US PORT GUIDE · USPDX
Port of Portland
Overview
- Columbia/Willamette River confluence port
- Major grain and auto export hub
- Columbia River Bar — one of world's most dangerous bar crossings
- Rivergate Industrial District container terminal
- Handles Pacific Northwest agri-exports
Operational Notes: Columbia River Bar crossing is mandatory with Columbia River Pilot; no exceptions. Bar status broadcast on VHF Ch 16/22A.
Vessel Traffic Service & Reporting
Port of Portland VTS
Columbia River VTS (Astoria MSO)
Ch 14
Vessel Movements
Ch 16
Distress/Calling
Coverage: Columbia River from mouth to Portland + Willamette River
96-Hour NOA
33 CFR 160.206 — All vessels >300 GT must submit Notice of Arrival via eNOA/D (CBP SVRS portal) at least 96 hours before arrival at a US port.
AIS Mandatory
33 CFR 164.46 — Class A AIS required on SOLAS vessels; Class B on vessels >65 ft. AIS must remain ON throughout US waters.
VHF Monitoring
Ch 16 (distress/calling) continuous watch mandatory. Ch 13 for bridge-to-bridge communications with other vessels. Ch 22A for USCG communications.
VTS Participation
33 CFR 161 — Mandatory reporting on entry to any US VTS Zone. Contact VTS on designated working channel when crossing call-in point.
Pilotage — Port of Portland
COMPULSORY- Boarding position
- Columbia River Bar (off Cape Disappointment); pilot stationed at Astoria, OR
- Pilot station
- Columbia River Pilots
- VHF
- Ch 14
- Phone
- +1 503-325-2623
Contact the Pilot Station via VHF well in advance of arrival. Pre-arrival notification required. State pilotage laws apply — check applicable state pilotage requirements.
Anchorages
Astoria Anchorage
45 ft MLLW46.190°N 123.830°W
Outer anchorage near bar crossing; pilot embarkation point
Channel Depths (MLLW)
Authorized project depths — confirm operational depth with harbormaster. Shoaling possible; check latest NOAA surveys.
| Channel | Depth (ft) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Main Channel | 43ft | 13.1 m |
| Willamette River | 40ft | 12.2 m |
Documentation & Regulations
Entry documentation requirements for all US ports
CBP eManifest
19 CFR 4.7
24-hour advance manifest submission via ACE portal before lading for cargo from foreign ports. Sea waybills, B/Ls required per shipment.
IMO FAL Forms
IMO FAL Convention
General Declaration (FAL 1), Crew List (FAL 5), Passenger List (FAL 6), Cargo Declaration (FAL 2/3), Ship's Stores (FAL 3) required on arrival.
Dangerous Goods
IMDG / 49 CFR
IMDG Code compliance for hazmat. 49 CFR 176 for US domestic transport. MSDS/SDS for all dangerous cargoes. 24-hr advance notice for DG berth assignment.
Ballast Water
33 CFR 151.2050
All ballast water must be exchanged ≥200 nm from shore OR treated to EPA VGP standards before discharge into US waters. Ballast water management plan required.
ISM / ISPS Compliance
SOLAS Ch IX & XI-2
Valid SMC (Safety Management Certificate) and ISSC (International Ship Security Certificate) required. Port State Control may inspect at any time.
MARPOL Compliance
MARPOL 73/78
ORB (Oil Record Book) available for inspection. Annex V garbage management plan required. NO garbage discharge within 25 nm. Sewage — USCG discharge rules apply.
Port Security — MTSA / ISPS
Port of Portland
Current Security Level: MARSEC 1
Verify with USCG on arrivalMTSA 2002
Maritime Transportation Security Act — all vessels ≥100 GT on international voyage plus select domestic vessels must comply with 33 CFR Parts 101–106.
Vessel Security Plan
Approved VSP (Vessel Security Plan) required on board at all times. Security Officer (SSO) designated. Plan available for USCG inspection.
ISPS Code Compliance
SOLAS Ch XI-2 and ISPS Code apply to all international vessels. Valid ISSC (International Ship Security Certificate) mandatory.
Facility Access Control
No unauthorized personnel in MTSA-regulated facility. Photo ID required at all access control points. TWIC (Transportation Worker ID Credential) for US workers.
Pre-arrival Security Notification
96-hour pre-arrival security information required under 33 CFR 160.206(b). Include last 10 port calls, security level history, crew nationality list.
MARSEC Levels
MARSEC 1: Normal (routine). MARSEC 2: Heightened (specific threat). MARSEC 3: Exceptional (imminent attack). Vessel must match or exceed PFSO's declared level.
Section 2 — Port Authority
- Name
- Port of Portland
- VHF
- Ch 14
- Phone
- +1 503-944-7000
- Website
- portofportland.com
SAR & Emergency — Port of Portland
- USCG Sector
- Sector Columbia River
- MRCC VHF
- Ch 16
- MRCC Phone
- +1 503-861-6211
- DISTRESS CALLING
- VHF Ch 16 / DSC Ch 70
- NRC Oil Spill Hotline
- 1-800-424-8802
- Rescue 21 System
- USCG Ch 16/70 nationwide distress network — 20 nm range from shore
- EPIRB
- 406 MHz EPIRB mandatory for SOLAS vessels and vessels ≥26 ft operating ≥3 nm offshore (46 CFR 25.26)
- USCG Command Center
- 24-hour sector command centers coordinate SAR, pollution response, and security
Weather & Tidal — Port of Portland
- Tidal Range
- 7 ft
Columbia River Bar notorious for fog, gales, and heavy swell; bar closes when significant wave height >20 ft
NOAA NWS VHF Weather
Continuous marine weather broadcasts on WX1–WX7 (162.400–162.550 MHz). Updated every 3–6 hrs. Gale/storm warnings broadcast immediately.
NOAA PORTS®
Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System — real-time water levels, currents, winds and met data at select major US ports. tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov
USCG NOTAM
Notices to Mariners for channel restrictions, buoy changes, and temporary hazards. navcen.uscg.gov
Ship Services — Port of Portland
Bunkers Available
MARPOL Waste Reception
Required at all US deepwater ports (33 CFR 158). Garbage, sludge, bilge water, ozone-depleting substances accepted.
Port State Control (PSC)
USCG conducts PSC inspections. USCG may board any vessel in US waters without advance notice.
Medical Assistance
USCG coordinates medivac. Contact MRCC on Ch 16. US Public Health Service (CDC) for quarantine clearance.
Vessel Traffic
Live AIS Traffic
Real-time vessel positions, arrivals, departures, and anchorage status coming when HeyMariner launches.
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