Mar del Plata (ARMDQ)

The port is enclosed by two breakwaters, providing a base for the Argentine Navy and a large fishing fleet. Exports consist of fish, frozen meats and domestic cargo. Containers is handled by TC2 at berth no 8. Butane and propane gas are discharged at a dolphin berth, connected to inland tanks managed by YPF.

Summer.

The port of Mar del Plata is situated 4.8km from the town of Mar del Plata.

LOA 280m.

Approx 30,000t of cargo and 2088 TEU handled annually.

Anchorage is located approx 2nm NE of the southern breakwater in a depth of 10.9-12.8m, with not less than 5 shackles. The holding ground is good.

The access channel has a length of approx 700m, presently dredged to a depth of approx 9.14m at CD, width 90m. There are 2 sets of leading marks in line bearing 208° and 238°. The port is sheltered by 2 breakwaters, the northern arm of 1,100m running in a SE'ly direction and the southern arm of 2,750m running in a NE'ly direction. The width between the 2 breakwater heads is approx 400m.

BA 3329,3324. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

1025.

There is often a heavy swell in this port, causing vessels to range in all berths, fenders being essential. It is safer to lie outside in 10.4-12.8m of water, if awaiting a berth, than in the ante port within the breakwater.

Compulsory, for vessels over 75m LOA and 4.9m draught. Requests for pilots should be made through the agent 12 hours prior to arrival. The pilot boards approx 2nm E of Cabo Corrientes.

Puerto de Mar del Plata is enclosed by two breakwaters from the heads of which lights are exhibited from towers, 8.0m in height. A monument stands on the S breakwater head. Outer Leading Lights stand 1.75nm apart; the front light is exhibited from a black square structure (yellow square daymark, black stripe, 6.0m in elevation) situated on the S breakwater 0.35nm from its head; the rear light is exhibited from a black square structure (black square daymark, yellow stripe, 22m in elevation) situated on the coast SSW of the front light structure. In line (208.25°) these lights lead into the harbour entrance. Inner leading lights are exhibited, 726m apart; the front light from a yellow metal framework tower with a black and yellow daymark, 23m in height, standing 0.95nm SW of the harbour entrance; the rear light from a black metal tower with a yellow diamond daymark, 3.0m in height, situated on the S corner of the power station. These lights in line, bearing 238.25°, lead from the entrance through Antepuerto. A light is exhibited from a tower painted red and white in chequers on the head of Escollera Abrigo. A pair of leading lights is exhibited near the root of the SE breakwater to facilitate entering the basin.

Loading marks: Vessels can load to their summer marks all year round if sailing northbound, and not proceeding S of Lat 34°S. Currents constantly form a sand bank off the end of the southern arm, which requires continuous dredging and ruling depths are announced constantly by the authorities. The usual min depth on the bar is 7.3m at zero, but under favourable conditions this may be up to 7.6m, this requires checking before committing a vessel near these limits.

Mean max range approx 1.1m, mean minimum range approx 0.5m.

The use of 2 tugs is compulsory; there are 2 tugs available of 900hp and 700hp. The following exceptions apply: ..... 1. Vessels with a LOA less than 75m are not required to use tugs; 2. Vessels with a LOA of 100-120m are required to use only 1 tug. Depending on the prevailing conditions the Port Authority allow a tolerance of 5% on the above figures.

Prevailing winds: NW'ly.

