Approaches to Palk Bay - 358

Koduwakattu Malai (8°52'N., 81°05'E.) is the N of two rocky headlands separated by a sandy bay. A framework tower, 61m high, is conspicuous about 0.8 mile S of the point. Another tower stands about 2.3 miles farther SSE. A group of rocks, one of which is 6.1m high, lies about 2 miles WNW of the point. Good radar returns have been reported from the point at 17 miles.

Anchorage.-During the SW monsoon, vessels may obtain sheltered anchorage up to 2 miles offshore S of Koduwakattu Malai, in depths of 18.3 to 28m, mud, and farther NW along the coast, in 16.5 to 18.3m.

Shoulder Point, a low, rocky headland, lies about 6 miles NW of Koduwakattu Malai. It is fringed by reefs with two rocks 4.5 and 6.1m high A light is shown from the point. A dangerous reef, on which the sea breaks, and which was not examined in 1945, lies about 1 mile SE of Shoulder Point.

Black Point (9°06'N., 80°54'E.) has conspicuous cliffs, 37m high, close N. The entrance to a lagoon, N of the cliffs, is also conspicuous.
Mullaittivu Light (9°16'N., 80°49'E.) is shown from a metal framework obelisk with a dome top, 19.8m high, in the village of Mullaittivu. Mullaittivu Shoals, with depth of less than 9.1m, extend about 7 miles N from a position 4 miles SSE of Mullaittivu Light. These shoals also extend about 3 miles E of Mullaittivu Light; rocks, with depths of less than 1.8m, lie between 1 and 2 miles NNE and NNW of the lighthouse. During the NE monsoon the sea breaks heavily on the N side of Mullaittivu Shoals.

Caution.-Vessels should not approach the coast within 2 miles between Shoulder Point and Mullaittivu Shoals; although, there are no off-lying dangers with the possible exception of a 9.1m patch and an 11.3m patch, about 1 mile NE and 3.3 miles N, respectively, of Shoulder Point.

Vessels passing Mullaittivu Shoals should not approach within depths of 37m.
Mullaittivu to Point Pedro.-A conspicuous hillock lies about 4.5 miles NW of Mullaittivu.
About 8 miles farther NW, a gap appears distinctive between bearings of 200° and 248°; a conspicuous tree lies on the NW side of the gap.
Another very distinctive gap in the coast, with a conspicuous tree SE, lies about 3.5 miles NW of the above gap.

Chundikkulam, about 2.5 miles farther NW, has several gaps SE which are not always visible, but are conspicuous at times.

Kaddaikadu (9°34'N., 80°29'E.), about 8 miles NW of Chundikkulam, has a church which is conspicuous between bearings of 180° and 200°.

Pedro Channel South Obelisk, a white obelisk, 15.2m high, surmounted by a white diamond, is conspicuous about 2 miles NW of Kaddaikadu; the top of the obelisk has a height of 22.2m.
Saint Anthony's Church lies 4.5 miles NW of the obelisk. Saint Mary's Church, with a red roof, at Kudarappu, about 4 miles farther NW, is visible at intervals between the trees.
Pedro Channel Middle Beacon, a concrete beacon, painted in black and white bands, lies about 1.3 miles NNW of Saint Mary's Church.

Some very conspicuous sand dunes lie near the coast about 4.5 miles NW of Saint Mary's Church. A Hindu shrine, visible from seaward and close to a red-roofed church, stands about 1.5 miles NW of the sand dunes.

There are several other Hindu shrines at Manalkadu and Katkovalam, about 2.5 and 5 miles, respectively, NNW of the sand dunes. Manalkadu Church was reported to be distinctive between bearings 188° and 270°.

The coast between Katkovalam and Point Pedro is lined with casuarina trees and palms, about 21m high.

Point Pedro (9°50'N., 80°15'E.), the NE point of Sri Lanka, is marked by Point Pedro Light, shown from a white masonry tower, 31m high.

