APPROACHES TO KHARO CREEK AND MITHA PORT Chart 2114 General information: 9.201 The route leads 82 miles WNW from a position SSW of the mouth of Kharod Nadi (22º 50’ N, 69º 14’ E) to a position SSW of Sir Mouth. Topography: 9.202 The coast of the Kachchh District, between Kharod Nadi and the entrance to Godia Creek, 44 miles WNW, is low and fronted by a narrow sandy ridge about 9 m high. Several small rivers enter the sea along this stretch of coast and, except for a large swamp 28 miles WNW of entrance to Kharod Nadi, there are many villages standing on well-cultivated land. The coast, from the entrance of Godia Creek to the E bank of Kori Creek; 15 miles NW, is low and much indented with creeks, the mouths of which are shallow and can only be used by boats; a shallow coastal bank extends up to about 9 miles offshore in places. Depths: 9.203 There are no known dangers off this stretch of coast of the charted depth contour of 10 m, except for Lushington Shoal (22º 38’ N, 68º 47’ E) (9.3) and a shoal patch with a depth of 9.5 m over it, reported in 1985, to lie in position 23º 00'.5N, 68º 23'.0E. However, within the 5 m depth contour there are several shoal patches, some of which dry, and a number of isolated dangerous rocks; most of these dangers lie within ½ miles of the shore. There are a number of drying sandbanks, between the E bank of Kori Creek (23º 25' N, 68º 24' E) and Sir Mouth; 23 miles WNW, lying off the creek and the Indus Delta (10.15). Tidal Streams: 9.204 The tidal streams between Kharod Nadi and Godia Creek generally run parallel to the line of the coast, the In-going stream setting ESE and the out-going WNW; NW of Godia Creek the in-going stream sets E towards the coast at a rate of about 1 kn and the out-going stream sets seaward. For details of tidal streams off the entrances to the principal mouths of River Indus see 10.21. Currents: 9.205 See 9.6, Principal Marks: 9.206 Landmarks: For principal marks at Godia Creek see 9.212. For the principal mark on the E bank of Kori Creek see 9.213. (9.206) Jakhau Light (white round concrete tower, red bands, 41 m in height) (23º 14'.4 N, 68º 36'.3 E), stands within the entrance to Godia Creek on its S side. Kajhar Creek Light (23º 44'.4 N, 68º 03'.9 E) (10.26). Other navigational aid: Directions: 9.208 The route leads 82 miles WNW from a position SSW of the mouth of Kharod Nadi (22º 50' N, 69º 14' E) to a position SSW of Sir Mouth, passing (with positions from Jakhau Light (23º 14'.4 N, 68º 36'.3 E). NNE of Lushington Shoal (37 miles SSE) (9.3), then to SSW of a stranded wreck (11 miles SE), then to: SSW of Dutt Shoal (4 miles SSW), and Clear of a shoal patch (18½ miles SW) (9.203), then to SSW of a shoal area with aleast charted depth over it of 1.8 m (17 miles WNW), which extends seaward from the SE entrance point of Kori Creek.Then to SSW of a dangerous wreck (33 miles WNW) the position of which is approximate,andTo a position SSW of Sir Mouth (10.32). Anchorages: 9.210 General anchorage: Vessels may be obtained anchorages with good holding ground, generally in mud; can be obtained in depths of about 12 m from 4 to 5 miles offshore between Asar Mata Temple (22º 50' N, 69º 13' E) and Godia Creek, 44 miles WNW. Godia Creek and Harbour Godia Creek 9.211 General information: Godia Creek (23º 14'N,68º 35'E) is entered between low-lying sandy points. It can be identified by Luna Bet Beacon (9.212) standing on its NW side and, by two beacons standing on its SE side with Bari Beacon (9.212) a farther 2½ miles SE.Description. This generally shallow creek has an entrance channel across the bar, about 2 cables wide, with deep-water on its centreline; there are drying banks lying on each side of the channel, the entrance and the creek. The bar, which extends about 1 mile seaward, has a least charted depth of 1.5 m; a pool, with a charted depth of 9.9 m, lies 1 mile within the entrance. From the pool, the creek shallows rapidly