STRAIT OF MAGELLAN, CHILEAN CHANNELS AND FIORDS
Regulations and Directions for PILOTING. ROUTES

A.- GENERAL PILOTING REGULATIONS AND INFORMATION

B.- SAILING ALONG STRAIT OF MAGELLAN OR DRAKE PASSAGE

C.- SAILING ROUTES THROUGHOUT CHILEAN STRAITS, CHANNELS AND FIORDS (FROM CHACAO CHANNEL TO CAPE HORN, SOUTHBOUND)

1. - GEOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION

Chile, in the extreme SW of South America, has 2.400 miles of sea coast, and within them, to the south of Latitude 41º 45’ S, there are 1.095 miles of channels and fjords, providing well-protected inland waters for safe navigation. The best known of these channels is the Strait of Magellan, which runs for 307 miles from the Pacifi c to the Atlantic.
Three areas can be distinguished: from 41º 45’ S (Canal Chacao - Ancud) to 47º 00’ S (Golfo de Penas) known as Chiloé and Aysén; from 47º 00’ S to Magellan Strait is known as Patagonia; and from there to Cabo de Hornos is known as Tierra del Fuego. This last sheltered region is the most used passage to reach Antarctica.

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2. - WEATHER

To the south of Latitude 40º S, sudden changes in wind and sea conditions are characteristic all throughout the year. It is said that the four seasons can be experienced on the same day. Low pressure and fronts move from W to E and SE, becoming stronger as they gain in latitude south. Heavy swells always have a west component. Storms and gales coming with low pressure fronts bring strong W to N and NW winds, mostly from March to August (autumn and winter). Southerly winds, with high pressure systems can be very strong, especially in Patagonia. They are more common during spring and summer (September to March).

Chiloé and Aysén areas are rainy, mostly in winter. In summer (December to March), weather can be fair, but showers can be expected. Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are cold and rainy all year round. Summer in Patagonia is known as the “windy“season. Winter is colder and it snows mostly from May to August. Fog and calms are also common at this time. Small icebergs and pack ice can be found in some of these channels.

See www.directemar.cl-meteorología

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3. - GENERAL REGULATIONS

In general, Notice to Mariners and warnings must be observed, and can be found at www.shoa.cl, (link “radioavisos”). Chile has 12 miles of Territorial Waters, plus 188 miles of Exclusive Economic Zone. While in territorial waters Chilean and vessel’s national fl ag must be hoisted from sunrise to sunset. In addition, “Hotel” signal fl ag must be hoisted when pilots are on board, and “Bravo” signal fl ag when carrying IMO dangerous cargo. All Chilean and International Rules and/or Regulations must always be complied with and fulfi lled, e.g.: SOLAS, COLREG, MARPOL, among others, included IMO and ISM/ISO 9000, and all those specially related to protection of sea and maritime environment. In inner waters, dumping of garbage and/or discharge of oil or any kind of oily or contaminated water is strictly forbidden. Ballast renewal and sewage “gray waters” discharge can be done only at least 12 nautical miles away from the coast line (Chile Maritime Authority Rule A-51/002). Keep this sanctuary of nature clean.

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4. - PILOTAGE POLICY

Pilotage is compulsory for navigating inner waters, between Canal de Chacao and Cabo de Hornos. Pilots will normally be transferred at the below mentioned Pilot Stations. However, agents can request embarking or disembarking at ports north of Canal de Chacao (Ancud), which has an extra cost, but avoids the cost of airplane tickets and pilot boat. Pilot’s assistance to Antarctica can also be provided. Agents should send their request for pilots to the Pilotage Offi ce in Valparaíso at least 72 hours in advance. Two pilots will carry out the assistance. ETA to involved Pilot Station must be updated daily to agent and maritime authorities, to avoid extra expenses or delays. Pilots are experienced former Merchant Masters and retired Navy Senior Offi cers; therefore, they should be treated as Captains. Masters are kindly requested to provide one cabin per pilot, located in offi cer´s area, with corresponding bed linen, and allow free access to Offi cer’s quarters, mess and entertainment areas. During navigation in inner waters, channels and fjords, in pilotage area, pilots will stand on duty in 5-hour watches. Pilots’ PPUs have approved software for navigation in Chilean inner waters.

