Benicia (USBNC)

This deep water port is one of the W coast's leading centres for imported vehicles. Facilities at Avon, Martinez, Ozol, Crockett, Selby, Oleum, Mare Island and Vallejo can also be found under this entry.

Summer.

Benicia is situated on the northern shore of the Carquinez Strait, California.

LOA 335.28m, beam 50.3m, draught 12.2m, 265,000DWT.

Carquinez Strait, which is entered between Semple Point (38°03.9'N 122°13.5'W) and the town of Valona (0.5nm S), is a channel, 6nm long, connecting San Pablo Bay with Suisun Bay. It is spanned by bridges at both ends. It is deep throughout, except for an extensive shallow bank on the N side of the strait which fronts the shore between Dillon Point (38°03.6'N 122°11.6'W) and Benicia Point (1.75nm SE), and banks which extend towards the fairway S of Benicia Point. Regulated navigation area: A regulated navigation area has been established near the Southern Pacific Railway Bridge. The following general regulations apply to all power driven vessels of 1,600GT or over and to tugs with a tow of 1,600GT or over, navigating within these areas. ..... 1. Speed shall not exceed 15kts through the water. 2. Engines must be ready for immediate manoeuvring and to be capable of remaining stopped for an extended period of time. 3. Rule 9 of the Inland navigation Rules must be complied with.

BA 4914, 590. Admiralty Pilot NP8, NP286(5).

1010.

Compulsory. Available from San Francisco Bar Pilots.

Carquinez Strait Bridges: Two fixed bridges, with one central pier, span the strait at Semple Point. Each span has a horizontal clearance of 304m. The vertical clearance under the N span is 44.5m and under the S span is 40.8m. Benicia-Martinez Highways Bridge: A multi span fixed bridge, spans the E end of Carquinez Strait between Suisun Point (38°02'N 122°07'W) and Army Point (almost 1nm NNW). The main navigational span, between Piers No 10 and 11, has a horizontal clearance of 134m and a vertical clearance of 41m. This span almost coincides with that of the adjacent railroad bridge. Southern Pacific Railroad Lift Bridge: This has a number of fixed spans and is situated close E of the highway bridge. The lift span has a vertical clearance of 21.3m when closed and 41m when open. The horizontal clearance is 89m. The operators can be contacted by VHF radio. A regulated navigation area is established within 183m of the bridge in the main channel. When visibility is less than 915m E bound vessels shall not transit this area. W bound vessels, if visibility is reported to be less than 915m, shall not proceed past Mallard Island (38°02.5'N 121°55.0'W) until the visibility has improved to more than 915m. Overhead power cables: Span the strait in 2 places, 0.25nm W and 1.25nm E, of the Carquinez Strait Bridges. The least vertical clearance is one of 54.5m under the W set of cables.

Approx. 2.0m.

Tugs are available.

Prevailing winds: W'ly.

BENICIA, CALIFORNIA 38°02.51'N 122°08.05'W UNCTAD LOCODE: US BNC For details see: SAN FRANCISCO PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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VHF: Ch. 16, 10.

Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.