Georgetown (GYGEO)

Main exports: Sugar, rice, bauxite, timber, rum and marine products. Imports: Consist mainly of petroleum products, general and containerised cargo.

Tropical.

Georgetown is the principal port in Guyana and is located on the E side of the mouth of Demerara River, E of the Essequibo River.

LOA 189.99m, beam 8.2nm draught 8.2m, 38.668DWT.

Anchorage can be taken in the river, in 6m, abreast the berths in Georgetown and in the anchorage berths marked "A" through "E" on the chart. The holding ground is wood with a mud bottom. Ships proceeding to Linden in ballast and drawing less than 4.5m are anchored in the S limit of Georgetown Harbour. Ships of more than 4.5m draft are anchored within the harbour, but towards the S end. The limits of the quarantine anchorage are best seen on the chart in a position about 10 miles NE of Georgetown Light. Prohibited anchorage within an area extending ENE across the river from the ferry pier at Vreed En Hoop.

The buoyed channel to Port Georgetown is 19km in length with a bottom width of 70m. The channel is dredged to a depth of 6.9m CD, draught restrictions for the period being advised by the Harbour Master. The approach to Demerara River should be made by keeping E of the meridian of 058°00'W until on the parallel of 07°00'N, and then steer WSW for the quarantine anchorage or the pilot boarding position close NW of No 2 Buoy. Vessels should pass well clear of two obstructions (the remains of former light beacons) situated near the SW corner of the anchorage, and a dangerous wreck lying 0.5nm WNW of the obstructions. Then pass SE of the Starboard hand Beacon and NW of the Port hand Beacon. The fairway over the bar is indicated by the alignment of leading lights close W of the river entrance bearing 225°. Front light (06°49.8'N 058°10.5'W) (white metal framework tower, black base, orange rectangular daymark) exhibited at an elevation of 17m. Rear light 0.8nm SW of the front light (white metal framework tower, red top, black base, orange rectangular daymark). When NW of the light off Fort Groyne (06°49.8'N 058°09.9'W), keep the leading lights situated 3.5nm S in line, bearing 189°, which leads into the harbour at Georgetown. Best Groyne Light (white framework tower), situated near the W entrance point of the river 1nm SW of Fort Groyne, should be kept open W of Georgetown Light.

BA 519, 537, 527. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

1000-1015.

Pilotage is compulsory and is available 24hrs. Vessels should send their draft and EAT at the pilot boarding position 12 hours in advance through Demerara (8RB). Pilots board close NE of Safe Water Pillar Lighted Buoy (6°57.0'N.,58° 3.3'W) The pilot station also provides pilotage for New Amsterdam the Berbice River and the Essequibo River.

The limits are defined to seaward by the arc of a circle with radius 1nm, centred at Georgetown Lighthouse (06°49.5'N 058°09.9'W), extending 4.5km upriver and bounded by the banks of the Demerara River on the E and W.

A vessel bound for Georgetown must be guided by the radio beacon, sights, satnav and soundings owing to the scarcity of landmarks along the low coast and to the extensive shallow banks fronting it. The nature of the bottom should generally be fine dark sand; if it is mud, a vessel is too far W. Within about 35nm of the coast, the sea becomes discoloured and patches of a dark suspicious hue will frequently be encountered, but they indicate no shoal depths; the outer limit of the discoloured area alters with the seasons. It has been observed that in the rainy season the sea has a reddish tinge between Demerara River and Mahaicony River, 25nm SE. The principal landmarks are; ..... 1. Georgetown Lighthouse (06°49.5'N 058°09.9'W) (conspicuous), a white octagonal tower, red stripes, 30m in height, standing near the E entrance point of Demerara River. 2. Saint George's Cathedral standing 0.65nm S of the lighthouse and with a conspicuous spire. 3. The red pointed clock tower (conspicuous) of the market, situated 0.3nm SW of the cathedral. 4. A chimney (conspicuous) of Chateau Margot (06°49'N 058°04'W), a particularly good landmark when approached from E; it is of red brick and tall, easily distinguished from other chimneys in the vicinity, most of which appear silvery. 5. Greenfield Beacon (06°44'N 057°56'W) (conspicuous), with an elevation of 107m, showing well above trees 9nm SE of the chimney. 6. Clonbrook Holm Light (06°44'N 057°57'W), a yellow metal framework tower, white base, 26m in height, standing 0.5nm NW of Greenfield Beacon.

Bar: Entrance is made over the Georgetown Bar across the mouth of the river. The bar is made of soft mud. As a guideline to Masters the minimum depth is given as 6.2m variable by 0.6m or more. Ships can cross with up to 8.2m draught. The Demerara River is navigable as far as Linden, 96km from the entrance. Prohibited area: Navigation is prohibited within an area off the E side of the river entrance due to fishing stakes. Bridge: The Demerara Harbour Bridge, with retractable spans provides an opening of 77m width. The bridge is situated 6.7kms from the mouth of the river and arrangements for transit are arranged by the local agent. Bridge operator keeps watch on VHF Ch 16.

Range spring tides 2.56m and neap tides 1.2m. Tidal streams on the bar set as follows: ..... SW going 1.5kts; NE going 2.75kts. At the mouth of the river, the tidal streams attain a rate of about 3kts at springs and even more on the outgoing stream during freshets. Within the river, the ingoing stream attains a rate of 2.5kts in the dry season and continues to flow on the surface for more than 1 hour after HW; the outgoing stream attains a rate of 3.75kts at springs. At neaps, the max rate of both streams is about 0.5m springs rate. The average duration of the outgoing stream is 7 hours 10 minutes. A peculiarity of the tidal streams is an occasional SE going set across the harbour from Best Groyne (06°49'N 058°11'W); this is known locally as the Scapy or Jack Tide, and usually occurs at the end of the ingoing stream at springs. The effect is to press vessels against the wharves, occasionally making it difficult for vessels to leave. When this stream does occur it is only of short duration, usually about 45 minutes, after which vessels can proceed without difficulty.

Available from private companies.

Prevailing winds: NE'ly.

GEORGETOWN (GUYANA) 6°49.14'N 58°10.04'W UNCTAD LOCODE: GY GEO ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Demerara Radio 2182kHz ("8RB") 24 hours. VHF: Port: Georgetown Lighthouse: Ch 16, 13. Pilots & Pilot vessel: Ch 16, 13. Tel: +592 226 9871 Tugs: Ch 74. Demerara Harbour Bridge: Ch 16.

The Customs Boarding Officer boards the vessel close seaward of Georgetown harbour entrance. Masters are particularly warned that it is forbidden to lower a boat, or communicate with the shore or with other vessels, or to allow any person or thing to leave the vessel until the Customs Boarding Officer has granted permission.

All vessels are requested to advise their ETA, draught and pilot boarding position 12 hours in advance, by special message through the coast radio station to their agents and to the Port Authority.

Free pratique is normally granted by the pilot if the vessel is clean. On arrival, port health officials may board the vessel once it has been cleared by customs officials. A vessel with disease onboard should anchor in the quarantine anchorage and await the arrival of the port health officer. The vessel should advise the port authority by special message through the Georgetown Lighthouse, in order that the attendance of the port health officer can be arranged without delay. Issue of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates possible.