Chart 2012
General information
1	Position and function. The port of Alleppey (Alappuzha) (09°29'.63N, 76°19'.24E), a minor port, lies about 29 miles S of Kochi, is an open roadstead port.
	Exports through Alleppey include principally, coir and its products, copra and ginger; main imports are salt, grain, metals and piece-goods. Cargo handling in the port has been declining over the years. 
2	Description. The town of Alleppey, lying between the coast and paddy-fields bordering the backwater, is one of the largest cities in Kerala State; it is connected by a canal, passing through its centre, with the backwater system.
	The population was 174 606 in 1991.
3	Port limits. North, a line drawn W from the N boundary pillar(09°29'.84N, 76°19'.02E) to a 12.8 m depth.
	South, a line drawn generally WSW from a position near the shore, about 9½ cables SSE of N boundary pillar, to a 12.8 m depth.
	West, a line joining the positions of the above 12.8 m depths.
4	Port authority. Port Officer, Alappuzha-12.
		Email: poalappuzha@kerala.gov.in

Limiting conditions
1	Draught. Vessels of any size can anchor off the port according to draught.
	Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 0.8 m; mean neap range about 0.3 m. See information in Indian Tide Tables.
2	Swell. Between Alleppey and a position about 2 miles N, there is reported to be a swell during the SW monsoon; but to the S, the swell is quite deadened by the shifting mud bank (5.77).
3	Current.  The current usually sets S, at anchorage, with a rate of up to 2 kn; from October to February a N-going set, usually weak, is sometimes experienced.

Arrival information
1	Port operations. The port is closed during SW monsoon from mid-May to mid-September.
	Pilotage is not available.
	Tugs is available. 

Harbour information
1	Signal station (09°29'.62N, 76°19'.22E). Day and night communication is conducted by International Code flag signals or by a flashing lamp mounted on a pillar, elevation 16 m. When vessels are in the port a continuous VHF listening watch is maintained.
	Storm signals are displayed from the signal station; the general system is used. 
2	Mud bank. Trade is carried on throughout the year in this vicinity due to the peculiar softness of the mud bank off it.The mud bank off Alleppey is so stirred up by the swell that it breaks the force of the waves, and cause a large area of smooth water, on the outer part of which vessels anchor.
3	The mud is dark green, fine and oily to the touch. The smoothness of the water is probably caused by the oil which the mud has been found to contain. It is subject to mud volcanoes, which bubble up, bringing dead fish, roots, and trunks of trees to the surface. 
	In calm weather this bank is not perceptible. This mud bank shifts position from year to year, and is sometimes found up to 11 miles S of Alleppey. There is said to be a swell, during the SW Monsoon, to N of a position 2 miles N of Alleppey, but to the S the swell is quite deadened by this shifting mud bank.
4	The mud bank develops toward the end of June, after the backwater has become swollen by the rains. The cause of this mud bank is said to be the greater elevation, about 1m, of the water level in the vast backwater over that of the sea; thus the hydraulic pressure forces out mud and vegetable matter through the several outlets during the SW monsoon, and forms mud banks along the beaches and in the shallow waters offshore. Evidence has been found of a subterranean connection, through mud, between the backwater and the sea. 

Directions
1	Landmarks: 
		Flagstaff (37 m in height) (09°29'.61N, 76°19'.12E).
		Alleppey Lighthouse (white round masonry tower, red bands, 28 m in height) (09°29'.63N, 76°19'.25E).
		Church (09°29'.78N, 76°19'.72E) (5.65).
		

2	Major lights:
		Alleppey Lighthouse– as above.
	Useful marks:
		Flagstaff – as above. 
		North boundary pillar (9 m in height) stands 2½ cables NNW of the above flagstaff.
3	Approach.The port is approached direct from seaward.
	Caution. As the town of Alleppey is difficult to distinguish from seaward, it is advisable to make a landfall while it is still dark to ensure identifying the lighthouse.

Anchorages and pier 	
1	Anchorages. During the NE monsoon, vessels of moderate size can obtain anchorage in depth about 7 m, with Alleppey Light (09°29'.63N, 76°19'.24E) bearing 077° distant 1.2 miles, but sounding is essential as the mud bank (5.77) shifts frequently so that the charted depths are unreliable.
2	During the SW Monsoon, the best anchorage is farther offshore (uncharted), in about 9.1m with Alleppey Light bearing 056°, but this anchorage depends upon the position of the mud bank, which cannot be determined until after the monsoon.
	Larger vessels anchor with the lighthouse bearing 077° distant 2.7 miles, in depths of about 11 m, as shown on the chart.
3	Pier, ruined, 370 m long, extends W from a position on the coast close S of the Signal Station. The pier is radar conspicuous at a range of 10 miles.
	Caution. Vessels anchoring close inshoreshould keep well clear of a dangerous wreck lying 5½ cables NW of Alleppey Light.

Port services
1	Facilities: Hospital.
	Supplies. Provisions; fresh water; limited fuel.
	Communications: limited communication by sea; Kochi airport 60 km; road and railway system.

Anchorages
1	Kovilthottam. In fine weather vessels may anchor about 1 mile W of Kovilthottam Lighthouse (08°59'.08N, 76°31'.49E) (5.65), in a depth of about 9 m, mud, sand and shell.
2	PadiyamkaraTekku. Anchorage can be obtained about 1¼ miles W of PadiyamkaraTekku (09°14'.49N, 76°25'.04E) as shown on the chart, in a depth of about 9 m, mud.
3	Tottapalli(09°19'.15N, 76°22'.60E). Anchorage can be obtained off thetown but local knowledge is necessary. This anchorage is sometimes used as a port when Alleppey is closed during the SW Monsoon or when its mud bank (5.77) has moved elsewhere.
	Thottapally light beacon (white GI trestle tower, 15 m in height) (09°19'.18N, 76°22'.80E) stands at the foot of the N breakwater.