St Michiel's Bay (CWSMB)

St Michiel's Bay is an open bay with good protection from prevailing winds and the sea. There is a mooring buoy, approx 200m off the shoreline, which is utilised as an anchoring facility for large vessels with dangerous cargoes and for carrying out underwater cleaning and minor repairs. Repairs and cargo handling are affected by the use of barges. All services are arranged via Willemstad.

Tropical.

St Michiel's Bay is located on the S coast of Curacao, 8km W of Willemstad.

LOA 213m, 350,000DWT.

Anchorage is obtained by using a short scope on one anchor, facing seawards and securing stern to the mooring buoy, in approx 40m of water.

BA 702, 1412. 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 and rescue, monitoring VHF Ch 16 and 2182kHz. 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. 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 hours standby.

1025.

Vessels are moored stern to the buoy with a bow anchor to keep the vessel head in deep water.

Compulsory for vessels over 50GT, and available from the Curacao Pilots Organisation (CPO) at Willemstad. The Harbour Master of Willemstad should be notified well in advance by radio.

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

Tugs are available from Willemstad. The following towage assistance is required under normal conditions: Vessels up to LOA 213m, 1 tug and vessels over LOA 213m, 2 tugs. For unmooring no towage assistance is required.

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.

..... Radio: 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 A1 Ch 70 A2 2187.5 Listening Transmitting Frequencies Frequencies (kHz) (kHz) 2182.0 2182.0 VHF: 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: ..... Documents 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 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. 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 illness onboard and will then require the following documents: 1. Dangerous and hazardous cargo requires pre-arrangement. 2. Radio Safety and Ship Sanitation Control Certificates 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.

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.