Chart 2031 OKHA HARBOUR General information Position 9.30 The port of Okha (22º 28' N, 69º 05' E) lies between the N end of Okhamandal Peninsula and Bet Shankhodhar (1 mile SE) (9.62). The town of Okha is situated close W of the port. Function 9.31 Okha is an all weather port with berthing facilities. The chief exports are bauxite, salt, soya bean meal, soda ash and rice where as the main imports are refined petroleum products, fertiliser, coke and coal. Port limits 9.32 The Port Limits are as follows: a) 22° 32´•00 N., 68° 59´•30E b) 22° 32'•00 N., 69° 16'.00E. c) 22° 19´•00 N., 69° 16´•00E. d) 22° 19´•00 N., 69° 09´•00E. e) 22° 26´•00 N., 69° 09´•00E. f) 22° 26´•00 N., 68° 59´•30E. Approach and entry 9.33 The approach to the port is from NW passing N of Samiani Shoal, and is entered between Samiani Island North Light (22º 29'.5 N, 69º 05'.5 E)(9.24) and the shoal ground extending NNW from Bet Shankhodhar (9.62). Traffic 9.34 About 100 vessels use the port annually. Port authority 9.35 The port is administered by the Port Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board, Okha. Capt. GG Pandey Port Officer Gujarat Maritime Board Okha Port Gujarat – 361 350 Tel: +91 02892-262001/02/262039 Fax: +91 02892-262002 Mobile: 09925153080 E mail: portofficerokp@yahoo.in Web: www.gmbport.org Limiting conditions Controlling depths 9.36 It is reported that a limiting draught of 8.5m is in force for the alongside berth. Deepest and longest berth 9.37 Sayaji Pier (9.57). Mean tidal levels 9.38 Mean spring range about 3.0m; mean neap range about 1.6m. See information in Indian Tide Tables (Page- 61). Density of water 9.39 Density of water is 1.025 g/cm3. Maximum size of vessel handled 9.40 Length: 180m Draught: 6.7 to 8.0m (tide dependent). Breadth: 30m due to narrow entrance. Local weather 9.41 1 Strong NE winds adversely affect the working of cargo on vessels lying at anchor off the port. 2 A confused sea often occurs during periods of strong winds, at high water springs over the shallow ground lying NW of Padmatirth Point (22º 27'.6 N, 69º 05'.6 E) (9.55). 3 Maximum and Minimum temperature recorded in the area is 36°C and 16°C, respectively. Arrival information Part operations 9.42 Movement of vessels is restricted to daylight hours only. Port radio 9.43 There is a port radio station, for details see the relevant List of Radio Signals (ILRS Vol-6). Notice of ETA required 9.44 Notice of the ETA is required Twenty-four hours in advance; any subsequent alterations must be notified as soon as possible. Outer anchorages 9.45 General. A vessel may obtain anchorage in the outer roadstead, as shown on the chart, with Samiani Island Lighthouse (F0390)(22º 29'.3 N, 69º 05'.2 E) (9.51) bearing 171º distant 1¼ miles in depths of about 12m, sand and broken shell. Examination. For details of anchorage see 1.42. Pilots and tugs 9.46 1 Pilotage. For merchant vessels pilotage is compulsory; the pilot boarding place is situated about 1¼ miles NNW of Samiani Island Lighthouse at position (22°30'.64N, 69°04'.69E). The pilot boards during daylight hours 1½ hours before high water, or at low water, during the NE monsoon; and 30 minutes before high water or 1½ hours before low water during the SW monsoon. 2 For further information see the relevant List of Radio Signals (ILRS Vol-6). 3 Two tugs of 1600 BHP are available from 0700 to 1900 hrs and can be contacted on VHF. Requesting authority for tugs is Port Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board, Okha. The hiring charges for the tugs is as per schedule of port charges (SOPC) Requirement for local knowledge 9.47 To navigate through the channel which leads from W between Samiani Shoal and Humani Point; and for the channel leading SSW between Samiani Shoal and Samiani Island, local knowledge is considered essential. For details of these channels see 9.54. Harbour General layout 9.48 Okha harbour comprises a stretch of water encompassed by land, islands or drying shoals, it provides alongside berths and an exposed anchorage are observed. 