Grytviken (GSGRV)

Grytviken is the gateway and customs reporting port for South Georgia. The port receives regular visits from Fishing, Polar Research and Antarctic Cruise vessels during the summer months (Northern Hemisphere Winter). The port is a former whaling station and King Edward Point has a research station.

Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.

Grytviken is situated at the head of King Edward Cove on the E coast of South Georgia.

LOA 125m and draught 7.8m.

Anchorage outside the cove can be found in 30m, 0.3nm ESE of Shackleton Cross, where the bottom is mud with good holding ground. A second anchorage is available 0.5nm NE of Dartmouth Point in 25m. In E'ly winds, ice calved from the Nordenskjold Glacier, at the head of Cumberland East Bay, may prove troublesome to vessels anchored outside the cove. Depending on local conditions, anchorage may also be obtained within King Edward Cove. A second class mooring buoy is available 0.2nm ENE of Hobart Rock.

Buoys: There are 2 regularly maintained UK Admiralty mooring buoys: one at the entrance to King Edward Cove in the vicinity of Hobart Rock, the other in Stromness Bay. They may only be used after consultation with the Marine Officer. King Edward Cove is free of hidden dangers. Numerous stranded wrecks litter the shore line which include "Louise", lying S of Grytviken, a floating dock, lying close S of Grytviken's S wharf, alongside which lies the wreck of the sealer "Petrel", and two half sunken sealing vessels, "Albatros" and "Dias" alongside the NE face of Grytviken's N wharf. Kelp, which extends as much as 200m from the S shore, marks the shoal areas around the edges of the cove. Both N and S shores of the cove are foul within the kelp line. The former King Edward Point Light (blue metal framework tower, 3m in height) (54°16.7'S 036°29.7'W) stands close E of the SW extremity of the point. A number of radio masts stand ENE of the point. Two small beacons (orange with diamond topmarks) are situated on the N shore of the cove. Grytviken Church, the most S'ly in the world, is surmounted by a spire. Approach: Two leading lights have been established, the outer light leading through the approaches and the inner light leading within the cove. Outer leading beacons are situated on the S side of the cove, front (metal pole, orange and white bands, surmounted by orange triangular topmark, point uppermost, 8.5m in height) and rear (orange triangle, point uppermost, set close to ground level, elevation 12.5m) (situated 170m WNW from front) lead bearing 282°. Inner leading beacons are situated at the head of the cove, front (metal post, orange and white bands, orange topmark, point down, 6m in height) and rear (spire of Grytviken Church, elevation 27m) (situated 230m NW from front) lead bearing 304.5°. Directions: The recommended track into the cove is to follow the outer transit line, 282°, leading between Hope Point and Hobart Rock, turning to starboard as required to berth at King Edward Point Jetty. If bound for the wharves at Grytviken, course should be altered S of King Edward Point to follow the inner leading line 304.5°.

BA 3587, 3596, 3597, 4213. Admiralty Pilot NP9.

No formal rescue facilities exist.

Tijuca jetty is in extremely poor condition with timbers deteriorating. Sections of the jetty have been made structurally sound to enable vessels to moor.

It is reported that a heavy chain lies on the bottom around 0.1m WNW of the jetty. Numerous stranded wrecks also litter the shore line which include "Louise", lying S of Grytviken, a floating dock, lying close S of Grytviken's S wharf, alongside which lies the wreck of the sealer "Petrel", and two half sunken sealing vessels, "Albatros" and "Dias" alongside the NE face of Grytviken's N wharf. Kelp, which extends as much as 200m from the S shore, marks the shoal areas around the edges of the cove. Both N and S shores of the cove are foul within the kelp line.

King Edward Cove occasionally freezes over. The local weather is highly unpredictable and can change very rapidly. The prevailing wind in the cove is from W to NW, and a steep on shore swell may be experienced in the vicinity of King Edward Point Quay.

Customs, Immigration and Port Clearance Procedures: All vessels intending to visit South Georgia should make contact with the Marine Officer at King Edward Point in Cumberland East Bay, South Georgia, as soon as practicable upon entering the 200nm Maritime Zone around South Georgia. Contact by radio: VHF: Ch 16; HF frequency 4049kHz USB 1130-1200hrs UTC. Note that 2128kHz is not monitored locally. Contact by INMARSAT: Tel: +870 382 359 031 and +870 382 359 933. Fax: +870 382 359 032 and +870 382 359 034. Email: mo@south-georgia.demon.co.uk The Marine Officer will require the following details: ..... 1. Vessel's name 2. Radio callsign 3. Type of vessel - fishing vessel, cargo vessel, military vessel, cruise ship, research vessel, yacht, etc. 4. Date and time of intended arrival at King Edward Point in Cumberland East Bay 5. Purpose of visit. The first place of landing at South Georgia must be King Edward Point or Grytviken where the Marine Officer carries out Immigration and other formalities. Permission may be granted for landings prior to clearance, but only under certain circumstances and after a formal request has been presented to the GSGSSI. Charges are levied for harbour dues, customs, trans-shipping fees, yachts, buoys and water. Payment may be made to the Marine Officer in pounds sterling in the form of cash, cheque or travellers' cheques; or in United States dollars as cash or travellers' cheques. Payment may also be made via a shipping agent in Stanley, Falkland Islands. A landing fee is charged for each person named on the passenger list of cruise ships and yachts. This fee is payable by the tour operator to the Marine Officer or by the vessel's agent to the office of the commissioner. No charge is made for members of the crew of a vessel. The postmaster's representative will stamp passports upon request, although this is not a required procedure. Note: All vessels are requested to notify the Marine Officer, by radio, of their departure from South Georgia.

