5. Arrival plan

BARCELONA

Pic. 5 – Barcelona harbour

Position

Puerto de Barcelona (41°21′N 2°10′E) fronts the city of Barcelona which is the capital of the province of Cataluña and the largest city and port on this coast.

Function

It is a major commercial harbour and container hub, equipped to handle all types of cargo. It is a regular port of call for cruise ships.

Approach and entry

The port is approached either from S, entering at the S end of the E mole, Dique del Este, or from SE to enter at the N end of the E mole.

Local weather and current

In winter, winds from NE to SE are accompanied by rain, and, if strong, send in a heavy sea. Gales from the S, though not frequent, cause much damage in the roads and port, however, both are somewhat sheltered should the wind be from W of SW.

During winter, the wind is likely to change its direction very suddenly causing a cross swell and sea at the anchorages, which is dangerous to small boats.

Arrival information

Notice of ETA required

Notice of ETA should be given 24 hours in advance. The mariners’ attention is drawn to Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 6(3) concerning Barcelona Access Channel and Anchorage Control.

Anchorages

North Anchorage Reserved is a designated area for dangerous cargoes lying E of the port; its limits can be seen on the charts

South Anchorage Reserved is a designated area for non-dangerous cargoes lying SE of the port; its limits can be seen on the chart.

Anchoring and trawling is prohibited in an area S, E and NE of the port as shown on the charts; a submarine gas pipeline and submarine cables are laid in the area.

Entry Prohibited Area is established between the Approach Channel and the shore W; its limits are shown on the charts.

Pilotage and tugs

Pilotage is compulsory and available 24 hours. The pilot vessel is painted black with a white letter P on both sides. The pilot boarding position (41°18′⋅2N 2°11′⋅0E) for S entrance is about 2 miles SSE from the head of Dique del Este and vessels should not approach within 1 mile of the head of Dique del Este unless advised to do so by the pilot station.

For the N entrance, Bocana Norte, the pilot boards about 1 mile SE from the entrance in the in-bound traffic lane. Tugs are available.

Harbour

General layout

The harbour consists of a series of basins aligned NNE/SSW extending for about 31⁄2 miles and protected to the E by a series of moles and breakwaters. There are two entrances facing approximately S; the deep-water entrance is towards the S end of the complex and a shallower entrance leads in to the N basins.

Port Vell, in Darsena del Comercio at the N end of the Inner Harbour, is a marina.

Development. Work is in progress (2004) to extend the harbour SSW. Dique del Este is being extended about 11⁄4miles farther S/SSE and a deep-water basin with extensive hard standing is being developed SW of the new head of this mole.

Hazards

In fine weather, especially in summer, variable currents can be experienced in the harbour which not only hamper a vessel when berthing but can also produce considerable alterations in depths both within the harbour and alongside the wharfs.

When berthing in strong winds caution is necessary because manoeuvring space is limited.

Speed limit

A speed limit of 4 kn is in force within the harbour.

Natural conditions

Flow. A current, which is much influenced by the wind, sets parallel to the shore in the vicinity of the harbour. The predominant set is SW with a rate of 1⁄2 kn; an onshore set of up to 1 kn is possible.

Principal marks

Landmarks:

Río Llobregat Lighthouse (41°19′⋅6N 2°09′⋅2E).

Montaña de Montserrat (41°36′N 1°49′E).

Montaña de Montseny (41°46′N 2°26′E) is easily identified when approaching Barcelona from E. Its rocky summit is snow covered for much of the year.

Torre Collserola (a television tower) (41°25′⋅5N 2°07′⋅2E).

Castillo de Montjuich (41°22′N 2°10′E) stands on the summit of a hill which presents a sheer reddish rock face towards the sea. A watch tower stands on the E wall of the castle.

Montjuich Lighthouse (tower on red brick building) standing on the SE side of the hill 11⁄2 cables S of the castle above.

Torre de San Sebastián (41°22′⋅5N 2°11′⋅3N) standing at a height of 80 m on Muelle Nuevo and Torre de San Jaime, standing at a height of 115 m on Muelle de Barcelona, 31⁄2cables SW, are two conspicuous framework towers connecting an aerial railway with a vertical clearance of 61 m.

Hotel Les Arts and Torre Mapfre (41°23′⋅3, 2°11′⋅9E) standing close together are conspicuous approaching from E.

Major lights:

Río Llobregat Light (41°19′⋅6N 2°09′⋅2E) (3.190). Montjuich Light — as above.

Directions for entering harbour

South entrance

The track leads NNW to the S entrance, passing (with positions from the S head of Dique del Este (41°18′⋅9N 2°10′⋅6E)):

Clear of Sierra Light-buoy (safe water) (13⁄4miles SSE) (3.225), thence:

Between the head of Dique del Este (under construction 2004) and the NE head of the mole to the W. Thence:

As required for the allocated berth.

Useful marks: Light (green tower on concrete base, 5 m in height) on the W head of a spur extending W from a position 11⁄2 cables N of the head of Dique del Este.

Light (red round tower white band at base, 4 m in height) on the N elbow of Muelle de Inflamables.

Documents

Required 24 hours before arrival:

1 Crew List

2 Waste Declarations

The following documents are required on arrival:

1 Cargo Manifest

2 Crew Effects Declarations

3 Crew Lists

3 Passengers List

3 Provisions Lists