North Star Bugt (GLTHU)

The port is currently closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. The width of the entrance to the bay is reduced to 0.65nm by a causeway and berthing pier, which extend 900m WNW from Pitugfik. The bay forms a harbour, the whole of this area is a US Defence area, on the S side there are port facilities for the US Air force Base at Thule, the installations are situated 1.0nm SE of the port.

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

North Star Bugt is a small bay formed between Dundas Fjeld and Pitugfik, a low-lying point 0.9nm SSE.

LOA 130m, draught 7.0m.

Anchorage is located under a steep cliff which extends for 0.65nm from the head of the bay along the SE shore, terminating in a shallow bight into which flows the Pitugfiu Kugssua river, there are depths of 13-18m, good holding ground, with shelter from strong SE winds which occasionally occur. There are also some designated anchor berths in an area extending approx 3.5nm SW from Dundas Fjeld, between 0.25nm and 2.0nm offshore, the holding ground is generally good, under normal conditions, however in some berths the bottom is rocky. There are a number of mooring buoys, close SW of the berthing pier. Between these and the root of the causeway there is a submarine oil pipeline. Tankers discharging fuel secure at the outer end of the line using the starboard anchor with hawsers to 3 mooring buoys. Submarine cables exist in North Star Bugt and are landed approx 0.7nm NE of the root of the causeway.

When approx 1.25nm from the cairn on Dundas Fjeld vessels should steer E and ENE into North Star Bugt, passing approx 0.32nm S of Dundas Fjeld.

Admiralty Pilot NP12.

There is no pilot available. US Harbour Service personnel assist vessels to berth and secure.

Navigation is prohibited in the E part of Wolstenholme Fjord.

Ice in winter is normally approx 1.8m thick. During the navigation season ice conditions in North Star Bugt may suddenly become dangerous and vessels must therefore be ready to move at short notice. The conditions at North Star Bugt are normally calm, but very strong winds requiring the suspension of traffic are experienced, usually from the SE. Strong wind warnings are issued from the US Air Force Base.

Vessel's ETA should be sent well in advance to both the US Base Authority at Thule and to the Danish Harbour Authority at Dundas.

North Star Bugt and the installations in the vicinity are subject to US Defence and Danish Harbour regulations, special permission is required to enter the port.