Thunder Bay (CATHU)

The Thunder Bay port area extends along 56km of shoreline, its various port facilities interspersed with other private businesses and agricultural ventures not using water-based transport. There are facilities for handling all types of cargo, including grain, coal, potash, forest products, general cargoes, heavy lifts, bagged grains, project cargoes and liquid bulk. Grain and agri-products form the major part of cargo handled. Major grain companies operate eight grain elevators. In better times, the port has had 36 operational elevators. More recently, with increasing demand and production, a number of 'mothballed' grain elevators and berths are being considered for re-opening.

The port of Thunder Bay is situated on Lake Superior at Canadian head of the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway System, 3,200km inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

LOA 226.12m, beam 23.78m, draught 7.3m, 39,069DWT.

Approx 8,500,000t of cargo and 400 vessels handled annually.

Vessels should anchor at least 1km E of the breakwaters, well away from the harbour's 5 entrances.

The area is known for magnetic anomalies. The N side of the harbour lies behind a large breakwater, approx 12.88km in length and has three entrances. The S side of the harbour is reached through two entrances. Red and Green markers with lights appear at all these entrances. When using the Paper Mill berth, outside the main harbour area, a recommended track of 335.5° should be taken approx 2nm from the shore, using the red pile beacon located at the head of the Paper Mill dock area.

Can 2314. BA4794. NP286(5). US 14968.

The Canadian Coast Guard can be contacted via the radio station, callsign "VBA", Tel: +1 807 345 5190.

1000.

Mooring lines: Uniform thickness throughout, fitted with an eye not less than 2.4m in length and of sufficient strength to check the vessel. Anchors: Vessels over 110m must have an operational stern anchor. Orange anchor marking buoys of an approved type, fitted with 22m of suitable line, must be secured to all anchors. Suncor: A copy of the Company's "Thunder Bay Terminal, Information for Vessels" can be obtained from Suncor. Mooring bollards, other than those on the main dock, require long leads and handling across open water and the shoreline. Masters should be appropriately prepared. Synthetic breast and head lines are preferred instead of wire cables. All vessel mooring wires must be fitted with synthetic mooring tails that meet current OCIMF guidelines (ie max 11.0m in length with a min breaking strength of 125% of the breaking strength of the wire to which they are attached and be connected to the wire with mandal or tonsberg type shackles). Little traffic passes the berth but, when it does, a good watch should be kept. There is adequate water depth in the Mission River for vessels bound for Suncor Terminal. An adequate number of shore linesmen will be provided to take vessel lines and perform dock mooring duties. Vessel crews are not to be used to perform dock mooring duties. A minimum of four linesmen should be used for berthing and two for unberthing. Cargo transfer will stop and arms disconnected in winds exceeding 30kts; additional precautionary measures taken in winds exceeding 40kts.

Compulsory for ocean-going vessels. Pilots are supplied by The Western Great lakes Pilots' Association (http://www.wglpa.com).

Nil. The port area is over 45km long and stretches inland. River currents vary. At the Suncor Terminal, Mission River current speeds range from 1kt to 3kts, roughly parallel to the dock.

There are five tugs available, the most powerful being 1,600hp.

Prevailing winds: W'ly. Iced up in Winter months.

..... Port Contact (Marine Advisory Radio): MMSI: VDX30 Tel: +1 807 3455190. Port Authority: Tel: +1 807 3456400. Fax: +1 807 3459058. Email: marketing@tbport.on.ca Website: www.portofthunderbay.com Suncor Thunder Bay: Tel: +1 807 6228701 (Terminal) Fax: +1 807 6230932. Suncor Port Facility Officer: Email: ahamilton@suncor.com Thunder Bay Tug Service: Tel: +1 807 3449221. The Coast Guard monitors Ch 16 and uses Ch 26 as a working channel.

Customs authorities, Tel: +1 807 345 5422, Fax: +1 807 626 1602.

..... Document Copies 1. Crew List Original + 2 copies 2. Crew Personal Effects List Original + 2 copies 3. Ship's Stores List Original + 2 copies The above are faxed by the vessel's agent to Customs. Forms are delivered onboard by the agent as the vessel passes Montreal.

Initial ETA to be sent a min of 3 days prior to arrival at Montreal. Additional ETA's should be sent on passing Montreal. Mandatory quarantine report to ECAREG and agent required 96 hours before arrival, if first Canadian port, see Country section. Vessels bound for Suncor Terminal are required to provide ETA 4 hours prior to arrival, and on departure from loading facility an on departing SSM Locks.

Canadian flag to be displayed as a courtesy.

Garbage from foreign ships may not be landed.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

NOR should be tendered as per Charter Party on arrival.

Berthing instructions are passed to a vessel by the agent in Montreal. The message advises berth location, docking side, anticipated cargo, berth availability, anticipated time alongside, any navigational problems anticipated and local conditions.