PLANS IN LAKSHADWEEP

Chart No 2047
KALPITTI TO PARALI ISLAND

General information:
2.511

Position: 
Agatti Island (10º 51' N, 72º 12' E) lies towards the SW end of an unnamed atoll about 20 miles WNW of Pitti (2.510).
Port Office;
Port Control tower is situated on northen edge of island and manned 24 hours. Port office timing is 1000-1700 hrs and mainly used for ticketing for the 
passenger ships. There is also a port office in Bangaram island manned by a rep from Agatti port and responsible for Helipad and its operation in Bangaram 
island. 

Description:
The island is about 4 miles long and narrow, and orientated NNE/SSW; a clump of coconut palm trees stands about 1 mile from its S end. The small uninhabited
islet of Kalpitti lies close SSW of the island.

The coral barrier reef extends about 2 miles offshore on the W side, surrounding Agatti and Kalpitti, and encloses a lagoon; for further description 
see 2.478.
There is a bank connects Agatti with a group of islands on the N part of this unnamed atoll. The bank has a least charted depth of 7.9 m. The principal 
islets of this  N group are Bingaram, 6 miles NE of Agatti, with Tinnakara 1½ miles E of Bingaram. These two islets are encircled, except for the E 
extremity of Tinnakara, by a reef, the lagoon of which has on its W side numerous coral heads with depths of less than 1m over them and much of it dries. 
At the NE corner of the reef close N of the E extremity of Tinnakara lies the Parali Islets.
Industry. Coconuts are the main produce of Agatti; also there are a few sheep and goats on this island.

Depths: 
Though there are banks, at the S and N ends of the island, where depths of less than 10 m extend 5 cables S of Kalpitti and the same distance N of Agatti, 
otherwise Agatti Island and its barrier reef are generally steep-to.

Berths and wharves:
The island has four jetties, two on western side, one on the eastern side and a private jetty near airport exclusively for the airport.

Landmark:
Agatti Island Lighthouse (white framework tower,30 m in height) (10º 52'.5 N, 72º 12'.3 E), stands near the NE point of the island.

Useful mark:
Tinnakara Islet Light - beacon (10º 56'.6 N,72º  19'.0 E), stands near the SW point of the islet.

Lagoon:
It may be entered through a passage located 2½ miles SW of the N end of Agatti, with the clump of coconut palm trees (see above) bearing 142º; 
local knowledge of this entrance is considered essential as depths in the lagoon off Agatti are generally shallow.

Anchorages:
Anchorage can be taken in 18.3 to 22m, coral, off the entrance to the reef surrounding Agatti Island, but it is not recommended.

Good anchorage can be taken in depths of 10m to 15m in an area 2 miles wide between the N end of Agatti Island and the reef encircling Bingaram; 
this area is apparently free from dangers, but ships should proceed with caution. The recommended anchorage is with the NE extremity of Agatti Island 
bearing 215°, distant 1.5 miles, in a depth of 13.7m, coral.

On the W side of the atoll, near its N end, there is an entrance to the lagoon about 0.8 mile wide. Good anchorage can be obtained W of this entrance, 
in 10m coral, with the N point of Bingaram Islet bearing 078°, distant 3.5 miles.

Landing:
On a steep-to beach landing can be effected on the NW side of Agatti Island. It is also possible to land on the barren islets of Bangaram 
and Tinnakara.

A runway cum helipad is also situated on the southern side of the island. The island is connected to Kochi and Kavaratti by air. Another helipad is 
situated in the northern tip of Bangaram Island.

Facilities: 
Hospitals; Secondary school; post office; Civil court; Police station; First aid centre, Water desalination plant.

Communication: 
There is regular communication with Calicut (Kozhikode) (5.130) and Mangalore (6.26) by sea and airexcept during SW monsoon.
VHF Channel. Ch 12
Airport. 122.3 MHz