Dakhla (EHVIC)

Villa Cisneros is an alternative name for Dahkla.

Tropical.

The new port of Dakhla, previously known as Villa Cisneros, is situated on the E coast of the Peninsular de Rio de Oro, in the Bahia de Villa Cisneros, approx 245nm S of Gran Canaria and approx 380nm SW of the port of Tan Tan. The old port is located approx 2.5 nm along the coast to the NE.

LOA 148m, draught 7.0m, beam 23.25m,13,858DWT

Approx 680,000t of cargo handled annually.

Anchorage outside the bar can be obtained approx 0.5nm SW of Punta Galera in a depth of approx 13.0m, local knowledge is required. Anchorage within the bay can be obtained by small vessels E of the town of Dakhla and the old berthing facility, in a depth of 13.0m, the holding ground is good and there is shelter from SW winds. The tidal streams are strong and local knowledge is required.Anchorage can also be obtained by small vessels in several places at the end of Bahia de Villa Cisneros and off El Argub, (23° 38.0'N 015°53.0'W) and El Puertito, 3.25nm SSW, local knowledge is required. Anchorage is prohibited in an area extending from No 1 Lightbuoy to the coast between Punta Galera and Punta de la Sarga. Local knowledge is required when anchoring inside or outside the Bahia de Villa Cisneros. There is a spoil ground situated close NE of Bajo de Galeota Atravesada (23° 40.0'N 015°57.0'W) marked with red buoys Anchoring is prohibited in an area centred on 23°27.5'N 015°59.4'W.

Access to the port is over a sand bar extending S from Punta de la Sarga. The channel across the bar is narrow and subject to change by strong tidal streams, the max depth is 6.4m. Vessels approaching from the N should identify Roca Cabron, then follow the coast in a depth of 20m. Approaching from the S, it is very difficult to make a good landfall as there are no good landmarks and it is dangerous to close with the coast. Vessels should stay in depths of 25-30m until Punta Durnford has been identified. In clear weather Punta de El Argub stands out from the neighbouring cliffs. The track for entering the bay passes approx 0.5nm S of Punta Galera, (23°38.0'N 016°00.0'W), and N of No 1 Lightbuoy. Then the track is SE to pass S of No 2 Lightbuoy, then NE into Canal Principal. Caution: There are sandbanks within the bay, drying in places, and channels between them. Local knowledge is essential to navigate these dangers safely.

BA 1690, 3134. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(3).

1000-1012.

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 50GT entering or leaving Bahia de Villa Cisneros. Vessels requiring a pilot should signal their time of arrival by radio telephone. Pilots are available during daylight hours only and board vessels at the anchorage SW of Punta Galera.

Lightbuoys: Lightbuoy No 1 (red pillar buoy, can topmark) is moored at the W end of the channel across the bar and approx 0.9nm SW of Punta de la Sarga. Lightbuoy No 2, (red pillar buoy, can topmark), is moored at the E end of the channel and approx 0.9nm SSE of Punta de la Sarga. These lightbuoys are liable to be moved to meet the changes in the channel across the bar.

There is a bar across the estuary entrance with a max depth of 6.4m. Light buoys marking the entrance to the bay may be moved during dredging operations and the controlling depth may not be as charted.

Off the entrance to Bahia de Villa Cisneros the tidal streams attain a rate of 2.5kn and are set as follows: ..... On the rising tide East going On the falling tide West going At the commencement of the East going stream, there are sometimes strong eddies on the bar and inside the bar the tidal stream has a rate of 2.5kts. On the bar and over the shoal ground the tidal streams attain a great rate, causing the sea to break.

There are 2 tugs available; 1 of 912hp and 1 of 450hp.

Prevailing winds: NW'ly.

Radio: Radio telephone 2182 and 2626kHz from 0800-1300hrs, and 1500-2000hrs GMT. VHF: Harbour master: Ch 16, 11, 12. Tel: +212 52 889 7176, Fax: +212 52 893 0999. Port Authority: Tel: +212 52 889 7176, Fax: +212 52 893 0999.

Vessel's ETA should be sent 48 hours, 24hours and 2 hours prior to arrival.