GORA CHAN CREEK TO GODIA CREEK - 201 Godia Creek General Information. Godia Creek (23º 14' N, 68º 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 2½ miles SE. This generally shallow creek has an entrance channel across the bar, about 2 cables wide, with deep-water in its centerline; 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 East, at which point it curves North. Mungra Reef Anchorage Mungra reef is a drying coastal reef, which lies with its Western edge about 6 miles WNW of Godia Bandar. About 0.8 mile within the Western extremity of Mungra Reef lies a heap of sand and shells. This is the first part of the reef that dries, and the extent of the reminder of the reef could be determined from it. Vessels may obtain anchorage l½ miles S of Mungra Reef Light beacon (22º 45'.5 N, 70º 11'.1 E) in a depth of about 5.5 m, mud; as shown on the chart. Jakhau Harbour General information. Jakhau Harbour (23º 12'.97 N, 68º 33'.03 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. Jakhau is a fair weather Port situated on the NW coast of Katch about 120km from Bhuj. The Port is located about 12 km away from Jakhau village. 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. The anchor point for this Port is about 7.5 miles from Port, SW of entrance to Godia Creek. Only one steamer can work at a time at this Port. Sanghi Jetty (Kharo Creek) Sanghi jetty (23°22'.4N, 68°34'.4E) falls under Jakhu port limits and lies inside Northern arm of Kharo creek. The principal function of jetty is handling inward/outward cargo Cement, Clinker, Gypsum and Coal. Sanghi Port is an all-weather direct berthing cement clinker jetty dedicated to ocean going vessels. It is situated in the Kharo Creek. The navigational channel is clearly marked with lighted buoys for day and night navigation. Other than Sanghi Ultra Tech and ABG jetties are located nearby. Approach Channel. The jetty can be approached, through a 9.4 mile length and 100 m width buoyed channel from the fairway buoy (23°13'.87N, 68° 28'.99E), by small crafts, barges and vessel having draught of 2-3 m. The channel is marked with 12 sets of buoys. The topography on either side of the channel is predominantly mud flats with mangrove vegetation. Navigable water is confined to the centre of the channel. The general depth in the channel is about 3-10 m. At the mouth of the channel the maximum depth is 3-4 m. Caution. The depth in the channel and the banks are liable to change. The traffic inbound/outbound from neighboring Jaypee Captive jetty should also be accounted for whilst navigating. Depth is required to be constantly monitored for shoal depths during the entire passage of the creek. Local knowledge of the area is considered essential whilst navigating within the channel. Whenever a vessel is making approach on the jetty due regards to be given to the current and the shallow depths on the southern end of the jetty. Jaypee Captive jetty General information. Jaypee Captive jetty (23°19'.8 N, 68° 37'.4 E) is located due east of Kharo creek. The dimension of the jetty is 220 m by 13 m and the lay is (000° -180°). The depth alongside is 2.2-3.5 m. The greatest depth alongside is 2.2 – 3.5 m. the general depth in the channel is about 4.5 m. at the mouth of the channel the max depth is 12.9. The jetty can be approached by small crafts, barges, having a draft of 2-3 m. the channel is marked by fibre reinforced buoys. Flat marshy land with mangroves surrounds the channel on either side. The area adjacent to the channel is liable to flood during flood tide thus makes it difficult to appreciate shallow patches and sand banks without local guidance. Caution. The depth in the channel and the banks are liable to change. The traffic inbound/outbound from Shangi jetty should also be accounted for whilst navigating through the channel. On entering the channel there is no point of return. Depth is required to be constantly monitored for shoal depths during the entire passage of the creek. Local knowledge. The local knowledge of the area around the Jaypee Captive jetty is most