INSTRUCTIONS FOR NAVIGATION AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE TRACK IN THE EASTERN REGION OF THE MAGELLAN STRAIT SPECIAL NAVIGATIONAL AID SYSTEM
Introduction: General features of prevailing weather in both regions of the Magellan Strait during different seasons, as well as phenomena relating to water movement and anchorage qualities are described in the first paragraphs of the Derrotero de las Costas de Chile, Vol. IV. The following are the particular forms of the eastern zone in details.
Winds: Winds from 3rd and 4th quadrants are predominant. They attain a great intensity, especially in summer season and decrease considerably with the sunset. In winter, low pressure centers move into N and when these are produced to N of the Magellan Strait, winds of E component appear. Although these winds do not attain great intensity, they produce reefs in the W coast of the region.
Tides and currents: The determining factor for navigation in the eastern region of the Magellan Strait is the tide, including water changes from 9 to 10 meters that produce currents up to 8 knots of intensity in syzygies in the narrows; likewise, vessels must take account into the effect that produces such water change on the low land appearance, especially when it is necessary to know the distance.
The currents in the narrows decline in 3 hours in relation to the corresponding tide, which means that the high tide moment coincides approximately with the highest ingoing stream while the low tide does with the highest ebb current.
The SHOA publication No. 3009 "Tablas de Marea de la Costa de Chile" (Tide Tables of the Chilean Coast) provides information about the slack tide time in the narrows and the time during which the ingoing stream runs -into W-, conveniently for vessels navigating from the Pacific Ocean; or the ebb current -that pulls towards E-, which can be useful for ships sailing to the Atlantic Ocean. When using these tables, navigator must take account into the actual slack tide time due to it can vary up to 30 minutes in relation to the tabular predictions and up to 1 hour in special circumstances. However, it is supposed that around 90% of tabular slack tides determines a difference lesser than 30 minutes.
Other considerations: Due to the currents and W strong winds that blow in this zone, dead reckoning is not it is not reliable, for which it is necessary to navigate cautiously. Particularly, there is a dangerous zone between cabo San Vicente and isla Magdalena and in front of bajo Satélite.
Vessels navigating to W can arrive at the NE entrance of Primera Angostura when finishing the ebb stream in order to use the ingoing stream that pulls towards SW during the transit along the narrows.
Vessels navigating to E can arrive at the W entrance of Segunda Angostura when finishing the ingoing stream in order to use the ebb current that pulls towards NE during the transit along the narrows.
Navigation at night is not a difficulty in such area, because of the route is enough marked by lighthouses, lighted beacons and radar beacons to facilitate its identification.
Entrance message into the eastern mouth.-Vessels must communicate -by message and 12 hours in advance- to the Maritime Authority Offices of Punta Arenas, the estimated time of entry into the eastern mouth of the Strait, including: Ship's name, call signal, GRT, length, deeper draught, arrival port, estimated time of entry into the strait, estimated time of entry into the pilot transference zone or traffic regulation area to cross Primera and Segunda Angosturas and control of vessel's navigation conditions, if necessary.
Special Navigational Aid System: In the eastern area of the Magellan Strait, a navigational aid system has been installed -which has radar stations installed at the maritime traffic control stations of Punta Dungeness and Punta Delgadato assist ships between banco Tritón -by the W side- and the eastern mouth, in order to provide in general safety for human life at sea, ships and ecosystem.
This service is permanently available to be used and captains must only require it to use the system. Permanent watch on international frequency of 156.8 MHz (VHF Maritime Channel 16) must be kept.
Vessels that need such service and coming from the Atlantic Ocean must communicate to the Maritime Radio Station of Punta Arenas (CBM) at least 12 hours in advance, the crossing time of the International Limit of the Magellan Strait. To do so, vessels must use the frequencies and time indicated on the Coastal Stations Nomenclator, List IV of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Vessels coming from the Pacific Ocean, past Punta Arenas, must communicate with the Maritime Radio Station of Punta Arenas (CBM) on VHF Channel 16, and 20 miles off punta Baxa with the station of Punta Delgada (CBM-5) on the same channel, to operate on VHF Channel 68 (alternatives channels 11 and 13).
Weather information of the Maritime Traffic and others: The Maritime Radio Stations of Punta Arenas (CBM) and Punta Delgada (CBM-5) provide the following information:
Existing Maritime Traffic of the area.
Position of jack up rigs and naval crafts.
