Port Update
Northern California
March 12, 2025
Notices
SAN FRANCISCO PORT UPDATE:
PINOLE SHOALS –
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Attached are the Moran Shipping Pinole Shoal Tide /Draft chart of current and the next month for planning.
Pinole Shoal Channel is currently 33.4 FT at MLLW FW draft restricted for 30.4 FT FW with 3 FT UKC requirement. Maximum draft for transiting Pinole Shoal Channel will be calculated on the height of the tide one hour on either side of high water at Pinole Point. It will be based on brackish water draft (1.010) allowing for 2’ UKC for non-tank vessels, and 3’ UKC for all tank vessels on the latest controlling depth.
SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND CBP has noted the following for non-passenger vessels:
• Office hours 0830-1530. Officers may not be available to process any formalities including vessel Entrance/Clearance outside these times.
Due to new immigration laws and Executive order, crew without US Visa are no longer permitted to disembark/repatriate from the port. Paroles are no longer being approved. Also, medical paroles are not guaranteed, on a case by case basis, and may take several days if approved.
USCBP Oak is also requiring safeguard (8 hour minimum) for crew with visa who are disembarking.
STATE OF CALIFONRIA – COVID
Currently there are no restrictions for crew regarding Covid.
National Terrorism Advisory System:
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The National Terrorism Advisory System is (MARSEC Level I) for the Port of San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, Rodeo, Crockett, Benicia, Martinez, Stockton, Sacramento.
UKC POLICY
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The minimum static under keel clearance (UKC) for any piloted vessel anywhere on the pilotage grounds shall be as follows:
i. Two feet for non-tank vessels.
ii. Three feet for tank vessels requiring a tug escort.
iii. Three feet for loaded anhydrous ammonia vessels.
CURRENT MAXIMUM DRAFTS AT OIL TERMINALS:
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SFO
RICHMOND – CHEVRON LONG WHARF
4 berths - Brackish water updated NOV 2023 The following allow are calculated basis depth + 2’ UKC
****The maneuvering area is the prime restriction for arriving/departing CRLW****
RESTRICTED MANEUVERING AREA at MLLW – ALLOWING FOR 2’ UKC
RCH RLW 1 36.0
RCH RLW 2 37.5
RCH RLW 3 36.1’
RCH RLW 4 38.4’
MAX DRAFTS
RCH RLW 1 47.8’
RCH RLW 2 37.9’
RCH RLW 3 37.8’
RCH RLW 4 47.9’
RODEO – Phillips66 - Fresh wáter
Phillips 66 requires 2 feet of under keel clearance at all times while alongside
US RD3 41.5’
US RD4 41.0’
SELBY / CROCKETT – Nustar Energy - Fresh water
US RD8 46.0’
MARTINEZ – 4 terminals – 6 berths
PBF Energy (used to be SHELL) – 2 berths – Fresh wáter
US MRZ 2 (SHELL 2 - LOAD) 40’8”
US MRZ 3 (SHELL 1 - DISC) 39’7”
TransMontaigne – US MRZ 6 – Fresh Water
With the required 2ft under-keel clearance (UKC), maximum draft allowed alongside MRZ6 is now 34.0 feet
BENICIA
Valero Refinery – BNC 4 – Fresh water (Feb 2025 sounding)
US BNC 4 – 36.3’ FRESH (MLLW) - Max draft stated includes minimum 1 foot under keel clearance.
SF BRIDGE CLEARANCES
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San Francisco has 7 area bridges as follows:
Golden Gate Bridge – (entering SF Bay)
MHW / MLLW
225.0 FT / 231.0 FT
San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge – (San Francisco/Oakland/Alameda/Redwood)
A B SPAN - MHW / MLLW
204.0 FT / 210.0 FT
B C SPAN - MHW / MLLW
220.0 FT / 226.0 FT
C D SPAN - MHW / MLLW
220.0 FT / 226.0 FT
D E SPAN - MHW / MLLW
204.0 FT / 210.0 FT
San Mateo Bridge – (San Francisco/Oakland/Alameda/Redwood)
MHW / MLLW
135.0 FT / 141.0 FT
Richmond/San Rafael Bridge – (Richmond/Rodeo) WEST/MAIN SPAN - MHW / MLLW
185.0 FT / 190.0 FT
Carquinez Bridge – (Selby/Crockett)
UPSTREAM
NORTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
146.0 FT / 152.0 FT
SOUTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
134.0 FT / 139.0 FT
DOWNSTREAM
NORTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
146.0 FT / 152.0 FT
SOUTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
134.0 FT / 140.0 FT
Martinez/Benicia (Union Pacific RR) Bridge – (Benicia/Martinez)
MHW / MLLW
135.0 FT / 140.0 FT
Antioch Bridge – (Pittsburgh/Antioch)
132.0 FT – over 132’ need to confirm with pilots
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
SAN FRANCISCO, CA WEATHER FORECAST:
Today
Rain, mainly after 11am. High near 58. Windy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 29 to 34 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 45. South southwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday
Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night
Rain after 11pm. Low around 46. West northwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west southwest 6 to 11 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
Rain. High near 58. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 17 to 22 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night
A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of rain after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Sunday Night
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Monday Night
A chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday
A slight chance of rain. Sunny, with a high near 61.
