Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram - 260

Kochi (9°58'N., 76°14'E.)
The port of Kochi is a fine natural harbor formed by the estuary of the Periyar River and its backwater. The inner harbor is able to shelter a large number of vessels with drafts up to 9.1m at all seasons. It is the main deep water harbor S of Bombay and a base for the Indian Navy. In 1986, considerable development in Kochi Harbor had taken place, which included the construction of an oil terminal and other berths, widening and dredging of the channels, the establishment of new leading lights, and the introduction of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region A) in the main entrance.
The great estuary, or backwater, on which Kochi lies, extends for about 50 miles NNW to Ponnani, and about 30 miles S to Alappuzha. Its width varies from 8 miles to a few hundred meters, and its channels connect with other inland waters. It has a least depth of 1.8m and is affected by tidal influence. Several rivers flow into the backwater making it brackish. During the SW monsoon, which brings heavy rain to the seaward side of the Western Ghats, the watershed drainage of these rivers increases greatly and, entering the sea through numerous openings into the backwater, probably causes the constant shifting of the soft mudbanks off this part of the coast..
Winds-Weather.-Kochi is outside the cyclone area, but during the SW monsoon, short gusts of wind 50 to 55 knots are sometimes experienced.
Tides-Currents.-The tidal rise at Kochi is 0.9m at MHHW, and 0.8m at MLHW.Salinity within the harbor has values between 1000 and 1020, according to tidal and seasonal factors. The maximum velocity of the ebb current at springs, throughout the year, is from 2 to 3 knots, and at neaps from 0.8 knot to 1.3 knots. The velocity of the flood current at springs, throughout the year, varies 1.5 to 2 knots and at neaps from about 0.8 knot to 1.3 knots. Both currents run for a considerable time after the predicted times of HW and LW, from 1 to 2 hours on the flood, and from 2 to 3 hours on the ebb, according to the season. After heavy inland rains the ebb current may run continuously for many days, while the flood current enters the harbor under the surface ebb. On very rare occasions, and after high inland floods, the tidal current in the harbor may have a velocity of 5 knots or more. In January and February, the effect of the ebb current is not noticeable W of the outer channel buoys, and no appreciable current is experienced off the coast in the vicinity of Kochi. Under monsoon conditions, strong eddies and crosscurrents were experienced in the harbor entrance between Vypin Island and Kochi, and also off the NW point of Willingdon Island.
Kollengode (Kollangod) Bluff, about 48 miles NE of Kochi, lies at the NW end of the Anamali Mountains, which form part of the Western Ghats. The bluff is conspicuous during the NE monsoon, and forms the S of Palghat Gap which is 1,220m lower than the mountains flanking it and through which the winds blow fiercely between November and February. A buoy, painted in red and white stripes, is moored 32 miles WNW of the entrance to Kochi Harbor.
Kochi Light is shown from a concrete tower with red and white bands; a racon transmits 1.8 miles NNW of the harbor entrance. A tower, 22m high, and a water tower, 13.4m high, are conspicuous about 0.8 mile S and 1 mile S, respectively, of Builders Point. A 9m concrete pile lies 1.5 miles WSW of Kochi Light. A white house is conspicuous at the village of Kandakkadavu, about 7 miles S of the entrance to the port of Kochi. The dredged entrance channel, Mattancheri Channel, and Ernakulam Channel are marked by lighted buoys. The harbor office, which is conspicuous, lies on the NW end of Willingdon Island. Range lights, situated N and NE of Willington Island, lead through the harbor entrance and through the center of Ernakulam Channel abreast the tanker berths.

Anchorage.-Anchorage is available off the port of Kochi in 14.5m, with Kochi light bearing 075°, 4.5 miles. During the SW monsoon, the best anchorage, with good communication with Kochi, is about 2 miles NNW of Fairway Lighted Buoy. COCHIN LIGHTHOUSE.

Directions.-Vessels approaching Kochi should keep in depths of not less than 11m and W of the Fairway Lighted Buoy. When in this position, hoist the signal for a pilot and await his arrival. The outer channel is dredged to 12.8m and the inner stretch of the channel to 11.9m, in 1986.