Anchorage and sea pilot zone.
Tide and current state.
Radio navigational aids and others.
Pilotage: It is compulsory for all flags ships navigating the Primera Angostura y Segunda Angostura through the Magellan Strait.
Pilots Transference Zone: It is situated at SSW and 2.5 miles of Cabo Posesión lighted beacon, where ships can anchor waiting for Channel Pilots. They can also do it only decreasing their speed to E of the first line of jack up rigs lying to S of bahía Posesión. In case of the sea and wind conditions make an unsafe transference in bahía Posesión; this will be done during the ship's transit near by Punta Delgada lighthouse.
Channel Pilots are transferred from and towards ships using special boats coming from Punta Delgada.
Stand By Area for Maritime Traffic Regulation and Vessels Navigability Control: In case of the Maritime Authority of Punta Arenas controls the traffic of ships in the Primera and Segunda Angosturas of the Magellan Strait and verifies the vessels navigability conditions, the following waiting areas have been arranged inside the limits that determine the following geographic points indicated on the nautical charts.
Vessels without Channel Pilots
Bahía Posesión (Chart 11.600).
Lat. 52° 19' 20" S Long. 68° 58' 30" W
Lat. 52°
19' 20" S Long. 68° 53' 30" W
Lat. 52° 21' 20"
S Long. 68° 58' 30" W
Lat. 52° 21' 20" S Long. 68°
53' 30" W
Punta Arenas. (Chart 11.411).
Lat. 53° 10' 10 " S Long. 70° 51' 46" W
Lat. 53° 10' 23" S Long. 70°
51' 09" W
Lat. 53° 10' 45 " S Long. 70° 51' 32" W
Lat. 53° 10' 31 " S Long. 70° 52' 06 "
W
Vessels with Channel Pilots
Bahía Felipe. (Chart 11.500).
Lat. 52° 45' 05" S Long. 70° 00' 20" W.
Lat. 52° 44' 25" S Long. 69° 58' 10" W.
Lat. 52° 45' 15" S Long. 69° 57' 15" W.
Lat. 52° 45' 55" S Long. 69° 59' 30" W.
Procedures: the above-mentioned vessels must anchor at the arranged areas and pass the control of the Maritime Authority -such as safety papers and navigability conditions and equipment.
This control is carried out in the first occasion that vessel crosses the Magellan Strait and, subsequently, every 12 months.
For vessels that have not the safety papers in force or do not meet with the requirements in relation to operation of navigational equipment, the Maritime Authority will arrange the corresponding regularization, meeting with the provision of a safe navigation and protection of the human life at sea.
Information: The Republic of Argentina has defined its Territorial Sea Area of 12 miles in width between parallels 52º 20`S and 52º 39`S as "Entry Zone into the Magellan Strait". In such area, the Argentine Maritime Authority requests information for search and rescue purposes without affecting the clear navigation and without impediments for ships coming from or towards the Magellan Strait.
During the crossing of the Magellan Strait,vessels must meet strictly with the Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea relating with the sound signals.
Vessel shall keep permanent watch on the international safety VHF frequencies, channels 16 and 70.
Report to the corresponding Maritime TrafficControl
Station located at Islote Evangelistas, Bahía Félix, and
Punta Dungeness lighthouses or Harbor Master Offices of Punta Delgada,
the entrance and exit into or from the Magellan Strait.
Inform the Maritime Authority the vessel'sgeographic position following
the CHILREP Procedures, at 0800 and 2000 local time. Ships navigating
without pilots should do so every 4 hours.
Ships with lengths greater than 200 meterswill have preference of passage
in the straits. The Maritime Authority will notify when these ships are
navigating.
Special Instructions for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC):
vessels of great size must take account into certain special considerations
to navigate Primera Angostura, Segunda Angostura and the eastern mouth
of the Magellan Strait, considering that in such area the highest tides
and stronger currents appear. These are:
1. Navigation along Primera Angostura and especially through the shallow area located at SW of it, has the higher risks for which navigation of vessels having a draught over 21.34 meters shall be limited. However, the depth and width of tide allow deeper draught vessels to navigate; when these vessels need to navigate along this passage, they must require the authorization of the General Directorate of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine that will establish the security regulations for navigation.
2. Although it is more convenient to navigate to S of bajo Satélite and the proximities of banco Tritón, after or during the slack tide of the ingoing stream or initiating the ebb stream at Primera Angostura during the day, due to the good weather conditions, a vessel can pass along the Strait in other moment, taking the appropriate navigational precautions.
