Dillingham (USDLG)

The Port of Dillingham is a regional port for many southwest Alaska villages offering a full range of dockage, boat yard and marine services for commercial fishing, cargo, and recreational vessels.

North Pacific Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Oct 16 to Apr 15, Summer Apr 16 to Oct 15.

Dillingham is situated at the N end of Nushagak Bay on the N bank of the Nushagak River, 2nm SW of it's junction with Wood River.

Approx 37,000t of cargo handled annually.

Vessels can anchor in the outer part of Nushagak Bay in N'ly weather. The wind from this direction does not blow with force during the summer. This part of the bay is exposed to a heavy sea during E'ly to S'ly weather. The strong current causes a vessel at anchor to lie stern or broadside to the sea when the wind opposes the current. The bars afford little protection. In SW'ly and NE'ly weather, the W and E sides of the bay, respectively, should be selected. Good anchorage can be found S of Ekuk Bluff, in depths of 9.1-10.6m, mud bottom, where the current is not strong. During the cannery season, mooring buoys, placed in a line parallel to the beach, are maintained for tally barges in the area S of Ekuk Bluff and E of the main channel. In SW'ly weather, good anchorage in depth of 5.4m is offered to vessels drawing 3.6m or less, 1nm x 021° from Protection Point. Deeper draught vessels should anchor farther NE. Above Ekuk, good anchorage will be found wherever the depth will permit. This part of the bay is very choppy in heavy weather, but rarely heavy enough to endanger a vessel. The bottom is sand, but the anchor holds well if given a good scope of cable. Due to strong currents care should be taken to avoid dragging. Vessels remaining long are anchored in line in the channel to interfere as little as possible with fishing nets.

Caution: Nushagak Bay and River are obstructed by shoals near the shores, and by long bars, partially exposed at low water, generally extending in the direction of the channels. Navigation is only safe during daylight when aids to navigation are visible.

BA 1500, 4810, US 16011, 16322, 16006. Admiralty Pilot NP23, NP286(5).

USCG Seventeenth District

1025.

Compulsory and available 24 hours. All waters of Bristol Bay come under the jurisdiction of Alaska Marine Pilots LLC (AMP). Vessels should send notice of ETA and request for pilot through agent or last pilot onboard, 48 hours prior to arrival at pilot boarding site. Pilots board 0.6nm S of Nushagak Bay Entrance lighted bell buoy in position 58°33'N 158°24'W.

HW: 5.2m LW: -0.4m

Average temperatures range from 2.5°C to 19°C during the summer and -15.5°C to -1°C in winter. Average rainfall is 66cm along with 165cm of snow. The Nushagak River is ice free during June to November and heavy fog is common during July and August. Winds up to 113kmph may occur from December to March.

Port: Dillingham Harbor Department: Tel: +1 970 842 1069, Fax: +1 907 842 4573. VHF: Ch 16 (24 hours) Website: http://www.ci.dillingham.ak.us/police1.html Pilot: Alaska Marine Pilots LLC (AMP), Western Alaska Pilotage Region: VHF: Ch 16. Tel: +1 907 581 1240, Fax: +1 907 581 1372, Email: amp@arctic.net.

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.

All vessels, their owners or agents must provide verbal advice to the Port Administrator of ETA, the nature and quantity of cargo on board and the start time for discharge and/or loading operations. The Port will provide docking instructions on receipt and approval of this information. All vessels, their owners or agents must file a written Vessel Berthing Application with the Port Administrator and such application must be approved by the Port Administrator before the vessel will be scheduled for berthing. Any vessel calling at the port for repairs must obtain approval from the Port Administrator before docking. 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.