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 River channel is currently maintained to a depth of 43 feet and a width of
600 feet. The Willamette River channel is 43 feet deep up to approximately river mile 2,
from that point the controlling depth is 40 feet.
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, vessels may be permitted to transit these rivers
with a maximum draft of 43 feet (13.1 meters). Although many berths also maintain
a 43-foot depth, others do not and may have considerably less water approaching or alongside
their docks. Prior to their port call, all vessels must verify via their agent
that adequate depths exist at those berths.
Deep-Draft Arrivals
As indicated in US Coast Pilot Volume 7, vessels with a fresh water draft of less than 36 feet
are generally able to transit the river at anytime.
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 as per NOAA tidal predictions. 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 hours at the river pilot station in Astoria).
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 as per NOAA tidal predictions. 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 hours at the river pilot station in Astoria).
Deep-Draft Sailings
Vessels may be permitted to sail with the maximum fresh water draft of 43 feet,
if river level, tide and conditions permit. Ships with a draft of 43 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.