Una vez abierto de la costa, navegar en dirección al paso Nuevo, que es la ruta recomendada de navegación para las naves de gran tamaño, habiéndose desechado la de los pasos Reina y Real por los peligros que contienen.
En el paso Nuevo: Carta Nº 11500. Su navegación ofrece algunas dificultades debido a las corrientes de marea, cuya acción se experimenta al través de la derrota, con peligro para las naves de ser arrastradas sobre el banco Nuevo o sobre el banco Marta. La intensidad de la corriente en oportunidades es considerable, alcanzando hasta 6 nudos en época de sicigias.
Aproximar al paso Nuevo desde alguna distancia al S de la isla Magdalena —señalizada con una baliza luminosa—, gobernando al rumbo 002° para pasar al E y 2,85 millas de la referida isla y más adelante al W y 1,5 millas del cabo San Vicente. De este modo, se dará prudente resguardo por babor al bajo fondo de roca con 4,1 metros que se encuentra al E y 2,1 millas de la isla Magdalena y un poco más adelante se pasará a una distancia segura del banco Nuevo por estribor, y también del banco Marta por babor. Una buena guía para tomar el paso Nuevo, la constituye la enfilación de las balizas luminosas Cerro Cono y Cabo San Vicente; alineación que no debe ser sobrepasada al W mientras no se haya rebasado al N de la latitud de la isla Magdalena. Otra alternativa, muy útil en cualquier condición de tiempo y visibilidad, es verificar que la nave se desplace manteniéndose entre las longitudes 73° 28’ W y 73° 29’ W, indicadas por el GPS, dado que la cartografía actual del área y dicho instrumento poseen la exactitud requerida para ello.
Finalmente, próximo al llegar a la cuadra de la baliza luminosa del cabo San Vicente, caer a estribor al rumbo 035° para pasar al NW y 1,4 millas de la costa al N del cabo San Vicente.
Avanzando hacia el N, cuidar corregir oportunamente y con rapidez cualquier abatimiento que se evidencie. Cabe recordar que en este paraje, cuando se ha sobrepasado al N del centro del banco Nuevo, la corriente vaciante o de reflujo tira fuertemente a través del rumbo —hacia el W—, con el consiguiente peligro para la nave de ser arrastrada sobre el banco Marta.
En la Segunda Angostura: Carta Nº 11500. Escapulado el cabo San Vicente a no menos de 1,4 millas, continuar al rumbo 035° para pasar al NW y 1,4 millas de la costa al NE del mismo cabo, en dirección al centro de la Segunda Angostura; arrumbamiento que lleva rectamente sobre ella. Posteriormente, cambiar el rumbo al 077° para pasar al N y 1,3 millas del cabo San Simón en la costa S de la angostura; y algo más adelante, al S y 3,1 millas del cabo Gregorio.
Hacia la bahía Gregorio: Carta Nº 11500. Si se desea fondear en la bahía Gregorio o en la bahía Santiago, desde que el cabo Gregorio se demarque por la cuadra gobernar al rumbo 018°, y cuando el límite N de la tierra arenosa del cabo llegue a estar en línea con el Hombro de Gregorio o extremo W de la sierra Gregorio, la nave se hallará bastante cerca del fondeadero; pero no se debe largar el ancla hasta que el cerro Mogote quede bien abierto por el N del cabo y sobre el valle pastoso. Desde esta situación la punta Valle y las colinas vecinas son claramente visibles, y el buque puede ir a tomar fondeadero al pie de ellas o proseguir su derrota por el N de los bancos Tribuna y Tritón.
Desde la Segunda Angostura a la Primera Angostura: Carta Nº 11500. Aspecto de las tierras.-Encontrándose a la cuadra del cabo Gregorio y unas 3 millas, navegando a un rumbo que conduzca por el S y unas 2 millas de los bancos Tribuna y Tritón, las primeras tierras que divisarán serán los cerros Sutlej y Dixon, y si el tiempo está claro se verá también el monte Aymond, que aparecerá al E del primero. Como las tierras de la entrada de la Primera Angostura son muy bajas, no se distinguirán hasta algún tiempo después que se haya visto el cerro Dixon y algunos otros de la costa de la isla Tierra del Fuego, los cuales aparecen como islas; pero, avanzando más y más, se harán visibles, sobre cada lado de la angostura y a su entrada, las cumbres de las puntas Barranca con una pirámide y Baxa con la torre del faro; las cimas del morro Núñez y la baliza luminosa Punta Méndez. La pirámide y la torre de la baliza antedichas son visibles generalmente desde unas 10 millas. Continuando la navegación se llega a la entrada SW de la Primera Angostura cuidando dar prudente resguardo al bajo Satélite.
