CHART 221 AllEPPEY TO QUILON ALAPPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) General information Position. Alappuzha (Alleppey), the Venice of the East is a Land Mark between the broad Arabian sea and a network of rivers flowing into it. It is assumed that the name of Alappuzha was derived by the geographical position and physical features of the place which means “the land between the sea and the network of rivers flowing into it”. The port of Alappuzha (09°29'.63N, 76°19'.24E) lies about 29 miles S of Kochi; the port is an open roadstead. Description. The town of Alappuzha, lying between the coast and paddy-fields bordering the backwater, is connected by a canal, passing through its centre, with the backwater system. Function. No activity is undertaken at present by the port. Port limits. North, a line drawn W from the N boundary pillar (09°29'.84N, 76°19'.02E) to a 12.8 m depth. South, a line drawn generally WSW from a position near the shore, about 9½ cables SSE of N boundary pillar, to a 12.8 m depth. West, a line joining the positions of the above 12.8 m depths. Port authority. The Port Officer Alappuzha, Beach Road, Alappuzha-12. Limiting conditions Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 0.8 m; mean neap range about 0.3 m. See information in Tide Tables. Swell. Between Alappuzha and a position about 2 miles N, there is reported to be a swell during the SW monsoon; but to the S, the swell is quite deadened by the shifting mud bank. Current. The current usually sets S, at anchorage, with a rate of up to 2 kn; from October to February a N-going set, usually weak, is sometimes experienced. Mud bank The mud bank off Alleppey is so stirred up by the swell as to break up the force of the waves, and cause a large area of smooth water, on the outer part of which vessels anchor. The mud is dark green, fine and oily to the touch. The smoothness of the water is probably caused by the oil which the mud has been found to contain. In calm weather this bank is not perceptible. This mud bank shifts position from year to year, and is sometimes found up to 11 miles S of Alappuzha. It is subject to mud volcanoes, which bubble up, bringing dead fish, roots, and trunks of trees to the surface. The mud bank develops toward the end of June after the backwater has become swollen by the rains. The cause of this mud bank is said to be the greater elevation, about 1m, of the water level in the vast backwater over that of the sea. The hydraulic pressure forces out mud and vegetable matter through the several outlets during the SW monsoon, and forms mud banks along the beaches and in the shallow waters offshore. Evidence has been found of a subterranean connection, through mud, between the backwater and the sea. There is said to be a swell, during the SW Monsoon, to N of a position 2 miles N of Alappuzha, but to the S the swell is quite deadened by this shifting mud bank. Landmarks Flagstaff (37 m in height) (09°29'.61N, 76°19'.12E). Alappuzha Lighthouse (white round masonry tower, red bands, 28 m in height) (09°29'.63N, 76°19'.25E). Church (09°29'.78N, 76°19'.72E) Anchorages and pier Anchorages. During the NE monsoon, vessels of moderate size can obtain anchorage in about 5.3 m, with Alleppey Light (09°29'.63N, 76°19'.24E)bearing 077°, 2 miles, but sounding is essential as the mud bank shifts frequently so that the charted depths are unreliable. During the SW Monsoon, the best anchorage is farther offshore (uncharted), in about 9.1m with Alleppey Light bearing 056°, but this anchorage depends upon the position of the mud bank, which cannot be determined until after the monsoon. Larger vessels anchor with the lighthouse bearing 077Ί distant 3 miles, in depths of about 11 m, as shown on the chart. Pier. A ruined pier, 387 m long, extends W from a position on the coast close S of the Signal Station. The pier is radar conspicuous at a range of 10 miles. Caution. Vessels anchoring close inshore should keep well clear of a dangerous wreck lying 5½ cables NW of Alappuzha Light. Small craft anchorages Kovilthottam. In fine weather vessels may anchor about 1 mile W of Kovilthottam Lighthouse (08°59'.08N, 76°31'.49E), in a depth of about 9 m, mud, sand and shell. Padiyamkara Tekku. Anchorage can be obtained about 1Ό miles W of Padiyamkara Tekku (09°14'.49N, 76°25'.04E) as shown on the chart, in a depth of about 9 m, mud. Tottapally (South Vazhapuram) (09°19'.15N, 76°22'.60E). Anchorage can be obtained off the town but local knowledge is necessary. This anchorage is sometimes used as a port when Alappuzha is closed during the SW Monsoon or when its mud bank has moved elsewhere. Thottapally light (white GI trestle tower, 15 m in height) (09°19'.18N, 76°22'.80E) stands at the foot of the N breakwater. Alleppey to Quilon Route The route leads 36 miles SSE from a position W of Alleppey to a position SW of Tangasseri Point. Topography The coastline South of Alappuzha (Alleppey) (09°29'.68N, 76°18'.95E) is generally low, straight, sandy and fringed with coconut trees. The coast is low and sandy from Alappuzha to Kochi, 29 miles N; near Kochi it is thickly fringed with palms and densely populated. There is no high land near the coast, the highest peaks of the great range of the Western Ghats stand about 50 miles inland but can only be distinguished in clear weather. Depths There are no charted dangers seaward of the 50 m depth contour, other than the two wrecks in position 08°56'.28N, 76°29'.38E and 09°44'.90N, 75°59'.96E. Currents The currents in the area generally have a seasonal variation as per monsoon conditions prevailing. From February to September the most frequent set is SE with the greatest constancy during June to August; during October currents are variable in direction, but from November to January the most common set is NW. Rates