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Question 1

⟡What is the turning diameter of the LA turning basin?

Answer 1

1596 ft

Question 2

⟡What is the bearing of the LA Main Ship Channel?

Answer 2

339° - 296° - 342° - 357° - 027°

Question 3

⟡What is:
A) The Variation of Los Angeles Harbor?
B) The rate of change?
C) Where can it be found?

Answer 3

A) 12°E.
B) Decrease 5’.
C) On chart 18751 in a compass rose.

Question 4

⟡Which LA Approach Buoy has a Racon on it?

Answer 4

Lighted Whistle Buoy 3

Question 5

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

Answer 5

A pilot in the port of Long Beach can expect to encounter bank cushion and suction in the Back Channel. Reducing speed will reduce the effects of bank cushion and suction. To keep the vessel in the channel, a pilot may also employ the help of the rudder, by steering slightly toward the closest bank to counteract the bank cushion effect on the bow.

Question 6

⟡What specific local charts and publications must a pilot have access to and maintain?

Answer 6

・NOAA Charts 18751, 18749, 18746, 18740.
・NOAA US Coast Pilot 7.
・US Coast Guard, Light List, Volume IV .

Also:
・Charts 18720.
・VTMS Users Manual.
・Los Angeles and Long Beach Port Tariffs.
・Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor Safety Plan.

Question 7

⟡You are on an inbound ship within 1nm of Queens Gate and observe a fleet of sailboats moving eastward approaching the number 3 buoy and hoisting their spinnakers and it appears they will continue east towards the Delta anchorage. What should you do?

Answer 7

The sailboats should keep clear of a vessel that can only maneuver in a narrow channel, as per Inland Navigation Rules, Rule 9 (as noted in Note C).
If your vessel is in doubt as to whether the actions of the sailboats are taking sufficient action to avoid collision, your vessel should sound 5 short blasts and if necessary to avoid collision shall slacken her speed or take off all way.

Question 8

⟡You are the master of a tug with a tow on approach to Long Beach. You will enter the harbor, break tow, and proceed to berth. Describe the sequence of events.

Answer 8

・Check into the VTS (25nm off of Pt. Fermin).
・Check into the Precautionary Area.
・Notify LB Pilots on VHF Ch. 74 of your intentions to enter the harbor and go to berth, and to obtain an escort tug (if necessary).
・Enter the harbor when no traffic conflicts and break tow to put the barge on the hip.
・Notify LB Pilots of barge on hip and proceed with caution to berth.
・Notify LB Pilots when the vessel has first line and when it is fast at berth.

Question 9

⟡Name three areas where one-way traffic is recommended in Long Beach.

Answer 9

・Back Channel.
・Cerritos Channel.
・Entering Pier J Slip.
・Entering Queens Gate.
・Entering Southeast Basin.
・When visibility is <0.5nm.

Question 10

Long Beach - Vessels Turning Around

Answer 10

No master or any person having charge of any vessel shall turn the vessel completely around, or cause or permit the vessel to be turned completely around, in the Main Channel of the Inner Harbor except in that portion thereof designated as the Turning Basin.

Question 11

Southeast Basin Entrance

Answer 11

All vessels, outbound and inbound, are advised to exercise extreme caution when passing the entrance to Southeast Basin, as vessels departing from Southeast Basin may experience difficulty in stopping or maneuvering before reaching Long Beach Channel.

Question 12

Tows and the Harbor Restricted Area

Answer 12

Tows shall observe the following additional regulations:

(a) Outbound tows over sixty-five (65) feet in length shall be bunched and made-up until clear of the Harbor Restricted Area.
(b) Inbound tows over sixty-five (65) feet in length shall be bunched and made-up before entering the Harbor Restricted Area.

Question 13

What outlying dangers are off the Port of LALB?

Answer 13

A shoal area with a rock covered 3 feet and a rock awash near the outer end, extends about 0.3 mile S of the shore just E of Point Fermin Light. A lighted whistle buoy is about 300 yards SW from the S end of the shoal area.

In March 1980, a submerged obstruction was reported about 0.35 mile NE of Long Beach Breakwater East End Light 1.

USCP 7, Ch. 4, ¶ 281 /283

Question 14

Where do pilots disembark outbound vessels?

Answer 14

Pilots stay on outbound vessels until clear of the BW entrance. Pilots should not debark outbound vessels inside the BW unless extreme weather conditions make it necessary for pilot safety.

LALB HSP – (XVI) C.10
POLA TARIFF #4, 311

Question 15

Describe the limitations on traffic passing through the Henry Ford and Commodore Heim Bridges over Cerritos Channel.

Answer 15

The narrow channel width combined with restrictions on passing under the drawbridges limit traffic through Cerritos Channel to pleasure vessels, tugs without tows and tugs with tows alongside or pushing ahead. However, tugs with bunker barges frequently pass under the bridges. Small size tankers occasionally pass, given appropriate weather, vessel draft and trim and maximum beam.

LALB HSP (IX) A

Question 16

Where may a vessel not be turned in the harbor?

Answer 16

Vessels may not be turned in the Main Channels of the Inner Harbors (LA or LB). 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.

POLA Tariff #4, 1605, 1645
POLB Tariff #4

Question 17

What is a Tsunami? What would you do if a Tsunami warning was issued?

Answer 17

A Tsunami is a large wave caused by a submarine earthquake. They are waves characterized by long wavelength and high rate of speed. The first wave or surge will cause a recession of the water from the shore. A tremendous oncoming crest will follow this recession. If time allows put to sea and head for the nearest deep water. If caught in port it is difficult to avoid damage.

Question 18

Where do the LA pilots board vessels?
Describe ladder.
Describe pilot boat.
Radio Freqs for boats and station.

Answer 18

The LA Pilots board vessels in the vicinity of LA Approach Channel Lighted Buoy #1. Supertankers and very deep-laden vessels are boarded about 3 miles SE of LA Light.

Normally stbd. ladder 1 meter.

KEB-260 on VHF ch. 73 / 14 / 16 (station and boats)

Boats – Angels Pilot and Angeles Navigator replaced Stephen M White and Phineas Banning.

USCP 7, Ch. 4, ¶ 302

Question 19

Where do the LB pilots board vessels?
Describe ladder.
Describe pilot boat.
Radio Freqs for boats and station.

Answer 19

The LB Pilots board vessels 1 mile south of LB Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy LB. Large deep-draft vessels are boarded 2 miles or more S of the approach buoy.

Normally stbd. ladder 1 meter.

KMA-372 on VHF ch. 12 / 16 (station) or 12 / 13 / 14 / 16 (boats)

Boats – Venus and Polaris

USCP 7, Ch. 4, ¶ 302

Question 20

Restricted harbor entrance area

Answer 20

Extends from about 1 mile N of the breakwater to inside Middle Harbor; regulations of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, Port of Long Beach, grant priority to outbound vessels and stipulate a 6-knot speed limit in this restricted area.