The Marine Officer will board the vessel on arrival to arrange Customs, port clearance and Immigration formalities and to receive payment for any related services. A copy of the Crew and Passenger List should be available for his/her use.

Procedures for Merchant Navy vessels, research vessels, cruise ships and yachts: Vessels intending to visit South Georgia or the South Sandwich Islands should make contact with the marine officer at King Edward Point in Cumberland East Bay, as soon as practicable upon entering the Maritime Zone. The Marine Officer at King Edward Point will carry out customs and immigration formalities. Masters or tour operators on cruise ships, yachts and other vessels carrying visitors to the Island should have completed the visitors' application form and received permission to visit before departing for South Georgia. The Conservation Guidelines apply to crews of all vessels visiting South Georgia.

Application to Visit South Georgia: Permission is required from the commissioner for all visits to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. On line documentation is available for the appropriate forms. Travel to the Island should not be undertaken without having first obtained official approval. Completed Visitor Application Forms are to be returned to the office of the commissioner no later than 60 days before the intended visit Applications from visitors who plan to spend one night or more ashore on the island are subsequently submitted to a panel of experts for assessment. All such Expedition Applications attract a processing fee. Permission to visit is granted on the basis of the detail provided in the Application Form. All places at which the visitor wishes to go ashore must be included on the form. Some areas are more vulnerable to disturbance, and the commissioner reserves the right to refuse entry to these areas (and to any area), at any time. Any intention to deviate from the intended itinerary must be approved by the commissioner, either directly or through the marine officer at King Edward Point. On the application form is an undertaking to abide by the relevant regulations, and applied by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and any other instructions the commissioner may from time to time issue. These regulations include the requirement to complete a Post-Visit Report Form at the end of the visit. This form is to be forwarded to the office of the commissioner or the marine officer within 30 days of the visit. Groups visiting South Georgia should be aware of the following points: ..... 1. Cruise vessels, smaller charter vessels and cruising yachts must be accompanied by a person with sub-Antarctic or equivalent experience of operating in remote areas. 2. All tourist operations must be ship-based with no overnight stays ashore unless specified on the application form and approved by the commissioner. 3. All cruise ship and charter vessel shore parties should stay in radio contact with the ship and have with them appropriate first-aid and emergency equipment. Deteriorating weather or sea conditions may, for example, make return to the ship hazardous and necessitate a longer stay ashore than planned. 4. Shore parties must at all times be supported by their expedition vessel, which must remain in South Georgia for the duration of their stay. 5. On-shore accommodation is not provided for visitors to the Island, nor are there public telephone or fax facilities. 6. There are no hospital facilities or rescue services. Self-sufficiency is increased and risks reduced by sound planning, quality equipment and experienced personnel. 7. Firearms may not be brought into South Georgia except with the express prior permission of the Commissioner, to whom application must be made in writing. 8. No pet animals are permitted on the Island. 9. The use of helicopters is not permitted except in cases of emergencies. 10. The Conservation Guidelines are to be respected at all times by all visitors, including passengers, staff and crews of all vessels visiting South Georgia. 11. Cooper Island, Bird Island and Annenkov Island have been given special protection because of their particular ecological value. Entry into these areas is strictly prohibited, except where a visit is requested for scientific research, in which case a permit from the Commissioner is required. 12. Visitors are prohibited from entering or approaching within two hundred metres of the former whaling stations at Prince Olav Harbour, Leith Harbour, Stromness and Husvik. They are in a dangerous state of disrepair, and wind-blown debris including asbestos dust is a hazard. 13. Unexploded ordnance from the 1982 conflict and subsequent presence may be found on South Georgia. If an item of unexploded ordnance is found the following procedure should be carried out: a. Do not touch (items are in a dangerous condition). b. Note its position and grid reference and place a marker nearby. c. Make a note of its size, shape, colour, markings, condition and quantity. d. Inform the marine officer immediately. Whaling stations: Visitors are prohibited from entering or approaching within 200m of the former whaling stations at Prince Olav Harbour, Leith Harbour, Stromness and Husvik. They are in a dangerous state of disrepair and wind-blown debris including asbestos dust is a hazard. During periods of high wind, the whaling station at Grytviken may be closed to visitors. The marine officer will advise during such times. It is an offence under SGSSI legislation to remove anything at all from the whaling stations.