PLANS IN LAKSHADWEEP

Chart No 2047
Chetlat Island

General information:
2.520
Position:
Chetlat Island (11º 41'.5 N, 72º 43'.0 E), the N-most island of the Amindivi Islands, lies 21 miles NW of Kiltan Island (2.519) from which it is 
separated by a channel that is deep and free from charted dangers.

Description: 
Chetlat is inhabited and wooded with coconut palms. A reef fringes the S and W sides of the island extending up to 5 cables from its W side 
forming a lagoon, with shoal water and some isolated rocks extending about 3½ cables farther  seaward;  rocks  and  foul  ground   fringe much of the E side
of the island which is otherwise steep-to. For further description see 2.478.

Industry:
The main product is coconut; coir is made and exported to the mainland. Limestone and coral are also send to mainland.

Useful mark:
Chetlat Island Light (white framework tower, black band, 30 m in height) (11º 41'.8 N, 72º 43'.1 E) stands about 3 cables S of the N end of the island; 
the position of the light is approximate.

Other navigational aids: 
A radio beacon transmits from Chetlat Island Light-as above. 
For details see the relevant List of Radio Signals.

Radar landfall: 
Chetlat is reported to be a good radar target at 19½ miles from E.

Lagoon: 
Within the lagoon depths are generally shallow with numerous isolated rocks. Before an entry is attempted, local knowledge of the lagoon and its 
entrances is considered essential.
There is a jetty within the lagoon on the W side of the island near its mid-point and close N of the main village. Anchorage. Anchorage can be obtained, 
in good  weather, on the shoal areas extending N from the N end and SSW from the S end of the island.

During the NE monsoon, the best anchorage is in 11 to 18.3m, about 0.4 mile offshore, with the SW end of the barrier reef bearing about 338°, and with 
the SW and SE points of Chetlat Island bearing 011° and 045°, respectively.
In 1948, a vessel found the SW end of the barrier reef no longer provided a good mark. It obtained anchorage with the SW and SE points of Chetlat Island 
bearing 013° and 043°, respectively, but it was uncomfortable as it lay across its cable on both flood and ebb tides.

Landing When landing on the island it is advisable to use a local boat. The best landing place is on the S side of the island, near the SE point, where 
there is a depth of 2.1m at HW and 1.2m at LW.

Facilities: 
small hospital; post office.
 
Supplies: 
water is obtainable from wells but it is brackish with very heavy lime content.