Port de Mueo

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Latest revision as of 07:55, 16 August 2018

Port de Mueo, New Caledonia

Nickel port at Mueo

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	DD°M.M′N/S, DD°M.M′E/W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Overview

Port de Mueo provides an overnight stop for vessels cruising the west coast of New Caledonia. It is not a particularly scenic stop over, but the anchorage is sheltered and the mining village of Nepoui (pop ~1,000) is a short walk from the dinghy landing. There is a small supermarket, a restaurant, fuel, post office and other such facilities.

Cruising the region

The section of the west coast of New Caledonia between Baie D'Ouarai (Ile Lebris anchorage) and Voh, a distance of about 80nm, is not navigable inside the barrier reef. Fortunately, there are a number of accessible, secure anchorages that can be reached through well marked passes and the maximum distance between anchorages is only about 30 nm. Bearing in mind that the ideal cruising time in New Caledonia is winter, when days are short, and the need to maintain good sun angles when navigating around coral, there is a definite need for relatively short daily distances.

The next anchorage to the north is about 25 nm away at Ile Koniene. This involves travelling some 5 nm out to the Passe De Mueo, a 15 nm run outside the reef, entering Passe de Pouembout and a 6 nm run inside the reef to Ile Koniene.

The next significant anchorage to the south is Baie de Bourail. This requires the 5 nm run out to Passe de Mueo, a 31 nm run outside the reef and then a short run into the wide Baie de Bourail, where anchorage is found in the side arm of Baie de Nessadiou.

Charts

Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.

Chart Source

Chart No

Chart No

Weather

Local weather conditions?

Sources for Weather forecasts:
Local forecasts are, of course, in French, but non-French speakers should find them relatively easy to understand. A very useful vocabulary can be found at How to Understand French Weather Forecasts for Sailors.

The main source of weather information for the area around New Caledonia is Meteo France Nouvelle-Calédonie. The marine section provides a 6 day forecast for the whole region, with details for each of the passes through the barrier reef.

Nouméa radio broadcasts the weather report in French on VHF 16, everyday at 6:30, 9:30, 15:15, 18:30.

There is a set of repeater channels allowing receipt of weather info anywhere in the country:

• Nouméa area: VHF 26
  
• Southern portion of the Grande Terre: VHF 28
  
• Isle of Pines and the Southern Lagoon: VHF 25
  
• Grande Terre North West coast: VHF 25
  
• Northern portion of Grande Terre: VHF 24
  
• Ouvea: VHF 23
  
• Lifou: VHF 26
  
• Maré: VHF 87
  

Passages

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

List Islands

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

Passe de Mueo Light

Passe de Mueo is well marked and a channel suitable for large ships is marked all the way to Nepoui. Passe De Mueo is about 500 metres wide, with a substantial light tower (Fl 4sec) on the southern side of the Passe. Once inside the Passe, red and green markers clearly define the channel. As there are some shoal patches outside the channel, it is probably wisest to not take short cuts. Note that it is about 5 nm from the Passe to the anchorage at Nepoui.

Nepoui Power Station

Approaching the port facility on the southern end of Presqu'ile de Mueo, you should head into the western inlet, Baie de Nepoui. Note that there is a green bouy to the west of the ore loader and you should keep to the west of this to avoid a shoal patch. Once passed this bouy, you can head in towards the obvious power station to the anchorage.

Entrance

You must check in with Customs at Noumea before progressing anywhere else in New Caledonia.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• The Cruising Guide to New Caledonia describes a small marina in front of the fuel depot. This is hardly more than a rock wall protecting a launching ramp. It makes a useful dinghy landing, but nothing more than this

Anchorages

Baie de Nepouli Anchorage

• The most convenient anchorages are in Baie de Nepoui. It is possible to anchor off the fuel depot, but a better anchorage is to be found a further 500 metres to the north. As this is a mining area, red mud predominates in the anchorages. The launching ramp near the fuel depot is the best spot to land a dinghy. There is a tap by the edge of the ramp. From the ramp, walk a short distance towards the power station until just before the large fuel tanks. Follow the fence line up the hill and you find a rough track which provides a short cut to the top of the hill. You are then a short walk from the town.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

fuel notes

Water

water notes

Electricity

electricity notes

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

• Unless mining towns excite you, there are not a lot of tourist attractions here.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• There is a small grocery store in Nepoui

Eateries

• There is at least one restaurant at Nepoui.

Internet/WiFi

Available? No

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

• Unlikely

Garbage Disposal

Nothing obvious.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

Links to relevant websites.

References

Publications, Guides, etc.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

• June 2010 - Pedro

Contributors to this page
Names: Pedro