Point Pedro Shoal, with depths of less than 9.1m, lies roughly parallel with the coast and from 3 to as much as 8 miles offshore. From abreast Point Pedro it stretches about 23.miles SE, and several miles NW. Stork Shoal, with a least depth of 1.8m, about 6 miles ESE of Point Pedro, and Ethiopia Shoal, with a depth of 2.1m, about 3.5 miles farther SE, are the two shallowest heads.

Pedro Channel, the passage between Pedro Shoal and the coast, has depths of 10.5 to 14.6m.
Anchorage.-Good anchorage can be obtained in any part of Pedro Channel, except in the prohibited anchorage area near Point Pedro.

Directions.-A vessel passing outside of Pedro Point Shoal should not approach land inside depths of 37m by day, or inside depths of 46m at night, between Pigeon Inland (8°43'N., 81°12'E.) and Point Pedro.

A vessel proceeding through Pedro Channel should pass Mullaittivu Shoals in a depth of not less than 37m, and should not approach the coast NW of these shoals inside depths of 18.3m, until Pedro Channel South Obelisk bears 280°. The coast should then be approached on this bearing, as discoloured water and shallower depths than charted have been reported in this vicinity. This course leads N of the shoals extending NW from Mullaittivu and S of the SE end of Point Pedro Shoal. After clearing the latter shoal, alter course NW keeping about 1.5 miles off the coast.

Caution.-During SW winds, a red sand-haze forms over the land between Mullaittivu and Point Pedro; the haze may reduce coastal visibility to about 3 miles.
The best time to make the obelisk is during the forenoon, so as to arrive at the S end of the channel about noon. The obelisk will then be visible from the N until the high trees and light structure at Point Pedro are made out, and there will be no difficulty in avoiding Ethopia Shoal.


Palk Strait (10°00'N., 80°00'E.)
Palk Strait, forming the N entrance to Palk Bay, lies between the N coast of Sri Lanka and the E coast of India. The strait is occupied largely by banks, with depths of from 5.1 to 9.1m, and by numerous shoals with less depths over then.
There are three principal entrance channels: the S, middle, and N channels. The S channel, consisting of the east and west channel, and the N channel are generally used by local vessels. Large vessels use Pedro Channel and the west channel.

Tides-Currents.-The tidal rise in Palk Strait (Point Pedro) is 0.7m at MHWS, and 0.6m at MHWN.

The tidal currents in Palk Strait and Palk Bay are irregular, being influenced by the prevailing winds. During February, March, and April the tidal currents are more regular, changing every 6.5 hours at high and low water in the bay. They set W during the rising tide and E during the falling tide at Trincomalee.
From the west channel to Delft Island, about 18 miles SSW, the tidal currents follow the direction of the coast, setting SW and SE during the falling tide at Trincomalee. At springs, the currents reach a velocity of nearly 1 knot in Delft Channel and about 0.8 knot in the west channel.

Currents generally set with the wind, except in May and October when they are variable. During February, March, and April, in a calm, there is no current in the entrance of Palk Bay.

In the middle of Palk Bay the current sets leeward in either monsoon.
When a N current is running outside Palk Strait, a current setting out of the strait is usually found. When a S current is running, it is presumed that the reverse takes place. Close inshore, tidal currents are felt, and they vary the strength of the current in the vicinity of Middle Banks.

Depths-Limitations.-South Banks (9°57'N., 79°57'E.) consist of a number of shoals with depths of less than 5.5m. Depths of 7.3 to 9.1m extend E of these banks to join Point Pedro Shoal, N of Point Pedro. A depth of 5.5m was reported (1973) to lie in approximate position 10°01'N., 80°03'E.

Middle Banks consist of numerous shoals, with depths of less than 5.5m, lying N of South Banks. The banks include Eight Foot Bank, with a least depth of 2.3m, about 6.5 miles S of Point Calimere (10°17'N., 79°53'E.).

The S channel consists of the E and W channels. The E channel, with a least depth of 7.3m, lies between South Banks and Point Pedro Shoal; a depth of 5.5m was reported (1973) about 16.5 miles NW of Point Pedro. The channel, with a least depth of 10.1m in the fairway, lies between South Banks and the shoal water extending NW from Karaitivu (9°44'N., 79°53'E.). In 1944, a least depth of 10.7m could be carried through the W channel over a width of 0.3 mile, but local knowledge is necessary to ensure safe navigation in this depth.

