PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Tumaco
Pilot
updated May 2010- Tumaco pilot boarding place Pilot boards01°53.0′N 078°48.5′W
- Tumaco punto de embarque de pilotos prácticos (CP2) Pilot boards01°52.0′N 078°46.5′W
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 250NT and available 24 hours throughout the day. The pilot boards in position 01°53.0'N 078°48.5'W. Pilot boat flies the national flag with a white border.
Vessels proceeding to the offshore terminal, if the pilot is not waiting, should anchor and sound 3 long blasts on the whistle.
Key data
updated Mar 2021Size limits
Off Shore: LOA 250m, beam 42m, draught 30.0m, 100,000DWT.
Harbor : Draught : 8.5m
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Mean spring range 3.1m; mean neap range 1.8m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cenit Terminal | 30.00 m | 250 m | 1 |
| Tumaco Pacific Port Terminal | 8.50 m | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
Approach and entry: The port is approached over a bar NE of Isla del Morro (01°49'N 078°44'W), and entered through a narrow channel close to the E of that island. Vessels may cross the bar with suitable tides between Buoys No 2 and No 3, The least depth over the bar is 3.65m LWST, increasing to 6.08m HW and 10.0m in the turning basin.
The CBM oil terminal is approached directly from seaward.
Directions for entering the harbour are as follows:
Seaward to alongside berth: From a position in the vicinity of the pilot boarding area the track leads ESE through a dredged channel, marked by lightbuoys (lateral), passing with positions relative to Tumaco Light (01°49.4'N 078°43.7'W):
Clear of the Fairway Lightbuoy (3.25nm NW) (safe water), then:
NNE of an isolated shoal (3nm WNW), with 1.7m of water over it, then:
NNE of a bank (2nm WNW), which extends WNW from Isla del Morro, and almost dries at LW, then:
Between No 1 and 2 Lightbuoys (2.5nm NW), then through La Barra (1.25nm NW), a channel marked by lightbuoys (lateral).
Then the track leads SE, passing:
SW of El Viudo (2nm NNE), a shoal marked by a light (orange tower); the shoal lies in the red sector (202.5°-207°) of Tumaco Light, then between No 11 and No 12 Lightbuoys (1nm NNE).
The track continues S then SW, passing:
Between No 13 and 14 Lightbuoys (0.65nm NNE), then:
SE of No 16 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (0.35nm ENE), then:
NW of No 17 Light Beacon (green tower) (0.35nm SE), then SE of No 18 Lightbuoy (0.23nm S).
Then the track leads towards the berth on the SE side of Isla del Morro, passing N of No 19 Light Beacon (green tower) (0.45nm SSW).
Seaward to offshore oil terminal: From a position in the vicinity of the pilot boarding area, the track leads S on the alignment (182°) of following leading lights:
Front Light (red and yellow vertical rectangle on red tower, white band, 12m in height) 01°49.1'N 078°48.6'W.
Rear Light (similar structure, 24m in height) 01°48.9'N 068°48.6'W.
Lightbuoys are moved without notice to cope with changes in the channel.
Anchorages
Outer Anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained close to the pilot boarding position, 5nm NW of Isla del Morro in a depth of approx 46m.
Inner Anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained off the SE side of Isla del Morro, 1nm offshore in a depth of 10.0m.
Anchorage for fishing and small vessels lies 0.6nm ESE of Tumaco Light.
Restrictions
Entrance to the port is only permitted during daylight hours. The speed limit in the channel is 12kts and near oil installations and vessels berthed alongside 6kts.
Tugs
Available and compulsory.
Mooring
Vessels must berth with a suitable tide due to the bar between Buoys No 2 and No 3, with a depth of 3.65m at MLWS. This increases to 6.08m at HW.
Charts and publications
BA 2257, 2799. Admiralty Pilot NP7, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent to the captain of the port, port medical officer and agent giving ETA at pilot station 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival. The ETA message should include date and time of arrival (local time), arrival draughts, number of crew including master and any special requirements such as additional tugs, preferred side for berthing, etc.
Communications
It is recommended to send all messages direct to the vessel's agent by telex or fax. Inmarsat communication is possible.
VHF: Ch 16.
Notice of readiness
Should be tendered on arrival at the pilot station or as stipulated in the Charter Party.
Documents
Documents are checked by the port captain, port doctor, immigration and agricultural department.
Forms to be completed and delivered to the above mentioned authorities, on arrival, when they board to grant pratique.
Health
Radio pratique is not available. The port doctor will board as soon as the vessel is anchored. Any sickness onboard must be reported in advance so that the port doctor may assess the need to place the vessel in quarantine. This regulation applies even if the vessel is arriving from another Colombian port.
The port doctor requires that all crew/passengers are vaccinated against yellow fever/cholera.
Doctors will not board between 2200hrs and 0700hrs, except in an emergency.
Customs and immigration
Allowances: No special allowances for officers and crew. The allowance is the same as that granted to other visitors to the country.
Immigration: Authorities require crew/passenger passports. They will not permit persons to land who require a Colombian visa. Shore passes are delivered onboard for crew/passengers which must be returned, via the agent, before the vessel's departure. Crew repatriation may be authorised.
A Sanitary Certificate is required for pets.
Flags
Colombian flag and relevant Interco flags are to be displayed. Non compliance will result in port clearance being withheld.
Inspections
ISPS
Designated Authority: Direccion General Maritima.
Contact: Jefe Division de Gente de Mar y Naves.
Address: Transversal 41 No 27-50 CAN, Bogota, Colombia.
Tel: +57 1 220 0490
Fax: +57 1 222 5152
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.dimar.mil.co
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available from barges.
Medical
Tumaco.
Transport
Nearest airport: Morro Island, 11nm.
Nearest railway: Cali, 80nm.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Tumaco
updated Mar 2021Where it is
Tumaco is situated on the Pacific coast in Tumaco Bay, close to the border with Ecuador and approx 450nm S of the Panama Canal.
The port
The port handles crude oil, edible oil and general cargo.
Questions about Tumaco
Where does the pilot board at Tumaco?
The pilot boards at Tumaco pilot boarding place, 01°53.0′N 078°48.5′W. Tumaco has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Tumaco in?
Local time at Tumaco is UTC−5. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Tumaco?
The deepest berth listed is at Cenit Terminal: 30.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Tumaco?
1025.
Which load line zone is Tumaco in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Tumaco?
The UN/LOCODE of Tumaco is COTCO.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Tumaco 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.