PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Waukegan
Key data
updated Feb 2024Size limits
Max LOA 207.27m, beam 23.78m and 33,438DWT.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaFarge Cement Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| National Gypsum Terminal | — | 207 m | 1 |
| Waukegan Harbour and Marina | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2024Approach
The harbour approach has a reported depth of 6.7m. It is entered through a dredged entrance channel of 5.4m leading W from deep water in Lake Michigan between parallel piers to an inner harbour basin. A breakwater extending from shore on the N side of the entrance channel protects the entrance from NE seas. The outer ends of the piers and breakwater are marked by lights.
It is worth noting that the W'ly segment of the N breakwater is in poor condition as the concrete structure has deteriorated.
Restrictions
Caution: A foul area with a number of detached rock ledges is E of the harbour entrance. The area is marked by a buoy on the E side and a lighted buoy on the N side. Mariners should keep to N of the lighted buoy.
It is reported that within the approach channel the shoaling rate averages approx 59,000yd³/y. The volume varies in the event of storms and lake levels, as shown with Hurricane Sandy. Current sediment backlog within the federal channel is 39,000yd³. As a result the channel must be maintained and constantly dredged to allow commercial vessels to enter the port.
There is a speed limit of 3.5kts in the harbour.
Tugs
1 x 1,000hp tug available from Waukegan.
Reporting before arrival
updated Feb 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
Waukegan Port District contact info
Telephone: +1 847 244 313
VHF: Ch 16
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
There is a speed limit of 3.5kts in the harbour.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Feb 2024Repairs
Repairs may be undertaken by Larsen Marine and Perfect Imperfection Charters and Marine Services & Harbor Canvas for private pleasure vessels and yachts.
Larsen Marine services include; Preventative Boat Maintenance Packages, Engine/Mechanical Services, Fuel Polishing, MerCruiser Inboard and Stern Drive, Sail Drive Service, Yanmar Engine Dealer, Fiberglass and Gelcoat Repairs, Spray Painting/Refinishing, Soda Blasting Paint Removal, Marine Electronics Installation/Repair, Diagnostic Equipment and Sailboat Rigging Services. The facility also offers winter storage.
Perfect Imperfection Charters and Marine Services & Harbor services include; Wash and detailing, graphics and stripping and canvas repairs.
Three slipways are provided at Waukegan Harbour and Marina:
Slipway No. 01: 42° 21.623'N., 87° 49.462'W.
Slipway No. 02: 42° 21.617'N., 87° 49.461'W.
Slipway No. 03: 42° 21.613'N., 87° 49.462'W.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at the Waukegan Harbour and Marina.
Bunkering: MFO and DO available for private pleasure vessels at the Waukegan Harbour and Marina via ValTect.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Vista Medical Center - East (1.65km) and Waukegan Medical Plaza (2.45km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Waukegan National Airport (6.8km) and O'Hare International Airport (43.25km).
Nearest railway: Waukegan Train Station (0.5km).
Nearest highway: Port has access to Illinois Route 137. I-137 travels 37.8km from the N at the Wisconsin border at Winthrop to the S at Grayslake.
Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Waukegan.
Working hours
Available throughout 24hrs at Waukegan Harbour and Marina however restricted after 1630hrs.
Services at the fuel dock are available Sun-Thur 0800-1630hrs and Fri-Sat 0800-1800hrs (Seasonal hours also apply).
About Waukegan
updated Feb 2024Where it is
Waukegan is located on the W side of Lake Michigan in Illinois, 35nm N of Chicago Harbour.
The port
The principal cargo handled in the port is gypsum rock operated by National Gypsum. Waukegan Harbour & Marina lies adjacent to the commercial port and provides extensive berthing and fuel for private pleasure vessels. Waukegan had previously serviced bulk cement, however, in 2013 the LaFarge Cement Terminal was forced to close. The closure of the terminal was a culmination of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the subsequent temporary closure of the port and low water levels within the harbour in and around 2013.
Traffic
Approx 222,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Waukegan
What time zone is Waukegan in?
Local time at Waukegan is UTC−6. Clocks go to UTC−5 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−6 on 7 Nov 2027.
Who carries out Port State Control at Waukegan?
Port State Control at Waukegan: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Waukegan?
The UN/LOCODE of Waukegan is USUGN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Waukegan 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.