VERAVAL TO DIU HEAD – 206 General information Topography This stretch of coast is generally straight with a coastal reef that extends a short distance offshore. Between Diu Head and Mul Dwarka, 10 miles WNW; the coast consists of rocky bays, some cliffs from 9 m to 12 m high, lying between rocky points. The hinterland is mostly wooded and in the vicinity of Chhara (20º 44' N 70º 43' E) the trees are tall and dense; Kodinar, a town 3 miles NE of Mul Dwarka, is just visible among the trees. The coast is low and sandy from Mul Dwarka to Sutrapara, 12 miles WNW, with patches of cliff at intervals; some large rocks stand on the coastal reef in the vicinity of Sutrapara. Depths There are no charted dangers seawards of the 30 m depth contour. Tidal streams The in-going stream between Diu Head and Sutrapara sets ESE and the out-going WNW, both, though subject to irregularities, attain a rate from 1 to 1½ kn. In December and January the current setting along the coast reinforces the out-going stream and the in-going stream is consequently weakened and may become imperceptible. Currents The currents have a seasonal variation related to the monsoon. The most frequent set from February to September is SE with the greatest consistency during June, July and August; in October currents are variable in direction, but from November to January the most common set is NW The rates of the currents are generally less than 1 kn but may reach about 2 kn at times, mainly during July, August and December. Exceptionally, the current has a significant onshore component. Landmarks: Principal marks Tower (20º 51' N, 70º 28' E). Somnath Temple (20º 53'.2 N, 70º 24'.1E) stands on the seaward side of Prabhas Patan, a large town surrounded by a wall of dark coloured stone. The temple is a recent reconstruction of a series of shrines dedicated to Siva, dating from the first century AD Several of these shrines were destroyed. Patan Idgah (20º 53'.7 N, 70º 23'.5 E); a conspicuous temple stands 1 cable NNW of Patan Idgah. Bhirbhanjan Temple (20º 53'.9 N, 70º 23'.0 E). Tower (20º 54'.0 N, 70º 22'.l E) standing near the root of Veraval Breakwater. Idgah (20º 54'.3 N, 70º 21'.6 E). Chimney (20º 55'.l N, 70º 21'.3 E). Major lights: Diu Head Light (20º 41'.5 N, 70º 49'.7 E). Veraval Light (white square masonry tower, black bands, 33 m in height) (20º 54'.6 N, 70º 2l'.2 E). Other navigational aid Radio beacon (20º 41'.5 N, 70º 49'.7 E) at Diu Head Lighthouse. Sutrapara Light-beacon (20º 50'.2 N, 70º 29'.0 E). For details see the relevant List of Radio Signals. Clearing bearings. Diu Head Lighthouse bearing less than 079º clears Shoal Bank to the S; and Mul Dwarka bearing more than 333º clears this bank to the W. Chart is a sufficient guide for navigation on this coast. Mul Dwarka Port General Information. Mul Dwarka Port (20° 45´•34N, 70° 39´•95E) is situated 6 km south of Kodinar town and 45 km south of Veraval port. Seaward limits of the port extend up to 10 fathoms contour. MulDwarka is an all-weather direct berthing port. The port is privately owned and developed by M/s Ambuja Cements Ltd. A breakwater east of Mul Dwarka temple which is 1025 m long along a lay of 160-340 provides shelter from sea. Function.The port exports cement and importscoal, gypsum and furnace oil. Tides.Max range of tide is 2.4 meter. Tidal streams of 1-1.5 kts are experienced between Diu head and Sutrapura. Weather.Weather is seasonal. The port is subject to south-west monsoon between 15 May and 15 September. Port Limits.The port limits are marked on the navigational chart. Anchorage. Two Anchorages south of breakwater are established. Anchorage “A” for vessels up to 4000 GRT and Anchorage “B” for vessels over 4000 GRT. Caution.There exists a shallow patch (6m) abreast of the new jetty about 2 cables away. Ships are to exercise caution and turn accordingly for making approach to the berth. The shallow patch is easily visible due to discoloration of water. Port Authority The port is privately owned by M/s Ambuja Cements Ltd, and is under the Port Captain,Bulk Cement Terminal,P.O Ambuja Nagar,Taluka – Kodinar, Distt. Junagarh, Gujarat – 362 715 Tel:- 02795 221334, 221491,Fax:- 02795 20213 Email: -srinivas.sistla@ambujacement.com Veraval General Information Position.The Veraval town (20º 54'.00 N 70 º22'.00 E) lies at the head of a small exposed bay indenting a straight stretch of coastline. It is situated 68 miles South of Porbandar. Function.Veraval isa fair weather lighterage port with an intermediate anchorage. The principal activity is fishing. The port also handles trading of food grains and general cargo. Port authority.The port is administered by Port Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board, Bunder Road, Veraval 362 265.Contact details: email:poveraval@gmail.com:Tel No:02876-220001 Limiting conditions Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 1.6 m; mean neap range about 0.7 m. See information in Tide Tables. Weather.The SW monsoon affects the port adversely and it is closed to shipping from mid-May to mid-September. Arrival information Port operations. At a time, only three vessels can be worked, when weather permits, between mid-Septembers until mid-May. Vessels lie at anchor in the roads and load and discharge by barges working to two basins in the inner harbour. Vessels are to inform port office 24 hours in advance prior arrival on CH 16. Tidal streams in the roadstead are not perceptible, but there is sometimes a surface drift of about ½ kt due to wind. Principal marks Conspicuous Marks. Port Flagstaff (20º 54'.137 N, 70º 22'.14 E, height-16m) located on the rooftop of port office. Mosque Minaret (20º 54'.019 N, 70º 22'.135 E) located near the landward side of Western breakwater. Veraval lighthouse (20º 54'.6 N, 70º 21'.2 E) is of 34 m height semicircular front masonry tower (black and white bands). Water tower and Bhidbhajan temple located approximately 41/2 cables NNW of the port. Leading marks. The alignment (041½º) of the following marks leads from SW towards the anchorage: Bhid Bhanjan Beacon Light (white square masonry tower, red bands, 6 m in height) (20º 53'.94 N, 70º 22'.98 E). Bhid Bhanjan Temple (21º 06'.38 N, 70º 05'.98 E)(close NE). Useful mark. Eastern Breakwater Head Light (20º 53'.84 N, 70º 22'.52 E) flashing Green is exhibited from the SW end of the breakwater. Western Breakwater light flashing Red is exhibited from the SE end of the breakwater. Rivers, landing and anchorage Rivers and landing Singwada River has its mouth close E of Mul Dwarka (20º 46'.0 N, 70º 40'.0 E), the river is nearly dry except during the monsoon season. Landing.Good landing can be effected for boats on the S side of Mul Dwarka. Somat River enters the sea through two mouths,1 and 2 miles W of Mul Dwarka. Anchorage Small craft can anchor in a cove protected by a spit, close S of Sutrapara (20º 51' N, 70º 28' E); a bandar near the center of the cove provides a good landing place.High sandhills SE and cliffs, about 15 m high, NW help to identify this cove.