Geographic Location

• Coordinates: 36°37’N, 006°19’W

• The port of Rota is located within the Naval Base on the north shore of the Bay of Cadiz along the southwestern Atlantic coast of Spain, about 55 nmi northwest of the Strait of Gibraltar. Rota city borders the base to the east and has a small marina. The Naval Base is administered by Spain with portions leased to the U.S. It is home to the Spanish Naval Fleet.

• The port consists of 0.6 square miles of protected water partially enclosed by shore on the north, a 6500 ft breakwater on the southwest side, and a 3500 foot breakwater on the southeast side. The harbor entrance formed by these breakwaters is 1400 feet wide and is exposed to the south. The harbor is well protected from wave action in most directions, however, there is little protection from the wind, especially from the south and west.

• The piers that comprise the port complex are oriented northwest-southeast. Pier 1 (marginal wharf) forms the base of the southwest breakwater. Low-water minimum depth is reported as 42 feet 6 inches. Carriers could be berthed at Pier 1 but movement would be restricted to times near high tide. Current SOP is for carriers to anchor out.

• Approach to the Bay of Cadiz is best from the west and southwest, turning on the harbor range approximately 0.2 nmi from the breakwater. Minimum depths near turning point are about 46 ft and decrease to about 36 ft at entrance. There is no specified channel approaching the harbor entrance.

• The harbor can house numerous ships and provides ample turning space in the center harbor basin. All vessels except small vessels must have tug assistance when berthing. The limited number of USN tugs restricts berthing action to one ship at a time. Pilotage is compulsory, pilots board just outside the west breakwater.

• A large anchorage area with designated anchorages is located in a general southeastward direction from the breakwater. Distance to anchorages varies between 2000 and 7000 yards. A smaller anchorage area is located to the south and southwest of the light at distances of 500 to 730 yards. The following Table provides specific details.

• When small craft wind warnings (20 - 34 kts) are issued, the Port Services Department's standby tugboat ensures all lines to anchored or moored ships are doubled-up. If gale force winds (34 - 47 kts) are forecast, extra tug crews are recalled and placed on standby for as long as the warning is in effect. Barge and crane services are also halted. A thunderstorm warning will cause fueling operations and ordnance handling to be halted within 10 miles of the station.

• Port Services guards maritime VHF Channels 13 and 16. Contact Rota Port Control approx two hours prior to ETA to confirm pilot and tug services. Channel 13 is the working channel for all harbor evolutions. Call sign is "Rota Port Control".

• All berths have yokohama fenders installed. For nested units, camels and large yokohama fenders are available.

• Local forecasts and ample current meteorological data are available from the Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NEMOC) . The Air Force 21st Operational Weather Squadron now provides weather support for Rota.