APPROACH TO PORTS FROM DIU TO PIPAVAV Chart 2081 General information: Route 8.82 1 The route leads 35 miles ENE from a position S of Diu Head (20º 41'.42 N, 70º 49'.72 E) to a position SSE of Jafarabad. Topography: 8.83 1 The stretch of this coast is generally low and fringed in places by a rocky coastal reef, it is indented by bays and creeks into which empty several rivers. The coast, for about 2 miles W of the point on which Nawabandar (20º 44'.44 N, 71º 04'.31 E) stands is high with deep water close offshore. The hinterland is undulating and partly cultivated; there are several coastal hills, upon which, stand small watch towers. Depths 8.84 1 There are no charted dangers seawards of the 15 m depth contour, which lies close offshore on the W part of this stretch of coast. Fishing vessels: 8.85 1 Large fleets of fishing vessels may be encountered, throughout this coast, from 4 to 8 miles offshore; barrel buoys and logs mark their grounds and it is advisable to give them a wide berth. These fleets are based at several local coastal ports from October to the end of January. Tidal stream: 8.86 1 During the out-going tidal stream a Westerly set has been recorded, in the offing between Diu (20º42'.71 N, 070º59'.15 E) and Nawabandar, 5 miles ENE, to persist for 18 hours; at this time, the ingoing stream was barely perceptible over a period of several days. Overfalls: 8.87 1 Eddies may be encountered close S of Diu Head (20º 41'.42 N, 70º 49'.72 E); overfalls and strong tide-rips occur at spring tides E of Madhwad Bainsla, 1mile E of Diu Head. Currents: 8.88 1 The currents have a seasonal variation related to the monsoon. The most frequent set; from February to September is SE with the greatest consistency during June, July and August; in October currents are variable in direction, but from November to January the most common set is NW. The rates of the currents are generally less than 1 kt but may reach about 2 kt at times, mainly during July, August and December. Exceptionally, the current has a significant onshore component. Principal marks 8.89 1 Landmarks: Temple (20º 42'.57 N, 070º 52'.51 E). Nandivela (21º 02'.37 N, 071º 06'.95 E),a mountain which is conspicuous from S; it stands at the SE end of Gir Range, a range of mountains, which attain an elevation of 648 m but cannot be seen from any great distance from SW. Gir Forest, a sanctuary for the Asiatic lions, fringes the hills to the NW. Tower (20º 52'.12 N, 071º 24'.65 E), with a chimney close E, stand at a cement factory on the E entrance point to Jafarabad Harbour. 2 Major lights: Diu Head Light (white 6.sided masonry tower, red bands, 37 m in height) (20º 41'.48 N, 070º 49'.65 E), stands near the summit of Diu Head. Madhwad Temple and two long dwellings stand nearby. Jafarabad Light (white round tower surmounting a 6-sided masonry tower on a square base, 19 m in height) (20º 51'.45 N, 71º 22'.92 E), stands close W of the SW entrance point of Jafarabad Harbour. Savai Bet Light (20º 54'.24 N, 071º 31'.58 E). Jegri Island Light (21º 02'.42 N, 071º 48'.27 E). Radio beacon: 8.90 1 Diu Head Lighthouse. Directions: 8.91 1 The route leads 35 miles ENE from a position S of Diu Head (20º 41'.42 N, 070º 49'.72 E) to a position SSE of Jafarabad, passing (with positions from Khara Village (20º 45'.5 N, 071º 07'.6 E): SSE of Madhwad Bainsla (16¾ miles WSW) a rock 1m in height, with foul ground and shallows extending N and to 3½ cables E, over which the sea breaks heavily; foul ground also extends W from the rock W to Diu Head. Then to: SSE of Rocky Shoal (15½ miles WSW), a rocky shoal over which the sea occasionally breaks, lies near the center of Madhwad Bay; it is steep-to with detached shoals lying between it and the coast NW. Then to: 2 SSE of Nagwa Point (13¼ miles WSW) a dark bluff with cliffs up to 12 m high rising to a summit 20 m high and marked by a bush; shoal water extends WSW and NW from the point. Then to: 3 SSE of Panikota Islet (1½ miles E) which lies near the E end of a 2 mile long cliffy foreshore; the W end of the cliffs appears as a sharp bluff when seen from E. Simar Fort, with a white flat top and a flagstaff, stands at the N end of the islet; Simar Fort Light is exhibited from a square squat pyramid on the fort from 1st September to 15th June. Then to: 4 SSE of Bhesla Rock (3 miles E) a rocky islet, fringed, except SE, by a drying reef; a detached drying reef lies about 2 cables WSW. Then to: 5 SSE of Murex Bluff (10 miles ENE); Murex Reef, which extends about 1 mile E from the bluff, dries and has shoal water extending for about 2 cables farther E and SE. Then to: 6 SSE of a dangerous wreck (11 miles ENE), and to a position SSE of Jafarabad. Useful marks: 8.92 1 Diu Head (20º 41'.48 N, 070º 49'.65 E) is a bluff rocky projection about 30 m high upon which stands a lighthouse. 