The middle channel, between South Banks and Middle Banks, is about 4 miles wide, with a least depth of 4.9m in the center of the channel; elsewhere the least depth in this channel is 5m.

The N channel, between Middle Banks and Point Calimere to the N, has a least depth of 4m over a width of about 1.8 miles, between the shore bank fringing Point Calimere and a 4m patch about 4 miles SSE of the point.

Caution.-It has been reported (1993) that vessels may not use Palk Strait and the E territorial waters of Sri Lanka without prior permission of the Sri Lankan Naval Command.
South Side of Strait

The S shore of Palk Strait is formed by the N coast of Jaffna Peninsula which extends about 21 miles WSW from Point Pedro (9°50'N., 80°15'E.). This coast is generally low and sandy, with some cliffs and sandhills visible from seaward. It is backed by salt water lagoons and stony plains. Jaffna Peninsula is most fertile, being irrigated from numerous wells.
Point Pedro, a town and port open from mid-February to mid-October, lies about 0.8 mile W of Point Pedro. There is a custom house with a red roof, a small pier, and several bungalows in the vicinity.

The coast from Point Pedro to Palmyra Point, the N extremity of Sri Lanka, then to Tondaimanar, 4.5 miles farther WSW, is lined with palmyra and coconut palms from 21 to 27m high, and fringed by a narrow reef extending up to 183m offshore. Tandaimanar is marked by a cliff, 7.6m high, and the lagoon entrance close W serves as a leading mark for the east channel.

Between Tondaimanar and Kankesanturai, about 5.5 miles W, the coast is stony, lined with tall palms, and fringed with a reef. Vessels should not approach within 0.5 mile of this coast.

Kankesanturai (9°49'N., 80°03'E.) (World Port Index No. 49300) is the chief port of call on the N coast of Sri Lanka, for.vessels during the SW monsoon. It has considerable trade with ports in S India, and there is a custom house.

There are two stone bastions on the beach and a small pier. A light is shown from a round masonry tower, 25m high, near the W bastion.

Cargo boats, which may be used as lighters, anchor off the beach during good weather; lighterage operations are only conducted from March to October during the SW monsoon.
A chimney, about 61m high, of the cement works, is conspicuous about 1 mile WSW of Kankesanturai. There are two radio masts at Jaffna Airport, about 2.5 miles ESE of the port.
A breakwater extends about 0.5 mile NW from the shore 0.5 mile W of Western Bastion. A spur extends 0.2 mile W from the breakwater near its NW end and a quay for vessels discharging coal and gypsum for the cement works was under construction in 1983 on the S side of the spur.

There is a berth for coastal vessels drawing up to 4.2m on the SW side of the breakwater near its root.

Vessels of 20,000 dwt, with a draft of 7.3m, berth between two mooring buoys at the harbor entrance until the quay has been completed.

Anchorage for vessels waiting to berth can be obtained about 0.5 mile NW of the breakwater head. A pilot will board at the anchorage. Vessels not supplying the cement works, anchor off the beach near Western Bastion in good weather.

The coast between Kankesanturai and the NW extremity of Jaffna Peninsula, about 9 miles WSW, is bordered by Palmyra and coconut palms, and fringed by coral reef. A conspicuous sandhill lies about 1 mile Wof Matakal, a village about 5 miles WSW of Kankesanturai.

A bank, with depths of 5.5m and less, extends up to 2 miles offshore in places off the NW end of Jaffna Peninsula. A 3.2m coral patch lies near the outer edge of this bank, nearly 1.8 miles NW of the conspicuous sandhill W of Matakal.

Karaitivu (9°44'N., 79°53'E.), off the NW end of Jaffna Peninsula, has a sandhill, 6.1m high, on the NE point of the island; the sandhill has some palms on it, and is conspicuous from NW. A light is shown from a white masonry tower, 30m high, on Kovilan Point, the NW extremity of Karaitivu.

