PortFacilities
PORT FACILITIES
Lautoka Harbor (Figure I-3, Figure I-4, and Figure I-5) is situated behind Vio Island on the northwest coast of Vita Levu Island. Navy ships normally tie up at Queen's Wharf on the Main Face (West Face) or on the North Face. The Main Face (Figure I-6 and Figure I-7) and East Face (Figure I-8) are 459.3 ft (140 m) long. The North Face (FigureI-9) and South Face (Figure I-10 and Figure I-11) are 255.9 ft (78 m) long. Queen's Wharf was built in 1961 and is in excellent condition but will be extended in the near future to enhance its commercial activities. There are 8 bollards in good shape on the Main Face. Fendering (Figure I-12, Figure I-13, and Figure I-10) consists of hard rubber vertical fenders with a 32.8 ft (10 m) separation on the Main Face and hard rubber vertical fenders intermixed with hanging tubular rubber fenders on the North Face. No Yokohama fenders are available in the Port.The deck height is approximately 13.1 ft (4 m) for Queen's Wharf.
Although Queen's Wharf Main Face is only 459.3 ft (140 m) long, overhangs are allowable and there are dolphins situated off each end of the Wharf Main Face for mooring lines. As shown in Figure I-10, the Queen Elizabeth 2 tied up to the Main Face in 2001 and visited the Port on two other occasions. The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Wharf is south southwest of Queen's Wharf and is used solely for commercial purposes. It can be recognized because of a large conveyor system structure located near the seaward end of the FSC Wharf (Figure I-13). The maximum size vessel to enter the Port of Lautoka was the Canberra, 44,807 GRT, 820.3 ft (250 m) long, with a 34.1 ft (10.4 m) draft. The maximum draft permitted at low tide is 34.4 ft (10.5 m) on the Main Face and 22.9 ft (7 m) on the North Face. The East Face and South Face can only accommodate shallow draft vessels. The East Face is primarily used for small local cruise ships with drafts less than 13.1 ft (4 m).
Pilotage is compulsory in the Port of Lautoka and the Pilot boards at about 1 nmi seaward of Navula Passage, approximately 25 nmi south of the Port (17°56.2'S 177°11'E). In heavy weather, it may be necessary for a vessel to enter Navula Passage to embark or disembark the Pilot. There is no anchorage outside the Navula Passage. Lautoka Port Control should be contacted on VHF Channel 12 or 16. Vessels should send an ETA at least 48 hours in advance with a confirmation 24 hours in advance to the Deputy Port Master. A 24-hour listening watch is maintained. The working channels for Pilots and tugs are 14 and 17. Pilots are available Monday-Thursday 0800-1600, Friday 0800-1600, and on Saturday 0800-1200 Local Time. Other times require prior arrangements. A Government Commercial Company, Ports Terminal Limited, provides port services for both the Port of Lautoka and the Port of Suva. As of the site visit in November 2002, the Port Pilot is knowledgeable and communicates well in English. One Pilot is positioned in Lautoka but other Pilots can be transferred from Suva. Harvey Prajivan is the normal resident Pilot in Lautoka who can be reached at 679-665-1991/1992. One commercial tug is available with a rating of 2000 horsepower (Figure I-9). It is compulsory for vessels greater than or equal to 3000 GRT. Navy ships normally use two tugs and the second tug comes from Suva. As of the site visit to Lautoka in November 2002, the USDAO Representatives Matt Bragg and Mike Vaughn assist with all U. S. Navy ship visits. They are available thru email at vaughnmp@state.gov and braggmp@state.gov, or via phone (011-679-330-3002)/ fax (011-679-331-2603). The Lautoka Wharf Manager can be reached at (679) 662-944. Captain Harvey Prajivan, Supervisor of Pilots in Lautoka, is at (679) 665-1991/665-1992 or by cell phone at (679) 993-1327. The Port Master at Suva can be reached via phone at (679) 330-4998. An alternate phone number is (679) 312-700. The Maritime and Ports Authority of Fiji can be reached at (679) 312-700/311-302.
There are no dry docks or repair facilities for large vessels.
As of the Site Visit in November 2002, the Maritime and Ports Authority of Fiji plans to extend Lautoka Port, including increased berthing space, storage, and cargo-handling capacity. Extension of Queen's Wharf to the north to 492.2 by 137.8 ft (150 m by 42 m) is expected to start in 2003 and be finished in 2004.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/fiji/lautoka/text/sect2.htm
