US PORT GUIDE · USSAV
Port of Savannah
Overview
- US's fourth busiest container port by volume
- Garden City Terminal — one of world's largest single-terminal ports
- Mason Mega Rail terminal 30-mile on-dock network
- Hyundai Metaplant America (HMMA) nearby
- Southeast US gateway for automotive and retail imports
Operational Notes: Tidal planning essential; berths have restricted draft windows near LW. Rail scheduling coordinated with CSX and Norfolk Southern.
Vessel Traffic Service & Reporting
Port of Savannah VTS
Savannah River VTS
Ch 13
Savannah River Traffic
Ch 16
Distress/Calling
Coverage: Savannah River from ocean approach to Garden City Terminal
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 Savannah
COMPULSORY- Boarding position
- Savannah Bar (outer approach buoys); pilot station at Tybee Island
- Pilot station
- Savannah Bar Pilots
- VHF
- Ch 12
- Phone
- +1 912-786-5545
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
Tybee Roads Anchorage
42 ft MLLW32.030°N 80.850°W
Outer anchorage; pilot boarding point for inbound
Channel Depths (MLLW)
Authorized project depths — confirm operational depth with harbormaster. Shoaling possible; check latest NOAA surveys.
| Channel | Depth (ft) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah Harbour (outer bar to Garden City) | 47ft | 14.3 m |
| Garden City Terminal approach | 47ft | 14.3 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 Savannah
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
- Georgia Ports Authority (GPA)
- VHF
- Ch 13
- Phone
- +1 912-964-3813
- Website
- gaports.com
SAR & Emergency — Port of Savannah
- USCG Sector
- Sector Charleston (Savannah Sub-Unit)
- MRCC VHF
- Ch 16
- MRCC Phone
- +1 843-724-7624
- 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 Savannah
- Tidal Range
- 7.5 ft
Hurricane season Jun–Nov; Savannah River strong tidal current 2–3 kt; fog Jan–Mar; extreme tidal range complicates scheduling
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 Savannah
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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