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5. - PILOT STATIONS

The following Pilot Stations are considered for embarking/disembarking Channel Pilots:

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6. - PILOTING FEES

Piloting fees are charges according to vessel's GRT and are established and published by official Supreme Decree and yearly updated in accordance with the US price consumer index.(See www.directemar.cl-Publications(Publicaciones)- Maritime Regulation (Normativa Marítima) - Regulation of Tariffs and Laws (Reglamento de Tarifas y Derechos).

An extra charge is applied in the following cases (year 2010):

a). Arrival delay at Pilot Station or departure delay from embarkation Port. (More than 12 hours, US$ 43,38 per hour).
b). Advanced arrival at Pilot Station or advanced departure from the embarkation Port (US$ 43,38 per hour).
c). If Pilot assistance exceeds 120 hours, within Piloting Area (US$ 43,38 per hour).
d). If Pilots stay onboard beyond Pilot Station (Ancud-Bahía Posesión-Cabo de Hornos) (US$ 43,38 per hour).

Maritime Agents embark / disembark Channel Pilots using their own or hired boats, with the exception of Cape Horn and Richmond Passage, where Pilot's boats are provided by the Chilean Maritime Authority.

These fares do not consider costs of Pilot Boats, Tugs, mooring boats and other services which are provided by Maritime Agencies.

Vessels, over 230 meters LOA, sailing only Strait of Magellan, without entering other inner channels, will have a 40% discount from the "Standard or Base Fee".

Should navigation include other inner channels, this 40% discount will not be applied and Standard or Base Fee will be charged.

The "Standard or Base Fee" for 2 Chanel Pilots for Piloting Service in the channel zone, from Bahía de Ancud (Chacao Channel) to Bahía Posesión/Dúngenes (Eastern approach to Strait of Magellan), for a maximun period of time of 120 hours, is as follows:

GROSS TONNAGE (GRT)

  FEE (1) (2017)

FROM

TO

US$

---

2.000

3.328,16

2.000

4.000

5.684,67

4.000

6.000

7.763,97

6.000

8.000

8.872,97

8.000

10.000

9.981,89

10.000

12.000

10.952,21

12.000

14.000

11.754,26

14.000

16.000

12.754,26

16.000

18.000

13.725,90

18.000

20.000

14.557,61

20.000

22.000

15.250,71

22.000

24.000

15.945,11

24.000

26.000

16.775,53

26.000

28.000

17.467,33

28.000

30.000

18.163,04

(1) THIS FEE IS YEARLY UPDATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH US PRICE CONSUMER INDEX

OVER 30.000 GRT FEES ARE INCREASED 5% PER EACH 2.000 GRT OR FRACTION IN EXCESS.


The "Standard Fee" considers charges for sailing normal inner channels and Strait of Magellan route. There will not be extra charges in the following cases:

a).Failures in the propulsion, steering or anchoring systems or navigation equipment errors.

b).Operation of Auto Pilot System by Channel Pilots.

c).Dangerous Cargo.

d).Vessel emergency anchoring or arrival at intermediate ports.

Antarctic Waters Fee:


Vessels up to 2000 TRG US$ 852.59 per day or part of day > 12 hrs.
Vessels more than 2000 TRG US$ 1,280.69 per day or part of day > 12 hrs.

