Ship handling Guidelines for Port Everglades and Port Dania

Revised: June 20, 2006

The items below are guidelines for average conditions and are subject to the existing circumstances and conditions at the time of any vessel movement.  If there is any doubt in any instance, the pilots should be consulted as far in advance of the intended vessel movement as possible.  The intent of any restriction imposed is to maintain the highest degree of safety while looking to make the most efficient use of all the port's facilities.

Port Everglades 

1.  Vessels with drafts of 40 feet to a maximum of 42 feet shall enter on a rising tide.

2.  Draft restrictions at all berths are to be determined by the Harbormaster based upon the most recently reported soundings.

3.  All by-pass jobs anywhere in the port will be considered on a case by case basis with the following restrictions specifically addressed:

1. Ships in Berth 14 will not bypass ships in Berth 15.
2. Vessels in excess of 675 feet will not routinely bypass aircraft carriers in berths 24-27.
3. All vessels bypassing aircraft carriers in berths 24/25 will require prior approval.
4. Aircraft carriers in berths 24-29 are to be on notice and be able to tend their spill booms on request for the safe passage of other vessels.
5. When bypassing Panamax vessels at berths 24-29, vessels above 800 feet LOA will require sufficient tug capacity as specified by the pilot and may be restricted to not being maneuvered at maximum currents and/or during observed winds in excess of 20 knots.
6. Further restrictions may be required when bypassing Post-Panamax  vessels (greater than 106 ft beam) at berths 24-29 on a case by case basis with considerations given to vessel configurations and prevailing conditions.
7. Tug assistance may be required on passenger vessels bypassing vessels moored in Berths 24-29 as conditions require.

4.  Propane barges will not enter port if conditions are such that an assist tug cannot make up to the barge before entering the channel.

5.  It is recommended that vessels leave 35 feet of clearance from the corner of all berths.

6.  When there is less than 140 feet of berthing space over and above the LOA of a vessel to be berthed between two other vessels or a vessel and a bulkhead, additional tugs, slack water and/or other constraints may be required on a case by case basis.

7.  When the combined beam of vessels occupying and berthing in any of slips 1, 2, or 3 are in excess of 190 feet, additional tugs, specific tugs, slack water and/or other constraints may be required on a case by case basis.

8.  When the combined beams of vessels occupying and berthing in Berths 33A and 33B are in excess of 145 feet, additional tugs, specific tugs, slack water and/or other constraints may be required on a case by case basis.

9.  Vessels berthing in Slips 1, 2, or 3 with beams exceeding 106 feet may restrict the use of the slips by other vessels on a case by case basis.

Port Dania - East Basin

1.  All vessels must have adequate wheelhouse visibility.
Note:  On the inbound transit of the Gulfstream Express (proceeding stern first), containers are not to be loaded three high on the port and starboard extremities without prior pilot approval.

2.  The channel in the area south of the Port Laudania east-west dock and the fuel dock must be sufficiently clear.

3.  All assist tugs are to be approved by the pilots.

4.  For vessels utilizing the Port Laudania turning basin:

1. A vessel with a draft of less then 10'-06" may transit at any time the state of the tide is at or above mean lower low water.
2.  vessel with a draft of 10'-06" to a maximum of 12'-00" should transit within one hour of high water.

5.  For vessels utilizing the east-west dock on Port Laudania and not entering the turning basin:

1. A vessel with a draft less than 11'-00" may transit at any time the state of the tide is at or above mean lower low water.
2. A vessel with a draft of 11'-00" to 12'-00" should transit when the state of the tide during the entire Dania transit is at least one foot above mean lower low water.
3. A vessel with a draft greater than 12'-00" to a maximum of 13'-00" should transit within one hour of high water, provided the high tide provides at least two extra feet above mean lower low water.

6.  Vessels with an LOA of 200 feet should transit during daylight and within one hour of slack water.  NOTE:  The slack water restriction is specifically relaxed for the Gulfstream Express.  It should transit not within one hour of maximum current.

Port Dania - West Basin

1.  Items 1-3 (except Notes) from the East Basin also apply.

2.  Vessels with a draft of 10'-00" to a maximum of 11'-00" should transit within one hour of high water.

3.  Vessels with an LOA of 180' or more should transit during daylight and within one hour of slack water.  NOTE:  This requirement is specifically relaxed for the Capt Johnny 1, provided all navigational equipment is in good working order.