Central Laksadweep - 268 (INT 7353)

Suheli Par :
General information
Position. Suheli Par (10º 04' N, 72º 17' E) is the S island of Lakshadweep.
Description. The atoll consists of a drying barrier reef enclosing a lagoon in which lie two islets. 
Landmark: Chenyakara Islet Lighthouse (white metal column, red bands, 36 m in height) (10º 02'.5 N, 72º 17' E), stands on Chenyakara Islet (South Islet).
Major light:
Chenyakara Islet 
Other navigational aid:
Racon at Chenyakara Islet Light-as above.
Useful mark:
Valiyakara Islet Light (white wooden framework tower, 13 m in height) (10º 08'.5 N, 72º 19'.7 E), stands on Valiyakara (North Islet).
Lagoon entrances. On the NW side of the barrier reef there are two openings, which can be entered by small vessels, not exceeding about 1.8 m draught; but local knowledge is necessary.
Anchorage. anchorage may be found in a depth of 12 m,  with the N end of Valiyakara Islet bearing 163º and the S end of Chenyakara Islet bearing 201º.


Kalpeni Island :
General information
Position. Kalpeni Island (10º 06' N, 73º 39' E) is the SE island of Lakshadweep.
Description. The atoll consists of two islands; low  and narrow, standing on the E side of a reef enclosing a lagoon. 
Kalpeni Island  is densely covered with coconut palms of about 30 m height.
Cheriyam Island is also covered with palm trees.
Industry. Coconuts and coir rope, made from the coconut fibre, are exported to the mainland.
Depths. Particularly around Cheriyam Island, barrier reef is steep-to and the sea breaks heavily on it,. A steep-to bank with depths between 10 and 20 m extends about 5 cables S from the S end of Kalpeni Island; a similar bank 
extends N from the N end of Cheriyam Island.
Traffic. Three international vessels with a total dwt of 3431 visited the island in 1996.
Tidal streams. North of Cheriyam Island the in-going stream sets NW and the out-going NE, each with a rate of about 1 kn.
Landmarks:
Kalpeni Island Lighthouse (white round stone tower, black bands, 44 m in height) (10º  04'.9 N, 73º 38'.9 E), stands on Kalpeni Island about 1½ miles N of its S extremity.
Bungalow (10º 04'.2 N, 73º 38'.9 E).
Mosque (3 m in height) (10º 03'.5 N, 73º 38'.4 E). 
Major light:
Kalpeni Island Light-as above.
Lagoon. Depths within the lagoon are generally shallow and much of its S part dries; less water than charted have been reported.
There is a jetty on the W side of Kalpeni Island, about 3½ cables SSW of Kalpeni Light.
A boat channel leads into the lagoon in the vicinity of Cheriyam Island, for which, local knowledge is required.
Anchorage may be found in a depth of 9 m, sand and coral, about 7 cables N of Cheriyam Island, as shown on the chart.
In the month of March, anchorage has been found S of Kalpeni Island, about 3½ cables offshore, in a depth of 13 m, coral and rock.
Landing is possible, in favourable conditions, on the E side of Kalpeni Island in the vicinity of the bungalow mentioned above.


Kavaratti Island :
General information
Position. Kavaratti Island (10º 34' N, 72º 38' E) lies about 30 miles NE of Suheli Par; the channel separating them is deep and free from charted dangers.
Description. The island, is low lying and densely covered with coconut palms about 27 m high and it occupies the SE side of the atoll, the lagoon on the NW side is enclosed by a barrier reef which lies almost parallel to the island 
about 6 cables offshore. 
The office of the Administrator for Lakshadweep is situated on this island. The N part of island is more heavily populated.
Industry. Export of Coconut mats and coir ropes to the mainland is the main source of income.
Depths. The island and barrier reef are steep-to except at their SSW ends where a bank, about 5 cables wide, with depths of less than 50 m extends 7 cables from shore.
Traffic. An average of 15 vessels visits the island annually with approx dwt. 21000 Tons.
Tidal streams. In the month of October, , the in-going stream was observed to set SE and the out-going NW, near the island, each with a rate from ½ to 1 kn.
Landmarks:
Kavaratti Island Lighthouse (white concrete tower, 40 m in height) (10º 33'.7 N, 72º 38'.9 E), stands on the SE point of the island.
Port Office (10º 34'.5 N, 72º 38'.8 E), stands on the NE point of the island. A port control with VHF facilities is available at the port. It mans channel 16 on MMB. 
Major light: Kavaratti Island Light-as above.
Useful mark:
Light-beacon (white round concrete tower, black bands) (10º 33'.7 N, 72º 39'.0 E), stands near the E extremity of the barrier reef.
Lagoon. Within the lagoon depths are generally shallow and there are large areas of isolated rocks in its NW and SW parts.
Two jetties are situated on the N part of the NW side of the island.
There is a channel leading into the lagoon from its NE end. The channel is marked, on the W side of its entrance, by the light-beacon (described above) and by two more light-beacons (port and starboard hand, shown from September to May)
 situated close SE of the entrance; thence, the channel between the reef and the shoal water fringing the island is marked by light-buoys. Local knowledge of the channel is required before entry.
Anchorage. Anchorage may be obtained, during the NE monsoon and in fair weather, on the shoal which extends SSW from the S end of the island, in depths of from 7 to 15 m, sand and coral, as shown on the chart.
Mooring. A buoy is laid off the SE point of the island.
Development. Constructions are in progress, once completed, will provide two breakwaters and an L-shaped jetty, with limited maintenance facilities, for two catamaran inter-island ferries.