El morro Núñez se presenta como un barranco de forma triangular y constituye una buena señal. A medida que se avanza, empiezan a aparecer el cabo Orange y el cerro Dirección con su pirámide y baliza luminosa; cuando uno y otro se encuentre a la cuadra, se divisará por la amura de estribor, como una isla, el cabo Posesión.
Naves con calado entre 13,2 y 21,34 metros: Saliendo de la Segunda Angostura navegando al rumbo 077° y luego de pasar al S y 3,1 millas del cabo Gregorio, continuar al mismo rumbo y pasar por el S del área con profundidades entre 20 y 19,5 metros desprendida al SE del banco Tribuna. Enseguida, corregir el rumbo a babor hasta el 062° para pasar al SSE y 1,5 millas de la boya pilar luminosa cardinal N que señaliza el bajo Tritón — o bien, al S y 6,6 millas de la punta Valle en la costa N de esta parte. El Racon de la baliza luminosa Segunda Angostura quedará por la popa y en la demarcación 242°.
Continuando al arrumbimiento 062° cuidar ahora pasar al SSE y 1 milla de la baliza luminosa Bajo Satélite —provista de Racon. Esta ruta, la más comprometida para una nave de calado profundo, conduce por el centro del canalizo con profundidades mayores de 20 metros que se forma entre el veril S que une los bancos Tribuna, Tritón y Satélite —por el lado N— y el límite N del área de bajas profundidades desprendida hacia el W del acceso SW de la Primera Angostura —por el lado S.
En la Primera Angostura: Carta Nº 11600. Al llegar a las proximidades de la entrada SW de la Primera Angostura cuidar pasar al SE y 1 milla de baliza luminosa Bajo Satélite y caer a babor —escapulando dicha baliza luminosa por babor y a 1 milla— hasta el rumbo 034° para pasar al SE y 1,1 millas de la punta Satélite y en dirección al faro Punta Delgada. De este modo, se dejarán a prudente distancia por estribor los bajos fondos destacados al NW de la punta Baxa; asimismo, por babor, las bajas profundidades que se proyectan en dirección al canal entre el bajo Satélite y la punta del mismo nombre. En esta parte, es imprescindible cuidar mantenerse sobre la derrota definida, por cuanto la corriente de reflujo tira con fuerza hacia el NNE, con evidente peligro para una nave de abatir sobre el referido peligro.
Próximo a la cuadra de la baliza luminosa Punta Méndez, cambiar el rumbo a estribor al 048° para pasar al SE y casi 1,2 millas de la punta Delgada, o bien, al NW y 9 cables de la costa SE de la Primera Angostura y enseguida también de la baliza luminosa de babor Puerto Progreso. Así, se navegará la Primera Angostura a medio freo y dando prudente resguardo a las bajas profundidades que despide la punta Delgada en dirección al centro del canal.
Precaución: Durante la navegación del acceso NE de la Primera Angostura, tener especial cuidado con los transbordadores y barcazas que cruzan entre la punta Delgada y el surgidero Guillermos.
Desde la Primera Angostura al banco Sarmiento. Carta Nº 11600.
Naves con calado superior a 13,2 metros: Salir de la
Primera Angostura navegando al rumbo 048° para pasar al SE y 1,3 millas
de la baliza luminosa de estribor Banco Dirección, y luego al NW
y 1,55 millas de la baliza luminosa de babor Banco Orange. En consecuencia,
se dará seguro resguardo por babor al banco Dirección y
a las aguas someras que despide la costa S de la angostura entre la puntas
Guillermos y Anegada y veril N del banco Orange, por estribor.
Más adelante, cuando la baliza luminosa Cerro Dirección se demarca al 270°, caer a estribor hasta el rumbo al 090° y continuar en demanda de la primera línea de plataformas. Manteniendo la demarcación a la citada baliza luminosa o Racon por la popa, se irá seguro del banco Narrow por babor y también a las bajas profundidades destacadas al N del banco Orange por estribor.
