STRAIT OF MAGELLAN, CHILEAN CHANNELS AND FIORDS
Regulations and Directions for PILOTING. ROUTES

1. - GEOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION

Chile -on the extreme SW of South America- has 2.400 miles of sea coast. Of those, South of Latitude 41º 45' South, there are 1.095 miles of channels and fiords, providing well protected inland water ways for safe navigation, sheltered from rough weather and high seas, which are very common in the South eastern Pacific. (See Separation C. - SAILING ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CHILEAN STRAITS, CHANNELS AND FIORDS (FROM CHACAO CHANNEL TO CAPE HORN, SOUTHBOUND), number 1. - ROUTE DESCRIPTION)

There are three different areas:

The Strait of Magellan is the best known of the navigable channels and has a total length of 307 nautical miles, between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. (See Separation B. - SAILING ALONG STRAIT OF MAGELLAN OR DRAKE PASAGE, number 2. - STRAIT OF MAGELLAN GENERAL INFORMATION)

2. - WEATHER

South of Latitude 40º S sudden changes of wind and sea conditions are characteristics throughout the whole year. It is said that the four seasons of the year can be experience in one day.

Low pressures depressions and their associated fronts move from W to E and SE, becoming stronger as they reach higher latitudes; generating storms and gales together with strong winds from NW and heavy swells with Westerly component, mostly from March to August (Autumn and Winter). High seas are usually found in the ocean sector, creating a combination of waves that are difficult to distinguish; swell from the SW and wind waves from the NW.

Chiloe and Aysén areas are mostly rainy during winter. In summer (December to March), weather can be fair, with more frequent sunny and calm days, but showers can always be expected.

Southern wind, associated to High Pressure systems, can be very strong, being more frequent during spring and summer time (September to March). Summer in the Patagonian area is known as "the Windy Season". Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are cold and rainy all year round, while snow and colder temperatures are common in winter (May to August).

General Maritime Forecast (Pronóstico General Marítimo); Surface Chart (Carta de Superficie); Predicted Wind Chart, (Carta Pronosticada de Vientos), Predicted Waves Chart (Carta Pronosticada de Olas) and 24 hours Surface Chart (Carta Pronosticada de Superficie 24 HR), and Satelite Image (Imagen Satelital). See www.directemar.cl-meteorología

Inner channels and fiords, from Chacao Channel (L 41° 45´S) to Cape Horn, provide safe sailing routes of clean and deep waters. High mountains provide shelter from strong winds and wind waves are almost non existent. During melting season (Spring Time), pack ice can be found in some channels.

3. - REGULATIONS

Mariners sailing Chilean channels and fiords area must comply with Chilean Maritime Authority dispositions and with information provided by Servicio Hidrográfico y Oceanográfico de la Armada de Chile (Chilean Hydrographic Service) through its web page www.shoa.cl., where Notice to Mariners and warnings can be found.

The Republic of Chile has 12 nautical miles of Territorial Waters plus 188 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Within territorial waters, Chilean and vessel's national flags must be hoisted from sunrise to sunset. When Pilots are on board, "Hotel" signal flag must be shown, as well as "Bravo" signal flag, when IMO dangerous cargo is carried.

All Chilean and international Rules and Regulations must always be complied and fulfilled, e.g.: SOLAS, COLREG and MARPOL, including IMO and ISM norms and regulations, and all those related to protect human life at sea and to preserve sea and maritime environment. In inner Chilean waters, garbage dumping, oil or any kind of oily or contaminated liquid discharge is strictly forbidden.

Ballast renewal and sewage "gray waters" discharge can be done in accordance with MARPOL regulations. Vessels with Water Treatment Plant, previously authorized by the Chilean Maritime Authority, may discharge gray waters at more than 4 nautical miles from coast. Please make all efforts to prevent sea and coastal pollution.

4. - PILOTING POLICY

All Pilots Services are provided by the Chilean Maritime Authority (Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de Marina Mercante) (DIRECTEMAR) in accordance with the Navigation Act of Law of the Republic of Chile, 21 May 1978.

Piloting is compulsory for sailing inner waters, between Chacao Channel and Cape Horn. Pilots will normally be transfered at Pilot's Station. However, Maritime Agencies can request embarking/disembarking in ports up north Chacao channel. Channel Pilots assistance for Antarctic Navigations can also be provided.(See Separation C. - SAILING ROUTES THROUGHOUT CHILEAN STRAITS, CHANNELS AND FIORDS (FROM CHACAO CHANNEL TO CAPE HORN, SOUTHBOUND), number 1. - ROUTE DESCRIPTION)

Agents should send their request for Channel Pilots to Piloting Service Office Valparaiso (See paragraph 8.- letter h.- ADRESSES AT VALPARAÍSO-CHILE) at least 48 hours in advance for vessels sailing from Valparaiso Region or Los Vilos Port. For vessels sailing from ports out of Valparaiso Region or overseas ports, 72 hours notice is required. Extra notice time would be required when embarking ports have scarce land or air means of transportation. Two Channel Pilots will provide Piloting assistance. ETA to Pilot Station must be daily updated in order to avoid delays or extra charges.

Channel Pilots are Merchant Marine Captains and retired Senior Naval Officers, both with previous command and qualified sea experience. Onboard, they should receive the Master equivalent treatment and should be accommodated in separated cabin. Cabins must have private bathroom and be located in Officers' area. Free access to Officers mess and recreational areas is requested.

They must be provided with facilities to accomplish their job onboard, especially free of charge maritime communication services.