and extends about 2 miles E, at which point it curves N.Local knowledge. To enter the Godia creek, local knowledge is necessary because of continual changing of the coastline and the sandbanks. Jakhau Harbour: 9.212 General information: Jakhau Harbour (23º 13'N,68º 33'E), is an open roadstead situated on the outer side of the bar SW of the entrance to Godia Creek (9.211). The town Jakhau is located inland, about 9 miles E of the harbour. Small vessels use the harbour for loading salt during the fair weather season from October to January.Port authority. The port is under the authority of Jakhau Port Authority, C/O The Port Officer, Mandvi, Gujarat State, India.Storm signals are displayed at Jakhau Harbour by using the brief system is used. See 1.49. Landmarks: Jakhau Light (23º 14'.4 N, 68º 36'.3 E) (9.206). Directions: Because of the nature of the coast, little is visible until a vessel approaches the charted 10 m depth contour; at night, or in thick weather, a vessel should not proceed closer inshore until its navigational position has been verified. Anchorage: Vessels using Jakhau Harbour, may anchor comfortably about 5 miles SW of the entrance to Godia Creek in a depth of 9 m, mud and fine sand; as shown on the chart.Barge berth. A jetty, 2½ miles ENE of the entrance to Godia Creek, is used to load barges for vessels at the anchorage.Mitha Port lies at the head of Kherla Creek, a shallow creek, which extends about 7½ cables SE from a position 2 miles ENE of the entrance to Godia Creek (23º 14' N, 68º 35' E). Sanghi Jetty (Kharo Creek): 9.212a 1 Position and function. Sanghi jetty (23°23'N, 68°34'E) lies inside northern arm of Kharo creek. The principal function of jetty is handling inward/outward cargo (Cement, Clinker, Gypsum and Coal). 2 Port Authority. Port Captain/ Manager (Port and Shipping), P.O.-Sanghipuram, Tahsil-Abdasa, Dist.-Kachchh, Gujrat, India. www.sanghicement.com (Photo Courtesy: Sanghi Jetty Ltd.) Aerial view of Sanghi Jetty 3 Port Operations. The jetty operates 24x7. 4 Approach Channel. The jetty can be approached, through a 9.4 nm length and 100 mtrs width buoyed channel from the fairway buoy (23°13'.87N, 68° 28'.99E), by small crafts, barges and vessel having draught of 2-3 mtrs. The channel is marked with 08 sets of buoys in addition to four single buoys. The topography on either side of the channel is predominantly mud flats with mangrove vegetation. Navigable water is confined to the centre of the channel. The general depth in the channel is about 2-6 mtrs. At the mouth of the channel the maximum depth is 19 mtrs. 5 Caution. The depth in the channel and the banks are liable to change. The traffic inbound/outbound from neighbouring Jaypee Captive jetty should also be accounted for whilst navigating. Depth is required to be constantly monitored for shoal depths during the entire passage of the creek. 6 Local Knowledge. The local knowledge of the area around the Sanghi jetty is most essential whilst navigating within the channel. 7 Aproach aspect. Whenever a vessel is making approach on the jetty due regards to be given to the current and the shallow depths on the southern end of the jetty. 8 Pilot is available and boarding point is 23°14'.06N, 68° 28'.53E. Usually vessels less than 3000 GT are handled under the guidance of Port Captain. 9 Berths. A total quay length of 204 mtrs with 23 mtrs width having three berths. 10 Landmarks Sanghi Cement factory (23°22'.69N, 68° 34'.25E) 11 Tugs. One in no Twin Screw tug boat of 07 ton bollard pull is available around the clock on request to port authority. 12 Loading/unloading facilities. Bulk loading/ unloading is carried out by 04 nos. of excavators and cement bags loading is carried out by shore cranes. 13 Port Services Supplies. Freshwater: Facilities. Police, Fire fighting: 14 Communications. VHF Channel. Ch 16 Nearest Highway. SH 49 (30 kms) Nearest Airport. Bhuj (150 kms) Nearest Railway. Bhuj (150 kms)