Stewart (CASTW)

Stewart is Canada's most N'ly ice free port and is ideally located at the head of the Portland Canal and within one of the most mineral rich areas of North America. The port handles cargo including breakbulk (cement, coal and mineral ore), project cargo, forest products and general cargo to customers in Northern BC and around the world. The location of the port allows the two terminals (Stewart Bulk Terminal and Stewart World Port Terminal) direct access via roadway to British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. The port also boasts services that allow a full day advantage to Asian markets over southern ports, lower terminal handling costs and continuous 24 hour ship loading. The area within the port has a favourable climate, low winds and the lowest salinity of any deep water log loading facility in BC.

Summer.

Stewart is British Columbia's most N'ly deep water port, located close to the Alaska state boundary, at the head of the Portland Canal.

Max LOA 224m, beam 32.3m, draught 12.6m, 65,000DWT.

Good anchorage holding ground is located off Stewart in depths of 46-55m, soft mud bottom, for vessels loading logs. However, this is exposed to N and S winds, which are frequently drawn through the canal. Caution: There are drying flats, which are steep to and remain covered except at the very lowest stages of the tide, lying to the N and W of the anchorage.

BA 3794. Admiralty Pilot NP26.

1000.

Mooring pads and ties are lined along the Stewart World Port Wharf and a mooring buoy is located just off the S end of the Wharf.

Compulsory. Arranged through Victoria. Due to the time and distance from Triple Island Pilot Boarding Station two pilots must be used.

All the waters of the Portland Canal within the jurisdiction of Canada N of a line drawn from Glacier Point (55°49.08'N 130°06.38'W) on a bearing 172° to Engineers Point on the opposite shore.

Caution: It has been reported that there is extensive silting at the mouths of the Bear River and the Salmon River. Ice forms at the head of Portland Canal in the vicinity of Stewart from November to February. This does not stop shipping, yet it can be a problem for small vessels. The waters lying in the vicinity of Stewart are a designated aerodrome Note: Throughout the year, discoloured water from the Bear River and the Salmon River extends to Glacier Point.

Mean spring range 6.7m; mean neap range 5.3m. Tidal streams do not exceed 3kts.

Assigned frequency 156.7MHz, Ch 17.

Ordered from Prince Rupert.

Prevailing winds: N'ly and 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.

Customs service is provided from Prince Rupert. Customs 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. Canadian Coast Guard require pre arrival report sent at least 96 hours prior to arrival if vessel arriving from foreign port. See Country section for further details.

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.