Approaches to Gulf of Kuchchh - 271 Topography The coastline of the Okhamandal Peninsula; N of Kachchigadh, is fringed with sandhills and fronted by a coastal reef. The stretch of coastline of the Gulf of Kachchh is generally low. The S shore is fronted with islands and islets covered with brushwood and surrounded by coral reefs; the N shore consists mostly of sand and mud flats, many of which dry, these are interspaced by numerous rivers and fronted by several shoals. This stretch of coast of the Kachchh District; NW of the Gulf of Kachchh is generally low and straight, it is fronted by a narrow sandy ridge. Several small rivers empty into the sea along this stretch of coast. These stretches of coasts are well lit, having numerous lights with ranges of 15 miles or more. Off-lying bank Lushington Shoal (Unniamor) (22° 37' N, 68° 37' E) lies in the fairway of the approach to the Gulf of Kachchh from W. The shoal has a bottom of sand, mud and rock; it can be usually identified by discoloured water over it. Tidal streams near Lushington Shoal set ESE with the ingoing stream attaining a rate of 13/4 kn at neaps. Currents In the entrance to the Gulf of Kachchh; strong currents, setting in any direction for short periods, have been reported. In the general offshore area covered by this chapter; West of the Gulf of Kachchh, the currents have a seasonal variation related to the monsoons; the most usual set is SE from February to September, with greatest constancy during June to August; during October currents are variable in direction but the most common set is NW from November to January. The rate of the current is mostly less than 1 kn, but rates of about 2 kn occur at times mainly during June to August and in December. There is a good deal of variability in the directions of currents off the Indus Delta but there is some tendency for sets to parallel the coast. Buoyage Lateral System of Buoyage is being changed to the IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region A). Cyclone damage In 1998, a cyclone passing through the Gulf of Kachchh caused severe damage and left in its path numerous wrecks, buoys out of position, defective navigational aids, the possible shift in seabed material and a change in chart datum. The channels leading through the area were cleared for navigation later in the same year, but mariners are warned to exercise extreme caution when navigating in these waters under similar circumstances. Offshore route west of Gulf of Kachchh The route leads 85 miles NW from a position NW of Dwarka (22° 14' N, 68° 57' E), passing clear of Lushington Shoal (22° 38' N, 68° 47' E) and a shoal patch (23° 00'.5 N, 68° 23'.0 E); thence, to a position SSW of Sir Mouth. For this route the chart is sufficient guide. APPROACH AND ENTRY General information The coastal route leads 20 miles NNE from a position NW of Dwarka (22° 14' N, 68° 57' E), then 44 miles E to position N of Narara Bet. Through the SW approach and entrance to the Gulf of Kachchh. General information. Vessels, except those constrained by their draught, should as far as possible avoid using the Deep-water route by keeping N of the route and passing S of Ranwara Shoals , as described below. Topography The Okhamandal Peninsula NNE of Kachchigadh (22° 19' N, 68° 56' E ), has a coastline fringed with sandhills; its hinterland, which is very low, is fully described. The coastline from Humani Point, the N point of Okhamandal Peninsula; to Narara Bet is heavily indented with bays and fronted by numerous large reefs. Depths Throughout this route, there is considerable variation in the depths. Hazard Numerous small fishing vessels may be encountered off parts of the S coast of the Gulf of Kachchh. Tidal streams Tidal streams set E when in-going and W when out-going; at the W edge of Gurur Shoal (22° 33'N, 69° 01'E), these streams attain a rate of 11/2 kn at neaps. For details of the tidal streams in the vicinity of Okha Point (22° 28' N, 69° 05' E). Along the N face of Bural Reef (22° 30'N, 69° 20'E) the tidal stream has a rate from 4 to 6 kn. Overfalls Depths are irregular and heavy tide-rips are experienced, between Gurur Shoal and the mainland S and SE, on each side of the intervening deep-water channel, particularly on the out-going stream. It should be noted that the sea sometimes breaks in this channel even in calm weather. In