GENERAL INFORMATION

Pilotage is compulsory for foreign-flag vessels and U.S. vessels under register in the foreign trade if drawing seven feet or more of water. Pilotage is optional for U.S. coastwise vessels that have on board a pilot licensed by the Federal Government. Palm Beach Pilots board vessels from a 31' gray-hulled, white-housed Pilot boat with the word "PILOT" on the house, in the vicinity of sea buoy "LW". Vessels should maintain a speed of 3-4 knots, with a ladder rigged on the lee side, 1 meter from the water. Pilots monitor VHF channel 16 and use channel 14 as a working frequency.

The tidal currents are strong at Lake Worth Inlet and must be carefully guarded against. Additionally, the northward flowing Gulfstream current can run up to 4 knots near the inlet entrance.

During conditions of strong northeasterly winds and/or large northeasterly swells, a strong southerly current of up to 6 knots can develop, and run across the inlet entrance. Extreme caution is advised when entering or departing under these conditions, especially at night, when gauging the direction and strength of the current is very difficult.

Due to the width of the deep-water channel leading to the Port of Palm Beach, it is considered to be one-way only for commercial traffic under most circumstances.

Large vessels entering the Port of Palm Beach may be restricted to slack water and daylight only. Inbound vessels transporting oil products will be restricted to 32' maximum draft and daylight high water slack only, with a third assist tug necessary under certain conditions. For all other large inbound deep-draft vessels, the maximum draft is 33' high water slack, daylight only. Large deep-draft outbound vessels drawing 30-33' can depart day or night, but at slack water only. All parameters are based on reasonable weather and normal tidal velocities. Any unusual or extreme conditions will warrant consideration and possible modification to these guidelines. The dredged cut is subject to shoaling, especially at the north side of the jetty entrance. See the top of this page for any draft restrictions due to shoaling.

Consultation with the Palm Beach Pilots Association is mandatory before scheduling the arrival or departure of deep-draft vessels at the Port, to obtain information on the amount and location of shoaling, updated draft restrictions, and expected dredging operations.

While the maximum LOA for vessels arriving at the Port of Palm Beach is generally 630', and the maximum beam is generally 95', larger vessels have arrived under certain conditions, such as, but not limited to:

Outside assist tug(s), strong bow thruster, light draft, exceptional maneuverability, or an empty slip may be required to allow for tug assistance.

A minimum of 50' of space is necessary between two vessels in the slip to facilitate tug assistance. As previously stated, consultation with the Palm Beach Pilots Association is mandatory prior to scheduling the arrival or departure of large vessels (defined as vessels with a LOA over 550', or with a beam over 85' or with a draft over 28').

Inbound vessels with loaded barges towed on a hawser are strongly recommended to be pushed "in the notch" due to strong currents and the restricted channel, with a minimum of one and possibly two assist tugs used, depending on the conditions. Inbound vessels with light barges towed on a hawser would be in considerable danger when using a towline of over 125' in length, due to the strong currents, the restricted channel, and the tight turn between day beacon #8 and buoy #7. Outbound vessels towed on a hawser should restrict the length of their towlines to 125' for the same reasons.

Large numbers of recreational boaters frequent the turning basin, the inner channel, the entrance channel, and areas just outside the inlet entrance at the Port of Palm Beach, especially on weekends and holidays. In addition, there are many commercial and private scuba dive boats drifting or anchored near the channel west of sea buoy "LW" with divers in the water. Large vessels must keep a sharp lookout and be prepared to alert the boaters with appropriate signals should they obstruct the channel. According the Port of Palm Beach Tariff, anchoring in the entrance channels or turning basin is prohibited and is strictly enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard Station Lake Worth.

It has been and will continue to be the decision of the Port of Palm Beach on what vessels will have priority and to which berths they will be assigned. We will continue to work with the staff at the Port of Palm Beach in order to fully utilize the Port. Please contact the Port and the Pilots for further information before considering vessels for charter within the parameters specified above.

Security calls on VHF Channel 16, 14 and 78A (monitored by most commercial scuba dive boats in the area) are strongly recommended prior to entering or departing the Port of Palm Beach. The Port Security must be contacted on channel 16 prior to entering or departing the Port of Palm Beach.

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