St George's (BMSGE)

There is a cruise vessel/repair berth and general berth, in addition to a tanker jetty operated by Esso Bermuda.

Summer.

St George's is a small port on St George's Island, in the E of Bermuda.

Max LOA 230m, draught 9.75m.

St George's Harbour has anchorage, in depths of 9.1 to 14.6m, stiff clay, poor holding ground. Anchoring vessels sholud stay clear of the fairway, taking into account the tidal currents, and the vessels' swing. Tidal currents flow directly into the harbor on a rising tide and out on a falling tide. The former U.S. Naval Air Station, Bermuda, occupies the largest part of Saint David's Island. It comprises a military airfield (Kindley Field), with its support activities, and a civilian airport (Bermuda Airport). Marginal Wharf, on the S side of Saint George's Harbour, is a landing place for launches from vessels anchored father our in the harbor.

Saint George's Harbour is approached from Five Fathoms Hole and entered through Town Cut Channel, which crosses an inner and outer bar. The directions are as follows: From the vicinity of 32°22.8'N 064°38.3'W, on the alignment of Town Cut Channel, (32°22.6'N 064°39.8'W) and Cherrystone Hill, the route leads: The route leads W in the dredged channel passing between No 1 (starboard hand) and No 2 (port hand) Lightbuoys, then; On the line of bearing approx 260°, of the centre of Town Cut Channel, then; Through Town Cut Channel being guided by light beacons. Caution: A sheer is generally experienced by vessels near Horseshoe Island, (S side of Town Cut Channel). The sea buoy is located off the E end of Bermuda, (32°22.9'N 064°37.1'W). Description: Safe Water Mark. Pillar shaped, with red and white vertical stripes and the letters "SB" in White on the side. Light characteristics: Fl W A 6s. ..... Channels Min Depth LW/HW (m) Limiting Draught LW/HW (m) Narrowest Width (m) Narrows 11.6-12.5 34-36 152 Town Cut 8.5-9.6 7.9-8.5 67

BA Charts, 1315, 868. DMA Charts available, from seaward, 26340, 26341, 26342, 26344, 26345. West Indies Pilot, List of Lights Volume "J", Admiralty Tide Tables Volume II. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(5).

RCC Bermuda is the Search and Rescue Point of contact for Bermuda in the SARSAT/COSPAS system. The station's operations provide SAR co-ordination on a 24 hour basis, in co-operation with world SAR agencies.

1025.

Berth and tugs are agreed upon between the agent and harbour master, sometimes in consultation with the pilot warden.

Pilotage is compulsory for all ports in Bermuda except for yachts and is available during daylight hours only. The pilot boards 3 mils E o Saint David's Light for deep draft vessels and 2 miles ENE of St. David's Light (vicinity of SB lighted buoy) for all other vessels. The pilot boats have a black hull with orange or white superstructure with Pilots or Pilot Rescue on the side.

St George's Harbour between St George's Island in the N and St David's Island on the S, the Paget Island, Smith's Island and other islets lying in the entrance, it is almost completely landlocked.

IALA Maritime Buoyage System Region "B" (Red to starboard). Mariners are warned to navigate with extreme care in the approaches to the Bermuda Islands due to the extensive and dangerous fringing reefs. In order to reduce the risk of stranding, an IMO adopted Area to be avoided has been established covering the northern coasts of the islands and the offshore reefs. The only safe approach to the islands is from the SE, preferably in daylight. The outer navigational aids may be unreliable. Fort George (32°22.8N 064°40.9'W). Cherrystone Hill, 0.8nm WSW of Fort George.

Approach channel, the Town Cut Channel, has a min width of 76m and depth of 8.2m MLW. The largest vessels capable of using St George's Harbour should not enter in winds exceeding force 4 from between NNE and SSE.

Range 1.5m. Currents around Bermuda are quite variable, although they tend to set towards N and E from Dec to Jul and NW for the rest of the year. Mean rates are usually slightly more than 0.5kt. Because of the generally low constancy of currents, the resultant flow tends to be influenced by the wind. The most favourable time to navigate Town Cut Channel is at HW. Tidal streams are as follows: Rising Tide: Flows W around St David's Head, into St George's Harbour and through The Narrows, nearly in the direction of the channel, as far as St Catherine's Point where it sweeps round to approx WSW. Rate 0.25-2.0kts, according to wind. Falling Tide: Flows NE to St Catherine's Point where it divides. Part flows ESE and E through the channel, but the direction is uncertain abreast Sea Venture Shoals. Abreast St George's Harbour the flow is augmented by the outgoing streams from the harbour. Rates as for the rising tide. Slack water: Duration variable, from 0-2 hours. With a NE wind the tide rises more quickly and falls more slowly, than with SW wind.