The following correcting factors to the "Standard Fee" must be applied according to the route, or part of it, sailed:

ROUTES AND FACTORS TABLE

ROUTES

 

FACTOR

FROM

TO

Ancud/Laitec/P. Montt

Bahía Posesión/Dúngenes

1.000

Ancud/Laitec/P. Montt

Punta Arenas

0.850

Ancud/Laitec/P. Montt

Seno Otway (Pecket)

0.800

Ancud/Laitec/P. Montt

Puerto Natales

0.850

Ancud/Laitec/P. Montt

Guarello

0.500

Ancud/Laitec/P. Montt

Puerto Chacabuco

0.400

Ancud/Laitec/P. Montt

Puertos en el Canal Beagle

1.150

Ancud/Laitec

Pto. Montt o Intermedios

0.150

Punta Arenas

Cabo Negro

0.038

Punta Arenas

Dúngenes

0.150

Cabo Negro

Dúngenes

0.112

Punta Arenas

Bahía Gregorio o Clarencia

0.080

Punta Arenas

Seno Otway (Pecket)

0.200

Punta Arenas

Puerto Natales

0.450

Punta Arenas

Guarello

0.500

Punta Arenas

Puerto Chacabuco

0.670

Punta Arenas

Félix

0.286

Punta Arenas

Puertos en Canal Beagle

0.400

Puerto en canal Beagle

Cabo de Hornos/Cabo San Pío/Paso Richmond

    0.150

Puerto Williams

Canal Thompson/, vía Brazo Noroeste/Brazo Suroeste, regresando a Puerto Williams (Circuito Ventisqueros)

0.27

Puerto Williams

Cabo de Hornos, vía Paso Picton, Paso Goree, Bahía Nassau, Paso Mantellero o Paso Mar del Sur, regresando a Puerto Williams (Circuito Cabo de Hornos) (ver nota 2)

0.26

 

Puerto Williams

Bahía Nassau, vía Paso Picton, Paso Goree/Canal Murray, regresando a Puerto Williams (Circuito Navarino) (ver nota 1)

0.18

Puerto Williams

Bahía Nassau, via Paso Picton, Paso Goree/Canal Murray, returning to Puerto Williams (Navarino circuit) (See note 1)

0.18

 

Note 1 :  Only for chilean flagged vessels under command of chilean qualified Captain.

Note 2 :  For third flag vessels. This circuit is restricted to tourist vessels with not over 12 people onboard.

Furthermore, when sailing includes entering INLETS, SOUNDS or FIORDS away from normal sailing routes, for tourism, scientific or other purposes, the total fee will be increased according to the following Table:

INLETS AND FIORDS TABLE

Access and Exit Of Inlets And Fiords

Factor

Seno Garibaldi

0.034

Seno Iceberg

0.034

Bahía Yendegaia

0.034

Seno Martínez

0.075

Seno Agostini

0.075

Estero Castro

0.075

Seno Almirantazgo

0.170

Estero Peel

0.062

Seno Penguin

0.034

Seno Eyre

0.045

Seno de las Montañas

0.045

Estuario Baker

0.130

Canal Puyuguapi

0.106

Canal Jacaf

0.106

Seno Holloway (Puerto Slight)

0.106

Seno Aysén (Chacabuco)

0.220

Seno Unión (Puerto Natales)

0.450

Estero Elefantes (L. San Rafael)

0.320

 

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7. - MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND VESSEL REPAIRS

Medical Assistance:

Place

Location

Phone

Ancud

(L: 41º 48' S, G: 73º 51' W).

(56-65) 2622363

Puerto Montt

(L: 41º 28' S, G: 72º 57' W).

(56-65) 2291101

Castro

(L: 42º 29' S, G: 73º 50' W),

(56-65) 2631200

Quellón

(L: 43º 08' S, G: 73º 37' W).

(56-65) 2680585

Puerto Chacabuco

(L: 45º 28´S, G: 72º 50' W).

(56-67) 2351448

Puerto Natales

(L: 51º 43' S, G: 72º 34' W).

(56-61) 2411570

Punta Arenas

(L: 53º 10' S, G: 70º 54' W).

(56-61) 2201102

Puerto Williams

(L: 54º 56' S, G: 67º 37' W).

