Ushuaia

1. Bahia Cook pilot boarding area (Chilean channels from S) Pilot boards55°08.0′S 070°15.2′W
2. Ushuaia pilot boarding place (Argentine and Chilean flag vessels) Pilot boards54°52.0′S 068°07.0′W
3. Pilot boarding place Pilot boards54°51.9′S 068°05.1′W

Size limits

LOA 317m, draught 10.6m, 121,873DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Tides

Range, springs 1.4m; neaps 0.8m.

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

Approach

Reportedly the South area of Ushuaia port has been dredged to a depth of 9.6m to enable deeper draught cruise liners to have access to the South Pier.

The main approach to Ushuaia is from the vicinity of 54°53'S 068°00'W, at the entrance of Bahia Ushuaia. The approach from the W is encumbered by the chain of islets and rocks extending ESE from peninsula Ushuaia.

Three passages lead through this area to the main channel, however they are not recommended and should therefore not be used without local knowledge. The passages are as follows:

Paso Les Eclaireurs, (54°52'S 068°07'W), which has a least width of 0.65nm between dangers and a least charted depth of 12m.

Paso Romanche, (54°52'S 068°12'W), which is 0.75nm wide and deep in the fairway, with many dangers at each end.

Paso Chico, (54°53'S 068°18'W), the best of the passages, is marked and can be used by small vessels, it has a least width of 0.15nm, with a least depth of 8.4m on the leading line and lesser depths very close to it.

The directions are as follows:

Main channel: Initial position, in the vicinity of 54°53'S 068°00'W. The track leads WNW passing (positioned from Islotes Les Eclaireurs Light, (54°53'S 068°06'W):

SSW of Punta San Juan, (3.25nm ENE), with a depth of 1.8m lies near the edge of a shoal area, in which there is much kelp fronting the coast between Punta San Juan and Punta Segunda, 1.5nm WNW, then:

NNE of Islotes Les Eclaireurs. The red sector, (081°-115°) of the light covers the dangers on the SSW side of the fairway, then:

NNE of a shoal (2.25nm NW) with a depth of 15m over it, then:

SSW of Punta Escarpados, (5nm NW), the NE entrance point of Bahia Ushuaia. A light (black metal framework tower with yellow bands, topmark white triangles point together, (10m in height), is exhibited on the point, and NNE of Rocas Pan de Indio, (4.5nm WNW), a group of rocks 0.2nm in extent surrounded by kelp.

Paso Les Eclaireurs: Initial position, 54°53'S 068°08'W. The track leads NNE for 1.5nm passing, (positioned from Islotes Les Eclaireurs Light):

WNW of the W islet, (0.7nm W) of Islotes Les Eclaireurs. A 5.5m patch, marked by kelp lies 0.1nm NNW of the islet, and ESE of a dangerous rock, (1.5nm WNW), also marked by kelp, the most E'ly of the dangers on the W side of the passage.

Paso Romanche: Initial position 54°53.2'S 068°12.0'W. The track leads WNW, NNE and NE for approx 4nm passing, positioned from the W islet of Islas Lucas (53°53'S 068°13'W):

NNE of the dangers (0.5nm SSW) extending 1nm E from the S islet of Islas Bridges, then:

SSW and WNW of the W islet of Islet Lucas. A depth of 8.2m, marked by kelp, lies 0.25nm WNW of the islet, then:

ESE of rocks awash (1nm N), lying off Islas Alicia, and WNW and NW of Islas Bertha, (1.25nm NNE), then; SE of Rocas Pan de Indio, (1.75nm N).

Paso Chico: Initial position, 54°54'S 068°18'W.

Leading lights for the first leg are as follows:

Front Light, (white metal framework tower with red band, 8m in height), (54°51'S 068°16'W), on the E extremity of Isla Dos Lomos, the W islet of Islas (Grupo) Warden:

Rear Light, (white metal framework tower with black bands, 12m in height), 0.25nm NNE, on Isla Casco, the N islet of Islas Warden.

The alignment 019.5° of the lights leads NNE for 3nm passing, (positioned from the front light):

0.35nm WNW of Isla Bridges, 1.75nm S, then; 0.35nm ESE of Rocas Oscuras, (0.65nm SW), two above water rocks, and;

0.125nm WNW of Isla Conejo, (0.5nm S).

