Westport (NZWSZ)

The port has a bar at its entrance, 2 breakwaters approx 170m apart form the entrance.

Summer.

The port of Westport is situated on the NW coast of South Island at the mouth of Buller River.

The latest movements carried out between year 2021 to 2023, no commercial ships has recorded most of the operation are involved in fishing. The draught depends on the bar and tidal conditions, approx 5.0-5.5m. Westport operates differential GPS with full electronic hydrographic survey program to maximise available draught and hence cargoes from the port.

Vessels can anchor in Buller Bay in depths from 18.3-23.7m. A recommended berth is in a position 2nm N of the signal station. Caution: There is poor holding ground E of the entrance to the harbour and in the SW part of Buller Bay. Vessels should be prepared to proceed to sea directly. When there are signs of wind rising from the W to N quarter, an anchorage in Buller Bay is unsafe during NW'ly gales. A falling barometer and lightning W and S of Westport are almost certain indications of deteriorating weather conditions.

The harbour is approached from N and entered over a bar between breakwaters, with a width between them of 179m, on the line of leading lights. Inner Approaches: Bar entrance. Current bar plans will be faxed to vessels and pilot will fully brief Masters before entry.

NZ 71, Admiralty Pilot NP51, NP286(4).

Contact Buller Marine Search and Rescue on VHF Ch 62.

1000-1025 depending on the river flow.

Berthing signals: These are given by the pilot. Vessels drawing more than 2.4m must inform the Harbour Master before arrival.

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels of more than 100GT and/or 3.0m draught seeking to enter or leave the port. Pilot boards 2.2nm N of the main West Breakwater Light. All vessels should notify the Harbour Master of their intention to enter at least 12 hours prior to arrival. No vessel must attempt to enter the port until authority to do so is received. In the event of a pilot being unable to board a vessel it will be led through the bar. A bar plan will be faxed to a ship, on request, before arrival at the pilot station. Vessels outbound touching the bar should advise the Harbour Master accordingly when clear of the bar. Pilotage district: All the waters within the harbour of Westport. The outward sea limit is the arc of a circle running from the landward boundary of the foreshore W of the Western Breakwater and then into the Tasman Sea and then to the landward boundary of the foreshore E of the Eastern Breakwater, being the arc of a circle radius 1.5nm, with its centre the signal station on the western breakwater.

The seaward limit is a line drawn 310° for 3nm from a position 3nm NE of Ngakawau River entrance (41°37.0'S 171°53.0'E), then direct to Cape Foulwind (41°45.0'S 171°28.0'E).

Western Breakwater (41°43.8'S 171°35.2'E): Fl W 5s, exhibited at an elevation of 20m (white square tower, with red band). Western Breakwater Head (41°43.7'S 171°35.2'E): Fl G 2s, exhibited at an elevation of 9m (white round tower with green band, height 5m). Eastern Breakwater Head (41°43.6'S 171°35.3'E): Fl R 2s, exhibited at an elevation of 9m (white round tower with red band at top). Main Leads - Front (41°44.2'S 171°35.5'E): F G, exhibited at an elevation of 10m (red x on steel column with yellow fluorescent reflective panels, height 6m). Main Leads - Rear (41°44.4'S 171°35.5'E): F G, exhibited at an elevation of 15m (red diamond on rectangular frame, with fluorescent orange and white vertical bands, height 11m). Inner Up-River Leads - Front (41°44.8'S 171°35.6'E): Q R, exhibited at an elevation of 4m (beacon, red and white horizontal bands). Inner Up-River Leads - Rear (41°45.0'S 171°35.6'E): L Fl R 5s, exhibited at an elevation of 7m (beacon, red and white horizontal bands, height 2m). Main Leads - East Limit Pole (41°44.2'S 171°35.5'E): F R, exhibited at an elevation of 11m (pole with black and white bands). Main Leads - Broad East Pole (41°44.2'S 171°35.5'E): F Bu, exhibited at an elevation of 11m (pole with black and white bands). "Horse Box" (41°44.3'S 171°35.4'E): Q (3) G 5s, exhibited at an elevation of 6m (tripod with black and white metal tower, height 6m). "Turning Point" (41°44.5'S 171°35.5'E): Iso R 15s, exhibited at an elevation of 3m (red metal framework). Crane Wharf Head (41°44.7'S 171°35.7'E): 2 F R (vert), exhibited at an elevation of 5m (mounted on wharf knuckle below Harbour Office).

Passage over the bar is considered impracticable when the river is in flood or during a NW'ly gale. In bad weather the sea breaks heavily over the outer part of the bar. Bar depths: Depths over the sand bar vary, approx 3.4m CD, allowing 1m swell, at Broad East. River depths: There is ample depth in the river for all vessels which can cross the bar. Vessels up to 145m in length can be handled but are subject to the Harbour Master's consent.

