Chart 2075 4.50 1 Position and function. Kilakarai is a small fishing harbour situated near Ramanathapuram. Kilakarai is just on the outskirts of Ramanathpuram (Ramnad), 16 km away from the City Centre. 2 Traffic. Only fishing vessels use this harbour. 3 Controlling depths. There are numerous shoals, with depth of less than1.8 m, and the narrow undefined channel between them. 4 Jetty. There is an ‘L’ shape Jetty on the SW of old pier, used by fishing trawlers. Old Jetty, is broken and abandoned. 5 Entry. Kilakarai is an open harbour and there are no marker buoys or leading marks present. 6 Port authority. The port is under the control of Assistant Director of Fisheries, Ramnathpuram. No major jetty or berthing place is available. There is no port office / port control tower. 4.51 1 Periya Pattanam. Anchorage for small vessels, with some shelter from the SW monsoon, may be found in depths from 5 to 9 m SE of Periya Pattanam (09°16´.00N, 78°54´.00E). TUTICORIN General information Chart 2075 Position and function 4.52 1 “Tuticorin (Tuttukuddi) is the largest commercial town on the W side of the Gulf of Mannar. The port is an open roadstead, well-protected by the land to the W from the SW Monsoon; it is available in all seasons. 2 The former Tuticorin Port Trust changed its name to V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust in January, 2011. The all-weather harbour of New Tuticorin, about 0.5 nm S of Tuticorin, handles the majority of cargo for the port. The port is protected on its N side by North Breakwater, which is 2.3 miles long, and on its S side by South Breakwater and Eastern Breakwater. 3 The entrance to the harbour lies 3 miles SE of PandiyanTivu Light. V.O. Chidambaranar Port is located strategically close to the International sea routes on the South Eastern coast of India. Port is well sheltered from the fury of storms and cyclonic winds. The port is operational round the clock all through the year”. Topography 4.53 1 The coast surrounding the port is low, sandy and fringed with coconut trees; there are hardly any conspicuous landmarks from the offing outside of the port area. There are several outlying shoals and reefs in the vicinity of the port. Port Authority 4.54 1 V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, Harbour estate, Tuticorin beach road, Tuticorin, Tamilnadu – 628 004, India. E-mail: info@vocport.gov.in Website: www.vocport.gov.in Tel:91-461-2352290, 94432-89568 Fax:91-461-2352301 Limiting conditions 4.55 1 Controlling depth.The approach channel is 2400 m long and183 m wide is dredged to a depth of 12.8 m.The turning basin which is inside the breakwaters has a depth of 11.9 m and id 500 m in diameter 2 Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 0.7 m; mean neap range about 0.1 m. see information in Tide Tables. Arrival information Port operations 4.56 1 Vessels with a maximum draught in excess of 10.7 m shall be berthed at HW only. 2 Restrictions upon LPG and chemical tankers berthing at night. Notice of ETA 4.57 1 At least 72 hours, followed by 24 hours; confirmation or amendment must be made not less than 6 hours prior to arrival. Outer anchorages 4.58 1 The following anchorages are available, the limits of most of which are shown on the chart, with positions from East Breakwater Head Light (08°44´.90 N, 78°13´.55 E): Designation Position Remarks Vessels less than 100 m in length 1.25 miles ENE Depth about 9.9 m Vessels more than 100 m in length 2.25 miles E Depth about 14.2 m Tankers 3.50 miles ENE Depth about 15.9 m Deep-water anchorage 3.25 miles ENE Depth about 14.2 m General 2.25 miles SE Depth about 12 m, good holding, mainly sand and shingle 2 Dangerous cargo anchorage. The explosive anchorage is situated 3¼ miles SE of Pandyantivu lighthouse 3 Caution. During the NE monsoon vessels should have a good scope of cable and a second anchor always ready.In the SW monsoon, from about mid-May to mid-August, the wind, though sometimes violent, is invariably offshore and the sea is calm or slight. Pilotage and tugs 4.59 1 Pilotage is compulsory and is available 24 hours. 2 The pilot boarding positions are, vessels with a draught of less than 9m, close NW of fairway lighted buoy and vessels with a draught of 9m and over, 1mile E of fairway lighted buoy. 3 Tugs are available. Quarantine 4.60 1 Pratique may be requested by radio. For details see Indian List of Radio Signals Volume Harbour General layout 4.61 1 The artificial harbour extends ESE from a peninsula at the S end of Pandiyan Island (08°47'.14N, 78°11'.83E), which is joined to the peninsula due to reclamation; it is protected on its N side by North Breakwater and on its S side by South Breakwater and East Breakwater, the entrance lies 3 miles SE of Pandiyan Island Light. 