Maracaibo (VEMAR)

Maracaibo is a Port of Entry for all terminals located on the W and E shores. The port handles mainly general cargo, bulk cargo (grain) and construction material.

Tropical.

Maracaibo is situated in Bahia de Maracaibo on the W side of the primary channel 20 miles S of San Carlos pilot station.

LOA 194.9m, beam 32.26, draught 10.4m, 54,123DWT.

Approx 13,000TEU and 200 vessels handled annually.

There are numerous uncharted oil rigs and drilling platforms located outside channel fairways in Lake Marcaibo. Their lights and positions may be subject to frequent change. Vessels must anchor in fairways to avoid collision with these structures. Care must be taken not to anchor near the many submerged pipelines or cables. Anchorages are on the E side of the primary channel and in the SW part of the harbour zone W of the channel; At the head of Bahia de Maracibo, an anchorage area for small vessels is centred, 0.75nm SW of Punta del Bajio; An explosives anchorage is centred 1.5nm E of Punta Santa Lucia (10°36.94'N 71°36.27'W).

The Outer Channel entrance is marked by the "EM" Buoy (where a pilot may be obtained) and leads South from the Gulf of Venezuela into Bahia El Tablazo and down to Lake Maracaibo. Starting at Red Buoy B2 (11°11.28'N 071°34.13'W) [Light sequence Fl(1)R.4s] and Green Buoy B1 and passing between Isla San Carlos and Isla Zapara. A light is displayed off the head of a breakwater/training wall extending from the NW corner of Isla Zapara [Fl(1).W.5s, 14m high and visible from a distance of up to 10nm]. This breakwater/training wall helps to stop the silting up of the channel between the two islands. The channel is 14.5nm in length, 304m wide and dredged to a depth of 12.75m. The Inner channel is 112nm long and is also dredged to a depth of 12.75m. The Lake Channel commences at Buoys No 39 and 40, this channel leads to Maracaibo Roads. Max sailing draught in channel 11.1m HW, daylight transit only. Caution: Extensive changes to the dredged channels, depths and aids to navigation have taken place in the vicinity of Bahia de Maracaibo (10°38.0'N 071°35.5'W). Mariners are advised to use extreme caution and to obtain local knowledge when navigating in this vicinity. Vessels should contact the Maracaibo Harbour Office for latest information as to recommended draughts and depths. Published draught restrictions for vessels transiting the Maracaibo Canal are as follows: ..... State of Tide: Vessel Size: Max Draught (m): High Panamax Vessels (Max beam of 32m) or smaller 11.5 Medium Panamax Vessels or smaller 11.5 Larger vessels 10.5 Low Panamax or smaller 10.2 Larger vessels 10.0

BA 1521, 2194. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7). US24484, 24482.

0999 to 1005.

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels in Canal de Maracaibo S of EM Lightbuoy (11°13.62'N 071°33.69'W). The Pilots board and disembark off Puerto Guaranao (11°40.22'N 71°13.00'W) within the Embarking and Disembarking Zone bounded by the following positions: ..... (a) 11°40.0'N 70°15.5'W (b) 11°40.5'N 70°15.5'W (c) 11°41.5'N 70°16.5'W (d) 11°40.0'N 70°15.5'W The Government Pilot Station is located at the SE end of Isla San Carlos. Reporting System: ..... Inbound: 1. At a distance of 10nm from EM Lightbuoy, vessels should call San Carlos pilot station requesting permission to enter the outer channel, and also give their ETA at EM Lightbuoy and B28 Lightbuoy (10°59.3'N 071°35.9'W). 2. A continuous watch should be maintained on VHF Ch 16 during channel transit. 3. Once in the channel, vessels should report to the Pilot Station at 5 mile intervals, giving reference to starboard hand lightbuoys. Outbound: The official pilot deals with all outbound reporting procedures. Loaded outbound vessels within the Outer Channel have priority over vessels entering the same channel. The inbound vessels should not meet outbound vessels within the “Critical Zone” included between Buoys B21-B22 and Buoys E33-E34.

The harbour zone is bounded by E/W lines as follows: N limit: from Punta del Bajio (10°38'N 071°36'W), 090° to the 2.0m contour on the E side of the channel. S limit: from Punta Santa Lucia (10°36'N 071°36'W), 090° to the same contour.

General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge: 3.7nm to the South, spans Lake Maracaibo at its narrowest part, 45m above water, joining the city of Maracaibo with the rest of the country.

Range 0.3m.

Tugs are available to assist in vessel anchoring. Their use is compulsory (2 x 2.800hp). For vessels exceeding LOA 145m two tugs are required.