(56-61) 2621271

 
 
First Aid Stations:
Place Location Phone
Puerto Edén (L: 49º 08' S, G: 74º 27' W) -
Isla Guarello (L: 50º 22' S, G: 75º 19' W). -

Ships' Repairs Facilities:
Place Location Phone
Punta Arenas Synchrolift up to 4.000 M/tons. (56-61) 214151
Talcahuano
4 Floating Docks and 2 Dry docks, up to 96.000 ton, useful length 244.55 meters and breadth 35.5 meters.
(56-41) 2744000
Valparaíso Floating Dock up to 10.000 M/tons. (56-32) 2355000
On board repairs may be requested and coordinated to be done in the whole area.
 
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8. - OPERATIONAL INFORMATION FOR MASTERS

a.- GENERAL:

1.   Punta Delgada Pilot Station: Radar system is available with S-57 charts management, integrated AIS and ARPA system (Basic VTS) for vessel's control within Posesión Bay (Pilot Transference Zone) and Punta Delgada.

Embarking /disembarking Pilots in Posesión Bay during bad weather conditions is not allowed. Vessels will carry on sailing and Pilots will embark/disembark abeam Punta Delgada Pilot Station. During this transit, Pilots will provide sailing advice and directions, using radar and AIS information from Pilot Station. (See Separation B.-, number 2. - STRAIT OF MAGELLAN GENERAL INFORMATION, letter e.-)

2.   Pilot Boats operate at maximum speed of 15 knots. In order to ensure a quick Pilot transference, 3 men on deck and 2 lines to heave up baggage is recommended in order to receive them.

3.   Pilots have charts needed for a safe navigation along routes. Furthermore, most of them, although not compulsory, carry their own computers with authorized electronic charts, which take inputs from the Bridge Pilot Plug, for direct AIS information, or from their own portable GPS, if Pilot Plug is not available.

4.   Within Piloting Zone (Bahía de Ancud to Cabo de Hornos) Pilots will report, to Maritime Traffic Control Stations and manned Lighthouses, ETA to Control Points and Transference Zone. Control Stations will report other vessels sailing within the area and last minute Hydrographic notices and weather information.

5.      Pilots will coordinate crossing with other vessels, via VHF, providing a safe CPA.

b.-SOME PILOTING CHANNELS RESTRICTIONS:

Chilean channels and fiords provide a number of alternative safe sailing routes. For certain passages or channels, the Maritime Authority has imposed special restrictions related to vessels size or sailing conditions; however, if it is not possible to use a given route, there will always an alternative passage or route available for inner channels navigation.

Channels and Passages restrictions are as follows:

CHANNEL OR PASSAGE

MAX. AIR DRAUGHT

MAX. LOA

MAX. DRAUGHT

OTHERS

CROSSING PRIORITY

Canal Chacao

(*) 59 meter

 

 

(*) In High Tide

East bound

Canal Ninualac

 

 

 

 

East bound

Canal Darwin

 

 

 

 

East bound

Canal Pulluche

 

 

(*)7,00 meter

 

East bound

Angostura Inglesa

 

180 meter

10,70 meter

Slack water and daylight only

North Bound

Paso del Abismo

 

 

 

Daylight only

South Bound only

Canal Piloto Pardo

 

 

 

Daylight only

North Bound only

Canal Picton

 

200 meter

6 meter

Daylight only

North Bound

Angostura Guía

 

 

 

 

North Bound

Paso Summer

 

 

(*) 7,00 meter

(*) In Low Tide

North Bound

Canal Gray

 

230 meter

(*)12 meter

Daylight only. (*)In Low Tide

North Bound

Paso Shoal

 

 

 

 

South Bound

Canal Kirke

 

150 meter

6,50 meter

Slack water and daylight only

East bound

Canal White

 

140 meter

7,00 meter

Slack water and daylight only

East bound

Strait of Magellan

 

 

21,30 meter

 

 

Paso Mackinlay

 

 

 

 

West bound

 

c.- CHILEAN CHANNELS AND FIORDS SAILING RECOMENDATIONS :

1.

