CHART 2102
BHAVNAGAR PORT
General information
Position:
8.148
Bhavnagar New Port (21º 45.5' N, 72º 14' E) lies near the head of an inlet, which mostly dries, in the NW part of Gulf of Khambhat; Bhavnagar City is situated about 
5 miles W of the port.
Function:
8.149
The principal exports are mill scale and onions whereas the chief imports include urea, rock phosphate,  sulphur, shredded scrap and logs. The production of local industries include cotton goods, sugar processing, timber sawing and pressing, furniture making and boat building.
The population was about 402 000 in 1991.
Topography: 
8.150
This stretch of coast between Kuda Point (21º 38' N, 72º 18' E) (8.136) and Ghogha, 4 mile NNW, is low, marshy and fronted by drying reefs; abreast Ghogha the foreshore is mud and shingle this, and the land in its vicinity, floods at spring tides. Thence between Ghogha and Bhavnagar Point, a farther 9 miles NNW, the coast consists of a mud flat overgrown by low mangrove bushes and intersected by many small drying creeks.
Channel Bank extends E from the N part of this stretch of coast, it is an extensive bank, which dries, and is covered with grass; the bank is joined NW by Entrance Bank which also dries.
Depths:
8.151
In the SE approach from the pilot boarding place    (21º 39'.4 N, 72º 24'.9 E), depths are irregular, towards the S part of Malcolm Channel, 7 miles NW and there are numerous shoal patches as shown on the chart.
Malcolm Channel, the S part of which is generally deep, lies between Channel Bank on its W side and several minor shoals to the E; the latter area has not been fully examined.
Tidal stream:
8.152
The tidal stream is reported to attain a rate of about 
5 kn at springs and set NNW/SSE, in the vicinity of 
21º 41' N, 72º 22' E, about 4½ miles SE of Perigee Rock (8.161). Further information is given on the chart.
Approach and entry:
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The approach to the port is through the S part of Malcolm Channel, then across the centre of Channel Bank and entered between lock gates.
Traffic:
8.154
About 100 vessels use the port annually.
Port Authority:
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The Port is administered by the Port Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board, New Port, Bhavnagar, 364 002.
Limiting conditions:
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Controlling depth. The permissible draught is reported to be the height of the predicted high water less 5.2 m.
Deepest and longest berth. An unnamed concrete jetty within the dock basin, see 8.164.
Tidal levels. Mean spring range about 8.8 m; mean neap range about 4.8 m. See information in Tide Tables.
Density of water is 1.025 g/cm3.
Mud content of water is high.
Maximum size of vessel handled is length 152 m and 19.5 m beam.
Arrival information:
8.157
Port radio. There is a port radio service at the port, for details see the relevant List of Radio Signals.
Notice of ETA. ETA should be confirmed to pilot station forty-eight hours in advance, messages should be sent through Bombay coast radio station.
Pilots and tugs:
8.158
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels bound for Bhavnagar New Port and they should arrive at the pilot boarding place, 4¾ miles NE of Piram Island (8.135), not less than 2½ hours before the time of high water at Bhavnagar for berthing on the same tide; while awaiting a pilot, vessels are advised not to anchor but to make a reciprocal course until the pilot arrives. Except for some special circumstances, berthing and unberthing is carried out during daylight hours only.
The pilot vessel is a black-hulled tug with buff upper works and a buff funnel with a black top. The usual signals are displayed and, in addition, a searchlight is flashed from time to time at night.
For further details see the relevant List of Radio Signals.
Tugs are available.
Requirement for local knowledge:
8.159
In the approaches to Bhavnagar depths change quite frequently, due to the continuous shifting of banks and channels. Therefore, local knowledge of these changes is considered essential before entry.
Harbour:
8.160
General layout. The harbour consists of a dock basin, with general depths of 7.6 to 9.1 m, which is located behind a 21 m wide lock gate.
Traffic signals. There is a signal station in a tower near the S entrance point of Bhavnagar New Port.
Storm signals. There are no storm signals at Bhavnagar New Port, but signals are displayed at Ghogha, 5 miles SSE by using the brief system. See 1.48.
