Hurghada (EGHRG)

The port services international tourism and yacht tourism in the Red Sea as well as serving cruise vessels and shipping lines transporting tourists and passengers from Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries to Sharm El Sheikh Port.

Tropical.

The port of Hurghada is situated on the Red Sea, approx 370km S of Suez.

Draught 7.6m.

Anchorage may be obtained in a depth of 25.0m approx 0.25nm ESE of Franken Point (27°14.2'N 033°50.9'E). Anchorage is also obtainable off Hurghada, with the leading lights in transit and the Harbour Master's office bearing 300°, in depths from 16.0-18.0m. Care should be taken to avoid the wreck, with a least depth of 33m over it, which lies close N of the anchorage. This anchorage berth is comparatively well sheltered but strong N winds raise a considerable sea.

Approach and entry: Northern Approach: From the N, the port is approached on the alignment of the leading lights situated W of Merlin Point (27°12'N 033° 51'E) which leads to the N end of Minqar Channel, having a least charted depth of 6.0m. Southern Approach: From the S the port is approached through Giftun Channel. In the Giftun Channel depths are generally less than those in Manqar Channel; a least depth of 5.0m in the fairway lies approx 0.35nm SE of Merlin Point. The directions for approaching Hurghada are as follows: Giftun Channel is entered from N between Franken Point and the reef 0.8nm ESE and from the S between Sha'b el-Lug and Umm Agawish el-Kebir. Minqar Channel is the N part of Giftun Channel between Franken Point and Merlin Point. North entrance: From the N pass 0.25nm S of Umm Qamar Islet, 27°21'N 033°54'E on a SW course. Two dangerous rocks lie 1.75m and 3.25m SSE of Umm Qamar Islet. When Dishet Abu Minqar and the Leading Light Beacons bear 199.5°, in line with a high hill in the background steer for these marks on that bearing and then to the anchorage. A 7m pinnacle lies on this transit 0.335nm ESE of South Pier. From S pass 1nm E of Giftun, 1nm N of the reef extending N from Giftun el-Kebir and continue on a W course until Dishet Abu Minqar bears 199.5°, then as previously described. In leaving Hurghada by the N entrance, when clear of Giftun Channel and approx 2.25nm E of Dishet Abu Hurghada, 27°15'N 033°49'E, bring Dishet Abu Minqar to bear approx 195° astern and continue NNE on this course until Umm Qamar Islet bears 110°, when course may be shaped to pass on either side of Sha'b el-Erg to enter Shadwan Channel, or NW to enter Tawila Channel. South entrance: From a position 1nm E of Sa'l Hashish Islet, 27°02'N 033°55'E, steer NW until Dishet Abu Minqar is seen between Umm Agawish el-Kebir and the low rocky islet 0.6nm SW. This low rocky islet should be kept bearing more than 310° until the W extremity of Umm Agawish el-Kebir bears 010°, when course may be altered N into Giftun Channel, taking care to avoid the NE extremity of Sha'b el-Lug, 1.25nm SE of Dishet Abu Minqar. Caution is necessary when approaching Merlin Point as the coastal bank with depths of less than 5.5m, which extends 0.6nm SE of the point, is not easily seen as the coral reef on the E side of the channel. Leading Lights: (White towers with black bands; topmarks, Rear light, white inverted trapezoid, Front light, white trapezoid), in line bearing 199.5°, stand 2 and 0.5nm respectively, NNE of Dishet Abu Minqar, with which they are in transit on this bearing.Caution: Minqar Channel and Giftun Channel have been incompletely surveyed and mariners are warned that uncharted shoals may exist. Recent hydrographic surveys in the N approaches to Hurghada have revealed many depths less than charted. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and consult with local authorities for the latest information.

BA 2375, 3043. Admiralty Pilot NP64, NP286(8).

1025.

