Fuik Bay (CWFUI)

Fuik Bay is a private port owned by Mining Company Curacao. The piers as well as the facilities are privately owned by this company.

Tropical.

Fuik Bay is located 11km SE of Willemstad on the S coast of Curacao.

LOA 107m, draught 4.3m.

There is an anchorage area to the W side of the bay in depths up to 15.0m.

Fuik Bay is a navigable bay with an entrance width of 44.8m and a depth of 8.0m. From a position SSW of the harbour, Newport leading beacons (12°03.1'N 068° 50.0'W) in line bearing 027.5° lead through the entrance channel in a depth of 8.6m. Front mark: Red cross on red and white beacon, 7m in height, standing 0.05nm NW of a mast. Rear mark: Red triangle on red and a white beacon, 10m in height. This alignment keeps W of 2 buoys, moored close off the E side of the channel and E of a buoy, moored close to the W entrance point. Immediately after clearing the entrance channel inwards, a vessel is turned E on the starboard anchor and berthed heading SE. There is very little room for manoeuvring. Therefore, for safety reasons, the vessel must be properly ballasted. A following swell at the entrance sometimes makes entry difficult.

BA 702, 1412, 2193; Dutch 2714. Admiralty Pilot NP7A.

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 a frigate or minesweeper on station which, if available, will be dispatched during emergencies and will direct merchant vessels in accordance with MESAR.

1025.

Compulsory. Pilots are provided from Willemstad. Vessels must provide a lighted, manned, properly secured and clean pilot ladder fitted with sufficient spreaders. Pilot will board 0.5nm S of the entrance or in Caracas Bay. 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 9.0m must use an accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder (Safety of life at Sea Convention 1960). Vessels should stay 1nm 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 the manoeuvring capabilities 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.

Vessels may enter during daylight hours only and vessels may sail either day or night.

Range 0.6m.

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.

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. Currents: On the approach to the bay, there is generally a strong W'ly current. In Aug, Sep and Oct, strong E'ly currents sometimes occur.

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 Ch 70 A1 2187.5 A2 Listening Transmitting Frequencies Frequencies (kHz) (kHz) 2182.0 2182.0 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 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 on board 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. The Customs Officer will make out his "Akte van Inklaring" (Certificate of Entry) when he has seen all the documents. Maritime Health Declaration: The port doctor only boards the vessel if death has occurred or if there is any contagious sickness on board 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.