Willemstad (CWWIL)

Willemstad is the major port of the island and has an oil refinery and a transhipment terminal for crude and petroleum products. Cruise vessels and tourism are the most important contributors to the local economy. Dedicated facilities exist for handling cruise, container, Ro-Ro and general cargo vessels. The port operates on a 24 hour basis. A Royal Netherlands Navy Base is located in S of Schottegat.

Tropical.

Willemstad Harbour is located on the S coast of Curacao. The entrance channel to this port, St. Anna Bay, is located in Willemstad, the capital of Curaзao. Cruise ships and other vessels dock at the Megapier Cruise Terminal at the bay's entrance and at various terminals situated on the Otrobanda side of the bay.

LOA 362.12m, beam 48m, draught 13.71m, 160,024DWT.

Approx. 900,000t of cargo, 100,000TEUs, 700,000 passengers and 1,900 vessels handled annually.

There are no outer anchorages, depths in the approaches to Willemstad are too great for anchoring. There is an anchorage area in Willemstad. In the SW part of Schottegat Bay there is a dolphin with a mooring buoy on each side available as a waiting berth subject to the Harbour Master's permission, depth 12.1m. The distance between each buoy and the dolphin is 348m.

Willemstad is approached from the SW and entered through St Anna Bay along the alignment of leading lights. The navigable portion of the entrance of the port is 263m in width, marked on either side by a lightbuoy, the min depth is 15.2m. On passing the lightbuoys sufficient headway should be maintained only to offset any adverse effect of current or wind. When approx 0.5nm past the lightbuoys the track then leads NE towards the pontoon bridge. When the bridge is open proceed through Sint Anna Baai (St Anna Bay), in mid channel, passing under Koningin Juliana Bridge and into Schottegat. Sint Anna Baai consists of a channel 1,426.7m in length, width of 130.8m and depths between 15.2-27.0m. The inner bay of Schottegat is a 60.7ha body of water with depths ranging from 3.0-24.0m. There are no specific directions for approaching the berths in Schottegat, but attention is drawn to the shoal water which fringes the bay, especially in its W part. The edge of the shoal water is marked by lightbuoys (white), W of the entrance to Sint Anna Baai and by light beacons E of the entrance.

BA 783, 782, 2193. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

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

1025.

Requests for dead vessels to berth at Jetty No 10 at Refineria Isla (Curacao) SA: From time to time Refineria Isla receives enquiries from vessels requesting to use the facilities of Jetty No 10 whilst such vessels are of a dead ship status. To ensure the safety of the marine installations, there are certain aspects of the above requests which will have to be considered prior to Refineria Isla granting permission. With the above in mind, below is a list of questions which should be answered by the Master of these vessels to assist Isla in assessing such requests: ..... 1. What is the cause for vessel being a dead ship? 2. Are the fixed fire fighting systems in working order? 3. Can mooring lines be tended in the normal fashion? 4. Are cargo pumps operational? 5. Is vessel gas free? 6. What was the last cargo carried? 7. Does vessel require to discharge slops? 8. Do slops contain chemicals? 9. Does vessel require tank cleaning whilst alongside and if so what will be method and duration of such tank cleaning? 10. Does vessel require repairs whilst alongside and if so what type, location and duration of such repairs? For all hot work and certain locations for cold work, a Marine Chemist Certificate will be required. Acceptance will be subject to SM Division Manager and Harbour Master's approval.

Compulsory for vessels of 50GT or more. Pilots are available throughout 24 hours from Willemstad. Pilotage between 1830hrs and 0530hrs will incur a 100% overtime charge. 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 the accommodation ladder in conjunction with the pilot ladder (Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974). Vessels should stay 1nm offshore 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 may influence the manoeuvring abilities of the vessel must be reported to the Harbour Master before entering. The pilot boards 1nm SW of the harbour entrance. While waiting for the pilot, a vessel should heave to, 3-4nm SW of the entrance. The pilot boarding station is situated 0.75nm W of the harbour entrance. On arrival at the pilot station, vessels should report to Fort Nassau via VHF Ch 16.

