Chart 301 APPROACHES TO HUGLI RIVER 3.50 The coast between Munder Mohan River and Rasulpur River, 17 miles NE, is low and sandy. KOLKATA (CALCUTTA) 3.51 Kolkata (Calcutta), the largest city of India, has a population (including Greater Kolkata (Calcutta)) of 46 lakhs. Kolkata (Calcutta) port is one of the eleven major ports of India and is known as the gateway to Eastern India. The Port Authority is exercised by the Chairman, Kolkata (Calcutta) Port Trust. The port is about 126 miles from the mouth of Hugli River. The jurisdiction of the Port Trust extends over the port, Haldia port and in the navigable channels from Eastern Channel light-vessel up to Kolkata (Calcutta). Kolkata is the oldest major port in the country. The city of Kolkata, has a synergistic linkage with the port. The history of port of Kolkata goes back to the days of emperor Aurangazeb, who had permitted the British to use the port. In course of time the power to rule this vast country passed from the East India Company to the British Crown. The affairs of the Port were brought under the administrative control of the Government with the appointment of a Port Commission way back in 1870. The Kolkata Port was initially conceived to promote and protect the British colonial interest. But with the advent of freedom in 1947, the Port was called upon to play the role to champion the national cause. The Port took over the responsibility in the wake of the aftermath of Second World War and the partition of the country. The Commissioners for the Port of Kolkata ran the port till January 1975 when Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, came into force. The history of Kolkata Port has been a continuous story of struggle and success. It commands a vast hinterland that comprises almost half of the Indian states (whole of the eastern and north-eastern regions) and the two neighboring countries - the Himalayan Kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan The Port which was once considered the most important port in the country still remains the premier port. Kolkata Port is India's only riverine port with two dock systems - Kolkata Dock System at Kolkata with the oil wharves at Budge Budge and a deep water dock system at Haldia Dock Complex. The port is situated in a river with strong current and vast water height level. The port has extremely qualified and experienced pilots who handle the ship in this long river where pilotage is about 126 nm. With Haldia port coming up a satellite port the length of pilotage has come down considerably. The port has good navigational and communication facilities including a well managed VTMS, modern computerised container terminals, extensive storage facility for diverse cargo etc. Main imports include petroleum products, food grains, fertilizers, salt, news prints, coal iron and steel, machinery, cement, sugar, edible oil and other general cargo; main exports include coal, jute, and jute products, tea, iron and steel, machineries, vegetable oil and other general cargo. Extracts from 6th Port Regulations are supplied to vessels on arrival. Regulations regarding contrabands and smuggling are very stringent. Approaches to Sandheads 3.52 When approaching the Sandheads off Hugli River, soundings are a valuable guide. A vessel is advised to keep in depths of not less than 30m until certain of her position. If approaching from the E, Swatch of No Ground can be of assistance, and the 30m contour is a useful safeguard in approaching the Sandheads. On arrival at Sandheads, vessels are advised to anchor E of Eastern Channel light vessel in depths of between 25m leaving W side clear. In the event of depression and cyclones one can experience very heavy ground swell. When it is not possible to stay at anchor, then it is advisable for vessels to weigh anchor and cruise in deeper waters. If approaching from SW it should be noted that the tidal stream inclines towards the land with the rising tide and away from it with the falling tide. Towards the close of SW monsoon the wind often hangs from E and the currents sets strongly SW. The coast from Dhamra river to Kolkata is sandy and is covered with a fair coverage of mangroves. Orissa canal runs parallel to the coast all the way till Contai. An off shoot of Orissa canal also joins up Rasulpur River. The prominent towns are Baleshwar and Chandipur. 