Second leg: From a position 0.15nm SSW of the front light, with Punta Escarpados Light, (54°49'S 068°12'W), bearing 060.5°, (charted as 061°) ahead and with Rocas Oscuras bearing 240.5° astern, the fairway leads ENE for 1.75nm passing, (positioned from the front light):

0.075nm SSE of Isla Dos Lomos and 0.1nm NNW of Isla Chata, the S of Islas Warden, which has a depth of 1.8m, lying 0.05nm of its W end, then; 0.125nm SSE of the E islet, (0.25nm NE) of Islas Warden, then; 0.3nm NNW of a depth of 3.6m, 0.9nm E, which is marked by kelp.

Anchorages

Vessels that cannot go alongside due to draught or weather considerations usually anchor close in, within the 18-36m contours.

Recommended positions, from Muelle de la Gobernacion Light, are:

0.95nm SE in depths of 24m

0.60nm ESE in depths of 20m

0.175nm ENE in depths of 25m

0.15nm E in depths of 13m. Sand and shell best for small vessels.

0.15nm SW in depths of 7.0m. Suitable for small vessels.

0.15nm SW in depths of 7.0m. Fine sand, good holding for small vessels.

Tugs

Available for emergency use.

Mooring

Passenger/cruise vessels have absolute priority over cargo vessels. Vessels can berth on either the N or S side, space on the N side is limited by the presence of the naval barge.

Vessels with bow/stern thrusters can berth bow out, (draught permitting), thereby having an advantage on sailing particularly if berthed on the N side, due to the fact that the prevailing wind is from the W which can hold vessels, berthed on the S side, onto the pier. Berthing without tug assistance is reported to be difficult in anything other than light winds.

Charts and publications

BA 554. Admiralty Pilot NP6, NP286(7).

Communications

Note: As soon as a call from a ship is detected, on any frequency, the auto scanner system will stop and will establish contact. The station will then return to the main scanning loop.

The ship must wait for the message and then change over signal to send traffic. The first row of the message must start with the telex number and the message must end with KKKK. The ship will then receive the time to be charged for the contact. It is then ready to send a new message or return to stand by mode.

VHF: Pilots: Ch 16 and 74.

Port: Ch 16, 09, 12, 14, 70. The port is operated by Prefectura Naval.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with Charter Party terms.

This is alongside if berth is free on arrival or on anchoring in the port roads if berth is occupied or if charterer, for any reason, does not accept vessel alongside.

If loading at more than one port, NOR should be presented at first loading port only, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Charter Party or contract; notwithstanding that the Master is obliged to keep agents / charterer well informed of progress and position whilst shifting between ports.

Documents

An additional copy of all the above, except Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards, should be made for the Master to keep on file in case they are required.

Note: CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, CG = Prefectura (Coastguard), PH = Sanidad (Port Health), AG = Agent, FP = Federal Police.

Prefectura (Coastguard) Declaration, Immigration Declaration and Customs Declarations are all presented to the Master, on special forms, for his signature by the attending agent and officials.

Cargo Manifests or In Ballast Declaration: Cargo Manifests or a Ballast Manifest have to be presented on arrival but these are normally dealt with, on behalf of the Master, by the agent. In the case of Buenos Aires, a computerised Manifest for all ports of call is transmitted directly from the agent's office to the Customs House, via the "Maria" system.

In all other cases, an indexed manifest, in the prescribed form, is presented to the Customs Officer attending the vessel on arrival. Notwithstanding the above, at outside ports the Master is also required to present up to 4 manifests on arrival. This usually refers to vessels carrying bulk cargoes such as fertilisers.

Health

Pratique should be applied for at least 3 working days prior to arrival. The pratique message can be passed to the ship's agent by telex of fax for onward transmission to the Port Health Authorities.

Free pratique is only granted after Sanidad (Port Health) Officer attends on arrival. This visit does not normally prevent the commencement of cargo operations.

Cholera: The salient points of Ministry of Health and Social Security regulation No 1333 of 1.12.92, affecting vessels arriving, are in Country section.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates: To obtain a new Ship Sanitation Control Certificate with fumigation, a minimum of 30 hours is required.