The regulation of seaborne traffic through the IMO "Area to be avoided" around Bermuda (as approved by the International Maritime Organisation) and of those vessels calling at Bermuda is by VTMS which provides continuous radar surveillance of coastal waters.Area to be avoided, line joining the following positions: ..... 1. Gibbs Hill Light (32°15.1'N 064°50.0'W) 2. 32°08'N 064°53'W 3. 32°12'N 065°10'W 4. 32°24'N 065°10'W 5. 32°39'N 064°53'W 6. 32°39'N 064°38'W 7. 32°32'N 064°29'W 8. S David's Light (32°21.8'N 064°39.0'W) Procedures: ..... 1. The following procedures are mandatory: a. ETA to be sent 24-18 hours, with any amendment at least 3hours before arrival at Five Fathom Hole. b. Vessels intending to transit the Area to be avoided should report before entering the area stating the following: i. Vessel's Name ii. Call Sign iii. MMSI Number iv. Flag State v. Last Port of Call vi. Next Port of Call vii. Position viii. Course ix. Speed x. Type of Cargo, including IMDG codes for any hazardous cargo xi. Draught xii. Limitations of manoeuvrability. They should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch16. c. Vessels inward and outward bound should obtain clearance from Bermuda Pilots before transiting the Narrows and Town Cut Channels. d. All vessels should maintain continuous listening watch on VHF Ch12 while transiting the buoyed channels. e. All vessels should advise Bermuda Pilots prior to departure from St George's f. Vessels making unscheduled calls should inform Bermuda Harbour Radio 24 hours in advance stating: i. Purpose of call and local agent. ii. ETA Five Fathoms Hole. iii. Nature and quantity of any dangerous or toxic cargoes. iv. GT, length and draught v. Any restriction on ability to manoeuvre. vi. Any defects to navigational equipment, and whether large-scale charts of Bermuda are available. 2. Vessels should remain at least 20nm off shore until instructed to approach the Pilot Boarding Area. 3. Vessels arriving to embark pilot should remain E of the pilot boarding position unless instructed otherwise by the pilot service or Bermuda Harbour Radio. 4. Vessels approaching the SB Lightbuoy (32°22.94'N 064°37.07'W) from the S should approach keeping E of a line bearing 180° from the SB Lightbuoy to the 200m depth contour. 5. Vessels require anchoring in the vicinity of the SB Lightbuoy should expect to embark a pilot. 6. The following procedures are voluntary: Vessels passing within 30nm of Bermuda should contact Bermuda Harbour Radio, on VHF Ch 16, stating: a. Type of vessel. b. Nationality. c. Laden or in ballast (tankers only) d. Position, course and speed. e. Any course changes within 30nm of Bermuda.

There are 3 tugs available, 1 x 1,200hp and 2 x 3,200hp. Tugs normally join vessel in the harbour if requested. Tugs are ordered depending on the size of the vessel and weather conditions. Tug's lines are used during normal tug operations. Tugs are compulsory for cruise vessel berthing and unberthing.

Prevailing winds: NW'ly (winter); SW'ly (summer).

Radio: All communications regarding shipping movements in and out of Bermuda are handled by Bermuda Harbour Radio callsign "ZBM" which has been designated as Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) station for the area. A 24 hour listening watch is maintained on the international distress and calling channels. Additionally, Bermuda Harbour Radio maintains a 24 hour listening watch on DSC frequencies 2187.5 (MF) and VHF Ch 70. Maritime Mobile Service Indicator (MMSI) 003100001.Tel: +1 441-297-1010, Fax: +1 441-297-1530, Telex: BA 3208. VHF: Initial calls are made on Ch 16 to Bermuda Harbour Radio. Pilot's working channel is Ch 12, tugs monitor Ch 10. Short messages (ETA changes, etc,) for agents can be passed via Bermuda Harbour Radio. Cable and Wireless operates a 24 hour VHF radiotelephone service on Ch 16. The station's callsign is "Bermuda Radio/VRT".

Customs allowances: Crew and officers are allowed 200 cigarettes and one litre of spirits. If found to be in excess of the above, all will be confiscated by HM Customs. Immigration: All persons must be signed and named on the Crew List. Seamen should carry some form of identification when going ashore.

..... Document Customs Agent 1. Crew List 4 1 2. Crew Declaration 1, (Form 81) 3. Passenger List 4 1 4. Ship's Stores List 1 5. Declaration of Health 1, (Schedule A) 6. Clearance from last port of call 1 7. Bermuda Vessel Report 1, (Form No 49) 8. Cargo Manifests 1 3

Vessels should send ETA 24 and 18 hours before arrival, with any amendments at least 3 hours prior to arrival at Five Fathom Hole, to Bermuda Harbour Radio callsign "ZBM". The message should include estimated date and time of arrival (adjusted to local time), LOA, draught, cargo onboard and state of health onboard.

Vessels entering Bermuda waters should fly the defaced red ensign carrying Bermuda's coat of arms. When there is none onboard then the un-defaced red ensign or the Union Flag are acceptable.

No overboard discharge of oil, bilge water, sewage (even if treated), paint scrapings, soap, etc.

Pratique is granted on a 24 hour basis and can be obtained by sending a message via the agent to "Health Bermuda" requesting free pratique be granted. If there is any suspected disease or fever onboard advise "health" as well as agent. "Q" Flag should be shown after entering Bermuda waters until such time as the vessel has been cleared, or granted pratique, by the boarding officer. Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed if vessels are in Bermuda for more than 3 days, weekends excluded.

Tendered when alongside.

Quote. "Urgent Bermuda surrounded by reefs. Remain 20nm offshore and immediately contact Bermuda Harbour Radio/ZBM on VHF Ch 16, 2182kHz, 500kHz or DSC 2187.5/VHF Ch 70 for navigation warnings and approach orders. Pilot boards daylight only, St David's Light (Fl(2) 20s) bearing 240° distance 2nm. SE approach only. Confirm soonest latest charts aboard acknowledge". Unquote.