3.53 Anchorage. A vessel when forced to anchor through stress of weather should endeavor to anchor S of parallel 21° N in a depth of not less than 27m mud. When anchoring, vessel should stem the tide before letting go an anchor as the tidal stream runs strongly at Sandheads. At night Eastern Channel Light-vessel with her single riding light forward acts as a guide. Less strain will be brought on a vessel’s cable, and riding will be easier, if anchored in depths of from 25m to 35m, than in lesser depths; the cable is never quite taut in the greater depths, and therefore is not so liable to part, and the sea has less force than when in shoaler water. A dangerous wreck (20° 59'N, 88° 20'E) with masts showing above water lies 8 miles ESE of the light-vessel. A stranded wreck (21° 03'N, 88° 21'E) of the Panamanian MV Blue Express (6109 tonnes) which sank while at anchor, in 1982, lies 9 miles ENE of Eastern Channel Light-vessel 3.54 Port Limits. Presently the conservancy limit of Kolkata Port stretches from the outfall of the Feeder Canal at Jangipur (about 300 Km. upstream) of Kolkata to the Eastern Channel Light Vessel at Sandheads. It also includes shores of the river Hugli which are within 45.7 metres from the highest high water levels on either side of the bank. Arrival Instructions 3.55 Vessels approaching Sandheads in the vicinity of Eastern Channel Light-vessel should contact the VTMS control for instructions about anchoring at The Sandheads. Vessels are not to anchor within 2 miles of the Eastern Channel Light-vessel or in a position that obstructs the fairway. Thereafter vessels may be instructed to proceed to anchor S of the Talent Light-vessel or between Talent Light-vessel and Lower Gasper Light-vessel. Vessels arriving at Sandheads should have their clocks set to Indian Standard Time, i.e. 5˝ hours in advance of GMT. Tidal Streams: Flood and Ebb Tidal stream (Semi Diurnal in nature) Duration of flood – AT KOLKATA : 4 hours (approx.) AT HALDIA : 5 hours (approx.) AT SAGAR : 6 hours (approx.) Duration of Ebb – AT KOLKATA : 8 hours (approx.) AT HALDIA : 7 hours (approx.) AT SAGAR : 6 hours (approx.) Velocity of flood: (Above Diamond Harbour ) :1 NM in 2.9 min (Below Diamond Harbour ) :1 NM in 3.1 min Velocity of Ebb: (Above Diamond Harbour) :1 NM in 4.9 min (Below Diamond Harbour ) :1 NM in 4.3 min Rotary currents are experienced at Sandheads. The stream sets as follows when not influenced by wind:- FLOOD EBB 1st Qr. 270° - 32° 3rd Qr. 360° 1st Qr. 45° - 112° 3rd Qr. 180° 2nd Qr. 310° 4th Qr. 022° 2nd Qr. 160° 4th Qr. 220°-240° The great body of the current runs in the direction of the channels at the rate of 2-3 knots in springs and 1-1/1/2 knots in Neaps. During Cyclonic weather a strong Westerly set of 2-5 knots is experienced. During Westerly gales, an Easterly set of 1-2 knots develops. 3.56 Marine Communication in Port. Communication channel for port authority and other agencies:- For telex: 4209.5 khz and 8416.5 khz. For RT 4147.4 khz, 1650 khz and 8295.4 khz. Communication channels for pilotage, towage and water boat services, oil terminals, public correspondence. For shore stations under Kolkata Port Trust situated on bank of river Hugli, VHF channels 10 -14, 16 and 68. For mobile stations, marine band from channel 16 – 78. 3.57 Quarantine Regulations Port health clearance is given by port health officer under Mercantile Marine Department, Kolkata for which declaration is to be given by ships Master to MMD authorities through there local agents. The master of an incoming vessel should report the health condition of his vessel to the VTMS on arrival at the Sandheads and act in accordance with instructions given. A vessel arriving at the Sandheads from an infected port, or having plague on board which one or more case of plague have taken place within 12 days of the date of arrival, shall display the usual quarantine flag and the signal indicting the port left, until permitted, in writing by the health officer to haul them down. During this period no communication shall be held with the shore or with any other boat or vessel, with the exception of not supplying the pilot and his assistants. In the case of vessels with any case of sickness on board which the pilot has reason to believe to be plague, he shall inform the Health Officer at Sagar, and shall not proceed beyond Diamond harbour without permission. If the pilot has no reason to believe that there is anyone suffering from plague onboard, he shall bring the vessel into the river and anchor until visited by the health Officer. Vessels with cases of small pox, cholera, measles, or other epidemic