Macuse (MZMCU)

Porto Belo is an alternative name for Macuse.

Tropical.

Macuse (Porto Belo) is approx 180nm NE of Beira on the Rio Macuse.

At its peak, approx 35,000t of copra were exported from the port of which 18,000t came from Boror and the rest from family estates. Current traffic estimates are 13,000t annually. Approx 90% arrives in the port from river/sea barges and the balance by truck.

Anchorage may be obtained in depths of 12.0m opposite a wharf near Macuse.

There is a bar across the entrance to Rio Macuse, the depths of which are subject to frequent change. Draughts on crossing the bar have been as high as 5.0m at HWS and 3.5m at HWN. Having made the landfall buoy steer to pass close to No 2 Buoy (port hand, 2.1nm ESE off Macuse Light), keep in the middle of the channel between the banks as far as the mouth of the river. Then proceed to the anchorage off Macuse. The navigational marks are moved as necessary to meet the frequent changes in the channel. Caution is necessary when crossing the bar to guard against the effect of the tidal streams.

BA 2935. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(8).

1000.

Compulsory for ocean going vessels entering the Rio Macuse. Requests for a pilot should be made to the Port Authority at Quelimane 24 hours prior to arrival.

Macuse Lighthouse (white square concrete framework tower, 20m in height) is exhibited on Ponta Namerruma. Landfall Buoy (safe water, pillar) in position 3.5nm SE off Macuse Light in a depth of 5.0m.

The ingoing tidal stream sets W on the rising tide and E on the outgoing, falling tide. Within the harbour, the outgoing tidal stream attains rates from 2-3kts, the ingoing stream runs less strongly.