essential whilst navigating within the channel. However the new charts of the area published by NHO can be relied upon if local knowledge is unavailable. Description. At the mouth of the Kharo Creek, an 800 m wide sand bar lying North East-South West direction restricts the navigation through the mouth except for the 400 m wide channel marked by buoys leading from the South end of the Kharo Creek mouth towards North into the Creek. The Eastern arm of the Kharo creek leading to the Jaypee Captive Jetty is about four nautical miles long. The channel has a maximum width of 6.5 cables. The channel narrows due East with 2nd set of bouys 180 m apart and 3rd set of buoys 120 m apart. A shallow sand bank of one nautical mile length and six cables wide lies on the port side (North) of the narrow channel from the 3rd to 7th set of buoys. It is pertinent to mention that a 180 m wide channel bifurcates and runs parallel to the main channel from 3rd to 7th set of buoys on the northern side of the sand bank with maximum depth of 5.5 m before merging back into the main channel. The width decreases and narrows down to one cable whilst approaching the jetty. Navigable waters are confined to the port side of the channel as it leads to the jetty. South of Jaypee Captive Jetty a narrow Creek passes between mangroves in SSW direction joining the Godia (kherla) Creek. The creek can be used for navigation only during High Waters under local guidance. Kori Creek General information. Kori Creek (23º 31'.22 N, 68º 19'.67 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 2½ 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; then to the width of the channel is reduced, and subsequently divided, by sandbanks. Navigational Aids. Koteshwar Light, (23°40'.44 N, 68°31'.64 E) (White RCC tower black bands), exhibits 8 cables S from Koteshwar temple. 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 1½ 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 (23º 41'.28 N, 68º 31'.60 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 (23º 30'.3 N, 68º 20'.3 E). Stranded wreck (23º 34'.03 N, 68º 12'.99 E). Sir Mouth to Gwatar Bay, Including Karachi The delta of the River Indus is the dominant feature of the E part of this coastline, which is flat everywhere, and partially flooded at high water for a considerable distance inland; it contrasts markedly with the central section of this coastline, W of Karachi, named the coast of Las Bela, which is chiefly an uninhabited wilderness of hills and cliffs sloping to swamps or desert plains and also with the barren Makran Coast, which is the dominant feature of the extreme W part of this area. Offshore features Kori Great Bank. In a SW direction, Kori Great Bank is an extension up to a distance of 60 miles offshore of the coastal bank between the mouth of Kori Creek (23º31'.22N, 68º19'.67E) and Bachiar Creek, 40 miles NW. The seabed of the bank is fine sand and mud. The Swatch (23º20'.26N, 67º15'.92E) is a remarkable submarine valley between 3 and 8 miles wide and extending SSW for about 50 miles. The bottom slopes from its landward end gradually to depths of more than 1000 m, whence the edge of the continental shelf slopes steeply down to the floor of the Arabian Sea. The bottom and sides of The Swatch are of grey mud with some sand and gravel on its NW edge. For the vessels approaching Karachi from S, the Swatch can be of great assistance; an echo sounder trace of a cross section showing the maximum depths obtained will provide a clear indication of the vessels position and is of particular use during the SW monsoon when visibility is poor and strong sets are experienced. Navigational lights The coasts described in this chapter are generally well lit with several lights having ranges of 15 miles or more, with the exception of Delta of the Indus area and the coast of Las Bela, where there are large distances between some of the major lights. Currents In the vicinity of the Indus Delta; there is a good deal of variability in the directions of currents but there is some tendency for sets to