Tacoma (USTIW)

The port covers a total land area of 972ha with berths available for the handling of containers, automobiles, grain, logs, wood chips, gypsum, alumina, break bulk cargo, heavy-lift and project cargoes and bulk cargoes. Tacoma is currently the seventh largest container port in N America, a major gateway to Asia and Alaska. Large quantity of the import containers railed to East coast. A strategic partnership has been formed between the ports of Seattle (see separate entry) and Tacoma, known as The Northwest Seaport Alliance, to help promote and expand business and strengthen the maritime economy in the Puget Sound Gateway Project (PSGP) area. The PSGP promotes the efficient and improved movement of freight and goods as part of an integrated transportation system in the area between Seattle and Tacoma and is seen as the key to its economic growth and prosperity.

Summer.

The port of Tacoma is situated in the State of Washington on the NW Pacific coast of the USA. The port is located in Commencement Bay, being accessed from the Pacific via Juan de Fuca Strait and Puget Sound.

LOA 366.107m, beam 53.5m, draught 14.2m, 174,009DWT.

Seattle and Tacoma combined (Northwest Seaport Alliance): Approx 24,000,000t of cargo, 3,000,000TEUs and 1,800 vessels handled annually.

The Commencement Bay general anchorage is a quadrilateral area bounded as follows: From position 47°17.6N 122°26.0'W, then due S to position 47°17.3'N 122° 26.0'W, then due E to a point bearing 286° from Hylebos Waterway Light No 1 at a distance of 411m, then due N to position 47°17.5'N 122°25.0'W, then WNW to the point of beginning. City regulations permit anchorage in any part of Commencement Bay outside the harbour lines so as not to interfere with vessels arriving or departing from any dock. However depths in the bay outside the general anchorage area are mainly too deep for safe anchorage.There is no draught restriction at Commencement Bay Anchorage and no cost to remain at anchor whilst awaiting a berth.

The port is approached from Puget Sound and entered through Commencement Bay between Browns Point (47°18.4'N 122°26.7'W) and Point Defiance (47°19.0'N 122° 32.9'W). Most of the principal port installations are situated on and around 8 waterways that open into the head of Commencement Bay, which is a natural deep water harbour with average depths of 180m. The ports two prime jetty waterways, the Blair and Sitcum have minimum depths of 15.5m MLLW and do not require dredging to maintain this depth.

BA 48, 51, 1947, 4920. Admiralty Pilot NP25, NP286(5).

1017. TEMCO dock density 1018-1023.

Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and US vessels engaged in foreign trade. Pilots from the Puget Sound Pilots Association board at Port Angeles, 1nm N of E end of Ediz Hook in the case of loaded petroleum tankers, or 0.5nm N of E end of Ediz Hook for all other vessels. Vessels should send requests for pilots at least 5 hours in advance of ETA. Orders for pilots should be sent directly to the dispatcher in Seattle between 0800hrs and 1700hrs local time on Tel: +1 206 4484455. If an order cannot be sent during these times then arrangements must be made before 1700hrs local time on the preceding day. Puget Sound Pilots cover all ports and waters from Port Angeles to the USA/Canada international border and work throughout 24 hours, every day of the year.

PORTS: The port uses the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, which integrates real-time environmental observations, forecasts and other geospatial information. It measures and disseminates observations and predictions of water levels, currents, salinity, and meteorological parameters (e.g., winds, atmospheric pressure, air and water temperatures) that mariners need to navigate safely. Storm signals are displayed at the head of Pier No 2 in Blair Waterway and from a boathouse 1nm SE of Point Defiance.

Berths on Commencement Bay have no restrictions, however berths located on the port waterways are limited by depths of water between 12.0-15.5m at MLLW. The PORTS program for calculating max draught is in use at this port.

Range 3.5m (springs); 1.3m (neaps).

