a new warning.

VHF: When vessel is within 50nm of Bahrain, communication should be established with Sitra Port Control by Ch 74.

Vessels must maintain a continuous watch on Ch 16 and Ch 74.

When passing "Bahrain Light Vessel" or "Sitra Inwards Buoy" they should also establish and maintain watch with Bahrain Port Control on Ch 74.

Notice of readiness

NOR is tendered immediately upon arrival of the vessel at the anchorage by Master/agent either by telex or fax.

Documents

The above documents will be inspected by port, customs and immigration authorities.

The arrival/departure forms will be delivered by the agent's boarding representative, who will board the vessel after customs clearance has been effected.

Health

All vessels must display the International Quarantine Signals when approaching the port and keep them displayed until pratique is granted.

Bahrain port health regulations are based on the International Sanitary Regulations adopted by the World Health Organisation.

In accordance with International practice, quarantine signals must be prominently displayed by all vessels approaching Bahrain port. Pratique is normally granted by the Bahrain government port health officer or the agent's representatives. Pratique will be granted by the Bahrain pilot for healthy vessels scheduled for immediate berthing in the Sitra Marine area.

No persons except the Bahrain coastguard, agent's representatives and pilots are permitted to leave or board a vessel until pratique has been granted.

A radio message should be sent to the government port health officer, Bahrain, advising last Bill of Health and present health conditions aboard.

The port of Bahrain is not classed as a "Plague Port" but all crew members must have in their possession valid certificates of vaccinations and inoculations in accordance with current health regulations.

The Bahrain government port health officer is available by arrangement through the agents. The port health officer, in addition to official duties, will provide consultation and treatment for other than quarantine purposes.

Emergency hospital cases will be treated as such, and will be handled by the vessel's agents or by company facilities, whichever is available first.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates are obtainable in Bahrain, requests should be made through agents.

Notices and regulations

Approaching Bahrain: When approaching Bahrain, the Master should contact Bahrain Port Control on VHF Ch 74 giving his position, ETA and further instructions as to pilot boarding, berthing and other vessel traffic, etc will be advised.

Vessel's radio and radar equipment, including VHF installation, must not be operated whilst alongside Company wharves. Permission may be granted for the use of certificated intrinsically safe hand held radios for the use of cargo operations only.

Alcohol: Liquor trafficking between vessels alongside wharves or between vessels and shore is strictly prohibited by the law of the Government of Bahrain.

Tank cleaning and/or gas freeing: Tank cleaning and/or gas freeing operations are not permitted alongside the wharves.

Inspection of ships in Bahrain

Director General of Ports

PO Box 15, Manama, Bahrain.

Tel: +973 719 202.

Fax: +973 725 534.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate of Ports, Manama.

Position: Head of Maritime safety and Environment Protection.

Address: PO Box 453, Manama, Bahrain

Tel: +973 17 719602.

Fax: +973 17 729709.

Mob: +973 39 478712.

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Class NK.

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

Repairs

Available from Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co (ASRY).

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Water is made available from lighters in the Sitra anchorage. Requirements should be requested well in advance via the vessel's agents.

There is no water available at the BAPCO, ALBA or Bahrain Steel jetty.

Only in cases of extreme emergency will vessels be berthed at BAPCO Oil Wharves for water alone, and this is at an additional charge to the berthing/unberthing.

Bunkering: By barges, diesel and gas oil only, can be supplied at all berths and can be loaded simultaneously with bulk cargoes.

Provisions: Supplies of provisions are available in Bahrain. All requests should be made via the vessel's agents prior to the vessel's arrival.

Medical

Salmania Medical Centre, 12km.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bahrain International, 20km.

Airport facilities: As per international airport.

Working hours

Port operations are throughout 24 hours, 7 days a week. Thu and Fri are the official rest days.

Where it is

Sitra port situated at the entrance to Mina Sulman and the Khor Qhaliya in the NE of Bahrain Island.

The port

Sitra Port handles variety of bulk cargo like, iron ore, petroleum coke, aluminium and petrochemical products.

Traffic

Approx 750 vessels are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sitra?

Pilotage is not provided between the Bahrain Light Vessel and Sitra Lightbuoy.

What time zone is Sitra in?

Local time at Sitra is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Sitra?

The deepest berth listed is at BAPCO Refinery: 12.85 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sitra?

1030.

Which load line zone is Sitra in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sitra?

The UN/LOCODE of Sitra is BHSIT.

What crews who called at Sitra 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.

Read and add tips for Sitra →