The primary port in Penobscot Bay. The terminal is located at Mack Point at the north end of the Bay and has two piers for unloading a wide variety of liquid and dry cargoes. The Sprague dock handles liquid cargo and can accommodate vessels up to 700’ in length, 106’ beam and a maximum draft of 35’. The Port Authority dock handles dry cargo and can accommodate vessel up to 800’ in length, 120’ beam and a maximum draft of 39’.
Pilots board vessels bound for ports in Penobscot Bay and River at one of two pilot stations. For vessels arriving from the west the pilot boarding area is approximately 3 nm west of the north end of Monhegan Island in position 43-46.6’N 069-22.6’W. Vessels arriving from the East or South make their approach via the PBA buoy and take aboard the pilot 3 miles east of the WP buoy in position 43-55.5’N 68-49.0”W. Vessels follow the recommended route for deep draft vessels as described on Charts 13302 and BA chart 2486. The pilots do not maintain a boat on station and any change of ETA within 12 hours of arrival must be communicated directly, by voice, to the pilots.
Tug service in Penobscot Bay is provided by Penobscot Bay Tractor Tug Company (207-338-3000). The company has four ship assist tugs. FOURNIER TRACTOR is a 3,500 hp ASD tractor tug, FOURNIER BOYS is a 6,000 hp SDM, FOURNIER BROTHERS 1s a 4,000 hp twin screw conventional and CAPTAIN ARTHUR FOURNIER is a 4,000 hp twin screw conventional tug.
The depth in the turning basin off Mack Point is 33′ at MLW. Most loaded ships calling at Searsport will need to wait for sufficient tide to be able to berth. The guidelines for under keel clearance in Penobscot Bay are 3’ under keel in the bay, 2’ in the approach channel and 1’ alongside the berths. The tide range in Searsport is 9’.
For vessels waiting for a berth in Searsport or the Penobscot River a good anchorage is located about one mile southwest of Mack Point with good holding ground in about 50’ of water.
Any questions, please contact us at:
24 Hour Contact Number
207-548-1077
pilots@penbaypilots.com