parallel the coast. Currents farther off the Indus Delta have a seasonal variation related to the monsoons; from February to September the most usual set is SE, with greatest constancy during June to August; during October currents are variable in direction but from November to January the most common set is NW. The rate of the current is mostly less than 1 knot, but rates of about 2 kts occur at times mainly during June to August and in December. Near Karachi little current is experienced. The currents in the remainder of the area are mainly variable and weak, with a rate of usually less than ½ knot; the most common sets are E from February to October and W from November to January. Submarine and Naval Exercise Areas A submarine exercise area covers the whole of the Las Bela and Makran Coasts, it extends up to 250 miles W and 100 miles SSE from Ras Muari (24º49'.58N, 66º39'.86E); the area includes Ormara Bay, Pasni Bay and Gwadar Bay. A good lookout should be maintained when passing through this area. See 1.11 Naval exercises, including gunnery firings, take place S and upto 270 miles W of Ras Muari. International Boundaries In the E the boundary between India and Pakistan. In the W, the approximate boundary between Pakistan and Iran extends N from a position about 2½ miles W of the entrance to Dasht Kaur River (25º12'.07N, 61º41'.80E) at the head of Gwatar Bay. SIR MOUTH TO KARACHI HARBOUR Area Covered The coastal and offshore routes from Sir Mouth (23º38'.30N, 68º02'.63E) to Karachi about 90 miles NNW described in this section Route The route leads about 30 miles NW from a position SSW of Sir Mouth (23º38'.30N, 68º02'.63E), then to about 99 miles generally N to a position SW of Karachi. Buoyage The area covered by this chapter falls within the IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region A). Mariners are advised that some buoys and beacons may not conform to the IALA System; see note on charts. Topography – Delta of the Indus Description. From Sir Mouth to Karachi, about 12 miles NW of Phitti Creek, the delta of the River Indus extends; it covers a low area of some 7770 square km and is almost perfectly level. The area is generally overgrown with tamarisk and mangrove, but there is good pasturage in the marshes and rice flourishes in places; elsewhere, in some parts there are immense deposits of salt. The coast formed by the delta of the Indus is generally flat with much flooding at HW. For many miles, save for a little jungle, there is nothing to be seen but swamp and the land is hardly discernible when more than 2 miles offshore; though, here and there, bushes may be seen at about 5 miles around LW. The sea face of the delta is formed mostly by a narrow belt of low sandhills fronted by drying sandbanks which are intersected by mud-banked tidal creeks. The coastline and creeks of the Delta are constantly changing, and therefore they and the beacons, should not be relied on for navigation. For further details of individual creeks in the Indus Delta Depths The various mouths of Delta of the Indus are constantly changing, and advancing seaward, thereby altering the coastal banks and depth contours. Hazard Teredo worm. This is very destructive to the hulls of wooden vessels. Natural conditions Tidal streams are strong in the entrances to the principal mouths of River Indus attaining at Sir Mouth a rate of 3 to 4 kts at springs and at Keti Bandar in Turshian Creek (24º03'.48 N, 67º22'.52 E) a rate of 5 kts on the out-going streams. To the N of Turshian Creek the in-going stream sets NNW, parallel with the coast, and the out-going stream SW and S. Farther N, at the mouths of Dabbo Creek (24º20'.98N, 67º16'.96E) and Phitti Creek, 21 miles NNW, the out-going stream may attain a rate of 3 kts. Overfalls and discolored water. The out-going stream, issuing strongly from the delta mouths, causes heavy overfalls, especially at springs and carries much silt laden water far to seaward; at times the line of demarcation, sometimes more than 10 miles offshore, between this muddy water and the clean sea water