3044- PUDDUCHERRY HARBOUR AND ANCHORAGE


Puducherry(11º 56'N,79º 50'E), formerly the headquarters of all French settlements in India, is the capital and seat of government of the Union Territory of Puducherry, comprising Puducherry and Mahe, lies on the N bank of Ariyankuppam River about 13 miles NNE of Cuddalore. It is an open roadstead port situated about 170 km South of Chennai.
Puducherry Port Limited. The new port jetty has been given on lease to a private company and hence has been named as Puducherry Port Limited. Breakwater has been constructed on either side of the port entrance. There exists 150 m long and 25 m wide Cargo Quay. The draught available alongside is 3 m, which at present berths cement barges up to about 50m length, and fishing boats. There also exist 4 in number Transit Sheds with a storage capacity of 3500 tons.  In the year 2005-06, 42 vessels had called on and a total of 96,213 tones of cargo were handled. There are plans to build new jetty and dredge the existing channel to 4 m depth so that bigger vessels can be handled in future. A slip way to handle vessels of size up to 30 m length weighing upto 150 tons is also available for maintenance of small craft.
A shallow patch less than 0.5m in depth exists on the Southern side of the entrance channel.
The cargo is handled between the vessels at anchorage and the pier by 50 lighters with capacity of 2½ tons each.The S pier is connected with the railway system. During the NE monsoon from October to end January, it is very difficult to work cargo due to rough seas. For the rest of the year the wind is off the land, from W, in the mornings, but; in the afternoon a strong breeze from SE usually results in a very choppy sea. Landing on the beach by ship’s boats should not be attempted.
There are two electrically operated 3-ton cranes on the pier for handling cargo.
Work is in progress on development of a small harbour at the mouth of Arivankuppam River. The project entails opening the river mouth and dredging a channel with a depth of 2m. Breakwaters will be built on each side of the entrance.
Alongside berthing facilities are planned for vessels upto 500 tones. A fishing harbour, a slipway and repair facilities for small craft are also on the anvil.A small tug of 108 BHP is available. There is a small hospital.

Puducherry Light (11º 54'.9N, 79º 49'.9E) is a 46m in height white hexagonal masonry tower with black bands Flashing two every 15 Seconds. It has a DGPS station and a Racon Flashing code D.
Landmarks
The following landmarks are conspicuous from the offing;
Rodiar Chimney.	With an elevation of 56m, standing about 1 mile WNW of Puducherry light tower. A TV tower about 7½ cables ESE of Rodiar Chimney.
Chimney with an elevation of 42m, standing about 4 cables NE of Rodiar chimney.
Cathedral.With an elevation of 29m, 2 square towers and a cupola 8½ cables NNE of the light tower.
A pier which projects 1¾ cables from the beach is situated about 4 cables S of the cathedral. The port signal station which is prominent, stands at the root of the pier. A dangerous wreck lies about ¾ cable NNE of the pier.Port flag Staff, with an elevation of 16m, standing about 5 cables NNE of the light tower.
Another chimney standing about 1½  cables W of the Port Flag Staff is prominent.
Anchorage.	During good weather, anchorage can be obtained in depths of 9 to 11m about 8 cables off the coast of Puducherry. From Oct to Dec it is advisable to anchor about a mile further offshore. The holding ground is not very good. A long scope of cable is recommended and precautions against bad weather should always be taken.. 4		
 Supplies.	Fresh provisions are available, Fresh water is available in limited quantities.
Communications.	There is occasional sea communication with Chennai and some European Ports.The port is connected with the general railway system. The nearest airport is at Chennai, 170 Km North of Puducherry.
Port Authority.	is exercised by the Director of Ports, No.1, Dumas Street, Puducherry - 605001. Tel: 0413 2337114, Fax: 0413 2338092
Open anchorage without any shelter afforded, vessels anchoring for lighterage operation can hire steel barges and wooden boats.
Port Signal Station. which is prominent, stands at the root of the pier. Vessels can communicate with this station by using the International Code of Signals by day and Morse code at night.

          Signals 	     Indication
Blue flag at port flagstaff by day, green light at night	Indicates surf conditions which prohibit boat communication with the shore.
Blue flag at the pier	Indicates landing at the pier is prohibited, communication by small boat only.
Blue pendant at the port flagstaff.	Is answering signal to vessels requesting a boat

Storm Signals are displayed at Puducherry     Flag Staff, the general system is used.
Port Regulation. The local signals and port regulations are delivered to vessels immediately on arrival.
Quarantine. regulations for vessels direct to or from Europe are strict and except in emergency, no communication is allowed with the shore until pratique has been granted.