Alappuzha (9° 29'N., 76° 20'E.)
 The port of Alappuzha lies about 29 miles S of Kochi; the coast between the ports is low, sandy, thickly fringed with palms, and densely populated. The port is an open roadstead under the superintendence of the Senior Port Conservator. Trade is carried on throughout the year in this vicinity due to the peculiar softness of the mudbank off it.

Tides-Currents.-The current at the anchorage sets S with a velocity up to 2 knots. From October to February, a northerly set, usually weak, is sometimes experienced.
The mudbank off Alappuzha is so stirred up by the swell as to break up the force of the waves, and cause a large area of smooth water, on the outer part of which vessels anchor.
The mud is dark green, fine and oily to the touch. The smoothness of the water is probably caused by the oil which the mud has been found to contain. In calm weather this bank is not perceptible. This mudbank shifts position from year to year, and is sometimes found up to 11 miles S of Alappuzha. It is subject to mud volcanoes, which bubble up, bringing dead fish, roots, and trunks of trees to the surface. The mudbank develops toward the end of June after the backwater has become swollen by the rains. The cause of this mudbank is said to be the greater elevation, about 1m, of the water level in the vast backwater over that of the sea. The hydraulic pressure forces out mud and vegetable matter through the several outlets during the SW monsoon, and forms mudbanks along the beaches and in the shallow waters offshore. Evidence has been found of a subterranean connection, through mud, between the backwater and the sea. There is said to be a swell, during the SW Monsoon, to N of a position 2 miles N of Alappuzha, but to the S the swell is quite deadened by this shifting mudbank. 9

Aspect.-Alappuzha Light is shown from a white, round, masonry tower, about 0.3 mile E of the root of Alappuzha Pier. As the town of Alappuzha is difficult to distinguish from seaward, it is advisable to make a landfall while it is still dark to ensure identifying the lighthouse. 
Manakkodam Light, a white square tower with red bands, lies 15.5 miles N of Alappuzha Light.
A tall radio mast lies about 4 miles N of Alappuzha Light. The pier is 387m long, with a depth of 1.8m at its head. The pier has been reported to give good radar returns at 10 miles.

Signals.-A signal station and flagstaff, the latter 36.6m high and prominent, is situated W of Alappuzha Light. Day and night communication is carried out by flashing light mounted on a pillar at an elevation of 16m and by flags of the International Code.

Anchorage.-During the NE monsoon, vessels of moderate size can obtain anchorage in about 8m, with Alappuzha Light bearing 077°, 2 miles, but sounding is essential as the mudbank shifts frequently so that the charted depths are unreliable. During the SW Monsoon, the best anchorage is farther offshore, in about 9.1m with Alappuzha Light bearing 056°, but this anchorage depends upon the position of the mudbank which cannot be determined until after the monsoon.

Alappuzha to Kollam
The coast from Alappuzha to Kollam, about 40 miles SSE, is sandy, and in general, fringed with palms. From Alappuzha to Pirakkad (Porakad), about 9 miles SSE, the coast is more thickly fringed by palms. A mudbank off Pirakkad was reported in to be extending seawards.
A light is shown near Padiyamkara Tekku (Pathiyankara) (9°14'.4N., 76°25'E.) during the SW monsoon. The position of the light is dependent on the movement of Alappuzha mudbank.
At Kovilthottam (Koilthottam) (8°59'N., 76°31'.5E.) there is a water tower; a light is shown from a white, square, masonry tower with two black bands, close NW of the water tower.
Foul ground extends up to about 2 miles offshore from a position on the coast about 1 mile S of Kovilthottam to Tangasseri Point, about 6 miles farther SSE. Vessels approaching this part of the coast at night should not proceed into depths of less than about 27m.
Nindakara (8°56'N., 76°33'E.), about 3 miles S of Kovilthottam, is an open roadstead port at the entrance to Ashtamudi Backwaters (Lake). At the entrance, two breakwaters shelter a shallow basin with jetties on its N side where barges load ilmenite sand. The entrance can be identified from seaward by a break in the palms fringing the shore, and by a bridge, which is prominent, spanning the outlet.
The port is seasonal, operating from mid-November to mid-April.
Storm signals are displayed; the Brief system is used.
Anchorage, for large vessels working cargo, can be obtained in about 12.8m, WSW of the entrance. Care must be taken to avoid a 4.4m shoal about 1.8 miles SW of the seaward end of ALLEPPEY LIGHTHOUSE.the N breakwater. In good weather anchorage may be taken in about 9.1m, about 0.8 mile off the water tower at Kovilthottam. Anchorage can be taken about 1.3 miles W of Padiyamkara Tekku light, in a depth of 8m.

