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Gibraltar forms the eastern shore of a bay that has been of
commercial importance from the earliest times. It has been claimed that the port of
Tharshish to which the fleets of Solomon resorted was situated here. Certainly the
Phoenicians recognised the advantages of its protective geographical features: they
founded the colony of Melcarthos (Carteia) on the north shore during the 9th century B.C.
and made it an entropy for trade with many ports throughout the Mediterranean.
Gibraltar was possessed successively by the
Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Visgoths but remained uninhabited till the
Mohammedan invasion of the Iberian peninsula in 711 A.D. by Tariq-ibn-Zeyad from whom
Gibraltar gets its name, Gibel Tariq (Tariq's Mountain) and the city itself was founded by
the Almohad monarch, Abd el Mumin in 1160 A.D. The Spaniards finally captured Gibraltar
from the Moors in 1462 and retained it until 1704. In that year it was surrendered
to an Anglo Dutch force during the war of the Spanish Succession, since when it has
remained in British hands.
The existence of the actual Rock of
Gibraltar is first recorded by the Romans, who named it Calpe. It was the belief of
ancient writers that the Pilars of Hercules were situated in the Strait of Gibraltar and
after they perished, the two mountains, Calpe and Abyla (the latter being situated
opposite Gibraltar on the African shore, retained the names.
(For further information see the History of
Gibraltar)
LOCATION:
At the entrance to the Mediterranean in
position Latitude - 36°08°N Longitude - 05°22°W.
CURRENCY:
One Gibraltar £ = £1 sterling
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Three crew lists/Passenger lists, Maritime
Declaration of Health, Ship's Register, Loadline certificate, de-rating certificate, Crew
Agreement, certificate of Insurance concerning Civil liability for Oil Pollution.
PILOTAGE:
Compulsory on arrival and for berthing,
unberthing and shifting anchorage. Vessels at anchor may leave without a Pilot.
ACCOMMODATION:
Cruise Liners and vessels calling for
bunkers or water can be berthed at both sides of the Western Arm. Outer side is 490m long
draft up to 9.6m. the inner side is 450m and maximum draft is 8m. Ships of deeper draft
can be accommodated according to tide. Vessels calling for lay - up or repairs can be
berthed at the Detached Mole. There are also two berths of 100m in length available to
vessels discharging general cargoes.
PORT ADMINISTRATION
The Port of Gibraltar is administered by
the Port Department. Within the Government of Gibraltar the Minister with responsibility
for the Port is the Minister for Tourism, and Transport, The Hon JJ Holiday.
The Port Department has a staff around 50.
There are in addition seven self-employed Pilots on station at the Port responsible to the
Pilotage Authority, the Captain of the Port.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS:
Captain of the Port:
Captain J Ferro
Tel: (00350) 77254
Fax: (00350) 51513
Port Surveyor:
Captain Paul V Townsend
Tel: (00350) 79028
Operations Room: S/Cdr. M Olivera
Tel: (00350) 78134
Fax: (00350) 77011
Executive Officer (Accounts):
Mr P Wyatt
Tel: (00350) 71187
Fax: (003500 76750
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