Both anchors unlashed and ready to let go.

2.

Helmsman on the bridge at all times is compulsory.

3.

Lookouts in certain areas, according to pilot's request.

4.

One radar for exclusive Pilot use, a second radar stand by; both units must be on service when visibility is restricted and/or while transiting narrow or confined passages.

5.

Engine Room or Engine Control Room manned and ready to change to maneuver speed when Pilots require.

6.

Echo sounder on operation at Pilot request.

7.

Compass deviation chart available.

8.

Maneuvering characteristic's graphics visible at all times.

9.

Electric power source independent from propulsion system whenever possible, shaft generators must not be used in inner water channels or confined passages.

10.

Pilot/Master information Card (Pilot Card as per ISM). Signed copy handed over to Pilot. Master should inform Pilots about change of steering procedure, limitations and time to slow down from sea to maneuvering speed, fuel oil changes requirements and speed restriction (if needed), and emergency engine stoppage.

 

d.- IN CONFINED PASSAGES (CHECK WITH PILOTS):

1. Master on the Bridge.

2. Qualified Helmsman.

3. Forecastle manned and anchors ready to let go.

4. Steering system tested before entering confined passages and back up pumps "on".

5. Engine room manned and ready to run main engine at Pilot required speed.

 

e.-COMMUNICATIONS:

1. VHF Channel 16 - 13 always "On".

2. HF working o SSB telephony ready to transmit on: (Rx/Tx) 4.146 / 4.146 KHz.

3. INMARSAT "C" in Navarea XV for weather reports and storm warnings.

4. NAVTEX on stations K-L, in Spanish, D-E, in English, for messages type: All

f.- WEATHER FASCIMILE RECEPTION:

At:

11:15 - 16:30 – 19:30 – 22:00 - 23:10 UTC.

On Frequencies:

4.228,0 - 8.677,0 - 17.146,5 KHz.
(Some old equipment adjust: 1,8 KHz down)

 

See Admiralty, List of Radio Signals NP 283 (2) Vol. 3 (2) Pages - CHILE- Surface chart accessible via Internet: www.directemar.cl/meteorology

g.- POSITION REPORT (CHILREP):

Daily position to Maritime Authority at 08:00 and 20:00 LT.

Address to: FAX 56 (32) 2208662
E-mail mrccchile@directemar.cl
E-mail cbvradio@directemar.cl

CHILREP format:

TO: DIRSOMAR-MARITGOBPMO (Puerto Montt)-MARITGOBPAR (Punta Arenas) (See (1))
      CENMETEOVALP
FROM: MV MAXIGON START/CBML
CHILREP P/R
FORMAT : EXAMPLE:
A  (Vessel’s name/ Call sign) MAXIGON START /CBML
B  (Date and Local Time) 140800 LT
C  (Position) 42 30 S 077 15 W
E  (Course) 180
F  (Speed) 14
X  (Remark, if any) ETA Bahía Posesión PS 261400LT (See (2))
Notes : (1) MARITGOBPMO, Puerto Montt, between Lat. 41 S y Lat. 47 S
MARITGOBPAR, Punta Arenas, South of Lat. 47 S
Notes : (2) This paragraph can be use to inform local Agent, Pilot embarking/disembarking time. (Posesión-Laitec-Ancud-Cabo de Hornos-Paso Richmond-Canal Beagle Este), and other desired information.

h.-
ADRESSES AT VALPARAÍSO - CHILE:

DIRECCIÓN DE SEGURIDAD y OPERACIONES MARÍTIMAS (PILOTING SERVICE OFFICE) CHANNEL PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION
Prat 681 - Valparaíso Condell 1530 Oficina 52 - Valparaíso
Phone: 56 (32)  2208451 Phone: 56 (32)  2234254
Fax:    56 (32)  2208497 Fax:    56 (32)  2234254
E-mail: jofpilotaje@directemar.cl E-mail: apacag1@gmail.com

 

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