is most marked. Climate of the Delta cool in winter, hot in summer, and unhealthy during the floods (July to Sept). Local Weather. In the heat of the day, especially during the dry season with the wind off the land, a heavy dust haze low over the coast makes coastal features unrecognizable, even at a short distance seaward. Directions Landmarks. Tower (disused lighthouse) (grey framework tower, elevation 46 m) (23º44'.43N, 68º03'.87E), standing on a small islet on the SE side of Khajar Creek. Turshian Old Lighthouse (24º04'.78N, 67º22'.38E), elevation 46 m, standing near the NW extremity of an island lying on the N bank of Turshian Creek. Khuddi Island Lighthouse (white round concrete tower, black bands) (24º33'.60N, 67º13'.16E). Major lights. Kajhar Creek Light (elevation 46 m) (23°48'.13N, 68°02'.19E). Turshian Creek Light (elevation 46 m) (24º04'.59N, 67º23'.97E). Khuddi Island Light-tower – as above. Ahsan Channel Rear Leading Light (24°39'.45N, 67°07'.29E) Manora Point Light (24°47'.63N, 66°58'.65E). Ras Muari Light (24°49'.58N, 66°39'.86E). Caution For deep draught vessels, approaching Delta of the Indus is dangerous due to constantly changing in position of creeks and coastline; therefore, the beacons in this area should not be relied upon as guides to navigation. Breakers on the shelving coastal banks extend many miles offshore; they may often be seen before the coast is sighted, particularly during the SW monsoon when the visibility is poor, or when the sea breaks in depths more than 5 m. On the banks off the Delta several vessels have grounded through failing to sound or to allow for the predominantly SE set; soundings obtained crossing The Swatch are a useful guide. From Sir Mouth to Karachi From a position SSW of Sir Mouth (23º38'.30N, 68º02'.63E) the route leads about 30 miles NW, then to about 99 miles generally N to a position SW of Karachi, giving the Indus Delta a wide berth and passing: Clear of a dangerous wreck (23°07'.10N, 67°40'.30E) and clear of a 20 m shoal (23°10'.80N, 67°25'.35E). Then to: Clear of a dangerous wreck (23°18'.86N, 67°26'.08E), then to: SSW of a dangerous wreck, position approximate, (23°36'.08N, 67°54'.48E); stranded wreck lie 4 miles ENE and 8 miles N. Then to: SSW of a stranded wreck (23°48'.08N, 67°36'.23E) lying off Khar Creek, and: SSW of a stranded wreck (24°02'.12N, 67°23'.28E) lying off Turshian Creek, then to: SSW then to WSW of Turshian Creek Light; the old lighthouse lies 1½ miles WNW; then to: WSW of a dangerous wreck, position approximate, (24°10'.83N, 67°17'.99E); then to: Clear of an obstruction (24°14'.10N, 66°50'.80E), position approximate, which consists of unexploded ordnance. Then to: Clear of a dangerous wreck, position approximate, (24°16'.00N, 66°39'.00E), then to: Clear of a dangerous wreck (24°20'.83N, 66°59'.32E), then to: WSW of Ahsan Channel (24°34'.56N, 67°03'.84E) WSW of a wreck (24°42'.03N, 66°59'.03E), depth 10 m; another wreck, depth 3.2 m, lies 2 miles NE. Both wrecks lie in the red sector of Bara Andai Light (24°47'.87N, 66°59'.86E) . Then to: WSW of a dangerous wreck (24°43'.00N, 66°57'.89E), position approximate, reported (2014); a 9.2 m patch lies 7 cables farther NW. Both dangers also lie in the red sector of Bara Andai Light. Then to: To a position SW of Fairway Karachi Light-buoy. Useful marks Sun Well Oil Rig No 3 (24º20'.40N, 67º16'.76E), stands on the S side of the entrance to Dabbo Creek. Sun Well Oil Rig No 2 (24º27'.18N, 67º17'.46E), stands about 2 miles within the entrance to Paitiani Creek near its NW bank. Delta of the Indus – Creeks Distinguish the various mouths of Delta of the Indus are difficult; there are few beacons or other navigational aids and the coastline changes constantly. Only very brief descriptions of the mouths will be given as local knowledge will be necessary before entering any of the creeks. Sir Mouth. Sir Mouth (23º38'.30N, 68º02'.63E) forms the joint entrance to Pir Sanai and Sir Creeks. Shallow spits are flanked inside Sir Mouth with a bar across their inner points; within the bar, Sir Creek is