CHART NO. 261- EIGHT DEGREE CHANNEL TO CAPE COMORIN EIGHT DEGREE CHANNEL Description. Eight degree channel lies between the north end of Ihavandhippolhu Atoll (07°00´.00N, 72°55´.0E) and Minicoy Island, 70 miles N. It is one of the principal routes passing N of the Maldives for ocean-going vessels proceeding in an E/W direction. Mainly this channel divides the Lakshadweep from Maldives. Depths. The channel is generally very deep and free from charted dangers. Hpowever, an area with two depths of less than 100 m, reported in 1985 and 1986, lies 34 miles NNW of Ihavandhippolhu Atoll. Currents. The currents in this channel are similar to those at the N end of the Maldives. In the N part of the Maldive group set W and NW from December to March inclusive; from May variability at all seasons. April and November are months of transation. But during NE monsoon they sometimes set NW and very occasionally they set N and S winds. Between the end of September and December the current sets S. Direction. Minicoy Island Light (07°00´.N, 72°55´.0E) is the principle mark for the navigators KANYAKUMARI TO VIZHINJAM Topography. The Coast fringed with coconut trees and backed by hills, is generally straight and sandy, with the Western Ghats in the distant background. From Colachel (08°10'.04N, 77°15'.22E) to Vizhinjam about 20 miles NW, it is safe to approach the coast except near Enciam islet (08°12'.82N, 77°10'.90E); a little E of this islet the coast is steep with a reddish appearance. The coast is low and level between the village of Karichal (08°20'.95N, 77°01'.98E) and Kovalam Point, 4 miles NW. Depths. There is no charted dangers seaward of the 50 m depth contour. Wadge Bank, lying 25 miles SW of Kanyakumari has a least charted depth of 40 m 20 nm south. Hazard. Heavy concentration of fishing craft may be encountered up to 9 miles SW of Vizhinjam (08°22'.97N, 76°58'.78E). Caution. Two obstructions, dangerous to navigation, with a least depth over it of 11.2 m and 12.5 m, lies in position 08º 02'.77 N, 77º 24'.75 E and 08º 02'.39 N, 77º 33'.60 E respectively. An undefined area of foul ground lies 1½ miles offshore, about 6 miles W of Kanyakumari. Natural conditions Currents. The currents have a seasonal variation related to the monsoon. From February to September the most frequent set is SE with the greatest constancy during June to August; during October currents are variable in direction, but from November to January the common set is NW. Rates are mostly less than 1 kn but 2 kn may be encountered at times, mainly during July, August and December. Exceptionally the current has a significant onshore component. Landmarks. Mahindra Giri (08°23'.12N, 77°29'.37E), a mountain, 1657 m in height, standing 19 miles N of Kanyakumari. However, mariners are cautioned that from a great distance this mountain may be mistaken either for MarutvaMalai, which appears as a pointed cone except when seen from E or S, standing about 4 miles NW of Kanyakumari; or for a range of mountains, with heights up to 1041 m and resembling a camel's hump, about 10 miles further N. Vivekanand Rock (08°04'.75N, 77°33'.05E) KanyakumariLighthouse (08º 04'.90 N, 77º 32'.77 E) Thiruvallur statue (08º 04'.634N, 77º 33'.23E) Church (54 m in height) (8º 05'.5 N, 77º 33'.0 E). Muttam Point Lighthouse (White, 6-sided tower, black bands, 20 m in height) (08°07'.45N, 77°19'.00E). Church (12 m in height) (8º 13' N, 77º 11' E), standing on Enciarn Islet. St. Jude's Church (Conical mark, Green/Yellow), about 28m in height, in position (08º 15'.82 N, 77º 08'.41 E). St. Marie's Church (Pink), about 27m in height, in position (08º 16'.76 N, 77º 06'.96 E). Building (red roof, 58 m in height) (8º 24' N, 76º 58' E) standing on Kovalam Point; the point is reported to be radar conspicuous at 19 miles. White house (8º 29' N, 76º 55' E) (conspicuous), which stands close NW of a palace in the form of a white rectangular building with a dull red roof. SE of the head of Manora Breakwater (24º 46'.74N 66 º 58'.96E), from which a light is exhibited. Other aids to navigation Racons. Kanyakumari Light Muttam Point Light Vizhinjam Light AIS. Kanyakumari Light Vizhinjam Light Directions The route leads 17 miles WNW from a position S of Kanyakumari to a position SSW of Muttam Point (08°07'.46N, 77°19'.00E), passing, Clear of an obstruction (08°02'.87N, 77°24'.71E), dangerous to navigation, with a least depth