Aproximando a la primera línea de plataformas al rumbo 090° manteniendo la demarcación 270° a la baliza luminosa Cerro Dirección por la popa, cambiar oportunamente el rumbo a estribor al 105° para cruzar la citada línea de plataformas navegando a medio freo entre las denominadas PE-1 y PE-2 —provistas ambas de respondedores de radar (Racon) para facilitar su identificación— y continuar navegando a ese rumbo.
Los Prácticos de Canales desembarcan pasada la línea de plataformas, siendo transferidos a una Lancha de Prácticos. En caso de mal tiempo, lo hacen frente al Faro Punta Delgada.
Poco más adelante, al cruzar el meridiano 69° 00’ W y próximo a llegar al S de la baliza luminosa Cabo Posesión, cambiar nuevamente el rumbo a estribor hasta el 114° para pasar al NE y 5,8 millas de la punta Catalina y luego al SSW y 7,1 millas de la punta Dungeness. De esta manera, se navegará entre los grupos de plataformas petroleras ubicados al N y al S de la boca oriental.
Finalmente, al llegar a la alineación de los faros Punta Dungeness y Cabo Espíritu Santo, dar rumbo al 120°. Mantener este arrumbamiento hasta salvar totalmente los bajos fondos del extremo S del banco Sarmiento y salir francamente al océano Atlántico. Así, todas las plataformas petroleras argentinas que se han ido instalando hacia el SW del banco Sarmiento, quedarán al N de la derrota de acceso a la boca oriental.
Si hubiera que fondear en la bahía Posesión, gobernar dentro de la bahía, observando que la punta Daniel se mantenga abierta del cabo Posesión hasta el momento de largar el ancla.
Durante la navegación de esta zona se recomienda aprovechar toda oportunidad para fijar la situación de la nave por los puntos notables que estén a la vista, particularmente el cabo Posesión, la punta Dungeness y el cabo Vírgenes.
Naves con calado inferior a 13,2 metros: Las naves de poco calado pueden cruzar por sobre el banco Sarmiento con mayor seguridad, algo después de la media marea de flujo o poco antes de la media marea de reflujo; en otras circunstancias o con naves de gran calado, siempre se debe rodear aquél por el S.
Approaching to the eastern mouth of theMagellan Strait, vessels must
take specially caution, due to the current force and variability of
its direction could pull them far of the recommended track and put them
at risk of stranding on some of the numerous existing shallows. These
conditions compel to maintain the vessel's accurate fixing. Ships can
also use the radiogoniometry signals transmitted by the Punta Dungeness
lighthouse, as well as information provided by GPS, due to the charts
and such instrument have the required precision.
In case of fog or storm clouds or if necessaryto wait the current change,
vessel can drop the anchor on any suitable place. Finally, it is convenient
to remember that the precautions must be increased and the vessel's
position must be fixed frequently in case of a constant bad weather
region, navigation filled with obstacles and highest tidal currents.
The Very Large Crude Carriers that arrivesat bahía Posesión
to embark Channel Pilots, must verify their speed to arrive in good
time at Pilot Transference Zone in order to reach the broad on the beam
of banco Satélite -away 30 miles from such transference zone-
one hour in advance that day ebb stream corresponding to Primera Angostura
occurs. These vessels can consider the above-mentioned in case of they
do not want to anchor at the Pilot Transference Zone indicated on the
chart.
Vessels lesser than 13.2 meters draught: Coming from N, the better and shorter route to enter into the eastern mouth of the Magellan Strait for vessels having less draught, is that passing over banco Sarmiento, which can be navigated safely from the mid-tide. In this case, although ships can navigate carefully along cabo Vígenes in order to avoid roca Virgen and some shallows around it, they must do so no closer than 2.5 miles due to the dangerous roca Nassau, unless ships want to pass E of this rock.
Coming from E or vessels having a higher draught, it is most highly recommended and safe that ships navigate around the dangerous banco Sarmiento towards S and following the recommendations, due to a vessel over 13,2 meters drought could not cross such bank.
There are many reasons to take cautions during navigation along this zone, for which ships must always navigate carefully along cabo Virgenes and rocks and banks around it. This precaution must be done towards E and 2.5 miles of roca Nassau.
Vessels over 13.2 meters draught: Coming from N or E, ships must always navigate around to E and S of the shallows of banco Sarmiento. Likewise, away of the eastern mouth and SW of banco Sarmiento, numerous Argentine jack up rigs have been installed, which are located at N of the entrance track into the eastern mouth, passing S of such bank.
