Rochefort (FRRCO)

The port handles timber, cereals, coal, sands, liquid cargo, breakbulk and dry bulk.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Rochefort & Tonnay-Charente are located on the W coast of France, on the right bank of the Charente River approx 15nm SE of Ile d'Aix. Tonnay-Charente is located 3nm above Rochefort.

LOA 120m, beam 16.5m, draught 6.5m, 6,334DWT.

Approx 838,000t of cargo handled annually.

1nm SE from Chauveau Lightbuoy (46°05.6'N 001°16.0'W) (in waiting area). Vessels at the waiting anchorage should advise the pilot station on arrival and maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch16 and 12.

La Charente estuary: Initial position (46°00.5'N 001°12.0'W) in Rade de l'Ile d'Aix. Forte la Pointe Leading Lights: Front light (white square tower, red top; 9m in height) (45°58.0'N 001°04.3'W). Rear Light (white square tower, red top; 23m in height) (600m ESE of front light). The alignment (115°) of these lights, which passes close NNE of two dish-shaped radar antennae (3.5nm ESE of rear light), leads ESE into the estuary to a position 1.75nm WNW of the front light, passing (positions given from front light): Through an area (2nm-6.5 WNW), extending 0.15nm each side of the alignment, that has been systematically examined for obstructions with side-scan sonar and: NNE of Les Palles Lightbuoy (N cardinal) (4.0nm WNW) moored 0.07nm N of a wreck that has dried 2.7m, then: NNE of Sabliere Buoy (starboard hand) (2.5nm WNW) moored near the outer edge of the shallowest part of the bar (controlling depth 0.5m). Port-des-Barques Leading Lights: Front Light (white square tower 6m in height) (45°57.0'N 001°04.0'W). Rear Light (white square tower, black band on W side; 16m in height) (480m SE of front light). The alignment (134.5°) of these lights then leads SE into the river entrance to a position 0.4nm NW of the front mark and 0.1nm NE of the beacon (starboard hand) marking the head of a jetty at Port-des-Barques, passing (positions given from front light): Close NE of Fontenelles Buoy (starboard hand) (2.25nm NW) marking a drying mud bank extending NW from Les Fontenelles, drying ledges, then: Close NE of Moucliere Buoy (starboard hand) (2.0nm NW) marking Grave de la Moucliere, a continuation SE of the drying ledge, then: Close NE of a patch that dries 0.4m (1.75nm NW) where there are greater charted depths approx 0.1nm NE of the alignment. La Charente River: From the vicinity of Port-des-Barques Jetty to Traverse de Soubise (45°56.0'N 001°00.0'W), the fairway is indicated by a continuous series of charted alignments lettered in reverse alphabetical sequence from "T" to "F". Each alignment is marked by one or two pairs of leading beacons consisting of a tall white post surmounted by the appropriate letter painted black and enclosed within a white circular frame. Beacons common to two alignments bear both letters. From Traverse de Soubise to Martrou (45°55.0'N 000°57.5'W), the fairway narrows but is unmarked except by alignment "E" where it crosses to the S bank. This section passes: Between the ferry landings at Soubise (45°56.0'N 001°00.0'W), then beneath the Martrou Bridge. Then the fairway through Traverse de l'Avant-Garde is indicated by the alignments "C", "B" and "A". The final section passing Rochefort and then to Tonnay-Charente is unmarked. The axis of Richefort Bassin No 3 is angled obliquely to that of the channel in the river outside; vessels enter directly without swinging ship. If entry or departure is not made at HW slack it can only be carried out heading into the tidal stream in the river. Vessels more than LOA 100m enter at the beginning of the out-going tidal stream rather than at HW slack. La Charente: Vessels are swung by grounding their bows in the mud of the swinging berth on the S bank and using their main engines. Vessels more than 95m in length are unloaded before being swung.

BA 2747, French 4333, 6333, 7415. Admiralty Pilot NP22, NP286(1).

Chassiron Signal Station VHF Ch 16, Tel: +33 (0)5 46 47 85 43.

1010.

Compulsory. The Pilot boards 1nm S of Chauveau Lightbuoy (46°05.6'N 001° 16.0'W). A pilot is necessary for all ships of more than 45m in length. Vessels should call La Rochelle-Charente Pilot, on VHF Ch 16 or 12, Tel: +33 5 46 42 63 05 at least 18 hours prior to arrival at Chauveau Lightbuoy. Vessels should confirm ETA 2 hours in advance.

The port limits are: Downstream: Long 001°00.1'W, at Pointe de la Sabliere (Lat 45°58.3'N). Upstream: Long 000°53.5'W.

There is a lighthouse at the entrance to the port.

Day and night berthing/unberthing permitted, including the movement of dangerous and polluting cargoes. The Rochefort Basin No 3 is accessible from approx 3 hours before to 3 hours after HW for vessels under LOA 90m. The lock is open 1 hour before to 1 hour after HW for vessels of more than LOA 90m. Maximum beam allowed to enter the lock is 165m. Max size for Rochefort and Tonnay-Charente is 115m, up to 120m at discretion of the pilot. Inside the river the maximum speed allowed is 12kts and 10kts when approaching Martrou Bridge.

Springs 5.7m, neaps 3.1m.

Tugs are available.

Prevailing winds: W'ly.

ROCHEFORT 45°56.78'N 0°57.21'W UNCTAD LOCODE: FR RCO For details see: LA ROCHELLE-CHARENTE PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 33/25 French Radiosignaux publication 93 Jan 2025, (RSDRA2025000043780), 33/25

Bordeaux Arcachon Radio, St Nazaire Radio and Inmarsat satellite to be used. VHF: Pilots & Port; Ch 16, 12. Harbour Master's Office available during office hours, pilots 24 hours. Port operation and marketing: Tel: +(33) (0) 5 46 99 58 69 Fax: +(33) (0) 5 46 99 58 73 Email: portderochefort@rochefort.cci.fr Harbor Master Office: Tel: +(33) (0) 5 46 99 44 93 Fax: +(33) (0) 5 46 88 25 31 VHF: Ch 12 Email: capitainerie.rochefor@cg17.fr Piloting of La Rochelle Charente: Tel: +(33) (0) 5 46 42 63 05 Fax: +(33) (0) 5 46 42 26 96 VHF: Ch 12 and 16 Email: info@arochelle-charentepilot.com Website: www.larochelle-charentepilot.com

Customs Office: Douanes Francaise, Bassin No 3, F-17306 Rochefort. Customs allowances: For each crew member 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits. Heavy fines will be incurred for non compliance of these allowances. Visa is required for non EC citizens, who wish to join or leave the vessel. All passengers to be declared separate from crew.

..... Documents Copies 1. Crew List 1 2. Crew Declaration 1 3. Stores List 1 4. Cargo Manifest 1 5. Vessel Particulars 1 6. Passenger List 1 7. Bond Store List 1 8. Nil Stowaways 1 9. Medical Store List 1 Cargo documentation: Presented onboard at completion.

Notice of ETA should be given 24 hours prior to arrival or on departure from last port of call to the Harbour Office, Tel and Fax: +33 5 46 99 44 93, or via vessel's agent. Draught, IMO number and dangerous cargo list must be included.

Grain statement, in case of loading grain and a port declaration upon arrival.

Request for pratique to be made on arrival at the berth. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates is possible.

NOR should be tendered at the berth, Mon-Fri from 0900-1200hrs and 1400-1800hrs.