Pilotage

The approach by sea to Port Taranaki is safe and easily navigable, with an open roadstead and anchorage in 18-22 metres of water. Inside the harbour the approach fairways provide a swinging basin of up to 418 metres, and a maximum port draft of 12.5 metres. Vessels can be berthed in most weathers, but ship drafts in excess of 9.5 metres depend on tide. Tidal range is 1.7 to 3.9 metres.

Port Navigational Information for PEC Masters

Harbour and berth soundings are regularly checked by the Port Hydrographer.

Night Berthing

Night berthing operations are restricted in wind conditions in excess of 20 knots and require the vessel's radar and speed measuring devices to be operational.

DUKC: Dynamic Under Keel Clearance

With Harbourmaster's approval or using the Dynamic Under Keel Clearance system, draft may be increased up to 12.5 metres. This only applies to the Blyde No 2, Moturoa No 2, Newton King No 1 and Newton King No 2 berths.

Port Tidal Values	Reduced Level	Tidal Level
New Plymouth fundamental B.m	20.099
Wharf deck levels (nominal)	19.000	5.62
MHWS	16.888	3.51
Mean sea level	15.348	1.97
MLWS	13.808	0.43
Chart datum	13.378	0.0

Maximum Draft for Vessels

The following procedures are effective when assessing maximum draft for vessels transiting and berthing at Port Taranaki.

Berth Parameters

The following table details the maximum dimensions allowed at each of the port's berths.

Berth	CD	Max LOA	Max Beam	Max Draft	UKC at CD
Breakwater No 1	7.0m	78m	20.0m	6.5m	0.5m
Breakwater No 2	9.5m	150m	25.0m	9.0m	0.5m
Moturoa No 1	8.5m	98m	20.0m	7.5m	1.0m
Moturoa No 2	13.5m	196m	35.0m	12.5m	1.0m
Newton King No 1	13.5m	211m	35.0m	12.5m	1.0m
Newton King No 2	13.5m	211m	35.0m	12.5m	1.0m
Blyde No 1	11.5m	225m	35.0m	10.5m	1.0m
Blyde No 2	13.5m	225m	35.0m	12.5m	1.0m
Blyde No 3	7.5m	78m	20.0m	6.5m	1.0m

Any variation from the above is solely at the Harbourmaster's discretion.

Transits - Arrivals and Departures

Draft	Transit Limits
Up to 9.0m	May transit at any time
9.0m – 10.0m	Requires Height of tide equivalent to DRAFT minus 9.0m by completion of manoeuvre
10.0m – 12.5m	Transits may only be undertaken under the DUKC system

Note 1: Severe weather may significantly modify these parameters which define fair-weather conditions only.

Note 2: DUKC transits with vessels in the lower range of drafts in excess of 10.0m may well be undertaken at any time, particularly during neap tides, but otherwise some height of tide may be required to undertake the transit.

Note 3: Final DUKC transit drafts are dependant on real time calculations that can only be undertaken within 24 – 36 hours of the actual transit. METOCEAN modelling indicates that transits should be possible at 12.5m for 95% - 97% of all High Waters.

Communications

Prior to arrival, the notification times for a vessel are:

24 hours: Vessel Arrival Information Sheet
containing ETA, draught, LOA, cargo, dangerous goods and status of navigational equipment, to be faxed.
8 hours: ETA update to be faxed.
2 hours: Confirm ETA on VHF channels 61 or 16.
Oil and chemical tankers must send cargo details 48 hours prior to arrival. All radio and fax communications and inquiries should be addressed to 'New Plymouth Harbour Radio'
Fax No: +64 6 7599 844
Port control frequency is VHF channel 12.
Port tug frequency is VHF channel 11.

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels of more than 100m in length or 100GRT. Pilots board about 2.5 nautical miles off port from the 'Westgate', a rigid inflatable pilot launch.

The pilot ladder is required to be rigged on the lee side of the vessel as close as possible to midships, 2 meters above the water, with manropes.

Moorings

Vessels are normally turned and berthed head to sea, and all moorings are supplied and tended by Port Taranaki. Vessels are required to use up to four shore moorings, depending on length, and normally one ship's head line and one stern line. Vessels are boarded on arrival by two Port Taranaki staff to assist in mooring.

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