the vicinity of Chandri Reef (22° 31' N, 69° 07' E), Paga Reef (22° 28' N, 69° 13' E) and Bural Reef to the E, the uneven bottom causes overfalls and tide-rips which are particularly heavy at springs. Heavy tide-rips occur off the NE end of Bural Reef when the tidal stream is strong. Landmarks: Chimney (elevation 102 m) (22° 24' N, 69° 00' E). Aramda Beacon (22° 26' N, 69° 00' E) stands a13/4 miles W of the walled town of Aramda. Major lights: Dwarka Point Light (22° 14'.3 N, 68° 57'.5 E). Kachchigadh Light (22° 19'.8 N, 68° 56'.9 E). Humani Point Light (22° 28'.6 N, 69° 04'.2 E). Chhachhi Light (22° 57'.2 N, 69° 00'.8 E). Deep-water route Caution. Reports are often received concerning route buoys that are missing or unlit. General information. The route is marked in accordance with IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region A), it varies in width between 8 cables and 13/4 miles. There are controlling depths of 25 m at the beginning of the route, NW of Kachchigadh Light, and 23 m NNE of Okha Point (22° 28' N, 69° 05' E); however, vessels should take into account possible changes which may have taken place due to meteorological or other effects since the last survey. Directions. In the vicinity of position 22° 21' N, 68° 49' E, the route is entered, about 7 miles WNW of Kachchigadh Light; it leads NNE between Lushington Shoal and Gurur Shoals, 13 miles ESE, and thence E into the gulf, Underkeel clearance. While proceeding at their normal service speed, deep draught vessels must allow a minimum underkeel clearance of 20% of their draught. At reduced speed, the clearance in calm weather may be reduced to 15%; but if an appreciable sea or swell is running a 20% clearance must be allowed. Particular care should be taken where the chart indicates critical depths in the route and the vessels individual squat calculation applied. Clearing marks and lines The alignment (171°) of the following marks leads W of Gurur Shoal (22° 33' N, 69° 01' E) and E of Lushington Shoal (22° 37' N, 68° 47' E): Kachchigadh Fort (22° 19'.5 N, 68° 57'.1 E) and : Dwarkanath Temple (22° 14'.2 N, 68° 58'.0 E) For vessels passing S of Gurur Shoal, Samiani Island Centre Lighthouse (22° 29'.3 N, 69° 05'.2 E) bearing between 092° and 103° passes S of Gurur Shoal and N of Marian Shoal, in a depth of not less than 11.3 m; note that Bobby Shoal, and other isolated patches, lie from 3 to 41/2 miles W of the lighthouse between these bearings. Useful marks Mojap Beacon (22° 21'.4 N, 68° 57'.8 E) a black masonry structure stands near a sandhill, about 30 m high, with bushes on it. Mithapur Light (dark building, 50 m in height) (22° 24'.4 N, 69° 00'.6 E) stands close NE of a conspicuous chimney. OKHA APPROACHES Position The port of Okha (22° 28' N, 69° 05' E) lies between the N end of Okhamandal Peninsula and Bet Shankhodhar (1 mile SE) . The town of Okha is situated close W of the port. Nothern Portion of Gulf of Kuchchh Topography The coast, from the entrance of Godia Creek to the E bank of Kori Creek; 15 miles NW, is low and much indented with creeks, the mouths of which are shallow and can only be used by boats; a shallow coastal bank extends up to about 9 miles offshore in places. Depths There are no known dangers off this stretch of coast of the charted depth contour of 10 m, except for Lushington Shoal and a shoal patch with a depth of 9.5 m over it, reported in 1985, to lie in position 23° 00'.5N, 68° 23'.0E. However, within the 5 m depth contour there are several shoal patches, some of which dry, and a number of isolated dangerous rocks; most of these dangers lie within 1/2 miles of the shore. There are a number of drying sandbanks, between the E bank of Kori Creek (23° 30' N, 68° 20' E) and Sir Mouth; 23 miles WNW, lying off the creek and the Indus Delta. Tidal Streams The tidal streams between Kharod Nadi and Godia Creek generally run parallel to the line of the coast, the In-going stream setting ESE and the out-going WNW; NW of Godia Creek the in-going stream sets E towards the coast at a rate of about 1 kn and the out-going stream sets seaward. Landmarks: Dholo Pir Dome (22° 55' N, 69° 04' E). Radio mast (23° 15' N, 68° 49' E), a red obstruction light is exhibited. Major lights: Chhachhi Light (white masonry tower, black bands, 24 m in height) (22° 57'.2 N, 69° 00'.1 E) is fitted with a radar