Quilon to Kolachel - 222

Quilon (8°52'.4N., 76°36'.4E.)
The port of Quilon is a roadstead lying in the bight close SE of Tangasseri Point. The port, in charge of a Conservator, is closed during the SW Monsoon from May 15 to September 14. 
21Depths-Limitations.-Tangasseri Reef, consisting of foul ground and shoal water, extends about 1.5 miles W and 1 mile SW of Tangasseri Point. Pallikall Shoal, with a depth of 2m, lies about 0.7 mile ESE of Tangasseri Point, near the SE end of the coastal reef. 
Gamaria Rock, with a depth of 7m, lies about 1.3 miles ESE of Tangasseri Point. There is heavy surf along the steep beach fronting the bight and landing is dangerous except in native boats.

Aspect.-Tangasseri Point Light (8° 52'.6N., 76° 34'E.) is shown from a concrete tower, 42m high, painted in black and white diagonal stripes, on the point. The point has been reported to be a good radar target at 17 miles.

Anchorage.-Anchorage off Quilon is exposed to winds from the NW through W to SE, and is little frequented during the SW monsoon when communication with the shore is only practicable by signal. During the SW monsoon vessels should anchor in not less than 15m with Tangasseri Point bearing about 000°, over 1 mile.
Between October and May vessels can anchor in the inner anchorage, between Gamaria Rock and Pallikall Shoal, in about 9.1m, sand, with the red chimney of the tile works bearing 040°, and Tangasseri Light bearing 299°. A large vessel may find a position about 0.3 mile farther SW more comfortable.

Directions.-Vessels approaching Quilon from the N should not approach Tangasseri Point in depths of less than 20m to avoid the foul ground W and SW of the point. When the tile work's prominent red 35m high chimney bears 044 ,steer for it on that bearing, which leads between Gamaria Rock and Pallikall Shoal.
Quilon to Kolachel
The coast between Quilon and Trivandrum, about 31 miles SE, is sandy and fringed with palms. About 5 miles SE of Quilon a gap in the fringe of palms fronts a large backwater.

Anjengo (8°40'N., 76°46'E.), formerly of importance but now a fishing village, is seldom visited as its anchorage is exposed to the surf at all times. It is not easy to identify, even from a short distance, as the fort and other buildings are low and screened by trees. A light shows at a height of 38m from a circular concrete tower at Anjengo. 
Anchorage may be taken in depths of 21m, sand and shell, about 1 mile offshore abreast Anjengo. The bottom is foul and rocky in depths of less than about 18.3m. The coast between Anjengo and Trivandrum is safe to approach, and the country inland is hilly and undulating. Patches of red tableland, when seen from beyond about 7 miles, appear as red cliffs above the palms fringing the coast.

Agastya Malai (8°37'N., 77°15'E.), 1,866m high and the highest peak of the Western Ghats, lies about 20 miles ENE of Trivandrum. Lower hills lie between the Ghats and the coast. Mukkunni Mala (Nemam Hill), 249m high, with a round, gradually sloping summit, about 4 miles ESE of Trivandrum, can be seen from a good distance to the S and also from the roadstead at Anjengo.

Trivandrum (8°29'N., 76°57'E.) (World Port Index No. 49170), a large city, lies about 1 mile from the coast. The ruins of a pier, extending to the LW line, are prominent on the coast S of the city; a flagstaff, 29m high, lies near the root of the pier, and a church, about 0.5 mile NE of the pier, is easily identified. A palace, consisting of a white rectangular building with a dull red roof, lies on the coast about 1.3 miles NW of the ruined pier; a white house is conspicuous close NW. Trivandrum Observatory, with two white domes, 61m high, lies on a hill 2 miles N of the city. A radio mast, marked by an obstruction light, is situated about 5 miles NNW of the ruined pier. Good radar returns have been reported from Trivandrum at 12 miles.
Anchorage can be obtained in a depth of 18.3m with the flagstaff near the ruined pier bearing 077°, about 0.4 mile. The coast between Trivandrum and Kolachel, about 26 miles SE, is sandy and fringed with coconut trees; it is safe to approach except near Enciam Islet.

Kovalam Point (Covelong Point) (8° 23'.5N., 76° 58'.3E.) is a bluff point with a conspicuous red-roofed building on it. Good radar returns have been reported from the point at 19 miles. Vilinjam Light is shown from a white round masonry tower, 36m high, about 0.7 mile SE of the conspicuous building. Vilinjam Point lies about 0.5 mile farther SE. At Vilinjam, 3 miles NW of Karichal, there is a modern (1980) fishing harbor. The harbor is protected by two breakwaters. A fish factory, lying close to the shore, is conspicuous. Many small fishing craft may be encountered up to 9 miles SW of Vilinjam. A light.is shown from a round, white, masonry tower with red bands, 36m high, on a bluff 0.5 mile SE of Kovalam Point. 
Anchorage can be taken in depths of about 15m, 0.5 mile S of the ice factory.

Enciam Islet (8°13'N., 77°11'E.), with a conspicuous church (12m in height) on it, lies about 0.3 mile offshore. Rocks, above and below-water, extend about 0.5 mile SW and NE of the islet.

Caution.-Vessels, when in the vicinity of Enciam Islet at night, should not approach into depths of less than 35m which are encountered barely 2 miles seaward of the rocks in the vicinity. A large conspicuous building, light gray with three towers at its N end, has been reported to lie near the coast about 3 miles NW of Enicam Islet.
Kolachel (8°10'.6N., 77°17'E.)
Kolachel is an open roadstead with anchorage in about 13m in the lee of four small islets. The port is important for the export of ilmenite sand. Vessels of about 5,000 grt have called. Landing during good weather is fairly easy as the rocks off the village form a practical breakwater to the heavy surf on the coast.

Depths-Limitations.-The depths shoal gradually from 21m in the outer anchorage to 10m about 0.2 mile offshore in the area E of the town.
Several rocks, above and below-water, extend up to about 0.3 mile S and SW of Kolachel. Kurusukal, 6m high and surmounted by a white shrine carrying a black cross, lies about 183m S of Kolachel Light. Ahnakal, 3m high, lies close SSE of Kurusukal, with a rock awash close SE of it. Pulleri, 1m high, the SE danger in the approach to Kolachel, lies about 0.3 mile SSE of Kurusakal. Patna Rock and Constance Rock, with depths of 2m, lie about 183m W and 0.5 mile WNW, respectively, of Pulleri.

Aspect.-The 209m summit of the Aunipauri Hills, about 5 miles N of Kolachel, is a good landmark in making the port. On closer approach the following conspicuous objects can be identified: Kolachel Light, shown from a white platform on a mound close to the foreshore SW of the town; the flagstaff close to the light; A church about 1.2 miles NNW of the light structure; a low warehouse about 0.23 mile E of the light structure; a small house with tiled roof, about 91m farther ESE; a white cross close SE of the house; and a white pillar with black bands, from which a light is periodically exhibited, close ESE of the white cross.

Signals.-Storm signals, using the Brief system, are displayed from a flagstaff 0.4 mile E of Kolachel Light.

Anchorage.-Anchorage can be obtained in depths of 21m, with the flagstaff bearing 060°, 1.3 miles. Small vessels can obtain anchorage in about 13m, sand, with the flagstaff bearing 327°, 0.7 mile. Mooring buoys are moored about 0.3 mile SE of Kolachel Light.