The port consists of Santa Anna Bay and an adjacent inner bay, Schottegat, a 60ha body of water.

Willemstad Light, grey metal column, 17m, on E end of Waterfront, (12°06.2'N 068°56.2'W) 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. Mega Pier: Lights are exhibited from the ends of the outer arm of the jetty, on the W side of the entrance to Santa Anna Bay.

SUBMARINE CABLES: Several of these land onshore at Punda, 0.25nm ESE of the entrance to Willemstad. BRIDGES: Santa Anna Bay is crossed by two bridges, the Queen Emma floating pontoon bridge and the Queen Juliana fixed bridge. The pontoon bridge opens an closes semi-automatically day and night for arriving and departing vessels with no waiting period at the harbour entrance. The Queen Juliana fixed bridge dominating Willemstad's skyline at the entrance to Schottegat Bay has a vertical clearance of 55m, enabling the largest vessels to pass underneath. SPECIAL DRAUGHT REGULATIONS: The minimum entering/sailing draughts for tankers calling at Emmastad, Willemstad are as follows: ..... GT Draught Forward (m) Draught Aft (m) Below 11,000 3.0 4.8 11,000-15,000 3.3 5.4 15,000-19,000 3.9 5.7 19,000-25,000 4.2 6.1 25,000-29,000 4.5 6.4 29,000-35,000 5.1 7.0 35,000-43,000 5.4 7.3 43,000-45,000 5.7 7.6 45,000-47,000 6.1 7.6 47,000-50,000 6.4 7.9 50,000-55,000 6.7 8.5 55,000-60,000 6.7 8.8 60,000-65,000 7.0 9.1 65,000-70,000 7.0 9.4 above 70,000 7.3 9.7 TANKERS: Should not be trimmed by more than 3.05m by the stern. SMALL CRAFT AND BARGES: Not allowed alongside the vessel during cargo, ballast, gas freeing or tank cleaning operations unless authorised by the loading department and agreed by the Master. LIFEBOATS: may not be swung out or launched, unless agreed to by the loading department and permission given by Fort Nassau Traffic Control. SHUTDOWN: Vessels must not shut down against the shore at any time. DANGEROUS CARGO: Willemstad permits only a limited quantity of dangerous cargo/explosives, whilst other ports allow calls with greater quantities. Special permission, in writing prior to arrival, is required before any vessel carrying dangerous cargo/explosives may enter a Curacao port. CLEANING OPERATIONS: Should be restricted alongside loading facilities.

Range 0.6m.

The vessel Traffic Control Centre (VTCC), at Fort Nassau on top of Sablika Hill, co-ordinates vessel movement within the five ports of Curacao. No vessel can enter any of the ports of Curacao without the VTCC's permission, guidance and assistance. 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 all tankers over 3,000GT and all tankers if not gas-free. ..... Vessel Size Tug requirement Tanker 3,000-16,000GT 1 Tanker more than 16,000GT 2 Tanker 213-214m 2 Tanker more than 244m 3 Dry cargo 229m 2 Minimum tug requirement when shifting: Tanker 3,000-16,000GT 1 Tanker more than 16,000GT 2 Tanker 213m or longer 3 Dry cargo/Cruise 213-244m 2 Dry cargo/Cruise 244m or longer 3 KTK "Curacao Towage Company Inc" has two seagoing tugs stationed at Jan Baarda Quay in St Anna Bay, maintaining a watch throughout 24 hours on VHF Ch 14. The following tugs are available: ..... Name Horsepower Bollard pull (t) Lima II 4,962 62 Jaro II 4,500 63 Ola 4,930 58.7 Manta 4,520 65.2 Pagai 1,460 10.2 The tugs can be engaged for rendering towage assistance both inside and outside the harbour. As a rule however, all vessels dock or undock at all wharves and enter or leave the port without tug assistance. In case of abnormal circumstances or in case the Harbour Master may require tug assistance, tugs can be requested by the Master for speeding up docking or undocking vessels. There are approx 10 small harbour tugs available and approx 15 lighters to receive cargo or bring it alongside a vessel, varying from 60-400t capacity. The tugs are equipped with very extensive radio communication systems including telex and radio. The towage/salvage gear onboard consists of towage wires on separate drums, pennant wires, spare towage wires, shackles and other gear, ground tackle, submersible pumps, total capacity up to 2,000tph, 2.5in, 3in and 6in hoses, air compressors 1,000mі/hr at 3 atmospheres, transportable generators 380/440V, 84/110kW and 220V 6kW, diving equipment, patching materials, fire fighting and oil dispersant spraying equipment. Hydraulic cranes, max boom length 12m, 6t capacity, serve both transfer materials to disabled vessels as the handling of the work boats.

