<< INDEX >> NOTES CAUTIONS NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY NAVIGATION RULE IN KURUSHIMA KAIKYO TRAFFIC ROUTE SECTION WHERE VESSELS MUST USE THE TRAFFIC ROUTES POSITION REPORT TIDAL CURRENTS GLOSSARY NOTES Related Japan Coast Guard publications are recommended to use. Always use the largest scale chart appropriate and keep charts and publications updated. CAUTIONS 1. Undiscovered shoals may exist around charted shoals. Mariners are advised to exercise caution. 2. Depths are very changeable at the entrance to river mouths. Mariners are advised to exercise caution. 3. Ranges of lights shown on this chart are the least values of either nominal ranges or geographic ranges. NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY 1. Vessels equipped with VHF should maintain contact with Kurushima Kaikyo Vessel Traffic Service Center (CH16, 156.8MHz) while navigating in the traffic routes, approaches to the traffic routes and the adjacent sea area, as information for the safety of navigation may be provided by the Center. 2. Designated Route in the Sea Area Near Tsurushima Suido (1) Vessels navigating westward along Tsurushima Suido should navigate to the north of Line A. (2) Vessels navigating eastward along Tsurushima Suido should navigate to the south of Line A. (3) For detailed information on the designation of tracks, refer to the Japan Coast Guard Notification No 92 dated 1st April 2010. 3. Vessels may be instructed to wait off the traffic route under certain conditions (including poor visibility). Vessels unable to maintain a ground speed of 4 knots against the tidal stream may be instructed to wait off the traffic route. NAVIGATION RULE IN KURUSHIMA KAIKYO TRAFFIC ROUTE 1. Navigation Rule (1) Vessels shall navigate Naka Suido when the tidal current is favourable, or shall navigate Nishi Suido when the tidal current is against. If there is a change in direction of the tidal current while navigating within Nishi Suido or Naka Suido, vessels may continue on their intended course until clear of the channel. (2) Vessels shall navigate as close as possible to O Shima (34 7.2N 133 2.0E) and Oge Shima, when the tidal current is favourable. (3) Vessels shall keep as close as possible to Shikoku when navigating against the tidal current. (4) Vessels navigating Nishi Suido and intending to enter the channel between O Shima (34 7.6N 132 58.8E) and Hashihama, or vessels navigating from the channel to Kurushima Kaikyo Traffic Route and intending to join Nishi Suido, shall keep to the Shikoku side of other vessels. (5) Vessels navigating against the tidal current shall maintain a speed of not less than 4 knots more than the speed of the tidal current. 2. Navigation Instructions during a change in Tidal Direction Instructions for the appropriate channels to navigate will be issued individually to vessels during a change in tidal current direction. 3. Mandatory Report before Entering the Traffic Route Vessels which are navigating or will navigate the traffic route during the period from one hour before to the time of a change in the tidal direction are requested to report to the Vessel Traffic Service Center when crossing the Position Report Line. Information to be reported - Vessel name; - Communication means with JCG; - Sailing speed; - Expected time of entry onto the traffic route. SECTION WHERE VESSELS MUST USE THE TRAFFIC ROUTES In the case of navigation between Line A and Line C -- ,vessels must use the whole of the traffic route. In the case of navigation between Line B and Line C -- section between Line B and Western extremity of the traffic route. POSITION REPORT Vessels of 50m in length and upwards and vessels towing or pushing objects with an overall length of 100m and upward (excluding vessels equipped with and operating AIS) should report to the Kurushima Kaikyo Vessel Traffic Service Center, when first crossing the following Position Reporting Line. Information to be reported; - vessels name - present position or Position Reporting Line crossed (abbreviation) and time of crossing. - estimated route or destination TIDAL CURRENTS In Naka Suido, along the center line of the channel, the S-going (N-going) current flows from about 1 hour 20 minutes after LW (HW) to about 1 hour 20 minutes after HW (LW) at Hashihama, with the strongest rates occurring in the narrowest part of the channel. In Nishi Suido, the turn of the tides occurs about 20 minutes later than that of Naka Suido. The current flows westward to the channel in the area southwards of O Shima with there being scarcely any slack water during this period. Generally the N-going current flows from the vicinity of the south-western end of Uma Shima to the north-eastern end of O Shima, and the S-going current flows along the center line of the channel with the strongest rates. In Higashi Suido, the turn of tides occurs nearly at the same time as that of Naka Suido, and the S-going current flows to the vicinity of the southwestern end of O Shima. In the channel between O Shima and Kuru Shima, the turn of the tides occurs about 15 minutes earlier than that of Naka Suido. In the approach to Kuru Shima, the NW-going current flows stronger than the SE-going current. On both sides of Nishi and Naka Suido and in the down streams of the islands, the rate is very small compared to the main current. Counter currents, whirlpools and tide-rips may occur on the boundary of the main current. For details, consult Miscellaneous Chart No 6208 "Tidal Current Charts in Kurushima Kaikyo" and Pub No 781 "Tide Tables, Vol.1". GLOSSARY Hana ------ point Kawa ------ river Ko -------- harbour, port Ku -------- area Misaki ---- cape Ne -------- rock Saki ------ cape San ------- moutain Shima ----- island, islet Se -------- shoal Suido ----- channel Take ------ mountain Wan ------- bay Yama ------ mountain -------- New,20100701,JP,JP,graph,chart0132 Updated,20150522,JP,JP,graph,NtM2015-0394