Kanyakumari to Pamban - Chart No-262
Kanyakumari to Tuticorin
Kanyakumari (8°05’N., 77°33’E.), the S extremity of India, is low and sandy, with a small white pagoda on its extremity. This pagoda is surrounded by a high wall above which the top may be seen. A bungalow lies NW of the pagoda. A conspicuous memorial, 37m high, lies close W of the cape. The coast close W of the pagoda is barren and sandy, but is wooded NE of it.
Kanyakumari Light is shown from a square white tower, 34.2m high, and painted in red bands, about 0.3 mile NW of.the cape. A church, 54m high, lies in a village about 0.5 mile N of the cape.
Good radar returns have been reported from Kanyakumari at 23 miles.
Foul ground extends about 0.5 mile S and SE from the cape.  An area of foul ground lies 1.5 miles offshore, about 6 miles W of Kanyakumari.
The land rises gradually N of Kanyakumari so that from a distance the cape appears as a sandy promontory. A mountain, 370m high, about 4 miles NW of the cape, appears as a pointed cone except from E or S. A range, about 9 miles farther N, with heights up to 1,041m, resembles a camel’s hump.
Mahendragiri, 1,654m high, lies about 19 miles N of the cape. These high peaks of the Western Ghats may be mistaken at a great distance for the 370m mountain nearer to the cape.
Tides—Currents.—The tidal currents off Kanyakumari set E during the flood and W during the ebb, but their direction and strength are much affected by the ocean currents.
The coast between Kanyakumari and Manappad Point, about 35.5 miles ENE, is somewhat higher than the remainder of the NW coast of the Gulf of Mannar, with undulating sandhills up to 60m in height. The background consists of reddish soil and rises gradually to the foot of the Southern Ghats a few miles inland. Many villages and whitewashed churches lie along this coast, but landing in a ship’s boat is always difficult and dangerous.
An obelisk, 8m high, lies on the coast about 2 miles N of Kanyakumari, and serves to mark the position of a stranded wreck about 0.5 mile ESE.
Caution.—When approaching Kanyakumari from the NW during the NE monsoon, a vessel sheltered by the coast as far as Muttam Point, about 14 miles W of the cape, may suddenly pass from a calm into the strength of the monsoon, even if already well offshore.
East Cape (8°12’N., 77°47’E.) is prominent, and the coastal reef, with depths of 5.5m, extends about 1 mile offshore near the cape.
Anchorage.—Shelter from W winds can be found in the bight between Kanyakumari and East Cape, but during the SW monsoon landing by ship’s boats should not be attempted as swells roll into the bight.
Anchorage for small vessels can be obtained in 7.3m, in the bight N of East Cape, partially protected from W winds and swell by the coast SW.
Manappad Point (8°22’N., 78°04’E.) is a high sandy promontory with a rock base. A light is shown from a white, round concrete tower with red diagonal stripes. The village of Manappad lies 0.8 mile W of the point.
Manappad Outer Shoal, with a least depth of 7.3m, lies about 8 miles SE of Manappad Point. A 13.4m shoal, reported in 1976, lies about 6 miles farther E. Other shoals lie WNW and WSW. Vessels should avoid passing through this area, and in thick weather should not get into depths less than 35m.
Anchorage.—Good anchorage can be obtained during the NE monsoon, in 11m, about 1 mile offshore between Manappad Point and the town of Periya Talai, about 6 miles WSW of the point. From June through August, when the SW monsoon is strong, heavy seas roll in on this part of the coast, and vessels should then anchor off Alantalai or Punnakayal.
The coast between Manappad Point and Tuticorin (8°28’N., 78°10’E.) is low, sandy, and fringed with coconut trees.
Between Manappad Point and the village of Alantalai (Alendal), about 5.5 miles NNE, an area of foul rocky ground extends about 2.8 miles offshore. There are heavy breakers over this area during the NE monsoon; these breakers extend 1 mile SE of Manappad Point.
S breakwaterN breakwaterN breakwater (Alendal Shoals), with depths of 3.7m, extend to about 4 miles ESE of Alantalai.
Anchorage.—Anchorage by small vessels can be taken off Alantalai, in 7.3m, mud, with the church bearing 292°, distant 1.8 miles. Protection from SW winds is afforded by the coastal reef to S.
Tiruchendur Point (8°30’N., 78°08’E.) is a low, rocky bluff headland, with a prominent dark-colored temple, 54m high at its extremity. This pagoda is a useful mark, and can be seen for a distance of about 15 miles. A conspicuous chimney, 28m high, painted in red and white bands and emitting a flame, lies about 5 miles NNW of the point. In 1976, a depth of 14m was reported 9.3 miles ESE of the point.