A flat, with depths of less than 5.5m, fronts the W side of Karaitivu, extending up to 3 miles offshore. several shoals, with depths of 2 to 3.7m, lie N and NW of this flat, and with Kovilan Point bearing between 125° and 075°; the outermost of these shoals with a least depth of 4.1m, lies about 5.8 miles WNW of Kovilan Point.

North Side of Strait
The N shore of Palk Strait consists of the low-lying coast between Point Calimere (10°17'N., 79°53'E.) and a low point, about 39 miles WSW, which projects from the coast close S of the entrance to Vellar River.

Point Calimere Light is shown from a concrete tower, 15m high, close within the point; a racon transmits from the tower. A drying sandbank, inside of which local craft find shelter in bad weather, extends about 1.5 miles NE of the point.

Between Point Calimere and Atirampattinam, about 29 miles W, the coast consists of mud flats, covered with mangrove bushes, and flooded during heavy rains and high spring tides.
Atirampattinam (Adirampatnam) is a port of refuge for local craft between May and September. It has a considerable local trade, principally with Sri Lanka.

Shaullavanaigenpatam, about 6 miles SW of Atirampattinam, has a a high column which is conspicuous and visible 15 miles.

Anchorage may be obtained in about 5.8m, soft mud, with the white tall mast at Atirampattinam bearing 000°, about 4.5 miles, and with the column at Shallavanaigapatam bearing 281°. Smaller vessels may anchor closer to the town. With S or SE winds, a heavy swell sets on this coast making the anchorage unsafe, but during the NE monsoon it is considered good.

A spit of hard sand, with depths of less than 5.5m, extends 13 miles ESE from the low point close S of the entrance to Vellar River. A detached 5.5m patch lies about 1 mile SE of the outer end of the spit.

A heavy swell generally runs over the spit, and it should not be approached from the E within a depth of 11m.

Large vessels should use Pedro Channel and the west channel. The least depth in the fairway of the west channel is 10.1m.

Vessels intending to enter through the S channel should make for a position about 12.5 miles N of Tondaimanar (9°49'N., 80°08'E.), and when the lagoon entrance close W of the village can be distinguished, it should be steered for bearing 185° until depths increase to 11m. Then alter course W towards the entrance to the west channel, keeping in depths of 11 to 12.8m.

At the E entrance to the west channel, with Kovilan Light bearing about 158° and the obelisk on the N end of Analativu (9°41'N., 79°47'E.) bearing about 207°, a course of 281° should be made good through the west channel, exercising great care, by keeping in the middle of the fairway to avoid the bank off Matakal and the shoals extending NW of Karaitivu.
Vessels intending to enter Palk Strait through the N channel should sound continuously, and if coming from the SE, should not get into depths of less than 14.6m until Point Calimere can be distinguished.

Caution.-Many fish traps are laid off the N coast of Sri Lanka, and constitute a danger to powered vessels, especially at night, due to the large blocks of wood and strong moorings attached to them.


Palk Bay (9°30'N., 79°30'E.)
Palk Bay, the continuation S of Palk Strait, is bounded on the E by the coast of Sri Lanka, on the S by Mannar Island, Adam's Bridge, and Pamban Island, and on the W by the coast of India.

The bay has general depths of 11 to 12.8m, but on its E side depths of 9.1m and less extend up to 15 miles from the coast of Sri Lanka, and within it are several islands, rocks, and shoals. On the S side of the bay depths of less than 9.1m extend up to 7 miles from the coast. The NW part of the bay has not been fully surveyed.

East Side of Palk Bay
A flat, with depths of less than 5.5m, extends about 10 miles W of the W end of Jaffna Peninsula; several islands and shoals lie on this flat, and enclose a large basin with depths of 2.3 to 3.2m.
Karaitivu (9°44'N., 79°53'E.), the N of the islands, was previously described.

Eluvativu, about 2.5 miles WSW of the S end of Karaitivu, islow and covered with tall trees.

Analativu, about 1.5 miles SW of Eluvativu, is covered with tall trees, and a white obelisk, 24m high, conspicuous at its N end.

