AVATIU, incl. Avarua, Rarotonga: 21° 12′ S. 159° 47′ W.
OVERVIEW: Avatiu is a small enclosed general cargo port with two berths.
Traffic figures: 100,000t of cargo handled annually.
LOCATION: Avatiu is located on the northern side of Rarotonga in position 21°12’S 159°47’W
CHARTS: New Zealand Chart No. 9558 – Rarotonga and the Port of Avatiu
PORT LIMITS: From where longitude 159o 47.8’ W crosses the coast northwards for 0.5 nautical miles, thence eastwards to a point 0.5 nm north from where longitude 159o 47.6’ W crosses the coast and along that line to the coast
DOCUMENTS:
Health:
v International Maritime Declaration of Health.
v 1 Passenger List.
v 1 Crew List.
Customs and Immigration:
v 2 Manifests of Cargo showing weight or measurement (basis on which freight calculated).
v 2 Crew Lists.
v 2 Passenger Lists (landing and transit).
v Each disembarking passenger to complete a landing card and baggage declaration.
v Clearance from Last Port.
Agent:
v 5 Manifests of Cargo.
v 1 Crew List.
v 1 Passenger List.
CERTIFICATES: Certificates will be required if a Port State Control Inspection is undertaken
ISPS COMPLIANCE: Avatiu is an ISPS compliant Port. Vessels are to advise ETA at least 48 hours prior to arrival, updated 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival. At 48 hours vessels are to provide a crewlist and a list of the last 10 Ports visited to the Harbourmaster
MAXIMUM VESSEL SIZE: No restrictions at the roadstead. Vessels wishing to enter the harbour are restricted to LOA 90 m and a draft of 5.8 m, unless permission is granted by the Harbour Master; this restriction is due to the size of the turning basin. Larger highly manoeuvrable vessels have used the Port, either doing a stern-board approach into or reverse out of the Port. There is also an air-draft restriction of 24.0 m., subject to certain aircraft movements.
DENSITY: 1025.
RESTRICTIONS: The Port operates for vessel movements from Sunrise to Sunset and is only open for movements outside these times at the Harbourmaster’s discretion. Anchorage, in 25 fathoms, is well defined on chart NZ9558.
BRIDGES: N/A
ARRIVAL: Vessels arriving from overseas requiring free pratique should, not later than 12 hours and not earlier than 24 hours before arrival, inform the port Health Officer/Inspector of the following by radio:
v Ports of call during the past 15 days (inclusive)
v Particulars of all infectious disease onboard including any in which there has been recovery from, in the 7 days prior to arrival.
Other vessels will be required to proceed to anchor until Customs Immigration and Quarantine visit the ship.
APPROACHES: Avatiu harbour is entered with Avatiu Harbour leading lights in line, bearing 193o. The front leading mark (white metal beacon, surmounted by an orange triangle, point up 9m in height, fixed blue light at night), stands on a wharf at the head of the harbour
The rear leading mark (white beacon, surmounted by an orange triangle, point down 12m in height, fixed blue light at night), is situated 50m S of the front light.
It is advisable during the approach to pass through the reef to keep E of the leading line to allow for the normally West setting current.
PILOTAGE: Not compulsory at present, however, a Pilot is available. Arrange through vessel’s Agent at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Pilot boards from 10.5 m aluminium tug ”Toa”. Tug equipped with VHF Channels 6, 12, 14 and 16. Pilot normally boards 0.50 miles off entrance to Avatiu on the line of leads.
ANCHORAGES: Between longitudes 149o 46.9’ and 149o 46.3’ West along the 30 metre depth contour shown on Chart NZ9558. Prevailing wind is SE and the anchorage area is safe except in some instances when wind and/or sea are fresh from NW through NE. 4-5 shackles of cable in the water has been found the most satisfactory in normal circumstances.