From Tiruchendur Point to abreast the fishing village of Punnaikkayal, about 8 miles N, the coastal reef extends about 2.25 miles offshore. In heavy weather the sea breaks on this reef in depths of 4.6 to 5.5m; usually it breaks farther inshore in depths of 3.7m.
Punnaikkayal, about 1 mile inland, can be identified by the ruins of a church and by a group of palmyra trees on the beach.  A 4.6m patch lies about 3 miles E of the village.
Anchorage.—Anchorage for small vessels in 7.3m can be found off Punnaikkayal, about 1.5 miles offshore, with the clump of trees bearing 258°. The coastal reef to the S provides shelter from S winds, but local knowledge is necessary.
Tuticorin to Valinokkam Point
Caution.—Vessels, other than small coasting vessels, should not approach the coast between Tuticorin and Valinokkam Point, about 37 miles NE, closer than 6 or 7 miles due to the many off-lying shoals. The coastline forms a bight between Tuticorin and the entrance of the Vaippar River, about 13 miles NNE.

The town of Pattanamarudur (8°55’N., 78°11’E.), with some large trees visible up to 10 miles offshore, lies at the head of this bight about 7 miles N of Tuticorin. The bight is filled by a flat, with depths of less than 5.5m, extending up to about 4.5 miles offshore. Kariya Shuli and Vilangu Shuli, two low-lying sandy islets, lie on this flat.
Between the Vaippar River and Vembar, about 7 miles NE, shoal water, with depths under 5.5m, extends up to 3.5 miles offshore. Two shoals, with least depths of 4.6 and 2.7m, lie 4.5 miles SE and 4 miles S, respectively, of Vembar.
Between Vembar and Valinokkam Point, about 18 miles ENE, the coast is low, sandy, and covered with palm trees.  Detached shallow flats, on some of which are islands, lie from 1 to 5 miles offshore along this coast.
Valinokkam Point to Pamban Pass
The coast between Valinokkam Point and Ramen Point, about 32 miles ENE, is fronted by a chain of islands and shoals extending up to 6 miles offshore. Depths outside this chain of islands and shoals are regular, but in places overfalls occur.
An anchorage is located 2.5 miles NE of Valinokkam Point.  A dangerous rock lies about 1 mile WSW of the anchorage..4.5 Large vessels should not navigate in depths less than 22m off this stretch of coast as the area is imperfectly surveyed and several relatively shoal patches are charted. They should not sight any of the islands of which the chain is composed.
Kilakkarai Passage, the shallow passage between the chain and the coast, can only be used by small vessels; local knowledge is necessary due to the numerous shoals, with depths of less than 1.8m, and the narrow, undefined channels between them. The passage affords a smooth passage for small coastal vessels for half the distance between Tuticorin and Pamban.
Valinokkam Point (9°09’N., 78°39’E.) is marked by a beacon, 6m high. A submerged rock is marked by a beacon about 1.5 miles NE. These beacons are useful marks for vessels making the W entrance of Kilakarrai Passage, between Valinokkam Point and Anaipar Tivu (Anapipar Tivu), about 2 miles E.
The passage then leads S of a submerged rock, marked by a beacon, about 4 miles ENE of Valinokkam Point, and then to the anchorage off Kilakarrai. A light is shown from a white hexagonal concrete tower with red bands, 30m high, at Kilakkarai.
Pilotage.—Pilots for Kilakarrai Passage and for Pamban Pass are stationed at Kilakarrai (9°14’N., 78°47’E.).
Anchorage.—Anchorage can be taken off Kilakarrai by small vessels; local knowledge is necessary. Anchorage, somewhat sheltered from the SW monsoon, can also be taken off Muttupetai Betel (9°16’N., 78°55’E.).
Gulf of Mannar—North Side
The N side of the Gulf of Mannar is formed by Pamban Island, Adam’s Bridge, and Mannar Island.
Pamban Pass is the navigable channel, partly artificial, through the banks which occupy the space between the W end of Pamban Island and the mainland. It is of great advantage to coastal craft trading between ports on the W coast of India and ports of the Bay of Bengal.
Pamban Pass (9°17’N., 79°12’E.)
A rocky barrier extends in a straight line between the W coast of Pamban Island and Ramen Point, about 1.3 miles W. Pamban Viaduct, which carries the South India Railway is built on this barrier.
A cutting, 61m wide, through the barrier and crossed by a rolling lift-bridge, lies about 0.2 mile Wof Pamban Island. The bridge is under the control of the Port Conservator at Pamban, who requires 30 minutes notice to open the bridge; in an emergency it can be opened immediately.
