PortFacilities
PORT FACILITIES
La Paz has one small cruise ship "T" shaped dock located within the Inner La Paz Harbor (Figure IV-6). Only small USCG ships normally tie up at this dock. The Port of Pichilingue is recommended for all larger military vessels. The Commercial Pier is 213 ft (65 m) long and has a design depth of 14.8 ft (4.5 m) alongside. The deck height is 9.8 ft (3 m). The pier is made of structural steel and concrete and the bollards have a designed breaking force of 100 metric tons. The pier is in superb condition and was renewed five years ago, but ships at this dock are susceptible to strong winds. Strong plastic fenders are attached to the Dock.
The main facilities in the Port of Pichilingue are located approximately 0.7 nmi north of Isla San Juan Nepomuceno's tip. The Commercial Dock at the Cruise Ship and Multiple Use Terminal is not shown on NIMA chart # 21125 (reprinted February 1994) but is shown in Figure IV-7, Figure IV-8, Figure IV-9, and Figure IV-10. The Commercial Dock is 656 ft (200 m) long and has a depth of 32.8 ft (10 m) alongside. The area near the Pier was dredged four years ago. The deck height is 8.2 ft (2.5 m). The pier is made of structural steel and concrete and the bollards have a designed breaking force of 100 metric tons. Tractor tires are used for fendering (Figure IV-11). The Commercial Dock in the Port of Pichilingue is recommended for all Navy vessels visiting the La Paz/Pichilingue area.
The Commercial Fishing Dock and Commercial Fishing Pier are located at the northern end of Pichilingue Bay but are not normally used for Navy or Coast Guard ships. The Commercial Fishing Dock is 820.3 ft (250 m) long and has a depth of 23 ft (7 m) alongside. The deck height is 6.6 ft (2 m). The Commercial Fishing Pier is 278.9 ft (85 m) long and has a depth of 19.7 ft (6 m) alongside. The deck height is 8.2 ft (2.5 m). According to the Pilots during the site visit in February 2002, visiting U.S. Navy or Coast Guard ships do not tie up at these locations.
Pilotage is mandatory in the Port of La Paz. The Pilots and the Port Authority (Administracion Portuaria Integral de Baja California Sur - APIBCS) should be contacted on VHF Channel 16. The pilot may then switch to a working frequency. The Pilot and Port Authority should be contacted 24 hours prior to arrival. Their office hours are from 8 am to 4 pm daily. Email address is apibcs@prodigy.net.mx and phone number is 011-52-612-122-7777/Cell 044-612-105-3591/Fax 011-52-612-122-7778. No tug service is available in La Paz or in the Port of Pichilingue. For entry to La Paz the Pilot boards about 1.1 nmi west-southwest of the channel entrance at 24°12.7'N 110°19.6'W. For Pichilingue, The Pilot boards about 1.5 nmi west of the Pichilingue Bay entrance at 24°15.3'N 110°21.2'W. Except for emergencies, visiting U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships enter and leave during daylight hours. The husbanding agent is normally present for ship visits to La Paz and Pichilingue. As of the site visit to La Paz/Pichilingue in February 2002, Mr. Arturo Musi assists with all U. S. Navy and USCG ship visits. He is available via email at jmusi@balandra.vabes.mx or via phone (011-52-612-124-0338)/(011-52-612-124-0324)/cell phone (011-52-612-126-1956)/fax (011-52-612-124-0956).
Ship repair facilities exist only for small craft in La Paz/Pichilingue and dry docks are available in La Paz for small vessels up to 60 tons.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/mexico/lapazpic/text/sect2.htm
