Puerto Chicama (PEPCH)

Puerto Chicama is a lighterage port only, whose original name-Malabrigo or "Bad Shelter" indicates its nature. Formerly a sugar port, sugar is now diverted to the bulk port at Salaverry, only fishmeal is now loaded here.

Tropical.

Puerto Chicama is situated approx 25nm SE of Pacasmayo.

Max draught 4.5m.

Vessels enter and anchor approx 1.6km off the end of the pier, in line with the range lights. Note: A red flag on the pier head signifies that the port is closed by surf/swell which is at its heaviest in Jun/Jul/Aug.

BA 3091, 3092.

1025.

Submarine pipelines lying N of the pier connect mooring dolphins, used by fishing craft, to the fish processing plants ashore.

PIlotage is not needed and pilots may not be available.

A FR light shows the head of the mole.

Range 1.1m.

Prevailing winds: Variable. The port is affected by swell especially during May - Sep.

Paita, Callao and Mollendo coast radio stations are recommended for use at long range. All 3 work throughout 24 hours. Paita: Callsign "OBY2", transmits on 8527kHz and 2182-2738kHz. Receives on 8362.2-8366.4kHz and 2182kHz. Callao: Callsign "OBC3", transmits on 460-50kHz, 8546kHz, 13015.5kHz, 2182-2738kHz. Receives on 500kHz, 8363.2kHz, 8366.4kHz, 12544.8kHz. Mollendo: Callsign "OBF4", transmits on 8490kHz, 2182kHz. Receives on 8363.2kHz, 8366.4kHz, 2182kHz. Communication is possible through Inmarsat. VHF: Ch 16.

Customs: If the possessions of a crew member and the Personal Effects List do not tally, the undeclared goods can be confiscated by the Customs Officer. Immigration: If a passport or Seaman's Book is out of date the Master should arrange for the ship's agent to revalidate it.

..... Document Copies 1. Clearance from Last Port 1 2. Crew List 9 3. Crew Personal Effects List 3 4. Stores List 3 5. Sanitary Declaration 2 6. Vaccination List 2 7. International Tonnage Certificate 2 8. Copy of the Entering Peruvian Waters (EPW) - and Final Report (FR) 1 9. Cargo Manifest 2 10. General Declaration 5 The above documents are for the Sanitary (Health) department, Immigration department, Harbour Master and agency. Any special forms for completion will be delivered onboard by the agent.

The initial ETA should be sent 7 days prior to arrival to the shippers and consignees. The message must include last port of call and any dangerous cargo destined for the port and/or in transit. Additional ETA should be sent 3 days prior to arrival to the Harbour Master and Port Authorities. This message should also advise of dangerous goods onboard. All ETA messages to include date and hour of arrival, draught, number of crew and if there are passengers onboard.

Standard Interco flags to be displayed. Penalty for not displaying "B" flag, when required to do so, is a fine.

The following is a copy of port regulations issued to the Master of an arriving vessel: ..... 1. On arrival at the port the Master, or a designated officer, is to be in attendance at the gangway to receive the port officials. 2. A vessel may not change anchorage without authorisation of the Harbour Master. 3. The Master must present all the vessel's certificates to the Port Authorities on request. 4. A vessel may not sound its whistle when alongside a berth. 5. Garbage, waste, oily residues, etc are to be retained onboard. 6. Cargo cannot be worked until permission has been received. 7. A vessel cannot sail without a port clearance. 8. A vessel cannot use its radio station whilst in the bay or alongside. 9. Persons cannot be admitted onboard until free pratique is granted. 10. Vessels may not berth, unberth or shift berth without authorisation of the port authority and assistance of a pilot. 11. Welding, hull painting and deck or engine repairs cannot be undertaken without permission from the Port Authorities. 12. All lines must be fitted with rat guards during the stay of a vessel alongside a berth. 13. Women cannot be admitted onboard without authorisation of the Port Authorities and Harbour Master. 14. A safety net must be rigged under the gangway, at all times, when a vessel is alongside. 15. Care must be taken of all lashings and dunnage onboard. 16. Persons who are unknown must not be permitted onboard. 17. The following must be annotated in the Oil Record Book: Supply of fuel oil/place/hour/date/type/quantity. For non compliance with any of the above the Port Authorities and Harbour Master may impose heavy fines on the vessel.

Pratique should be applied for 48 hours prior to vessel's arrival. It can only be granted by radio with the Harbour Master's consent in the event of heavy weather or in an emergency. Vessels must be in possession of a valid Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and all crew must be healthy.

NOR should be tendered on arrival at the port in accordance with the Charter Party.

When entering Peruvian waters a message must be sent under prefix "SHIPREP/EPW". The message must contain: Name of vessel, callsign, nationality, date/hour of entry into Peruvian waters, last port of call, true course and speed on entry, port of destination and ETA. Every day at 0800hrs and 2000hrs a vessel, in Peruvian waters, must advise: Name, callsign, nationality, date/hour, position, course, speed, port of destination, ETA. One hour before arrival at a Peruvian port a vessel must advise, under prefix "SHIPREP/FR: Name, callsign, nationality, date/hour of arrival, port of destination, ETA. When departing Peruvian waters vessels must advise, under prefix "SHIPREP/DPW": Name, callsign, nationality, date/hour, position and port of destination.