Caracas Bay (CWCRB)

There are two piers, operated by Curacao Ports Authority (CPA). The port handles liquid cargo and passengers. Some of the world's largest cruise vessels regularly dock at these piers. The two piers are naturally protected from prevailing wind and sea. If cargo operations are required, lighters and stevedores can be transported from Willemstad. The Willemstad Harbour Master has overall jurisdiction.

Tropical.

Caracas Bay is an open deep water bay on the S coast of Curacao, 8km (5nm) SE of Willemstad.

LOA 320m.

Only in consultation with Port Authority.

BA 702, 1412, 2193; Dutch 2714. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

Coastguard Emergency, Tel: +599 9 463 7911. Royal Netherlands Airforce (RNLAF), Rescue Co-ordination Station, Tel: +599 681628 (24 hour service), Fax: +599 290476. During emergencies 2182kHz is used. The Curacao RCC maintains a link with the United States Coast Guard RCC in San Juan, Puerto Rico and can use AMVER information. In case of missing vessels there are aircraft facilities to assist in the search monitoring VHF Ch 16 and 2182kHz. There is an auxiliary Coastguard (Citizens Rescue Organisation of the Netherlands Antilles, CITRO). This consists of small private boats plus a fast, seaworthy, rigid, inflatable lifeboat. The boat is on 24 hour standby. The Royal Netherlands Navy has on station a frigate or minesweeper which, if available, will be dispatched during emergencies and will direct merchant vessels in accordance with MESAR.

1025.

Vessels dock with their port side to the piers, thus allowing passengers to disembark directly onto the pier. General berthing information: Operation for berthing/loading unberthing is continuous with no tidal restrictions.

Compulsory for vessels of 50GT and over. Pilots are available from Willemstad. Vessels must provide a lighted, manned, properly secured and clean pilot ladder fitted with sufficient spreaders. A lifebuoy with a "Holmes Light" and a reliable heaving line should be placed close to the pilot ladder. The embarkation and disembarkation must be supervised by an officer. Vessels arriving or leaving with a freeboard exceeding 9.1m must use an accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder (Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1960). Vessels should stay 1.0nm off shore SW of the harbour entrance to await a pilot. Both anchors should be ready for immediate use. Defects of engines, steering gear, anchor gear and other defects which influence manoeuvring abilities of the vessel must be reported to the Harbour Master before entering.

A light (12°07.0'N 068°56.0'W), (orange column, black bands, 7m in height), is occasionally exhibited on the E side of the N end of St Anna Bay.

Range 0.8m.

The vessel Traffic Control Centre (VTCC) coordinates vessel movement within the five ports of Curacao. The agent will request berthing information from the VTCC (Ch 12) and pass the details to the Master. When requesting berthing information the following should be provided: ..... 1. The vessel's name 2. ETA 3. LOA/BOA 4. Draught on arrival 5. Gross tonnage 6. Type of vessel 7. Purpose of visit 8. ETD 9. Last port 10. Destination port 11. ISPS Security level.

Compulsory for berthing, available from Willemstad.

Prevailing winds: Vary from ENE to ESE. The port is outside the hurricane belt and experiences a mild climate with the rainy season extending from Oct to Jan. Annual average rainfall is approx 480mm.

The Curacao Radio Office (Lands Radio & Telegraafdienst) operates throughout 24 hours every day of the year. ..... Location: Curacao Callsign: Curacao Radio, "PJC". Watch keeping: Throughout 24 hours. GMDSS (DSC) Sea Area Ch 70 A1 2187.5 A2 Listening Frequencies Transmitting Frequencies (kHz) (kHz) 2182.0 2182.0 VHF: Curacao Radio Ch 16, throughout 24 hours. Port Operations Station: (Operated by the Curacao Port Authorities). Location: Fort Nassau. Callsign: Fort Nassau. Frequencies: International Ch 16 for calling and safety; Ch 12 working, first choice Ch 14. Watchkeeping: Throughout 24 hours, via Ch 16 and 12. Operation: Simplex, frequency modulated. Range: 20-25nm.

The following documents, signed by the Master. if the agent is not authorised, are required: Customs requirement: ..... Document Copies Stores List 1 Cargo Manifest (for Curacoa) 2 Cargo Manifest (in transit) 2 Cargo Manifest (onboard) 2 Cargo Discharge List 2 Crew List 1 Passenger List. 1 The Customs Officer will make out his "Akte van Inklaring" (Certificate of Entry) when he has seen all the documents. Immigration requirements: ..... Crew List 2 Passenger List 2 Health Declaration. 2

The following documents are required for inward clearance of vessels: ..... Document CU IM AG Total 1. Crew List 1 3 1 5 Remarks: Additional copies may be required by agents for vessel's dispatch to subsequent ports of call 2. Crew Effect Lists 2 - 2 4 3. Passenger List Landing 1 3 2 6 In Transit - 3 2 5 4. A nationality breakdown of passengers in transit - 3 1 4 Remarks: If there are no "Landing" and/or "In Transit" passengers, a "negative" list is not required. 5. Stores List 2 - 1 3 Remarks: Additional copies may be required by agents for vessel's dispatch to subsequent ports of call 6. Customs Freight List (Vrachtlijst) of cargo in transit 2 - - 2 Remarks: This form is supplied and made out on arrival by agent, who requires the total number of packages and total weight of all cargo onboard in transit. Note: CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, AG = Agent. Ship's Register: Customs and/or Immigration Officers may require to see this document on inward clearance by agent. Maritime Health Declaration: The port doctor only boards the vessel if death has occurred or if there are any contagious sickness onboard and will then require the following documents: 1. Dangerous and hazardous cargo requires pre-arrangement. 2. Radio Safety and Ship Sanitation Control Certificate to be available. 3. Stores List this must include, deck and engine stores and narcotics, bonded and provisions and for cruise vessels also bar lists. No special form is prescribed for Crew Lists, Passenger Lists and Store Lists and these may be out on the company's regular forms. No Consular Visa required on any of the foregoing documents.

Vessel's ETA should be sent to Curacao Agents at least 72, 48, and 24 hours prior to arrival. Advance requirements: It is important to include in the ETA message all pertinent requirements. Changes in ETA are to be advised as quickly as possible by the Master to enable the agents to adapt themselves to changed conditions.

All vessels carrying explosives, ammunition, radioactive material and other dangerous IMO cargo, for discharge at Curacao, for transhipment or in transit without transhipment, require special permission in writing, obtained prior to arrival, for entering any port in the island of Curacao.

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.