Line Handlers

Emergency

Fire/Police/Medical Emergency:
Please dial 911

Local Government Agencies & Resources

Port of Charleston Inner Anchorages

Anchorages are “first come, first served.”

Recommended Parameters¹:

A (north of Fort Sumter) 30’ draft & 750’ LOA
B (off James Island) per master’s discretion
C (off Carolina Yacht Club) 20’ draft, LOA per master’s discretion
D (off Union Pier) 25’ draft & 500’ LOA

In all cases, masters may apply more conservative limits at their discretion.

Vessels in designated anchorages must²:

• Not obstruct adjacent channels.
• Depart within 72 hours, & 24 hours for D.³
• Not pose a hazard to other vessels.
• Answer VHF Channel 16.
• Maintain a bridge watch.
• Maintain an accurate position plot.
• Be able to get underway within 4 hours.
• Not be in “dead ship” status.³
• Not lighter.³
• Move to a berth at the first opportunity if unable to adhere to requirements.

¹ Letter designation refers to charts & 33 CFR 110.173
² Reference: 33 CFR 110.173
³ Captain of the Port must approve variance.

Approximate Distances to Berths

Approximate Distances from Pilot Station “C” To Berths.

Anchorage “A” …………………………………………………………………………………..20.0 NM
Union Pier ………………………………………………………………………………………….22.5 NM
Columbus Street ……………………………………………………………………………….23.0 NM
Allied Dock ………………………………………………………………………………………..25.0 NM

Wando Terminal ………………………………………………………………………………..25.0 NM
Ship Yard River ………………………………………………………………………………….26.0 NM
Old Navy Base Veterans Term ………………………………………………………….27.0 NM
Other Oil Docks ……………………………………………………………………………….29-30 NM

North Charleston Terminals ……………………………………………………………..31.0 NM
Army Transportation Docks, Grain Elevator …………………………………….32.0 NM
Naval Weapons Station ……………………………………………………………………..35.0 NM
Cainhoy ……………………………………………………………………………………………..32.5. NM

Amoco Dock ………………………………………………………………………………………..38.0 NM
Nucor Steel …………………………………………………………………………………………44.0 NM

Air Draft Rules

RAVENEL BRIDGE AIR DRAFT LIMITS

Air draft up to and including 192.0’ can board and sail anytime. (58.5 m)

More than 192.0’ and up to and including 197.5’ may pass under at low tide at the bridge.

No air drafts higher than 197.5’ can be accommodated. (60.2 m)

*IN: LW-1hr. OUT: HLT LW-½ hr.; WDO LW-1 hr.

These limits allow for a three-foot margin of safety below the structural steel on the bridge.

DON HOLT BRIDGE AIR DRAFT LIMITS

AIR DRAFT RULES – ALL SHIPS PASSING UNDER THE DON HOLT BRIDGE

ARRIVING AT AND SAILING FROM NORTH CHARLESTON

*Must pass under Don Holt Bridge at LW at Army Depot Tide Station

Master may submit calculations showing 2 ft. clearance to sail at other times.

Manager or Pilot can adjust for excessive tide, weather, or vessel characteristics.

HW = Predicted High Water at Custom House Reach

LW = Predicted Low Water at Custom House Reach

Air draft restricted vessels board and sail as close to LW as these windows allow.

Tides are based upon Customhouse Reach predictions
(as published in the Tide Book, round to nearest half hour)

In cases of below average tide (5.2 ft.), wind affecting tide, extraordinary current, soundings less than Project Depth, high seas, or pilot discretion, additional restrictions may apply.

Pinning

WANDO PINNING RULE:

If there are arrivals + departures at WDO that are NOT berth swaps, then departures can be scheduled up to:

              30 minutes after an arrival, or

              2 hours after an arrival.

For example:

             SHIP A has a firm sailing from Berth 2 at 1700

             SHIP B ordered inbound upon availability of Berth 2 (at 1700)

             SHIP C can firm departure at 1730 or 1900. Sailing at 1745, 1800, 1815, 1830, or 1845 is outside these criteria.

PORT TERMINAL/COOPER RIVER TRAFFIC:

For two or more vessels with beams in excess of 37.5m (12.3’) potentially meeting above 49 use the following as guidance:

Arrivals:

In most cases, Arrivals going to vacant berths have priority over Sailings if labor is standing by.

If berth is turning over (Swap), no restriction. Set up Boarding to be the time of scheduled Sailing.

Ex. 1200 Out from PT1 / 1200 In to PT1.

Scheduled Sailings:

For other than Berth Swaps, or when an Arrival precedes a Sailing….

For vessels Sailing that are Port side to, no scheduled Sailings from ½ hour to 2 hours of an Arrival.

Ex. An Arrival to PT1 at 1200…agent may set up Sailing vessel from PT2 or other facility up to 1230 or must wait until 1400.

For vessels Sailing that are Stbd side to, no scheduled Sailings from 1 to 2 hours of an Arrival.

Ex. An Arrival to PT1 at 1200…agent may set up Sailing vessel from PT2 or other facility up to 1300 or wait until 1400.