GENERAL INFORMATION
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) (22º 38' N, 68º 47' 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 1¾ 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) in 1997.
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 (22º 14' N, 68º 58' E), passing clear of Lushington Shoal (22º 38' N, 68º 47' E) and a shoal patch (23º 00'.5 N, 68º 23'.5 E); thence, to a position SSW of Sir Mouth. For this route the chart is sufficient guide.
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 (22º 33'N, 69º 01'E), these streams attain a rate of  1½ kn at neaps.
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.
Principal marks
Landmarks:
Luna Bet Beacon (23º 15'.7 N, 68º 33'.7 E) stands on some sandhills, 19 m high, situated on the NW side of the entrance to Godia Creek.
Aramda Beacon (22º 26' N, 69º 04' E) stands a1¾ miles W of the walled town of Aramda.
Major lights:
Dwarka Point Light (22º 14'.2 N, 68º 57'.5 E) (8.227).
Kachchigadh Light  (22º 19'.8 N, 68º 56'.9 E) (8.227).
Chhachhi Light (white masonry tower, black bands, 34 m in height) (22º 57'.2 N, 69º 00'.1 E) is fitted with a radar reflector, a disused lighthouse (6 m in height) stands 7½ cables W.      
Jakhau Light (white round concrete tower, red bands, 46 m in height) (23º 14'.4 N, 68º 36'.5 E), stands within the entrance to Godia Creek on its S side.

Directions:
Deep-water route 
Caution. Reports are often received concerning route buoys that are missing or unlit.
Directions. In the vicinity of position 22º 21' N, 68º 49' E, the route is entered, about 7 miles WNW of Kachchigadh Light; it leads NNE between Lushington Shoal (22º 38' N, 68º 47' E) 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 (171º) of the following marks leads W of Gurur Shoal (22º 33' N, 69º 00' E) and E of Lushington Shoal (22º 38' N, 68º 47' E):
Kachchigadh Fort (22º 19'.6 N, 68º 57'.3 E) and : 
Dwarkanath Temple (22º 14'.2 N, 68º 58'.1 E)  
Useful marks
Mojap Beacon (22º 21'.4 N, 68º 57'.8 E)  a black masonry structure stands near a sandhill, about 30 m high, with bushes on it.
Mithapur Light (dark building, 53 m in height) (22º 24'.4 N, 69º 00'.6 E) stands close NE of a conspicuous chimney.
Depths
There are no known dangers off this stretch of coast of the charted depth contour of 10 m, except for Lushington Shoal  (22º 38’ N, 68º 47’ E) and a shoal patch with a depth of 9.5 m over it, reported in 1985, to lie in position 23º 00'.5N, 68º 23'.5E. 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 ½ miles of the shore.
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.

Godia Creek and Harbour
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.
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 0.3m; 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 (23º 13' N, 68º 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.
Port authority. The port is under the authority of Jakhau Port Authority, C/O The Port Officer, Mandvi, Gujarat State, India.
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.
Barge berth. A jetty, 2½ miles ENE of the entrance to Godia Creek, is used to load barges for vessels at the anchorage.
Mitha Port lies at the head of Kherla Creek, a shallow creek, which extends about 7½ cables SE from a position 2 miles ENE of the entrance to Godia Creek (23º 14' N, 68º 35' E).