Transit Information
Pilotage Requirements
A State-licensed pilot is required on all foreign-flag vessels of any size or any
vessel carrying cargoes of foreign registry while transiting the Columbia and Willamette
Rivers.
The Channel
The Columbia and Willamette River channels are currently maintained to a depth of
40 feet and a width of 600 feet. A maintained depth of 43 feet on the Columbia River
is expected to be completed by 2010.
LOA And Beam Limits
There are no restrictions limiting the length or beam of vessels transiting the
Columbia or Willamette Rivers; however, certain slips, finger piers and face berths
may not be able to accommodate some ships. Check with those facilities you intend
to visit prior to your port call.
Air Draft Limits
Columbia River - Limiting air draft on the Columbia River is 198
feet (59.73 meters) at the Longview Bridge.
Willamette River - Limiting air draft on the Willamette River is 175 feet (53.33 meters) at the Fremont Bridge in Portland.
Willamette River - Limiting air draft on the Willamette River is 175 feet (53.33 meters) at the Fremont Bridge in Portland.
Maximum Draft
When tide and river levels permit, some vessels may be permitted to transit
these rivers with a maximum draft of 40 feet (12.2 meters). Although
many berths also maintain a 40-foot depth, others do not and may have considerably
less water approaching or alongside their docks. Deeper draft vessels must verify
prior to their port call that adequate depths exist at those berths.
Deep-Draft Arrivals
As indicated in the Coast Pilot, vessels with a fresh water draft of less than 36
feet are generally able to transit the river at anytime, except during periods of
extreme low tides or river levels. Vessels with a fresh water draft of 36 feet or
more must arrive two hours prior to high water in Astoria. This would require such
vessels to arrive at the sea buoy three and one-half hours prior to the high tide
listed in the Columbia River Pilots tide book. For example: if high tide occurs
at 1200 hours in Astoria, then vessels need to arrive at the CR buoy by 0830 hours
(allowing 1.5 hours to cross bar and arrive by 1000 at the river pilot station in
Astoria).
Deep-Draft Salings
Some vessels may be permitted to sail with the maximum fresh water draft of 40 feet,
if river level, tide and conditions permit. Ships with a draft 40 feet
may be subject to substantial delays while awaiting the proper tide and river levels
to be present during the transit and arrival at the bar.
Anchorages
Vessels must coordinate their anchorage needs with the Columbia River Pilots
dispatcher prior to their arrival.
Astoria Anchorage
Vessels arriving with a draft less than 23 feet (fresh water) may anchor in Astoria.
Vessels arriving with a draft exceeding 23 feet are not permitted to anchor in Astoria
but may dock at the Astoria Port Docks after contacting the Columbia River Bar Pilot
office or proceed to an adequate upriver anchorage.
Vessels bound for sea from upriver ports may be allowed to anchor in Astoria if necessary, provided that their draft is less than 23 feet and they arrive in Astoria on a proper tide. Tugboats may be required to assist outbound vessels that are anchoring in Astoria.
Vessels bound for sea from upriver ports may be allowed to anchor in Astoria if necessary, provided that their draft is less than 23 feet and they arrive in Astoria on a proper tide. Tugboats may be required to assist outbound vessels that are anchoring in Astoria.
Longview Anchorage
Vessels in ballast and less than 650 feet loa may anchor in Longview if space and
conditions permit. Loaded vessels or those over 650 feet loa will require a standby
at Longview and if space and river conditions permit.
Vancouver Anchorage
Vessels in ballast or partially loaded and less than 650 feet loa may anchor in
Vancouver if space and conditions permit. Fully loaded vessels or those over 650
feet loa will require a stern anchor buoy or a standby tug. The lower Vancouver
anchorage is limited to vessels in ballast and less than 600 feet loa.
Anchor buoys
There are currently two anchors buoys in the upper Vancouver anchorage. There is
no fee for using these buoys. Contact the Columbia River Pilots dispatcher for scheduling
of all buoys and anchorage availability.