Pointe des Galets (RELPT)

Pointe des Galets is an alternative name for Port Reunion.

Summer.

Port Reunion is situated on the N coast of Reunion Island, 670nm E of Madagascar.

LOA 215m, beam 34m, draught 12.0m, 45,000DWT.

Approx 5,500,000t of cargo, 280,000TEU, 700 vessels, 81,700 passengers handled annually.

Outer anchorages: Ouest Port: The usual anchorage for vessels waiting to enter Ouest Port is in Baie de Saint Paul, 5nm SW of the port entrance or 2nm farther SW off Cap la Houssaye, both in depths over 20.0m. Est Port: Vessels waiting to enter Est Port should anchor NE of the port, in Baie de la Possession, in depths over 20.0m. With the Harbour Master's permission, vessels may temporarily anchor 0.3nm SW of the port entrance, in depth of 40m, with the light on the head of the breakwater bearing 045° and a mark (23m in height) 0.5nm SSE of the head of the N breakwater bearing 116°. Another anchorage is located 0.7nm SSW of the port entrance.

Est Port is approached from N; Ouest Port is approached from W and both are entered on the alignment of leading lights between breakwaters. The entrance channel to Est Port is 500m in length, 130m wide and a depth of 13.0m. The entrance channel to Ouest Port is buoyed, 500m in length with a depth of approx 13.0m (although shoaling may have reduced this) and a width of 70m. Conditions for entering and leaving the harbour are best in the early morning or late evening, the weather being usually calm at these times. In certain conditions and at the Harbour Master's discretion, vessels can sail from Ouest Port at night. Directions for entering Ouest Port: Leading marks: The alignment (117°) of Riviere des Galets ravine entrance, with Le Cimendef, 7.75nm SE leads to Ouest Port. Front light (white square daymark, black stripe, orange border, on pylon, 11m in height, 20°56.3'S 055°17.3'E. Rear light (red rectangular daymark, black stripe, orange border, on pylon, 17m in height, situated on a building 80m from front light. The alignment (102.6°) of these lights leads along the axis of the entrance channel into the outer harbour, passing: N of the S breakwater, from which a light is exhibited (white metal column, green top, 11m in height). Then S of the N breakwater from which a light is exhibited at its head (white pylon, red top, 11m in height). This course will lead to the entrance channel and to the turning area. Directions for entering Est Port: Leading marks. (black rectangular daymarks, each with a white band, on black towers. each with a white top) Front light 9m in height. Rear light 8m in height, 300m SSE of front light. From seaward, the alignment (162°) of these leading lights, positioned SSE of the turning basin, leads in the middle of the entrance channel, into the turning basin passing between: The E breakwater, from the head of which a light (white tower, red top 10m in height) is exhibited The W breakwater, from the head of which, a light (white tower, green top, 10m in height) is exhibited. Caution: If the current is setting strongly across the leading line, entry may be difficult, in which case the pilot will advise. Due to the speed required to maintain steerage under these conditions, vessels may wish to use their anchors. However, the holding is poor. Once inside the entrance, there is only a short distance in which to stop and turn for berthing. Port entry hours: Entry into Est Port is from 0400-2200hrs. Night entry is between 1800 and 0600hrs. Entry into Ouest Port is 20 minutes before sunrise and 20 minutes before sunset.

BA 1495, 1497, 712. Admiralty Pilot NP39, NP286(8).

To contact Coastguard, Tel: +262 428390.

1025.

Berthing is planned by the Harbour Master on VHF Ch 16, Port Operations Ch 12. Port Reunion, including Ouest and Est Port, is subjected to the southern ocean swells bringing at times their effects inside western harbour. Mooring ropes may be hired by vessels to strengthen their mooring, mainly during the winter period (from Jun-Sep). In case of heavy swell, special forecasts are transmitted by the local meteorological station and delivered to the Master. At any time, vessels must: strengthen their mooring as soon as they berth, using only mooring ropes in good condition and proceed into the harbour with a sufficient number of mooring ropes. During the hurricane period (from Dec- Mar) information and instructions are delivered to vessels by the Harbour Master. Vessel mooring must be carried out in order to ensure a good stay of the vessel at its berth and a watch has to be maintained, by competent personnel, during the vessel's stay in order to check and adjust the moorings and the vessel's gangway. Very close care must be taken with the use of automatic winches and the shore moorings.

Compulsory for vessels over LOA 50m. Available throughout 24 hours for East Port and sunrise to sunset for West Port. Arrangements are normally made at least 48 hours in advance by the vessel's agent. Pilot boards in the following positions: ..... East Port 20°54.17'S 055°18.76'E West Port 20°55.77'S 055°15.48'E

There are no designated port limits.