The Puget Sound VTS area is extensive and comprises: ..... (a) The navigable waters bounded by a line drawn from the Washington State coastline (48°23.1'N 124°43.6'W) on Cape Flattery to Cape Flattery Light (48° 23.5'N 124°44.2'W) on Tatoosh Island. (b) Due W to the US Territorial Sea Border. (c) Then N along the US Territorial Sea Boundary to its intersection with the USA/Canada International Boundary. (d) Then E along the USA/Canada International Boundary through the Juan de Fuca Strait, Boundary Pass and the Strait of Georgia to the Washington State coastline (49°00.1'N 122°45.3'W, International Boundary Range C Rear Light) This area includes Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Possession Sound, the San Juan Island Archipelago, Rosario Strait, Guemes Channel, Bellingham Bay, the US waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Strait of Georgia, and all the waters adjacent to the above. The VTS Area is divided into the two following sectors: ..... (a) Sector 1 (VHF Ch 05A): (i) The navigable waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait E of 124°40.0'W excluding the waters in the central portion of the Juan de Fuca Strait N and E of Race Rocks. (ii) The navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia E of 122°52.0'W. (iii) The San Juan Island Archipelago, Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay (iv) Admiralty Inlet N of a line connecting Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point and all waters E of Whidbey Island N of a line drawn due E from the southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the shore. (b) Sector 2 (VHF Ch 14): The navigable waters of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and adjacent waters S of a line connecting Marrowstone Point and Lagoon Point in Admiralty Inlet and S of a line drawn due E from the southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the shore. Special areas of the VTS: ..... (a) The Rosario Strait VTS Special Area comprises the waters bounded S by the centre of a Precautionary Area "RB" (a circular area of 1.25nm radius centred at 48°26.4'N 122°45.2'W) and to the N by the centre of Precautionary Area "C" (a circular area of 1.25nm radius centres on Light Buoy C 48°40.6'N 122°42.7W) The centre of the Precautionary Area "RB" is unmarked. (b) The Guemes Channel VTS Special Area comprises the waters bounded to the W by Shannon Point on Fidalgo Island and to the E by Southeast Point on Guemes Island. The VTS comprises three major components: ..... (1) Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS). (2) Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). (3) Surveillance systems including radar, AIS and CCTV. VTS contact details: ..... VTS Centre Call Seattle Traffic VHF: Ch 13 (throughout the VTS area) Tel: +1 206 2176050 Fax: +1 206 2176900 Email: psvts@uscg.mil Website: www.uscg.mil/d13/psvts MMSI: 003669957 VTS Sector 1 Call: Seattle Traffic VHF: Ch 05A VTS Section 2 Call: Seattle Traffic VHF: Ch 14 Working hours: The VTS system operates throughout 24 hours. VTS Procedure: ..... 1. Participation in the VMRS is mandatory for the following: (a) All power driven vessels of LOA 40m or more while navigating. (b) All commercial towing vessels of LOA 8m or more while navigating (c) All vessels certified to carry 50 or more passengers for hire, when engaged in trade. 2. Participation in the VTS necessitates the continuous monitoring of VTS VHF channels by the following: (a) All power driven vessels of LOA 20m to 39m while navigating. (b) All vessels of 100GT or more carrying 1 or more passengers for hire, while navigating. (c) A dredger or floating plant working in or near a channel or fairway in operations likely to restrict or affect navigation of other vessels. 3. All VMRS and VTS users must have the necessary radio equipment capable of operating on VHF Ch 13 and the designated VTS VHF Channels. 4. Unless otherwise directed, all vessels equipped with AIS are required to make continuous, all station, AIS broadcasts. Should an AIS transmitter become non-operational, while navigating in a VMRS Area, the vessel must notify Seattle Traffic and restore the AIS equipment to operational condition as soon as possible. 5. Vessels are required to submit the following reports (mandatory for VMRS users, optional for VTS users): (a) Sailing Plan (SP): All participating vessels must call Seattle Traffic with an initial report between 15 minutes and 45 minutes before navigating in the VTS area. The initial report should contain the name of the vessel and approximate position to enable the VTS operators to select an appropriate transmission site. After Seattle Traffic have responded to the initial call, the following information should also be provided: (i) Vessel's name and type. (ii) Position. (iii) Destination and ETA. (iv) Anticipated speed of navigation. (v) Intended route. (vi) Time and point of entry into the Seattle VTS area. (vii) Details of dangerous cargo onboard or in tow if applicable. (b) Position Report (PR): Vessels must submit further reports with their name and position as follows: (i) When underway or entering the VTS area. (ii) When in-bound in the Strait of Juan de Fuca at Long 124°00'W. (iii) When directed by Seattle Traffic. (c) Sailing Plan Deviation Report (DR): Vessels must submit updated information as follows: (i) When ETA at a previously advised destination changes by more than 30 minutes. (ii) If intending to deviate from the TSS or a VTS issued instruction. (iii) If intending to operate differently than previously advised. (d) Final Report (FR): On arrival at destination or when leaving the VTS area, vessels must submit the following information: (i) Vessel's name. (ii) Position. (iii) Intention to check out of the system. 6. The following vessels are exempt from providing PR and FR unless otherwise directed: (a) Vessels operating a published schedule and route. (b) Vessels operating within an area restricted to a radius of 3nm or less (i.e. tugs and barges manoeuvring within a short distance). (c) Vessels escorting or assisting other vessels in manoeuvring. 7. Vessels operating under exemption must report following details to VTS: (a) An SP, between 5 minutes and 15 minutes before navigating within the VTS area, to include a brief description of the operation being undertaken. (b) Details of any changes to the previously reported SP or if the ETA changes more than 15 minutes. (c) Additional VMRS Reports or other reports if directed by the VTS. 8. All vessels must report to Seattle Traffic immediately if the following, or knowledge of the following, occur: (a) Grounding. (b) Collision with a fixed or floating object. (c) Striking of a bridge. (d) Loss of propulsion, steering or reduction in ability to safely navigate or manoeuvre. (e) Occurrence adversely affecting seaworthiness or causing property damage in excess of USD25,000 (including fire, explosion, flooding, etc.). (f) Incident adversely affecting the environmental quality of a waterway. (g) Incident involving hazardous materials. (h) Loss of life or injury requiring professional medical attention. 9. Seattle Traffic will make advisory broadcasts in the following sequence: (a) Description. (b) Location. (c) Direction of movement. (d) Speed. (e) Route. (f) Description of operation or supplementary information. 10. Seattle Traffic will not broadcast Washington State Ferries departure information on a normal basis. VTS participants are advised to monitor the VTS VHF Channel and listen for Washington State Ferry departures. Seattle Traffic will broadcast Washington State Ferry transit information to all relevant participants when visibility falls below 2nm.

