3043 GOPALPUR ANCHORAGE General information: Gopalpur(19º 15'N, 84º 54'E) is an open roadstead port; the town, with a population of 10,000 in 2001, stands on rising ground and its white houses, extending ½ mile inland, may be seen from as far as 12 miles seaward. Small quantities of provision may be obtained. The climate is Tropical. Gopalpur Port (19º 18'.50N, 84º 57'.50E) is about 8 km SW of Gopalpur town. Gopalpur Light House is also located within the densely populated town area. Nearest railway station Berhampur is about 17 kms away. All basic facilities like hospitals, post office, bank etc are available in the town. The town has couple of good tourist resorts as well. Very close to the port premises, IRE Ltd. factory is located and the factory uses the sand pump trestle for sand mining. The Port Control Station of the Gopalpur port and the jetty are not in use. Only one tug is available at the new jetty of Gopalpur port for emergency purpose only. Construction of the breakwater is in progress.The fishing harbour is situated within the port. The access to the fishing harbour is only available at high water. Sandbars have obstructed the main channel of the fishing jetty and port near the Port signal station. A small stream, which is not navigable even by boats, enters the sea close NE of the town. Landmarks and Navigational Marks: Water Tower (19° 18' .52N, 84° 57' .5E) Chimney (19° 18' .63N, 84° 57' .6E Water Tower (19° 18' .74N, 84° 58' .1E) Beacon (19° 15' .64N, 84° 53' .9E) Temple (19° 18' .16N, 84° 57' .8E) A beacon lies 3 cables SW of the Gopalpur light. A Racon (S) transmits from the light. A white port flagstaff stands on the E side of a building near the coast at Gopalpur. Gopalpur Light(19º 15'.3N, 84º 54'.5E), is exhibited from a white round masonry tower, with red bands, 45m high 3½ cables SW of the mouth of the small stream mentioned above. On top of the Gopalpur light house the Coast Guard has installed a new radar.Leading lights on bearing 262º: Front (19º17'.28 N, 84º56'.78 E), Rear (19º17'.27 N, 84º56'.66 E). Development: A major deep water port is proposed for development 5 miles NE of Gopalpur. The opening of KhariNala into sea 5 Cables N E of Gopalpur Light is almost non-existing. The opening is closed presumably due to siltation. However, another opening, 4.8 Cables North East of existing opening was observed, which is closed during dry season and opens in monsoons. Anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained in area bound by following coordinate. 19°17'.05N, 84°59'.95E 19°15'.78N, 84°58'.38E 19°14'.80N, 84°59'.40E 19°16'.10N, 85°00'.92E Anchorage may also be obtained off the new port site in a depth of 14m, the bottom is coarse Sand, and in some places Mud; with Gopalpur light-tower bearing 299ºdistant about 6 cables or about 2½ cables SW of this position in a similar depth. During the period from April to July, in strong wind, vessels should anchor in depths of about 16m with a good scope of cable. Two hard patches, one 8 cables SSE and the other 7 cables E of Gopalpur Light, should be avoided when anchoring. Although without shelter, landing and shipping operations are possible throughout the year except occasionally when the surf seems too high. All transport between ships and shore is effected by the surf boats of the Masula type; ship’s boats must not be used for landing. Between march and August, owing to the displacement of sand along this coast, all the river mouths have narrowed spits trending NE from their entrances. No ballast are permitted to be discharged in depths less than 22m. Landing and shipping operations are possible throughout the year except occasionally when the surf seems too high.Storm Signals are displayed at Gopalpur, the general system is used. Communication: The town is connected to the general railway and telegraph system. Facilities: There is a 240 m long cargo berth for lighters having a depth of 3m alongside. 20 privately owned lighters having capacities between 50 tonnes and 200 tonnes are available. Two mobile cranes of 3 tones capacity are available, private parties are also permitted to bring their mobile cranes. The Groyne depicted on the chart at position 19° 18'.14 N and 84° 57'.88 E has been extended further into the sea (into an ‘L’ shaped structure) by 480m however it is found to be in dilapidated condition. There is a slipway for repairing fishing trawlers and port craft. Small quantities of fresh water can be supplied. There is a district hospital at Chhatrapur. Nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar and the nearest railway station is Berhampur which is 10 km from lighthouse.