Once clear S of the SE point of banco Sarmiento S parallel 52º 40`S-, vessel must navigate to course 300º to pass NE of and 9.1 miles from cabo Espíritu Santo. Thus, all Argentine jack up rigs located at SW of banco Sarmiento will be N of the entrance track into the eastern mouth.
From punta Dungeness to Primera Angostura: Chart No. 11600.
Vessels between 13.2 and 21.34 meters draught: entering into the eastern mouth of the Magellan Strait, heading 300º to pass NE of and 9.1 miles from cabo Espíritu Santo and arriving at the bearing of Punta Dungeness and Cabo Espíritu Santo lighthouses, vessels must change their course to port until 295º to pas NE of and 5.8 miles from punta Catalina. Thus, ships can navigate between the jack up rig groups located at N of and S of the eastern mouth.
Navigating on the same course and passing the first jack up rigs, a platforms line to S of bahía Posesión will appear ahead. By the starboard bow, vessels can see Plataforma PO-2 starboard lighted beacon; and by the portside bow, ships can see Plataforma SPN-2 portside lighted beacon. Then, ships shall arrive at a point situated at 185º and 5.3 miles of Cabo Posesión lighted beacon, where the Channel Pilots are transferred. In case of bad sea and wind conditions, the Channel Pilots transference will be done in near by punta Delgada.
From the above-mentioned point, vessels must change their course tor port until 285º to cross such platform line navigating mid-channel between PE-1 and PE-2 - both with radar beacons (Racon) to facilitate the identification-and to continue navigating on this bearing.
Further, when the Racon of Cerro Dirección lighted beacon is bearing 270º, vessel must turn to port until 270º and towards such lighted beacon. Thus, ships can avoid banco Narrow on their starboard and N contour of the prominent shallows located at N of banco Orange on their portside. By the starboard bow, ship can see Banco Narrow lighted beacon; by the portside bow, they can distinguish Banco Orange lighted beacon and, further and on the N coast of the Primera Angostura entrance, the Port's offices together with Punta Delgada lighthouse can be seen.
When entering into Primera Angostura and the coast in front of Cerro Dirección lighted beacon, vessel must decrease her distance at 6.3 miles vessels must turn to port to course 228º to pass NW of and 1.55 miles from Banco Orange portside lighted beacon and then SE and 1.3 miles of Banco Dirección starboard lighted beacon. Thus, ships can avoid banco Dirección on their starboard side and NW contour of banco Orange and shallow waters emerging from S coast of the narrow between puntas Guillermos and Anegada, on their portside.
Vessel must navigate on the recommended track towards Primera Angostura, for which the current and wind effects produced on it must be considered. Special care must be taken with bancos Orange and Dirección and, according to the above-mentioned; the vessel's fixing must be frequently determined in order to correct opportunely any drift off the route.
A vessel with moderate engine power navigating to W and has had to anchor around punta Dungeness due to the strong winds from 3rd and 4th quadrants can leave her anchorage as soon as the wind decreases to arrive at bahía Posesión. Ship must do so, although she must navigate against the ebb stream. If vessel is waiting for favorable winds, she will be exposed to strong winds due to they increase when initiating the ingoing stream. The W winds calm considerably with the sunset and the vessel that takes this opportunity can arrive at Primera Angostura during the day.
In Primera Angostura: Chart No. 11600. In general, although both sides of Primera Angostura are steep, it is recommended that, at least after navigating the middle of the narrow, vessel shall keep near the N side, due to punta Anegada is a low and wide point. Then, ship must pass between bajo Satélite and the shallows emerging from punta Baxa towards W and S; once clear, vessel must continue navigating to S of bancos Tritón and Tribuna which lead straight to Segunda Angostura.
Vessels must enter into Primera Angostura heading 228º to pass SE of and approximately 1.2 mile from punta Delgada or to NW and 9 cables from Puerto Progresso portside lighted beacon and then also to NW and at a similar distance of the SE coast of the narrow. Thus, ship can navigate along the narrow mid-channel and avoid the shallows emerging from punta Delgada towards the channel centre.