On the W side of Pamban Pass the barrier is named The Great Dam. It consists of large masses of flat-surfaced rocks, which were formerly portions of a causeway that extended from Pamban Island to the mainland. The N face of the dam is steep-to, and at LW presents a wall-like appearance, but the boulders are sufficiently separated to allow a free passage to the water.
In 1982, a bridge was under construction along the Great Dam.
Ramen Point is the E extremity of a narrow tongue of land projecting E from the coast. A temple in ruins lies about 183m W of the point, and a coconut plantation lies about 183m farther W.
Depths—Limitations.—In 1979, it was reported that the maximum draft for vessels using the pass was limited to 2.1m.
The pass is used by some coastal vessels of from 200 to 800 grt and about 61m in length; these are as large as can safely transit the channel.
Tides—Currents.—The tidal rise at Pamban Pass is 0.7m at MHWS, and 0.5m at MHWN.
The pass is well-marked with beacons, buoys, and is easy to navigate.
Tidal currents are only noticeable at the change of the monsoon in March, April, and October. At other times they are masked by the S current during the NE monsoon, and by the N current during the SW monsoon. These currents often attain velocities of 6 knots, making passage of the pass difficult.
Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory for merchant vessels.  Licensed pilots at Pamban are under the orders of the Pamban Port Conservator. Pilots are stationed at Kundagal (Kundugal) Point (9°15’N., 79°13’E.), the SW extremity of Pamban Island, Mundel Point at the W end of Pamban Island, and on the N side of Pamban Pass, to look out for vessels approaching Pamban. There are no official signals for vessels needing a pilot, but local craft usually display a red or white flag.
Signals.—In 1958, it was reported that the bridge was opened only twice a day, between 0800 and 1000, and 1600 and 1800.
Flag P of the International Code of Signals, displayed from the port offices flagstaff at Pamban, indicates the bridge is fully open. This flag displayed from the N yardarm indicates that vessels from N may pass through, and from the S yardarm indicates that vessels from the S have priority.
Pamban Pass Approaches
Mansfield Patch (9°10’N., 79°18’E.), with a least depth of 5.8m, about 7 miles SE of Kundagal Point, is the N and shallowest of a group of detached patches. Batt Patch, with a least depth of 4.9m, lies about 2.8 miles WNW of Mansfield Patch; the sea breaks on Batt Patch in a fresh breeze.
Manauli Reef, with its E edge about 4 miles SW of Kundagal Point, consists of coral and dries in places. The E end of the reef is marked by beacons. Manauli Tivu (Manilla Tivu), with a conspicuous white beacon close E, lies about 2 miles from the E end of the Reef.
Pulli Shoal, with a least depth of 1.2m and over which the sea breaks, lies about 3 miles E of Manauli Tivu. Puma Channel, leading to Pamban Pass, lies between Manauli Reef and Pulli Shoal.
Pulli Reef, N of Pulli Shoal, has three islands on it.  Pumurichan, along the W edge, has a conspicuous beacon, 10m high, on its SW side; Pumurichan Tivu, farther SE; and Kurisadi Tivu (Kursadi Tivu). The extensive coral reef dries in places; its N edge is well defined at low water, but its S edge is indented and the sea breaks on it. Beacons mark the S and NW sides of Pulli Reef..4.8 Kurisadi Beacon No. 2, 7m high, lies in the middle of Kurisadi Tivu. Kurisadi Beacon No. 1, 4.8m high, lies about 0.2 mile NW of Beacon No. 2, on the N edge of Pulli Reef.
Shingle Island, low and covered with scrub, lies nearly 1 mile ESE of Kurisadi Tivu. The island lies on Kallaru Reef, a coral reef, on the SW edge of which the sea breaks heavily. A conspicuous triangular white beacon, 9.5m high with a black band, lies on the E end of Shingle Island.
Kundagal Channel leads into Kundagal Gut, between Kundagal Point and the N side of Kurisadi Tivu, then NW into Sand Bank Channel, then NNE through The Basin to Pamban Pass.
The tidal current sets W through Kundagal Channel on the flood, and then W along the N edge of Pulli Reef where it joins with the flood current through Puma Channel. The combined currents then set N, but they are weak unless influenced by strong S winds.
Anchorage.—There is anchorage in 5.8 to 7m in Kundagal Channel.
Directions.—Vessels approaching Pamban Pass from the S should use great care as the off-lying islands are low, and there are no hills or conspicuous landmarks. During the SW monsoon, haze frequently overhangs and obscures the islands.  Vessels over 4.6m draft should not approach within depths of 14.6m until their position is accurately determined.
