CHART 2008 APPROACHES TO KARWAR General information Position 6.126 Karwar town (14º 48.8' N, 74º 08' E), the names of the anchorage offshore and the port of Karwar are given after it, is situated on the SE shores of Karwar Bay. Function 6.127 Karwar is an all weather intermediate port with an open roadstead anchorage. The chief imports are fertilisers, rock phosphate, industrial salt and timber whereas the principal exports are iron ores, manganese ores, granite stone, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid and marine products. The port also has the capacity for transhipment traffic. Topography 6.128 Karwar Peninsula. The town of Baitkol (Baitkal), forms the S side of Karwar Bay, lies in a valley situated near the centre of the peninsula. The coastline of the SW side of this promontory is indented with numerous bays, most of which have rocky headlands; the salient features of this stretch of coast are described from Kwada Point (14º 43' N, 74º 12' E) to Karwar Head 8½ miles NW. Kwada Bay lies between Kwada Point and Arge Cape, 3½ miles NW. Golari Creek (Manzel Creek) enters the NW part of the bay and extends inland to the NE; the valley and the low lying land NW of the creek give Arge Cape and Hebattu Gudda, its highest point, the appearance of an island. The largest bay on this coast is Binge Bay, which extends 2½ miles NW from Arge Cape to Binaga Point. Baitkol Point (14º 47'.lN, 74º 06'.7E) separates two small sandy bays; an unnamed bay lies SE, and Baitkol Bay lies NW of the point. Another small bay lies between Machhli Bandar Reef (14º 47'.5 N, 74º 06'.l E) and Karwar Head. Traffic. Local vessels use the port regularly. 6.129 Karwar Bay lies between the peninsula that extends W from the SE head of the bay to Karwar Head (14º 48' N, 74º 06' E), and Shimisgudda Island and Kurmagadgudda Island situated 1¾ miles W of the NE head of the bay. Shimisgudda Island is wooded. Kurmagadgudda Island is encircled by fortifications and is wooded with a tower standing near its centre; it is surrounded by shoal water but there is a safe narrow channel between the two islands 6.130 Oyster Rocks, a prominent group of islands and rocks which extend about 5 cables SW and 9 cables E from Oyster Rocks Lighthouse (14º 49' N, 74º 04' E), should be given a wide berth. Devgadgudda Island has Mandalgudda Island 2 cables SW and Karkaigudda Island close E, with East Islet about 3 cables farther E; Devgadgudda and Karkaigudda Islands are covered with jungle, East Islet is a bare rock. Karkaigudda Island is surrounded by foul ground; a detached shoal lies midway between the dangers extending from the E end of this island and East Islet. There is a customs house and several other buildings standing on Karkaigudda Island. A rock which dries lies 1 cable E of East Islet, during the fine season the sea does not break over this rock at high water. Detached shoals lie ½ cable E and ¾ cable SE of the rock. Port limits 6.131 The port limits are shown on the chart and ENC. Approach and entry 6.132 Karwar Bay is entered between Badchidhar Point (14º 48'.3 N, 74º 05'.6 E), the NW point of Karwar Head, and Dayamada Point, 2¾ miles NNE. The approach to the port is through a buoyed channel. The port is entered between the W and E headlands of Baitkol Cove (14º 48' N, 74º 07' E). It is presently reported that channel buoys have been removed. Traffic 6.133 Vessels with average dwt of 1 million per annum regularly use the port. Port authority 6.134 The port is administered by the Port Officer, Karwar Port Office, Karwar 581 301.The Port Office and Custom House stand near Karwar Lighthouse (14º 48'.2 N, 74º 07'.4 E) Development 6.135 The construction of a major naval base, including shipbuilding and repair facilities, is in progress in Binge Bay (14º 46' N, 74º 08' E). There are plans to develop facilities for a deep sea fishing harbour within the Karwar Port complex. Limiting conditions 6.136 Controlling depth. There is a least dredged depth of 10.1 m in the inner part of the approach channel, the turning area and the approach to Baitkol Cove. Deepest and longest berth. Baitkol Cove No. 2 Berth, see 6.147. Tidal levels. See information in Tide Tables. Mean spring range about 1.4 m; mean neap range about 0.8 m. Maximum size of vessel handled is length 182 m and draught 