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Port Marlborough New Zealand
 
Picton Harbour
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Waitohi Wharf (Left) and Ferry Terminal Berths (Right) with Picton township in background

Waitohi Wharf serves as the berth for passenger cruise ships, which regularly call at Picton during the summer season. 

It is a general-purpose finger wharf providing cargo berths and facilities for overseas and coastal vessels, predominantly servicing Cook Strait roll on-roll off vessels, as well as coastal trading and fishing vessels. 

Vessels up to 265 metres LOA have been accommodated on Waitohi Wharf.

Click here to download a copy of the Operational Rules for Waitohi Wharf
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Click map to enlarge
Waitohi Wharf  Specifications

Wharf Length

Wharf Width

Height

Bollards

Fendering

Western Berth

Eastern Berth

Maximum  Draft Alongside

Maximum Size


240 metres

20 metres

4.5 metres above MLWS 

Steel at 10 metre spacing

Rubber sprung timber facing to wharf, and Yokohama fenders are available.

210 metres in length.

210 metres in length.

Up to 7.5 metres south-end and 10 metres north-end, to be confirmed at the time by Marlborough Sounds Maritime Pilots. (0.3m UKC).

LOA 245m, draft refer to draft alongside.

PORT LIMITS

Approaches:  CHARTS (NZ6153 & NZ6154 are applicable)
In view of the heavy ferry traffic in the Tory Channel, all foreign vessels should use the northern entrance to the Queen Charlotte Sound.  Minimum depth of 13.4 meters in the main channel west of Long Island – however any vessels whose draft exceeds 10.5 meters must use the alternative channel to the east of Long Island with a minimum water depth of 19.2 meters (use of this channel is however restricted to daylight hours by direction of the Harbourmaster).  The inner part of the Sound is generally over 20 meters in depth.  Vessels entering or leaving Picton harbour are to navigate at a speed not exceeding 12 knots south of Mabel Island light .  Between sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility, navigation south of Mabel Island is restricted to one vessel over 500GRT at a time.

Pilotage: 
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 500GRT in Queen Charlotte Sound and in Tory channel, subject to exemption.  Enquiries should be directed to the Harbourmaster. Pilot boarding ground is 0.5 nautical miles to the east of Motuara Island at the northern entrance (latitude 41degrees 06’S, longitude 174degrees 17.5’E), 17 nautical miles from the berth.  Pilotage services are provided by Marlborough Sounds Maritime Pilots Limited. (Click Here for Contacts)

Pilotage District, Queen Charlotte Sound: 
Inside a straight line drawn in a 303 degree direction from Paparoa Point on Arapawa Island to the opposite shore and the arc of a circle radius one mile centered on the West Head light.

Anchorages


Restrictions

Tidal Range  


Tugs


                                 


West of Mabel Island (latitude 41degrees and 16'S, longitude 00.7'E, depth 25m,and 0.7 nautical miles north-east of Wedge Point.)

(See PORT LIMITS – Approaches

Neap 0.6 metres (0.5m MLWN-1.1m MHWN)
Spring 1.7 metres (0.0m MLWS-1.7m MHWS)

Tugs services are provided by independent operators and may be arranged through Marlborough Sounds Maritime Pilots. (Click Here for Contacts)
A 22+  bollard pull tug and an 8+ bollard pull tug are available.


PORT SECURITY
Port Marlborough is an accredited I.S.P.S Code compliant Port Facility (Certified 01 July 2004).

Secure and Restricted Access ship/port interface is provided at both Waitohi and Waimahara Wharves. The Port has it’s own Shipping and Security Centre which operates 24 hours a day, contact +64 3 520 3350 or VFH channel 19. Carmen Gimpl is the principal PSFO and Steve Redshaw is the alternate PSFO (021 431 466).

In accordance with the New Zealand Maritime Security Act (2004) requirements, all access to restricted wharf areas alongside international shipping is strictly controlled and crew/passengers seeking access/egress must be in possession of approved tamperproof photographic identification.

Visiting ships are asked to assist in ensuring a safe and secure port by promptly reporting any suspicious or unusual behavior observed.

HEALTH
First entry at a New Zealand Port, Pratique is granted after a vessel berths, provided she has a clean bill of health from her last Port, otherwise vessel should anchor in the quarantine anchorage where the Port Health Officer boards.  Once cleared at the first Port of New Zealand, no further Pratique is required.

RADIO
Call sign “Picton Harbour Radio” – VHF channel 16, working channel 19.  Radio watch maintained 24 hours a day.