El Palito (VEELP)

The terminal facilities, operated by PDVSA, are for exporting petroleum products and consist of a 825m (Piers No 1/2) and 1,450m (Piers No 3/4) part causeway and part trestle, extending out from Punta Chavez along a shallow reef which angles to depths of 13.7m at Piers No 1/2 and 16m at Piers No 3/4. Four tankers may berth simultaneously.

Tropical.

El Palito is situated 7nm W of Puerto Cabello.

Draught 14.6m, 110,000DWT.

The suggested anchorage area for El Palito Terminal is located 1nm NW of the seaward end of the pier for Berths No 3 or 4. The area to the NE, 1nm off the pier is recommended as anchorage for Berths No 1 and 2. Vessels waiting for a pilot should anchor 0.5nm NNW of the head of Pier No 3.

Approaches: The terminal pier is marked by the following lights: One occulting red light at the top of Berth No 1 (NW) fire fighting monitor tower, 24.4m above sea level 10°29.8'N 068°07.2'W and one green light flashing every 3 seconds at the top of Berth No 2 (SE) fire fighting monitor tower, 24.4m above sea level, located 83.8m SE of No 1 fire fighting monitor tower. One occulting white light at the end of Berths No 3 (W) and No 4 (E) 6m above sea level and visible 10nm. A group of 5 crude storage tanks, white, visible 20nm on a clear day, are located 1.25nm 200° from the head of Piers No 1 and 2. Three large power plant chimneys with broad red and white bands, located approx 3nm W of the terminal, are very conspicuous. When approaching, refinery installations are clearly visible. On clear nights, tanks, refinery lights and flares provide best landmarks. While flashing lights are installed at the top of refinery chimneys and towers for air traffic warning purposes, for the local airport in Puerto Cabello. Masters approaching the coast should keep a sharp lookout for fishing boat nets and small craft.

BA 1628, 2192. Admiralty Pilot NP7A.

1025.

Berthing/Unberthing: The use of both anchors is required for docking at both berths. It is considered prudent to have both anchors hove-out prior to entering the harbour in order to facilitate speedy release while mooring. The pilot will advise whether the vessel is to be moored port or starboard side to the dock. Before tugs come alongside to assist a tanker, all cargo and ballast tank lids should be closed, no matter what grade of oil is being or has been carried. In the event that the berth is required by another vessel, a vessel having completed loading, may be required to vacate the berth promptly and proceed to anchorage to await cargo documents. Berthing: Berth No 1 (NW): Course to berth 135°, approach at very dead slow speed along a line parallel to a line formed by the E and W berth at a distance from it equal to the distance of the N buoy. Drop the port anchor at the point of intersection of the vessel's fore with a line formed by the S and W shore range markers in line 194°, continue along same path at very dead slow speed until reaching with the vessel's bow the W Berth. Drop the starboard anchor. Allow the vessel to drift into position alongside berth. This will be done by tying mooring lines as required by pilot and with the help of the vessel's engines and tugs under pilot's instructions. Berth No 2 (SE): Course to berth 315°, approach at very dead slow speed along a line parallel to a line formed by the E and W berth at a distance from it equal to the distance of the N buoy. Drop the starboard anchor at the point of intersection of the vessel's fore with a line formed by the S and E shore range markers in line 213°, continue along same path at very dead slow speed until reaching with the vessel's fore the E Berth. Drop the port anchor. Allow the vessel to drift into position alongside berth. This will be done by tying mooring lines as required by pilot and with the help of the vessel's engines and tugs under pilot's instructions. Berth No 3 (W): Course to berth 135°, approach at very dead slow speed along a line parallel to a line formed by the E and W berth at a distance from it approx 200-300m. Drop the port anchor at the point of intersection of the vessel's fore with a line formed by the jetty (35°approx). Continue along same path under course 135° at very dead slow speed until reaching with the vessel's fore the W Berth. Allow the vessel to drift into position alongside berth. This will be done by tying mooring lines as required by pilot and with the help of the vessel's engines and tugs under pilot's instructions. Berth No 4 (E): Course to berth 135°, approach at very dead slow speed along a line parallel to a line formed by the E and W berth at a distance from it approx 200-300m. Drop the port anchor at the point of intersection of the yellow and black markings in line 254° and/or yellow light at night (Power Plant - Planta Centro). Continue along same path under course 135° at very dead slow speed until reaching with the vessel's fore the W Berth. Allow the vessel to drift into position alongside berth. This will be done by tying mooring lines as required by pilot and with the help of the vessel's engines and tugs under pilot's instructions. Unberthing: Unmooring is done by the vessel letting go all ropes on the jetty, then heaving the anchors with the tug pulling of vessel off berth and other tug in standby. General: Chiksan loading arms with 12in connections. Mooring lines to be used: Vessels of any deadweight must secure with at least: ..... Forward: 1. 2 breast lines 2. 2 springs 3. 2 head lines (Piers No 3 and 4) Aft: 1. 2 breast lines 2. 2 springs 3. 2 stern lines (Piers No 3 and 4) 4. 1 sea buoy line All ropes must be fibre polypropylene of 2.5in min diameter or wire of 1.25in min diameter each connected by a 2.5in shackle. The aft buoy line is the first line sent away and is used to check the vessel's swing into the berth. The swell causes the vessel to move out of position, all moorings need to be adjusted simultaneously.

The use of Venezuelan government pilots is compulsory for docking and undocking and is available throughout 24 hours. Pilots from Puerto Cabello meet vessels off the terminal. The pilot may decline to moor the vessel if it is not equipped with satisfactory mooring equipment, lines, gear, anchors, etc, or if it is not sufficiently ballasted. It is the responsibility of the Master to notify the Marine Terminal and pilot of any special conditions or peculiarities, such as defective navigation equipment, mooring lines, tackle, gear or lack of necessary equipment, which might impose hazards in connection with the handling, mooring, discharging or loading of vessels. At the berths, vessels must be moored to the entire satisfaction of the pilot and the terminal's Loading Master. The pilot acts in an advisory capacity. The Master retains responsibility for the vessel at all times. In the event it becomes necessary to disregard the pilot's advice in order to ensure the safety of the vessel, the Master must forward, through the terminal, a full written report of the circumstances, in triplicate, for delivery to the Port Captain. The Venezuelan pilotage law stipulates that pilots and their apprentices must be provided with the same accommodation as given to vessel's officers.

Vessels enter day or night and at any state of tide. Vessels should arrive with min draughts as follows: ..... LOA Draught Forward Draught Aft (m) (m) (m) 80-110 2.1 4.0 110-146 2.7 5.2 146-213 3.7 6.4 214-250 4.0 7.0

Range 0.3m.

Tugs from Puerto Cabello assist vessels at the terminal. Two tugs are used for berthing and unberthing. Tugs are equipped with water monitors and foamite. Venezuelan tug law stipulates that during movement, tugs are under the command of vessel's Master.

Prevailing winds: E'ly. Winds are normally from the NE with an average speed of 4-10kts. Average temperature is approx 85°F. The months of Jan to Mar have the roughest sea and swell, and vessels may not be able to dock due to the weather. There is a constant swell running which causes the vessel to move out of position. There is always a slight swell at the berth, as it is fully exposed to Atlantic Ocean.

Puerto Cabello coastal station callsign "YVL" maintains radio contact with all vessels "CQ" on 8722kHz at the following hours: 1130hrs, 1330hrs, 1530hrs, 1830hrs, 2130hrs, 0030hrs, 0200hrs GMT. Also "CQ" on 17141kHz at 1630hrs GMT and "CQ" on 4322kHz at 0430hrs and 0630hrs GMT. El Palito Terminal: Radio: SSB 6218.1kHz, Tel: +58 42 603801, Fax: +58 42 603810, Telex: CPV 28013. VHF: Ch 16, 06.

El Palito is a port of entry. The Customs house is located at Puerto Cabello. Office hours are Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs and 1400-1700hrs. Any dispatch outside normal office hours is charged at double rates. Agent will arrange transportation to Puerto Cabello upon request. Venezuelan laws are strict in regard to contraband and Masters are requested to instruct their crews not to take cigarettes or other articles ashore. Cigarettes in cartons, cigars, tobacco, etc should be listed and deposited in the slop chest, which will be sealed. While the vessel is in port, Venezuelan National Guard officials are assigned at the refinery's gate to ensure compliance with Customs regulations. The law requires that meals be supplied to these officials during regular meal hours.

Clearance Inward and Outward: Inward clearance is effected onboard immediately after docking by government's port officials and a representative of the terminal and ship's agent. The following documents must be ready on arrival: ..... Copies 1. Ship's Register 2. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate 3. Last Port Clearance 1 original 4. Ballast Manifest from Last Port 1 5. Crew List 6 6. List of Passengers in Transit, if any 6 7. Passenger and Baggage List 6 8 Personal Effects List 6 9. Stores List 6 10. Slop Chest List 6 11. Sailing Permit (issued by Maritime Authority of last port). - 12. All crew vaccination cards, identification cards or passports. - Vessels arriving with cargo to discharge will also require Bills of Lading and Tally Books. Stores List prepared should indicate separately all deck, engine and cabin stores. The Stores List may be prepared onboard prior to arrival. In addition to other clearance documents, 2 copies of an itemised list of articles in the ship's slop chest must be presented to the authorities on arrival. Clearance documents outbound: Outward clearance and cargo documents are delivered onboard by the terminal representative. In the event the berth is required by another vessel, a vessel having completed loading may be required to vacate the berth promptly and proceed to anchorage to await cargo documents.

Incoming vessels must send ETA 72 hours before arrival at El Palito Terminal and another 24 hours before arrival by telex and communicate by VHF Ch 16 at least 4 hours before arrival advising and/or confirming any change of ETA. The original ETA messages should include the following: ..... 1. Name of vessel and Master. 2. Vessel's flag, summer deadweight and displacement on arrival. 3. Number of crew and passengers 4. Last port from which originally cleared 5. Ballast type 6. Dirty ballast and deballasting time, if any. 7. Slops quantity, if any. 8. Sickness onboard 9. Draughts on arrival 10. Any additional information that in Master's opinion is necessary. If a vessel cleared for another port (including another Venezuelan port) is diverted at sea to El Palito, a telex advising the amended orders must be sent at least 48 hours before arrival, to avoid heavy fine and/or delays.

The national ensign of Venezuela should be displayed during daylight hours by vessels anchored and berthed in Venezuelan waters.

..... 1. The radar equipment must be turned off during cargo operations and radio transmitter aerials must be earthed. Any information should be given to the agent's representative for transmittal via shore facilities. 2. Loading will not commence until all deck scuppers are properly sealed. 3. Towing wire must be correctly positioned as soon as the vessel is alongside berth. 4. Engines: No engine repairs will be made while the ship is in dock. Engines are to be kept at standby at all times while the ship is in port. While a tanker is berthed at a terminal, its boilers, main engines, steering machinery and other equipment essential for manoeuvring should normally be maintained in a condition that will permit the ship to move away from the berth at short notice in readiness to move under its own power. 5. Rat guards: Vessels must use rat guards on all mooring lines. 6. Visitors: All visitors to vessels are prohibited without written permission in each case by the Port Captain or Terminal Office. Petroleum inspectors, dispatchers, and terminal employees may board ship to perform their duties. 7. Pollution: The laws of Venezuela are very strict in regard to the pollution of harbour and coastal waters by oil, and heavy fines are imposed for violations. No dirty ballast or oil is to be pumped or allowed to escape over the side. No engine room or pump room bilges may be pumped overboard. All pump room sea suctions and overboard discharge valves must be secured prior to loading or discharging cargo. Loading must be conducted with the utmost care and vigilance so that errors or delays may not result in spills. All deck scuppers must be plugged tight before loading so that in the event of a spill pollution of the harbour may not result. 8. Garbage: No garbage is to be thrown over the side while the vessel is in port. 9. Passengers: Passengers will not be permitted to disembark unless in possession of the required visa and documents. To facilitate clearance, if passengers are carried, the Master should include this information in his ETA. 10. Firearms: Firearms onboard any merchant vessel calling at Venezuelan ports must not exceed one per officer. All firearms and ammunition must be noted on the Stores List. Officers must not carry firearms while the vessels is in Venezuelan waters and these side arms and ammunition should be collected and held in the Master's safe custody. 11. Alcoholic drinks: Masters must advise their crew members that the introduction of alcoholic drinks through the company gates is strictly prohibited. If anyone is found with alcoholic drinks within the company's area, it will be confiscated without payment of indemnities. Drunkards are not allowed to board any vessel unless accompanied by an authorised ship's officer. 12. Photographing: Photography within the boundary fence of the terminal is prohibited. Taking cameras inside refinery's installation is likewise prohibited. 13. Fishing and painting: Fishing and painting of ship's side from the piers is strictly forbidden while moored at El Palito.

No radio pratique. Health Officers board vessel at berth.

NOR is tendered in accordance with the Charter Party. The normal place for tendering NOR is on arrival at the anchorage or all fast at the berth.