While sailing inner waters, channel and fiords, Channel Pilots stand 5 hour watches. (Except : from 08:00 to 12:00 hrs.)

5. - PILOT STATIONS

The following Pilot Stations are considered for embarking/disembarking Channel Pilots:

Channel Pilots can be embarked / disembarked at departure / arrival Chilean Ports according to vessels requirements and complying with the Piloting Policy shown on previous Paragraph 4.

6. - PILOTING FEES

Piloting fees are charges according to vessel's GRT and are established and published by official Supreme Decree and yearly updated in accordance with the US price consumer index.(See www.directemar.cl-Publications(Publicaciones)- Maritime Regulation (Normativa Marítima) - Regulation of Tariffs and Laws (Reglamento de Tarifas y Derechos)).

An extra charge is applied in the following cases (year 2010):

Maritime Agents embark / disembark Channel Pilots using their own or hired boats, with the exception of Cape Horn and Richmond Passage, where Pilot's boats are provided by the Chilean Maritime Authority.

These fares do not consider costs of Pilot Boats, Tugs, mooring boats and other services which are provided by Maritime Agencies.

Vessels, over 230 meters LOA, sailing only Strait of Magellan, without entering other inner channels, will have a 40% discount from the "Standard or Base Fee".

Should navigation include other inner channels, this 40% discount will not be applied and Standard or Base Fee will be charged.

The "Standard or Base Fee" for 2 Chanel Pilots for Piloting Service in the channel zone, from Bahía de Ancud (Chacao Channel) to Bahía Posesión/Dúngenes (Eastern approach to Strait of Magellan), for a maximun period of time of 120 hours, is as follows:

The "Standard Fee" considers charges for sailing normal inner channels and Strait of Magellan route. There will not be extra charges in the following cases:

a).Failures in the propulsion, steering or anchoring systems or navigation equipment errors.

b).Operation of Auto Pilot System by Channel Pilots.

c).Dangerous Cargo.

d).Vessel emergency anchoring or arrival at intermediate ports.

The following correcting factors to the "Standard Fee" must be applied according to the route, or part of it, sailed:

Note 1.-: Only for chilean flag vessels under command of chilean qualified Captain.

Note 2.-: For third flag vessels. This circuit is restricted to tourist vessels with not over 12 people onboard.

Furthermore, when sailing includes entering INLETS, SOUNDS or FIORDS away from normal sailing routes, for tourism, scientific or other purposes, the total fee will be increase according to the following Table:

7. - MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND VESSEL REPAIRS

8. - OPERATIONAL INFORMATION FOR MASTERS

a.- GENERAL:

1.Punta Delgada Pilot Station: Radar system is available with S-57 charts management, integrated AIS and ARPA system (Basic VTS) for vessel's control within Posesión Bay (Pilot Transference Zone) and Punta Delgada.

Embarking /disembarking Pilots in Posesión Bay durin bad weather condition is not allowed. Vessels will carry on sailing and Pilots will embark/disembark abeam Punta Delgada Pilot Station. During this transit, Pilots will provide sailing advice and directions, using radar and AIS information from Pilot Station. (See Separation B.-, number 2. - STRAIT OF MAGELLAN GENERAL INFORMATION, letter e.-)

2.Pilot Boats operate at maximum speed of 15 knots. In order to ensure a quick Pilot transference, 3 men on deck and 2 lines to heave up baggage is recomended in order to recieve them.

3.Pilots have charts needed for a safe navigation along routes. Furthermore, most of them, although not compulsory, carry their own computers with authorized electronic charts, which take inputs from the Bridge Pilot Plug, for direct AIS information, or from their own portable GPS, if Pilot Plug is not available.

4.Within Piloting Zone (Bahía de Ancud to Cabo de Hornos) Pilots will report, to Maritime Traffic Control Stations and manned Lighthouses, ETA to Control Points and Transference Zone. Control Stations will report other vessels sailing within the area and last minute Hydrographic notices and weather information.

5.Pilots will coordinate crossing with other vessels, via VHF, providing a safe CPA.

b.-SOME PILOTING CHANNELS RESTRICTIONS:

Chilean channels and fiords provide a number of alternative safe sailing routes. For certain passages or channels, the Maritime Authority has imposed special restrictions related to vessels size or sailing conditions; however, if it is not possible to use a given route, there will always an alternative passage or route available for inner channels navigation.

Channels and Passages restrictions are as follows:

c.- CHILEAN CHANNELS AND FIORDS SAILING RECOMENDATIONS :

d.- IN CONFINED PASSAGES (CHECK WITH PILOTS):

1. Master on the Bridge.

2. Qualified Helmsman.

3. Forecastle manned and anchors ready to let go.

4. Steering system tested before entering confined passages and back up pumps "on".

5. Engine room manned and ready to run main engine at Pilot required speed.

1. VHF Channel 16 - 13 always "On".

2. HF working o SSB telephony ready to transmit on: (Rx/Tx) 4.146 / 4.146 KHz.

3. INMARSAT "C" in Navarea XV for weather reports and storm warnings.

4. NAVTEX on stations K - L, in Spanish, D - E, in English, for messages type: All

f.- WEATHER FASCIMILE RECEPTION:

See Admiralty, List of Radio Signals NP 283 (2) Vol. 3 (2) Pages - CHILE- Surface chart accessible via Internet: www.directemar.cl/meteorology

g.- POSITION REPORT (CHILREP):

Daily position to Maritime Authority at 08:00 and 20:00 LT.

CHILREP format: