Chart 4044	SOUTH MIDDLE STRAIT

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Port Mouat Approaches, is entered between Perseus Point (11º 37'.9N, 92º 36'.6 E), and Andromeda Point (11º 37'.2 N, 92º 36'.65 E) 8 cables S. There are many dangers in the approaches and in the entrance to the port.

A rocky bank with a least depth of 3.2m extends 1.6 mile S from Palmer point.  

Allen Patches, partly awash, lies in the outer part of a large area of foul ground, which extends about 2.2 miles N from the N coast of Tarmugli Island. Another 5.5m patch, the position of which is approximate, was reported to lie NE of Allen Patches.

Hooper Patch (11º 37'.8 N, 92º 35'.6E), with a least depth of 1.9m, lies 1 mile W of Perseus Point near the outer part of the coastal reef on which are many rocks below water and awash. 
	
Rocks with depths of less than 1.8m over them lie on the outer edge of a shoal bank extending ¾ mile W from Andromeda Point.

Baratang Island – Eastern Side

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The E coast of Baratang Island between the entrance to Homfray Strait and that of Andaman Strait, 16 miles SSW, is deeply indented with bays and inlets in which shelter may be obtained. This stretch of coast is fringed with reefs on which mangroves grow and backed by hilly country. A Light is exhibited from a white metal framework tower with black bands, 12m in height, about 2.4 cables NNW of North Point 

Anchorage may be obtained in the Rogolochang Bay (Horsford Bay) on the E side of Baratang Island, about 4 miles SSW of the S entrance to Colebrook Passage in depths of about 8m. The bottom is mud.

Ariel Island, (Gole Tikri) (12º 08'.9N, 92º 50'.9E), 43m high, is fronted by reefs with rocks on the W and E sides. An islet, 1m high, lies 5 cables SE of the extremity of the island. A shoal patch with a least depth of 2.7m lies close N of the islet. Two shoal patches, with least depths of 2.3m and 4.6m respectively, lie 1½ miles SW and SSW of the S extremity of Ariel Island.

Rawlin’s Bay and Grieve Bay are shallow bays about 2½ miles and 4 miles SW respectively of Ariel Island. The coast at the head of these bays is fronted by extensive reefs and rocks, A rock, which dries 4m, lies about ½ miles SE of North Point, the S-most part of Baratang Island.

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North Button Island (Chauga-len-jing) (12º 19' N, 93º 04'E) is 48m high and fringed with reef lies about 8 miles E of the Cape Portman. The island terminates at its E end in low, irregular cliffs. The W part of the island descends abruptly to a tree covered sand spit. Shoals extend about 1 mile E and 3 cables W from the island 

A light is exhibited on the NW side of the island.

Anchorage, may be obtained by small vessels close to the fringing reef S of the island.

Middle Button Island (Kaicha-wa) (12º 16'.5N, 93º 01'.6E) is 17m high and cliffy at its N end, lies about 3 miles SW of North Button Island. The SW end terminates in a sandy spit with a few low rocks off it, a ridge of rocks and foul ground extends about 1½ miles SW from the island. Shoals with a least depth of 4.2m extend 1½ mile NE of the island. A light is exhibited on the NE side of the island. 

Anchorage may be obtained S of Middle Button Island clear of shoals E and W of it.

Clearing Line, North Button Island bearing 037º and open SE of Middle Button Island leading SE of shoals which extend SW of Middle Button Island.

South Button Island (Aga-lod-baray) (12º 13'.3N, 93º 01'.3E) lies 3 miles S of Middle Button Island. It is formed by large rocks steep-to all around. A shoal patch with a least depth of 10m, lies 1 mile E and a coral patch with a least depth of 3.2m, lies about 1 mile SE of the Island. A light is exhibited on South Button Island.

South Button Island Light

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Diligent Strait (Boroin Juru), lies between North Button, Middle Button and Strait Islands on the NW, and Outram, South Button and Wilson Islands on the SE. Depths in the fairway of the strait range from 8.5 to 52m. The least depth of 8.5m lies about 1¾ miles E of the S end of Strait Island. A 9.7m patch lies about ½ mile farther E; there are four other shoal patches, N of this patch, positions of which can best be seen on the chart. Tidal Stream in Diligent Strait are weak but with strong S winds there is probably a considerable N set in the narrowest part of the strait between Wilson and Strait Islands.

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Directions for Diligent Strait. If from N, from a position about 2 miles E of North Button Island, shape course 227º to pass ½ mile NW of South Button Island, when the E side of  Middle Button Island bears 022º alter course SSW to keep that bearing astern. When the S side of South Button Island is in line with NW end of Outram Island, bearing 055º bring it astern on that bearing and keep it so. 

When the N point of  Nicholson Island (Kaicha-wa-erema) (12º 06'N 92º 57'.2E),is seen open W of the extremity of Wilson Island bearing 193º shape a course to pass 1¼ miles W of Wilson Island.

Two fathoms Rock, (12º 09'.8 N, 92º 58' E), with a least depth of 3.6m lies about 1 mile N of the N end of Wilson Island.

Clearing Line. The N point of Nicholson Island bearing 193º and   open W of the W side of Wilson Island leads W of Two Fathoms Rock.

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Andaman Strait, also known as Middle Strait, for its greater part separates Baratang Island from South Andaman Island but at its W end, it separates Middle Andaman Island from South Andaman Island. The E entrance to the strait is obstructed by a bar with a least depth of 3m. The general width of the strait varies from 2 to 3 cables but narrows to a width of 75m in places. The strait has moderate depths, except for two ridges, which span the strait over which the least depth is 5.2m. The bottom throughout is mud and sand.

A prominent rock 4m high stands on an isolated, rocky ledge ½ mile SE of the Seaward N Point  with a 2.1m detached shoal about ½ mile WSW of it. 

A coral reef, which dries in patches and extends up to about ½ mile offshore, fronts the coast between the headland and North Point 1¾ miles SW. the latter point is the N point of the inner entrance to Andaman Strait; Entrance Hill, a small conical hill 30m high and conspicuous, stands close within the point. 

On the S side of the entrance, a ledge of drying coral reefs extend ½ mile NE from Point Dorrington 2 miles SSW of seaward North Point. The coast between Point Dorrington and the S point of the inner entrance of the strait, about 1½ mile W, is bordered by foul ground, which extends upto ¼ mile offshore. 

Baratang Island light (12º 04'.9N 92º 47'.6E) is exhibited from a white metal frame work (G.I. trestle) tower, with black bands, 12m high on the 76m headland at SE end of Baratang Island.

Anchorage, can be obtained in depths of about 17m, mud, 1¼ miles NE of Point Dorrington.

Orol Kaicha (12º 10'.4 N, 92º 45'.8E), a small island midway between the E and W entrances of Andaman Strait can be passed either side. Bonlg Island and Belle Island lie 1 miles and 3.4 miles SSW respectively of Orol Kaicha, the latter rises to a height of 29m.