Vacamonte

Size limits

The port can receive vessels up to 3,000t with max length of 120m and draught of 7.0m.

Water density

BA 1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 3.96m.

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

Approach

Entrance to buoyed channel: 08°51'N 079°39'W. The channel is 1.5nm in length, with a width of 140m and a depth of 5.5m.

The alignment (321°) of Vacamonte Leading Lights (towers, white triangular daymarks) (08°52'N 079°40'W) leads through the entrance channel which is marked on both sides by lightbuoys.

Anchorages

Located in 08°50.23'N 079°39.28'W in the area of the Fairway Buoy near Melones Island.

Tugs

There are 2 tugs of 700hp each.

Charts and publications

BA1300. Admiralty Pilot NP7.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority:

1. For Ports and Ship Registry:

Contact person: Chief of Port Security Department

Address: Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), Diablo Heights, Building 5534, PO Box 8062, Panama 7, Republic of Panama.

Tel: +507 232 7352

Mobile: +507 660 61057.

Website: www.amp.gob.pa

2. For the Panama Canal:

Contact person: Manager - Canal Security Division.

Address: Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Balboa - Ancon, Republic of Panama, PO Box 5413, Miami FL 33102-5413

Tel: +507 272 4646, Cell: +507 614 1941.

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Phoenix Management Service Group, Universe Security Group (London), Singapore Technologies.

RSO - Security Consultant Services: MUSC, Secure Maritime Group (St Petersburg, Florida).

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

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Panama has signed a PSI ship boarding agreement with the USA aimed at stemming the flow of weapons of mass destruction. If a US or Panama flagged vessel is suspected of trafficking proliferation related cargo, either party to this agreement can request authorisation to board, search and possibly detain the others vessel and its cargo.

Repairs

The port has a modern yard for repairs to vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: For supplies to vessels, the port has a modern fuel pumping system and two tanks of good capacity.

Medical

There is a doctor in the port for first aid treatment. Also available is an ambulance for transporting urgent cases to the nearest medical centre.

Transport

Nearest airport: Vacamonte is only 25 minutes from Panama City.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1500hrs and 1700-2300hrs.

Where it is

Vacamonte, predominantly a fishing port, is located on the Pacific coast approx 22km S of Balboa.

The port

There are facilities for shrimp and tuna fishing vessels plus maintenance and repair services.

What are the pilot arrangements at Vacamonte?

Compulsory for vessels over 150GT.

What time zone is Vacamonte in?

Local time at Vacamonte is UTC−5. No summer time.

What is the water density at Vacamonte?

BA 1025.

Which load line zone is Vacamonte in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Vacamonte?

Port State Control at Vacamonte: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Vacamonte?

The UN/LOCODE of Vacamonte is PAVAC.

What crews who called at Vacamonte 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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