Further, past the broad on the beam of Punta Méndez lighted beacon, ship must change her course to 214º to pass SE of and 1.1 mile from punta Satélite and the lighted beacon of the shallow that is also called so. Punta Delgada lighthouse will be astern. Thus, vessel can avoid at a prudent distance on her portside the prominent shallows located at NW of punta Baxa; likewise, by the starboard side, they can avoid the shallows emerging towards the channel between the shallow and punta Satélite. In this part, it is most important that ships keep their course due to the ebb stream pulls strongly towards NNE with notorious danger of drift.
A vessel entering into Primera Angostura after finishing the ingoing stream, must not trust much in the engine power to confront the ebb stream to be formed that flows in the opposite direction. Using a normal engine power, however, ship could navigate against the current, keeping inside the narrow near to a coast; but when leaving from the narrow, ship shall receive all the current intensity that flow in the opposite direction, which in syzygies must be confronted using all the engine power or at least helped by a favorable wind.
Caution: During navigation of the NE entrance of Primera Angostura, ships must take special care of ferries and boats crossing between punta Delgada and Guillermos anchorage.
From Primera Angostura to Segunda Angostura: Chart N°. 11500. Although there is a navigable passage through the N of bancos Tritón and Tribuna, the recommended track passes by the south of them due to it is most expeditious.
Leaving from Primera Angostura, ships must avoid to pass SE of and 1 mile from Bajo Satélite lighted beacon (with Racon) and turn to port bending away from such lighted beacon on their starboard side and 1 mile- until course 242º to pass SSE of and 1.5 mile from pillar lighted beacon (cardinal N) marked by bajo Tritón- or to S and 6.6 miles from punta Valle on the N coast in this area. This course leads to the middle of channel with depths over 20 meters that are formed between the S border of the 20 meters contour joining bancos Satélite, Tritón and Tribuna- by the N side- and the N limit of 20 meters contour of the prominent shallow area emerging towards W of SW entrance of Primera Angostura-by the S side.
After passing almost 5 miles of and SW of Banco Tritón beacon and the area with depths between 20 and 19.5 meters emerging from SE of banco Tribuna, vessel must change her course to starboard until 257º to pass S of and 3.1 miles from cabo Gregorio and further to N and 1.3 mile from cabo San Simón on the S coast of Segunda Angostura.
In Segunda Angostura: Chart N° 11500. Vessels must navigate inside Segunda Angostura heading to 257º to pass N of and 1.3 mile from cabo San Simón. After passing broad on the beam of bajo Halfway, ship must foresee the ingoing current effects to avoid being pulled toward bahía Lee. Likewise, ship must confront the ebb stream to avoid the drift, due to both currents pull strongly towards cabo San Vicente.
After passing promontorio Sweepstakes, vessels must change her course to port heading to 215º to pass NW of and 1.3 mile from the coast NE of the cape that is also called so. Then, ships must turn to port again until course 182º to pass W of and 1.5 miles from the same cabo San Vicente, which leads straight to paso Nuevo, navigating along E of islas Marta and Magdalena.
From the three routes used to arrive at Punta Arenas coming from Segunda Angostura -paso Real, paso Reina and Paso Nuevo- the most safe and, consequently, recommended and most used route is paso Nuevo.
In paso Nuevo: Chart N° 11500. Vessels must enter into paso Nuevo heading to 182º to pass W of and 1.5 mile from cabo San Vicente and forward on to pass E of and 2.8 miles from isla Magdalena -marked by a lighted beacon. Thus, ships can pass at a safe distance of banco Marta on her starboard side and forward on of banco Nuevo on her portside; likewise, ship must avoid on her starboard side the rocky shallow of 4.1 meters located at E and 2.1 miles of isla Magdalena. A good reference point to enter into paso Nuevo in any weather condition and visibility, is to verify that ship is navigating between longitudes 73º 28`W and 73º 29`W, indicated by GPS due to the present charts and such instrument have the required precision.
Remember that in paso Nuevo, between 2 and 3 miles S of cabo San Vicente, the tidal currents flow towards ENE and W -through the route-, producing dangers for vessels of being pulled towards banco Nuevo or over the shallows that prolong to isla Marta. On some occasions, the current intensity is considerable, attaining up to 6 knots in syzygies. While navigating to S, ship shall confront with currents that pull more and more towards S until the proximities of the existing shallow near to isla Magdalena where the current pulls towards SE, that is, to the dangerous zone.
Although in general islas Marta and Magdalena and isla Isabel peaks can be seen, it could be difficult, however, to determine the vessel's situation under cloudy conditions; in this case, it is convenient to use the radar and GPS.