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Port of Limassol (Cyprus) - Port Information (ID: 35466)
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LIMASSOL.htm Limassol Cyprus Cyprus Limassol Port Information Selections Port Map Geographic Location Harbor as Haven Currents and Tides Visibility Hazardous Conditions Spring Summer Autumn Winter Protective or Mitigating Measures Moving to a new Anchorage Sortie or Remain in Port Scheduling Harbor Protection Local Hazardous Weather Conditions Wind Chill Table Heat Index Table Return To Ports List December, 1999 Zadar Area Map Geographic Location Geographic Location Coordinates: 34deg/40min N 33deg/02min E Cyprus: located at north-eastern end of Mediterranean basin at adistance of 240 miles north of Egypt, 64 miles west of Syria, and 44 milessouth of Turkey. Area:3572 sq miles The New or Commercial Port of Limassol is located on the south coast of the island ofCyprus. The port is situated on the east side of the Akrotiri Peninsula,about 5 n mi north of Cape Gata, the southernmost point on Cyprus. Theterrain immediately adjacent to Limassol is mostly low-lying, but theTroodos Mountains, with elevations exceeding 5,000 ft, are located northof the port. Elevations over 1,640 ft are within 9 n mi of the port.Large salt pans lie southwest of the port on the Akrotiri Peninsula. The Port of Limassol is located on the northwest coast of Akrotiri Bay.The port is comprised of two harbors and two anchorages. The commercialharbor is the largest, and is capable of handling vessels up to 820 ftsize for berthing in 45 ft of water. Berthing is unrestricted, but theharbor is very busy and berthing space may not be available. It is enteredthrough an approach channel which is 49 ft deep and 492 ft wide betweenthe ends of two breakwaters. A fleet landing is established on the northend of the inner harbor at the North Quay. Port working hours are 0600 - 2400 localtime. US Navy ships mooring at the West Quay have experienced shallowerdepths immediately adjacent to the pier. Yokohama fenders, availablefor rent, allow the ships to moor slightly further away from the pier in deeperwaters. A ro-ro capability exists on the West Quay. The pilots are generally very helpful although they do not allunderstand warship maneuvering characteristics. Three tugs are available: 1250hp, 750hp, and 400hp. A wreck of 59 feet depth is located 1/2 n mi northeast of the main breakwater point. A smaller, older harbor is located about 1 1/3 n mi northeast of thecommercial harbor. It is used by Navy ships primarily as a fleet landingfor small boats from ships utilizing an anchorage near the harbor.The size of the harbor and shallow depths do not allow larger vessels toenter. Max draft for small boats entering harbor is 8 feet. A fleet landingcould be set up at any location within the new harbor. A British Sovereign Base is located on Akrotiri Peninsula. Britishinternational waters extend from an area south of the new port main breakwaterto the tip of the peninsula seaward to 3 n mi. Anchoring in this area willrequire clearance from the U.S. Defense Attache Office. Local Weather Resources: 518kHz NAVTEX broadcast VHF channel 16. One can request local forecasts and warnings fromCyprus Radio to be broadcast on channel 26 or 27. Duty Forecaster from RAF, Akrotiri. Can contact via phone fromoutside Cyprus 00357-5266570 or within Cyprus (05)266570 or via emailmetoffakr@cytanet.com.cy Cyprus Coastal Waters Warnings are issued for Beaufort > 7 and arebroadcast over Cyprus Radio on VHF channel 26. Marine Gale Force Warnings for the East Med are available overNAVTEX. Harbor as Haven Harbor as Haven The New (commercial) Port of Limassol is a relatively safe port under all weatherconditions. Caution is advised during strong easterly winds and wavesfor ships anchoring, arriving or departing. Because of the orientation of the entrance, the new harbor offersgood protection from waves from all directions. The older harbor is well protected, butsmall boats may have problems entering during strong easterly winds.During such situations small boats should still be able to enter thecommercial harbor. The anchorages are exposed to winds and waves from northeast clockwiseto southwest. Waves may reach 13 ft in the anchorages. Heavy swellgenerated by persistent (2-3 day duration) easterly winds may last up to10 hours after the wind ceases. A typical winter storm lasts 2-3 days and can cause 7-8 ft waves. When westerly winds occur, moving anchorage to 1 nautical mile south andwest of port breakwater willreduce the fetch for waves for smoother small boat operations. Britishinternational waters extend from the Akrotiri coast seaward for 3nautical miles. Vessels can anchor in an anchorage area located east extending to thesouthwest of the new harbor entrance (southwest from the letter "A" in Port Map ). Also, vesselscan use the anchorage located