Victoria

Size limits

LOA 348m, beam 42.8m, 99,066DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

The max tidal range for Victoria is 3.1m, tidal streams of 1kt may be encountered flowing across the entrance to the harbour between Macaulay Point and Brotchie Ledge, the flood sets SE and the ebb in the opposite direction.

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

Approach

The approach to the harbour is straight forward with only Brotchie Ledge, some 900m SE of the breakwater, being a hazard. Entry into the harbour is made between Macaulay Point and Ogden Point Breakwater.

Port limits

The limits are defined as all the waters of Juan de Fuca Strait N of a line drawn from Staines Point (48°23.7'N 123°18.3'W) the S extremity of Trial Island to the S extremity of Albert Head and including Selkirk Water and the navigable streams flowing into Victoria Harbour. Excluded from the area is Esquimalt Harbour.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A compulsory 2 way traffic scheme for power driven vessels of less than 20m in length has been established close to the S shore between Work Island and Laurel Point. The centre line of the scheme is marked by lightbuoys. Vessels 20m or more in length must use the seaplane operating area when entering or leaving the harbour.

Anchorages

Anchoring in the approach to Victoria Harbour is prohibited. Vessels wishing to anchor should obtain permission from the Harbour Master then use one of the authorised anchorages. In winter, at the onset of bad weather, it is possible to anchor inside Ogden Breakwater, the permission of the Harbour Master must be obtained beforehand.

Royal Roads Anchorage: 48°24.5'N 123°26.65'W, 6 permanent anchorages, 1nm SW of Victoria Harbour entrance, Harbour dues payable.

Constance Bank, provides temporary anchorage 8.3nm SSE of Victoria Harbour entrance for vessels waiting to pick up a pilot or for other purposes.

Plumper Sound Anchorage: 48°48'N 123°14'W, 4 permanent and 1 temporary anchorage, 37nm NE of Victoria. Entrance from Haro Strait between South Pender Island and Saturna Island, Harbour dues not applicable.

Senanus Island Anchorage: 48°35.2'N 123°28.9'W. One permanent anchorage, located in Brentwood Bay off Saanich inlet. Entrance to Saanich Inlet from Satellite Channel, Harbour dues not applicable.

Outer anchorages are monitored and controlled by Vancouver Vessel Traffic Services.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited throughout the inner harbour, bounded on the W by a line between Shoal Point Light and Berens Island Light (48°25.4'N 123°23.5'W) and on the N side by Johnson Street Bridge.

Restrictions

Seaplanes: Victoria Harbour is a seaplane harbour. The operating area is from Mcloughlin Point to Colville Island 0.525nm NE and between Berens Island and Laurel Point 0.525nm E. Aeronautical strobe lights, activated by the Flight Service Station, alerting mariners of aircraft landing or taking off are exhibited from Berens Island Light. VTS assigned frequency 156.55MHz, Ch 11.

Bridges: Johnson Street Bridge (bascule) crosses narrows between Inner Harbour and Upper Harbour close N of Discovery Rock; vertical clearance when closed 5.9m; width 37m. The bridge is manned from 0800-1600hrs daily; it will not be opened except in an emergency from 0700-0900hrs and from 1600-1800hrs on weekdays. Contact VHF Ch 12.

Point Ellice Bridge: (fixed) vertical clearance 8.8m, navigable width 25m.

The Selkirk Trestle Bridge: vertical clearance when closed 5.9m, width 4.9m.

Speed Limits: A speed limit of 5kts applies N of a line drawn between Shoal Point Light and Berens Island Light.

Tugs

Several fully equipped ocean going tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 4959,4950, CAN 3415. Admiralty Pilot NP25, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Initial ETA to be sent on departure from last port to the consigned agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days, 48, 24, 12 and 4 hours prior to arrival. The 48 hours ETA message should include, vessel's name and call sign, LOA, beam, draught, trim the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities.

Notice of ETA at Pilot Boarding Ground must be sent 48, 24, 12 and 4 hours in advance.

Canadian Coast Guard require pre arrival report sent at least 96 hours prior to arrival if vessel arriving from a foreign port. See Country section for further details.

Communications

San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all HF frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station.

Inmarsat can also be used.

VHF: Port: Ch 10 and 73.

Pilots: Ch 17.

VTS: Ch 11.

Notice of readiness

The custom of the port is to tender NOR on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line at berth. If an outer anchorage is used Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.

Documents

The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Thereafter, Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents.

The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.

Health

It is not necessary to apply for pratique unless there is an infection or dead person onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.

If there is any sickness onboard the vessel will be quarantined.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid.

Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land.

Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa).

Immigration officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes immigration Crew List.

Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

Flags

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Notices and regulations

Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks.

Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessels arrival, through the agent.

Navigation under sail is prohibited in all waters of Victoria Harbour N of a line drawn between shoal Point Light and Berens Island Light (48°25.4'N 123°23.5'W) to the Canadian National Railways Bridge.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, 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.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

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

Repairs

Hull and machinery repairs available. Larger vessels need to proceed to Esquimalt for underwater repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker or barge.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Royal Jubilee Hospital, 5.9km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Victoria International, 27.2km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Victoria, British Columbia is located at the S tip of Vancouver Island. The harbour lies at the mouth of an inlet, which extends NE and NW for approx 4nm inland from the N shore of Royal Roads between Victoria and Esquimalt.

The port

There are three specific areas within the harbour: Ogden Point which can handle ocean going vessels in excess of 99,066DWT; Inner Harbour for coastal vessels, yachts and seaplane terminal and the Upper Harbour for barges and tugs.

Ogden Point comprises of two piers with a total of four berths owned by Transport Canada but leased to Westcan Terminals Ltd (who also act as agents).

Forest products are the principal exports; general cargo and containers are handled. There is a passenger terminal for passengers engaged in Alaskan cruises and also a cold storage plant to facilitate the freezing of fish caught by local fishing vessels. See also "Esquimalt" which lies at the W end of the city.

What are the pilot arrangements at Victoria?

Vessels should send request for pilot together with ETA at the Fairway Lt buoy (off Victoria) 48, 24, 12 and 4 hours in advance.

What time zone is Victoria in?

Local time at Victoria is UTC−7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Victoria?

The deepest berth listed is at Ogden Point Pier A: 11.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Victoria?

1025.

Which load line zone is Victoria in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Victoria?

Port State Control at Victoria: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Victoria?

The UN/LOCODE of Victoria is CAVIC.

What crews who called at Victoria 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 Victoria →