Nayinativu, 1.5 miles S of Analativu, also has tall trees on it, and there is a conspicuous small temple, with a red roof, near the SW end of the island.

Punkudutivu, separated from Nayinativu by a channel about 1 mile wide, is planted with some coconut palms. Punkudutivu Light is shown from a conspicuous stone building near the SE end of the island.

Velanai, NE of Punkudutivu, is the largest island of the group. Mandaitivu, separated from Velanai by a narrow channel, is marshy in its N end, but there are some coconut palms on its S end.

Kayts (9°42'N., 79°51'E.) is a small port on the N end of Velanai, near the middle of the S side the channel separating Velanai and Karaitivu. The port is open throughout the year but is most frequented during the SW monsoon.

Fort Hammenhiel, the quarantine station, lies about 0.3 mile SW of the SW extremity of Karaitivu. A light is shown from a structure on the fort.

Anchorage may be obtained in 7.3m, sand, with the N point of Eluvativu bearing 135°, distant 1 mile. Small local vessels anchor in about 3.7 to 5.5m, from 1.5 to 3 miles NW of Fort Hammenhiel, and discharge part of their cargo before entering port.

Delft Island (9°31'N., 79°41'E.) is separated from Nayinativu by Delft Channel. Tall palm trees are on the W and NE parts of the island, while the S part is grassland, divided by loose stone walls, with trees about 6.1m high. When seen from some distance N, the island appears as two islands, due to a shallow salt water lake which occupies the middle of the island.

A white, iron framework beacon, 18m high and surmounted by a white disc, marks the NW extremity of Delft Island. A light for the use of fishermen is shown from the NE extremity of the island. A beacon, consisting of a white brick tower with an elevation of 14.6m, marks the SE extremity of the island.

Temporary anchorage, during strong NE winds, may be obtained off the W side of Delft Island, with the S end of the high palms bearing 067°.

The fairway of Delft Channel has a least depth of 9.1m over a width of about 1.5 miles between the 10m curve lines off Nayinativu and the NE extremity of Delft Island, and a depth of 9.1m can be carried over the N end of the shoal bank which extends NNE from Delft island.

Neduntivu Shoal, with a least depth of 3.6m, lies on the W side of the channel, and extends from 0.5 mile to 2.5 miles NNW from the NE extremity of Delft island.
On the E side of the channel, a narrow detached shoal ridge of sand and coral, with depths of 4.9 to 5.5m, lies about 0.6 mile off and nearly parallel with the W side of Nayinativu.

Kakerativu (Kakeraitivu), about 9.8 miles ESE of Delft Island, is a sandy islet, 5m high and covered with scrub. A conspicuous white framework beacon, 16.1m high and surmounted by a white disc, stands on the SW side of the island.

Palativu, 8 miles ENE of Kakerativu, is mostly covered with coarse grass and scrub, up to 6.1m high. A white tower, 7.6m high, stands near the NE end of the island.
A rocky shoal, with a least depth of 1.2m, lies about 4 miles NW of  Palativu.

Jaffna Lagoon, a large, shallow expanse of water, is entered between Kalmunai Point (9°36'N., 80°03'E.) and Mandaitivu, about 3 miles W. A white tower, 7.6m high, stands on Kalmunai Point.

A light is shown from Jaffna Obelisk, a white concrete tower about 2 miles NW of Kalmunai Point.


Jaffna (9°39'N., 80°01'E.), the principal town of Jaffna Peninsula, lies on the N shore of Jaffna Lagoon, about 4 miles NW of Kalmunai Point.
A radio mast, 22m high and marked by a red obstruction light, stands in Jaffna, about 2.3 miles NW of Jaffna Obelisk.

The NE monsoon prevails at Jaffna from the end of November to February, and the SW monsoon blows from the middle of May to October. The prevailing winds are SE during March and the first half of April.

Irnativu North (9°17'N., 79°59'E.) and Irnativu South are two low, coral islands, separated by a canoe passage. Irnativu North, the W island, has a village lying among palms in its N part; a tower, with an elevation of 16.1m, stands near the NE end of the island.