over it of 11.2 m. An undefined area of foul ground also lies 1½ miles offshore, about 6 miles W of Kanyakumari), then: SSW of Muttam point, a point, 35 m in height, fronted by steep red cliffs, with a village and a lighthouse standing on it. A fishing harbour lies E of the point. Then the route leads 27 miles NW from a position SSW of Muttam Point to a position SW of Vizhinjam, passing: SW of Crocodile Rock (08°05'.10N, 77°17'.09E), which lies1½ miles SW of Adunda Rock. The sea does not break over Crocodile Rock in calm weather, although the depth over it is 2 m or less. The mast of a sunken wreck is visible close SE of Crocodile Rock. SW of Kota Rock (08°07'.07N, 77°16'.86E), 6 m in height and steep-to on its W side, lies about 1.3 miles WNW of Adunda Rock. Then to SW of Enciam Rocks (08°12'.57N, 77°10'.64E).Then clear of a shoal patch 16.4 m (08°26'.65N, 76°55'.03E) to a position SW of Vizhinjam. Cautions. At night, vessels in the vicinity of Muttam Point should not approach into depths of less than 45 m on account of several dangers lying close SW and W of the point. Adunda Rock, 5m high, lies about 1.3 miles SW of the Muttam point. It is difficult to identify from seaward, and foul ground extends about 0.2 mile NNW from it. Kota Rock, 6m high and steep-to on its W side, lies about 1.3 miles WNW of Adunda Rock. Vessels should not pass inbetween of Adunda and Kota Rocks. Vessels, when in the vicinity of Enciam Islet at night, should not approach into depths of less than 35m which are encountered barely 2 miles seaward of the rocks in the vicinity. Useful marks AgastyaMalai (8º 37' N, 77º 15' E), the highest peak in the Western Ghats, stands about 20 miles NE of Thiruvananthapuram. A grove of palm trees standing on high red ground, about 1½ miles N of Muttam Point Lighthouse, is often visible above mist which may obscure the lighthouse. Church (24 m in height) (08°09'.58N, 77°16'.91E). AnaiParai Hills SE summit (8º 15' N, 77º 15' E). A large conspicuous Building (08°12'.82N, 77°10'.90E), light gray with three towers at its N end lie near the coast about 3 miles NW of Enciam Islet. Mukkunni Mala (8º 28' N, 77º 01' E), its round summit which slopes gradually, is visible from South. COLACHEL Position. Colachel (8º 10' N, 77º 15' E) is an open roadstead with anchorage in about 13m in the lee of four small islets. Port limits. The port limits are as follows: (a) 8º 10'.37 N 77º 14'.82 E (boundary pillar) (b) 8º 09'.80 N 77º 14'.25 E (c) 8º 09'.23 N 77º 15'.60 E (d) 8º 10'.19 N 77º 15'.63 E (boundary pillar) Dangers while approaching Pulleri Rock, 1m high, the SE danger in the approach to Colachel, lies about 3¾ cables SSE of Colachel Lighthouse. Patna Rock and Constance Rock, both with depths of 2.1 m, lie about 1 cable WNW and 2 cables NW of Pulleri respectively. Several rocks, above and below-water, lie up to about 3 cables S and SW from Colachel Lighthouse. Kurusukal, 6m high and surmounted by a white shrine carrying a black patriarchal cross, lies about 1 cable S of Colachel Lighthouse. Ahnakal, 3m high, lies close SSE of Kurusukal, with a rock awash close SE of it. Sudukal Islet, 1½ cables SW of Kurusukal has a rock, above water, ¼ cable NW of it. Chadikal Islet lies 1¼ cables NW of Sudukal. Caution. Local knowledge required for Vessels approaching near or inside the Dangers. Useful marks Colachel Lighthouse is shown from a white platform on a mound close to the foreshore SW of the town. The Roman Catholic Church lies ¼ cable NNW of Colachel Lighthouse. Anchorage. Anchorage can be obtained in depths of 20 m, with the flagstaff bearing 045°, 1.3 miles. Small vessels can obtain anchorage in about 13m, sand, with the flagstaff bearing 004°, 0.5 mile. Mooring buoys are moored about 0.3 mile SE of Colachel Light. Landing. During good weather it is fairly easy as the rocks off the village form a practical breakwater to the heavy surf on the coast. VIZHINJAM TO KOLLAM (QUILON) Topography.The coast is virtually straight, sandy and fringed with palms. The interland is hilly and undulating. Between Vizhinjamand Anjuthengu(Anjengo), 15 miles NW, patches of red tableland, when seen from a distance of about 7 miles or more, appear as red cliffs above the fringe of palms along the coast. The large backwater situated about 5 miles SE of Kollam (08°52'.61N, 76°34'.64E) is marked by a gap in the fringe of the palms, several more backwaters lie