Vessel Traffic Service

A VTS scheme is in operation for the control of shipping in the approaches to Table Bay. Reporting points are indicated on the chart. It is mandatory for certain vessels. See Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 6(3).

Notice of ETA required

ETA should be sent 96, 72 and 1 hour prior to arrival. See Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 6(3) and 1.43.

Outer anchorage

Vessels anchoring in Table Bay must do so in one of the designated anchorages which are numbered and indicated on the chart as follows (with positions relative to the castle (33°55′⋅5S, 18°25′⋅7E):

The holding in the anchorages in bad weather is unreliable and vessels at anchor should at all times have their main engines at short notice and be prepared to put to sea.

Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels entering, leaving or shifting berth within the docks and is available 24 hours. The pilot boards as indicated on the chart, about 11⁄2 miles N of Green Point (33°54′⋅0S, 18°24′⋅0E). See Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume6(3).

Pilot ladders

The ladder should include two clean 31⁄2 inch (9 cm) circumference manropes, free of knots, not nylon or other synthetic fibre, which are independently secured on either side above the top of the ladder.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Regulations concerning entry

Traffic separation scheme. A TSS the limits of which are indicated on the chart is situated in the approaches to Table Bay. This scheme is not IMO adopted. The South African authorities advise that the principles for the use of the scheme defined in Rule 10 of The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) apply.

Harbour

General layout

The harbour area fronts the city of Cape Town. Ben Schoeman Dock and Duncan Dock, together with Victoria Basin, are entered through a short channel, 21⁄2 cables wide, leading SSE from the TSS. The docks and basin are protected by breakwaters from which lights are exhibited.

Traffic signals

Traffic signals are exhibited above the Port Control tower (33°54′⋅2S, 18°25′⋅8E). They consist of three strips of coloured lights, which encircle the top of the tower, and are visible by day and night as follows:

Red strip controls Ben Schoeman Dock. Green strip controls Duncan Dock. Amber strip controls Victoria Dock.

When a ship is given permission to enter any dock the signal will be a series of flashes along the appropriate strip. To leave, the signal will be a fixed steady light in the appropriate colour. Signals may be exhibited one at a time only or in combinations.

When these signals are exhibited, no other vessel will be permitted to enter the approach channel between the Fairway Buoy and the dock entrances without the permission of the Port Control.

Natural conditions

Tidal stream. There is no perceptible tidal stream in Table Bay or off the adjacent coast.

Current. A current, which has been known to reach as much as 3 kn but which is usually 1⁄2 kn or less, sets N past Table Bay and Robbeneiland. However, during the winter months, when NW winds occur, a current sets into Table Bay from NW and impinges on the SE shore of the bay about the mouth of the Salt River Canal (33°54′⋅5S, 18°28′⋅4E). It divides into two streams, one sets N along

the coast and out between Robbeneiland and the coast W of Bloubergstrand and the other sets W along the Main Quay of Ben Schoeman Dock and the SW shore of the bay. A SW current with a rate of up to 2 kn may be encountered off Green Point at this time.

During the summer season it has been observed, particularly during strong SE winds, that a weak current sets round Mouille Point, SE into the bay and out abreast the coast W of Bloubergstrand.

Principal marks

Landmarks:

Building (33°48′⋅1S, 18°27′⋅8E).

Kanonkop (33°49′⋅6S, 18°36′⋅4E) 442 m in height and surmounted by a radio tower (red obstruction light).

Tierberg (33°51′⋅8S, 18°35′⋅5E) surmounted by radio masts (red obstruction lights). Port Control building (33°54′⋅2S, 18°25′⋅8E).

Signal Hill also known as Lions Rump, (33°55′⋅0S, 18°24′⋅3E).

Lions Head (33°56′⋅1S, 18°23′⋅4E), steep and conical. Tower at Groote Schuur Hospital (33°56′⋅5S, 18°27′⋅7E).

Buildings (33°56′⋅5S, 18°25′⋅7E), three circular blocks of flats.

Devil’s Peak (33°57′⋅3S, 18°26′⋅5E), is connected to the main range of mountains by a saddle.

Upper Station (33°57′⋅4S, 18°24′⋅2E).

Table Mountain. Maclear’s Beacon (33°58′⋅0S, 18°25′⋅6E) situated on the E part is the highest point. The mountain is frequently illuminated at night.

