Parrsboro (CAPAR)

The town of Parrsboro is located on the W bank of the River Parrsboro, which has a dam, approx 1.5nm from river mouth. A public pier, which dries at LW, is located 0.2nm NNW of Parrsboro Light, on the E bank of the river. The port is now used by fishing vessels, small recreational vessels and limited quantities of coastal freighters.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Area. For ships over 100m in length, Winter Dec 16 to Feb 15, Summer Feb 16 to Dec 15. For ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

The port of Parrsboro is located on the N side of Minas Basin, western Nova Scotia, at the mouth of the Parrsboro River.

Max draught 8.5m.

Outer anchorage: Vessels awaiting the tide to enter harbour can anchor in 18m, 2nm SE of Parrsboro Light. Coastal anchorage: Vessels may anchor in a depth of approx 22m clear of rocks, 0.5nm to 1.0nm offshore anywhere between Morden (45°06'N 64°57'N) and the mouth of Scots Bay but proonged W and SW winds can create heavy seas here which make the anchorage unsuitable for smaller vessels. There is another anchorage for vessels waiting for a favourable tide to enter the Minas Basin about 1.0nm SE of Cape Split in 18m but this is not recommended during the autumn when E gales frequently shift around to the W.

The harbour dries from just outside the entrance. At high water there is a last depth of about 6.7m in the entrance channel off Parrsboro Light. The harbour is approached between Partridge Island, (45°22'N 064°20'W) and Clarke Head, (4nm ENE) and is entered between Crane Point (0.8nm NE of Partridge Island) and McLaughlin Bluff approx 1nm farther ENE, height 27m. The directions for entering the harbour are as follows: From a position 0.7nm E of Crane Point the entrance channel, which dries is marked by buoys and leads NW passing between the NE end of Lighthouse Bar and the public pier (0.1nm NNW), on the SE head of which stands a light (framework tower, 6m in height). Then a tortuous and narrow drying channel leads to the town. Dangers extending 0.125nm E from Crane Point and 0.2nm S from Mcalughlin Bluff are marked by buoys.

BA 4745. Admiralty Pilot NP59, NP286(5).

1025.

Pilotage is not compulsory but local knowledge is required for entry to the harbour. A local pilot is available and, if required, will board in the vicinity of Ile Haute, (45°15'N 065°00'W) or Spencer Island, (45°20'N 064° 42'W).

Parrsboro Lighthouse at the end of the bar, to the W of the entrance to the harbour.

The harbour is protected by Lighthouse Bar, a natural bank which covers at extreme HW and which, together with a new breakwater, extends 0.6nm NE from near Crane Point. There is a large tidal range in the harbour and it is only accessible by vessels with moderate draught that can take to the ground at low water. It is reported that vessels with a max draught of 5.2m at neaps and 6.7m at springs are able to enter the harbour but depths should be checked very carefully. Due to the high tidal range vessels are required to enter only on high tide.

Tidal rise approx 11.3m to 12.5m at neap, tidal rise approx 12.7m to 14.2m at spring.

Not available.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly. Ice usually forms in January and breaks up in late March. The navigation season is from the beginning of April to end of December.

Halifax Coast Guard Radio (callsign "VCS") can be used for passing messages throughout 24 hours. Amver messages can be passed through "VCS". Halifax Coast Guard CRS has sites at Sambro (44°28.33'N 063°37.27'W); Ecum Secum (44°57.87'N 062°08.92'W); Kingsburg (44°16.53'N 064°17.25'W). HF and MF frequencies are used, depending upon distance from station. VHF: Ch 16.

Allowances: For each officer or crew member the allowance is 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 0.9kg of tobacco and 1.1 litres of liquor or 8.2 litres of beer or ale. A penalty for non compliance will be implemented. Immigration: Routine filing of documents is undertaken by the vessel's agent. There are no restrictions on crew and/or passengers except those who require a visa. If they do not possess a visa they must remain aboard the vessel.

..... Document Copies 1. Last Port Clearance 3 2. Ship's Bonded Stores List 3 3. Crew's Personal Effects List 3 4. Immigration Crew List 3 5. Maritime Declaration of Health 1 Documents are received by Canada Customs on arrival or in the absence of Customs it is the responsibility of the vessel's agent to take documents to Canada Customs and Immigration.

To be sent to vessel's agent 5 days, 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. Vessel's ETA should be sent to ECAREG (Telex: 019-22510 CCG MRHQ DRT) 96 hours prior to arrival, also notify VTS 12 hours in advance at the zone limit. ETA message to agent must include "Vessel Pre-Arrival Notification" and vessel's Crew List. The Vessel Pre-Arrival Notification includes: ..... 1. Vessel's name and callsign 2. Date 3. GT 4. Port of Registry 5. Master 6. Port/berth/dock 7. Date of vessel arrival and time of arrival 8. Date of departure and time of departure 9. Voyage routeing (including last 5 ports of call starting with the most recent). 10. Customs service required at time of arrival Yes/No 11. If Yes, specify reason 12. Number of crew 13. Number of passengers 14. Number of fishery observers 15. Number of crew/passengers/observers signing off 16. Crew List attached 17. Nationality of crew and nationality of officers 18. Brief summary of cargo 19. Containerised 20. Non containerised 21. Bulk 22. Vessel repairs in foreign country (Canadian vessels only) Yes/No 23. Certificates with expiry dates: a. Safety Construction b. Safety Equipment c. Ship Sanitation Control d. Safety Radio e. Load Line 24. Will the vessel operate in the coastal trade Yes/No Is the vessel licensed Yes/No If Yes, where was the licence issued and date valid until 25. Agent 26. Agent contact person 27. Agent fax number and contact person telephone number.

State flag to be flown over the stern and Canadian flag at the mast.

Pratique should be applied for when arriving from a country which has infectious diseases or death onboard from unknown causes. Pratique is applied for through the vessel's agent. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

NOR normally tendered when vessel secured alongside berth except most tankers tender on arrival pilot station or at port limits.