Freeport (BSFPO)

It is an important cruise vessel port of call and repair centre. The harbour can accommodate 8 cruise vessels at the same time. Container, Ro-Ro and general cargo vessels are also handled. Because of its closeness to the USA, a number of companies have moved their transhipment business to the port. Bahamas Oil Refining Corporation (BORCO) have two jetties with six berths, located 0.5nm S of the port entrance, with an additional two berths inside the harbour. Imports: Agricultural products and building supplies. Exports: Seafood, aggregates and agricultural products.

Summer.

Freeport is situated on the SW side of Grand Bahama Island at the mouth of Hawksbill Creek. The island is located 90nm NE of Miami.

Max Harbour: LOA367.28m, Beam 48.4m, Draught 15.0m, 148,582DWT Max Offshore: LOA 336m, draught 27.7m, 319,429DWT

Approx 1,600,000TEU and 907,000 passengers handled annually.

There is a good offshore anchorage approx 0.4nm to the NW of the entrance channel, for a distance of 1.5nm, which is sheltered from winter conditions (NW winds) but exposed to SE winds, particularly in the summer months. Depths range from 16m to 25m in lime and coral rock, covered by sand and loose lime. The usual anchorage for BORCO runs parallel to the coast in a NW direction, to the W of the channel entrance to Freeport Harbour. Holding is generally good. Care should be taken when departing as the sea bed falls off rapidly into very deep waters, approx 1,540m from the shoreline. If a vessel is too close to the end of the shelf, there is a danger of losing or dragging anchors. To the S of the BORCO Terminal Jetties, the shelf is comparitively narrow and it is recommended that vessels of 70,000DWT or more do not anchor but drift approx 5nm S of the Terminal until called to the pilot boarding position. Pilots are available for anchoring, should vessels require this service. Suitable anchorage can be found within the rectangular area of the following 4 co-ordinates: ..... Latitude Longitude 1. 26°30.9'N 078°47.3'W 2. 26°30.8'N 078°47.3'W 3. 26°31.5'N 078°48.2'W 4. 26°31.4'N 078°48.2'W Prohibited/Restricted anchorage areas: The restricted area is a 1nm radius centred on the E end of Jetty No 2. Vessels entering or leaving Freeport Harbour should keep well clear of the BORCO Oil Terminal and should not pass between the oil jetties and the shore. No other vessel should enter the restricted area unless authorised to do so. Anchoring within the restricted area is prohibited. An additional outer precautionary area of 2nm radius also centred on the E end of Jetty No 2 surrounds the restricted area. Vessels not intending to enter the harbour should remain outside the 2nm area.

Oil Terminal is approached direct from North West Providence Channel. Freeport Harbour is entered via a channel NW of the Oil Terminal. The entrance channel and turning basin have been dredged to a depth of 16.0m. The entrance to Freeport Harbour is via a straight channel, length 548m, width 152m. The leading lights are clearly visible up to 11nm. The turning basin is a trapezoidal shape, 609m in length from the entrance to the NNE shore with a width of 548m from the main wharf in a WNW direction.

BA 390, 398 and 399. Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(5). ENC GB 48301B, GB500398.

The US Coast Guard can be contacted via VHF Ch 16. The local agency, Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) may also be contacted on Ch 16 or via Tel: +1 242 353 5458 or +1 242 352 2628.

1025.

BORCO: Line handling crews and gangways are provided. Configuration of vessel manifolds may affect berth suitability.

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels of 500GT and over. Vessels should send their ETA 48 hours in advance and establish VHF contact 1 hour prior to arrival to confirm ETA. Every vessel (other than an exempted vessel) while entering, leaving or making use of the port or the waterways of Freeport and every vessel carrying passengers (other than an exempted vessel) is required to be attended by a pilot licensed by the port director.The exemptions from compulsory pilotage in Freeport harbour are as follows: ..... 1. Vessels belonging to Her Majesty; 2. Vessels belonging to the Government of the Bahamas; 3. Vessels carrying passengers of less than 200GT; 4. Ships specifically exempted by the port director. The port office is situated at the control tower, (red and white bands), 0.75nm NNW of Freeport Lighthouse, SW of basin No 2. Pilots board at 26°28.55'N 078°47.75'W. The distance from the boarding point to the anchorage is 1.5nm, nearest berth 1.8nm and furthest berth is 2.5nm. Pilot for Sea Island boards 2nm S of the Sea Island, or as directed by pilot. Vessels can contact the pilot via Freeport Harbour Control which monitors VHF Ch 16 and 14; Tel: +1 242 352 9651; Fax +1 242 352 6888.