diseases or of diphtheria or scar Latina, onboard, or if two or more deaths from suspicious causes have occurred during the voyage, are to report the cases to the pilot, immediately after he boards the vessel, then he will give instructions regarding the signals to be displayed by the vessel. A vessel that had called at any yellow fever infected port within one month of arrival at Kolkata (Calcutta), even though it may have entered another Indian Port during that period, will not be granted free pratique. Health officials will board such a vessel at her berth. Radio pratique may be obtained prior to arrival at the Sandheads in accordance with local instructions. The quarantine station is located at Diamond Harbour. Buoyage. The IALA System (Region A) is used in Hugli River. Pilotage 3.58 The Pilotage distance to Kolkata port is 126 nm comprising of river and sea pilotage. Whereas the pilotage distance to Haldia is 72 nm and comprise river and sea pilotage. The Port maintains a pilot Vessel/Station at Sagar Roads. The River Pilot embarks on inward bound vessels at Middleton Point and proceeds up the river. On arrival at Kolkata (Garden Reach), the River Pilot is relieved by a Harbour Pilot who takes the vessel inside the lock at KPD or NSD or the river mooring as required. From the lock, the vessel is guided to the nominated berth by a Berthing Master. For the outward passage the process is reversed. At Haldia the pilot bringing the vessel from Middleton point hands over the vessel at the lock entrance to the Berthing Master but all vessels bound for oil jetties are taken alongside by the same Pilot. Being a riverine port with numerous sand bars (shoals), advantage is taken of the rise of tide so as to obtain the maximum draft for shipping. Variation in vessels handled (due to draft constraints) occurs between spring and neap tide and forecast of draft for inward and outward ships are published from Kolkata by the Harbour Master (River) about four/six week in advance. Because of the sharp bends in the river the length of the vessel that can be accommodated at Kolkata is restricted to 172 m at Kolkata and 189 m at Budge Budge. A maximum dimension of vessels acceptable at N S Dock is 172m LOA and 25m beam so far on regular basis. Present dimension of vessels accepted at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) are restricted to LOA 240m and Beam 32.26m. For Oil jetties the largest vessels that are accepted at present are LOA 250m and beam 44m. Tidal bores in the river have been a constraint to shipping for the port. In spring tide, the tidal waves make an onrush with height which makes it difficult for a ship to remain in the river. The ships are then given shelter in the docks. The frequency and severity of the bore tide has however substantially reduced with the commissioning of the Farakka Barrage upstream. Following are the current average pilotage time required from Middleton point To Kolkata and Haldia. Current Average Pilotage Time from Middleton Point to KDS/HDC KDS HDC Inward 7 hrs. 3 hrs. Outward 8 hrs. 4 hrs. (for a light-drafted vessel without anchoring en-route). 22 hrs. 4 hrs. (for a deep drafted vessel with three anchorage en-route) Haldia to Kolkata 16 hrs. 3.59 Storm and Weather Signals. When the weather in the Bay of Bengal is disturbed, storm signals are shown at Sagar Island Lighthouse, near the telegraph office at Diamond Harbour, near the clock tower at the entrance to Kidderpore Docks and on the Port Commissioner’s Office, Kolkata . The extended system of storms and weather signals is used at Sagar Island. These signals are the same as those that are described in chapter one, but a more detailed significance of some of the signals are as follows: Signal V indicates that a storm of moderate severity will probably cross the coast E of Sagar Island and W of Chittagong; Vessels may proceed to sea if the height of the barometer, state of the sea, and weather are such as to lead matters and pilots to infer that there is no danger. The wind at the mouth of Hugli will probably back from NE, through N, to NW or W. Signal VI indicates that storm of slight or moderate severity will probably cross the coast W of Sagar Island and N of False Point. The wind at the mouth of Hugli will probably veer from NE, through E to SE. As these E winds will raise a heavy swell and produce a strong W set in the channel at the Sandheads, it is advisable that none but fast power vessels in light trim should put to sea and