8 m. Local weather and sea state. During the SW monsoon, the wind and sea state, precludes cargo operations in the open roadstead anchorage. Arrival information 6.137 Port operations. The port has an all weather capacity located in Baitkol Cove. It is considered to be one of the safe berthing areas between Cochin and Bombay. Port radio. There is a port radio service at the port, for details see the relevant List of Radio Signals. Notice of ETA. Forty-eight hours notice of ETA is required, ETA and pratique messages should be sent through Bombay or Goa coast radio stations. Outer anchorage. Vessels awaiting a pilot may obtain anchorage 6½ cables SSE of Oyster Rocks Light (14º 49'.2 N, 74º 03'.7 E) (6.121), in a depth of about 12 m, soft mud and sand. Pilotage is compulsory; it is provided by the Port Officer. Tug. One tug is available. Harbour General layout 6.138 The alongside berthing area consists of a narrow cove facing NE, with a turning basin situated close off its entrance. The principal anchorage area is located near the middle of Karwar Bay. Depths 6.139 There is a dredged area of 9.1 m abreast the berthing area within Baitkol Cove, thence depths reduce rapidly towards the SW part of the cove which dries. The principal anchorage area, N of the approach channel, has depths of between 7 and 9 m over an extensive area. Storm signals 6.140 Storm signals are displayed from a flagstaff standing close NW of Port Karwar Lighthouse (14º 48'.2 N, 74º 07'.4 E); the general system is used. See 1.45. Principal marks 6.141 The following are marks positioned from Port Karwar Lighthouse (white metal framework tower, red bands, 16 m in height) (14º 48'.2 N, 74º 07'.4 E); the light is exhibited during the fine season, September to June: Tower exhibiting red lights (1½ miles SE). Tanks (5 cables WSW). Flagstaff (close NW). Tower exhibiting red lights (7 cables NNE). Tower (1¼ miles NNE); another tower, exhibiting red lights, standing 1½ cables WNW of it. Directions General 6.142 Cautions: Vessels approaching from N should give Parker Rock (14º 51' N, 74º 02' E) (6.144) a wide berth. Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes should contact the Port Authority for restrictions that apply to their approach. While approaching or entering the Karwar Bay vessel should have no difficulty by day or night, having first made Oyster Rocks Lighthouse (14º 49'.2 N, 74º 03'.7 E) (6.121). Baitkol Cove 6.143 Approaching to the Baitkol Cove (14º 48' N, 74º 07' E) is through a channel about 2½ miles long and ¾ cable wide; it has dredged depths of 10.7 m in its outer part, reducing to 10.1 m at its inner end. The inner part of the channel is marked by buoys. Deep draught vessels should approach the channel from a position SW of Oyster Rocks Lighthouse and enter at its W end about 1 mile ESE of the lighthouse, passing N of Gudsar Sunv (14º 47'.9 N, 74º 04'.7 W). Leading beacons: Front beacon (elevation 7 m) (14º 48'.6 N, 74º 07'.6 E). Rear beacon (elevation 15 m) (180 m E of front beacon). The alignment (090½º) of these beacons leads through the channel to a position N of Ambari Sunv (Fisherman's Rock) (14º 48'.4 N, 74º 06'.4 E). Then to: Leading beacons: Front beacon (elevation 7 m) (14º 48'.4 N, 74º 07'.6 E). Rear beacon (elevation 12 m) (100 m ESE of front beacon). The alignment (103¼º) of these beacons leads in the channel ESE to the N edge of the turning basin 4 cables NNE of the cove. Then to: The dredged channel leads SW to the cove, passing SE of Baitkol Rock (14º 48'.3 N, 74º 06'.8 E) which is marked on its NE side by a buoy (black, conical). Principal Anchorage, approaches 6.144 The principal (inner) anchorage in Karwar Bay (14º 49'.0 N, 74º 06'.3 E) can be approached direct by vessels of suitable draught passing S or N of Oyster Rocks. South approaches: From SE, between Mogeragudda Island (14º 47'.7 N, 74º 05'.4 E) and Karwar Head (5 cables NE). Or: From SW, between Mogeragudda Island and Mandalgudda Island (2 miles NW), passing well clear of Gudsar Sunv (14º 47'.9 N, 74º 04'.7 E). North approaches. From NW, vessels should pass clear of Parker Rock (14º 51' N, 74º 02' E), a shoal consisting of rock sand and shell, lying 2½ miles NW of Oyster Rocks Lighthouse; this danger is unmarked. A detached patch lies 1 cable E of the rock. and: Between East