Fajardo (PRFAJ)

The port handles passenger, cargo, vehicles and other traffic which engage in inter-island traffic with the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Facilities include a modern terminal, a cargo pier and two ferry piers.

North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31.

Fajardo, situated on the E coast of Puerto Rico, extends SE from Punta Bateria (18°21'N 065°38'W).

LOA 47.0m, beam 12.30m, 100DWT.

Approx 200,000t of cargo handled annually.

Outer anchorages: Outer anchorages are available in the N entrance (1.5nm NE of Punta Bateria) or in Rada Fajardo (2.5nm NE of Punta Bateria), which are able to accommodate vessels with a draught greater than 5.2m. Anchorages: The usual anchorage is in a depth of 5.0-7.0m approx 0.25nm NE of Punta Bateria, with good holding ground and fair protection. Anchorage, suitable for vessels with a draught of less than 3.7m, is available on either side of the entrance channel, to the WSW of Isla Marina, clear of cable and pipeline area.

Directions for entering harbour: Approaches: Bahia de Fajardo can be approached from the N through Pasaje de San Juan (18°24'N 065°38'W), or from the S or E through Sonda de Vieques, following either the outer (E'ly) route or the inner (W'ly) route. An alternative approach route from Sonda de Vieques passes between Isla Palominos (18°24'N 065°34'W) and Cayo Largo (1.5nm SSW of Isla Palominos). This channel is 0.6nm wide with a depth of 8.2m in the fairway. Entrance channels: The main entrance channel to Bahia de Fajardo is from the N. Smaller vessels can enter from the E and small craft can enter from the S. Entrance channel from the N: An unmarked channel (1.5nm NE of Punta Bateria (18° 20.8'N 065°38.0'W) with a controlling depth of 7.0m, which extends as far as Punta Bateria, then through a dredged channel to the berths at Playa de Fajardo. Directions: From a position 2nm NE of Punta Bateria, the alignment (210°) of the reddish bluff (0.5nm S of Punta Bateria), with a high grassy hill with a clump of trees on its summit, leads towards Bahia de Fajardo, passing (with positions from Punta Bateria): SE of the coastal reef which extends up to 200m offshore, extending NNE and SSW from Punta Gorda (0.9nm NNE), which is a prominent headland, then close NW of a bank, with a least depth of 7.6m over it (1nm NE), then 0.2nm NW of Baja Laja (0.9nm ENE).From a position 0.8nm NE of Punta Bateria, the line of bearing, 200°, on the Customs house leads into the bay passing: WNW of a shoal patch, with a depth of 3.4m over it (0.37nm E). No 3 Buoy (port-hand) is moored 200m E of this shoal. Then WNW of a shoal, with a least depth of 3.0m over it (0.42nm SE). Entrance channel from the E: A channel (1nm ENE) which leads into Bahia de Fajardo from the E, with a controlling depth of 5.2m, as far as a position N of No 3 Buoy (port hand) (0.47nm E), passes between features as follows: S of Bajo Laja (0.9nm E) and on which the sea always breaks, marked approx 200m off its N extremity by No 1 Lightbuoy (port hand). Local knowledge is required for this channel which is seldom used.

BA 2003. Admiralty Pilot NP71, NP286(7).

1025.

Compulsory for foreign vessels and US registered vessels when entering or leaving the harbours of Puerto Rico. Pilotage is available day and night.

Principal mark: Cabo San Juan Lighthouse (18°23'N 065°37'W) is the principal landmark in the approach to Bahia de Fajardo. Many of the navigation aids are privately maintained.

Range 0.6m.

Prevailing winds: E'ly.

Radio: San Juan Radio transmits on 2530kHz, receives on 2134kHz and keeps watch on 2182kHz. VHF: Port: Ch 16, 14.

For Customs service, Fajardo is under the jurisdiction of the Fajardo Customs house.