Nepoui (NCNEP)

Nepoui is a small port, near to town of Mueo, with a buoy mooring terminal for the export of nickel ore, which is also used by tankers for the import of oil and liquefied gas.

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Nepoui, which is also known as Mueo, is located on the NW coast of New Caledonia.

LOA 161m, beam 27m, draught 8.1m, 28,428DWT.

Anchorage is available in position 21°20.9'S 164°56.6'E in depths of 6.0-9.0m. Anchorage may be obtained in the area between the parallels of the S end of Ile Grimault and the S end of Presqu'ile de Mueo, in depths from 12.0-21.0m, mud. The holding ground is good and the inner berths are particularly well protected; the outer berths are only protected by the reefs and shallow areas. Anchorage may also be obtained as follows: ..... 1. In Baie de Nepoui in depths from 6.0-9.0m. 2. In the bay on the NW side of Ile Grimault, protected from E through SE to S, in a depth of 6.0m, sand and mud.

Passe de Mueo is entered, during daylight only, on the leading line bearing 072° Front mark: White beacon, 9m in height, on the S point of Ile Didot (21°22'S 165°01'E). Rear mark: White beacon, 7m in height, on the N extremity of Prequ'ile Beco (1nm ENE of the front beacon). From a position approx 0.15nm NNW of a light (white metal framework tower, green top, 10m in height) on the N extremity of the reef on the S side of the entrance, the recommended track leads E through the dredged channel marked by buoys (port and starboard hand). A depth of 8.3m lies near the centre of this channel. From the E end of the dredged channel, the track is altered to 031° on 2 leading marks standing on the reef extending SW from Ile Grimoult (21°22'S 165° 00'E). Front mark: White tower, 1m in height. Rear mark: White tower, 13m in height, 400m NNE of the front mark. Passing W of No 5 and No 7 Buoys marking the E side of the channel and E of No 10 Buoy marking its W side. Abeam No 10 Buoy, course is altered to 343° heading to Observatory Rock, at the SE extremity of Nepoui peninsula, ahead, passing W of a beacon (starboard hand) marking the edge of the reef fringing the W side of Ile Grimoult. When Observatory Rock is 0.8nm ahead course is altered to 024° on SLN conveyor. Nepoui Bay is entered W of a green buoy marking the extremity of a spit extending from the SW end of Presqu'ile de Moueo. Mueo Passage: Entrance to Nepoui Harbour.

BA 935, 4636. French 7322. Admiralty Pilot NP61, NP286(4).

Tel: +687 264772.

1035 max in dry season.

One launch is available.

Compulsory, Tel: +687 273274, Fax: +687 277178. Pilots can be obtained from Noumea with 24 hours notice. Pilot boarding ground off Mueo Passage, in position 21°24.4'S 164°55.7'E.

Entry and departure during daytime only. Tankers restricted to max draught 8.0m, LOA 140m, 15,000DWT and 8,000t products. Other vessels (ore-carriers) restricted to draught 8.1m, LOA 163m and max beam 25.5m. Restricted area: A nature reserve has been established in Baie de Nekoro (21° 22.1'S 165°01.3'E).

Range 1.65m (semi-diurnal).

One tug, which is on compulsory standby during tanker transits from passage to Nepoui harbour.

Prevailing winds: SE Tradewinds Jul-Nov (reaches max at approx 1400hrs). Cyclone season Dec-Apr.

Radio: There is a port radio station at Noumea which operates throughout 24 hours. RT (HF) 2182kHz, 4125kHz, 6215kHz. VHF: Distress and calling: Ch 16. Pilot working on Ch 12.

Customs allowances: The allowances for officers and crew are 200 cigarettes or 500gm of rolling tobacco and 1 bottle of alcohol. Penalties for non compliance are fines of the value of the local resale price of the goods. Immigration: There are no specific Immigration procedures and formalities at the port. Agent liaises with the relevant authorities.

The following forms are supplied by the vessel's agent for completion: ..... Document 1. General Information 2. Health Declaration The forms are either delivered onboard on arrival or mailed to the vessel's previous port. The following can be completed on the ship's own forms or should be in the Master's possession: 1. Clearance from previous port of call 2. Port of Call List 3. Crew List 4. List of Crew's Personal Effects 5. Passenger List (even if nil) 6. Vaccination List (crew & passengers) 7. Provisions List 8. Bonded Stores List 9. Narcotics List 10. Arms & Ammunitions List (even if nil) 11. Plants & Animals List The above forms are for Customs, Immigration and agency.

Initial ETA should be sent 48 hours prior to arrival with further ETA 24 hours before arrival. Further messages should be sent if requested. The ETA message, in addition to date and time of arrival, should also include the passage to be used for entering (if applicable), LOA, draughts forward and aft, number of crew and passengers, Master's name, flag, port of arrival and port of destination.

The French flag is to be displayed whilst the vessel is in port. Vessels not complying may be subject to a fine at the Custom's discretion.

There are no specific regulations but the Master should be advised by the agent.

Pratique accorded by pilot when boarding. Application can be made through the vessel's agent or through the Harbour Master. The port has no special health regulations but the crew should be healthy and there should be no notifiable disease onboard. Ship Sanitation Certificates can be renewed.

NOR should be handed to the agent on berthing or at the anchorage.