Visiting Vessels

Visiting Vessel Agent Services

Since there are few, if any, commercial vessels calling on Newport, Oregon there are no ship’s agents with local knowledge of services available. We strongly encourage visiting vessels to discuss their needs with the Marine Operations office before engaging an agent.

U.S. Customs Clearance

Foreign-flag vessels, or U.S.-flag vessels completing a foreign voyage on arrival at Newport, must contact the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol office for the Port (541-265-6456) well in advance of arrival.

Housing Options

Located in Newport, Oregon, Hatfield Marine Science Center Housing provides a variety of accommodations for residents engaging with Hatfield through research, coursework, and visiting groups. With a variety of unique accommodations, our facilities support both nightly and long-term stays.

For more information, please see the Housing FAQ’s or contact [email protected].

Personnel Responsibilities

Alcohol and Intoxicants: Consumption of alcohol, or any other intoxicant as defined under OAR 764-064-0005(8), on the wharf or in any other area of Marine Operations facility, will result in an immediate bar of the person(s) concerned from the facility, and may result in an immediate and permanent revocation of mooring privileges for any visiting vessel.

Parking: Parking space is limited at the OSU Marine Operations facility and dock.

• Persons driving vehicles onto the Marine Operations facility, causeway and dock do so at their own risk
• OSU is not responsible for any damage claims.
• Vehicles may temporarily park on the dock for loading and unloading or to support ship or scientific logistics. Private vehicles are not to be left parked on the pier and any that block access will be towed.
• The drive leading to the pier is a fire lane. Vehicles parked on it are subject to towing.
• Locked gates are at the entrance to the pier and to the Marine Operations parking area and storage yard. These gates are normally open during business hours (M-F from 0800 to 1630) but, when research vessels are gone, they may be locked even during these hours. No vehicles should be parked in the lot or on the pier without permission from the Marine Operations office. A failure to obtain permission may result in the vehicle being locked in the yard or on the pier.
• Very limited long term (e.g., while the ship is gone) parking is available. Arrangements should be discussed with the Marine Operations office well in advance.

Vessel Responsibilities

Brows/Gangways: Visiting vessels will provide and rig a suitable brow or gangway for safe access to and from the vessel. Brow arrangements deemed unsafe or likely to cause damage to the wharf will not be permitted.

Load Limits: Vehicles are limited to an H-15 loading, represented by a two-axle single unit truck weighing 30,000 pounds (15 tons) with 6,000 pounds on its steering axle and 24,000 pounds on its drive axle. Not more than three such vehicles shall be on the wharf at any time and not more than one on the trestle at a time.

Crane Limits: Crane outrigger load limits are 100,000 pounds per outrigger if over a bent (bents are the main structural beams of the pier and run across the width of the pier and are spaced every 40 feet), and no more than 37,000 pounds each outside the bents. Since the large cranes normally used on the pier have a highway weight of about 80,000 pounds, the load on each outrigger is about 20,000 pounds before any lift is made -- as a result, any heavy load must only be swung only over the outriggers located over a bent.

Heavy lifts requiring the services of a shore crane are to be coordinated with the Marine Superintendent and may require that the visiting vessel tie up in a specific location to allow the picked loads to be on the outriggers over the bents. Such lifts are considered “critical lifts” and require a planning meeting with the crane operator, ship’s master or chief mate, and the Marine Operations Port Captain or designated alternate prior to any lift.

Weight Limitations: Equipment weighing up to 10,000 pounds can be lifted and moved with equipment available at the Marine Operations facility. All crane picks over 7,100 must be arranged in advance with Marine Operations. Equipment weighing less than 11,000 pounds may be lifted with our crane from a truck alongside the ship (with a two-part block setup that has been pre-arranged as time allows).

Scientific Staging: The wharf may be used to assemble, disassemble or test scientific equipment. A variety of electrical power, including connections for vans and containers, is available on the wharf. Such staging shall not interfere with access to other vessels or emergency vehicle access to vessels and the dock. For more information, please see our Shoreside Facilities page.

Fueling: Visiting ships may take on diesel fuel, lubricating oils and limited quantities of gasoline from tank trucks over the wharf. The vessel operator is responsible for all fuel contract arrangements, and adherence to all applicable Marine Operations policies, federal, state, county and Port of Newport environmental regulations to be followed by both the ship's personnel and the fuel supplier. All fuel suppliers must have spill response capabilities on site and ready to respond throughout the fueling process.

Marine Operations is to be notified of all fueling in advance to avoid conflicts. Marine Operations reserves the right to refuse access to fuel vendors.

Explosives and other Hazardous Materials: The loading of hazardous materials such as explosives may be approved by the Marine Superintendent but will require coordination with Port of Newport officials, City of Newport Fire and Police departments and the USCG Captain of the Port (located in Portland, Oregon) to obtain the necessary permits. These activities must be planned at least three months in advance.

Sandblasting, Welding, Spray Painting: These activities are, in general, not to be performed on the wharf or weather decks of visiting ships. Exceptions for welding related to the installation of scientific equipment or unanticipated vessel repairs may be approved by the Marine Superintendent.

Cautions and Prohibitions: The Marine Operations wharf includes the pump intakes for the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and the intakes for the HMSC public display area and research facilities are immediately upstream from the wharf. Many of the activities at HMSC depend on clean air and clean sea water. In addition, the wharf is highly visible to the City of Newport and users of Yaquina Bay.

The discharge of water or air pollutants from visiting vessels or associated dockside activities is to be avoided. Any accidental spills or discharges are to be promptly reported to the various agencies as required by law and to the Marine Superintendent. Any financial liability resulting from pollution will be borne by the vessel operator.

Fishing and crabbing from the wharf, trestle or small craft float is not allowed; however, these activities may be done off the outboard side of visiting ships. Exceptions for scientific sampling may be approved by Marine Operations. For more information, please see our Pier Use information.

Diving operations for scientific purposes, training, or ship maintenance may be conducted around the wharf but Marine Operations is to be notified beforehand for coordination with OSU's Dive Safety Officer.

The disposal of any hazardous waste including radioactive materials, chemicals, waste fuels and lubricants, biologic hazards, etc., is prohibited at the Marine Operations Facility. In the event disposal services are required, the location and retention of an outside contractor is the responsibility of the requesting agency.

Disposal operations must provide the appropriate SDS and PPE. All disposal contractors must adhere to all applicable Marine Operations policies, federal, state, county and Port of Newport environmental regulations. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the visiting ship or science party.