Fall River (USFAV)

The port has facilities for Ro-Ro, general cargo and bulk vessels. Latterly, the port area has experienced a period of economic decline, with the closure of power station facilities.

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Fall River is situated on the E coast, approx 46M SSE of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts. The City of Fall River is lies on the East Shore of the mouth of Taunton River and the head of Mount Hope Bay. Port facilities are along the Taunton and Sakonnet Rivers and in Mount Hope Bay.

LOA 199.98m, beam 32.26m, draught 10.7m, 63,498DWT.

Approx 3,077,000t of cargo handled annually.

Available either side of the dredged approach channel or anywhere in Mount Hope Bay where depth or bottom are suitable.

Depth at entrance to the port is 22.8m.

BA 1227. Admiralty Pilot NP68.

1000.

Pilotage for the Fall River area is provided by the Northeast Marine Pilots Inc., Newport, Rhode Island. This is compulsory for all foreign vessels and US vessels under register when entering and departing Narragansett Bay and all ports within the waters of the State of Rhode Island. The Pilot boarding area is S of a line extending from Point Judith to Sakonnet Point. Vessels arriving from the sea should approach via the Narrangansett Bay TSS inbound traffic line. Pilot boards in the following positions: ..... (a) 1.5nm E of the Narrangansett Bay Entrance Light Buoy NB, within an area bounded by the following positions: 41°23.60'N 71°22.40'W 41°22.60'N 71°22.00'W 41°24.20'N 71°20.00'W 41°22.60'N 71°20.60'W (b) Vessels bound for Long Island Sound Ports: Pilot boards in the vicinity of Point Judith Light Buoy 2, within a 1.0nm radius circle centred on position 41°17.20'N 71°30.40'W. Fall River is located in the NE of Mount Hope Bay in the mouth of Taunton River. Vessels with a LOA19.8m (65ft) or over wishing to access berths in this area should make Safety Signal (Securite) calls on both VHF Ch 13 and 16 at the following reporting points: ..... (a) Abeam of Narranganset Bay Entrance Buoy NB (41°23.00'N 71°23.35'W). (b) Abeam of Castle Hill (41°27.70'N 71°21.80'W). (c) Abeam of Sandy Point (41°36.30'N 71°18.20'W). At Mount Hope Bay Junction Light Buoy MH (41°39.52'N 71°14.02'W). Vessels bound for Fall River should call Brightman Street Bridge, when entering Mount Hope Bay, if they need the bridge opened. Vessels with a LOA19.8m (65ft) or over, outward bound from Mount Hope Bay for the sea, via Narragansett Bay, are required to make Safety Signal (Securite) calls on both VHF Channels 13 and 16 at the following Reporting Points: ..... (a) 30 mins prior to departure from the berth. (b) On departure from the berth. (c) At Mount Hope Bay Junction Light Buoy MH (41°39.52'N 71°14.02'W).

A speed limit of 5kn is in force4 in the channel off the piers and wharves.

Range 2.8m.

Tugs are available at Fall River and more powerful tugs are available at Providence for use at Fall River.

Prevailing winds: Variable.

..... Pilot (Narragansett Bay) available from North East Marine Pilots Inc: Callsigns: "Northeast 1 Pilot", "Northeast 2 Pilot" or "Rhode island Pilot" VHF: Ch 10, 13, 16. Tel: +1 401 8479050 (24hrs). +1 800 2741216. Fax: +1 401 8479052. Email: dispatch@nemarinepilots.com Website: http://www.nemarinepilots.com Port Authority: Tel: +1 508 6745707 Fax: +1 508 6757830. Brightman Street Bascule Bridge: Callsign: WQA833. VHF: Ch 16, 13. US Customs and Border Protection: New Bedford Office Tel: +1 508 994 5158. Fax: +1 508 979 1285. Note - Vessels with a LOA19.8m (65ft) or over, inward bound to Mount Hope Bay from the sea and outward bound from Mount Hope Bay for the sea, via Narragansett Bay, are required to make Safety Signal (Securite) calls on both VHF Channels 13 and 16. See Pilot Section for details.

Fall River is an official Port of Entry. 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.

Inbound vessels should give 6 hours advance notice of their ETA, through the Boston Marine Operator. 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.