Porbandar Anchorage

Chart 2040 

General information:

8.211
      Position: 

	Porbandar town (21º 38' N, 69º 36' E) is one of the largest on the Kathiawar coast, it lies on the E side of the entrance to a narrow creek which flows out 
	between the town and a point close W.

	Function:

	The port is an all weather port. The principal exports include bauxite, cement, sesame seeds, abrasive cotton bales and mineral extracts where as the chief
	imports are low ash coke, fertilisers and scrap.
	
	3. Traffic about 150 vessels visit the port and   one million MT of cargo is handled annually. 
	4. Port authority the port is administered by 
		The Port Officer	
		Porbandar Port
		Port Colony-1
		Wagheshwary Plot
		Porbandar
		Gujarat – 360575
		Tel 	+91 0286 2242408/2242438
		Fax 	+91 0286 2244013
		Email   pobr1@rediffmail.com 
		Web     www.gmbports.org

8.212

	Tidal levels:
	Mean spring range about 1.7 m; mean neap range about 0.9 m. See information in Tide Tables.
	Sea state. During the monsoon season (June to September) heavy swells are experienced and a 0.6 m high dangerous scend is generated within the breakwater.
	2. Maximum size of vessel handled by the port is of 200m LOA and draught 9.5m. Loaded vessels may berth or unberth only in day light hours with a minimum tide of 1.8m.
	Inner harbour. When the reef is covered, entry to the creek is limited to boats drawing 1 m or less; at high water boats drawing 1.8 m can enter.

Arrival information 
8.213
Port operations:

	Within the breakwater, the alongside berth is normally used throughout the year. Vessels anchored outside of the breakwater may work cargo by lighters using ships gear during good weather conditions; however,
	cargo operations are impossible at anchor due to rough weather during the monsoon season.Port radio. There is a port radio station, for details see the relevant List of Radio Signals.
	Pilotage.  For the vessels proceeding to a berth within the breakwater, pilotage is compulsory. Pilotage is only available during daylight hours; Harbour Master conducts the pilotage and normally boards about 
	3. cables S of the breakwater head. For further details see the relevant List of Radio Signals.
	Tugs two tugs GMB1 and GMB2 of bollard pull 3400BHP and 2000BHP respectively are available during day time only. Requesting authority is The Port Officer, Porbandar.  Communication with tugs on VHF Ch 16. 

	Local knowledge:

	For the vessels entering the main and inner harbours, local knowledge is considered essential.
Harbour
8.214
	General layout: 
	An S-shaped breakwater provides the protection to the port. The breakwater extends about l¼ miles S, from the W entrance point of the narrow creek described at 8.211. A light is sighted at the head of the breakwater.
	The main alongside berth lies on the E side of the breakwater and anchorage may be obtained in deep water seaward of the breakwater head. The inner harbour lies NW of the town.

	Caution:

	It was reported that cyclone damage had resulted in two breaches of the breakwater, S of the berth; the breaches are about 280 and 350 m from the S end of the breakwater.

	Development:

	Future plans, to facilitate additional alongside berths and mooring buoys on the E side of the harbour, include the extension of the existing breakwater 2 cables E and the construction of a second breakwater extending 1 mileS 
	from the vicinity of Porbandar Lighthouse.

	Depths:

	The depth shoals gradually towards the shore, North of the 10 m depth contour. There are several drying patches in the vicinity of the breakwater and along the coastline; the entrance channel to the inner harbour creek,
	described below, also dries. An area of foul ground exists about 2½ cables E of berth located on the inner side of the breakwater. Several stranded and dangerous wrecks lie within the harbour. Their positions are best shown
	on the chart.

	Channel:

	A small craft channel leads from the main harbour N of the reefs fronting the creek, thence through the creek, to the inner harbour.Storm signals are displayed from a conspicuous flagstaff standing near the E entrance of the
	creek by using the general system. See 1.45.

	Tidal streams:

	Tidal streams are negligible in the offing. The out-going stream, within the creek, runs strongly and continues well after low water; if leaving the creek on the out-going stream, great care must be taken to avoid being set
	on to the reef at the entrance.

	Landmarks:

	The following marks are positioned from the conspicuous minarets (21º 38'.3 N, 69º 35'.8 E).
	New tower (1¼ miles NE).
	Kirti Mandir (2¾ cables NE).
	Maharana Mill chimney (1 mile ENE).
	Tower (1¾ cables E) with the water works tower and a clock tower standing close E.
	Cement factory chimney (2½ miles E).
	Chemical factory chimney (1miles ESE). Temple 
	(3 miles SE).
	For details of other landmarks in the vicinity of the port see 8.207 and 8.228.

Leading and useful marks
8.215
	Inner harbour marks:

	The alignments (given below) of the following marks lead through the channel towards the creek at the entrance of the inner harbour.A pair of leading beacons standing 4 cables W of the conspicuous minarets
	(21º 38'.3 N, 69º 35'.8 E), in linebear 292º. A similar pair of beacons standing 7 cables ESE of the above minarets, in line (astern) bear 111¼ º.

	Useful marks:

	Breakwater head light (white metal framework tower, red bands) (21º 37'.0 N, 69º 35'.5 E).Stranded wreck (21º 37'.9 N, 69º 35'.5 E) lies close seaward of the breakwater.
	Stranded wrecks, one in position 21º 37'.9 N,69º 36'.0 E with another situated about 3 cables N, lie in shallow water in the N part of the harbour.

	Anchorages and berths

8.216
	Anchorages:

	General:

	Large vessels can obtain anchorage 1 mile SSW of the breakwater light, in depths of 17 m; as shown on the chart.
	Examination. An examination anchorage is centred about 1½ miles WNW of the breakwater head light, in a depth of 15 m; as shown on the chart. For further details see 1.42.
	Lighterage. Small crafts can obtain anchorage E of the breakwater, which is also used for small craft lighterage operations. 4 Anchorage is prohibited during monsoon.
8.217
	Berths:

	Main harbour. There is a quay on the E side of the breakwater, about 2¼ cables NNW of its head. It is     385 m long with a depth of about 9.5 m alongside. The top of the quay is 5.0 m above mean higher high water.
	Caution. There may be a considerable ground swell experienced at the breakwater berth, heavy fore and aft springs are essential for vessels berthed alongside.
	Inner harbour. There is 2800 m of quayage within the inner harbour with a depth of 2 m alongside.

	Port services
8.218
	Sl	Services	Remarks
	(A)	Communication	Phone, Fax, Internet,  facilities available
	(B)	Repairs	A small dry dock available for port crafts. Length 56.08m width 12.19m. No provision for underwater repair.
	(C)	Container Handling	Container yard is available.
	(D)	Cargo handling	Except Monsoon lighterage done at anchorage.
	(E)	Crane	Can be arranged through agents
	(F)	Rescue and Distress	Handled by Coast Guard Contact no 0286 2244056
	(G)	Supplies	Fuel, Fresh water, Provisions and Charts can be arranged through agents.
	(H)	Medical	Available at government hospital in the city
	(I)	Ambulance	Available
	(J)	Stevedores and Chandlers	Stevedores available. Ship chandlery by private agents.
	(K)	Police	Available
	(L)	Fire Fighting	Available  
	(M)	Weather bulletin	From Metrological Department  (Ahmedabad)
	(N)	Pollution Control	As per International MARPOL regulations.