EntranceChannel
ENTRANCE CHANNEL
The Port of La Paz is located on the southern end of Bay of La Paz on the western side of the Gulf of California (Figure IV-12). La Paz has an Entrance Channel that starts just south of Punta Prieta Light at 24°13'N 110°18.5'W and extends about 3.5 nmi south to the Commercial Pier at the City of La Paz. The channel is not restricted in any way but has two narrow areas. The channel is 0.25 nmi wide near the area marked on NIMA chart # 21125 as HOTEL near El Caimancito Rock and 0.18 nmi wide 0.3 nmi north of the Commercial Pier. No navigational range is present. The depths and distances found on chart #21125, reprinted in February 1994, are still valid. The maximum draft for vessels is 17 ft (5.18 m).
Winds from the northeast and east are the most dangerous to shipping in the channel. Additionally, the channel is difficult to navigate when winds from any direction are over 35 kt. Figure IV-13, Figure IV-14, Figure IV-15, FigureIV-16, and Figure IV-18) include a portion of NIMA chart # 21125 and four other charts that show details of the Channel leading to the Port of La Paz. Figure IV-17 and Figure IV-3 provide a view of the northern and southern portions of the La Paz Channel, respectively.
The normal direction of approach for the Port of Pichilingue is 0° with a channel entrance that is 2 nmi wide. The remainder of the channel to the Commercial Pier is 262.5-295.3 ft (80-90 m) wide. The distance from the channel entrance to the Commercial Pier is approximately 0.7 nmi. The Commercial Pier is not displayed on NIMA Chart # 21125 but according to the Pilots during the site visit in February 2002, the depths and distances within Pichilingue Bay are still valid. The maximum draft for a vessel in the channel is 30.3 ft (9.24 m). The minimum depth alongside the Commercial Pier is 32.8 ft (10 m). Figure IV-19 presents a portion of the NIMA chart showing Pichilingue Bay and Figure IV-20 provides a view of the Pichilingue Channel.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/mexico/lapazpic/text/sect3.htm