those only if the weather appearance and state of the sea are not too unfavorable. Signal VII indicates the approach towards Sagar Roads (21° 38 N, 88° 00E), of a storm of slight or moderate intensity. It is advisable that no vessels, except fast vessels in light trim, should put to sea until the wind direction and force, the state of weather and sea, and the rise of the barometer indicate that the storm has either broken up or passed inland. It should be remembered that cyclonic storms and small extent in the Bay of Bengal sometimes blow with hurricane force, and raise a light sea near their centers. Signal VIII indicates that a storm of great intensity will cross the coast E of Sagar Island and W of Chittagong. Neither deep laden vessels nor vessels of low power, put to sea should remain in the river until the storm has reached the coast and passed inland. The wind at the mouth of Hugli will probably back from NE, through N, to NW or W. Signal IX indicates that a storm of great intensity will cross the coast W of Sagar Island and N of False Point. No vessel should go to sea, and masters and pilots of outward-bound vessel should be guided by the appearance of the Weather and height of the barometer in deciding weather it is advisable to proceed below Diamond harbour or mud Point, 18 miles above Sagar Roads. The wind at the mouth of (21° 40' N, 87° 55'E), will probably veer from NE, through E, to SE. Signal X indicates the approach of a storm of great intensity towards the sea from Sagar Island, or proceeds down river from Diamond harbour and all vessels should be properly secured. The masters of vessels in the port should take the special precautions for safety laid down in the port rules. Note. A severe cyclonic storm is frequently, accompanied by a storm wave, which is not often the case with small cyclonic storm. The height and destructive effect of a storm wave depend quite as much on the state and character of the tide when the cyclonic center reaches the coast as upon the depression of center or the intensity and extent of the storm. Navigational Aids 3.60 To facilitate the pilotage appropriate navigational aids have been provided throughout the passage. They comprise of numerous Lights, Buoys, Pillars, leading columns, beacons. Two Light houses Sagar and Dariapur Lighthouse located at Middleton Point on the Sagar Island one and half km. inshore and the other one located on the right bank of Hugli south of Rasulpur river and about 2.7 kms inshore are the main Navigational aids. A brief description of the nav aids follows. Light Vessels: There are four unmanned light vessels. These are as follows: U. G. L. F. 21° 29'.95 N, 88° 06'.62E L. G. L. F. 21° 21'.96 N, 88° 10'.08 E TALENT WK L.V. 21°17'.35N, 88°11'.28E Eastern Channel L.V 21°04'.31N, 88°11'.11E Automatic Tide Gauges. These are maintained at Tribeni, Garden Reach, Diamond Harbour and Haldia for round-the-clock recording of tidal data, which are used for the prediction of tides and preparation of tide tables by Kolkata Port Trust and pilots on a day to day basis. Semaphore Flags Station. These are maintained at Akra, Moyapur, Hugli Point, Balari, Gangra and Sagar for displaying rise of tide for the convenience of vessels navigating, dredging and surveying in the River Hugli. 3.61 Tidal Signals. Rise of tide is broadcasted over V.H.F. as follows: 1. Sagar and Gangra on Channel 16. 2. Hugli Point, Moyapur and Akra on Channel 13. 3.62 River Marks and Buoys. At the last count 500 odd river marks and buoys exist at various locations marking the route. Some of Lighted transits may be unlit at times. Kolkata Port Trust is on a drive to get all the Marks and lights operational to facilitate night navigation in the stretch from Kolkata to Uluberia. These are very useful in pilotage and dredging. These lights are operated either by electricity, battery or by dissolved Marine Acetylene Gases. There is also a boat buoy, 30 lighted buoys and 72 unlit buoys marking the navigational channel from Sandheads to Kolkata. 3.63 Wireless/VHF Network. In order to facilitate speedy communication between various shore establishments and CPT vessels operating in the river wireless stations have been provided at Kolkata, Hugli Point, Haldia and on board all dredgers, pilot vessels, dispatch and survey/research vessels. In addition, these stations/vessels are also provided with VHF sets which are installed at many other vital operational points including tidal stations within Kolkata Dock System & Haldia Dock Complex. 