Agatti Island :
General information
Position. Agatti Island (10º 51' N, 72º 12' E) lies towards the SW end of an unnamed atoll about 20 miles WNW of Pitti.
Description. The island is about 4 miles long and narrow, and orientated NNE/SSW; a clump of coconut palm trees stands about 1 mile from its S end. The small uninhabited islet of Kalipatti lies close SSW of the island.
The coral barrier reef extends about 2 miles offshore on the W side, surrounding Agatti and Kalipatti, and encloses a lagoon.
There is a bank connects Agatti with a group of islands on the N part of this unnamed atoll. The bank has a least charted depth of 7.9 m. The principal islets of this  N group are Bingaram, 6 miles NE of Agatti, with Tinnakara 1½ miles 
E of Bingaram. These two islets are encircled, except for the E extremity of Tinnakara, by a reef, the lagoon of which has on its W side numerous coral heads with depths of less than 1m over them and much of it dries. At the NE corner
 of the reef close N of the E extremity of Tinnakara lies the Parali Islets.
Industry. Coconuts are the main produce of Agatti; also there are a few sheep and goats on this island.
Depths. Though there are banks, at the S and N ends of the island, where depths of less than 10 m extend 5 cables S of Kalipatti and the same distance N of Agatti, otherwise Agatti Island and its barrier reef are generally steep-to.
Landmark:
Agatti Island Lighthouse (white framework tower, 35 m in height) (10º 52'.5 N, 72º 12'.3 E), stands near the NE point of the island.
Useful mark:
Tinnakara Islet Light - beacon (10º 56'.6 N, 72º  19'.0 E), stands near the SW point of the islet.
Lagoon. It may be entered through a passage located 2½ miles SW of the N end of Agatti, with the clump of coconut palm trees (see above) bearing 142º; local knowledge of this entrance is considered essential as depths in the lagoon
 off Agatti are generally shallow.
Anchorages. Anchorage can be taken in 18.3 to 22m, coral, off the entrance to the reef surrounding Agatti Island, but it is not recommended.
Good anchorage can be taken in depths of 10m to 15m in an area 2 miles wide between the N end of Agatti Island and the reef encircling Bingaram; this area is apparently free from dangers, but ships should proceed with caution. 
The recommended anchorage is with the NE extremity of Agatti Island bearing 215°, distant 1.5 miles, in a depth of 13.7m, coral.
On the W side of the atoll, near its N end, there is an entrance to the lagoon about 0.8 mile wide. Good anchorage can be obtained W of this entrance, in 10m coral, with the N point of Bingaram Islet bearing 078°, distant 3.5 miles.
Landing. On a steep-to beach landing can be effected on the NW side of Agatti Island. It is also possible to land on the barren islets of Bingaram and Tinnakara.
Facilities: small hospital; post office.
Communication: There is regular communication with Calicut and Mangalore  by sea and air except during SW monsoon.


