Gold River (CAGOR)

The Gold River port area is located at a remote, protected inlet, approx 22.0nm from the open sea and shielded from high winds by mountainous area of trees to the NW. The port, which was principally used by the Gold River Paper Mill, is on the W side of the entrance to Gold River and has facilities which can be used by sea going cargo vessels. Cargo includes break bulk (supplies) for more remote communities, fisheries and logging businesses. Green Island Energy company (part of Muchalat Industries Ltd.) has started a 90 megawatt thermal generating plant on the site of the former Paper Mill. The new thermal plant uses biomass as fuel, making substantial use of the timber resources in the area. Some of the existing shoreside facilities are used for timber storage and processing. Timber is transported along the river by being towed in rafts. The harbour has a Public Pier. The "MV Uchuck lll" calls on a regular ferry route, providing a year-round freight and passenger service for Gold River and other remote west coast communities located in Nootka Sound, Yuquot (Friendly Cove), Tahsis and Kyuquot.

Summer.

Gold River Port area, Vancouver Island, is located on the west side of the Gold River, where it flows into the north side of Muchalat Inlet.

LOA 190, beam 32.26m, draught 11.88m, 60,000DWT.

Approx. 47,000t of cargo handled annually.

Not available as depths off the port are too deep. Anchorage can be obtained in Nootka Sound, in the Spanish Pilot Group or Plumper Harbour.

Gold River is approached by way of Nootka Inlet on the W coast of Vancouver Island. Directions: From a position N of Muchalat South Shore Light (49°39.2'N 126°12.8'W), the route leads generally E for approx 3.75nm to a position SE of the berthing piers, passing N of Victor Island Light (red and white triangle on framework tower, 9.0m in elevation), exhibited from the N side of the Island which lies near the middle of the inlet. Jacklah Bay, S of Victor Island, has booming grounds and a wharf. Then the route follows S of Gold River Light (white round tower, green band, 8.0m in elevation, 1.5nm ENE), exhibited from a point close SSW of the berthing area then, according to the allocated berth or to continue to the head of the inlet, the route leads E for a short distance, then generally SE in mid channel for approx 3.75nm, passing NE of Guaquina Point (2.5nm E) to Matchlee Bay, where the inlet terminates and the Burman River flows into it over an extensive drying flat. Booming grounds line the E and W shores of the inlet SW of Guaquina Point.

BA 4922, 4944. Admiralty Pilot NP25.

1025.

Refer to "Canadian General Information, re Pacific Coast Pilotage".

Comprise all waters of Muchalat Inlet E of a line drawn from Muchalat Inlet S Shore Light (49°39.2'N 126°12.8'W) to the N shore.

Gold River Light is exhibited from a white round tower, with a green band standing on a point at the W side of the port.

Entrance channel along Muchalet Inlet is 320m wide and provides no depth restriction for the largest permitted size of vessel.

Range 4.2m.

Assigned frequency of VHF Ch 74.

Available at 12 hours notice.

Prevailing winds: S'ly.

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. VHF: Ch 16 and 74.

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 vessel's 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.