Sitka (USSIT)

The port is a distribution centre for the NW section of SE Alaska and consists of a small tanker facility and a cruise terminal. A small ferry terminal, Sitka Ferry Terminal, is also located N of the cruise terminal. The port is considered a major fishing port. Protected by three breakwaters, the port has five harbour areas: New Thomsen Harbor, Old Thomsen Harbor, Crescent Harbor, ANB Harbor and Sealing Cove.

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

Sitka is located on Baranof Island, Alaska, in the Alexander Archipelago. Halibut Point Cruise Terminal is located approx. 9.5km N of the downtown district.

LOA 335.28m.

E anchorage: The open expanse of water between The Twins (57°02'N 135°19'W) and the entrance to Jamestown Bay 0.6nm NE, is the preferred anchorage off Sitka. Anchorage may be made where convenient in depths from 13.0-49m, mud bottom. During S'ly weather, the swells from outside make this anchorage uneasy and in S gales the sea is felt considerably. During the winter, NE gales sometimes sweep across the anchorage with considerable force rendering it unsafe. W anchorage is the area ESE of Channel Rock (57°03.6'N 135°22.1'W) between the N end of Japonski Island and the mainland. This anchorage has constricted swinging space, and during S gales a considerable sea is experienced. The best anchorage is with Channel Rock bearing 289° distant 0.2nm, in depths of 11.0-15.0m, mud bottom.

Sitka Harbor is generally approached from Sitka Sound through E Channel or W Channel, then the harbour is entered through the S or N entrance, respectively. From Olga Strait to the N, the harbour is approached by passing inshore of the offlying islands and entered through the N entrance. The SW channel has a controlled depth of about 7.9m, with a width of about 36m. The NE channel has a dredged depth of 6.7m, with a width of 45m. Sawmill Cove is approached through E Channel and entered from Silver Bay. Starrigavan Bay and Darrin Barge Landing 0.6nm S are approached from SW, or from Olga Strait to the N. East Channel: From the pilot embarkation point 0.25nm N of The Eckholms Light (57°00'N 135°22'W), the fairway leads ENE, passing (with positions given from the light): SSE of Simpson Rock (0.72nm NE), a rocky shoal unmarked by kelp, with a depth of 3.0m over it, and marked by No 5 Lightbuoy (port hand) moored 0.05nm S of the rock. Passage N of Simpson Rock, and Tsaritsa Rock 0.67nm E is not advisable as there are many shoals extending S from the islands on the N side of the passage. Then: SSE of Tsaritsa Rock (1.25nm NE), awash at MLLW and showing no kelp, marked by No 7 Lightbuoy (port hand) moored 0.05nm S of the rock. And: NNW of Luce Island (1nm E) a small island at the NW end of the Kutchuma Islands lying in the entrance to Aleukina Bay.West Channel: (Positions given from Eckholms Light) SW of Makhnati Rock (2nm NW), with a depth of 2.7m over it and marked by No 2 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) moored 0.07nm W. Makhnati Rock lies 0.22nm SW from the S end of Makhnati Island a low wooded island which lies at the SW end of the curving chain of inter connected islands joined to the SW side of Japonski Island. Then: Into the SW entrance to W Channel between Makhnati Island and a drying rock 0.75nm WNW. This drying rock is the S of several rocks, drying and awash over which the sea breaks in any swell, lying from 0.1nm S to 0.3nm SSW from Sentinel Rock (2.75nm NW), a 4.6m high rock. A shallow patch with a depth of 11.1m over it, lying 0.22nm W from the N end of Makhnati Island, can be passed on either side if necessary.

BA 4975. Admiralty Pilot NP4, NP286(5).

The USCG maintains a search and rescue service from Sitka Air Station, on Japonski Island. A USCG cutter and helicopters are stationed at Sitka.

1025.

Pilotage is compulsory with few exceptions. Pilots are available throughout 24 hours and board from a tug stationed 0.25nm N of The Eckholms Light (57°00'N 135°22'W). A VHF listening watch is maintained on the pilot boat from 1 hour before arrival time.

The Sitka port area extends from Sawmill Cove to Starrigavan Bay, 3.5nm E and 5nm NNW respectively from the city.

Sitka Airport Aero Light (57°03.2'N 135°21.9'W) Indian Health Service Hospital, white building (57°03.1'N 135°21.3'W) Sitka Mount Edgecumbe Bridge, lighted towers (57°02.9'N 135°18.0'W) Grey Silo (57°02.9'N 135°18.0'W).

John O'Connel (Sitka-Mount Edgecumbe) Bridge spanning the S entrance, between Sitka and Harbor Island and the E extremity of Japonski Island, has a vertical clearance of 15.8m above MHW, and a width of 106m between supports. Harbour regulations impose a max speed limit of 5kts while passing the waterfront area of Sitka Harbour between Japonski Island and mainland. A max speed of 3kts and no wake is imposed at the small crafts harbour.

Range 3.05m. Tidal Stream: Sitka Harbour sets NW ingoing and SE outgoing with max rate of 0.5kt in either direction. Elsewhere the streams are weak and variable.

Available throughout 24 hours to assist with berthing and unberthing, arrangement should be made well in advance.

Prevailing winds: SE'ly and NW'ly. It is reported when winds are ENE inside the harbour and no breakers are visible, the wind in Sitka Sound will be either NE or SE. Under similar circumstances with breakers visible, the wind in the Sound will be from the S or the W and it would be inadvisable for a sailing vessel to put to sea.

SITKA 57°03.02'N 135°20.06'W UNCTAD LOCODE: US SIT For details see: ALASKA, SOUTHEASTERN PILOTAGE REGION ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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VHF: Port: Ch 16. Pilots: Ch 16. See SE Alaska Pilotage Region.

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..