Harbour limits extend 0.7nm offshore,

Braudie Point Radio Mast: Position 26°32.6'N 78°49.1'W. Three conspicuous chimneys (red and white bands): 26°30.74'N 78°45.26'W. Bahamas Cement Plant: Silo type towers, position 26°31.6'N 78°46.2'W. Freeport main lighthouse: Position 26°30.4'N 078°45.9'W. The light has a range of 12nm; characteristic Fl (3) W 15s. Harbour leading lights consist of 2 vertical lights, 2 port and 2 starboard hand buoys mark the entrance to the channel. Freeport International Airport Aero Light: 26°32.88'N 78°42.27'W. The BORCO jetties, to the S of the harbour entrance, are marked by flashing white lights

Restricted Area: Extends 1nm from E end of No 2 Jetty, with a precautionary area extending a further mile outside a restricted area. Within the restricted area vessels entering or leaving Freeport Harbour should keep well clear of the BORCO Oil Terminal and should not pass between this terminal and the shore. No other vessels (with the exception of BORCO or port authority vessels) should enter the area owing to the fire hazard created by the handling of flammable liquids emitting explosive vapours. Berthing at night: Possible, except in gale force winds. Vessels may berth at BORCO Oil Terminal at any time. Harbour Expansion: Work is in progress to the NE of the harbour where blasting occurs at regular intervals.

Tidal streams in the approaches are usually fairly weak and variable according to the prevailing wind. Occasionally they reach 1.5kn parallel to the shoreline.

Three towing companies operate 6 modern tugs, having 3,500-4,000hp with 35-45t bollard pull.

Prevailing winds: SE'ly. BORCO: During bad weather, vessels may anchor of lay-off but should maintain a continuous listening watch on Ch 12, 13 and 16 for berthing and other information.

FREEPORT (BAHAMAS, THE) 26°31.20'N 78°46.55'W UNCTAD LOCODE: BS FPO ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 12/20 Freeport Marine Control Department correspondence, (RSDRA2020000052975), 12/20

..... Harbour Control: VHF: Ch 16, 10, 11, 14. Call: "Freeport Harbour Control" Pilots (24hrs): VHF: Ch 16, 11, 14. Call: "Freeport Pilots" Tel: +1 242 6888506. Harbour Company: Tel: +1 242 6888500, Fax: +1 242 3526888. GB Port Authority: Tel: +1 242 3509000. Website: http://www.gbpa.com BORCO Oil Terminal: VHF: Ch 16, 06, 11, 12, 13, 14. (24hrs) Call: "BORCO Marine". Tel: +1 242 3528864, +1 242 3529811. Fax: +1 242 3528864. BORCO Pilots/Tugs: VHF: 13. Call "BORCO Pilots". Bradford Marine: Tel: +1 242 352 7711. GB Shipyard: Tel: +1 242 350 4000. The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation's (BATELCO) Radio Telephone Operator can be contacted on VHF Ch 27. In addition Freeport Harbour can communicate on the following frequencies: ..... 1. 2031.5kHz (Miami Marine) 2. 2118kHz (Miami Marine) 3. 2198kHz (Nassau Marine) 4. 2670kHz (US Coast Guard)

Customs allowances each day for officers and crew; 1/24 gallon of spirits, 1oz tobacco and 1/6 gallon of beer. Penalties may be severe depending upon the nature of any violation.

Inwards: ..... Document Copies 1. Crew List 4 2. In Transit Passenger List 6 3. Disembarking Passenger List 6 4. Stores List 2 5. Gift shop Inventory 2 6. Crew Declaration 2 7. Ships report inwards (supplied by agents) 4 8. Maritime declaration of Health (supplied by agents) 1 9. Cargo Manifest for Freeport 6 10. Landing cards supplied by agents to be completed by each disembarking passenger. 11. Baggage Declaration forms supplied by agents to be completed by each disembarking passenger. 12. Clearance from last port will be collected by customs. 13. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate should be available for inspection. If vessel's previous port of call was in the Bahamas, items 7, 8 and 13 need not be complied with. When vessel requires consular despatch to a country such as Venezuela, 2 extra copies of items, 1, 4 and 6 should be supplied. Outwards: ..... Document Copies 1. Ships Report Outwards (supplied by agents) 2 2. List of Embarking Passengers 6 3. Outward Manifest Freeport (cargo) 4 If the vessel is clearing for another Bahamian port, item 1 does not have to be complied with, but copy of next port manifest is required. Quarantine/Pratique Documentation: The following documents are required by customs authorities for entry and clearance: ..... Document Copies 1. Certificate of Insurance (prescribed by 1969 Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage) - 2. Clearance from last port - 3. Crew List 3 4. Ship Stores List 2 5. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate - 6. Cargo Manifest 4 7. Bill of Lading 4 8. Crew Declaration (Bahamas Customs form No C6) 2