2 General depths of 6 to 8m in the area NE of the berths. But this area is surrounded by shoaler water with very shallow patches and foul ground in places. Signals 9.49 Storm signals are displayed from the port flagstaff standing close WNW of Okha Point by using the general system is used. See 1.47 and Special Notice No 6. Tidal streams 9.50 Channel W of Okha. In the channel between Samiani Shoal and Humani Point, tidal streams set ESE on the in-going stream and WNW on the out-going, a rate of 3½ kn is attained at neaps. 2 North of Samiani Island. The streams between North of Samiani Island and Chandri Reef, 2½ miles NE, set SE on the in-going and WNW on the out-going; the in-going stream attains a rate of 3 kn at springs and the out-going 2 kn at neaps. 3 West of Samiani Island, the in-going stream sets NE and the out-going SW, at rates of 1¾ kn at neaps; SE of the island the reverse is the case. 4 South end of Samiani Island. The in-going stream, around South end of Samiani Island sets strongly S and E and thence S through the harbour curving towards E round the S end of Bet Shankhodhar with a rate of 1¼ to 1½ kn at neaps and 2 kn at springs. 5 The out-going stream, coming from E round the S end of Bet Shankhodhar, reaches shoal water NW of Padmatirth Point (22º 27'.6 N, 69º 05'.6 E) and here divides into two streams; one setting along the W side of the harbour and W of Samiani Island and the other N and NE between Samiani Island the N part of Bet Shankhodhar; thence it sets WNW to the N of Samiani Island. This out-going stream has a rate of 1¼ kn at neaps. 6 Okha harbour. At springs, strong eddies form in the harbour with the in-going and out-going streams, also a strong undertow occurs at the anchorage off Okha Point. 7 Caution. There is a strong race N and S of Samiani Island, except at slack water and as tidal streams on each side of this island are fairly slack a vessel may take a sheer when entering or leaving the race; there is also a heavy tide-rip on all the shoals especially on the out-going stream. Landmarks 9.51 1 Simiani Island Light (F0390) (white round stone tower, 20m in height) (22º 29'.3 N, 69º 05'.2 E) stands near the centre of Silmigni Island; a tomb, with a spire, stands on a small mound close NNE of the light. 2 Humani Point (Okha) Light (F0388) (white square masonry tower, red bands, 23m in height) (22º 28'.6 N, 69º 04'.2 E). Two radio masts standing close SSW of the light are marked by fixed red lights. Directions Approach channel 9.52 1 A course should be shaped for the pilot boarding place or the outer anchorage from a position in deep-water N of Humani Point (22º 29' N, 69º 04' E) (9.21), there after for the harbour entrance, giving due attention to the following off-lying dangers (with positions from Samiani Island Centre Light (22º 29'.3 N, 69º 05'.2 E): A wreck (1¾ miles NNW), with a depth of 5m over it. 2 A dangerous wreck (1½ miles NNW) lies close SSE of a 9.1m shoal patch and 2½ cables N of the pilot boarding position. 3 Samiani Shoal (extends 2 miles NW), which dries in parts, is marked near its NW and SE ends, respectively, by Nos 1 Buoy (starboard hand). 4 Chandri Reef (2½ miles NE) (9.21) has shoal patches extending 1¾ Miles W; No 1 buoy (port hand) is moored near the W end of the shoal patches. 5 Isolated shoal patches lie in the channel between Samiani Shoal and the shoal patches extending W from Chandri Reef. 6 Chandri Rock (1½miles ENE). Harbour channel 9.53 Cautions: 1 It is best to enter or leave harbour at about the time of high water slack, because of the strong tidal race that may otherwise be encountered, both N and S of Samiani Island. 2 It is reported that buoys are frequently missing. 