LOCAL KNOWLEDGE - Shig April 2024

Question 1

d

Pilotage Requirements

Answer 1

Local Port Tariffs require vessels of greater than 300 gross tons to use
a federally-licensed pilot whenever navigating inside the breakwater. If declining a Jacobsen or LA pilot, the master shall obtain
prior permission from the United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

Question 2

The master of a vessel at anchor shall implement the following Standards of Care:

Answer 2

1. Check frequently to ensure the vessel is not dragging anchor.
2. When winds are forecasted and/or observed at 35 knots or greater in the AOR (including
   wind gusts), vessels shall ensure their propulsion plant is placed in immediate standby and a 2nd anchor, if installed, is made ready to let go.
3. VTS will not assign an anchorage in the first row of the Golf and Foxtrot anchorages (G–1 through G-3 and F–1 through F–4) to tankers or vessels 200 meters length overall or
   greater.
4. VTS will not assign anchorage G-6 to vessels 300 meters length overall or greater.
5. Golf-1 and Foxtrot-1 anchorages are established as “bail out” anchorages and only used for emergency purposes (including tankers and vessels 200 meters length overall or greater, dependent on vessels’ draft).
6. Sierra Foxtrot anchorages are designated for deep draft vessels and vessels engaged in hull cleaning operations.
7. Deep draft vessels 15.2 meters (50 feet) or greater that do not require a Sierra Foxtrot anchorage due to their draft will be assigned to anchorages F-11 through F-16.
   Anchorage assignments will be assigned from South to North dependent on the vessels’ draft and anchorage availability.

Question 3

Speed Limits

Answer 3

Tank Vessels:
Precautionary area (approach to port): 12.0 kts
Between the seaward limits of the applicable tank vessel escort zone and anywhere inside the
Federal Breakwater (except where lower speed limits apply):
Displacements less than 60,000 metric tons: 8.0 kts
Displacements of 60,000 metric tons and more: 6.0 kts
Other than Tank Vessels:
Precautionary area (approach to port):*12.0 kts *
Long Beach (LB Port Tariff):
Within the Main Channel between the breakwater entrance and
light 6: 10.0 kts
Everywhere else in the harbor: 6.0 kts
Los Angeles (LA Port Tariff):
Outer Harbor (between the breakwater and Reservation Point) if draft greater than
1.5 meters: 10.0 kts
West Channel, Fish Harbor, marinas, yacht anchorage: 4.4 kts
Everywhere else in the harbor: *6.0 kts *

Question 4

What is PORTS?

Answer 4

Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System
PORTS is a system of environmental sensors and supporting telemetry equipment that gathers and
disseminates accurate “real time” information on tides, visibility, winds, currents and sea swell to
maritime users, to assist in the safe and efficient transit of vessels in a port area. The PORTS
system in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach consists of 12 stations.

Question 5

When operating on the Navigable Waters of the United States (12 nautical milesfrom the baseline),
the following vessel categories must monitor VHF FM Channel 13:

Answer 5

• power-driven vessels 20m or longer,
• vessels 7.9m or longer with tows,
• vessels of 100 gross tons or more carrying one or more passengers for hire,
• vessels certified for 150 passengers or more for hire, and
• dredge and floating plants operating in or near a fairway or channel.

Question 6

Tides

Answer 6

• The mean range of tide is 3.8’ for Los Angeles Harbor and 3.7’ for Long Beach Inner and Outer Harbors.
• The diurnal range is about 5.4’ for both harbors
• a range of 9’ may occur at maximum tide. The time of tide is about the same for both harbors.

Question 7

Currents

Answer 7

The tidal currents follow the axis of the channels and rarely exceed one knot.
The LA/LB Harbors are subject to seiche and surge, with the most persistent and conspicuous oscillation having about a one-hour period. Near Reservation Point, the prominent hourly surge
causes velocity variations as great as one knot. These variations often overcome the lesser tidal current, so that the current ebbs and flows at half–hour intervals. The more-restricted channel usually causes the surge through the Back Channel to reach a greater velocity at the east end of
Terminal Island, rather than west of Reservation Point. In the Back Channel, hourly variation may be 1.5 knots or more. At times the hourly surge, together with shorter, irregular oscillations, causes a very rapid change in water height and current direction/velocity, which may endanger
vessels moored at the piers.