are mostly less than 1 kn but 2 kn may be encountered at times, mainly during July, August and December. At times the current has a significant onshore component.3.20 3.20 KOLLAM (QUILON) PORT General information Position. Kollam Port (08°52'.67N, 76°34'.90E), a minor port, lies about 4 mile SE of Neendakara Point in the bight lying close to SE of Tangasseri Point. The harbour is protected by two breakwater. Main breakwater extending about 2 km ESE from Tangasseri point and lee breakwater extending about 500 m SSW from the vicinity of old port office. Both breakwaters are marked with lights. A berth, 180 m in length, lies near lee breakwater close to harbour basin. Function. The Kollam Port is an artificial harbour operated by Port Officer Neendakara. The principle activity and trade is handling of general cargo break bulk and container. Coastal Topography. The coast is flat with sandy stretches south of the harbour. The intertidal zone is prominent in the Southern stretch, however width is very less along the coast North of the harbour and at the Southern extremities. The coastline North of the harbour is protected by seawall. The coastline is covered with coconut trees all along the coast. The coastal area has few prominent Churches, towers and hotels that can be identified from the sea. Maximum size of the vessel handled. The Port is capable of handling ships upto a maximum draught of 7.0m, 140 m in length. Approach and entry. The harbour has two break waters. From a position 08°51'.00N, 76°35'.24E, the charted track leads in northwards direction through a buoyed channel up to 2.5 cables ESE of Main breakwater. The charted track then leads in NW direction to pass between breakwaters up to harbour basin. Port Radio. All arriving vessels are advised to contact Kollam Port on VHF channel 16. Pilotage. Pilotage is compulsory and will be provided by the Port Officer, Neendakara. The pilot boards 0.5 mile SE of Main breakwater head. For details see Indian list of Radio Signals Volume 6. Two Tugs are available. Principal marks Landmarks. The few prominent conspicuous objects in the area are as follows:- Conspicuous Objects Position height Tangasseri Point Light House 08Ί 52' .84 N 76Ί 33'.96 E 41 mt Chimney (Red colour with narrow white bands) 08° 51'.15 N 76° 37'.28 E Thomas Stephen Chimney (Red colour with narrow white bands) 08° 51'.76 N 76° 36'.56 E Kollam Port Church20 m in height). 08° 52’.86 N 76° 34’.97 E Harbour water Tower (16 m in height). 08° 52'.94 N 76° 34'.48 E Radio tower (50 m in height) 08° 53’.08 N 76° 34’.04 E Infant Jesus Cathedral 08° 53’.08 N 76° 33’.97 E ST Antony's Church 08° 53’.12 N 76° 34’.55 E ST Peter’s Church 08° 52’.98 N 76° 34’64 E Jonakapuram Mosque, (25 m in height). 08° 52’.95 N 76° 34’73 E Orchid hotel (49 m in height). 08° 52’.52N 76° 35’55 E Bishop hospital (41 m in height). 08° 52’.87 N 76° 35’55 E Water tower (22 m in height). 08° 52’.86 N 76° 34’93 E Lights. (a) Tangasseri Light. Exists in position (08Ί 52' .74 N, 76Ί 34'.02 E). (b) Breakwater lights. Two flashing lights are installed at the extremities of the breakwaters. The lights are mounted on a small yellow coloured pole flashing red and green indicating extremities of main and lee breakwaters. Light Position Characteristics Main break water Light 08° 52’.25 N 76° 34’.99 E Fl R 2s 2m 3M Leeward break water light 08° 52’.53 N 76° 34’.90 E Fl G 2s 2m 3M Anchorages Safe anchorage may be obtained about 1 mile SW of the Main breakwater head in depths of about 14 m, which provides a good holding ground. The recommended anchorage is a open roadstead only for waiting. Caution. Vessel approaching to anchorage, when nearing Tangasseri Point, keep clear of Tangasseri reef, which is extending about 1 mile SW and 1½ miles W form the point. The harbour is protected by two breakwater. Main breakwater extending about 2 km ESE from Tangasseri point and lee breakwater extending about 500 m SSW from the vicinity of old port office. Both breakwaters are marked with lights. A berth, 179 m in length, lies near lee breakwater close to harbour basin. Berthing and Wharfs The wharf is of 180 m long and 25 m wide concrete piled jetty along the lay of the leeward breakwater capable of handling ships upto a draught of 6 m. The depth maintained alongside is 6.3 m. Request for berthing is to be sent to Port Officer, Neendakara. Tugs. One tug of 630 Hp capacity is available 24hr. Tug will be available at the time of ship’s arrival and can be requested from Port Officer Neendakara on VHF. Tidal levels. Mean maximum range 0.9 m; mean neap range about 0.3 m. For details see Indian Tide Tables. Tidal Stream. The currents near Kollam are predominantly North-North Westerly with rates ranging from 0.02 to 0.7 Knot. Alongside the berth, the currents are lesser and measure upto a maximum of 0.2 Knot only. Facilities Port Facilities. The port has yard of eight godowns for storage of cargo. A crane of 30 tones capacity is available on the jetty. Rescue and Distress. Port tug can be used for rescue. Services. Radio, Telephony, Medical, Quarantine, Ship Chandlery, Stevedores, Police, Ambulance and Fire services are available in the port. Supplies. A limited quantity of fuel, fresh water and provisions can be made available by trucks on request. Pollution Control. The Kollam Port has strict Environmental regulations and follows the Local Pollution Control Board regulations. Shore leave. Permitted subject to immigration rules. Small craft facilities. Existing yachts can be used subject to availability. Transportation. Road – NH 47 (2km) Nearest Railhead – Kollam (2km) Nearest Helipad – 2km Nearest Airport – Thiruvananthapuram (70km) Port Authority. Port Officer, Kollam Port, Neendakara, Asramam, Kollam, Kerala. Tel: +91 0474 2743825 Fax: +91 0474 2743825 Email: portkollam@gmail.com