It is the responsibility of the Panama City and Port St. Joe Port Authorities, or any other facility to perform surveys of their berths, at least biennially, and provide the St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association with a copy of the survey.
It shall be at the sole discretion of the St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association, whether by official surveys, unofficial soundings or lack of surveys, to determine if a draft restriction is necessary within any channel or berth.
The recommended highwater drafts for vessels in all berths will be no more than the Project Depth of the berth or one (1) foot less than the depth of water in the berth, as reported on the latest survey at mean lower low water (MLLW), whichever is less.
To allow for squat and underkeel clearance, draft restrictions will be made as necessary for changes in the Entrance Channel(s) depths so as to allow a Highwater Draft Limit of two (2) feet of clearance, plus the additional depth derived from the height of the tide at the time of the movement between the vessel and the channel bottom, based on the latest survey at MLLW. The time of vessel movements may be delayed due to Tidal Currents or Sea Conditions.
The Master of any vessel berthed alongside any facility in the port areas of St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bay shall ensure that at all times, his vessel is afloat and maintains a minimum underkeel clearance of at least six (6) inches.
Ship Agents are to inform the Master of the requirement to maintain the minimum underkeel clearance for his vessel, especially if the draft of the vessel in relation to the depth of water in the berth will be of any concern.
Port Panama City East Terminal
Vessels with drafts of 34.0 feet or less will be piloted on a 24 hour basis.
Vessels with drafts over 34.0 feet to a maximum of 35.0 feet will be piloted at or near highwater, unless otherwise stated.
During periods of abnormal tidal or weather conditions draft restrictions will be imposed.
Berths / Project Depth: Berth East One, 36 Feet
PPC/East Berth One: Allowable Draft of 35 feet
East Terminal Survey: February 17, 2021
Port Panama City West Terminal
SOUTH BERTHS
Vessels with drafts of 34.0 feet or less will be piloted on a 24 hour basis, unless otherwise stated.
Vessels with drafts over 34.0 feet to a maximum of 36.0 feet will be piloted at or near highwater, unless otherwise stated.
Berths/ Project Depth: South One, Two and Three, 36 feet.
South One: Allowable Draft of 35.0 feet at highwater:
34 feet 24 hours; 0′ – 800′ Mark
South Two: Allowable Draft of 34.0 feet at highwater:
33 feet 24 hours; 800′ – 1850′ Mark
South Three: Allowable Draft of 34.0 feet at highwater:
33′ feet 24 hours; 800′ – 1850′ Mark
Port Panama City West Terminal
WEST BERTHS
Berths/ Project Depth: West One, 36 feet.
Project Depth: West Two and Three, 30 feet.
West One: Allowable Draft of 34.0 feet at highwater:
33.0 feet 24 hours; 0′ – 750′ Mark
West Two: Allowable Draft of 30.0 feet at highwater:
29 feet 24 hours; 750′- 1050′ Mark
29.0 feet at highwater; 28.0 feet 24 hours; 1050′ 1400′ Mark
West Three: Allowable Draft of 26.0 feet 24 hours.
1400′ – 1900′ Mark
24.0′ feet 24 hours: 1900′ – 2300′ Mark
West Terminal Survey: May 30, 2017