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The Strait of Magellan extends over 310 miles between the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. There are three commercial ports and four LPG/CPP terminals in the zone, as well as numerous small coves and landing stages for the regional traffic which depends on the sea for transport. The whole zone is under the control of the Maritime Governor at Punta Arenas, assisted by Port Captains in Punta Arenas, Porvenir, Punta Delgada, Puerto Natales and Puerto Eden. Punta Arenas is also the headquarters of the Chilean Third Naval Zone. The strait and the adjoining Patagonian Channel system is well buoyed and lighted, maintenance being in the hands of the Chilean Navy. Great importance is attached to radio services especially weather forecasts and regional notices to mariners. All transmissions are in Spanish. Vessels will have on board the necessary manuals of radio stations, frequencies, transmissions, notices, times of reports, etc. Below is a summary of the principal stations in the area to be used as a guide. San Pedro Island CBS Weather forecast for the Messier Channel. Evangelistas Island CBF 59 Weather forecast for western Strait of Magellan. Fairway Island CBF 60 Local meteorological report. Felix Bay CBF 61 Fist Narrows forecast. Punta Arenas CBF 63 Local meteorological report and weather report of Golfo de Penas, Patagonian Channels and Notices to Mariners. Punta Delgada CBF 66) Weather reports and forecast) from Golfo de Penas, Patagonian. Point Dungeness CBF 67) Channels, Cape Horn, Fist) Narrows report and Notices to Mariners. Dungeness Lighthouse has a radio beacon with signal GENE repeated every 30 minutes, of each even hour in good weather and continuously in fog. Punta Arenas, Navy radio station, will also function as a radio beacon on request. In the Strait of Magellan and the channels, the waters are deep but there is a limit at the western end for the First Narrows where ships drawing 70 must transit in daylight only. In the channels, the length overall is restricted by the bends at the English Narrows, the maximum safe length being 180 metres and transit there is only possible in daylight and at slack water. Ships over that length transit either past Evangelist Light out to the Pacific or may enter or leave the channels at Trinidad Channel (49?55 S/ 75?30 W) south of which there are no restrictions except for Gray Channel (200m loa and 35 draught). Pilotage is compulsory for all ships navigating the Strait of Magellan or the Patagonian Channels or both. When crossing the Strait of Magellan there are two alternatives, viz.: From the Pacific to the Atlantic (west to east). Ships coming from the north, using the Patagonian Channels, must embark 2 channel pilots at Valparaiso or Ancud/Laitec, on Chiloe Island near Puerto Montt. Ships transiting the Strait (and not using the Patagonian channels) pick up the Strait pilot off Punta Arenas. The section of the Strait between Felix Lighthouse and Punta Arenas may be navigated without a pilot. In both cases the pilots are landed at Possession Bay at the east entrance of the Strait of Magellan. From the Atlantic to the Pacific (east to west). The procedure is the reverse in both cases, a) and b). The 2 pilots embark at Possession Bay and are landed at one of the Chilean ports mentioned (in 1 a). The pilot embarks at Possession Bay and is dropped off at Punta Arenas, and from there to Felix Lighthouse, pilotage is not obligatory. If a pilot is required for transiting the section of the Strait of Magellan between Felix Lighthouse and Punta Arenas cases 1 (b) and 2 (b)- this can be arranged, by engaging a crew-boat at Punta Arenas to transport the pilot to or from Felix Lighthouse. All expenses are at the expense of the ship. Light dues are charged at u$s 0.32 per grt for each crossing in case b); i.e. when transiting between Possession Bay and Punta Arenas and vice versa and not calling at (i.e. putting in to) any Chilean port. Ordering of pilots: Pilots must be ordered at least 4 working days (i.e. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted) in advance, through agents in Valparaiso. The pilots come by air from Valparaiso (Santiago) to Punta Arenas and then by road to Punta Delgada (Possession Bay area). If using pilots only between Punta Arenas and Possession Bay- case (b)- 48 hours notice is sufficient. Ships taking or dropping a pilot at Possession Bay must advise agents at Punta Arenas and the Maritime Governor ( Maritgob Punta Arenas ) well in advance. Funds in advance: Agents must pay pilotage charges within 48 hours in U.S. dollars. A life insurance policy is taken out covering the voyage and the flight from and to Valparaiso; any other upkeep expenses incurred are also included. Two pilots are required for any navigation exceeding 8 hours in the Strait or the channels, but only one is required between the Atlantic (Possession Bay) and Punta Arenas or any terminal in the Strait only, and vice versa, unless a delay is foreseen where sailing is over 8 hours. Local port pilots berth the ships at the commercial ports and terminals, except at Puerto Natales, Puerto Bories where the channel pilot will act as port pilot. Possession Bay: The boarding point is 52?17 S, 69?14 W. The pilots board from pilot boats ( Nandu and Toucan ). If they are not waiting, the ship must anchor at the point indicated above. A listening watch is kept on 2,182 Khz and VHF Channel 16. Watch is kept 4 hours before the ETA, which must be sent 48, 24, 12 hours ahead to the agents at Santiago and Punta Arenas and to the naval authorities at Punta Arenas for them to arrange local transport for the pilots. Charts: Every ship navigating the Strait or the channels must have set of Chilean charts on board covering the sections to be navigated. They should be ordered through agents well in advance to be put on board at the first Chilean port of call or at Punta Arenas or Possession Bay. The pilots carry their own set of up-to-date charts. Compass adjustment and inspection of radar equipment: According to regulations, on boarding any ship the pilot must first check the compass for any deviations of more than 5 degrees. If such a deviation has been determined more than 6 months previously, compensation of the compass is obligatory. This is a safety measure for the close navigations required in the channels. The Naval yard in Punta Arenas can do this work, which can also be done in Valparaiso, Buenos Aires and Montevideo. A similar regulation applies to radar and other navigational equipment. If the equipment is not in satisfactory working condition, the pilot is entitled to call at the next port where repairs can be effected. At oil terminals there is no charge for the use of buoys; ships pay only pilotage, tug, mooring launch and clearance in and out plus sundry expenses related to the Authorities at Punta Arenas. Although a pilot will be on board, the description given below concerning a few navigational hazards peculiar to the Strait and the Channels may be of general interest. In the Strait, the tidal currents are strong especially in the First Narrows at the eastern end, running at 2 to 10 knots and reversing with the tides. In the Second Narrows, the currents run at 2 to 5 knots which, in particular, affect Gregorio Terminal where ships must wait for slack water to moor or sail. To take advantage of the tide in the Narrows, a ship leaving Punta Arenas 2 hours before high water should arrive at the entrance to the Second Narrows at high water. To reach Puerto Natales and/or Puerto Bories:,It is part of the channel pilot s work (or of a special pilot) to pass the Kirke Narrows. The other alternative is to use Channel White, where only daylight crossing is possible. Kirke Narrows lie 30 miles before Natales and can only be crossed in slack water, at high or low tide. After the ebb, slack water lasts for 30 minutes but only 15 minutes after the flood. Although a launch comes out to give advice, it is better to keep close watch on the kelp floating in the water as with any tide this is immediately dragged under. Full transit takes 15 minutes. The width of the channel varies from 550m narrowing to 350m and for a short stretch to perhaps 50m. Currents are irregular and can reach 10 knots. The Strait of Magellan extends over 310 miles between the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. There are three commercial ports and four LPG/CPP terminals. Strait of Magellan (Information from Ultramar Group)