La Guaira (VELAG)

The port area extends from Rio Uchire to Rio Maya including a number of islands between. There is 4,200m of berthing space available, with container, bulk and general cargoes handled through the port. There are 2 special berths for Ro-Ro, naval vessels and landing craft. Port facilities are situated between Punta Maiquetia and Punta Santa Barbara. The main exports are cocoa, coffee and hides; imports include manufactured products and provisions.

Tropical.

La Guaira is the principal port of Venezuela and the port for the capital Caracas, which is 21nm away.

LOA 278.91m, beam 40.30m, 68,037DWT and draught 10.70m.

Approx 287,000TEU handled annually.

The main anchorage area off Puerto La Guaira lies from close N of the head of North Mole and extends 1.25nm N and E; it is exposed from W, through N to E, but is generally considered safe except in winter. This anchorage should be used only temporarily; it has a depth of more than 20.0m, good holding ground of sand, with scattered rocky patches. Explosives anchorage: Vessels carrying explosives are required to anchor in an area, SE of the main anchorage, 0.2nm NW of Punta Mulatos (10°36'N 066°55'W). Quarantine anchorage: E of the main of the main anchorage, 2m NNW of Punta Mulatos. Caution: Anchoring and fishing prohibited in an area around 0.5m wide, extending 2.5m NNE of Punta Mulatos due to submarine cables.

The port is protected by the N breakwater that extends 2,850m westwards. The depth of water at the entrance has been dredged from 12.0 to 19m. Inside the harbour there is a turning area 402m wide.

BA 1629. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

1025.

Compulsory and is available 0600-2400hrs. The pilot boards 0.25nm NW of the breakwater, or at anchorage, from a tug.

Two red framework towers standing within 0.25nm SE of Punta Mulatos and exhibiting obstruction lights. Light (green metal tower) standing on the head of N mole. Aero light (metal framework tower, 8.0m in height) standing on a hill 0.6nm WSW of Cabo Blanco.

Many small fishing vessels operate in the approaches to La Guaira which are not readily visible on radar and at night will only show lights when larger vessels come close. Anchoring and fishing prohibited in an area around 0.5m wide, extending 2.5m NNE of Punta Mulatos due to submarine cables. Noted that shoal patches, with depths of 9.1m, exist alongside the majority of the piers.

Range 0.6m. Current: The current is W going, near the coast it is weak and seldom attains a rate exceeding 0.25kt. A counter current is frequently observed inshore during calms and variable winds, especially in autumn, and sometimes attains a rate of 2.5kts.

The use of tugs is compulsory for berthing and unberthing. There are 5 tugs available. Vessels of over LOA 140m must use 2 tugs.

Prevailing winds: The prevailing winds off Puerto La Guaira are the NE trades which blow with great regularity from February to June. Calms and W breezes occur frequently from July to October. Usually once or twice in autumn, Calderetas, which are hot sharp blasts from the mountains, have sufficient force to be dangerous to ships not well secured in harbour. These winds are not usually of long duration. During the hurricane season, ships should be prepared to put to sea at short notice. Caution: Dangerous seas are prevalent from October to March due to the strong gales in the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean sea. As a result this can form heavy ground swells and in extreme cases, long rollers can form in groups of three and four at infrequent intervals. Due to the nature of the rollers they can cause a huge amount of damage. It has been reported that a dangerous heavy ground swell is almost always proceeded by calm or variable winds during which time there is a considerable scend within the harbour.

GUAIRA, PUERTO LA 10°36.20'N 66°56.76'W UNCTAD LOCODE: VE LAG ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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It is recommended to use Mobile Radio, Curacao Radio or Maritex for passing messages. Inmarsat communication is available. VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 16, 12. Pilots: Tel: +58 212 3514911. Port: Tel: +58 212 3327985, Fax: +58 212 3320051.

Customs allowances: An allowance is made for approx 2 days of cigarettes and alcohol out of bond. The bond is sealed after the vessel's clearance. Additional allowances may be made on request to the Customs authorities. Bonded items are not allowed to be taken ashore. Penalty is confiscation and a possible fine. Immigration: Issue shore passes that are valid for 72 hours, these can be extended if required.

PLCSA: ..... 1. Passenger List, specifying transit, embarking and disembarking passengers. 2. Passenger vessels Arrival Reports, specifying transit, embarking and disembarking pass as well as round trip. Port Captain: ..... 3. Copies i. MDO - ii. IFO - Health: 1. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 6. 1 7. 1 8. 1 If there are animals onboard, vaccination and health certificates are required. For fruit ships, the refrigerated temperature since the previous port is required. For grain ships, the Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate is required. ..... Copies 1. Crew List 1 2. Personal Effects List 1 3. Stores List 1 4. Passenger List 1 5. Bill of Lading 1 6. Cargo Manifest 1 7. Cargo Manifest Departure 1 8. Custom Clearance 1 1. Crew List 2 2. Personal Effects List 1 3. Stores Lists 2 (original + copy) 1. Crew List 1 2. Passenger List (Transit and disembarking pass). 1 Customs and Harbour Master's clearance are prepared and delivered onboard by the agent prior to vessel's departure. Cargo documents such as Bills of Lading, Quality and Quantity Certificates, Certificates of Origin, etc are prepared/released by terminal operators. These documents are presented to the Master prior to departure for his signature.

Initial ETA to be sent to agent 72 hours prior to vessel's arrival. Additional ETA's to be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival or if a difference in ETA of more than 6 hours occurs after the last ETA message. ETA message should include the following information: ETA at pilot station, Master's name, last port, ballast condition, last 3 cargoes, arrival/departure draught and arrival/departure displacement.

The national ensign of Venezuela should be displayed in port. Vessels not complying will receive orders from the National Guard to stop cargo operations. A written report will be requested prior to cargo operations recommencing.

Pratique and Custom's clearance can only be granted on arrival either at anchorage or on completion of berthing. Vessels arriving from ports which have cholera will not be allowed to deballast overboard. A sanitary inspection is performed at the pilot station prior to entering port. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

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.