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 - Jan. Annual average rainfall is approx 480mm.

..... Vessel Traffic Centre, Fort Nassau (24hrs): VHF: Ch 12,16. Callsign "Fort Nassau Traffic Control" Tel: +599 9 461 4581 Port Authority: Tel: +599 9 434 5999, Fax: +599 9 461 3907. Email: info@curports.com Website: http://www.curports.com Port Services: Tel: +599 9 461 5177, +599 9 461 5079. Fax: +599 9 461 6356, +599 9 461 4732. Email: cps@attglobal.net Website: http://www.curports.com Harbour Office (24hrs): Tel: +599 9 461 1740 Pilots (24hrs): VHF: Ch 14,16. Tel: +599 9 434 5999, Fax: +599 9 434 5999. Tugs (24hrs): Tel: +599 9 461 2848, +599 9 461 2849, +599 9 461 1055. Fax: +599 9 461 2055. Email: kikmanag@cura.net Tugs (Movements): VHF: Ch 14. Callsign "Central Post". Tugs (Emergencies): VHF: Ch 14, 16. Callsign "Marine Department" The Central Post operates on a 24 hour basis. The Marine Department operates during normal office hours. During emergencies 2182kHz is monitored.

Immigration requires two copies of the Health Declaration Sheet, the Crew List and List of Passengers (which should include full names, age, sex and occupation). Passengers must be able to show proof of citizenship. Customs requires one copy of list of stores, a manifest of cargo for Curacao (in duplicate on a special form "Cargo List"), a manifest of cargo in transit and a manifest of cargo on board. Two copies of tally books of cargo for discharge at Curacao; one copy of crew list plus personal effects list; one copy of list of passengers embarking/disembarking in Curacao. If the vessel is in ballast, only the stores list is required.