Androth Island :
General information
Position. Androth (10º 48'.5 N, 73º 41'.0 E) is the NW island of the southern group of Lakshadweep.
Description. The island is about 2½ miles long and at its widest point 8 cables wide; it is orientated E/W and is densely planted with coconut palms being the most fertile island of Lakshadweep.
A coral reef surrounds the island, upon which the sea breaks heavily, particularly off its W end.
The main village is situated on the N coast about 1 mile from the W end, but the population spreads along much of the entire coastline.
Depths. The S side of this reef is steep-to, but from the N side a coral bank projects about 6 miles N, and has a greatest width of about 10 miles, with depths from 10.4 to 31m. Shoals, with depths of 5m and 5.9m, lie about 0.6 mile 
SSW and 0.4 mile W, respectively, of the NW end of the island. Several isolated shoals, with depths of 10.5 and 11m, lie up to 1.1 miles N of the N coast of the island.
A detached shoal, with depth of 13.3 m over it, lies about 6½ miles ENE of the E end of the island.
Traffic. On average about five international vessels visit the island annually.
Landmarks:
Androth Island East Lighthouse (white square masonry tower, black bands, 35 m in height)  (10º 48'.8 N, 73º 42'.l E), stands near the E end of the island.
Red house(18m in height) (10º 48'.9 N, 73º 41'.8 E)
Flagstaff (12 m in height) (10º 48'.9 N, 73º 40'.5 E) which stands close N of a small red-roofed mosque at the W end of the village.
Major lights:
Androth Island East Light-as above.
Androth Island West Light (white concrete column, 15 m in height) (10º 48'.8 N, 73º 39'.7 E), stands near the NW corner of the island.
Other navigational aid. Racon at Androth Island East Light-as above.
Radar landfall. Androth might be identified by radar, from E, at a distance of 18 to 20 miles.
Anchorage may be obtained in depths about 10m, sand and coral, anywhere off the N side of the island, about 0.5 mile offshore; local knowledge is necessary.
Good anchorage can be obtained in 9.1m, coarse sand and broken shells, about 0.7 mile N of a flagstaff on the shore close N of a red-roofed mosque at the W end of the village.
Anchorage can also be obtained in 16.5 to 18.3m, off the E end of the island where the bottom appears to be smoother, but local knowledge is necessary.
During the NE monsoon, vessels can anchor in 18.3 to 22m, about 0.5 mile offshore on the SW coast of the island, but there is little shelter.
Landing on the N side of Androth and abreast the village landing can be effected, in a small bay about 1 cable E of the flagstaff (described above); access to the landing is through a channel in the reef which is suitable only for 
small boats.
Repairs: Construction and repair facilities for small sailing vessels are available.
Facility: small hospital, Helipad  ((10º 48'.787 N, 73º 41'.973 E)
Supplies. Water with a high lime content.


Off-lying bank and shoals
Elikalpeni Bank
Elikalpeni Bank (11º 16' N, 74º 03' E) lies 35 miles NE of Androth Island. It is separated from Androth by a channel that is very deep and free from charted dangers. This bank, which was examined in 1953, is about 5 miles in extent
 and composed of sharp coral rocks having general depths of 13 to 16 m with a least charted depth of 10.4 m near its SE edge; it is steep-to on all sides with depths falling rapidly to about 2000 m.


Amini Island :
General information
Position. Amini Island (11º 07'.5 N, 72º 43'.5 E) lies at the NE end of the bank which extends NNE from Pitti.
Description. Amini is the most important island. Though the population spreads over much of the entire island, the main village is situated in the middle of the W side of the island,
Tidal streams W of the island set SW when in-going and SE when out-going, attaining a rate of about ¾ kn.
Useful mark:
Amini Island Light (black metal framework tower, white bands, 34 m in height) (11º 06'.7N,        72º 43'.2 E) stands on the S point of the island; its position is approximate.
Anchorage. Anchorage can be obtained off the W side of Amini in depths from 7 to 15m; outside the 20m depth contour, depths increase rapidly. The recommended anchorage is with the S point of the island bearing 137°, distant 1.1 miles, 
in a depth of about 15m. In 1948, a vessel approached her anchorage with the steps in front of the village bearing 107°, and anchored on that bearing in a depth of 9.1m, about 0.5 mile from the beach.
Landing. there is believed to be a raised stone platform, in front of the village, with steps leading down to the beach; behind the platform is a stone pillar and fronting the platform a narrow passage across the reef, suitable for 
small boats, is marked by stone posts. Local knowledge considered essential  when using this landing.
Facilities: small hospital; post office.