about 1/2 n mi southeast of the smallerharbor (indicated by the letter "B" in Port Map ).The anchorages are very congested, however. Holding in the anchorages isgood on a bottom of mud and sand. No anchor dragging has been reported inover 20 years for vessels with good ground tackle, even in winds of galeforce. If conditions in the anchorages are severe, Episcopi Bay on thewest side of the Akrotiri Peninsula provides good shelter from easterlywind and swell. British international waters extend from the Episcopi coast seaward for 3 nautical miles. Anchoring in this area will require clearance from the U.S. Defense Attache Office. Currents and Tides Currents and Tides Tides are negligible at Limassol; currents are wind driven andare typically not a problem. Visibility Visibility Visibility is mainly good or very good throughout the year. Fog or poor visibility occurs 3 - 4 times a year usually confined to early morning in spring. Fog occurs when the air is humid and there is little wind. Visibility is reduced to near zero starting around 0600L. Port operations may beinterrupted but the fog usually clears by 0830L, 1000L at the latest. Southeast desert winds bring dust to the area, but normally is not a problem. Hazardous Conditions: Spring Hazardous Conditions: Spring Weather during March and the first part of April is similar to that of winter, but spring is noted for periods of unsettled winter-type weather associated with increased occurrences of desert depressions (North African cyclones); otherwise spring weather is much like summer weather. Limassol experiences precipitation on an average of 7 days during March, 4 days during April, and 3 days during May. The port of Limassol experiences fog 3-4 times during the spring season. Fog may reduce the visibility to near zero at dawn, but it usually clears by 0830L, 1000L at the latest. Warm southeast desert winds (Scirocco) occur most frequently during March - April. These winds can last 1-2 days. Extreme anomalous radar and radio propagation are likely because of strong low level inversions. Desert depressions (North African cyclones) develop over the desert region south of the Atlas Mountains, and are more likely to occur during spring than any other month. These systems usually move northeastward upon reaching the Tunisia/Gulf of Gabes region, but may continue moving eastward just south of the North African coast. Since various tracks are possible, it can be very difficult to forecast when and if a desert depression will affect the eastern Mediterranean. Of special concern to the forecaster in the eastern Mediterranean are the desert depressions that move eastward just south of the North African coast during spring. These systems are hard to track because of the scarcity of timely surface data over North Africa. If the depressions deepen, they are likely to move northeastward. If a desert depression moves out over the water, warm, southeast to southwest desert winds become the primary weather phenomenon associated with it. The Cyprus depression develops in the lee of the Taurus Mountains of Turkey in the general region from the Gulf of Antalya to Cyprus. These cyclones usually become most intense from November through April, sothey are most likely to affect the weather at Limassol during the firstpart of the spring season. Hazardous Conditions: Summer Hazardous Conditions: Summer Summer is characterized by settled and dry weather with persistent daytime westerly winds. This is due to the monsoonal effect where a heat trough over southern Asia extends westward over Turkey. Higher pressure persistsover the relatively cooler sea surface of the Mediterranean. Precipitation statistics indicate that rainfall is unlikely during thesummer. Records for Limassol show that precipitation occurs on an averageof one day in June, zero days in July and August, and only one day duringSeptember. Local authorities at Limassol identified a daytime, moderate, westerly wind, known as Bounentes by some mariners. The wind is a result of cyclonic flow over the Cypriot coastline from a mesoscale thermal low near the island center, formed from daytime heating. The salt lake, west of the port, would provide reduced friction region thus keeping the wind strong as it passes over the peninsula.The prevailing winds sometimesreach near gale force (beaufort 5-7) in the afternoon making boat work uncomfortable. If winds are prevalent by 1000L, moderate winds can be expected in the afternoon. Haze is a problem for flight operations over the East Med. The problemis most prevalent during summer and early autumn. Hazardous Conditions: Autumn Hazardous Conditions: Autumn The autumn season in the Mediterranean area is short, usually lasting onlyfor the month of October. It is characterized by an abrupt change fromthe relatively subdued summer weather to the unsettled weather of winter.By the end of the month, the extratropical