3.64 Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS): Kolkata Port Trust is replacing Syledis Position Fixing system by Differential Global Position Fixing System in phases by latest state-of the art equipment. The satellite based DGP System functioning with the help of stations installed by KoPT is affectively utilized for safe navigation, dredging and survey purpose. 3.65 Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) The VTMS is a Radar Surveillance System It is in operation designed to improve safety of vessels entering the Ports of Kolkata (Calcutta) and Haldia. It operates on radars at strategic locations connected through microwave data link and communication system. The VTMS system is operated by Hugli River pilots. With a view to providing more effective and safer guidance to ships from Sandheads to Haldia through radar surveillance, Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) was taken up in the first phase from the Sandheads to Haldia. Consequent to the commissioning of the VTMS at Haldia and provision of additional lights and buoys in the port of Kolkata the pilotage limit on the approaches to the River Hugli has been shifted up to Sagar Roads i.e North of Middleton Fairway (Lat 21° 37'). Ships are moved in a convoy from Sandheads to Sagar Road under the hard hold of VTMS and the pilot boards the ships at Sagar Road. 3.66 Pilot Station Sagar Island Consequent to shifting of pilot boarding station at Middleton Buoy the Sandhead Pilot Station has been established at Sagar Island Light house premises. The pilot station can be contacted by following modes: (a) MMB channel 16, 68 round the clock (b) SSB frequencies for following durations 0500 hrs - 0900 hrs - 4147.4 Khz 1000 hrs - 1600 hrs - 8295.4 Khz 1600 hrs - 2230 hrs - 4147.4 Khz (c) Tel : 91 03210 240348 Caution. The chart cannot be depended on for position of light-vessels and buoys which are shifted as necessary; changes in Intermediate Light-vessel are not promulgated by Notices to Mariners. In some parts of the river the change in depths and the directions of the channels are so rapid that they cannot be described here and vessel have to depend upon the Pilots for the latest information. 3.67 Pilot Vessel. A Pilot Vessel is stationed between Gasper Channel and Sagar Island. Two fast motor launches are used for embarking and disembarking pilots. For vessels longer than 160m, and in particular for tankers, pilots may board or disembark further S than usual depending on weather conditions. The introduction of Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) has enabled the pilot station to be moved to Sagar. Kolkata harbour pilots board at Garden Reach (22° 33'.3N, 88° 17'.5E). The shore based pilot station has been upgraded with GMDSS. When within Hugli River, vessels with a pilot embarked hoist a black ball at the masthead, lowering it to half-mast when at low speed. 3.68 Vessel Reporting Procedure All vessels approaching Sandheads are to contact Sandhead Pilot on VHF channel 16/ 68 off Eastern Channel Light Vessel and await instructions. The Pilot station can also be contacted on SSB 4147.4 Khz, 8295.4 Khz. On receipt of information about the vessel's arrival the pilot station intimates the vessels entry timings and allocates a position in the convoy. The following information is disseminated to the vessel anchored/ waiting at Eastern Channel Light Vessel:- (a) Convoy No (b) No of ships in Convoy (c) Name of Preceding and succeeding vessel (d) Which side pilot ladder is to prepared (e) Lower Gasper reporting time (f) Upper Gasper reporting time The average convoy speed to be maintained is 12 Kts and a minimum separation of 1.5 nm between the vessels in the convoy. Vessels are to form up in their designated position in Convoy before Talent wreck (Lat 21° 17'.35N, 88° 11'.28E), no overtaking is permitted North of Talent Wreck as the channel is very narrow with sand banks on either side. 3.69 Reports to be Made by Vessels Entering A vessel is to make following reports to the pilot station:- (a) On arrival at Sandheads - Dimensions of the vessel (i.e Length, Breadth, NRT, Draught) (b) On anchoring at Sandheads- Anchoring Time and Position (c) When weighs anchor and get underway - Time When passing Lat 21° 10' - Time When passing Lat 21° 17' (Talent wreck) -Time When passing Lat 21° 22' (Lower Gasper) - Time VTMS takes hard hold of the vessel 2- 3 Nm north of Lower Gasper and guides the vessel till Pilot Boarding Station (Middleton Buoy). VTMS guidance is not available north of Middleton buoy as pilotage is compulsory after this point and the pilot takes the vessel from this point onwards. While anchoring, vessels must ensure that a fairway of the Eastern Channel Light vessel is not obstructed. While at anchorage vessels are to maintain round the clock listening watch on MMB Channel 16, 68 and also maintain a normal watch on SSB frequencies mentioned above at para 1.2. 3.70 Configuration VTMS. Kolkata VTMS consists of 3 Radars installed at Sagar Island, Frazer Ganj and Haldia. The control station is located in Haldia and it works on an average 1000 hrs a day i.e during the shipping time. The inward movement starts 0200 hrs after LW at Sagar. Approach Channel 3.71 Jensen Sand, a spit lying 8 miles SSW of the entrance to Rasulpur River, dries 1.2m at its centre and extends S to meet Spence Sand, which dries 0.1m, at its middle extends NW for about 3 miles and then SW for about 4 miles. Three smaller sand spits lie around Jenson and Spence Sand spits. Western Channel which is not in use presently, lies between Western Sea Reef and Eastern Sea Reef and leads into Beaumonts Gut, which leads between Upper Long Sand. Extending S from it and further to Lower Long sand. Western Sea Reef, a tongue shaped spit on which depth is less than 5m, it extends 20 miles S from Spence Sand. Eastern Brace. The N part of the Western Sea Reef, having comparatively less depths, is known as Eastern Brace, even during slight bad weather the sea heavily breaks over this spit. The least depths expected are 0.2m. Eastern Channel Light-Vessel (21° 03'.42N, 88° 11'51E), with a red hull and a name painted on the sides and having one mast surmounted by a black ball, is moored 24 miles SSE of the S end of Eastern Sea Reef. A light is exhibited form a structure amidships and the vessel exhibits a riding light. a fog signal is also sounded from the Light-vessel. Position of Talent Wreck Light Vessel Buoy is 21° 17’N 88°11’.5E. 3.72 Lower Gasper Light-Vessel (21° 21'.89 N, 88° 09'.59 E), with name painted on her sides and having one mast surmounted by the lower half of black ball, is moored 4 miles NE of Middle Ground, a fog signal is sounded from the light-vessel A wreck lies 11 cables WSW of Lower Gasper Light Vessel. A stranded wreck lies about 2.2 miles ESE of Lower Gasper Light Vessel. Middle Ground, is shallow sand spit, with depths, of less than 5m over it, it extends 10.5 miles SE from the S extremity of Lower Long Sand. Sea breaks heavily during the SW monsoon over the middle and S end of Middle Ground Eastern Channel The entrance to the Hugli River now in use, lies between Middle Ground which lies E of Eastern Sea Reef and a tongue-shaped spit with depths less than 5m extending 20 miles SSE from Jambudwip (New Island). The route passes through Eastern channel and Gasper Channel, its continuation N, leads to Sagar Roads. Upper Gaspar Light-vessel Buoy (21° 29´.83 N, 88° 06´.63 E) (red hull, name on sides) is moored 10 miles SSE of Sagar Island Light Tower. Gasper (Gasper) Channel 3.73 The fairway through Gasper channel is marked by light buoys: E side: Middleton Nos I, III, V, VI and Fairway. W side: Middleton No II, III, IV Sagar Light-buoy and CSF Light-buoy (starboard hand) each marking a wreck, lie 1˝ miles W and 2 miles NW respectively, off Sagar Lighthouse and an unmarked wreck lies 1˝ miles SW of it. Sidney Point, lies 5˝ miles ESE of Sagar Island. Ganga Sagar Column, a conspicuous column used for navigation, it lies 4 miles ESE of Sagar Light. Jambudwip (New Island), is a low lying Island 3.2 miles SE off Sydney point. The island measures 2˝ miles in length a mile in breath. Lower Long sand, is a drying shoal with depths falling to 0.6m further south is the tongue-shaped Eastern Sea Reef with depths of less than 5.5m. The Beaumont’s Gut leads to Sagar Roads. A Wreck, dangerous to surface navigation, lies in position (21° 32'.3 N, 87° 58'.9 E) in the center part of Beaumont’s Gut. Another wreck lies about 3 miles SSW of this wreck. Upper Long Sand, a drying bank, lies with its upper end about 5˝ miles SW of Sagar Island Lighthouse. Mizen Sand, a small drying bank, lies about 2 miles N of Upper Long Sand ; Tigris Sand lies about 1 mile farther N. LWA light buoy (port hand) is moored near the NE end of Mizen Sand. Sagar Roads lie off the SW side of Sagar Island. SD light-buoy (red can), moored approximately 3 miles SW of Sagar Lighthouse This marks the S end of Sagar Roads. Another buoy lies 2.7 miles N of SD light-buoy. It marks the NE point of up Mizzen Sand. SFW buoy lies about 1 mile N of this buoy. GAB light-buoy (red can, radar reflector 2˝ miles NW of Sagar Island Lighthouse and is moored close off E side of Mizen sand. LWA Light-buoy (port hand) is moored 14 cables on the N end of Mizen sand and 1 mile NE of SFW buoy. Sagar Lighthouse (21° 39'N, 088° 03'E) is situated at Middleton Point on the Sagar Island 1˝ km. inshore. The light is exhibited from a red round tower with white bands on the SW side of Sagar Island. The tower is about 24m high and a DGPS and VTS station transmit and operate from the light-tower. It is visible in clear weather from a distance of 28 Km. Sagar Semaphore (Night Signal) Lies 7 cables SSW of Sagar Light house. A temple lies 2 miles SE of Sagar light. A beacon is positioned 8 cables WNW of the temple. Sand Dune Beacon lies 1.4 miles SSE of Sagar Island. AD Light Buoy port hand is moored close to the E side of Tigris Sand AM Light Buoy lies 1˝ miles NNE of AD Light Buoy. AS Light Buoy lies 2.2 miles NNE of AM Light Buoy. Centre Beacon lies about 11˝ cables N of Sagar Lighthouse, Upper Beacon lies 1 mile N of the Centre Beacon. Dariapur Lighthouse (21° 47'N, 87° 52'E) is located on the right bank of Hugli south of Rasulpur river and about 2.7 kms inshore. The light is exhibited from a 23m high white round masonry tower with black bands 1 miles W of the mouth of Rasulpur River (21° 47'.4 N, 87° 54'.9 E). A racon (G) transmits from the light. It is visible in clear weather from a distance of 35 Km. The Rasulpur river is frequented by craft, which when approaching from W, use a narrow channel close inshore which has depths of less than 1m and requires local knowledge. A number of columns and pillars mark the coast, these are built for ease of navigation all the way up river. Medinagar Column lies about 3˝ miles NE of Dariapur Light, Groyne No 26 lies 2 cables S of it. It has a total length 6 miles and has a lay of NNW and NW. Leading Column lies about 2˝ miles NE of Medinagar Column, Groyne No 25 lies 2 cables SE of it. It measures a length of 1.6 miles and a lay of NW. Khejuri Column lies about 2 miles NE of Leading Column and Groyne No 24. The groyne lies about 4 cables SSE of it. It measures 8 cables and also has a lay of NW. CWA Buoy lies 2 miles NNE of AS Light Buoy. Groyne No 23 lies 2.9 miles NE of Groyne No. 24. Talpati Creek lies about 2 cables NNE of it. It has an opening which measures about 2 cables and is radar Conspicuous. Auckland Boat Buoy Lies one mile NE from Groyne No .25. 3.74 Jellingham Channel leads to Haldia Channel. It is marked on the W side of the channel by Jellingham No III, JF buoy, No II buoy, JB buoy. Haldia Sand which dries upto 5.9m lies on the east side of Jellingham Channel. Talpati Chak Column lies 9 cables W of Groyne No. 23. Pillar No 1 stands 5 cables NNE of this Groyne. Pillar No.1, 6 and 11 are located adjacent to each other with distance apart of 3˝ cables further NNE. A leading line which bears 18.2° with Lattice Tower and water tower in transit, leads through Jellingham Channel to Haldia Channel. Gangra Tidal Semaphore (Day & Night) lies in position (21° 56'.7N, 88° 01'.32E). Gangra Tower lies 4 cables SW of Gangra Tidal Semaphore. A small creek enters the Jellingham Channel 2˝ cables SSE of Gangra Tidal Semaphore. It exhibits flags and lights. Inner Column (21° 58'.4N, 88° 01'.6E) a round masonry tower 18m high, lies about 1˝ miles NNE of Gangra Tower. Sandia Column (21° 58'.8N, 88° 02'.2E) a round masonry tower 17m high, lies about 7˝ cables NE of the Inner Column. Lattice Tower (Haldia Channel) (22° 00'.05N, 88° 03'.00E) a steel frame work tower lies about 1.4 miles NNE of Sandia Column. The west side of Haldia Channel is marked by three buoys namely SF buoy, USF buoy and HR buoy. HR buoy lies in the centre of Haldia River mouth. Further up the channel NE the west side of the channel is marked with LMB buoy and UMB buoy. A wreck with 3m of water over it is marked by HS buoy, 7 cables SE of Lattice tower on the E side of Haldia Channel. LEH, CEH and UEH buoys marks the north eastern part of the Haldia Channel. A wreck with one meter of water over it lies E of UEH buoy at a distance of 4 cables. Agnimari Char (Nayachara Island) lies E of the Haldia Channel. The southern part of the island is Marshy and the Northern part is covered by deciduous forest. This island measure 6 miles long and has a width of 2.1 mile.