Prevailing winds: E'ly. Squalls occur most frequently between May and August, usually between 1400 and 1900, and last from half an hour to an hour; winds in the squalls are generally S to SE and may attain a speed of nearly 50kts. Heavy rain follows the squalls.

MARACAIBO 10°37.46'N 71°36.29'W UNCTAD LOCODE: VE MAR For details see: SAN CARLOS PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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..... Pilot: VHF: Ch 16. Callsign "San Carlos Pilots". Port (24 hrs): VHF: Ch 16, 06, 10, 14. Standby on Ch 16. Callsigns: "Creole Maracaibo Marine" "Marina los Haticos" RT Frquency (kHz): 2182, 2120, 2638, 2738, 4420.7 Port Captain: Tel: +58 (0)261 7211887 or +58 (0)261 7226480. Email: maracaibo@inea.gob.ve Coal Terminals: VHF: Ch 69, 71, 72, 73 to co-operate on approach and find out about mooring procedures. (Listening Watch on VHF Ch72 - 24hrs). Maracaibo Cement Plant (Vencemos): Tel: 0281 264 77 02 Fax: 0281 264 77 08. Messages are accepted in English or Spanish. Radio Marina transmits navigation information Mon-Fri 1000 to 1015hrs, 1600 to 1615hrs local time on 4420.7kHz.

Customs allowances: An allowance is made for approx 5 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.

..... Copies Port Captain: 1. - 2. - 3. - a. Official Number - b. International Tonnage Certificate - c. Safety Construction Certificate - d. Certificate of Registry - e. Safety Equipment Certificate - f. Oil Pollution Certificate - g. Load Line Certificate - h. Radio Telegraphy Certificate - i. Liferaft Certificates - 4. - 5. 1 Sanitary (Health): 1. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 National Guard: 1. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 6. 1 Customs: 1. 2 2. 2 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 Immigration: 1. 1 2. 1 Custom 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.

Notify agent through Curacao Coast Radio, 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. The same notice is required by Pilot Station for arrival off "EM" Lightbuoy at the entrance to Canal de Maracaibo. The following information should be sent 5 days before arrival: ..... 1. Vessel's name 2. LOA, beam 3. Arrival draughts fwd/mid/aft 4. DWT 5. Hold's number 6. Hatch's number 7. Hatch cover keel distance 8. Hatch dimensions 10. Hold's length 11. Distance from ship's rail to opposite hatch coaming 12. Deck obstructions 13. Final draughts fwd/mid/aft 14. Distance between first hatch fore to the last hatch aft 15. Distance between bow to the first hatch coaming fwd 16. Distance between hatch coaming hold number aft to hatch coaming fwd (length across deck of all holds) 17. Loading plan 18. Loading sequence 19. Arrival draught (distance water line to top of hatch coaming, max 14.5m) Note: Should the Master fail to give the above notice, he may be kept waiting for the same period as that of the longest notice not given.

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.

The following are extracts from regulations issued by the Port Captain at Puerto de Maracaibo for the purpose of safe navigation in the channels, which are classed as primary, secondary ant tertiary channels: ..... 1. Primary channels comprise the main shipping lanes of Canal de Maracaibo from B1 Lightbuoy (11°12.0'N 071°33.9'W) to M1 Lightbuoy (10°21.1'N 071°32.3'W), and of Lago de Maracaibo as far S as M11 Light Float (09°27.9'N 071°40.0'W). 2. Secondary and tertiary channels lead from primary channels and are for access to, or exit from, the various ports and oil terminals. 3. Vessels not in a channel, but about to enter one, give way to vessels in the channel. 4. Vessels under way in a minor channel and entering a major channel give way to those already in a major channel. 5. Maximum speed allowed in the dredged channels is 10kts. Speed should be reduced when passing or being passed by, another vessel in order to eliminate the effect of suction. 6. Distance apart of vessels navigating in the same direction must be 1.0nm by day and night. 7. When entering in ballast, a vessel must have no greater difference in draught, forward and aft, than 2.4m. 8. Ships should avoid passing or meeting between B20 Lightbuoy (11°03.6'N 071° 35.2'W) and B32 Lightbuoy (10°58.2'N 071°36.1'W). 9. No vessel should start to overtake another vessel before having received clearly the affirmative signal from the latter. Vessels are not permitted to overtake in Canal Interior between B29 Lightbuoy (10°58.7'N 071°35.8'W) and T25 Light Beacon (not shown on the chart). Local knowledge regarding the regulations concerning overtaking are considered essential. For the latest information on traffic regulations consult the appropriate authorities.

Pratique and Custom's clearance can only be granted on arrival either at anchorage or on completion of berthing. Vessels coming 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 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.