All ship agencies need to provide an arrival schedule, updated weekly, of vessel movements for Port Panama City’s West and East Terminals and Port St. Joe Terminal.
This schedule needs to include at least the following information:
- Vessel name: including the length, beam, draft and thrusters
- Estimated dates and times of arrival and departure
- Terminal and berth assignment
- Shipping line and cargo information
In conjunction with the Arrival Schedule, the information needs to be updated and personally confirmed with the Pilot(s) on duty at least 24 hours prior to vessels arrival in accordance with the Pilotage section for Panama City in Coast Pilot 5.
The minimum notice time and ETA/ETD updates to request pilot boarding shall be:
3 hours on vessels arriving at the fairway buoy boarding area; vessels at anchor within St. Andrew Bay and vessels departing from the Naval Support Activities.
2 hours on vessels sailing, departing or shifting from berths at Port Panama City East and West Terminals or other docks between the Hathaway and Dupont bridges.
6 hours for vessels arriving or departing Port St. Joe.
Inbound vessel boarding area is 0.5 nm South of the “SA” Seabuoy, unless otherwise instructed. The Pilot Ladder will be rigged on the leeside of the vessel one meter above the waterline or as per Pilot instructions.
Boarding speed will be 5 to 6 knots or as per Pilot instructions.
COMMUNICATIONS
The St. Andrew Bay Pilots Association does not maintain a 24 hour VHF radio station. Pilot arrangements should be made through the ship’s agent or by telephone.
The Pilot Vessel will monitor VHF Channels 16 and 14 approximately one (1) hour before a vessel is expected.
Channel 14 VHF is the working frequency for the Pilots Association.
Vessels underway maintain a radio watch on VHF Channels 16 and 13. Security calls are given on VHF channels 16, 13 and 14.