Port Information
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Searsport
The primary port in Penobscot Bay. The terminal is located at Mack Point at the north end of the Bay and has two piers for unloading a wide variety of liquid and dry cargoes. The Sprague dock handles liquid cargo and can accommodate vessels up to 700’ in length, 106’ beam and a maximum draft of 35’. The Port Authority dock handles dry cargo and can accommodate vessel up to 800’ in length, 120’ beam and a maximum draft of 39’.
Pilots board vessels bound for ports in Penobscot Bay and River at one of two pilot stations. For vessels arriving from the west the pilot boarding area is in the vicinity of buoy 14M off Monhegan Island in position 43-45.3’N 69-22.5’W. Vessels arriving from the East or South make their approach via the PBA buoy and take aboard the pilot 3 miles east of the WP buoy in position 43-55.5’N 68-49.0”W. (Insert chart of Penobscot Bay). Vessels follow the recommended route for deep draft vessels as described on Charts 13302 and BA chart 2486. The pilots do not maintain a boat on station and any change of ETA within 12 hours of arrival must be communicated directly, by voice, to the pilots
Tug service in Penobscot Bay is provides by Penobscot Bay Tractor Tug Company. The company has three ship assist tugs. FOURNIER TRACTOR is a 3,500 hp ASD tractor tug, MACK POINT is a 2,000 hp single screw tug with an 800 hp stern thruster and the CAPE ROSIER is a 1,800 hp single screw diesel electric tug.
The approach channel depth for Mack Point is 33.2’. Most fully loaded ships calling at Searsport will need to wait for sufficient tide to be able to berth. The guidelines for under keel clearance in Penobscot Bay are 3’ under keel in the bay, 2’ in the approach channel and 1’ alongside the berth. The tide range in Searsport is 9’.
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