Kadmat Island :
General information
Position. Kadmat Island (1lº 14' N, 72º 47' E) lies 3¼ miles NNE of Amini Island from which it is separated by a channel, that is very deep and free from charted dangers with a fairway about 6 cables wide near its centre.
Description. With a maximum width of 3 cables, the island is about 5 miles long and is orientated NNE/SSW; it lies on the E side of a coral atoll. The village is situated in the centre of the island. The ends of the island are 
covered by a low growth of scrub. 
The coral atoll extends, up to about 1 mile off its W side nearly parallel with the island, it also surrounds both the N and S ends of the island extending about 7½ cables S and 2¼ cables N; the E coast is generally steep-to. 
Offshore mark:
Stranded wreck (11º 14'.5 N, 72º 46'.0 E) lies on the reef 1¾ miles SW of the N end of the island.
Useful Landmarks:
Kadmat Island Light (white framework tower, 34 m in height) (11º 15'.4 N, 72º 47'.4 E), stands at the N end of the island.
Lagoon. There are two narrow boat passages into the lagoon through the reef, both are marked on each side by a stone post; one passage is at the N end of the atoll, and the other 3 miles SSW of the N end. Within the lagoon depths 
are shallow and much of it dries.
Anchorages. Anchorage in good weather can be obtained off the reef S of Kadmat in depths from 8m to 20m, and from 0.2 to 0.5 mile from the reef (uncharted).
Small vessels with local knowledge can anchor in 31m near the boat passage, and about 0.2 mile from the reef (uncharted).
Facilities: small hospital; post office; police station.


Peremul Par :
General information
Position. Peremul Par (11º 09' N, 72º 03' E), an atoll, lies 18 miles NNW of Agatti from which it is separated by a channel that, when clear of the reefs surrounding the atoll and the island, is deep and free from charted dangers.
Description. Peremul Par consists of a narrow drying reef enclosing a lagoon; at HW, with a smooth sea, much of the reef does not break, making the edge of the reef difficult to distinguish.
Lagoon. Inside the reef, a shoal, with depths of less than 1.8m, extends about 0.8 mile from its SW and N sides towards the middle of the island. The remainder of the lagoon is encumbered with drying coral reefs, with depths
 of 1.8 to 11m between them.
Several good boat entrances are on the E side and two on the W side of the island.
Anchorage. Anchorage can be obtained in 18.3m, about 0.3 mile offshore, abreast the boat entrances on the SW side of Peremul Par; local knowledge is necessary. Anchorage can also be obtained in 18.3 to 22m, off the NE side of 
the reef, with the sand cay bearing 213°, distant about 0.5 mile.


Kiltan Island :
General information
Position. Kiltan Island (11º 29'.0 N, 73º 00'.5 E) lies 19 miles NE of Kadmat Island from which it is separated by a channel that is deep and free from charted dangers.
Description. Kiltan is densely covered with coconut palms. A reef fringes the W side of the island and extends up to 3½ cables from it, forming a lagoon, with shoal water extending 1½ cables farther W; rocks and foul ground
 fringe much of the rest of the island and shoal water extends about 3 cables from its N and 2 cables from its S ends.
A stretch of steep-to sandy beach breaks the fringing foul ground (uncharted) along the middle of the E side of the island. 
Landmark:
Kiltan Island South Lighthouse (white round stone tower, red bands, 41 m in height) (11º 28'.2 N, 73º 00'.5 E) stands near the SW end of the island.
Major light: 
Kiltan Island South Light-as above.
Useful marks:
Kiltan Island North Light (white round concrete tower, 9 m in height) (11º 29'.8 N, 73º 00'.0 E) stands near the NW end of the island.
Radar landfall. Kiltan Island was reported to be a good radar target at 21 miles 
Lagoon. A boat passage leads through the N end of the reef to a shallow lagoon where there is a jetty on the W side of the island; a gap in the reef, about 0.6 mile S, is sometimes smoother. Each gap is marked by buoys from 
September to May.
Anchorages. Anchorage can be obtained off Kiltan Island in fair weather.
The best position is in about 9.1m, with the light structure bearing 129°, distant about 0.6 mile. During S winds, vessels should anchor a little closer inshore. A vessel anchoring should keep well clear of the position of
 stranded wreck 
Anchorage can also be obtained off the S end of the island in 9.1 to 11m, about 0.4 mile offshore, if the swell is not heavy.
Landing. In smooth weather there is a good landing at the middle of the E side of the island, where a steep-to sandy beach breaks the fringing foul ground. It should be noted that breakers occur on the N and S parts of this 
side of the island.
Supplies: water is obtainable from wells but it is brackish with very heavy lime content.