Lock gate information. The lock gate is unusual in that it is lifted vertically before being swung clear. Successive heights of tide at high water springs can vary by up to 2 m resulting in unequal water levels. The initial
257
lock gate lift, at any time between 2½ hours and 
30 minutes before high water, can cause a surge within the dock basin.
Landmark: Piram Island Lighthouse (21º 35'.9 N,   72º 21'.2 E) (8.133).
Directions:
Cautions:
8.161
Mariners are strongly advised not to navigate in the approaches to Bhavnagar without local knowledge or assistance.
A wide berth should be given to the area around Perigee Light-float (21°42'.11N, 072°18'.00E), within 3 hours of low water, because of excessive silting.
Route: 
8.162
Approach. The route leads NW from the vicinity of `position E of Perigee Rock (21º 42'.9 N, 72º 18'.5 E), which dries, and at the lowest spring tides shows three heads. Thence, Malcolm Channel (8.151) should be followed to the route which leads across Channel Bank (8.150).
Leading lights are exhibited from the head of the inlet in which the port lies; in line, bearing about 251º, these lights lead through a dredged channel to a turning point off the wharf.
General information. Vessels arrive and depart at about slack high water with a tug secured ahead, another tug is available in the turning basin which is situated abreast the concrete jetty. Vessels are usually swung in the turning basin before being berthed, bow seaward, starboard side alongside the wharf.
Useful marks:
8.163
Ghogha Bhandar Light (white square masonry tower, red bands, 16 m in height) (21º 41'.5 N, 72º 16'.7 E) stands on the S entrance point of Ghogha Creek.
2 	Perigee Light-float (red, radar reflector, bell fog signal, height 12 m) (21°42'.11 N, 072°18'.00 E) is moored about 9 cables SSW of Perigee Rock (8.162).
A stranded wreck (21º 43'.2 N, 72º 23'.6 E) with a second stranded wreck lying about 3 cables WSW.
Beacon (21º 44'.2 N, 72º 15'.1 E). 
Light (white framework metal tower, elevation 20 m) (21º 44'.8 N, 72º 14'.0 E).
Ruvapara Light (grey hut on piles, elevation 20 m) (21º 46'.7 N, 72º 14'.0 E) stands 1 mile NNW of the entrance to Bhavnagar New Port.
Berths:
Anchorage:
8.164
Cautions:
The anchorages described below becomes potentially hazardous because of strong tidal streams, an irregular-shaped seabed and shipping congestion; considerable care in anchoring is required and constant vigilance, particularly during cargo operations, is recommended.
In the foul ground, where number of vessels have lost anchors, extending about 1½ miles E of Perigee Rock (21º 42'.9 N, 72º 18'.5 E) (8.162).
Position and draught. Vessels unable to enter Bhavnagar New Port can anchor E of Perigee Rock in the area shown on the chart. The maximum draught for vessels using parts of this anchorage was increased
 (1994) from 9.5 to 10.6 m on a trial basis.
General information. During spring tidal streams, to prevent yawing, consideration should be given to the use of a second anchor and/or steering. The second anchor, if used, should be heaved up 1½ hours before the tidal stream changes and dropped again after the change to avoid fouling the first anchor. It is recommended that engines are kept on standby, to be available within 20 minutes, during spring tides.
Jetties:
8.165
Cautions
Moorings and gangways require attention during periods of lock gate surge (8.160).
Silt content at jetties becomes very high each side of low water and condensers are liable to become choked.
Berths. The main berths consist of a concrete jetty, 269 m long, which can accommodate two vessels up to 128 m in length; and North Quay, a steel jetty 141 m long, that is suitable for one vessel. There are two more jetties available for barges and other small craft.
Port services:
8.166
Repairs: minor repairs can be carried out; there is a small dry dock: length 74.4 m, width 13.7 m, depth on sill at MHWS 3.18 m used for port vessels. A well-equipped workshop is available.
Other facilities: barges; hospital.
Supplies: limited fuel oil and fresh water.
Communications: general railway system; air and sea with Bombay.