Punta Loyola (ARPLO)

Punta Loyola is deep-water port designed to handle coal and export crude oil. Crude oil is transported via a 70km pipeline from the El Condor oilfield to the Punta Loyola, Presidente Arturo Illia Terminal, where crude oil is received from the entire Austral Basin and shipped by tankers. Coal is extracted from the deposit and is then transported from the YCRT Treatment Plant to the Punta Loyola. Located just 2.8km from the terminal is "Marjory Glen", a vessel that burst into flames whilst sailing from Newcastle to Rio Gallegos in 1911. The now derelict vessel, which ran aground on the coast of Punta Loyola, is seen as a conspicuous landmark and attracts tourists from all over the world.

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

Punta Loyola is situated at the entrance to the Gallegos River.

Max LOA 230m, beam unrestricted, draught 13.4m and 74,933DWT.

Vessels waiting to enter on the tide may enter Canal Norte and obtain anchorage E of Cabo Buen Tiempo in a depth of about 5.5m. There is good holding ground, sand and it is sheltered from offshore winds. Anchorage may also be obtained off the entrance to Canal Sur in a depth of 5.0m and about 8.6nm on the range line for Canal Sur, with Banco Light bearing 288°. The anchorage is sheltered from W'ly and SW'ly winds. Caution: A vast array of anchors as well as lengths of chain have been lost inside and outside the harbour. Areas of foul ground exist. Note: Anchorage areas mentioned refer to Rio Gallegos and Punta Loyola. Punta Layola: Anchoring for of only one vessel with LOA >120m permitted in inner anchorage, provided that the berth is free or if the vessel alongside is berthed bow out.

The following channels lead from sea to Punta Loyola: Canal Norte, between Banco Oliver and the Banco del Buen Tiempo, which is the recommended channel for vessels. The channel and its approaches are marked by leading lights (Deseada, Rivera and Viento). The alignment 285.75° of these beacons leads WNW for 2.5nm, passing between Banco del Cabo Buen and Banco Oliver. From a position 2.8nm S of Cabo Buen Tiempo Light the track leads 270° for 1.8nm then 237° for 1.7nm passing N of Banco Oliver and Barra de Loyolla, the NNW edges of which are covered by Punta Loyola Light. Then NW of Muelle Presidente Illia (51°36.4'S 069°01.0'W). Canal Sur, between Banco Oliver and the coast SE of Punta Loyola, is only marked by leading beacons. Drying heights of between 2.2m and 4.1m lie on and within 0.4nm of the leading line. The alignment (313.5°) of the leading beacons leads NW through the Canal Sur. NE approach to Canal Norte: From 51°34'N 068°49'W (about 5nm ESE of Cabo Buen Light). The line of bearing 225° of the N hill of Colinas los Conventos (51° 54'N 069°21'W) leads to this position. Vessels should proceed no farther until the light beacons have been identified. The alignment (230°) of the light-beacons (Banco and Pozos) leads SW for 3.5nm to a position 3.25nm from Banco Light Beacon. A shoal which dries 0.3m lies 0.2nm SE of the leading line (4.25nm from Banco Light Beacon). The ingoing tidal stream sets across the leading line. Caution: A shoal extending SE, between 4.3 and 5.1nm NE of Banco Beacon, was reported to have moved as far as the leading line. It is recommended the 230° track be limited to emergency use only, and the minor NW channel (not charted) used for approach from the NE; the latter channel is reported to be 200m wide with a controlling depth of 2.0m. Eastern approach to Canal Norte: From 51°35'N 068°40'W (about 10nm ESE of Cabo Buen Tiempo Light). Leading Lights: Carbon Light Beacon (red tower with white bands; 8m in height) (51°37'S 068°40'W). Petroleo Light Beacon (black tower with yellow bands; 11m in height) (1.25nm WSW). The light beacon is sometimes difficult to identify from a distance due to the existence of oil storage tanks in the vicinity. The alignment (258°) of the light beacons leads WSW for 8nm to a position 3.5nm from Carbon Light Beacon, passing between shoals which dry as much as 2.3m (4.75nm from Carbon Light Beacon), with the least depth of 0.7m situated 5.2nm from Cabo Light beacon. Passage is recommended using the middle of the channel with Carbon Light Beacon bearing 258°; the channel is 300m wide with least known depth of 2.2m.

