Shakespeare Bay is the deep water port facility opened in April 2000 in the adjacent bay to the company's existing port facilities in Picton Harbour.  The new development complements the Inter-island Ferry and general cargo facilities in Picton Harbour and establishes Port Marlborough as a multi purpose port capable of accommodating vessels of all sizes.

Shakespeare Bay lends itself as a supply base for project cargo requiring access to a deep water port.With a depth alongside of 15.3 metres at low tide, it provides the deepest export berth in New Zealand. The 200 metre long Waimahara Wharf is designed as a multi purpose berth with the ability to be extended  as demand requires.  Waimahara Wharf is also suitable for cruise ships with LOA greater than 240m. Contact the Port direct. Click here to download a copy of the Operational Rules for Shakespeare Bay

Click map to enlarge

A barge berth at the southern end of the wharf accommodates the barging of logs from the Sounds.

Quayside storage of 10 hectares of flat open area lies adjacent to the berth and can be accessed by road, rail, and coastal shipping to allow cargo consolidation prior to shipment.  The area is fully lit to allow log loading 24 hours a day.  An additional storage area is also available for development.  Port activity is screened from the township of Picton by a bush covered ridge.

Waimahara Wharf Specifications  

PORT LIMITS
Inside the strait lines from Cape Jackson to Cape Koamaru, and from east head to west head at the Tory Channel entrance. 

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 a subsidiary of Port Marlborough NZ 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 16’S, longitude 174degrees 00.7’E, depth 25m). (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 Port Marlborough or 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. 

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.