2 The main berthing areas are on the inner sides of South and East Breakwaters, and within a recess located towards the E end of North Breakwater on its inner side. A turning basin, 488 m in diameter, is situated close within the harbour entrance. Development 4.62 1 Four berths are under constructions along the inner side of North Breakwater. Signals 4.63 1 Storm signals are displayed from a signal station with a flagstaff (32 m in height) standing near the NE end of East Breakwater. Another signal station with a flagstaff (29 m in height) standing 1.25 cables N of Pandiyan Island Light; the general system is used. Current 4.64 1 The tidal rise at Tuticorin is 1m at MHWS and 0.7m at near MHWN. The currents along the coast, outside the islands near Tuticorin, generally set with the wind, varying in strength from 1 to 2 knots. They are weak and variable at the change of the monsoons. When there is a lull in the monsoon, there is a tendency for current to set into, instead of across, the Gulf of Mannar. The tidal currents at Tuticorin set in a N direction with the flood tide and in a S direction with the ebb. 2 The currents along the coast, outside the islands near Tuticorin, generally set with the wind, varying in strength from 1 to 2 knots. They are weak and variable at the change of the monsoons. Principal marks 4.65 1 Landmarks. Three chimneys, orientated E/W, (red and white lights, 121 to 210 m in height) (08°45´.76N, 78°10´.55E). Water tower (27 m in height) (08°45´.10N, 78°11´.13E). Water tower (22 m in height) (08°45´.23N, 78°10´.14E). Spic tower (68 m in height) (08°44´.47N, 78°08´.52E). 2 Major light. PandiyanTivu Light (white round concrete tower with black diagonal stripes, 23 m in height) (08°47´.14N, 78°11´.83E), standing 2 cables S of the N extremity of Pandiyan Island. Other aids to navigation 4.66 1 Racon& AIS. PandiyanTivu Light Approach and entry 4.67 1 If making the port from S or NE, particularly at night, the approach should be made from well to seaward of all off-lying dangers that extend from the coast; the ship's position should be accurately determined before closing the anchorage. 2 From the vicinity 08°43´.00N, 78°16´.00E the route leads NW passing close NE of Fairway Light-buoy No 18. 2 Leading lights Front light (White metal framework tower, red bands, elevation 20 m) (on North Breakwater near the root of Coal jetty (08°45´.37N, 78°13´.09E)). Middle light (White metal tower, red bands) (425 m from front). Rear light (White metal framework tower, black bands, elevation 59 m) (on the reef 1½ miles NW of the front light). The alignment (311.25°)of these lights leads, through a channel marked by light-buoys at its inner end, to the harbour entrance which is about 1 cable wide and lies between a short spur extending SW from North Breakwater and the head of East Breakwater. 3 Leading lights. Front light (on South Breakwater between Berth No 1 and 5) (08°44´.71N, 78°12´.86E). Rear light about 100 m from front light. The alignment (244°) of these lights leads to Berth No 1 to 6. Lights are also exhibited from the heads of North and East Breakwaters and from the head of the spur which forms the N entrance point. Useful marks 4.68 1 The following are useful marks. Obelisk (white) (08°45´.08N, 78°11´.50E). Disused lighthouse (08°47´.22N, 78°11´.83E). Berths 4.69 1 At present there are 14 berths with capacity of 33.34 million tons per annum (MTPA), all situated within two breakwaters in VOC Port Trust. Alongside berths (positioned from North Breakwater head light (8044’.8N, 78013’.8E). South Wharf (5 cables WSW) There are four berths, two with a depth of 9.3 m alongside and Two with 10.7m depth., on South Wharf, which lies on the inner side of e breakwater; general cargo is handled at No. 1 berth; Nos. 2, 3 and 4 berths handle cement, salt and fertilizer, respectively. Berths No.1 and 2 can each accommodate vessels with a maximum length of 183m; Berths No. 3 and 4 can accommodate vessels with a maximum length of 245m. Berths 5 and 6 (8 cables W), each 168 m long, are situated on the SE side of quay 495 m long with a depth of 9.3 m at No. 6 berth and 8.6 m at No. 5 berth. 2 Finger Jetty (1.4 miles W) provides berthing and facilities for the Colombo ferry. 3 Coal Jetty (8 cables WNW). The coal jetty on N breakwater accommodates vessels up to 50000 dwt, with a maximum length of 225 m and a maximum draft of 12.8 m. 4 Oil Jetty (6 cables NW) located seaward of the coal jetty, can accommodate vessels with a maximum length of 228 m and a maximum draft of 12.8 m. 5 Second coal jetty (4 cables NW), is served by conveyor and flanked by dolphins; it can accommodate vessels of 50000 dwt and 235 m in length and maximum depth 12.8 m Port services 4.70 1 Repairs. Minor repairs only. 2 Supplies. Fresh water at quays, by lighter in anchorages; all kinds of provisions; fuel by road tanker, and by pipeline at oil and coal jetties. 3 Other facilities. Hospitals, De-ratting, Diving, Ballast reception facility – not available; garbage disposal available; oily waste disposal available by road tanker.