Minicoy Jetty Chart No 2006 General information 2.489 Minicoy (8º 16' N, 73º 03' E), forming the SE side of an atoll, on the N side of Eight Degree Channel (2.471), is included with the Laccadive Islands for administration, although it lies about 110 miles SSW from the nearest of these. The inhabitants of the island, probably of Sri Lankan origin, are darker and smaller than those of other atolls of Lakshadweep or the Maldives; Mahl is the main language spoken but many of the people speak Hindi. Health 2.490 Leprosy was common; however with eradication programme being implemented successfully there has been quite an improvement in over all health situation. Traffic 2.491 The island is visited frequently by international vessels with a average grt of 20 070 per annum. Local boats meet ships which may be summoned through the lighthouse keeper who can communicate with vessels using the International Code of Signals. Storm signals 2.492 At Minicoy Island Lighthouse (8º 16'.0 N, 73º 0l'.6 E) storm signals are displayed (2.494); the brief system is used. See 1.45. Natural conditions 2.493 For details see climatic table 1.201. Principal marks 2.494 Landmarks: 1 Minicoy North Light House (Rectangular Masonary tower painted in white and blue bands, 22m in height) (08° 17'.75E 73°03'.94E) Mast (red and white, about 30 m in height) stands close SE of Minicoy Light. Single Palm (8º 19'.3 N, 73º 04'.7 E) stands close SW of Kodi Point. Major light: Minicoy North Light House -as above; on certain bearings and within a distance of less than 6 miles the light is obscured by trees, for details see the relevant List of Lights. 2 Jumma Mosque (08°17'.37E 73°03'.69E) 55 m in height stands 1.05 cables SE of Kudehi jetty. Other navigational aid 2.495 Racon (8º 16'.0 N, 73º 0l'.6 E) at Minicoy Island Light (2.494). For details see the relevant List of Radio Signals. Directions for passing Minicoy 2.496 Caution Minicoy Island should be approached from the S, passing about 4 miles S of the light structure. In bad weather, landfall in morning twilight is considered safe. Vessels have been wrecked on Minicoy Island due apparently to shaping a course to pass a few miles N of Minicoy Island Light (in some cases after sighting the light from E), instead of passing S of it where the light is a useful guide. The practice of passing a few miles N of the island, especially at night, is a dangerous one as the unpredictable strong S sets are encountered at times. Useful mark 2.497 Stranded wreck (8º 19'.3 N, 73º 04'.7 E) lies on the reef close S of Kodi Point. it is reported that this wreck is no longer visible. North-western side of Minicoy Atoll 2.498 Description. Roebera Point (8º 16'.1 N, 73º 01'.1 E), form the SW extremity of Minicoy Island, the barrier reef, from here curves 6 cables NW to Viringili Island (Small Pox Island). From this island the reef, which dries in places, extends about 1¼ miles N and then curves 7 cables NE and dries about 0.6 m. Thence from the latter position the reef is formed by a string of below-water rocks, marked by breakers, which trend 4 miles ENE to the NE point of the atoll. 2.499 Lagoon entrances. On this side of the atoll, there are five entrances into the lagoon suitable for shallow draught small craft; beacons mark some of the channels in the form of wooden posts but these should not be relied upon for navigation. Local knowledge is required for all of the channels described below. Bojan Chor Channel (8º 17'.0 N, 73º 00'.6 E), is marked at its seaward end by two beacons that stand on the reef. Neru Magu Channel, 1½ miles NNE of Bojan Chor Channel, has depths of about 0.6 to 0.9 m and is marked by beacons to the centre of the lagoon. Khandema Magu Channel enters the lagoon about 9 cables ENE of Neru Magu Channel; it is sparsely marked. 4 Near the NE end of the atoll, Saleh Magu Channel enters the lagoon N of Kodi Pt.(2.500); it is the principal opening into the lagoon with depths of about 2 to 4 m. It is narrow and is marked with beacons and buoys at uneven spacing. A total of 09 buoys and 04 beacons have been placed to mark the extent of the channel upto the passenger jetty. The entrance of the channel is marked by the Port and Stbd Lattice beacons as Port Trestle Post (Fl.R.5s) and Stbd Trestle Post (Fl.G.5s). 