Chetlat Island :
General information
Position. Chetlat Island (11º 41'.5 N, 72º 43'.0 E), the N-most island of the Amindivi Islands, lies 21 miles NW of Kiltan Island from which it is separated by a channel that is deep and free from charted dangers.
Description. Chetlat is inhabited and wooded with coconut palms. A reef fringes the S and W sides of the island extending up to 5 cables from its W side forming a lagoon, with shoal water and some isolated rocks extending 
about 3½ cables farther  seaward;  rocks  and  foul  ground   fringe much of the E side of the island which is otherwise steep-to. 
Industry. The main product is coconut; coir is made and exported to the mainland. Limestone and coral are also send to mainland.
Useful mark:
Chetlat Island Light (white framework tower, black band, 36 m in height) (11º 41'.8 N, 72º 43'.1 E) stands about 3 cables S of the N end of the island; the position of the light is approximate.
Other navigational aid: 
A radio beacon transmits from Chetlat Island Light-as above. 
Radar landfall. Chetlat is reported to be a good radar target at 19½ miles from E.
Lagoon. Within the lagoon depths are generally shallow with numerous isolated rocks. Before an entry is attempted, local knowledge of the lagoon and its entrances is considered essential.
There is a jetty within the lagoon on the W side of the island near its mid-point and close N of the main village. 
Anchorage. Anchorage can be obtained, in good  weather, on the shoal areas extending N from the N end and SSW from the S end of the island.
During the NE monsoon, the best anchorage is in 11 to 18.3m, about 0.4 mile offshore, with the SW end of the barrier reef bearing about 338°, and with the SW and SE points of Chetlat Island bearing 011° and 045°, respectively.
In 1948, a vessel found the SW end of the barrier reef no longer provided a good mark. It obtained anchorage with the SW and SE points of Chetlat Island bearing 013° and 043°, respectively, but it was uncomfortable as 
it lay across its cable on both flood and ebb tides.
Landing When landing on the island it is advisable to use a local boat. The best landing place is on the S side of the island, near the SE point, where there is a depth of 2.1m at HW and 1.2m at LW.
Facilities: small hospital; post office. 
Supplies: water is obtainable from wells but it is brackish with very heavy lime content.


Bitra Par :
General information
Position. Bitra Par (11º 33' N, 72º 10' E), an atoll, lies 33 miles WSW of Chetlat Island from which it is separated by a channel that, when clear of the reefs surrounding the atoll and the island, is deep and free from charted dangers.
Description. The atoll encloses a lagoon; The barrier reef, which dries from 0.3 to 0.9m, is narrow on its W and N sides, but it increases in width on its E and S sides. A light is shown from a white framework tower on Bitra Islet.
Bitra Islet (Tree Islet), an opening in the reef, close S of Tree Islet, has a depth of 2.7m; boats can enter the lagoon through this opening.  
Tidal streams Tidal currents at springs set strongly in and out of the lagoon, and care is necessary when making the anchorage.
Useful mark:
Bitra Islet Light (white metal framework tower, red bands, 33 m in height) (11º 35'.8 N, 72º 11'.4 E) stands on Bitra Islet.
Lagoon. Depths within the lagoon are from 0.1 to 9.1m, but it is encumbered with coral reefs, drying and awash, especially toward the S end.
Close S of Bitra Islet there is an opening in the reef through which boats can enter, has depths of about      2.7 m. Before an entry is attempted, local knowledge is considered essential.
Turtle may be found on this atoll.
Anchorage. Anchorage can be taken in 19.2 m, abreast the opening S of Tree Islet, with the NE extremity of the islet bearing 335°, distant about 0.6 mile. A vessel reported this anchorage was unsafe for a vessel 91.5m in length,
 and that there was no safe anchorage off Bitra.
Jetty. A jetty is available of 15.30 m in length with the available depth of 1.50 m alongside.
Entrance Channel and Turning Circle.  The length of the channel is 2126 m and width is 16 m. the depth in the channel is 1 m. the diameter of the turning circle is 60 m.
Navigation Aid.	It has two rubber buoys and two GRP lighted buoy.

Helipad.	Helipad Facility ((11º 36.024 N, 72º 11.119 E) located north of island, with a concrete surface of 30x30 m. approaches and take off bearing of helipad is VOKV - 341º/68.4º NM. However, fuelling facility is not available.