Port: ETA messages should be sent 24 hours in advance. The information should include last port of call, max incoming draught, total number of passengers, total number of children (age 6 and below), tug requirements and any engine deficiencies. VHF contact should be established one hour prior to arrival to confirm ETA. Terminal: Vessels calling at Borco Oil Terminal should send their ETA 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival at the terminal. VLCC's should send a 7 day ETA direct to Borco by telex or fax. VHF contact should be made at least two hours in advance. All vessels loading or discharging should send the following information: Importing (discharging) vessels: ..... 1. Vessel's name, callsign 2. ETA Local Time 3. Max draught on arrival 4. Gross barrels (ship) by grade at observed temperature 5. Average cargo temperature °F on arrival 6. Expected discharge rate; barrels per hour unrestricted facilities; number and size of connections 7. If more than one grade, ability to discharge more than one grade simultaneously 8. If "no" to (7), preferred discharge sequence 9. Ballast hours required on completion 10. Bunker requirements 11. Ship loaded gross barrels at 60°F less retained slops 12. Ships slop quantity on arrival at load port indicating oil in barrels and water in barrels 13. Indicate whether slops are isolated or loaded on top 14. Indicate in which specific cargo tank slops or slop/cargo mixture located 15. Indicate ship's experience for the last five voyages which is determined by dividing Bill of Lading figures into ship's loading figures 16. Was letter of protest issued at load port for any part of loading operation slop? If so, give brief details. This information must be sent to Borco at least 5 days prior to arrival at Freeport or on departure from loading port if voyage less than 5 days 17. Indicate if the vessel intends to COW while at berth 18. If fitted with an inert gas system, confirmation that the ship's tanks are in an inert condition (less than 8% oxygen) and that the system is fully operational 19. Oxygen concentration in cargo tanks 20. Pump room/engine room bilge clean and dry Exporting (loading) vessels: 1. Vessel's name, callsign 2. ETA Freeport, local time 3. Arrival draught fore and aft 4. Ballast; quantity and discharge time 5. Cargo nomination by grade and quantity 6. Ability to load while deballasting 7. If "no" to (6) above, ability to part load before deballasting 8. Max loading rate required per connection; number and size of connections 9. If loading more than one grade, ability to load two grades simultaneously 10. If "no" to (9) above, required loading sequence 11. Deepest sailing draught 12. Bunker requirements, quantity and type 13. Largest cargo carried; tank preparations 14. Slop retained; quantity and type 15. If fitted with inert gas systems, confirmation that the ship's tanks are in an inert condition (less than 8% O2) and that the system is fully operational 16. Oxygen concentration in cargo tanks 17. Pump room/engine room bilge clean and dry. Full details can be found in the BORCO Terminal Information and Regulations.

The national flag of the Bahamas is to be flown as a courtesy. When flown alongside another national flag it shall not be smaller or in worse condition than the other national flag.

Sailing Notice: All vessels shall be required to notify the harbour master's department of their sailing time at least one hour in advance. Vessels are not permitted to leave the docks until the harbour dues and other charges in respect of the vessel have been settled.

Pratique is granted by the customs boarding officer after the Maritime Declaration of Health Form has been completed by the master and the Ship Sanitation Control Certificate has been examined. It is important that the vessel should not commence refuelling nor work cargo until cleared. A vessel arriving from another Bahamian port, eg Nassau, does not require pratique. If any suspected disease or fever onboard, pratique may be withheld, pending examination by the Government Medical Officer. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate can be issued.

NOR to be tendered when Charter Party dictates. Vessels at position 26°30.0'N 078°48.0'W are considered to be arrived.