..... Beacon Notes Tawila 27°34.8'N 033°48.1'E. Cylindrical, green Fl (2) G 5s 8M. Siyul El Soghira 27°34.1'N 33°50.2'E. Cylindrical, red Fl R 2s 8M. Abu Shiban 27°28.5'N 033°49.5'E. Cylindrical black, 2 black cones, Fl W 8M. Melana 27°25.2'N 033°51.9'E. Cylindrical black and yellow, Fl (3) W 10s 8M. Shab El Erg 27°23.9'N 033°52.8'E. Cylindrical black and yellow, VQ (3)W 5s 8M. Fanadir 27°15.4'N 033°50.6'E. Cylindrical green, Fl G 5s 8M. Giftun El-Kabir 27°16.6.1'N033°53.0'E. Cylindrical red, Fl R 5s 8M. Franken 27°14.1'N 033°51'E. Cylindrical green, Fl (2) G 5s 8M. Abu Minqar 27°12.9'N 033°51.1'E. Cylindrical red, Fl (2) R 5s 8M. Leading line towers Front tower 27°12.5'N 033°50.5'E. Steel black & white, Oc R 15s 18M. Back Tower 27°13.3'N 033°50.4'E, steel white tower, Oc R 5s.

Not available.

Strong N'ly winds may set up a heavy sea and swell. The weather in the N part of the Red Sea is controlled in the summer months by the thermal low over Saudi Arabia and the high pressure that ridges over the E Mediterranean. When the thermal low deepens and the high pressure ridge strengthens, winds funnel through the Gulf of Suez producing gale force winds and high seas, this funnelling is exacerbated in the Hurghada region. Visibility can be expected to be approx 4.0-6.0m but will be less in the suspended sand and heavy haze that forms after the wind dies down.

Radio: Alexandria Radio is recommended for passing messages at long range. Inmarsat communication is possible. VHF: Ch 16.

Customs: On berthing, Customs Officers will attend to check the ship's bonded store according to the list prepared by the Master. There is no alcohol allowance for ships crews whilst in port, cigarettes only are allowed. Penalties for non compliance are large. Immigration: The Immigration Officer is the first person to board after the pilot, he checks the Seaman's Books and issues the shore permits for crew members. Nobody is allowed to board the vessel before the Immigration clearance. Crew and/or passengers cannot leave the vessel before the attendance of the Immigration Officer.

..... 1. Ship's certificates such as Registry, Radio Safety, Pollution, Construction, etc, which should be ready and valid on arrival. Originals will be collected by the state agent for the purpose of declaring the ship's arrival with the Mercantile Marine Bureau and issuing the permit of departure on completion of cargo operations. 2. Crew Lists: State agent 2 copies Health Authority 1 copy Immigration Authority 1 copy Customs 1 copy 3. Seaman's Books of crew members which will be reviewed by the Immigration Officer. 4. Copies of Bills of Lading and Manifest, collected by state agent. 5. Bonded Stores List, collected onboard by Customs Officer. 6. Vaccination Certificates, reviewed by Health officials. Cargo documents (copies of Bills of Lading and Manifest) should be in possession of state agent prior to ship's arrival for the purpose of approaching cargo receivers to enable them to manage the necessary formalities. Special forms, for completion by the Master, will be delivered to him by the pilot, Immigration and state agent.

The initial ETA should be sent to the vessel's nominated, state owned agent 7 days prior to arrival. Arrival confirmation should be sent 72 and 24 hours prior to arrival. The arrival confirmations should be sent through the protecting agent, if any, who will consequently convey messages and/or owner's instructions to the state agent and other involved parties. The ETA message should include: ..... 1. In addition to normal ETA (date and time of arrival) the type and quantity of cargo to be loaded/discharged should be advised. 2. Arrival draughts forward and aft. 3. Any requirements.

Hoisting of the Egyptian flag on arrival is essential. If the flag is not available on arrival the Master may request one, through the agent, upon berthing.

Vessels arriving with cargo to be discharged, or for loading cargo, will not be berthed unless receivers or shippers are ready with the necessary documents duly approved by the state agent/Customs.

Free pratique is granted immediately on the ship's arrival if not coming from an infected area. Pratique cannot be applied for by radio. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed if expired.

NOR should be tendered by cable, fax or telex on the ship's arrival off the port, then in writing when the agent boards. Tendering is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relative Charter Party.