close inshore along the coast. Depths.There are no charted dangers seawards of the 50 m depth contour. Landmarks.Building (red roof, 58 m in height) (8º 24' N, 76º 58' E) standing on Kovalam Point; the point is radar conspicuous at 19 miles. White house (08°28'.95N, 76°54'.63E), which stands close NW of a palace in the form of a white rectangular building with a dull red roof. Anjuthengu Lighthouse (white round masonry tower, black bands, 36 m in height) (08°40'.52N, 76°45'.41E). Thomas Stephen Chimney (Red colour with narrow white bands, 29 m in height) (08°51'.76N, 76°36'.57E). Tangasseri Point Lighthouse. Major lights. Vizhinjam Light Thiruvananthapuram Aero Light Anjuthengu Light. Tangasseri Point Lighthouse Other aids to navigation Racon & AIS. Vizhinjam Light Passage directions The route leads 39 miles NW from a position SW of Thiruvananthapuram to a position SW of Tangasseri Point; for this route the chart is sufficient guide. Caution. While passing vessels should give a wide berth to the dangerous wreck lying about 3½ miles SW of Anjuthengu, in position (08°38'.07N, 76°42'.92E) (position approximate). Useful marks Boundary pillar (08°51'.50N, 76°36'.72E) stands close SE of a chimney 26 m in height. Thomas Stephen Chimney (08°51'.76N, 76°36'.57E) VIZHINJAM Position and function. Vizhinjam harbour (08°22'.62N, 76°59'.39E) is located 15 km S of Thiruvananthapuram (Capital of Kerala), on the west coast of India. Kovalam Beach, the area famous for Ayurvedic treatment centers and internationally acclaimed beach resorts lies 3 km from Vizhinjam. The port handles break bulk cargo and passenger ships. A modern fishing harbor also coexist and the principal activity of is export/import of fishing products. An international Deep water multi-purpose shipping Hub is in its initial stages of development at Vizhinjam. Port Limits. Chart 2012, the port limits are as follows: (a) 08° 24'.0 N, 76° 57'.5 E (b) 08° 24'.0 N, 77° 03'.0 E (c) 08° 20'.0 N, 77° 03'.0 E (d) 08° 20'.0 N, 76° 57'.5 E Landmarks:The Vizhinjam harbour area has numerous conspicuous objects all along the coast. These include Light Tower, Mosques, Churches, Radio Towers and resorts with prominent roofs, domes and chimneys. Few of them are as follows: Vizhinjam Light House.Vizhinjam Lighthouse (white round masonry tower, red bands, 36 m in height) (8° 22'.89 N, 76° 58'.82 E). JumaMasjid(08°22'.72N, 76°59'.23E), a large white and yellow two-storied building with one big white dome and two high and some low minarets. Mohiyyidin Mosque (08°22'.59N, 76°59'.19E), a large white and golden two-storied building with one big white dome and two high and some low minarets. Dargah Sharif (08°22'.57N, 76°59'.21E), a large green and white two-storied building with one big white dome and some low minarets. Lady of Good Voyage Church (08°22'.68N, 76°59'.64E), a large white multistoried building with red colour holy cross on top. Anchorage. Anchorage can be obtained in depths of about 12 m, about 6 cables SSE of the harbour with no shelter, for passenger disembarkation. Fine sand provides good holding ground for anchoring. Berths. The port has two berths named seaward and leeward. Seaward berth 87 m long with 6 m depth alongside, while Leeward berth 80 m in length with 4.5 m depth alongside. In addition to these berths, two fishing jetties of 40 m length is also available. Facilities Fuel, fresh water and provisions Clubs/Recreation. Beaches, resorts and pubs are available near the harbour. Transportation. Nearest Highway – NH47 (8.5km) Nearest Railhead – Trivandrum (13km) Nearest Airport – Trivandrum (15km) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (TRIVANDRUM) Position. Thiruvananthapuram, a large city, lies about 1 mile from the coast and is the capital of Kerala State. There is no port and vessels lie off at the anchorage Thiruvananthapuram (8º 29' N, 76º 55' E) is an open roadstead lying off a stretch of straight coast about 6 miles NW of Kovalam Point. Useful marks The ruins of a pier extend to the low-water line 5 miles NW of Kovalam Point (8º 24' N, 76º 58' E). Pondera Church stands about 5 cables NE of the root of the above pier. Anchorage can be obtained in a depth of 18.3m with the flagstaff near the ruined pier bearing 077°, about 3¾ cables (uncharted). Landing should not be attempted by ships' boats because of the surf, which generally runs even during the NE monsoon.