Port Nolloth (ZANOL)

Port Nolloth does not handle any commercial shipping. Information is retained should this change. Originally known as Robbie Bay, it is a small port suitable only for shallow draught vessels. Port Nolloth is a small coastal port, there is no outward cargo. It is used mainly by local vessels carrying out coastal diamond dredging and fishing boats. It is reported that no coastal commercial vessels use the port due to silting. There is no indication whether the harbour might be dredged.

Summer.

Port Nolloth is situated on the W coast of South Africa, approx 43nm S of the mouth of the Orange River.

Largest vessel handled: "Oranjemund" (coastal tanker), LOA 61m, draught 3.5m 1,296GT.

Outer Anchorage: The best anchorage outside the reefs is nearly 1nm off The Bar, in a depth of approx 42m, sand, with North Beacon bearing 048° and South Beacon bearing 112°; to the E of this the bottom is rocky. This position is a favourable one for communicating with the shore, but the vessels at anchor there frequently roll heavily. Landing should not be attempted in ships' boats, as local boats are available for this purpose. Inner Anchorage: Lies between Robbe Islet and the town and vessels may lie there in safety, for although the sea may break heavily on the reefs and across the entrance, no heavy seas come far within them. The depths in this anchorage are from 2.1-3.7m. The best position in which to anchor is W of the quay in a depth of about 3.0m; the anchorage for lighters, which is usually fully occupied, lies S of the beach. The N part of the harbour is useless for any purpose, as, with a moderate SW swell, the sea at high water, breaks right over the N reef on to the beach. All vessels at anchor within, or near, the limits of a South African port are required to maintain continuous listening watch on VHF Ch16.

The entrance to the port is between North and South Blinders, but the passage, which is approx 300m wide, is obstructed by The Bar, a rocky shoal having a depth of 3.6m over it. With a swell, the sea breaks heavily on both sides of the channel and frequently breakers extend right across the passage, preventing vessels entering or leaving for as long as three days at a time. Fairway Lightbuoy: (N Cardinal, bell), is moored slightly N of the leading line 100m inside The Bar. The Bar Light: (29°15.0'S 016°52.0'E), which is the front light of a pair of leading lights is exhibited 0.4nm NE of Inner Blinder (white light when bar is safe and red light when bar is impassable). Horn fog signal is sounded on request. Port Nolloth Light: exhibited from Carl von Schlick Beacon (framework tower, 10m in height, triangular daymark, point down), forms the rear leading light. A radio mast, 30m in height, stands close S of the beacon. A radio beacon transmits, there is Racon and a radio telephone at the beacon. "F" Beacon: (conical, black with a triangular top mark of yellow and orange stripes) stands 0.3nm inshore of Port Nolloth Light. These three objects in line, bearing 066° lead over the Bar. The leading line must be closely followed because the sea frequently breaks for a distance of 200m S of North Blinder. After passing close N of Fairway Lightbuoy, alter course gradually for the buoyed channel. The channel which leads S to the quays and anchorage was reported to be dredged to a depth of 3.3m. A long and narrow shoal with depths of 1.2m over it lies between Inner Blinder and the dredged channel. The E side of the channel is marked by No 2 Lightbuoy (red can, Fl R 5s)), Nos 4 and 6 Buoys (red can) and No 8 Buoy (yellow), and the W side by No 1 Lightbuoy (green conical, Fl G 5s) and Nos 3, 5 and 7 Buoys (green conical). Two Buoys (can, black and white chequers) are moored on the W side of the channel opposite the quay.

BA 897, 3861. Admiralty Pilot NP2, NP286(8).

1025.

Directions for berthing are given by the harbour master by VHF.

Pilotage is not available. Vessels without local knowledge should never attempt to enter the port. Entry and departure from the port is made only by day.

The limits of the port are enclosed by an area bounded by the shores of the bay and lines drawn 245° for a distance of 3nm from North Point (29°14.4'S 016° 51.3'E), then 155° for 4.25nm, then 065° to Gooap Point (29°18'S 016°53'E) together with the foreshore therein and the jetties, harbour works and harbour lands vested in the Government of the Republic of South Africa. The port is formed by a reef, which dries in places and extends 0.8nm NNW from Owen Island. Black Jacob Rock, 1.5m in elevation, lies on this reef, 0.25nm SSE within its N extremity. South Blinder, a shoal with a depth of 2.1m over it, lies 150m N of the reef. Robbe Islet, between the reef and the mainland, and about 0.15nm ENE of Black Jacob Rock, is 1.2m in elevation and surrounded by rocky ledges which dry and form a good protection to the anchorage off the town. Inner Blinder is a dangerous rocky shoal which dries 1.2m and lies 300m N of Robbe Islet.

Main light: Fl W(3+1) 24s, with a Racon. Fairway Lightbuoy: (N cardinal, bell)

Entrance channel 91m in width, 3.6m in depth over bar. Anchorage inside reef for small craft only.

Range 1.6m, springs and 0.6m, neaps.

There are no traffic schemes adopted.

No tugs available

Prevailing winds: SE'ly.

PORT NOLLOTH 29°15.45'S 16°52.04'E UNCTAD LOCODE: ZA NOL For details see: DURBAN PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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The harbour master is normally on duty from 0800 to 1600hrs Monday to Friday but VHF watch can be maintained outside these hours if advance notice has been given. Radio: 2182kHz, H3E, J3E. VHF: Port: Ch 16, 12, 13.

Port Nolloth is not a port of entry. Vessels arriving from abroad must obtain clearance from Cape Town or another South African port.

Vessels should send ETA at least 72 hours in advance (except Sundays and public holidays) and again when 20nm from the port stating: ..... 1. Vessel's draught, fore and aft, length and freeboard. 2. Details of any dangerous cargo. 3. Type and quantity of cargo to be shipped, landed or transhipped. 4. Bunker and other requirements 5. Factors which may affect vessel's safe entry or berthing. 6. If vessel is engaged in towing or salvage (if so further details will be required.

The regulations for the harbours of the Republic of South Africa are applicable within the harbour limits of Port Nolloth and the "Prevention and Combating of Pollution of the Sea by Oil Act 67 of 1971" as amended is applicable between HW mark and the limit of the fishing zone (presently 12nm out to sea). A copy of these regulations must be obtained on arrival at the port.