Chart No 4207 S.GEORGES CHANNEL GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND Topography 9.57 1 Great Nicobar, the S most of Nicobar Island, lies with Murray Point (7° 14´.6N, 93° 50´.4E). its N point, about 10.4 miles SSE of Menchel Island. Great Nicobar Island has three distinct mountain ranges, steep-side and covered with dense jungle. Mount Thuillier, 567m high and standing in the NE part of the island, is the highest point of the main range which runs S parallel with and nearly the whole length of the E coast. A second ridge runs W from Mount Thuillier, from near the centre of the main range, a third range extends SW across the island. A number of broken ridges run between the ranges, generaly in a N and S direction. 2 The W side of the island is open to the SW monsoon Depths 9.58 1 The route lies in deep water, seaward of the 1000 m depth contour, and is free from isolated dangers and from 3 to 7 miles off Great Nicobar Island. 2 The seabed rises rapidly to the 100 m depth contour, 7˝ miles offshore. Depths close to and inshore are extremely variable and there are numerous shoals and unsurveyed areas. 3 Kabra Islet (7° 17´.3 N, 93° 50´.2E), lies about 2.55 miles N of Murray Point. It can be safely approached to 6 cables on the N shore, where the depths are about 100m. However, shoal water is clearly visible extending approximately 3 cables NE and 2 cables SW of the Island. Major Light 9.59 1 Kabra light is exhibited from a (white framework tower, with black bands, 12 m in height) (7° 17´.29 N, 93° 50´.78E) standing on the SW corner of the island. A 5.8m shoal, lies 5.8 cables NE of Murray Point. SAINT GEORGE CHANNEL Position 9.60 1 Saint George Channel lying between Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar Islands has a least width of 3.95 miles between Cape Edinburgh (7° 14´.55N, 93° 38´.4E) and the NW end of Great Nicobar Island. 2 There are considerable, but irregular depths in Saint George’s Channel. The N side appears free from off-lying dangers 3 The S side of the channel is fringed with reef along the N coast of Great Nicobar and some patches lie up to 1˝ miles offshore. Depth 9.61 1 Depths within the channel are irregular. The fairway of Kondul Island has a least depth of 16.4 m and east side island has a least depth 17.8 m in the fairway, however depth in middle of the fairway is much greater and free from isolated dangers 2 Tidal streams set strongly and fairly through the channel; reaching NE with the rising tide and SW with the falling tide. GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND – NORTH SIDE Chart 406, 4034 Direction 9.62 1 Ganges Harbour, formed by a bight in the N coast of Great Nicobar, is entered between a point 2.5 miles WSW of Murray Point and a point 2.8 miles farther WSW. 2 A submerged rock the position of which is approximate, lies about 1.3 miles N of the entrance point of Ganges Harbour, foul ground lies S of the submerged rock. A shallow bar with a least depth of 3.7m lies 2.8 miles W of Murray Point close to Ganges Harbour, another shallow depth exists 2 cables E of it. A 6.7m shallow patch lies 5 cables S of the 3.7m patch. 3 Two rocks, with depths of 6.6 and 6.9 m, lie on a shoal about midway between the entrance points of Ganges Harbour; there are depths of over 11m between these shoals. The SW coast of Great Nicobar Island, Ganges Harbour is lined with rocks and small islets. Kondul Island 9.63 1 Kondul Island (7° 13´N, 93° 42´.3E), 8 miles WSW of Murray Point, is lofty and rocky in its N part rising sheer to a height of 92m. The island is covered in dense jungle, but there are two safe landing places on the E side of the Island. Caution 9.64 1 Caution is necessary in approaching Kondul Island and the coast nearby as unknown dangers may exist. Foul ground, with rocks above water, extends in patches from the island for distances of 2 to 3 cables. Anchorage 9.65 1 Anchorage may be obtained in a depth of 23m 7 cables NE of the S most point off the E side of Kondul Island, or off the W side in depths of about 20m according to the direction of the wind. However caution should be exercised while anchoring W of the island as the depths are irregular with shoal patches. 2 Pryce Channel lies between the S side of the Kondul Island and the coast of Great Nicobar, sheltered Anchorage, well clear of mangrove swamps, in depths of about 26m is possible, the bottom is sand and coral. Care is necessary to avoid a 4.6m and 8.6m shoal patches 6˝ cables S of Kondul Island. 3 Anchorage may be obtained in Ganges Harbour in depths of 16m to 29m, Navigators are advised to exercise great caution while choosing this location for anchoring, The bottom is coarse sand and clay.