navigable by small craft. Kajhar and Wari Creeks Kajhar Creek (23º48'.13N, 68º02'.19E) enters the sea NW of Sir Mouth; Kajhar Creek Lighthouse (disused) stands on a small islet set among the mangroves on the SE side of the creek. A beacon (elevation 17 m) stands on the E shore of the creek about 3 miles NNE of the disused lighthouse. Wari Creek (23º54'.00N, 67º51'.00E) is the principal E mouth of the Indus. Its W entrance point continues to extend seaward and it is bordered by low sandy ridges which cover at High water springs; it is backed by an extensive mangrove swamp. The mouth of the creek is about 2 miles wide with shallow flats extending seaward. The in-going and out-going tidal streams set strongly over these flats. Wari Creek to Khobar Creek The whole coast between Wari Creek (23º54'.00N, 67º51'.00E) and Khobar Creek, 25 miles WNW, has extended about 5 miles seaward over the last century. The coastline consists of low sandy ridges, with mangrove swamp lying between them, through which several Indus distributaries find their way to the sea. Bachiar Creek (23º49'.74N, 67º45'.25E) can only be entered by small craft at High water. Kahr Creek, 6 miles W of Bachiar Creek, is nearly 2 miles wide at its entrance which is obstructed with sand bars; however, small craft can enter at all states of the tide. Qalandri Creek or Sunri Creek, 7 miles NW of Kahr Creek, is the principal fresh water outlet of the Indus but can only be entered at High water; drying flats extend from its mouth 4 miles seaward, then to the bottom shelves farther seaward fairly steeply. Gora Chan Creek enters the sea 4 miles NW of Qalandri Creek. Khobar Creek (23º58'.39N, 67º24'.85E), another mouth of the Indus which is fronted by large drying flats. Khobar Creek to Turshian Creek The coastal sand islands between Khobar Creek (34º58'.39N, 67º24'.85E) and Turshian Creek, 4 miles NNW, are wider and attain elevations of about 3 m; although their shapes vary from season to season they are always above water. This part of the coast, except for the coastal sand dunes, is flooded at High water; each year, when the Indus floods (July to September) great changes occur. Keti Bundar, the principal village in the delta, lies 7 miles within the entrance of Khobar Creek on its E bank. Turshian Creek (24º03'48N, 67º22'.52E) can only be entered at high water but, with Khobar Creek, 4 miles SE, it is the principal entrance for country craft proceeding to Keti Bundar. A light (24º04'.78N, 67º22'.52E) is exhibited near the mouth of the creek. Turshian Creek to Khuddi Creek General information. 17 miles NNW, between Turshian Creek (24º03'48N, 67º22'.52E) and Dabbo Creek, Hajambro Creek and several other small creeks discharge into the sea but none are navigable save by local craft at high water. The sand islands forming the coast N of Dabbo Creek (see below) are more stable than those farther S, they stand up to about 5 m high, and are several miles wide in places. Dabbo Creek (24º20'.98N, 67º16'.96E), about 1 mile wide at its entrance, has a sandbar along the NW side of the channel; there is a depth of 7.3 m within the entrance of the channel, but this reduces rapidly farther inside. Strong overfalls occur in the entrance during the out-going stream. For details of the oil rig near the entrance to Dabbo Creek, Paitiani Creek, 5 miles N of Dabbo Creek, is navigable in fine weather at all states of the tide. A stranded wreck lies near the S entrance point. Khai Creek (24º30'.59N, 67º14'.79E) lies between Paitiani Creek and Khuddi Creek to the N. A shoal patch, with a depth of 1.1 m, lies about 2 miles WNW of the entrance to Khai Creek. Khuddi Creek Khuddi Creek (24º36'.00N, 67º10'.00E) is fronted by a bar with a minimum depth of 4.1m; within the bar a channel about 1 mile wide, with depths of 9 m or more in places, leads between low sandy islands on each side of the creek. This creek is used by local fishing vessels. Khuddi Island Light (24º33'.60N, 67º13'.16E) stands on the S side of the creek on an island consisting of mud flats and covered with mangroves.