See also Customs and Immigration Section. The following documents are required for inward clearance of vessels: ..... Document CU IM AG 1. Crew List 1 2 1 Remarks: Additional copies may be required by agents for vessel's dispatch to subsequent ports of call. 2. Crew Effects List 1 - 2 3. Passenger List Landing 1 2 2 In Transit - 2 2 4. A nationality breakdown of passengers in transit - 2 1 Remarks: If there are no "Landing" and/or "In Transit" passengers, a "negative" list is not required. 5. Stores List 1 - 1 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 completed 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. 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 a death has occurred or if there is 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 the Harbour Master through Curacao Coast Radio Station at least 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 soon as possible by the Master to enable the agents to adapt to changed conditions. Prior to arrival the Master should send the completed "Pre-Arrival Questionnaire" to the Refinery. ETA for Isla Refinery (Emmastad): Standard industry practice procedures for all vessels (tankers) calling at Isla Refineria for: Product Liftings: ..... 1. ETA's are to be reported at least 72 hours prior to vessel's arrival. This ETA should be confirmed by giving notices of 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival plus any deviations of more than 6 hours. 2. Bunker requirements are to be reported prior to receiving berth accommodation. 3. Deballasting/cleaning operations are to be reported prior to arrival to enable efficient jetty planning. 4. Loading rate and draught on sailing form an integral part of the operations. Pre-arrival questionnaire (loading): To improve the jetty planning, efficiency of vessel handling and safety of operations, it has become necessary to revise the format and contents of the pre-arrival questionnaire and the following information is now required by Isla from Masters of loading vessels prior to arrival in Curacao. ..... 1. Vessel's name. 2. Previous names (if any). 3. Flag. 4. Date built. 5. Gross tonnage, DWT, LOA, beam, arrival displacement. 5a. Number and size of manifold connections, maximum height of manifold above waterline. 5b. Is vessel of double hull design? 6. Is vessel fitted with an operational Inert Gas System (IGS)? Note: a. All crude and product tankers of 20,000DWT and above must be inerted for all grades except asphalt and lub oils b. All crude tankers between 10,000DWT and 19,999DWT must be inerted when carrying crude oil. c. All product tankers between 10,000DWT and 19,999DWT, when fitted with an inert gas system, must be inerted for all grades with a flash point of 60°C and below. d. Non gas free tanks may not be inerted alongside. 7. If gas free, but IGS required or recommended, what time will be required to invert relevant tanks. 8. Has vessel a Certificate of Insurance for civil liability for oil pollution damage? 9. Estimated time of arrival (ETA). 10. Arrival draught in feet. 11. Sailing draught in feet. 12. Is cargo tank ballast clean or dirty and ballasting time required? 13. Is ballast segregated and vessel ready to load subject to questions 14 and 15? 14. Type and quantity of slops to discharge and time required, if any. 15. If tank cleaning, will tanks be inerted, too lean, over rich or undefined and time required. 16. Quantity(ies) and grade(s) as per cargo nomination. 17. Sequence of loading. 18. Maximum loading rate per grade. 19. Required loading rate per grade. 20. Quantities and grades of cargo in transit, will vessel load on top? 21. Quantity and grade of bunkers required, bunker connection to be amidships. 22. Other particulars. a. Last port of call b. Next port of call c. Master's name. Pre-arrival questionnaire (discharging): ..... 1. Vessel's name. 2. Previous name(s) if any. 3. Flag. 4. Date of build. 5. Gross tonnage, SDWT, LOA, beam, arrival displacement. 5a. Number and size of manifold connections, maximum height of manifold above waterline. 5b. Is vessel of double hull design? 6. Is vessel fitted with an operational inert gas system (IGS)? 7. Will cargo tanks be inerted on arrival. Note: a. All crude and product tankers of 20,000DWT and above must use inert gas for all grades except asphalt and lub oils b. All crude tankers between 10,000DWT and 19,999DWT must use inert gas when carrying crude oil. c. All product tankers between 10,000DWT and 19,999DWT, when fitted with an inert gas system, must use inert gas for all grades with a flashpoint of 60°C and below. d. Headspaces may not be inerted alongside. 8. Has vessel a Certificate of Insurance for civil liability for oil pollution damage? 9. Estimated time of arrival. 10. Arrival draught. 11. Sailing draught. 12. Quantity(ies) and grade(s) to discharge. 13. Sequence of discharge. 14. Maximum discharge rate per grade. 15. Quantity(ies) and grade(s) of cargo in transit. 16. Time requested for ballasting, if any. 17. Quantity(ies) and grade(s) of bunkers required, bunker connection to be amidships. 18. Other particulars. a. Last port of call b. Next port of call. c. Master's name. All vessels requiring a berth at Refinery Isla to comply with foregoing, wherever applicable. Failure to comply with the above, leads to either, holding vessel off port for some time, shifting expenses (tank cleaning) or requesting vessel to vacate berth as the case may be, subject to charges which will not be for account of Refinery Isla.

Dangerous cargoes: 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.

Pilot will request the Master to hoist Quarantine flag if vessel is from an infected area, there is sickness onboard, or when death has occurred during the voyage. Doctor then boards on arrival. Vessels arriving from smallpox infected areas should have up to date Vaccination Certificates. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be issued.