PALK BAY WESTERN PORTION CHART NO. 317 Point Calimere to Pamban Pass 4.6 1 The route leads about 40 miles SW across open water, from a position in the general vicinity of 09°50'N, 79°40'E to a position off Pamban, passing NW of Delft Island which has a beacon at its NW and SE point, NW of Kachchaitivu (09°23'.28N, 79°31'.30E), an island covered with scrub; and NW of Devil's Point, the N extremity of Pamban Island, which is low and sandy with many coconut trees towards its W end. 2 Rameswaram Temple is the first landmark raised when approaching Pamban Pass from N. It should not be confused with Gandhamana Temple, 1¼ miles NW of Rameswaram temple. A large clump of trees (elevation 33 m) about 7½ cables ENE of Gandhamana Temple appears, with the temple, like a pair of hills when the land is raised from N. Storm signals are displayed at Rameswaram. 4.7 1 The N part of Pamban Pass, lying between Kanthe Thuki Reef (close off the NW shore of Pamban Island) and a shoal ground to the W. 2 There is a dangerous wreck (3.4m depth) lies in position 09º17'83N, 79º12'12E. 3 Pilots boarding vessels during the NE monsoon use a boat channel lying between Kanthe Thuki Reef and the shore SE. 4 The N face of The Great Dam is steep-to and may appear like a wall at LW. 4.8 Useful marks: 1 Rameswaram lighthouse Two radio masts stand 4 cables and 1¾ mile, respectively, SW of Rameswaram temple (09°17'.30N, 79°18'.98E). North Toni Beacon (white, 9 m in height) (09°17'.05N, 79°10'.60E). North Beacon (8 m in height) (09°17'.22N, 79°09'.18E). Tondi 4.12 1 Tondi (09°44'.50N, 79°00'.76E), is a small port for local fishing craft. No specific navigational mark, except Pasipattanam Lighthouse (09°48'.39N, 79°04'.63E), is available for the area, and local knowledge is considered essential for safe navigation. 2 A 75 m long jetty, under control of Naval detachment, is available. 3 Anchorage may obtained in 8.2m, mud, with Tondi Light bearing 295°, distant 5 miles. 4 Facilities. Roadways, lodging, hospitals, restaurant, banks, schools. Kottaipattinam 4.13 1 Kottaipattinam (09°58'.88N, 79°12'.08E), is a small port for local fishing activities, lies about 3 miles SW. 2 A 75 m long jetty for berthing of fishing boats is available. Local knowledge is required for approach to jetty and berthing alongside. However, a marine police station with boats patrols the area.A pollution control board office is located at Puthukottai. 3 Facilities Storage for sea food, First aid, Private boat workshop, Hotels, School. Small Craft and Rivers Boat Channel 4.14 1 A channel separates Kathu Vallimuni Reef and Vella Pertumuni Reef near Mandapam. Two beacons stand close NE of the entrance to the channel. Kathu Vallimuni Reef, consisting of scattered coral heads, extends up to 0.5 mile offshore, and lies parallel with the coast for about 1.8 miles W of Ramen Point (09°16'.42N, 79°11'.39E). There are several heads, which dry 0.6m at the E end of the reef. Vella Pertumuni Reef extends about 3 miles W of Kathu Vallimuni Reef. 2 Leading lights. The alignment (206°) of the following lights leads to the entrance of the boat channel: Front leading light (beacon) (09°17'.06N, 79°09'.60E). Rear light (beacon, 124 m SSW of front beacon) (09°16'.99N, 79°09'.57E). 3 Another boat channel lies between the reefs and the coast, extending 2½ miles WNW from Ramen Point. Kottaikarai River 4.15 1 Kottaikarai River mouth (09°58'.88N, 79°12'.08E) lies about 7½ miles SW from Tondi River mouth is used by local vessel for fishing. Local knowledge is required to navigate within the river. 2 A old light pillar (disused) situated at N bank of the river. 3 A breakwater (non-continuous) protect the river mouth. No berthing facilities is available near mouth; however remains of fishery office is situated near the mouth. Route 4.16 1 The coastal route leads 19 miles W from a position S of Land's End (09°09'.98 N, 79°25'.85 E) to a position SSW of Pamban Island. Topography 4.17 1 Pamban Island (09°16'.00N, 79°18'.00E), lying between Adam's Bridge and Raman Point (Dhanushkodi) on the Indian mainland, is generally low and featureless with no hills and few conspicuous landmarks from the offing; at its W end coconut plantations extend N and NE from Kundugal Point. The islands fringing the coast in the vicinity of Pamban Pass are very low. Natural conditions 4.18 1 Currents. Currents are subject to large changes in set and rate during the course of a year. 2 Local weather. During the SW monsoon haze often hangs over the islands lying in the approaches to Pamban Pass and obscures them. Principal marks 4.19 1 Landmarks. Rameswaram lighthouse(Devil’s point light) (09°19'.10N, 79°19'.66E) (White square tower, red spiral bands, 15 m in height), standing on NE point of Pamban Island, about 1 mile WSW from Devil’s Point. Rameswaram Temple (09°17'.30N, 79°18'.98E) (50 m in height), appears as a narrow pinnacle when viewed from SE/NW and as a large square tower from SW/NE. A radio tower stands close SW to it. Radio (Doordarshan) Tower (09°17'.54N, 79°18'.27E) (307 m in height). Beacon (white with black band, triangular, 9.4 m in height) (09°14'.47N, 79°14'.30E) standing on the E point of ShingleTivu. 2 Pamban Island Lighthouse (09°17'.28N, 79°13'.11E) (White masonry tower, black bands, 20 m in height), standing on a sand hill at the NW point of Pamban Island. Water tower (09°16'.86N, 79°09'.51E). Radio tower (09°16'.80N, 79°09'.00E). Water tower (09°16'.67N, 79°08'.29E) (red square tower on a framework structure, 26 m in height),the tower is conspicuous except when bearing more than 050°; another similar structure standing 1¼ miles farther E. Beacon (09°13'.00N, 79°08'.00E) (not charted), a white beacon standing close NE of Manalli Tivu. The tower is conspicuous except when bearing more than 050°; another similar structure standing 1¼ miles farther E. Lands End to Manalli Shoal 4.20 1 The coastal route leads 19 miles W from a position S of Land's End (09°09'.98N, 79°25'.65E) to a position S of Manalli Shoal, passing: 2 S of Margarita Shoal (09°07'.09N, 79°24'.21E) and a dangerous wreck lying 2 miles NNE of the shoal, then to, S of Mansfield Patch (09°08'.81N, 79°17'.53E), the NNE of a group of detached patches which lie close together, then to S of Arundel Shoal (09°07'.57N, 79°16'.39E), which consists of coral patches, then to S of Batt Patch (09°10'.78N, 79°15'.29E), a shoal patch over which the sea breaks in a fresh breeze, then to a position S of Manalli Shoal (09°10'.51N, 79°07'.75E). Useful marks 4.21 1 Lands End (09°09'.98N, 79°25'.65E), the SE point of Pamban Island; a small but prominent building stands near the point. Temple (09°10'.82N, 79°24'.65E). Two radio masts stand 4 cables and 1¾ miles, respectively, SW of RameswaramTemple . Gandhamana Temple (09°18'.18N, 79°18'.07E) (44 m in height), not to be confused with Rameswaram Temple when viewed from N. 2 Naval jetty. A 50 m long wooden jetty is present at the Naval Detachment, Rameswaram, controlled by the navy. 3 Facilities A boat basin with a 75 m long fishing jetty is present at the eastern side of the Pamban Island adjacent to the Rameswaram port office. The place is connected with the Indian railway network. Pamban Pass 4.22 1 Position. Pamban Pass (09°17'.70 N, 79°12'.60 E) lies at the W end of Rameshwaram Island and crosses the banks which lie between that island and Mandapam. The passage provides a navigable channel, partly artificial, connecting Gulf of Mannar with Palk Bay; it is great advantage to coasting craft trading between ports on the W coast of India and those in the Bay of Bengal. 2 Topography. A rocky barrier extends in a nearly straight line between the W coast of Rameshwaram Island and Ramen Point. About 2½ cables W of Pamban island a cutting, 65 m wide, carrying Pamban Pass through the barrier, over which there is a rolling lift bridge and road bridge. 3 The Pamban Bridge (Road Bridge and the Railway Bridge) connects the shores of Mandapam and Pamban Island. 4 The arch shaped architecture of the bridge, and its height from the sea level let the ships and boats pass beneath its piers without any disturbance (The Pamban cantilever Rail Bridge has gate like passage arrangement named “Scherzer Roll” in the middle of it, which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through. 5 It is believed that up to the first quarter of the fifteenth century Mandapam and Pamban were connected by a strip of land. A cyclone in 15th century resulted in the submergence of that connecting strip of land between Mandapam and Pamban. Pamban Bridge 6 On the W side of the cutting the barrier is named The Great Dam. It consists of large mass of rocks, having a flat surface, which were formerly portions of a causeway that extended from Pamban Island to Ramen Point; the rocks are sufficiently separated to allow a free passage to the water. About 1½ cables E of Ramen Point there is an opening in the rocks; it is however, so small, and has such a rush of water through it, that even fishing canoes never attempt to pass through. 7 Approach and entry. Pamban Pass is entered from the NE end of the Basin. 8 Local authority. The Pass is administrated by the Port Conservator, Port Office, Pamban. E-mail: rameswarmport@gmail.com. Phone: 04573-231422 Limiting conditions 4.23 1 Vertical clearance. Max width of channel at Rail Bridge is 65m and height of the road bridge from MSL is 16m. 2 Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 0.6 m; mean neaps range about 0.2 m. For details see Indian Tide Tables. 3 Maximum size of vessels handled. Max size of any vessel 70 m in length max breadth 25m with max draught of 2.3m. 4 Local weather. Pamban Pass is well protected from the full force of the SW monsoon by Pulli Reef to the S. 5 Storm signals are displayed from a flag staff opposite to the port office building. Scherzer Roll of Pamban Bridge Arrival information 4.24 1 Bridge opening notice. Railway Bridge is opened on either Tuesday or Friday of every week after a request, clearance form Railway authorities, which is given by Port conservator, Pamban at least 24 hours in advance. Pamban Channel transit shall be allowed only in fair weather conditions during daylight hours and in working days only. The lift bridge is under the Port Conservator, Pamban. Vessels desirous to cross the bridge are to submit details five days in advance to Pamban Port Conservator and follow the procedure system adopted at Pamban port; however, in an emergency it can be opened immediately. 2 Pilotage is compulsory for merchant vessels navigating Pamban Pass. Two licensed pilots are available with port. The licensed pilots at Pamban are under the orders of the Pamban Port Conservator; they are stationed at Kundugal Point (09°15'.58N, 79°13'.31E), Mundel Point (09°16'.38N, 79°12'.35E) and on the N side of the Pass to look out for vessels approaching Pamban. There are no signals for vessels requiring a pilot but local craft usually display a red or white flag. Pilots can also be obtained at Kilakkarai. The Pass 4.25 2 Bridge signals. Flag P of The International Code of Signals displayed from the port office’s flagstaff to denote that the bridge is fully open; displayed from the N yardarm. This flag denotes that vessels from N may pass through, and from the S yardarm, that vessels from the S have priority. 3 Tidal streams. In the approaches, the in-going tidal stream sets W through Kundagal Channel then to W along the N edge of Pulli Reef where it joins with the in-going stream setting N through Puma Channel, the combined streams then set N, but they are weak unless accelerated by strong S winds.. 4 The stream, in Pamban Pass, is only noticeable at the change of the monsoon in March, April and October; at other times it is masked by the S-going current during the NE monsoon and by the N-going current during the SW monsoon, these often attain rates of 6 kts, making passage of the pass difficult even for powered vessels. 5 Caution. Vessels approaching Pamban Pass with a draught of more than 4.6 m should not approach within depths of 15 m until their position has been accurately determined. Less water than charted was reported in the S approaches as shown on the chart. Directions From South-east 4.27 1 Kundugal Channel (09°15'.00N, 79°15'.00E) is the better and more direct approach to Pamban Pass from S. Having passed the outlying dangers, steer to pass E of Kallaru Reef for a position ESE of Kundugal Point from where the channel leads W into Kundugal Gut, passing: 2 N of Kallaru Reef (09°14'.73N, 79°14'.07E), upon which the sea breaks heavily along its S edge. Shingle Tivu, a low island covered with scrub is situated on the reef. Then keep to the deep water channel, passing: 3 N of Kursadi Tivu, a long narrow island, and close S of Kundugal Point, a low and sandy point, and N of Pulli Reef. The track then leads generally WNW across Horseshoe Bank. 4 Once clear of a drying bank, extending SW from Mundel Point, the route leads NE through the Basin, a narrow unmarked channel, towards the S entrance of Pamban Pass. Useful marks 4.28 1 South East Port Beacon (white, 5 m in height) (09°15'.68N, 79°15'.80E) standing 1¾ miles E of Kundugal Point. Another beacon stands on the coast 4 cables W of South East Port Beacon. 2 South Toni Beacon (white, 7 m in height) (09°16'.88N, 79°10'.80E) standing 6½ cables W of Ramen Point. From South-west 4.29 1 Puma Channel lying between Pulli Shoal and Manalli Reef demands navigation by eye to negotiate the reefs described below. From the vicinity of 09°09'.00N, 79°12'.00E the route leads initially NNW before turning NE through Puma East Channel to join Kundugal Channel. 2 Leading Lights. Front light (white beacon) (09°16'.61N, 79°08'.80E) (on the foreshore 5 cables W of Mandapam Dry Dock (09°16'.60N, 79°09'.40E)). Rear light (white beacon) (on a low hill 2 cables from front light). The alignment (338°) of these lights leads through Puma Channel, passing: 3 ENE of Manalli Reef (09°13'.00N, 79°09'.60E), a coral reef which dries in places and is well marked on its S and E side by breaking seas. New Islet and Manalli Tivu lie 1½ and 2 miles W, respectively, from the E edge of the reef. Then to WSW of Pulli Shoal (09°13'.51N, 79°11'.03E), an isolated shoal over which the sea breaks. Then to: 4 WSW of Pulli Reef (09°13'.80N, 79°11'.45E), an extensive coral reef which dries in places; its N edge is well defined at low water but its S edge is much indented and the sea breaks onto it. Three islands are situated on the reef; Pumurichan Tivu, along the W edge, has a conspicuous beacon (10 m in height) standing on its SW side; to the SE is Kovi Tivu and at the E end is Kursadi Tivu. 5 When NE of Cano Paru Reef (09°14'.21N, 79°09'.40E), which covers and uncovers, alter course NE to pass through Puma East channel which lies NW of Pulli Reef. 6 When clear of Puma East Channel steer to pass along the N edge of Pulli Reef into the channel lying between this reef and Horseshoe Bank, which leads to Sand Bank Channel (09°15'.55N, 79°12'.50E). Useful marks 4.30 1 Beacon (white) (09°12'.90N, 79°08'.10E) standing close NE of Manalli Tivu Anchorage 4.31 1 Anchorage may be obtained in Kundugal Channel in depths of 5.8 to 7 m. Small vessels can anchor W of Kundugal Gut, with protection in all weathers, in depths of 3 to 3.4 m. 2 Anchorage may also obtained N of Pamban Bridge as shown on the chart. Mandapam 4.32 1 Mandapam (09°16'.60 N, 79°09'.40 E), a harbour for small craft, lies 3 miles W of Pamban Island. Directions Principal marks 4.33 1 Landmarks. North Transit Forward mark (09°17'.04 N, 79°09'.60 E), North Transit Aft mark (09°16'.96N,79°09'.56 E), South Transit forward mark (09°16'.61N,79°08'.79 E), 2 Vessels should pass through Puma Channel as described, then to pass 2½ cables ENE of Cana Paru Reef (09°14'.26 N, 79°09'.41 E) and continue on the 338° leading line unlit 1¼ miles from the front light; from this point onwards local knowledge is necessary. 3 Berths. There is a small boat basin. A 93 m long Coastguard Jetty (09°17'.05 N, 79°09'.56 E) with 2 m depth alongside available, but local knowledge is required for navigate to jetty as depth in the area is not uniform.