Port Fourchon (USFOC)

Port Fourchon is a major supply port, servicing over 90% of the Gulf of Mexico's deep water oil production activities. The Gulf of Mexico provides the USA with one third of its domestic oil supply, with 80% of this coming from deep water operations. Over 250 companies use the port as a base of operation. Many of these businesses operate from more than one site in the harbour area. Wharfside areas are listed by Zone Number and the Operators (Leaseholders) of that Dock area. The port's dock areas specialise in the provision of services to offshore drilling facilities via Platform Supply Vessels (PSV's) and helicopters. In this particular port, berth areas are said to be multipurpose when their operators are using water, oil and chemical products for their offshore services. Designed as a multi-use port, there are also facilities for the area's huge commercial fishing and seafood industries as well as ship and platform construction and repair yards and businesses associated with recreational sailing. Approximately 400 large Supply Vessels use the port's channels each day. About 15,000 people per month are flown to offshore locations supported by Port Fourchon. Over 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day are transported through the port. Approximately a third of tonnage travels to and from the port by inland barge, with the remaining two thirds brought in by road vehicle, before being transferred to and from offshore platforms and rigs. Cargoes include cement, heavy waters, drilling fluids, machinery, pipes, food, garbage and tools as well as specialist personnel. The port covers an area of 1,456ha, bounded by Bayou Lafourche on the W, Louisiana Highway 3090 on the E, and a flotation canal leading to the Commercial Fishing Marina. Port Fourchon's Northern Expansion Project is in its final phase, which will more than double the port's size and accommodate the area's growing commercial needs. Large super tankers offload crude oil to the 30m deep LOOP (Louisiana Offshore Oil Port) pipeline. LOOP is located 19nm SE of Fourchon (See separate entry).

Summer Zone.

Port Fourchon, Louisiana, is located 2nm inland, at the mouth of Bayou Lafourche on the Gulf of Mexico.

Draught 7.0m.

Approx 25,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

The entrance to the port, from the Gulf of Mexico, is through Belle Pass, protected by breakwaters (jetties) extending approx 790m into the Gulf, depth of 10.0m. Red and green lightbuoys indicate the ends of these jetties. Two leading light beacons, Belle Pass Range Front Light (Q(1).G.1s 8m) and Belle Pass Range Rear Light (Fl(1). Iso(1).G.6s 20m) give a course of 11.1° to steer safety through the entrance. Just within the entrance, vessels should keep to the left of the two red channel markers (Belle Pass Entrance Buoys Nos 6 and 8). The channel up Bayou Lafourche, which provides access to the port, is 91m wide and 9.3m to 9.6m deep. Further North, Bayou Lafourche between 7.9 to 9.9m deep, the E-slip area is between 7.4m to 8.8m and the Northern Expansion and Flotation Canal, 7.1 m to 9.1m deep. Pass Fourchon to the S of the harbour area, has a depth of 6.1m. Channel depths may change following severe weather conditions when flooding and hurricane force winds, causes sediment to be disturbed.

BA 3896, 3851. US Charts 11346 and 11352, ENC US5LA26M.

Several large mooring buoys are located at various points in the N part of Belle Pass and along Bayou Lafourche.

Pilotage is not compulsory but available on request (via Port Operations: Ch 16. Tel: +1 985 3962750).

Care should be taken when passing along Bayou Lafourche and Bell Passe channels. The chart should be consulted for any obstructions such as tree stumps. In the shelter of these channels, several large deep water vessels, such as offshore construction vessels with jack-ups and supply ships, use this area to carry out maintenance work or to await further work.

Available.

The port can suffer the effects of hurricanes. During a storm threat, there is a public information telephone number, +1 985 798 5335 (or toll free on +1 866 600 7803) which gives up to date storm reports. A Crisis Communication System is activated for the port, when on storm alert, and a red banner will appear across the port website, http://www.portfourchon.com The Port Commission's Weather and Storm Information page is also updated daily with current storm information. Normal port activities will be severely affected during hurricane conditions.

PORT FOURCHON, LOUISIANA 29°05.27'N 90°13.51'W UNCTAD LOCODE: US FOC ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

{ "widget_1_pilotage": { "area_groups": [ { "area_name": null, "pilots_area_description": null, "pilots_contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": "Port Operations", "vhf_primary_watch": "Ch 16", "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+1 985 3962750", "+1 985 6326701" ], "faxes": [ "+1 985 3962596", "+1 985 6326703" ], "emails": [], "websites": [ "www.portfourchon.com" ], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "Pilotage is not compulsory.", "when_to_report": null, "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [], "pilot_boarding_positions": [], "pilot_disembarkation_positions": [], "leftover_text_notes": [] } } ] }, "widget_2_vts": { "cross_reference_redirect": null, "area_groups": [] }, "widget_3_tugs": { "contact_details": [], "availability_hours": null, "notes": [] }, "widget_4_port_and_notes": { "port_and_terminal_contacts": [ { "station_call_name": "Port Operations", "vhf_primary_watch": "Ch 16", "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+1 985 3962750", "+1 985 6326701" ], "faxes": [ "+1 985 3962596", "+1 985 6326703" ], "emails": [], "websites": [ "www.portfourchon.com" ], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "standalone_general_notes": [] }, "formatted_text_original": "PILOTS HOURS:\tH24 PROCEDURE: Pilotage is not compulsory. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n PORT CONTACT DETAILS: Port Operations VHF Frequency: Ch 16 Telephone: +1 985 3962750 Fax: +1 985 3962596 Port Authority Telephone: +1 985 6326701 Fax: +1 985 6326703 Website: www.portfourchon.com HOURS:\tH24 ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________" }

..... Port Operations: VHF: Ch 12 and 16. (24 hours) Tel: +1 985 3962750. Fax: +1 985 2962596. Port Authority: Tel: +1 985 6322601. (24 hours) Fax: +1 985 6326703. Website: http://www.portfourchon.com

For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book. US Customs and Border Protection operates a full service Customs office and can check and clear both US and foreign vessels in Port Fourchon.

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.