PRATIQUE: See arrival information above
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Coastal Radio Station, Radio Rarotonga Call sign Echo Five Romeo (E5R) who maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16, 2182 and 4125 KHz
VHF: Harbour Master has VHF for communication between vessel and office on Channels 12, 13 and 16. Listening watch on Channel 16 between the hours 0800–1600 (local time) from Monday to Friday. Harbour Master can be contacted after hours by arrangement through vessel’s Agent or Coast Station “E5R”.
TUGS: Small tug available (4.5 ton bollard pull) to assist with mooring. Tugs name is TOA and uses VHF Channel 14 for communication
Avatiu: Vessels berth port or starboard side too as may be necessary. Inner Overseas Berth, length 128 m having a depth alongside of 4.5 m below MSL. Outer Overseas berth, length 135 m having a maximum depth alongside of 6.0 m. below MSL. Swinging basin for vessels not over 95 m. in length. Draft 5.5 m.
MOORING: No Special Requirements
BULK CARGO FACILITIES: N/A
CONTAINER FACILITIES: Vessels must use own cranes for discharge. MHE available shore side are three forklifts of 15, 25 and 40 tonne capacities. Terminal Operator is Cook Islands Ports Authority, PO Box 84 Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Email, info@ports.co.ck; Phone +682 21921 and Fax +682 21191
CRUISE FACILITIES: Cruise ships normally anchor in the roads and ferry passengers ashore by tender No special facilities available, however a landing has been established for cruise ship tenders. Cruise ships up to 120 metres in length have berthed in the Port, by arrangement with the Harbour Master.
SPECIALISED CARGO FACILITIES: N/A
TANKER FACILITIES: Small tankers from Fiji, using ship’s 150 mm hose for discharge. The oil shore manifold is sited at the Northern corner of No. 1 shed in Avatiu Harbour.
LPG/LNG FACILITIES: LPG is piped directly from the ship to the bulk terminal.
HOSES: Ships provide own hoses
CARGO OPERATIONS: Are conducted as required by the shipping company. Normal hours are 0800 to 1600 Mon to Fri and 0800-1200 Sat. However work is undertaken outside these hours by arrangement
CRANES: One 50 tonne and one 25 tonne mobile crane available
CARGO HANDLING FACILITIES: see container facilities above for details
STEVEDORES: Arranged by Ship’s Agent.
CARGO GEAR: Ship’s gear for discharging and loading and see container facilities above for details of MHE.
HATCHES: By crew or stevedores to vessel’s convenience.
BALLAST: Ballast is not permitted to be pumped overboard within the Port limits, however ballast may be taken on in the Port Limits. No ballast reception facilities available
POLLUTION: Swift action is taken against all forms of pollution and a pollution control plan is in force for the port
WASTE DISPOSAL: Collection service available by arrangement with the Ports Authority.
SLOPS DISPOSAL: Very limited slops disposal by arrangement with Ports Authority.
MEDICAL: Medical and hospital facilities available. International vaccinations/inoculations required depending on prior ports of call.
FRESH WATER: Available at berth.
FUEL: Automotive diesel distillate available for delivery by trucks and can be arranged through agent. Due to limited storage facilities, as much notice as possible should be provided.
SHIP SHORE SERVICES: There are no ship-to-shore services available as a regular daily schedule. However, there are occasions when vessels are anchored off Avatiu Harbour or in the `Roads’ requests boat transport and this is provided by the small tug of the Ports Authority after application by the Shipping Agent for its services.
STORING: Storing is available by truck to the wharf after the truck has been searched and cleared at the main gate. Forklift trucks and local riggers can be used to assist with storing. Arrangements for storing can be made through the local agent. Vessel at anchor can be stored by boat.
SERVICES: Very limited in nature
NEAREST DRY DOCK: Nearest docking facilities available in Papeete French Polynesia and Auckland New Zealand
REPAIRS: Only minor repairs possible such as welding and repairs to pumps and other auxiliaries.
