San Sebastian (ESEAS)

A small port primarily for yachts although able to assist small commercial vessels in an emergency.

Summer.

San Sebastian is situated on the E coast of Spain.

LOA 60m, beam 9.0m, draught 3.3m.

Outer anchorage: In fair weather anchorage may be obtained in position 43°20'N 002°00'W, in depths of 35-40m, sandy bottom.

La Concha da San Sebastian, the line of bearing 180° of Isla de Santa Clara Light leads to a position (0.37nm N of the light) where Igueldo Light bears 238°, passing 0.1nm W of the 8.8m patch (0.5nm NNE of Isla de Santa Clara). Approaching from NE, those without local knowledge may mistake Monte Urgull for Isla de Santa Clara which does not stand out clearly from this direction. This error has led to many vessels being wrecked at the entrance to Rio Urumea in the belief that they were entering La Concha. Unless there is no alternative, entry should not be attempted in very rough weather when a continuous line of breakers forms across the whole entrance N of La Bancha.

BA 1102, 1181.

1025.

Compulsory inwards, optional outwards.

Leading lights: Front light (grey metal framework mast 5.0m in height). Rear light (similar structure 9.0m in height) (25m SSE of the front light). The alignment (158°) of these lights which stand on the promenade on the S side of La Concha, approx 25m W of a prominent yellow house with red stripes, is difficult to distinguish by day and night due to numerous street and beach lights, then leads SSE into La Concha passing ENE of La Bancha (0.8nm NNW), a detached rocky shoal on which the sea breaks when there is a swell, then WSW of Punta Martinacosulua (0.6nm NNW) and Punta Arrocazabala (0.5nm NNW), the W and SW points respectively of Monte Urgull and ENE of Isla de Santa Clara (0.5nm NW). Then from a position where Isla de Santa Clara Light and Igueldo Light (0.5nm W) are in alignment, proceed as require to berth.

Range 3.0m.

Prevailing winds: W'ly.

VHF: Ch 16.