reflector, a disused lighthouse (6 m in height) stands 71/2 cables W. Jakhau Light (white round concrete tower, red bands, 41 m in height) (23° 14'.4 N, 68° 36'.3 E), stands within the entrance to Godia Creek on its S side. Kajhar Creek Light (23° 44'.4 N, 68° 03'.9 E) . Useful mark Maniyara Hill (23° 28' N, 68° 37' E), on the summit of which stands a fort at an elevation of 67 m. Anchorages General anchorage. Vessels may be obtained anchorages with good holding ground, generally in mud; can be obtained in depths of about 12 m from 4 to 5 miles offshore. Godia Creek General information. Godia Creek (23° 14' N, 68° 35' E) is entered between low-lying sandy points. It can be identified by Luna Bet Beacon standing on its NW side and, by two beacons standing on its SE side with Bari Beacon a farther 21/2 miles SE. Description. This generally shallow creek has an entrance channel across the bar, about 2 cables wide, with deep-water on its centreline; there are drying banks lying on each side of the channel, the entrance and the creek. The bar, which extends about 1 mile seaward, has a least charted depth of 1.5 m; a pool, with a charted depth of 9.9 m, lies 1 mile within the entrance. From the pool, the creek shallows rapidly and extends about 2 miles E, at which point it curves N. Local knowledge. To enter the Godia creek, local knowledge is necessary because of continual changing of the coastline and the sandbanks. Jakhau Harbour General information. Jakhau Harbour (23° 13' N, 68° 33' E), is an open roadstead situated on the outer side of the bar SW of the entrance to Godia Creek. The town Jakhau is located inland, about 9 miles E of the harbour. Small vessels use the harbour for loading salt during the fair weather season from October to January. Landmarks: Jakhau Light (23° 14'.4 N, 68° 36'.3 E). Bari Beacon (23° 11'.2 N, 68° 37'.4 E) stands on a sandspit SE of the entrance to Godia Creek. Luna Bet Beacon (23° 15'.7 N, 68° 33'.7 E) stands on some sandhills, 9 m high, situated on the NW side of the entrance to Godia Creek. Directions. Because of the nature of the coast, little is visible until a vessel approaches the charted 10 m depth contour; at night, or in thick weather, a vessel should not proceed closer inshore until its navigational position has been verified. Anchorage. Vessels using Jakhau Harbour, may anchor comfortably about 5 miles SW of the entrance to Godia Creek in a depth of 9 m, mud and fine sand; as shown on the chart. Mitha Port lies at the head of Kherla Creek, a shallow creek, which extends about 71/2 cables SE from a position 2 miles ENE of the entrance to Godia Creek (23° 14' N, 68° 35' E). Kori Creek General information. Kori Creek (23° 30' N, 68° 20' E), now one of the outlets of the Rann of Kachchh, was once one of the mouths of the Indus River. A shallow bar fronted the entrance to the creek but it can be navigated by local craft as far as Lakhpat, 28 miles within the entrance. Caution. The channel and banks are liable to constant changes. Local knowledge of the area is necessary before closing and entering Kori Creek. Description. Kori Creek is about 5 miles wide at the entrance; it is blocked by several sandbanks except on its E side where a deep-water channel leads, between off-lying sandbanks and the shore, into the creek. Depths. The bar, of which the outer edge is more than 10 miles seaward of the entrance, is about 7 miles across with depths from 0.1 to 3.2 m. Within the bar a channel, reducing from about 21/2 miles to 5 cables wide with depths from 5.3 to 18.0 m, leads through the creek for a distance of about 12 miles; thence the width of the channel is reduced, and subsequently divided, by sandbanks. Tidal streams. In the estuary of Kori Creek tidal streams are strong, attaining a rate of 5 kn at springs and 3 kn at neaps. The in-going stream sets up the channel of the creek until about 11/2 hour before high water when it sweeps over the sandbanks in the entrance; the in-going stream also sets into the bay N of Kori Creek. The out-going stream sets SW and S. Landmark: Koteshwar Temple (23° 41' N, 68° 32' E); Approach aspect. When a vessel is in depths of more than 5 m off Kori Creek the low land, being about 10 miles distant, is generally not seen save in the clearest weather when low hills will be visible. Useful mark: Stranded wreck (23° 30'.3 N, 68° 20'.3 E).