SURVEYORS: N/A
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE: Ring exchange operator or dial 999 (Police), 998 (Ambulance) or 996 (Fire).
EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTRE: N/A
WATCHMEN: Not necessary and shore gangway is available
PIRACY: N/A
STOWAWAYS: N/A
REGULATIONS: N/A
TIME: GMT minus 10 hours throughout the year.
LOCAL HOLIDAYS: Cargo cannot be worked on any Sunday or on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Other Holidays: Boxing Day (26th December); New Year’s Day; Easter Monday; ANZAC Day (25th April); Queen’s Birthday (1st Monday in June); Constitution Celebrations (4th Monday in July).
WEATHER/TIDES: Port is exposed to northerly winds and sea. On occasion with continuous Northerly winds, the Port may be closed to traffic and vessels in Port will be ordered to clear the Port. This situation rarely arises. Prevailing wind is East to South East, stronger during winter months. Cyclone season runs from end of October to the end of April and vessel should always be at 4 hours notice for sea or less in this period. Harbour is cleared of all traffic on the approach of a cyclone
DELAYS: Normally there is no delay in berthing. Only reason for delay would be another vessel occupying the berth.
CONSULS: France, New Zealand and United Kingdom are represented.
TELEPHONES: Telephone available at Wharf Gate for emergency services. Mobile phones available for hire through Telecom
NEAREST AIRPORT: Rarotonga International Airport is 1 mile away.
BANKS:
v Westpac Banking Corporation; Ph +682 22014; Fax +682 20802; email westpaccookislands@westpac.com.au
v ANZ Banking Group Ltd; Ph +682 21750; Fax +682 21760; email anzcooks@anz.com
CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES:
v Tobacco Allowance: 200 cigarettes, or half pound tobacco or 50 cigars.
v Wine and/or Spirit Allowance: Allowance is 1 opened bottle of either wine or spirits, or a reasonable quantity of beer per person, for consumption on board. Under no circumstances may any wines, spirits or beer be brought ashore.
REPATRIATION: Confined to repatriation of crew landed for hospitalisation.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS: All crew are required to have photographic identity provided by the company. The ship is to provide the gatehouse with a crew list prior to allowing shore leave and persons without ID and not on the crew list will be refused entry to the Port.
SEAMANS CLUBS: None.
GENERAL: Bananas available at times. Green vegetables are sometimes difficult to obtain. Oranges, lemons, mandarins available March-August, pineapples November-February.
DEVELOPMENTS: The port is being developed in the period 2008 to 2010 to cater for larger ships. On completion ships up to 125 metres in length and a 7.0 metre draft will be able to use the harbour.
AGENCY: Ships agents as follows:
v Matina Travel; PO Box 54 Rarotonga; Ph +682 21780; Fax +682 24780; email sale@matinatravel.co.ck
v Hawaii Pacific Maritime; PO Box 435 Rarotonga; Ph +682 27185; Fax +682 27186; email hipacmar@oyster.net.ck
v Express Cook Islands Line; PO Box 378 Rarotonga; Ph +682 25193; Fax +682 25194; email shipping@xcil.co.ck
v Pacific Forum Line; Avatiu Wharf Rarotonga; Ph +682 20735; Fax +682 20734; email pflraro@oyster.net.ck
v Cruise Cook Islands; PO Box 102, Aitutaki; Ph +682 31818; Fax +682 31816; email mike@cruisecookislands.com
AUTHORITY:
v Ministry of Transport; PO Box 61, Rarotonga; Ph +682 28810; Fax +682 28816; email: transport@cookislands.gov.ck Contact: Ned Howard, Director of Marine.
v Ports Authority; PO Box 84, Rarotonga; Ph +682 21921; Fax: +682 21191; email: info@ports.co.ck
v Harbourmaster; PO Box 84, Rarotonga; Ph +682 28814; email hbrmstr@oyster.net.ck