2 Forte do Nagwa (20º 42'.02 N, 070º 54'.72 E) an old fort, which is prominent among palms in a village, stands on the point 1 mile E of Nagwa Point; a drying reef lies close E of the point. 3 Cavaleiro Light (white round concrete tower, black bands, 15 m in height) (20º 42'.82 N, 070º 59'.76 E), the S-most of three lights, stands near the center of Forte do Diu Citadel; this fort, located on the E end of Diu Island, is prominent from seaward. 4 Nawabandar Light (white round tower, 7 m in height) (20º 44'.4 N, 071º 04'.8 E) stands at the W entrance to Nawabandar Harbour. 5 Simar anchorage Light (white framework tower red bands, 30 m in height) (20º 46'.57 N, 071º 09'.33 E) is exhibited, during the fine weather season, from a position 7 ½ cables N of Simar Fort Light. 6 Saiyad Rajpura bandar Light (stone column and hut, 5 m in height) (20º 47'.57 N, 071º 12'.33 E), is exhibited during the fine weather season. 7 Lor Hill (20º 57'.0 N, 071º 15'.5 E) with Barman Hill 3 miles E are both prominent. Jafarabad Chart 2081, 2056 General information: 8.103 1 Position. Jafrabad (20º 52'.0 N, 71º 23'.0 E) is an all-weather direct berthing port for small ocean-going vessels. It is situated in the Gulf of Khambhat, on the south-west coast of Saurashtra, inside the Jafrabad Creek. 2 Function. Major import includes Coal and Coke while principle exports are clinker and salt. The port serves as a support non-major port for UTC port at Pipavav. The port has handled 533 vessels amounting to nett tonnage of 10, 19,000 metric tons in the year 2013. 3 Topography. On the W bank of Jafarabad creek, Jafarabad town is standing, on rising ground about 1 mile inland; the town is visible from E and S over the intervening ground. Tidal levels & Tidal streams: 8.104 1 Mean spring range about 1.9 m; mean neap range about 0.7 m. See information in Tide Tables. 2 Tidal streams. Outside of Jafarabad Harbour, along the coast, the in-going tidal stream sets E and the out-going sets W. The in-going stream at springs, persists for 1 hour after high water and the out-going stream continues until 4 hours before the time of the following high water; both streams attain a maximum rate of 4 kts. 3 The in-going stream at neaps persists for about 30 minutes after the time of high water and the out-going stream until 4½ hours before the time of the next high water; the maximum rate of the in-going stream is 1¾ kts and that of the out-going stream 1½ kts. 4 At neaps the stream changes from in-going to out-going in an anticlockwise direction and from out-going to in-going in a clockwise direction. Pilotage: 8.105 1 Pilotage information can be obtained from the Port Officer; however, pilotage is not compulsory. Harbour : 8.106 1 General layout. Two breakwaters protect the harbour from the sea, the E breakwater extends about 6 cables WSW from the shore near a cement factory situated on the E side of the harbour; the second breakwater extends about 3 cables ENE from the SW entrance point of the bay. 2 Approach. A channel about 40 m wide leads across the bar to a basin, 300 m in diameter. 3 Berthing. The Clinker Jetty with a working length of 211 m and 4 m draught accommodate small coastal steamers. Loading is carried mechanically by conveyor belt. Another RCC Jetty of length 45 m and draught 1m is available for loading miscellaneous cargo. Three landing slopes, with a length of 30 m and 0.30 m draught for passenger and small boats are also available. 4 The fishing harbour has one wharf of length 400 m for the fishing vessels. 5 Storm signals are displayed from the storm signaling station situated near Jafarabad Lighthouse (20º 51'.45 N, 71º 22'.92 E) by using the brief system. See 1.36. Directions: 8.107 1 Useful marks positioned from the light, (metal frame work tower on concrete platform, elevation 17 m) (20º 51'.64 N, 71º 23'.25 E), standing at the head of W breakwater: An auxiliary light (3 cables SW) is exhibited from a low rectangular hut situated on the SW entrance point. Flagstaff (1¼ miles WNW) which stands on the highest of several round towers near the centre of the town of Jafarabad. Anchorages: 8.108 1 Anchorage. Vessels can anchor comfortably, 5 cables SE of the auxiliary light structure, in fine weather, in depths of about 13 m, soft mud. Port services: 8.109 1 Supplies. Limited fresh provisions. 