Question 8

UKC Requirements

Answer 8

1. Port of Los Angeles:
a. Between the Los Angeles Approach Channel Lighted Buoy #1 and the Los Angeles
Main Channel Buoy #11, minimum UKC is 10% of vessel’s draft.

b. In the channel between the Los Angeles Main Channel Buoy #11 and a position off
the designated berth, minimum under-keel clearance is 2.0’.

c. In the final approach to the berth, and while at berth, the vessel must always remain
afloat.

d. At anchorages inside the breakwater, minimum under-keel clearance is 2.5’.

e. Shifts via outer harbor (the flats) between Los Angeles and Long Beach, minimum under-keel clearance is 3’.
2. Port of Long Beach:
a. Between the Long Beach seabuoy and the Long Beach Channel Buoy #3, minimum
UKC is 10% of the vessel’s draft.

b. In the channel between the Long Beach Channel Buoy #3 and a position off the
designated berth, minimum under-keel clearance is 2.0’.
c. In the final approach to the berth, and while at berth, the vessel must always remain
afloat.

d. At anchorages inside the breakwater, minimum under-keel clearance is:
i. 4’ for anchorages B-7 and B-11 when vessels draft is 50’ or
more; and
ii. 2.5’ for all other anchorages.

e. For shifts via outer harbor between Long Beach and Los Angeles, minimum underkeel clearance is 3’.

Question 9

Masters and pilots should apply a plus or minus allowance for the tide when calculating depth of
water, and consider the following factors:

Answer 9

1. Vessel’s trim and list characteristics;
2. Depth of the transit area;
3. Depth at the facility or anchorage;
4. Tide and current conditions; and
5. Weather impact on water depth.

Question 10

VTS Sectors

Answer 10

San Pedro Sector/Offshore VTS
Call sign: San Pedro Traffic
Working Frequency: Ch.14
Passing Arrangements: Ch.14
Description: 25nm radius from Pt. Fermin

Los Angeles Sector / Inside Federal Breakwater Los Angeles
Call sign: KEB-260 / Los Angeles Pilots
Working Frequency: Ch.73
Passing Arrangements: Ch.13
Description: Waters inside Federal Breakwater encompassing the POLA

Long Beach Sector / Inside Federal Breakwater Long Beach
Call sign: KMA-372 / Long Beach Pilots
Working Frequency: Ch.12/74
Passing Arrangements: Ch.13
Description: Waters inside Federal Breakwater encompassing the POLB.

Question 11

165.1152 with regards to Pilot Operating Areas

Answer 11

(1) Los Angeles Pilot Area:
(i) No vessel may enter the Los Angeles Pilot Area unless it is entering
or departing the Los Angeles Harbor Entrance (Angel’s Gate).
(ii) Vessels entering the Los Angeles Pilot Area shall pass directly
through without stopping or loitering except as necessary to embark
or disembark a pilot.
(2) Los Angeles Deep Water Pilot Area:
(i) When a vessel of 50 foot draft or greater is embarking or
disembarking a pilot in the Los Angeles Deep Water Pilot Area no
other vessel shall enter the Deep Water Pilot Area.
(3) Long Beach Pilot Area:
(i) No vessel may enter the Long Beach Pilot Area unless it is entering
or departing Long Beach Harbor Entrance (Queen’s Gate).
(ii) Every vessel entering the Long Beach Pilot Area shall pass directly
through without stopping or loitering except as necessary to embark
or disembark a pilot.
(iii)Every vessel shall leave Long Beach Approach Lighted Whistle
Buoy ``LB’’ to port when entering and departing Long Beach
Channel and departing vessels shall pass across the southern
boundary of the Long Beach Pilot Area.
(4) Los Angeles and Long Beach Deep Channels:
(i) When a vessel of 50 foot draft or greater is using the Los Angeles
or Long Beach Deep Water Channel no other vessel shall enter the
Deep Water Traffic Lane if it will result in a meeting, crossing or
overtaking situation.

Question 12

Prior to commencing an escorted transit, the tank vessel master/pilot shall hold a “pre-escort
conference” that should at a minimum include:

Answer 12

1. contacting the escort tug operator to confirm the number and position of the escort tug(s);
   and
2. establishing the radio frequency to be used; and
3. establishing the destination of the tank vessel; and
4. discussing any other pertinent information that the master/pilot and escort tug operator
   deem necessary.

Question 13

How do you determine the size of escort tug needed for loaded tank vessel and where to meet?

