Port Update
San Francisco, CA / Northern CA
March 16, 2026
Notices
SAN FRANCISCO PORT UPDATE:
PINOLE SHOALS –
***********************************************
Attached are the Moran Shipping Pinole Shoal Tide /Draft chart of current and the next month for planning.
Pinole Shoal Channel is currently 34.8 FT at MLLW BW draft restricted for 31.8 FT FW with 3 FT UKC requirement. Maximum draft for transiting Pinole Shoal Channel will be calculated on the height of the tide one hour on either side of high water at Pinole Point. It will be based on brackish water draft (1.010) allowing for 2’ UKC for non-tank vessels, and 3’ UKC for all tank vessels on the latest controlling depth.
SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND CBP has noted the following for non-passenger vessels:
• Office hours 0830-1530. Officers may not be available to process any formalities including vessel Entrance/Clearance outside these times.
Due to new immigration laws and Executive order, crew without US Visa are no longer permitted to disembark/repatriate from the port. Paroles are no longer being approved. Also, medical paroles are not guaranteed, on a case-by-case basis, and may take several days if approved.
STATE OF CALIFONRIA – COVID
STATE OF CALIFONRIA – COVID
Currently there are no restrictions for crew regarding Covid.
National Terrorism Advisory System:
==================================
The National Terrorism Advisory System is (MARSEC Level I) for the Port of San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, Rodeo, Crockett, Benicia, Martinez, Stockton, Sacramento.
UKC POLICY
====================
The minimum static under keel clearance (UKC) for any piloted vessel anywhere on the pilotage grounds shall be as follows:
i. Two feet for non-tank vessels.
ii. Three feet for tank vessels requiring a tug escort.
iii. Three feet for loaded anhydrous ammonia vessels.
CURRENT MAXIMUM DRAFTS AT OIL TERMINALS:
===========================================
SFO
RICHMOND – CHEVRON LONG WHARF
4 berths - Brackish water. The following allow are calculated basis depth + 2’ UKC
****The maneuvering area is the prime restriction for arriving/departing CRLW****
RESTRICTED MANEUVERING AREA at MLLW – ALLOWING FOR 2’ UKC
RESTRICTED MANEUVERING AREA at MLLW – ALLOWING FOR 2’ UKC
RCH RLW 1 35.7.
RCH RLW 2 39.2
RCH RLW 3 36.3’
RCH RLW 4 40.0’
MAX DRAFTS
RCH RLW 1 45.9’
RCH RLW 2 37.1’
RCH RLW 3 37.3’
RCH RLW 4 46.7’
RODEO – Phillips66 - Fresh water
Phillips 66 requires 2 feet of under keel clearance at all times while alongside. Below draft include 2’ UKC
US ROD3 41.1’
US ROD4 41.4 (currently out of service)
US ROD5 40.7
SELBY / CROCKETT – Nustar Energy - Fresh water
US RD8 46.0’
MARTINEZ – 4 terminals – 6 berths
PBF Energy (used to be SHELL) – 2 berths – Fresh wáter
US MRZ 2 (SHELL 2 - LOAD) 40’8”
US MRZ 3 (SHELL 1 - DISC) 39’7”
TransMontaigne – US MRZ 6 – Fresh Water
With the required 2ft under-keel clearance (UKC), maximum draft allowed alongside MRZ6 is now 34.0 feet
BENICIA
Valero Refinery – BNC 4 – brackish water
US BNC 4 – 40.9bw FRESH (MLLW) - Max draft stated includes minimum 1 foot under keel clearance.
SF BRIDGE CLEARANCES
====================================================================
San Francisco has 7 area bridges as follows:
Golden Gate Bridge – (entering SF Bay)
MHW / MLLW
225.0 FT / 231.0 FT
San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge – (San Francisco/Oakland/Alameda/Redwood)
A B SPAN - MHW / MLLW
204.0 FT / 210.0 FT
B C SPAN - MHW / MLLW
220.0 FT / 226.0 FT
C D SPAN - MHW / MLLW
220.0 FT / 226.0 FT
D E SPAN - MHW / MLLW
204.0 FT / 210.0 FT
San Mateo Bridge – (San Francisco/Oakland/Alameda/Redwood)
MHW / MLLW
135.0 FT / 141.0 FT
Richmond/San Rafael Bridge – (Richmond/Rodeo) WEST/MAIN SPAN - MHW / MLLW
185.0 FT / 190.0 FT
Carquinez Bridge – (Selby/Crockett)
UPSTREAM
NORTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
146.0 FT / 152.0 FT
SOUTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
134.0 FT / 139.0 FT
DOWNSTREAM
NORTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
146.0 FT / 152.0 FT
SOUTH SPAN - MHW / MLLW
134.0 FT / 140.0 FT
Martinez/Benicia (Union Pacific RR) Bridge – (Benicia/Martinez)
MHW / MLLW
135.0 FT / 140.0 FT
Antioch Bridge – (Pittsburgh/Antioch)
132.0 FT – over 132’ need to confirm with pilots
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
SAN FRANCISCO, CA WEATHER FORECAST:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 56. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 58. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 59.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night
Clear, with a low around 60.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 86.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