5 Fahara Magu Channel, which is very narrow and even more tortuous than the previous channels, enters the lagoon from the NE extremity of the atoll and joins Saleh Magu Channel N of Kodi Point. There are two wrecks within the entrance to these channels; lying, 2¾ cables NNW and 3 cables NNE of Kodi Point respectively, and each has a depth of 0.9 m over it. 6 Caution. Breakers exists 3.7 cables NNE of Kodi Pt., from here the breakers curves 1.3 cables N. 7 Isolated Islet. Kodi Pt. has separated from the main island i.e. Minicoy Island due to erosion as a result of action of waves and formed a new Isolated Islet. South-eastern side of Minicoy Atoll 2.500 Description. Minicoy Island, with a dense covering of coconut palms about 19 m high, from Roebera Point (8º 16'.1 N, 73º 0l'.l E) extends 1¾ miles ESE to Teveratio Point, the SE point of Minicoy; then it extends 1¾ miles NE to Mou-Rambu Point, from where a narrow peninsula projects about 2½ miles NNE to Kodi Point (8º 19'.4 N, 73º 04'.7 E), the NE point of the island, which is marked by a beacon There is a 1 m high rock about 1½ cables NE of the point and the barrier reef extends farther NE about 1 cable. 2.501 Close SW of Mou-Rambu Point lies Ko Vari Bay (8º 16'.6 N, 73º 03'.7 E). Two beacons, orange with orange triangular topmarks, stand onshore at the N part of the bay; the alignment (268º) of these beacons leads from seaward towards the bay passing S of the shoal water off Mou-Rambu Point. 2.502 Jetties. There is a small jetty on the lagoon side of the island N of Minicoy Lighthouse; two finger jetties extend into the lagoon, 1½ and 2 miles ENE of the small jetty(8º 16'.9 N, 73º 03'.4 E). 2.503 Landing is possible with local knowledge in a inlet about 1½ miles SSW of Kodi Point (8º 19'.4N, 73º 04'.7E) during the SW monsoon season. Directions for entering the lagoon 2.504 Approach Minicoy Island from S passing about 4 miles S of Minicoy Island Light (2.494); in adverse weather the morning twilight landfall is considered reasonably safe. Approach and Entry. The Saleh Magu Channel can be approached from a point 3.3C from Kodi Point in Position 08°19'.81N 73°04'.59E. Keeping clear of the dangers at the mouth of channel (2.499). The channel is marked with buoys and beacons at uneven spacing. The entrance to the channel is marked by two Lattice Beacons on both Port and starboard side leading to the narrow channel. Navigation inside the channel should be undertaken at slow speeds (3-4 Kns). The channel is suitable preferably at high tide only, for shallow draught vessels of about 02 mtrs or less, keeping in mind the under keel clearance and presence of numerous submerged rocks present all throughout the channel. Max depth observed to be about 09m and Min depth was 1.5m. The Channel leads to Passanger/Kacheri jetty on the western side of the island inside the lagoon. Passanger jetty (also known as Kacheri jetty) has three berths for berthing vessels alongside. Preference for berthing is given to the ships both passengers and cargo vessels owned by L & M Administration to meet day to day requirements of the Island. Berths are generally not allotted if there is likely movement of administration ships. The current in the vicinity of Kodi Point always sets onto Minicoy Island. While navigating in the lagoon, course should be so adjusted to keep about 3 cables off the peninsula shore and in about 6 m of water; in addition to the rock with 0.6 m of water over it, about 6 cables SW of Kodi Point, there are several isolated rocks and shoals also shown on the chart. Local knowledge is considered essential for safe navigation. Anchorage 2.505 Small vessels may obtain anchorage, within the lagoon, off the town of Minicoy (8º 17'. 1N, 73º 03'.9E), otherwise, island offers no suitable anchorage, as the bottom rises steeply toward the reef. Ships may drift safely under power in fairly calm water close offshore E of the island during the SW monsoon. 2.505a 1 Pilotage. There is no system of licensed pilotage. However, local guide boat/tug is available with the port control which leads the vessels through the channel (Saleh Maghu). The pilot could be made available on the request from Port Assistant with prior arrangement. The embarkation position is outer sea. 2 Tugs. One wooden tug (Twine Screw) of 94 hp available on request to port authority. The tug is available only day time. 3 Cranes. Port has a mobile crane of 1.5MT capacity. 2.505b Supplies. Fresh water and provisions. Facilities. Telephone, limited medical facility for minor cases. Port control. Port control is available on VHF Ch 16.