Buffalo (USBUF)

Buffalo is the first port inbound after transiting the Welland Canal. Containerised, bulk, liquid and general cargo can all be handled at the port. Major commodities include potash, coke, iron ore, stone, grain, salt, coal, machinery and foundry sand. The port of Buffalo is owned and operated by Gateway Metroport. The harbor entrance is usually blocked with ice from January to March or April.

Buffalo is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Erie. The lake discharges into the Niagara River at the northeast corner of this bay.

There is a maximum allowable draught of 8.0m through the St Lawrence Seaway and Welland Canal. Vessel length and beam limitations also apply.

Approx 338,100t of cargo handled annually.

The Buffalo outer harbour area affords good anchorage ground except that the bottom S of the middle gap is soft clay. There are 22 large mooring rings on 975m of the old breakwater adjoining the N harbour entrance and 25 mooring rings on 548m of the S breakwater adjoining the S harbour entrance. Vessels are permitted to moor to the breakwater with manila or synthetic lines, but not with wire rope or chain. Vessels are requested not to anchor N of Berthing Areas 11 to 24, inclusive, until such time as vessel traffic to the International Salt Co Pier and Niagara Frontier Port Authority Seaway Piers at the foot of Michigan Avenue has terminated for the season and then only by permission from the District Engineer, US Army Engineer District, Buffalo. Anchorage is permitted in berthing areas S of Berthing Area 24 with no restriction as to length of vessel. The berthing areas are marked by large orange numbers on the harbour face of the breakwaters. Federally designated anchorage areas established for Buffalo Harbor are described below: Explosives Anchorage "A": Inside the S section of the main breakwater, 213m in width, starting at a point 152m S'ly from the S end of the N section and extending approx 153°, 914m parallel to the line of the S section of the main breakwater. Black Rock Channel opposite foot of Porter Avenue Buffalo: An anchorage area extending NW'ly between Black Rock Channel and Bird Island Pier opposite the foot of Porter Avenue, bounded as follows: Beginning at Triangulation Mark N-5 on Bird Island Pier, then 61°, approx 91m to a point 15m W of the W'ly limit of Black Rock Channel, then NW'ly along an arc of a circle parallel to and 15m W of the W'ly limit of the channel to a point approx 109m S of Bird Island Pier Light No 17, then 276°, approx 41m to Bird Island Pier, then SW'ly and S'ly along the pier a distance of approx 413m to the point of origin.

Controlling depth of water 8.2m.

BA 4793. Admiralty Pilot NP68, NP286(5).

1000.

Mooring lines: Uniform thickness throughout, fitted with an eye not less than 2.4m in length and of sufficient strength to check the vessel. Anchors: Vessels over 110m must have an operational stern anchor. Orange anchor marking buoys of an approved type, fitted with 22m of suitable line, must be secured to all anchors.

Tug 1 x 1,250hp is available from Great Lakes Towing Co.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly. Temperatures range from -23°C to over 32°C. Annual average rainfall is approx 760mm.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK UNCTAD LOCODE: US BUF For details see: PORTS IN THE GREAT LAKES ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

VHF: Ch 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 28 (coast radio channel). Frequencies used are 156.55, 156.6, 156.65, 156.7, and 156.8 MHz.

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.