PROCEDURES

  
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JaxPilots

Standard Procedures

Ordering Pilots Vessels and agents should call to schedule pilots well in advance of arrival or departure to minimize the risk of delays due to other scheduled traffic or tide and current issues.  
Notification Vessels are requested to report their ETA at St. Johns Lighted Whistle Buoy STJ, and their fresh water draft, by radio to the pilot station at least 2 hours and again 1 hour prior to their ETA at the sea bouy.  Pilot station monitors VHF ch. 16 & 13 and works ch. 14.
Boarding Pilot boarding area is between the sea buoy and the outermost entrance buoys. 

Pilot ladder shall be in accordance with SOLAS Regulation 17, Chapter V, on the ship's lee side, the lowest rung 3 meters, (10 feet) above the water.

Requested boarding speed is 8 knots through the water.

Navigational Cautions

Draft Limits
Main Channel Operational Draft Limits:
Sea to Talleyrand Terminals 38'
Talleyrand to Main St Bridge 31' 6"
Main Channel Air-Draft Limits:
Blount Island Overhead Power Cables 175'
Broward (Dames Point) Bridge 169'
Mathews Bridge 152'
Hart Bridge 135'
Main Street Bridge 135' open   40'  closed
Draft Restrictions Vessels over 33' fresh water draft are restricted in their sailing times based on the current at St. Johns River Entrance.  For details, see the Coast Pilot or contact the Pilot Station.
Docking and Undocking Restrictions Due to unique characteristics of these facilities, specific times for docking and undocking are established by the docking masters.
Inbound: All shipyard berths, Gate Maritime, Celotex Corp, JEA Northside, U.S. Gypsum.
Outbound: PCS Phosphate (over 32' draft), Celotex Corp, U.S. Gypsum.