Answer 13

1. Determine by referencing the Tanker Force Selection Matrix in the HSP. Force of tethered stern tug in short tons will correlate to tanker displacement in MT.

Escort Zones
(1) Zone 1: All waters within 2.0 nautical miles to seaward of the Federal Breakwater; Escort tugs are required for all tank vessels.
(2) Zone 2: All waters in the approaches to the Port of Long Beach within 3.5 nautical miles to seaward of the Federal Breakwater; Escort tugs are required for all tankers with a static deep draft that is
more than 16.5 meters
(3) Zone 3: All waters in the approaches to the Port of Los Angeles within 4.0
nautical miles to seaward of the Federal Breakwater; Escort tugs are required for all tankers with a static deep draft that is
more than 14.0 meters

Question 14

When is drug/alcohol testing required after a marine accident/casualty?

Answer 14

• alcohol test within 2 hours of incident
• drug test ASAP but not more than 32 hours
• Crewmembers and embarked personnel directly involved in the casualty or accident
• accident with more than $100,000 in damage
• accident injuring person requiring more than first aid
• accident involving death
• accident involving 10,000 gallons of oil or more
• accident involving spill of a reportable quantity of hazardous substance

Question 15

When visibility inside the federal breakwater is less than 0.5 mile, the respective
vessel traffic center (VTC) will impose ———— when and where
appropriate.

Answer 15

one-way traffic restrictions

Question 16

Variation

Answer 16

Variation of Los Angeles Harbor: 12 degrees
rate of change: annual decrease 5’
where can it be found: chart 18751

Question 17

What LA approach buoy has a racon on it?

Answer 17

Lighted Whistle Buoy 3

Question 18

What is the purpose of the LA/LB VTS?

Answer 18

the VTS provides information about commercial, other vessel traffic and navigation safety.

Question 19

The following are considered “Covered Mandatory Full Participant”
vessels:

Answer 19

1. Every power driven vessel of 40 meters (131 ft.) or more in length, while navigating.
2. Commercial vessels 8 meters (26 ft.) or more in length that are towing alongside,
   astern or by pushing ahead.
3. Every vessel certificated to carry 50 or more passengers for hire, while engaged in
   trade, under sail or power.

Question 20

The following are considered “Mandatory Passive Participants”:

Answer 20

1. Every power driven vessel 20 meters (65 ft.) or more in length,
2. every vessel 100 gross tons or
   more carrying one or more passengers for hire and
3. every dredge or floating plant

Question 21

What constitutes a marine casualty?

Answer 21

1) An unintended grounding, or an unintended strike of (allision with) a
bridge;
2) An intended grounding, or an intended strike of a bridge, that creates a
hazard to navigation, the environment, or the safety of a vessel, or that
meets any criterion of paragraphs (a) (3) through (7);
3) A loss of main propulsion, primary steering, or any associated
component or control system that reduces the maneuverability of the
vessel;
4) An occurrence materially and adversely affecting the vessel’s
seaworthiness or fitness for service or route, including but not limited
to fire, flooding, or failure of or damage to fixed fire-extinguishing
systems, lifesaving equipment, auxiliary power-generating equipment,
or bilge-pumping systems;
5) A loss of life;
6) An injury that requires professional medical treatment
(treatment beyond first aid) and, if the person is engaged or employed
on board a vessel in commercial service, that renders the individual
unfit to perform his or her routine duties; or
7) An occurrence causing property-damage in excess of $25,000, this
damage including the cost of labor and material to restore the property
to its condition before the occurrence, but not including the cost of
salvage, cleaning, gas-freeing, dry-docking, or demurrage.

Question 22

What are you required to report in the event of a marine casualty?

Answer 22

The notice required in Section 4.05-1 must include the:
1. name and official number of the vessel involved,
2. name of the vessel’s owner or agent,
3. nature and circumstances of the casualty,
4. locality in which it occurred,
5. nature and extent of injury to persons, and
6. damage to property.

Question 23

NOAA Weather Broadcast Channels

Answer 23

Los Angeles, CA KWO-37 162.550 mHz

Santa Ana, CA WWG-21 162.450

Question 24

Describe the depths in 6 channels/berths in LA and 6 in LB

Answer 24

• LA North Channel (Pier 300/400) - 53’
• LA Pier 300 Turning Basin - 81’
• LA - East Basin - 53’
• LA - West Basin - 53’
• LA Turning Basin - 53’
• LA Main Channel - 53’
• LB - Main Channel - 76’
• LB - Back Channel - 52’
• LB - Inner Harbor - 52’
• LB Cerritos Channel - 50’
• LB Channel Two - 37-55’
• LB Channel Three - 36-45’

Question 25

In Long Beach, where might one experience bank cushion and suction and how can its effects be reduced?