Twelve Apostles. Grootkop (33°59′⋅5S, 18°22′⋅6E) is the highest point. The Twelve Apostles is a high serrated mountainous ridge presenting a precipitous face to seaward, which extends SW for 4 miles from Upper Station (33°57′⋅4S, 18°24′⋅2E), and forms the NW face of Table Mountain complex.

Major lights:

Robben Island Light (33°48′⋅8S, 18°22′⋅5E) (9.190). Milnerton Light (white round concrete tower; 24 m in height) (33°52′⋅9S, 18°29′⋅2E).

Green Point Light (white square tower, red diagonal stripes, white cupola, 16 m in height) (33°54′⋅1S, 18°24′⋅0E).

Table Bay Docks Leading Light (rear) (33°55′⋅3S, 18°25′⋅8E) (9.190).

General information

Vessels under way in Table Bay should proceed with caution and avoid impeding the passage of other vessels embarking or disembarking pilots and entering or leaving the docks. At night the background scatter of shore lights makes it difficult to distinguish the navigation lights of other vessels.

Ships approaching the port at night or in restricted visibility should always keep their echo sounder and radar running. For lack of these precautions ships have in the past run ashore between Green Point and Mouille Point.

Pilot to breakwater

From the pilot boarding position about 11⁄4 miles WSW of the Fairway Light-buoy (33°51′⋅9S, 18°25′⋅4E), the track leads E, and SSE for about 3 miles, passing (with positions relative to the head of the breakwater (33°53′⋅9S, 18°26′⋅1E)):

S of the Fairway Light-buoy (safe water) (21⁄4 miles NW).

Thence the track leads SSE, passing:

Between No 1 and 2 Light-buoys (lateral) (8 cables N), thence:

WSW of No 8 Light-buoy (isolated danger) (6 cables ENE) marking a rocky shoal with a least depth of 11⋅2m over it.

Thence the track leads to a position between the end of the breakwater and No 4 Light-buoy (porthand) 3 cables E.

Directions for berths

Table Bay Docks Leading Lights. From a position between the end of the breakwater (33°53′⋅9S, 18°26′⋅1E) and No 4 Light-buoy (port hand), 3 cables E, the alignment (1981⁄2°) of the following lights leads into the approaches to the docks, and also directly into Duncan Dock:

Front light (grey mast) (33°54′⋅9S, 18°25′⋅9E). Rear light (grey building) (720 m from front light).

Ben Schoeman Dock Leading Lights Two pairs of leading lights (1311⁄2°) assist when berthing in Ben Schoeman Dock:

Front (pole) (33°55′⋅1S, 18°27′⋅3E). Rear (pole) (280 m from front light). Front (pole) (33°55′⋅1S, 18°27′⋅3E). Rear (pole) (315 m from front light).

Directions for leaving harbour

Berths to traffic separation scheme

From a position in the harbour entrance between the end of the breakwater and No 4 Light-buoy (port hand), the track leads NNW, passing (with positions relative to the head of the breakwater (33°53′⋅9S, 18°26′⋅1E)):

Between No 1 and 2 Light-buoys (lateral) (8 cables N).

Thence the track leads to a position NE of the Fairway Light-buoy (21⁄4 miles NW) where course is adjusted to follow the W-bound lane of the TSS to its termination and thereafter either the NE-bound or SW-bound lane as appropriate. The track passes:

S of Whale Rock (21⁄2 miles NNW), which has a depth of less than 2 m over it and a dangerous submerged wreck marked by a light-buoy (S cardinal), 3 cables SE of the rock. Both dangers are covered by the narrow red sector of Robben Island Light.

Documents

Customs:

1 Bonded Stores List (Form DA.5)

6 Crew Lists (Customs Department)

1 Report Inwards/Outwards for Ships (Form DA.1)

1 Last Port Clearance (Form DA3)

1 Transire–for a destination in the RSA (Form DA.4)

Port Authority:

1 Animal List

1 Bonded Stores List

1 Cargo Manifest

1 Crew Effects Declaration

2 Crew Lists

1 Derat (Exemption) Certificate

1 Last Port Clearance

1 Light Dues Certificate

1 Maritime Declaration of Health

1 Master’s Report

1 Medical Officer’s Certificate

1 Passenger List

1 Ports of Call List

1 Report Inwards (for Pilot)

1 Report Outwards

1 Ship’s Mail Declaration

1 Ship’s Register

1 Vaccination List