Navigation conditions

and water level

The tidal range of the high tide is approximately 0.3 meters at Bécancour.

In general, current speeds are higher in the navigation channel. Speeds average 1 m/s in the central part of the river.

As you approach the dock, the velocities increase and reach values between 1 and 1.7 m/s.

In the Bécancour area, the annual predominance of winds is from the southwest (25%), north (19%) and northeast (17%).

The maximums are in April and the minimums in August.

Average wind speeds are 13.8 km/h and westerly winds can reach, on average, up to 18.3 km/h.

Ice begins to freeze to the shore by mid-December and can reach a thickness of 80 cm.

However, the port facilities of Bécancour remain open year-round, with the occasional assistance of icebreakers.

The use of tugs for the arrival or departure of vessels is left to the discretion of the commanding officers who are in charge.

The port authority may recommend the assistance of a tug to a vessel using its port facilities. A vessel that does not comply with such a recommendation will be denied access to the facilities.

Pilotage is mandatory. Marine traffic is governed by the Pilotage Act.

Ships are required to use the services of pilots from Les Escoumins. They must send the Montreal Pilot Station advance notice of arrival at Les Escoumins, 24 hours prior to the estimated time of arrival if they are coming from a location east of the Strait of Belle Isle or the Cabot Strait. A second 12-hour notice must be confirmed 6 hours prior to arrival.

If the vessel is arriving from a location west of the Strait of Belle Isle, Cabot Strait, or the Strait of Canso, only 12 hours and 6 hours advance notice is required.

The pilot boat service at the Les Escoumins pilot station provides a permanent listening service on VHF frequency 156.45, channel 9. For information on pilotage service, contact the Director of Operations of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority.

The St. Lawrence Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) extends south from Sept-Îles to the upstream limits of the Port of Montreal.

All vessels over 100 tons and over 20 meters in length must be equipped with VHF radiotelephone sets and provide a permanent listening service on designated frequencies.

The VTS located in Les Escoumins (156.45, channel 9), Quebec City (156.55, channel 11 and 156.6, channel 12) and Montreal (156.5, channel 10) maintain a permanent listening watch on the above frequencies. These frequencies are reserved exclusively for the broadcasting of safety and traffic monitoring information.

The master of a vessel must obtain a permit from the appropriate regulatory center before entering waters under the jurisdiction of the vessel traffic control system. For a complete description of this system, refer to the Canadian Coast Guard Regional VTS Manager.