storm track has moved southwardfrom its summertime location over Europe, and extratropical storms againtransit the Mediterranean region. The threat of strong northeast tosoutheast winds increases as the month progresses. Precipitation frequency starts to increase by the end of the month.Records for Limassol indicate that rain can be expected on an average of3 days during the month of October. Hazardous Conditions: Winter Hazardous Conditions: Winter During the winter season the Eurasian land mass north of the easternMediterranean Sea is very cold in comparison to the sea surface temperature near Cyprus. Upper level westerlies are often found over the Mediterranean during this period, resulting in cyclonic activity, unsettled weather and strong winds. Local port authorities state the most common hazardous weather condition during the winter season is a combination of easterly winds (Levante) and waves and that23 days of stormy weather/easterly winds can be expected per winter. Atypical winter storm lasts 2-3 days and winds could reach gale force. A specific cause is anticyclonic flowfrom a high pressure over Turkey andlow pressure to the south near Egypt. The resultant pressure gradient brings northeast to southeast winds to the Cyprus area. In an average year, Limassol receives rain on 6 days in November, 13 daysin December, 14 days in January, and 12 days in February. Thunderstorms are primarily a winter time occurrence. Waterspouts are occasionallyobserved to the west and south, and sometimes move on shore near Limassol. Heavy rain is likely near frontal boundaries and along topographicalbarriers. Such barriers would likely include the mountains north of Limassol. The Cyprus depression develops in the lee of the Taurus Mountains of Turkey in the general region from the Gulf of Antalya to Cyprus. These cyclones usually become most intense from November through April. Weather conditionsto the west of a Cyprus depression are typical for the classic case of coldair moving over relatively warm water, i.e., strong-to-gale-force, squally winds with heavy showers. Near gale to gale force southwest winds can occur ahead of a coldfront from depressions moving east from Crete. Protective/Mitigating Measures: Moving to a New Anchorage Protective/Mitigating Measures: Moving to a New Anchorage Holding on the mud and sand bottom is good, and no anchor dragging has been reported in 20 years for ships with good ground tackle.But if conditions are severe, Episkopi Bayon the west side of the Akrotiri Peninsula provides good shelter fromeasterly wind and swell. Note: British international waters extend fromthe Episkopi Bay coast seaward for 3 nautical miles. Anchoring in thisarea will require clearance from the U.S. Defense Attache Office. When westerly winds occur, moving anchorage to 1 nautical mile south and west of port breakwater willreduce the fetch for waves for smoother small boat operations. Britishinternational waters extend from the Akrotiri coast seaward for 3 nautical miles. Protective/Mitigating Measures: Sortie/Remain in Port Protective/Mitigating Measures: Sortie/Remain in Port The Limassol New (commercial) Port is a safe haven from allweather conditions. Protective/Mitigating Measures: Scheduling Protective/Mitigating Measures: Scheduling In summer, if winds are prevalent by 1000L, moderate westerlywinds can be expected in the afternoon. This could make boat workunfortable. A persistent (2 - 3 day) easterly Levante wind event couldraise swell over 10 feet in the anchorage areas which could lastup to 10 hours after winds shift. Small boats may have a problem entering the old harborduring strong easterly winds, but still should be able to enterthe new (commercial) harbor, unless extreme conditions exist.Leaving the harbor is more difficult. In summers, early arrivals and departures are recommended totake advantage of the best calm conditions. Harbor Protection Harbor Protection Wind and Weather The Port of Limassol is a relatively safe port under most weather conditions, but caution is advised with strong easterly winds and waves. Wind effects can be reduced by moored ships in the commercial harbor by doubling or adding lines as necessary. Anchored vessels are exposed to the full effects of easterly winds and waves from the southeast semicircle. East-northeasterly gales occur from October to April and during these months it is advisable to anchor in about 72 ft of water. During the summer the prevailing winds sometime reach near gale forcein the afternoon making boat work uncomfortable. At such times it isadvisable for small vessels to anchor farther south to a location 1 n mi south and west of the new port breakwater. The Troodos Mountains north of Limassol would effectively prevent any significant northerly wind from reaching the port. Thunderstorms are primarily a wintertime phenomenon,short-lived, and cause no significant operations