3 The channel leads SSW from the harbour entrance; passing SE of shoal ground, marked by one buoy (starboard hand), extending SE from Samiani Island; and NW of shoal ground, marked by one buoy (port hand), extending N and NW of Bet Shankhodhar; parts of the latter shoal ground dries. Minor channels 9.54 1 Caution. Across these channels which are very narrow, strong tidal streams set, making their use difficult. 2 The channel used by coastal vessels and small craft; leading from W between Samiani Shoal and Humani Point and then S of Samiani Island. Foul ground and shoal water extend offshore between Humani and Okha Points (9.55). Numerous detached patches exist in the channel. A dangerous wreck lies 1 cable W of the S extremity of Samiani Island. 3 The channel leading SSW between Samiani Shoal and Samiani Island is seldom used. Useful marks 9.55 1 Okha Point (22º 28'.4 N, 69º 05'.0 E) is low and sandy with the port flagstaff and a rest house standing close W. 2 Padmatirth Point (22º 27'.6 N, 69º 05'.6 E) a small bluff tableland that forms the NW extremity of Bet Shankhodhar Island; the point becomes an islet at high water springs. A small white-domed mosque stands on the point with a flagstaff ½ cable SSE; a white domed tomb stands 7½ cables E of the point. 3 Bet Shankhodhar Island Beacons (22º 28' N, 69º 07' E); a number of beacons stand in this vicinity, their positions are shown on the chart. Berths Anchorage 9.56 1 Vessels of draught not exceeding 5m may obtain anchorage SE of Okha Point (9.55). Jetties and wharf 9.57 1 Caution. The local authority should be consulted for the least depth alongside the berths. 2 Sayaji Pier. Close S of Okha Point (9.55), Sayaji Pier, a concrete pile structure is located, 180m long and 20.5m wide; it is joined to the coast by 110m long and 12.2m wide approach. Vessels up to 165m in length can be berthed in a least depth of about 7.5m on the SE side of the pier; on its NW side vessels up to 93m in length can be berthed in a least depth of about 5.8m. There is a depth of 8.5m available alongside this pier. Vessels of deeper draught anchored off the port to be lightened by barges. 3 Extending SW from the root of Sayaji Pier, there is a 305m long wharf for the use of lighters; a small concrete jetty at its S end is used by ferry boats plying between Okha and Bet Shankhodhar. 4 Second Pier, of concrete pile construction with a berthing face 145m long and a width 13.7m is situated close SW of Sayaji Pier, vessels up to 180m in length and 8.5m draught can be accommodated. It is reported that there was a depth of 7.5m alongside this pier and that it had been used by a vessel 178 m in length with 28m beam. There is a deep-water berth on the SE side of the pier where vessels berth bows NE. 5 Passenger Jetty and a small slipway lie 3 cables SW of the root of Second Pier; 3 cables farther SW a wooden jetty has a reported depth of 2.4m alongside. It is primarily used by small crafts. Port services Repairs 9.58 1 There is a small patent slip with cradle length 35m, normally used for repairs to port craft, otherwise only minor repairs can be undertaken. Security 9.58a 1 The port is ISPS compliant. Other facilities 9.59 (a) Bulk cargo, bags and containers are handled in the port (b) Lighters are available for the vessels at anchorage (c) Nearest hospital – 11 km (d) One mobile crane of 6 ton capacity (e) Small craft facilities – All Ships, barges and boats are brought alongside berth 2 Pollution control No tankers are handled at this port. 3 Clubs/Recreation (a) Places of interest Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka. (b) Hotels/Restaurants Vegetarian and non vegetarian restaurants are available near port. Well furnished departmental guest house is available for the visitors. Rescue and Distress Coast Guard Station at Okha Port Fire Fighting Fire brigade available with Tata Co. Mithapur. Supplies 9.60 Following supplies are available at the port: (a) Fuel (b) Fresh water (c) Provisions (d) Charts through agents Communications 9.61 Road The port is well connected with State Highway (6A) Nearest Railhead Okha Town Nearest airport Jamnagar (97 km) Port Radio VHF Ch 16 ----