Port de la Pointe-des-Galets Main Light (grey silo, 27m in height) (20°56.1'S 055°17.1'E). South Basin Leading Lights: (green pylons, each with a white rectangular daymark with black stripes). Front light, 10m in height. Rear light, 12m in height, 60m S of front light. From the turning area, the alignment of these leading lights (189°), positioned on the S side of the South Basin, leads into the South Basin. North Basin Leading Lights: (red rectangular daymarks, each with a white stripe). Front light, 23m in height. Rear light 23m in height, 60m n of front light From the turning area, the alignment of these leading lights, positioned on the N side of the North Basin, leads through a cutting 30m wide with four dolphins on its E side into the North Basin. Berthing Basin Leading Lights: (white pylons, each with red rectangular daymark) Front light 20m in height. Rear light 13m in height, 120m E of front light. The alignment (085°) astern of these leading lights positioned on the E side of the turning basin leads to the berthing basin.

Ouest Port: Entry and sailing daylight only. Port Est: Entry and sailing: 0430hrs to 2200hrs.

Range 0.7m.

Commercial and military vessels have priority over small vessels or leisure craft at all times. The following signals are displayed, at Ouest Port, by day from a mast at the signal station: ..... Signal Meaning Red flag Entry prohibited Green flag Departure prohibited Red flag over Green flag Entry and departure prohibited At night these signals will be substituted with lights. Est Port does not have a traffic signal.

Compulsory for vessels over LOA 120m. There are 3 x 3,400hp tugs, each 40t bollard pull. To contact Tug Office, Tel: +262 420316; Fax: +262 422876. Tugs will join vessels inside the breakwater using vessel's lines for entering the harbour and tug lines for berthing alongside.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly (Apr-Nov), NE'ly (Dec-Mar). The Port Authority issues swell and cyclone warning to vessels in harbour. Masters are advised to request a copy of the instructions booklet issued by the port when such a warning is given. If a vessel requires assistance, this can be obtained by sounding several short blasts on the siren. From Jun-Sep, the S swell can cause a heavy undertow in Ouest Port. Current: Off Ouest Port the current sets either N or S across the entrance, usually N at the average rate of 1kt. Off Est Port the current sets W at a rate of 1kt. These currents are irregular and diminish in strength with the approach of a tropical depression.

The signal station is situated at the Harbour Master's office in Ouest Port and has VHF. A watch is kept from sunrise to sunset. Once within range communications should be established with this office, from which all instructions will be given. If unable to establish contact a vessel should wait approx 2nm off the intended port. VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 12, 16. Tel: +262 262 420314, Fax: +262 262 432381. E-mail: pilotage.maritime.reunion@wanadoo.fr.

See French requirements for documentation to be completed for arrival.

Notification should be sent to the agent at least 48 hours in advance, who will request a pilot. At least 24 hours before arrival in the roads, an Offshore Advance Report should be sent to the Harbour Master stating the following: ..... 1. Vessel's name and type 2. Last port and port of loading 3. ETA (East port/West port) 4. LOA, draught, beam 5. Summer draught 6. Air draught 7 GT/NT 8. Port of registry/flag/year built 9. Callsign 10. MMSI 11. IMO number 12. Classification 13. Ship security level 14. Bow thruster 15. Name and address of owners 16. Cargo to be discharged at port 17. Dangerous cargo onboard to be discharged and transit at port 18. Defects, if any 19. Master's name Vessels are requested to stand-by 2nm from the entrance to East Port or West Port.

French flag, Nationality flag and red flag if dangerous goods onboard, to be displayed.

A copy of the port Standing Orders is placed onboard on arrival. The immobilisation of main engines and tank cleaning may only be undertaken with the permission of the Harbour Master. As likely effects of swell and the possibility of a cyclone threatening the port all berthing hawsers must be in excellent condition and additional hawsers are required to be available at all times. When swell occurs, vessels must be prepared to leave the harbour. When a cyclone warning is issued all cargo operations must cease. When the Harbour Master considers the port is threatened by a cyclone, all tankers and vessels at Berth H and South Basin at Ouest Port and all berths at Est Port are required to put to sea. Vessels in North Basin of Ouest Port proceed to sea at the Masters' discretion.

If a vessel is healthy, no advance request for pratique is necessary; the Port Health Officer boards as soon as a vessel berths when pratique is normally granted. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates issued.