problem in the port. Waterspouts areobserved to the west and south, and occasionally come on shore nearLimassol. Waves In some circumstances, swell will amplify at the harbor entrance. A typical winter storm lasts 2-3 days and causes 7-8 ft waves in the anchorages. Swell to 13 ft is possible, but vessels with good ground tackle normally do not drag anchor with winds of gale force. On oneoccurence, steady 35 kt winds lasted 17 hours causing 13 ft waves. Local Hazardous Weather Conditions Local Hazardous Weather Conditions An indicator of approaching strong easterly winds (the worst weather condition for the port) is a lowering of the water level in the harbor by 8-12 inches. This phenomenon can cause a problem for berthed ships with drafts near 33 ft because the depths in the harbor have been dredged to only 36 ft. at the three old quays. Meteorologists should also be alert to watch for building high pressure over Turkey with lower pressure over Egypt in order to anticipate the onset of northeast to southeast winds and waves. The Phoenician wind prediction calendar (at the end) may be of use in anticipating other wind events. Winds Southeast desert winds (Scirocco) - a good indication of the start of a Scirocco in the eastern Mediterranean is the development of strong southerly winds at stations along the northeast coast of Libya. If summer winds are prevalent (15 kt) by 1000L then moderate westerlywinds (25-30 kt) will peak in the afternoon and die down at sunset. If summer winds are calm near Cyprus and stronger winds are sought for carrier operations: a. A day breeze can be found close inshore off Akrotiri ( south of Limassol) even when winds are calm 15 n mi offshore. b. A night wind can be found about 40 n mi southwest of Cape Gata Wind speeds at coastal stations in Israel and Cyprus are not good indicators of the wind strength at sea during periods of strong westerly flow in the eastern Mediterranean. Cyclogenesis Cyprus depressions usually form in the late autumn or early spring when a deep stream of cold air moves toward the eastern Mediterranean from the Balkans or the Black Sea. Cyclogenesis can be expected to begin in the Cyprus area when a cold front approaches the Anatolian Plateau (in central Turkey) from the north. Strong surface ridging eastward across Morocco is an indication that a North African cyclone will move/develop over Tunisia, east of the Atlas Mountains. If surface winds at Algiers shift from southwesterly to northwesterly in association with the ridging, cyclogenesis will occur east of the Atlas Mountains. Cyclones developing on the southern edge of a cold surge over the Aegean Sea may move southward or even southwestward at first, but normally they later will move eastward to the Cyprus area. The strongest winds associated with a deepening desert depression, after the system moves out over the Mediterranean, occur in the northwest sector of the system rather than in the eastern sector. Salt haze is a serious problem for flight operations over the Mediterranean. It is most prevalent during the summer and early autumn. Its color is bluish white, as opposed to the brown of dust haze. Salt haze scatters and reflects light rays much more than does dusthaze. Salt haze sometimes extends to over 12,000 ft and has been reported up to 20,000 ft. Although surface visibility in salt haze may be as high as 4-6 n mi, the slant visibility for a pilot making a landing approach may be near zero, especially if the approach is in the general direction of the sun. Salt haze is sometimes thicker aloft than at the surface. Salt haze is less of a problem after sunset since the poor visibilityis caused partially by scattering and reflection. Salt haze is mostlikely to develop in a stagnant air mass when there is a lack ofmixing. It is especially prevalent when there is a strong ridgepresent at the surface and aloft. It will not completely disperseuntil there is a change of air masses such as occurs with a frontalpassage. Visibility will improve if there is an increase in the windspeeds at the 850 and/or 700 mb levels. Phonecian Wind Prediction Calendar Approx. Date Local Name Translated Name 27 September El Saleeb Winds Crosswinds 21 October El Saleebesh Crusades 26 November El Mickness Broom Gale* 6 December Kassim Gale 20 December El Fedra/El Saghira Small Feeder Gale 11 January El Fedra Gale* 19 January El Fedra/El Kabira Large Feeder Gale 28 January El Fedra Gale 18 February El Shams/El Saghira Sun Gale* 10 March El Hossum Equinox Gale 20 March El Shams/El Kabira Big Sun Gale* 25 March Hana Wind Gale 29 April Khamseem Winds Sand Laden S/SW Winds * These winds are typically stronger than others. Each episode generally lasts 3 days. Cyprus: located at north-eastern end of Mediterranean basin at a distance of 240 miles north of Egypt, 64 miles west of Syria, and 44 miles south of T Port of Limassol (Cyprus) - Port Information