Kollam to Vizhinjam
The coast between Kollam and Trivandrum, about 31 miles SE, is sandy and fringed with palms. About 5 miles SE of Kollam a gap in the fringe of palms fronts a large backwater.
Anjengo (8°40'N., 76°45'.5E.), formerly of importance but now a fishing village, is seldom visited as its anchorage is exposed to the surf at all times. It is not easy to identify, even from a short distance, as the fort and other buildings are low and screened by trees. A light shows at a height of 38m from a circular concrete tower at Anjengo. A church with a white face is visible on the coast NW of the fort; there is a bungalow on a hill about 2 miles N. A red tableland, about 4 miles N of Anjengo, may be of assistance in identifying it.
Anchorage may be taken in depths of 21m, sand and shell, about 1 mile offshore abreast Anjengo. The bottom is foul and rocky in depths of less than about 18.3m. The coast between Anjengo and Trivandrum is safe to approach, and the country inland is hilly and undulating. Patches of red tableland, when seen from beyond about 7 miles, appear as red cliffs above the palms fringing the coast.

Agastya Malai (8°37'N., 77°15'E.), 1,866m high and the highest peak of the Western Ghats, lies about 20 miles ENE of Trivandrum. Lower hills lie between the Ghats and the coast. Mukkunni Malai, 252m high, with a round, gradually sloping summit, about 4 miles ESE of Trivandrum, can be seen from a good distance to the S and also from the roadstead at Anjengo.


Thiruvananthapuram (8°29'N., 76°57'E.) (World Port Index No. 49170), a large city, lies about 1 mile from the coast. The ruins of a pier, extending to the LW line, are prominent on the coast S of the city; a flagstaff, 29m high, lies near the root of the pier, and a church, about 0.5 mile NE of the pier, is easily identified. A palace, consisting of a white rectangular building with a dull red roof, lies on the coast about 1.3 miles NW of the ruined pier; a white house is conspicuous close NW. Thiruvananthapuram Observatory, with two white domes, 61m high, lies on a hill 2 miles N of the city. A radio mast, marked by an obstruction light, is situated about 5 miles NNW of the ruined pier. Good radar returns have been reported from Thiruvananthapuram at 12 miles. Anchorage can be obtained in a depth of 18.3m with the flagstaff near the ruined pier bearing 077°, about 0.4 mile. The coast between Thiruvananthapuram and Kolachel, about 26 miles SE, is sandy and fringed with coconut trees; it is safe to approach except near Enciam Islet.

Kovalam Point (Covelong Point) (8°23'.5N., 76°58'.5E.) is a bluff point with a conspicuous red-roofed building on it. Good radar returns have been reported from the point at 19 miles. Vizhinjam Light is shown from a white round masonry tower, 36m high, about 0.7 mile SE of the conspicuous building. Vizhinjam Point lies about 0.5 mile farther SE. At Vizhinjam, 3 miles NW of Karichal, there is a modern (1980) fishing harbor. The harbor is protected by two breakwaters. A fish factory, lying close to the shore, is conspicuous. Many small fishing craft may be encountered up to 9 miles SW of Vizhinjam. A light.is shown from a round, white, masonry tower with red bands, 36m high, on a bluff 0.5 mile SE of Kovalam Point. Anchorage can be taken in depths of about 15m, 0.5 mile S of the ice factory.