MAR DEL PLATA 38°02.32'S 57°31.31'W UNCTAD LOCODE: AR MDQ For details see: GENERAL NOTES PRБCTICOS RECALADA (RECALADA PILOTS) ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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For passing messages, Inmarsat is recommended. Radio Pacheco, which works throughout 24 hours, can be used on the following frequencies: ..... Transmits Receives (kHz) (kHz) Radiotelephony HF (callsign "LPD"): 4387 4095 4393 4101 6507 6206 8734 8210 8749 8225 13089 12242 13161 12314 17242 16360 22705 22009 Radiotelegraphy MF/HF (callsign "PPD"): 500 500 4268 4184 8646 8368 12988.5 12552 17045.6 16736 22587.5 22280 Argentina Radio Telex Service: The following information relates to the private telex service operated by "Argentina Radio LSD836". Telex traffic can be routed to Buenos Aires and other places in Argentina and throughout the world. Call selective call number 0111, throughout 24 hours (Mon-Fri), 0900-0100hrs UTC (Sat) and 1100-1900hrs UTC (Sun and holidays) on any of the following paired frequencies: Channel Transmit Receive (kHz) (kHz) 404 4212.0 4174.0 604 6316.0 6264.5 804 8418.0 8378.0 1204 12581.0 12478.5 1604 16808.5 16685.0 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: Ch 09, 12, 14, 16.

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.

..... Document Total Copies Distribution CU IM CG PH AG FP 1. Stores List (Deck & Cabin) 2 2 - - - - - 2. Stores List (Engine) 2 2 - - - - - 3. Crew Personal Effects List 2 2 - - - - - 4. Crew List 8 1 2 3 1 1 - 5. Vaccination List 1 - - - 1 - - 6. Health Declaration 1 - - - 1 - - 7. List of Ports of Call 2 1 - - 1 - - 8. Clearance from Last Port 1 - - 1 - - - 9. Argentine Shore Pass for Crew (1 original for each crew member) 10. Passenger List 8 - 2 2 1 1 2 11. Passenger Landing Card (1 original per passenger & 1 original for Immigration Department) 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, the "Maria" system being used. 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.

Initial ETA should be sent as per Charter Party instructions if on a voyage charter otherwise, if there is no instruction to the contrary, 7 days prior to arrival to nominated owners or charterers agent (or both). NB: In practically all cases of vessels loading/discharging at ports other than Buenos Aires, all matters are handled and controlled by a principal agent in Buenos Aires who, in turn, appoints a sub agent to assist at the actual loading/discharging port. Additional ETA's should be sent as per Charter Party instructions or at 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. The ETA message should include: ..... 1 Estimated forward and aft draughts, indicating in FW or SW a. If a liner, indicate tons per hatch to discharge, also any shifting or special comments relative to commencement of operations. b. If a grain loader, advise that hatches to be loaded are ready (clean, dry and free of infestation) and airdraught. Masters should request information regarding airdraught at load berth since ballasting may be involved. NB: Holds/tanks of vessels loading bulk cargoes will be inspected by a government appointed or private surveyor and will need to be approved by these surveyors before loading can commence. c. If a tanker or chemical carrier, indicate tons to discharge and any special characteristics/precautions required. 2. Bunkers on arrival 3. Fresh water on arrival 4. Any important requirements, i.e. bunkers, fresh water, stores, repairs, etc. 5. Number of people requiring medical attention and/or shore passes.

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.

Reporting: Whilst in Argentine waters, vessels are required to keep the Prefectura Naval Argentina (Coastguard) advised of their position. This is achieved by: ..... 1. Long range: Informing SECOSENA 2. Short (close) range: Informing CONTRASE. Short range contact with CONTRASE is via VHF and is maintained by the pilot, on the Master's behalf, whenever underway. The Master is not required to intervene. In the case of SECOSENA, on entering Argentine waters, Master should give (in Spanish or "Standard Marine Vocabulary" and/or "Q" code): ..... 1. Upon entering national waters: Name of ship, flag, callsign, length, breadth, draught, speed, bound from, proceeding to, position, type of cargo, course and if a doctor is carried onboard. 2. Upon departing national waters: Name of ship, flag, callsign, speed, destination, position and course. 3. Upon entering port: Name of ship, flag, callsign, time and place of berthing. 4. Upon leaving port: Name of ship, flag, callsign, length, breadth, draught, speed, destination, course, type of cargo and if a doctor is available onboard. 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.

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.

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/charterers well informed of progress and position whilst shifting between ports.