Richibucto (CARBT)

Richibucto caters for fishing and small private pleasure vessels The town of Rexton is about 5km farther up the river. The port is open from mid April to beginning December.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Richibucto is located on the W shore of the Northumberland Straits, Gulf of St Lawrence, situated on the left bank 8km from the mouth of the Richibucto River, Canada.

Anchorage may be obtained off the bar, in depths of 6.7 to 9.1m. The bottom is made up of sand however E of the range line it is made up of rock. This anchorage is completely exposed. Caution: Oyster farms are located in Aldouane Lake and in Baie du Village; mariners are advised to proceed with care in the vicinity of the farms.

Approach and entry: The harbour is approached through a narrow channel over a sand bar, and entered through Richibucto Gully (46°43'N., 064°48'W). The entrance channel has depths of approx 2.7m, but is liable to shift with the action of gales and ice. The charted channel, narrow and intricate, is marked by buoys (lateral) and may be moved to meet the changing conditions in Richibucto Channel. The approach through the two sand pits are several miles in length and have sand dunes which stand 9.1m high. From the vicinity of "Q" Lightbuoy (safe water) 46°43.5'N., 064°44.5'W moored approx 2nm ENE of the SE extremity of North Richibucto Dune, the entrance channel is approached from NE, passing between "Q3" and "Q4" Lightbuoys, moored approx 2nm E of the river entrance. The track then leads W for approx 1.75nm, passing S of "Q10" Lightbuoy (starboard hand), then; N of the W part of South Richibucto Beach, and S of drying patches and rocks, awash, on Richibucto Bar, extending E from the SE extremity of North Richibucto Beach. Ultimately, the port is located on the W bank approx 3nm from the entrance channel.

BA 2034, 4765; Can 4909. Admiralty Pilot NP65.

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: Via Charlottetown (VCA).

Brackish.

Compulsory. Pilot boards the vessel about 1nm off the harbour entrance. Local knowledge is essential.

The channel range is situated on the W side of the harbour in line bearing 277°. After entering the harbour, there are three pairs of range lights which indicate the channel: North Richibucto Beach Inner Leading Lights: Front light (white rectangle with red stripe on framework tower, 7m in height) 46°43'N., 064°48'W. Rear light (similar construction and tower, 10m in height) stands 239m from front light. South Richibucto Beach Inner Leading Lights: Front light (white trapezium, red stripe on framework tower, 5m in height) 46°42.5'N., 064°48.0'W. Rear light (similar construction, inverted and tower, 10m in height) stands 296m from front light. Richibucto Town Leading Lights: Front light (white rectangle, red stripe, on framework tower, 13m in height) 46°40.8'N., 064°51.8'W. Rear light (similar construction and tower, 19m in height) stands 285m from front light. The Inner range lights are in line bearing 045.5°, the second pair of range lights are in line bearing 065° and the final pair are in line bearing 227°.

A road bridge with a vertical clearance of 5.5m spans the river from Jardineville on the SW shore to Pratts Point on the NW shore. A road bridge with a vertical clearance of 2.4m spans the river at Rexton, 1.75nm above Richibucto town. Vessels are advised not to enter/depart the harbour at more than idle speeds. It is worth noting that local knowledge is necessary when navigating to the harbour. This is due to the fact that the range lights and buoys are moved from time to time to mark the best channel.

Range 1.0m. Tidal streams: The rate of the tidal streams in Richibucto River is between 1.5 - 2.0kts.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly. Ice: Forms within the harbour in Dec and rescinds by mid-Apr.

Halifax Coast Guard Radio contact info: Call sign: VCS. Available throughout 24 hours. Amver messages can be passed through "VCS".

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. Penalty for non compliance with the above is forfeiture. If ship's bond count is not accurate, overage results in forfeiture and penalty, under results in payment of duty, taxes and penalty. 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. Loadline 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.

Wharf garbage bins are provided however it is not to be used for wood products and fishing gear. Anyone found in violation will be prosecuted.

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.