Islet (14º 49'.1 N, 74º 04'.3 E) and Shimisgudda Island (1½ miles NE) (6.129). An area of foul ground lies 4 cables SSE of the island, for details see 6.146. Clearing bearing. The W extremity of Anjadip Island (14º 45'.2 N, 74º 06'.6 E) in line with the E extremity of Mogeragudda Island (14º 47'.7 N, 74º 05'.4 E) bearing 154º clears E, but only by about 1½ cables, the dangers lying E of East Islet. Or: From NNW Caution. Small vessels approaching from NNW, or leaving the port, and passing between Parker Rock and the coast NE should pass seaward of the following islets and dangers lying close offshore, (positioned from Loliem Point (14º 55' N, 74º 03' E): WSW of Loliem Rocks (1 mile S), a group of above water rocks with a rock awash 2¼ cables NNE. Then to: WSW of Black Rock (2 miles SE) which is fringed with reefs, then to: WSW of an unnamed islet 3½ miles SE), then to: WSW of Kangiguda Islet (4 miles SE), a densely wooded islet. Then to: WSW of Kangi Islet (5 miles SE). Clearing bearing. The SW end of Kurmagadgudda Island (14º 50' N, 74º 06' E) (6.129) in line with Guddehalli Betta (14º 47' N, 74º 10' E) (6.12 1), bearing 131º, clears the dangers just described to the SW. Then to: WSW of Shimisgudda Island (14º 50'.2 N, 74º 05'.7 E); or, pass through the channel between Shimisgudda Island and Kurmagadgudda Island (3 cables NE). Useful marks 6.145 Karwar Head (14º 48'.2 N, 74º 05'.6 E), a promontory covered with dense jungle. Baitkol Gudda (14º 48'.0 N, 74º 06'.4 E). Banara Gudda (14º 47'.8 N, 74º 07'.2 E). Sadashivgarh Hill (14º 50'.8 N, 74º 08'.0 E) stands close within the entrance to Kalinadi Creek, the ruins of an old fort stand on its summit. The ruins of another fort on a hill lie about 3 cables ENE Berths Anchorages 6.146 Caution: An area of foul ground, the site of a wreck, lies in position 14º 49'.7 N, 74º 05'.8 E, about 8 cables NNW of Karwar Bay's principal anchorage. A submarine pipeline is laid 2 miles WSW from the unnamed bay lying immediately SE of Baitkol Point (14º 47' N, 74º 07' E). Outer (14º 48'.6 N, 74º 04'.0 E). Pilotage anchorage, for details see 6.137. Inner (14º 49'.0 N, 74º 06'.3 E). The principal anchorage, for working cargo, lies in the SE part of Karwar Bay in a depth of about 7 m, soft mud; as shown on the chart. Binge Bay (14º 46' N, 74º 08' E). Anchorage, with shelter from NW winds, may be obtained by small vessels in the N part of the bay in depths of about 6 m, soft mud. Anjadip Island (14º 45' N, 74º 07' E). Anchorage can be taken off the NE side of Anjadip Island in 9 m, mud and sand. The island forms a good breakwater and vessels have ridden out the SW monsoon here. Karkaigudda Island (14º 49' N, 74º 04' E). There is anchorage NE of the island, during the SW monsoon, with Oyster Rocks Lighthouse bearing 248º distant about 8 cables, in a depth of 10 m, soft mud. Baitkol Cove (14º 48' N, 74º 07' E). There is an anchorage near the head of the cove in a depth of 2.7 m for small vessels, with local knowledge. Alongside berths 6.147 Baitkol Cove (14º 48' N, 74º 07' E). There is a quay, 355 m long, situated close inside the entrance of the cove on its SE side. The quay provides two general cargo berths with a dredged depth of 9.1 m alongside; No 1 Berth is 122 m long and No 2 Berth 172 m long. There are wharves in the cove, with depths up to 2.4 m, which will accommodate small vessels. Small craft 6.148 For small craft, there is ample shelter in Kalinadi Creek (14º 50'.5 N, 74º 07'.5 E) which is situated on the NE side of Karwar Bay. The entrance to the creek is much encumbered by sandbanks and the channels between which are subject to frequent change. Local knowledge is considered essential. About 2½ cables E of Shitta Point (14º 50'.3 N, 74º 07'.6 E), the S entrance point of the creek, there is a pier; 1½ cables farther SE there is small jetty from which a ferry crosses the creek to a another jetty located between two beacons on the N bank. The coastline on the S side of the creek is low. Landing place 6.149 On the E side of Devgadgudda Island, landing in small boats can be effected in fine weather; it should not be attempted on the W side of the island which is steep-to. Port services 6.150 Facilities: cargo lighters; hospital. Supplies: limited provisions; fresh water by barge; fuel oil for small craft only.