There are 8 tugs available, Operated by Crowley Maritime Corporation: ..... Name HP Bollard Pull (t) Response 7,200 69.8 Vigilant 6,700 82.5 Guard 5,500 54.4 Protector 5,500 54.4 Chief 4,800 50.5 Guide 4,800 50.5 These tugs serve both Tacoma and Seattle ports as well as smaller ports in the area.

Prevailing winds: S to SW'ly.

TACOMA, WASHINGTON 47°16.88'N 122°24.98'W UNCTAD LOCODE: US TIW For details see: JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT - PILOTS PUGET SOUND PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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VHF: Pilots: Ch 16, 13. Call "Port Angeles". Tacoma Port: Ch 07. Tel: +1 253 3835841, Fax: +1 253 5934534. Bridges: Vessels should send request for opening 2 hours in advance. Call: Hylebos Bridge KZN574, currently out of use (open). VTS Puget Sound: Tel: +1 206 217 6046 Fax: +1 206 217 6058 Email: VTS Traffic Service Branch Chief: mark.e.ashley@uscg.mil VHF: Ch 5A and 14 (switch at Bush Point)

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.

Notice of ETA should be sent to Tacoma Port Authority 7 days prior to arrival. Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information. Speeds: In excess of 5kts on any of the waterways and within 0.1nm of any shore or pier are prohibited. Safety Zone: A Safety Zone has been established on the W side of Commencement Bay between the following co-ordinates: ..... Latitude Longitude 47°17.6'N 122°28.6'W 47°17.1'N 122°27.7'W 47°16.7'N 122°28.1'W 47°17.2'N 122°29.0'W Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorised by the Captain of the port.

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information. Quarantine is enforced in accordance with the US Public Health Service regulations.