2 Port Radio. There are VHF sets installed at the port having 20-25 mile range. MMB Ch 16 is monitored during office hours on working days from 1030-1830. 3 Customs. Customs Office is available in Jafrabad town. Nearest Immigration clearance has to be sought from Amreli. 4 Port Authority. Port officer, Jafrabad port Gujarat Maritime Board, Bhandar Chowk, Jafrabad. Ph: +91 2794 245443, +91 2794 245165 E-Mail : porjfr-gmb@gujarat.gov.in Coastal Bays, Anchorages and Creeks Chart 2081 Vanakbara Creek: 8.110 1 Vanakbara Creek enters the head of Madhwad Bay NE of Kotranes Point (20º 42'.0 N, 70º 52'.0 E), the entrance is encumbered with rocks, foul ground and a bar with a reported least depth of 0.6 m over it. 2 A solid wharf which is 1100m long with depths of 3.2m during high water and 0.5 m during low water alongside, is used by fishing boats. Another pile jetty which is 135 m long with depths of 3.2 m during high water and 0.7 m during low water is also used to berth fishing vessels. 3 It is inadvisable for boats to enter the creek except those with local knowledge and then only between the times of half in-going and out-going tides; at such time, boats should keep in the channel near the reef, which is visible on the S side of the entrance. 4 The Vanakbara town lies about 5 cables within the entrance to the creek on its E side. Chart 2081 Vanakbara Creek 8.110 1 Vanakbara Creek enters the head of Madhwad Bay NE of Kotranes Point (20º 42'.0 N, 70º 52'.0 E), the entrance is encumbered with rocks, foul ground and a bar with a reported least depth of 0.6 m over it. 2 A solid wharf which is 1100m long with depths of 3.2m during high water and 0.5 m during low water alongside, is used by fishing boats. Another pile jetty which is 135 m long with depths of 3.2 m during high water and 0.7 m during low water is also used to berth fishing vessels. 3 It is inadvisable for boats to enter the creek except those with local knowledge and then only between the times of half in-going and out-going tides; at such time, boats should keep in the channel near the reef, which is visible on the S side of the entrance. 4 The Vanakbara town lies about 5 cables within the entrance to the creek on its E side. Nawabandar: 8.111 1 General information. Nawabandar (20º 44'.43 N, 71º 04'.81 E) is an open roadstead anchorage for small vessels and a fishing harbor with a small fishing jetty. 2 The Nawabandar town stands, W of Nawabandar Lighthouse, on the promontory which forms the SW side of a shallow bay into which Baru Creek flows. 3 Nawabandar Light a concrete cylindrical tower, painted white in colour exhibiting Fl(4) W 12s is located on the creek at the western edge of Nawabandar. 4 Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 1.6 m; mean neap range about 0.5 m. See information in Tide Tables. 5 Storm signals are displayed at Nawabandar from May to August by using the brief system. See 1.36. 6 Anchorage. Vessels may obtain good anchorage about 3.3 mile ENE of Nawabandar Lighthouse in a depth of 14 m, mud; as shown on the chart. 7 Connectivity. Nawabandar is connected to Mul Dwarka railway station which is 4km. NH-8E is 12 km from the port. Nearest major seaport is Pipavav and Mul Dwarka while the nearest airport is at Diu (nearly 20 km). 8 Baru Creek It is partially protected by a drying reef lying 3 cables E of Nawabandar Lighthouse, small vessels with local knowledge can enter it; the reef, which is fairly steep-to on its S edge, has a boat channel between it and the reef fringing Nawabandar Point to the W. Chart 2057,2081 Simar 8.112 1 General information. Simar (20º 47'.12 N, 71º 09'.0 E) is a fishing harbour roadstead anchorage for small vessels. 2 Tidal streams at the anchorage, described below, set ENE and WSW; but W of Bhesla Rock (20º 46'.0 N, 71º 10'.6 E), in the W entrance to the anchorage, they set NE and SW 3 The deep channel between the detached reef lying close WSW of Bhesla Rock and the reef extending ENE from Panikota Islet, 1 mile WSW, lacks leading marks and is not recommended. 4 Anchorage Vessels can anchor about 4 cables NNE of Bhesla Rock in a depth of 8 m, mud; as shown on the chart. 5 Landing. Landing can be carried out abreast a farm on a sandy beach near Simar Light (20º 46'.52 N, 71º 09'.12 E). 6 Caution. While attempting the landing near Simar Fort, a great care must be exercise since the passage between the reefs is narrow and heavy surf usually runs over them. Rajpurabandar: 8.113 1 Rajpurabandar (20º 48'.0 N, 71º 12'.0 E) is a minor fishing harbour at which sailing vessels call regularly.