Chart 4161 CAR NICOBAR ISLAND 9.1 The Nicobar Islands which extend about 160 miles SSE from Car Nicobar, the Nmost island of NicobarGroup, are divided into N Central and S Groups. The N group consists of Car Nicobar and BattiMalv and the S Group of Great Nicobar and Little Nicobar; the Central Group comprises the remaining NicobarIsland. Of the 19 Nicobar Islands 12 are inhabited; the total population in 2001 was 42, 028, which includes approximately 22000 of Nicobarese and Shompapen tribes. The islands are, for the most part, hilly and undulating. 9.2 Tidal Streams within a few miles of Nicobar Islands, usually set NE with the falling tide; the streams attain a rate of 3 to 4 knots in the channels between the islands. Current. In the offing of Nicobar Islands the current usually sets with the prevailing wind, but is variable both in rate and direction; its rate sometimes reaching 2 knots. Tsunami. The Nicobar Islands were greatly affected by Tsunami, there was wide spread damage to property, jetties, navigational aids and port infrastructure, Mariners should exercise caution while navigating in the near shore areas in these islands as the depth profile of the area has changed post tsunami. Heavy overfalls have been reported about 110 miles WSW of Great Nicobar Island. NORTHERN GROUP OF NICOBAR SLANDS 9.3 Car Nicobar (09° 10'N, 92° 46'E), is thickly covered with trees, mainly coconut palms. The island is almost circular but its NW side is indented by SawaiBay. The highest ridge, 60m high, stands in the SW part of the island 2 miles E of Arong. Foul ground extends from the N and NW points of Car Nicobar and they should not be approached closely. The Car Nicobarese are friendly and cheerful. The population includes a few Indian traders from Andaman Islands. Most of the inhabitation in villages near sea shore like Mus, Kakana, Kimios, Malacca, Teetop, Arong have been shifted to high altitude areas in the island post Tsunami. Coconuts form the principal export of Nicobar Island. Tidal Streams around Car Nicobar are rapid and they cause races, particularly N of the island. From about 6 to 8 miles E of the island, in the month of February, a 7 knot SW set has been experienced about 1½ hours after high water. 9.4 Sawai Bay.This can be approached/entered between Keating Point and Hog Point. Mus Wharf, a sheltered wharf with a berthing face of 90m and adjoining jetty with a berthing face of 75m juts out into the northern side of the bay from the promontory of Mus. The wharf with breakwater protecting it lies one mile S of Keating Light. The height of breakwater at Mus wharf is being increased. The Mus Breakwater Light (Fl W 10s, 8m, 3M) is exhibited from a square concrete pillar at the head of the breakwater. A lattice mast tower with red and white bands at Big Lapati, a small village located about twoKmsSW of Mus Harbour. A total of four concrete dolphin beacons were laid in the harbour to form a curve which acts as a limiting danger line for ships entering harbour. The beaconsare in dilapidated condition post Tsunami in 2004. Keating Point Light.(9º 15'.4N, 92º 46'.5E),is exhibited from a white round metal tower with red bands on Keating Point. A racon transmit from the light-tower.Two lattice masts of 25m height are constructed South of Keating point light house. Shoal Patch.A 9.6m shoal patch lies in general depths of 11.5m, 10.6 cables SW and a 4.6m shoal patch lies 9 cables SSW of Keating Point. Anchorage.may be obtained in a depth of 20m about 1.4 miles SW of Keating Point, the bottom is coral rock covered by a thin layer of sand. Another anchorage is present 7 cables E of Keating light at depths of 12m. However this is an open anchorage. Landing.may be affected in the sandy patch inside Mus harbour. Tidal Stream.Off Sawai Bay, tidal stream sets NE with the rising tide. Weather. The weather is seasonal during NE and SW monsoon. Arong, a village lies 2.9 miles S of Hog Point, Anchorage may be obtained at the village; vessels should approach this anchorage with the village bearing 090°. Landing is possible only in fine weather however the channel is only 6m wide and in between rocks and hence is not recommended. Foul Point is the SW point of Car Nicobar. Anchoragemay be obtained during the NE monsoon, in Kimios Bay about 1.8 miles E of Foul Point; Landing may be effected at any time of year. Kimios, a village fronted by beach, lies E of a well defined creek. A reef, extending E and W, is reported to lie 1½ cables seaward of the low-water line. Anchorage. Trading vessels anchor, in depths of about 18m, 8 cables WSW of the entrance to the well-defined creek. Tidal Streams in KimiosBay are regular and strong, the stream setting ESE with the rising and WSW with the falling tide. Kokana, a village lies 2 miles SW of the SE extremity of the island. Sea-going dhows usually anchor off about ¼ mile off the village, but there is no recognized anchorage here. There are two beaches at which safe Landing may be effected near the time of high water; but local knowledge is necessary. Mus, the principal village of Car Nicobar lies 1 mile SE of Keating Point, at the head of a small inlet Reconstruction work of the port is progressing albeit at a very slow pace andis coordinated by the Andaman and Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) office atMus, headed by an Assistant Engineer, who works under the Deputy Chief Engineer-IV, ALHW, Hut Bay (DCE). The DCE is the authority to be contacted regarding alldevelopmental work related to the harbour. The contact address of the DCE-IV,ALHW, Hut Bay is as follows: Mr. TN Krishnamoorthi Deputy Chief Engineer – IV, Andaman and Lakshadweep Harbour Works, Hut Bay Little Andaman Is. Fax : 03192 – 284484 Email : tnkdcealhw@gmail.com Web : www.alhw-and.nic.in Anchorage 9.5 Anchoragemay be obtained in depth of 16m with Keating Point Light-tower bearing 283°distance 7½ cables E. Tidal Streams here are reported to attain a rate of 4 knots and anchors are liable to drag. Anchorage in depths of 26m may be obtained about 1.3 miles offshore abreast Tamaloo, a village 4.8 miles SSE of Keating Point, or abreast the village of Perka, ½ mile fartherS Landing may be effected at these villages in ordinary monsoon weather. 9.6 Malacca, a village lying at the S end of a slight bight in the coast 6 cables SW of Perka, has a small concrete jetty 143 m long and 3.7 m wide which dries out, the jetty is obstructed on each side and is unsuitable even for boats. The jetty is damaged post tsunami and is ruined. However, there is safe Landing, clear of rocks and coral, S of the Jetty where boats may be beached on the sand at high water, power boats should only approach the beach at high water. The reef lies about 75 m ESE of the head of the jetty with clear water in between but a dangerous reef extends seaward from about 45 m N of the jetty. Some stranded wrecks lie on this reef within 2 ½ cables N and S of the jetty-head.