All information regarding bar conditions and tides is communicated via VHF Ch 16/14 or cellphone. The height of tides above CD are as follows: ..... MHWS 3.30m MHWN 2.54m MLWS 0.28m MLWN 0.91m Range 3.12m Range 1.63m There is a tidal gauge situated in the Harbour Master's office, which shows automatically the depth above CD. It is also transmitted and can be received by various harbour and other vessels with the receiving equipment aboard. During river freshets, which may occur at any time of the year, the river current in the harbour attains a rate from 8-10kts. The tides rise highest with E'ly winds and lowest with W'ly winds. Currents set across the bar according to the direction and force of the wind. Strong winds from the W and SW cause E'ly sets with rates of up to 6kts, E'ly winds cause sets to the W with less effect.

None.

There is 1 tug, "Bob Gower", 3t bollard pull available.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly.

WESTPORT 41°43.79'S 171°35.35'E UNCTAD LOCODE: NZ WSZ ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

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(2) Pilot boards in position 41°42.11S 171°33.13E (2·2 n miles NW of the main West Breakwater Lt). ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________ PORT CONTACT DETAILS: Call: Westport Harbour Radio (ZMH92) VHF Channel: Ch 16; 14 62 Hr Mr Telephone: +64(0)800 4978427 (Bar Crossing) +64(0)3 7888086 (H24) E-mail: harbourmaster@westportharbour.co.nz Port Operators (Buller District Council) Telephone: +64(0)3 7888086 (H24) +64(0)800 4978427 (Bar Crossing) E-mail: westportharbour@bdc.govt.nz Website: www.westportharbour.co.nz HOURS: Ch 14: Mon-Fri: 0800-1700 LT and when a vessel is expected PROCEDURE: (1) Vessels intending to cross the bar must establish effective communication with the Hr Mr and provide the following: (a) Their intention to attempt a crossing (b) Number of persons on board (2) Information on bar conditions will be passed to vessel by the Hr Mr (3) Vessels are required to make an "ALL SHIPS" call on VHF prior to approaching the bar and when leaving the lagoon. (4) All vessels must maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 14 on entering or leaving port. (5) Any vessel with a height exceeding 20m must contact the Hr Mr 15 mins prior to entering or leaving the harbour. 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(2) Pilot boards in position 41°42.11S 171°33.13E (2·2 n miles NW of the main West Breakwater Lt). ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________ PORT CONTACT DETAILS: Call: Westport Harbour Radio (ZMH92) VHF Channel: Ch 16; 14 62 Hr Mr Telephone: +64(0)800 4978427 (Bar Crossing) \t+64(0)3 7888086 (H24) E-mail: harbourmaster@westportharbour.co.nz Port Operators (Buller District Council) Telephone: +64(0)3 7888086 (H24) \t+64(0)800 4978427 (Bar Crossing) E-mail: westportharbour@bdc.govt.nz Website: www.westportharbour.co.nz HOURS:\tCh 14: Mon-Fri: 0800-1700 LT and when a vessel is expected PROCEDURE: (1) Vessels intending to cross the bar must establish effective communication with the Hr Mr and provide the following: (a) Their intention to attempt a crossing (b) Number of persons on board (2) Information on bar conditions will be passed to vessel by the Hr Mr (3) Vessels are required to make an \"ALL SHIPS\" call on VHF prior to approaching the bar and when leaving the lagoon. (4) All vessels must maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 14 on entering or leaving port. (5) Any vessel with a height exceeding 20m must contact the Hr Mr 15 mins prior to entering or leaving the harbour. NOTE: Port is operated by Buller District Council. ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________" }

WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 12/25 Buller District Council, (RSDRA2024000393787), 12/25

..... Authority VHF Ch Telephone Fax Email Pilot Station 16/14 +64 3 788 8086 +64 3 789 6269 westportharbour-nz@xtra.co.nz Pilot Vessel 16/14 Port Authority 16/14 +64 3 788 8086 +64 3 789 6269 westportharbour-nz@xtra.co.nz Coastguard 62 Harbour Master 16/14 +64 3 788 8086 +64 3 789 6269 westportharbour-nz@xtra.co.nz Tugs 16/14

Westport is a Customs sub port controlled by the Collector of Customs, Christchurch.

All documents as required by New Zealand Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Notice of ETA should be given by radio or phone 24 hours prior to arrival.

No special flags required.

Harbour, National and Regional Council By Laws apply. Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.

Pratique to be applied for by radio prior to arrival. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates can be obtained.

As per charter party or at arrival at the pilot station.

Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.