Answer 25

LB Back Channel. Reduce the effects of bank cushion/suction by either steering away from the bank to the middle of the channel/deeper water, or by reducing speed to reduce squat.

Question 26

Where are the LA Fireboat Stations located?

Answer 26

• LA West Channel Berth by berth 44
• Fish Harbor by berth 256 and berth 258
• LA Main Channel by berth 86
• LA East Basin by Berth 195

Question 27

What are 5 things a Master should do in the event of an oil spill while mooring?

Answer 27

• Get the vessel safely moored
• Ensure safety of everyone on the vessel and at the terminal
• Initiate vessel emergency spill response
• Tell terminal to initiate their emergency spill response plan
• contact USCG/COTP/NRC/VTS/any other governing body necessary to call as per vessel/terminal/port response plans and regulations
• Ascertain the location/area within the vessel that the spill is coming from
• boom the vessel as soon as possible
• conduct all emergency measures to slow/stop the source of the spill
• Ensure firefighting capabilities are ready
• ascertain the quantity lost to the environment

Question 28

What are the regulations concerning the radio listening watch?

Answer 28

All active and passive VTS participants in the VTS area shall continuously
monitor or cause to be monitored the VHF-FM channel for the sector in which they are transiting and respond promptly when hailed.
a. In accordance with Federal Communication Commission regulations, no person may use the VTS frequencies designated in this section to transmit any information other than information necessary for the safety of vessel traffic.
b. All transmissions on the VTS frequencies should be initiated on low power (1 watt). High power may only be used if low power
communications are unsuccessful.
c. In the San Pedro Sector, all vessels should make passing arrangements with other vessels on VHF Channel 14 to allow monitoring by VTS.
d. In the LA and LB Sectors, all vessels should make passing
arrangements with other vessels on VHF Channel 13.

Question 29

Narrow channels

Answer 29

The Los Angeles and Long Beach pilot operating areas reflected on NOAA Chart 18751. These areas generally extend from “Angel’s Gate” and “Queen’s Gate” breakwater openings seaward 1nm.
All navigational channels inside the LA/LB federal breakwater leading to deep draft berths in the ports of LA/LB including, but not limited to, Los Angeles Main Ship Channel, Long Beach Channel and Cerritos Channel.

Question 30

What is the working frequency in LA and LB for harbor tugs?

Answer 30

Ch.77 and 5A

Question 31

What datum is used for heights and depths for Chart 18751?

Answer 31

Heights: heights in feet above Mean High Water
Depths: depths in feet at MLLW

Question 32

what is charted depth?

Answer 32

The vertical distance from the chart datum to the bottom and is expressed in the same units as the applicable chart.

Question 33

What is the responsibility of the officer in charge in the event of a marine casualty?

Answer 33

Shall give notice ASAP to the nearest USCG Marine Safety or Inspection Office.

Question 34

Name 5 landmarks in the LA Harbor region that can assist positioning?

Answer 34

1. Tank at center of Reservation Pt.
2. Tank near south end of pier 1.
3. lighted radio tower atop San Pedro City Hall.
4. Tower at berth 150.
5. Stacks NNW of Slip No. 5

Question 35

Line of Demarcation

Answer 35

(a) A line drawn across the seaward extremities of the Anaheim Bay Entrance Jetties; thence to Long Beach Breakwater East End Light 1.

(b) A line drawn from Long Beach Channel Entrance Light 2 to Long Beach Light.

(c) A line drawn from Los Angeles Main Entrance Channel Light 2 to Los Angeles Light.

Question 36

What are the day and night storm signals?

Answer 36

A. Signals at various locations used to advise mariners of wind conditions.
* Small Craft Advisory: one red pennant / red over white (18-33knots)
* Gale warning: two red pennants / white over red light (34-47 knots)
* Storm Warning: red square flag with black square center / two red lights (48-63 knots)
* Hurricane warning: two red square flags with black square centers / red, white, red (>63 knots)

Question 37

Where are the storm signals displayed in both harbors?