If Ship Sanitation Control Certificate expires on route, or is due to expire within a few days, exemptions for 6 months can be obtained if applied for between 0700 to 1300hrs, Mon to Fri. Outside these times, Port Health will grant an extension for 30 days.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: The daily allowance is 40 cigarettes and 0.25 bottle of spirits. For non compliance a fine of from 1-5 times the value of the goods plus duties on any extra cigarettes/spirits above the given limit.

Immigration: An Immigration Officer attends onboard to stamp Crew Shore Passes and Passenger Landing Cards. The crew require an Argentine Shore Pass (fichas) on which appear a thumb print and photograph as well as personal details. If they are not already onboard they are prepared on the vessel's entry. A photographer can attend onboard. The Master, in the ETA message, should state how many crew members require shore passes. Passengers require passports and landing cards.

There are no restrictions for either crew or passengers to proceed ashore with the above mentioned documents.

Flags

The national flag of Argentina is to be flown from the highest point on the vessel from sunrise to sunset. Fine for non compliance is an unspecified amount.

It is important to fly the "Q" flag on entering port until free pratique is granted by the Port Health Officer attending onboard. Fine for non compliance.

Notices and regulations

Transmission of all SECOSENA messages is via MF or HF radio.

Certificates of Competency: The Coastguard (PNA) has, recently, been asking to see all deck, engine and radio officers Certificates of Competency. They must be valid and acceptable to the country under whose flag the vessel is registered. This refers in particular to vessels sailing under flags of convenience.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Prefectura Naval Argentina.

Contact person: General Prefect, Prefecto Nacional Naval.

Address: Av Eduardo Madero 235, piso 2, 1106 Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tel: +54 11 4318 7521/7522/7523

Fax: +54 11 4314 0317.

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www. prefecturanaval.gov.ar

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

Repairs

There are limited repair facilities. Qualified divers are available for underwater inspections.

Dry docks

There are two slipways for vessels up to 300t and a floating dock for vessels up to 500t located at the naval base. A third slipway for fishing vessels is located at the N head of the bay.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, at the Commercial Pier. The supply rate is 30tph, this can be increased to 50tph with a booster pump.

Bunkering: Gas oil is available by pipeline from the Orion Oil Berth and can be supplied to the Commercial Pier by road tanker.

If required vessels up to approx 160m LOA and approx 9.1m draught can berth directly alongside the Orion Jetty to bunker.

Fuel oil is not currently obtainable. All arrangements either locally or with the broker should be made subject to 24 hours notice.

Stores: Available from ship's chandlers, some vegetables are scarce in winter.

Medical

Ushuaia Naval Hospital, 0.85km and Ushuaia Regional Hospital, 1.7km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Islas Malvinas International Airport located at Ushuaia, 5.6km.

Airport facilities: There are daily flights to and from Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Rio Gallegos, Rio Grande, and Punta Arenas.

Working hours

Port Administration 0900-1700hrs (Mon-Fri). There are 5 stevedoring co-operatives, working in shifts of 3 or 6 hours. Overtime is available.

Where it is

Ushuaia is located on the S side of the island of Tierra del Fuego in the Beagle Channel, the southernmost port of Argentina and the South American Continent.

The port

Ushuaia is the capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego and is currently the home port to fishing vessels. Their catch is landed directly to foreign flag reefer vessels which berth alongside. General cargoes are mostly shipped in containers. In recent years Ushuaia has become a major gateway to Antarctica during the southern summer for cruise vessels. Other than that liquid activities located nearby handled by Fiscal Oilfields (YPF).

Traffic

Approx 30,700TEU, 400 vessels and 116,000 passengers are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ushuaia?

The pilot boards at Bahia Cook pilot boarding area (Chilean channels from S), 55°08.0′S 070°15.2′W. Ushuaia has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Ushuaia in?

Local time at Ushuaia is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Ushuaia?

The deepest berth listed is at YPF Orion Terminal: 10.67 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ushuaia?

1025.

Which load line zone is Ushuaia in?

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ushuaia?

The UN/LOCODE of Ushuaia is ARUSH.

What crews who called at Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia →