GULF OF KHAMBHAT SOUTHERN PORTION Charts NO. 2044 General information: Route: 8.144 1 The route leads 17 miles NE from a positionSSE of Gopnath Point (21º 11'.98 N, 72º 06'.74 E) to the vicinity of position 21º 21' N, 72º 22' E, where it is joined by the route from SE, then it leads a farther 19 miles N to a position NE of Piram Island. Depths: 8.145 1 In the vicinity of the route, the depths should be checked regularly because they fluctuate considerably; attention is drawn to the variation in depths which may be experienced. Tidal streams: 8.146 1 The prevailing strong tidal streams due to Bore tides also give rise to Eddies in the Gulf. Such eddies are charted, however mariners are to exercise caution against uncharted eddies which occur spontaneously at any portion of the Gulf due to undulation in sea bed – tidal stream interactions. The eddies are strong enough to cause temporary steering failure for medium sized crafts operating at low speeds (approx tonnage less than 500Tons) and set the vessel off track momentarily. Tide lock is one other feature which every mariner should be wary of while operating in the Gulf. Assistance from tug if using port services must be sought or use bold rudders and higher speeds to overcome such situations. 2 The tidal stream is 060-240 with maximum rate of 4-5 knot is experienced from Kotada bluff till Gopnath point. Principal marks: 8.147 1 Landmark: Temple (21º 21'.35 N, 72º 02'.06 E), stands on the conical summit of Talaja Hill which rises from a level plain. Palitana Mountain (21º 29'.5 N, 71º 48'.0 E). Khokhra Hills (21º 36'.59 N, 72º 06'.06 E), the summit, 297 m high, standing near the N end of this range is conspicuous. 2 Offshore mark: Piram Island Light (white round masonry tower, black bands, 27 m in height) (21º 35'.95 N, 72º 21'.15 E) stands on the ruins of an old bastion near the middle of the island. 3 Major lights: Gopnath Point Light (21º 12'.25 N, 72º 06'.64 E). Piram Island Light-as above. Hazira Light (21º 05'.53 N, 72º 38'.56 E). Directions: Route: 8.148 1 The route leads 17 miles NE from a position SSE of Gopnath Point to the vicinity of position 21º 21'.0 N, 72º 22'.0 E, where it is joined by the route from SE, then it leads a farther 19 miles N to a position NE of Piram Island, passing (with positions from Alang Light (21º 24'.27 N, 72º 11'.09 E). 2 SE of Gopnath Shoals (10½ miles S), which consist of a drying reef with several shoal patches; they are steep-to on their E side. Then to: 3 SE of Sartanpar Shoals (6 miles S) consisting of drying rock, sand, clay and numerous shoal patches which extend W from their N end to the coastal reef. A light-buoy (red, can) is moored off the S end, and a stranded wreck which is partly visible above water lies at the N end, of these shoals. Then to: 4 NW of the N extremity of the Malacca Banks (13 miles ESE) to the vicinity of 21º 21' N, 72º 22' E, Then to E of Piram Island (15 miles NE), an island composed of sand and surrounded by a reef. At the S end of the island are some trees and cultivation and, there are a few mangrove trees fringing the NE side; a village lies close N of the lighthouse which stands near the centre of its SW edge. And: 5 To the vicinity of the pilot boarding place situated 5 miles NE of Piram Island. 6 There is another channel to enter gulf of Khambhat which lies SE of Gopnath point and is used by deeper draught vessels. The channel is called Narmada channel and is marked with buoys. 7 The area east of Malacca banks is used by light vessels upto 2 to 3.5 m draught for transit from south to north. The channel is recommended for passage keeping clear of shoal patches near Malacca banks. Useful marks: 8.149 West side of Gulf of Khambhat: 1 Alang Light (white 6-sided masonry tower, black bands, 24 m in height) (21º 24'.27 N, 72º 11'.09 E). Nishkalank Mahadev Temple (21º 36'.0 N, 72º 17'.5 E) lies near the edge of foul ground extending from the coast. 2 Kuda Point (21º 37'.78 N, 72º 18'.41 E) has a thick clump of trees on it, which is prominent from N or S and a white bungalow which shows up well from E during the forenoon. A wreck whose hull uncovers during low tide is located at the southern edge of Piram island in position 21º 34'.48 N, 72º 21'.97 E 3 Shoaler depths. Depths of 2.6 m have been observed in position 21º 29'.91 N, 72º 20'.57 E spread across a radius of 5 cable around theshoalest depth. Vessels calling on Dahej, Bhavnagar and Alang are to avoid this passage/anchorage in the area. Another Shoal depth of 6.5 m lies in position 21°26.12'N 072°29.38'E with extent of 3 cables around the position. Mariners are advised to exercise caution. 4 East side of Gulf of Khambhat: Towers of Silence (21º 13'.52 N, 72º 41'.13 E), two towers which stand on the N bank of Tena Creek. 5 Luhara Point Light (white metal tower, red spiral, 24 m in height) (21º 39'.57 N, 72º 32'.89 E), stands on Luhara Point at the N entrance point of the Narmada River; it is backed by sandhills up to 24 rn high and surrounded by low-lying terrain. A stranded wreck ties about 1 mile W of the light. 6 Luhara GCPTCL Port control tower light 21º 41'.50 N, 72º 30'.2 E standing about 100 m from jetty head. Anchorages, Creeks, Rivers, and Side Channelson the East Side of the Gulf of Khambhat Tena Creek: 8.150 1 Tena Creek (21º 13'.29 N, 72º 37'.81 E), which leads the Tapi River from a position N of Suvali Bank, is shallow and is only suitable for local boats. Bhagva Channel: 8.151 1 Bhagva Channel (21º 17'.59 N, 72º 32'.95 E) is situated between Outer Bhagva Sand, a patch of sand orientated NNE/SSW which dries in places, lying about 6 miles offshore, and the coastal bank fringing the shore to the E; there is a shallow flat at the S end of the channel. Only small vessels uses the channel. 2 An unnamed channel situated W of Bhagva Channel and lying between Outer Bhagva Sand and Gulwala Bank, 3 miles W, is not normally used. This channel is intricate because of numerous shoals, sandbanks and strong tidal streams; local knowledge is essential. Kim River: 8.152 1 Kim River (21º 26'.8 N, 72º 41'.18 E) dries at its entrance, it is suitable only for local boats. Narmada River: 8.153 1 General information.Narmada River enters the gulfbetween the N entrance point of Kim River (21º 26'.8 N, 72º 41'.18 E) and Luhara Point, 14 miles NNW; the river is tidal to Ratnapur, 55 miles from its entrance, but it can only be navigated by vessels drawing more than 1.8 m about 3 hours either side of high water. The river's wide estuary, much of which dries, is encumbered with the following features. 2 Alia Bet, an island at Narmada River mouth, has undergone changes in its dimensions. It is observed that the island has shifted Eastwards by 1000 m. it is covered by small scrub. 3 Kerselea Bank, on the N side of the estuary, is a large bank of mud and sand which dries. 4 Bar Sands, which dry, lie close off the S end of the drying coastal bank which extends SSW and W from Luhara Point; the sands are marked on their W side by a buoy (red, conical). Constant erosive action by Narmada River south of Ambheta, has resulted in banks to shift constantly. Ingress of Narmada River into the land of Ambheta(as depicted in the existing navigation chart) does not exist. Reclaimed land bordered by mangrove vegetation is prominent feature of the coastline. Bharuch Roads: 8.154 1 Position.Bharuch Roads (21º 35'.0 N, 72º 30'.0 E) lie W of the entrance to Narmada River. 2 Tidal stream.The in-going stream at the anchorage sets N until about 1 hour after the time of local high water, the out-going stream sets S. 3 Anchorage.Vessels may obtained anchoragein the roads, with Luhara Point Lighthouse (21º 39'.57 N, 72º 32'.89 E) bearing 028º distant 5 miles, in a depth of about 16 m, mud; as shown on the chart.