Rio Grande (ARRGA)

The port only handles small craft shipping operations. The principal export is frozen meat products stored in the local cold storage plant, wool is also exported. Authorities, who attend tankers loading at San Sebastian Bay and the Hidra oil field, are stationed in the port. It is also the nearest city of any size to the loading terminals. Entry and departure should be made during the last hour of rising tide.

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

Rio Grande is located on the southern tip of Argentina, on the W bank of the entrance to the Rio Grande River, 250km N of Cape Horn.

Local knowledge is required. Vessels awaiting the tide or which are too large to enter the port, can obtain anchorage in a depth of 16m mud, approx 3.5nm NE of the radio mast, with the front beacon of the leading line bearing 259° and with Cabo Penas Light, bearing 155°. The anchorage is untenable during strong NW winds and if anchored farther offshore vessels are liable to drag.

The River is approached through a gap in the reef which fringes the coast between Cabo Domingo and Cabo Penas. From this gap 270m offshore, a tortuous channel leads between drying reefs and banks on each side to a position 1nm S of Punta Popper. The channel has a least width of 90m as far as the town. The fairway is marked by 6 pairs of beacons and light beacons. At night the light beacons are difficult to identify until the lights of the town have been extinguished. The third and fourth pairs of light beacons are only lit on request.

BA 1373, 3335. Argentine 62, 53. Admiralty Pilot NP6, NP286(7).

Rio Grande Coastguard (PNA) Radio L4F R/T on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8Mhz. VHF on Ch 09,12,14,16 (continuous).

1025.

Pilotage is compulsory. Pilots are provided by various private pilotage companies. Pilots travelling from Buenos Aires (34°35'S 058°25'W) must be requested at least 48 hours in advance.

Radio Mast: Metal white framework tower with red bands and red lights, 65m high (53°47.70'S 67°42.10'W). Water Tower: Red roof on white, square tower, 24m high. 1.25nm SSE of second leading line (53°47.20'S 67°41.80'W). Red lights normally seen from tower until 01.00hrs.

Entry and departure should be made during the last hour of rising tide.

Tidal levels at the entrance are as follows; mean spring range approx 6.6m, mean neap range approx 3.4m. Tidal levels within the port are as follows; mean spring range 4.9m, mean neap range 3.4m.

Not available.

Prevailing winds: N'ly (blowing most of time).

RIO GRANDE (ARGENTINA) 53°47.49'S 67°41.12'W UNCTAD LOCODE: AR RGA For details see: GENERAL NOTES ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Port: Tel: +54 2964 423753. Email: puertoriogrande@speedy.com.ar Prefectura Naval: VHF: Ch 09,12,14,16. Call "L4F" (24hrs). For passing messages, Inmarsat is recommended. Radio Pacheco, which works throughout 24 hours, can be used on the following frequencies: ..... Transmit (kHz) Receive (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 to Fri), 0900 to 0100hrs UTC (Sat) and 1100 to 1900hrs UTC (Sun and holidays) on any of the following paired frequencies: Channel Transmit (kHz) Receive (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 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 6 - 2 2 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 is possible.

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, beam, 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.