BA 3813, 3107. Admiralty Pilot NP6.

Rio Gallegos Coastguard contact information: Call sign: L3C W/T on 500 Khz – R/T on 2-4 Mhz. VHF: Ch 16 (continuous).

The berth is fitted with rubber fenders and vessels with the deeper draughts have priority berthing. As a result of the draught limitations, tankers can continue loading further south at the SPM buoy at San Sebastian Bay or further north at Caleta Olivia or Caleta Cordova SPM buoys. Vessels presently sail with draughts of around 7.7m at neap tides and 9.45m at spring tides. PNA restrictions are in force until such a time as buoyage is improved, a tide gauge installed and new soundings of the approaches and entrance taken and charts up-dated.

Pilotage is compulsory. Pilots are not stationed at Punta Loyola or Rio Gallegos but at nearby ports and as a result vessels should send their ETA 5 days in advance.

Deseada Light Beacon (orange metal framework tower with white bands; 12m in height) (51°34.8'S 069°01.6W), exhibited at the SE end of Isla Deseada. Rivera Light Beacon (orange metal framework tower with yellow band; 15m in height) (1.9nm WNW). Viento Light Beacon (black square with yellow band, on metal framework tower; 9m in height) (2.5nm farther WNW). Cabo Buen Tiempo Light (black octagonal Metal framework tower; 9m in height) (51°33.0'N 068°57.0'W). Banco Light Beacon (orange metal framework tower with yellow bands; 12m in height) (51°38.5'S 068°57.2'W). Porzos Light Beacon (orange metal framework tower with yellow bands; 21m in height) (1.2nm SW). Punta Loyola Light (orange metal framework tower with yellow band; 8m in height). Note: Visibility must be adequate to allow visual recognition of leading beacons.

Vessels are prohibited from meeting in the access channel and berthing/unberthing is prohibited in winds exceeding 50kph (Force 6/7). Vessel with a LOA >120m prohibited to enter the port at night. Coastguard may allow vessels of LOA >120m to leave the port at night and anchor off berth at inner anchorage awaiting daylight tide. Careful watch on deck must maintained at all times.

MHWN 9.5m and MHWS 5.4M, however it has been reported that the tidal range has been as large as 12m during springs. The Gallegos River has a unique geography and topography meaning that it experiences the highest tidal range in the Southern Hemisphere. This is due to the fact that as the Atlantic Ocean flows W it bombards the coast of Argentina. By Punta Loyola, the land funnels sharply inwards which in turn creates a chokepoint. The W'ly flowing Atlantic Ocean meets the river flowing E'ly and as they mix and create abnormally high tides.

Prevailing winds are W'ly and SW'ly with an average speed of 15kts. The velocity can reach up to 25kts in spring and summer. Annual average rainfall is approx 220mm with the heaviest rainfall between May and Sep while, snow may fall in spring, autumn and winter.

For passing ETA messages, station "LPG 2" can be used on 486kHz. Rio Gallegos (14km) contact information: Call sign: LPG. VHF: Ch 26 (0700-2400hrs). HF receiving: 4092 Mhz, trans 4384 Mhz. Telephone: +54-2966-422352 or +54-2966-429013. Rio Gallegos Coastguard: Call sign: L3C W/T on 500 Khz – R/T on 2-4 Mhz. VHF: Ch 16 (continuous). Rio Gallegos Search and Rescue: Tel: +54-2966-435494 or +54-2966-420-375 VHF: Ch 9, 12, 14 and 16 (continuous).