Comox (CACOX)

The port is closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. The harbour of Comox is located in an agricultural district which is also the site of CFB Comox, an air force base providing search and rescue operations and marine patrols and support for naval and air force defences. The harbour inlet offers a well protected anchorage to all but very large vessels. On the North shore there are several marinas providing pontoon berths for fishing vessels and recreational craft, and protected by three substantially built breakwaters. Along the middle of these, the public pier protrudes out to a 'T' shaped pontoon. A water plane service runs to and from the West side of the marina area and, to the East, is "HMCS Quadra", a Summer training facility for Canadian Naval Cadets which has a small pier. On the South shore, Royston oil pier has been demolished and is no longer in operation.

Summer.

Comox is located on the E side of Vancouver Island, facing the Strait of Georgia, approx 100nm NW of Vancouver.

Anchorage is located 0.25nm S of the head of the Government Pier at Comox, in depths of 22m to 26m. Vessels may anchor anywhere convenient, in depths of 20m to 26m, around the harbour.

Comox Harbour is entered between Goose Spit and Gartley Point. The approach to Comox Harbour through Baynes Sound is deep and free of dangers. Goose Spit should be rounded at a distance of approx 0.15nm.

Admiralty Pilot NP25.

Refer to "Canadian general information, re Pacific Coast Pilotage".

The port limits include all waters W of a line from Cape Lazo to Longbeak Point and N of a line from Chrome Island to Mapleguard Point.

A tower with obstruction lights (49°39'.8N 124°54'.8W). Beacon No 1 Light, a white and green square on pile on 7-pile dolphin (49° 39'.7N 124°56'.4W). Comox Breakwater head light, a white round mast (49°40'.2N 124°55'.8W). Comox East Breakwater light, a post (49°40'.1N 124°55'.4W).

Local magnetic anomaly disturbance as much as 2° in excess of the normal variation has been reported and this does not appear to extend beyond the confines of the harbour. A Canadian Armed Forces base and firing range is located on Goose Spit. Drying mud flats, along which flows the Courtenay River, fill an area of the harbour to within 0.5nm W of Goose Spit and also the NE part of the N side of Goose Spit on the fringe of the S side of the harbour. Courtenay River can be ascended by small vessels as far as Courtney where there is a bridge with a vertical clearance of 2.1m. Overhead cables with a vertical clearance of 18m span the river upstream from the bascule bridge and a fixed span bridge crosses the river farther upstream.

Mean spring range approx 3.1m, mean neap range approx 1.1m. Tidal streams are affected by eddies, created by fresh water flowing from the Courtenay River into the salt water of the harbour, and mud bank configuration.

The average annual max temperature for the area is 31°C and min temperature -7°, with 17 days of fog.

San Francisco ("KPH" and "KFS") and Vancouver Coast Guard ("VAI") coast radio stations can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. The stations can transmit/receive traffic on all HF frequencies and 500kHz, depending on distance from station. Inmarsat can also be used. Comox Valley Harbour Authority: Tel: + 1 250 339 6041, Email: info@comoxharbour.com, Web: http//:www.comoxharbour.com.

Comox Harbour is a port of entry. Allowances: Officers and crew are allowed 1 bottle of spirits or 24 cans of beer and 200 cigarettes. Any excesses are confiscated or duties must be paid. Passengers onboard are subject to search of their personal effects if they intend to land. Immigration: Any supernumeraries must be reported (with or without visa). Immigration officers only conduct spot checks on vessels. Otherwise agent processes immigration Crew List. Passengers onboard are subject to document checks if they intend to land.

..... Document Copies 1. General Declaration 4 2. Ship's Stores Declaration 3 3. Crew Personal Effects Declaration 3 4. Crew List 3 5. Health Declaration 1 The documents are handed to the agent on arrival. He will leave onboard 2 copies each of items (2) and (3) above. Thereafter, Customs may perform spot checks on the vessel and will demand these documents. The vessel's agent usually arranges for forms to be delivered onboard, by the pilot, for the Master to complete for arrival alongside.

Initial ETA to be sent on departure from last port to the consigned agent. Further ETA's, dependent on Charter Party, are normally sent 14, 10, 7 and 5 days prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival, name of Master, last 3 ports of call, number of crew and breakdown of nationalities.

Interco flag "Q" must be flown if there is sickness onboard.

Canadian Coast Guard may attend a vessel for port state control inspection. Furthermore, if a vessel is more than 10 years old and loading coal or bulk concentrates then they could attend for the bulk carrier inspection programme for structural deficiencies of cargo bulkheads and inspection of wing tanks. Discharge of dirty ballast is strictly forbidden. Owners must apply for an oil spill response agreement prior to vessels arrival, through the agent.

It is not necessary to apply for pratique unless there is an infection or dead person onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio. If there is any sickness onboard the vessel will be quarantined. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

The custom of the port is to tender NOR on arrival at a safe anchorage or first line at berth. If an outer anchorage is used Master may tender NOR by cable or telex.