South Side of Palk Bay
Talaimannar (9°06'N., 79°43'E.), near the W end of Mannar Island, is connected to the railway system of Sri Lanka. A pier extends about 264m N of the coast at Talaimannar; the pier support a double railway track, and has depths of 3m at its head. There is regular ferry service between Talaimannar and Dhanushkodi, about 19 miles WNW.
Mannar Island Light is shown from a conspicuous, white, concrete tower at the root of the pier.

Mannar Island, Adam's Bridge, and Pamban Island were previously described with the Gulf of Mannar-North Side.

Dhanushkodi (9°11'N., 79°25'E.) (World Port Index No. 49340), about 2 miles NW of Lands End, is connected to the railway system of India. A pier, for use by vessels of the ferry service between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar, extends from the NE coast of Pamban Island abreast the town. The pier is 219m long, with depths of 3.4m on each side of the pier head; the pier carries a double railway track.

Kachchaitivu (Kachchtivu) (9°23'N., 79°25'E.), about 10 miles SW of Delft Island, is 12m high and covered with scrub. There is a well and a small shrine on the NE side of the island. Depths of less than 9.1m extend 1 mile SE of the island. Depths of less than 5.5m extend about 2.5 mile NE from the broad peninsula extending N from Pamban Island.
Pamban (9°17'N., 79°13'E.) (World Port Index No. 49330), administered by a conservator, lies close N of the W extremity of Pamban Island. Cargo is handled by lighters to and from the beach.

South and SW winds prevail from April to October. Pamban Island Light, previously described, is shown from a conspicuous white tower on a sandhill on the NW point of Pamban Island. NE Beacon, 5.5m high and white, lies close N of the light.
Kanthe Thuki Reef, composed of partly drying coral heads, lies between 0.3 and 0.5 mile W of Pamban Island Light. A boat channel between this reef and the coast is used by pilots when boarding vessels during the NE monsoon.

Outer Fairway Buoy, painted in black and white checkers, is moored in the N approach to Pamban Pass, about 0.3 mile NW of Kanthe Thuki Reef, and about 0.7 mile WNW of Pamban Island Light.

Anchorage may be obtained in 6.7m, mud, good holding ground, with Pamban Island Light bearing between 122° and 134°, distant 1 mile.

Good anchorage may be obtained in 10m, mud, with Pamban Island Light bearing 135°, about 3.3 miles.

Pamban Pass was previously described with the Gulf of Mannar-North Side. The channel N of the rolling lift-bridge over Pamban Pass is marked by buoys and beacons.
The coast from Ramen Point (9°17'N., 79°11'E.) to Devipattanam, about 21 miles NW, is generally low and level.

Kathu Vallimuni Reef, consisting of scattered coral heads, extends up to 0.5 mile offshore, and lies parallel with the coast for about 1.8 miles Wof Ramen Point. There are several heads, which dry 0.6m at the E end of the reef.

Vella Pertumuni Reef extends about 3 miles W of Kathu Vallimuni Reef, from which it is separated by a boat channel.

A water tower, 26m high, consisting of a red square tank on a framework structure, is conspicuous about 3 miles W of Ramen Point.

The town of Attangarai lies on the NW side of the entrance of a river, about midway along this stretch of coast. A detached 6.9m patch lies about 7.5 miles NE of the river entrance.

West Side of Palk Bay
The W shore of Palk Bay between the low point S of the Vellar River (10°04'N., 79°14'E.) and Devipattana, about 40 miles SW, is generally low and level. Depths of 5.5m and less extend from 3 to 5 miles off this coast.

Pasipattanam Mosque stands on the coast, about 17.5 miles SW of the above low point.
Tondi (9°45'N., 79°01'E.), about 5 miles farther SW, is a small port for local coasting craft. Two white masonry beacons, 4.5m high, mark the port limits.

Anchorage may obtained in 8.2m, mud, with Tondi Light bearing 295°, distant 5 miles, but this position is exposed to all but offshore winds. Small vessels anchor nearer the town in about 4.9m, stiff mud.