Answer 37

LA Harbor - atop the Marine Exchange Building
LB Harbor - LB Pilot Station and LB Marina
Also day signals only at LA Yacht Club, Terminal island

Question 38

What is the general set of the current at the LA Harbor entrance?

Answer 38

East, parallel to the breakwater entrance.

Set and current in LA Harbor: the tidal currents follow the axis of the channel and rarely exceed one knot.

Question 39

Where may a vessel not be turned in the harbor?

Answer 39

Vessels may not be turned in the Main Channel of the Inner Harbor. Vessels may be turned only in the turning basins. Ships are not permitted to use dolphins or stem the pier to turn or during berthing/unberthing.

Question 40

What precautions should be taken by vessels entering/departing the harbor entrance?

Answer 40

Use extreme caution as large vessels are maneuvering to embark/disembark pilots.

Question 41

State the regulations for LB Restricted Harbor Entrance Area

Answer 41

• Outbound vessels have priority over incoming vessels.
• Inbound and outbound vesssels stay to the right hand side of the channel, operating on the side of the fairway that lies on their starboard side.
• Outbound vessels from Inner Harbor pass to the West of buoy “B”????
• Inbound vessels shall leave buoy “A” on their port side????
• All vessels leave the seabuoy on their port side.

Question 42

What whistle signals are required for the LB restricted harbor entrance?
???

Answer 42

One long blast prior to passing buoy RW “A”????

Question 43

What are the local regulations for the use of dolphins in docking and undocking?

Answer 43

Dophins may not be used to turn, swing or warp around by any vessels. No vessel may place their stem against dolphins for the purpose of turning, berthing, or unberthing.

Question 44

LB Landmarks

Answer 44

1. L-shaped building at B-211
2. radar tower Pier F
3. tower east of berth 242
4. Queen Mary Dome

Question 45

Describe the winds

Answer 45

Winds vary, particularly in fall and winter. They are strongest during this period when the Santa
Ana winds may blow. This offshore desert wind, though infrequent, may be violent. It occurs
when a strong high–pressure system sits over the plateau region and generates a Northeasterly to
Easterly flow over Southern California. Aside from weather forecasts, one gets little warning of a Santa Ana’s onset: good visibility and unusually low humidity often prevail for some hours
before it arrives. Shortly before arriving on the coast, the Santa Ana may appear as an
approaching dark–brown dust cloud. This positive indication often gives a 10-to-30 minute
warning. The Santa Ana may come at any time of day and can be reinforced by an early
morning land breeze or weakened by an afternoon sea breeze.

Winter storms produce strong winds over San Pedro Bay, particularly from Southwesterly
through Northwesterly. Winds of 17 knots or greater occur about 1-2% of the time from
November through May. Southwesterly through Westerly winds begin to prevail in the spring
and last into early fall.

Question 46

Describe local fog conditions

Answer 46

Harbor area fog is most likely in April and from October through February, when visibility over the bay is below 0.5 mile for 7-10 days per month. Fog is mostly a land
(radiation) type that drifts out and worsens in the late night and early morning. Smoke from
nearby industrial areas often adds to its thickness and persistence. Along the shore, fog drops
visibility to less than 0.5 mile on 3 to 8 days per month from August through April, usually worst
in December.

Question 47

What is the cause of fog off the Southern California Coast?

Answer 47

Warm surface water is displaced by cooler water due to wind and current. Moist air is then cooled and advection fog results.

In the harbor, it is mostly a land radiation fog - warm air over cool water.

Question 48

Are there any shoal areas in the Harbor? Where?

Answer 48

A shoal area, with rocks having a least depth of 2
feet, extends about 0.3 mile south of the shore just east of Point Fermin Light. A lighted whistle buoy is about 300 yards southwest from the south end of the shoal area.

Question 49

What is the depth and width of the following channels?

Answer 49

LA Entrance
LB Entrance
LA East Basin
Cerritos Channel

Question 50

What is the diameter of the LA Main Turning Basin?

Answer 50

1596 ft

Question 51

Restricted Visibility

Answer 51

Whenever conditions of visibility fall below the following:
* tankers 150,000 DWT or greater: 1 nautical mile
* tankers 60,000-150,000 DWT or other vessels 45 ft draft or deeper : 0.75 nautical mile
* all other tankers and petroleum barges: 0.5 nautical mile
* all other vessels: 3 times LOA