Deep Sea Ship Anchorages

Located within Port Limits, off the east side of Protection and Newcastle Islands, are seven deep sea ship anchorages. Designated A through G these provide anchorage for ships up to 300 metres in length in depths of 40 to 80 metres. All deep sea ship anchorages are assigned by the Harbour Master (250) 753-4146, ext 239.

Harbour Dues are payable by any ship assigned an anchorage.

Ships assigned an anchorage within Port Limits shall have on board the largest scale chart available, such as Canadian Chart 3447 which is available through the local Agent or Chart Supplier.An anchored ship shall at all times have its engine(s) on standby, ready for immediate manoeuvring and its second anchor ready to let go should the wind at the ship exceed twenty-five (25) knots.

Pilot transfers to or from ships at anchor can be arranged through the local Agent or by contacting the Harbour Master. Deliveries of stores, crew transportation, etc must be arranged by the local Agent.

Ships at anchor should expect representatives from the Nanaimo Port Authority to board the vessel to conduct bilge, sewage and ballast water checks. Ships are prohibited from dumping, releasing or discharging any pollutants over-board and from using on-board incinerators while within Port Limits.

Debris Control

The Nanaimo Port Authority, in cooperation with local industry, contract out for debris clean-up within Port Limits. Daily patrols are made throughout the harbour and all floating debris is collected, removed from the water and sorted on Port Property. Logs that have commercial value are sold back to industry to off-set the cost of operations. Wood with no commercial value is disposed of.

Environmental Protection

The Nanaimo Port Authority, through a Letter of Understanding with the Canadian Coast Guard, is the first response to pollution reports within Port Limits. Each report is investigated and where the source of the pollution can be determined the polluter is charged all costs for the investigation, response, clean up and disposal of all contaminants.

All oil spills are reported to the Canadian Coast Guard.

Holding An Event

(Cick here to see Permits)

Seaplane Operations

The Nanaimo Port Authority, local seaplane operators and members of the public developed recommendations regarding seaplane operations in the Harbour.

The Port operates two water-dromes. Area “A” is in the inner harbour adjacent to the Visiting Vessel Pier and Area “B” is in Departure Bay adjacent to the BC Ferry Departure Bay Terminal.

For boating safety, aircraft operated strobe lights have been installed. One is on the Central Breakwater next to the Visiting Vessel Pier and covers Area “A”, the other is set on top of a piling at the north entrance to Newcastle Island Channel.

Each strobe light operates independently and when flashing indicates that an aircraft is preparing for take-off or landing in the applicable water-drome.

Port Security

The Nanaimo Port Authority operates a number of facilities within Port Limits.

Each facility is fully ISPS / MTSR compliant.