The first landmarks identifiable from seaward are Rameswaram Temple (9°17’N., 79°19’E.), 50m high, appearing as a large square tower viewed from NE or SW and as a narrow pinnacle from SE or NW; Gandhamana Temple, 44m high, about 1 mile NW, lying in a large enclosure, but less conspicuous; Pamban Light, a white tower, on a sandhill on the NW point of Pamban Island; a red square water tower on a framework structure, 18m high, about 5 miles W of Pamban Light, and conspicuous when bearing less than 050°; and the beacon close E of Manauli Tivu, Pumurichan, and Shingle Island.
Vessels approaching Kundagal Channel, the better and more direct approach, should, after having passed the outlying dangers, steer to pass about 0.4 mile E of Shingle Island, taking care to avoid the shoals E. When the beacon about 0.3 mile NE of Kundagal Point bears 286°, steer for Kundagal Gut, passing S of Kundagal Point. Continue W and bring Kurisadi Beacons Nos. 1 and 2 in line astern, bearing 130°; this range leads through Sand Bank Channel passing close SW both of a buoy, moored 0.6 mile W of Kundugal Point, and a buoy moored 0.5 mile further WNW. Keep close to beacons marking the SW side of the latter channel, and SW of “Elbow Buoy”, a red conical buoy at the junction of Sand Bank Channel and The Basin, a narrow channel leading NNE, with depths of 4.6 to 6.7m in the fairway, which is marked by beacons. A NNE course through The Basin leads to the S end of Pamban Pass.
A buoy moored 0.5 mile SW of Elbow Buoy marks a shoal ground of less than 1m on the W side of the deeper water at the intersection of Sand Bank Channel and the Basin.
Puma Channel, the SW approach, only available to those with local knowledge, demands navigation by eye. Manauli Reef on the W side is well-marked on its S and E sides by breaking seas.
Mandapam South Beacon (9°17’N., 79°09’E.), in line bearing 338° with a beacon on a low hill NNW, leads into Puma Channel. When the beacon on the SW side of Pumurichan bears 060°, vessels should steer NE through Puma East Channel. Then steer along the N edge of Pulli Reef and into the channel N of Pulli Reef, marked by beacons. Then steer into Sand Bank Channel and follow the directions given above.
The vessels bound for the drydock at Mandapam, about 0.5 mile E of Mandapam South Beacon, should pass through Puma Channel as described, and leaving Cana Paru Reef about 0.3 mile to port, continue on the 338° range line until 1.3 miles from Mandapam South Beacon; local knowledge is necessary from this point.
The drydock at Mandapam is 81m long, and 15m wide, with the sill 2m below chart datum.
Pamban Island
Pamban Island is low, sandy, and well-planted with coconut trees towards its Wend, where a broad peninsula extends about 3 miles N.
Lands End (9°10’N., 79°26’E.) is the SE extremity of Pamban Island; a small but conspicuous building lies near the point.
Dhanushkodi, about 2 miles NW of Lands End, is a railroad terminal; the red-roofed railway buildings are conspicuous.
Chuttram, close SE of Dhanushkodi, lies within a clump of palm trees about 24m high and is easily identified.
Mukkundaraya Chattram, a bushy dune, about 2.5 miles farther NW, is easily identified.
Adam’s Bridge
Adam’s Bridge is a narrow ridge of sand and rocks, mostly dry, which connects Pamban Island with Mannar Island, about 16 miles ESE. It is composed mostly of shifting sandbanks, with intricate shallow channels between them.
Shoalwater extends up to 5 miles from the ridge, with depths under 11m. Farther seaward, depths increase sharply to over 183m about 12 miles SW of Adam’s Bridge.
Mannar Island
Mannar Island (9°05’N., 79°50’E.) is separated from Sri Lanka by a boat channel which is crossed by a conspicuous railway bridge and a road bridge. The island is wooded and has low sandhills on its SW side for a distance of about 5 miles from its SE end. At the W end there are coconut and other palms near the villages.
A disused structure, consisting of a conspicuous black steel framework tower, 28m high, lies on the W end of Mannar Island.
Tides—Currents.—During the SW monsoon, a strong current sets N over Adam’s Bridge, but abates towards the W and towards the Indian coast. A confused sea is generally encountered near Mannar Island.
Anchorage.—Anchorage can be obtained in 5.5m, mud, with the railway bridge between Mannar Island and Sri Lanka bearing 099°, about 5 miles..4.8 During the NE monsoon, good anchorage can be obtained by vessels drawing not more than 4.3m, about 1.5 miles off the W part of the island.