GALLE HARBOUR AND APPROACHES General information Position and function. Galle Harbour (06Deg 01.98Min N 80 Deg 13.78 Min E) lies at the head of a small bay on the SW coast of Sri Lanka. The port imports mainly: rice, flour, fertilizers, cement clinker and gypsum. Additionally, the port has a Marina for sailing and small motor yachts separately. Topography The old town of Galle is built on the S part of the peninsula, projecting 5 cables S from the coast, which forms the W side of the harbour, it is surrounded by a low fortification wall and joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. There are coconut palms and other trees along the houses but the W side of the peninsula is clear water and covered with grass. To the N of the harbour are extensive low wooded hills. On the E side of the harbour the slopes of Rumassala Kanda rise from the shore. Port Authority Sri Lanka Ports Authority, PO Box 595, 19 Chaithya Road, Colombo 00100, Sri Lanka. Signal station (Port Control) Located in (6Deg 01.47 Min N 80Deg 13.17 Min E) close to the Galle Light. Contact POrt control on VHF channels 10,12,14, and 16. Limiting conditions and Controlling depth The Port Authority should be consulted for the latest information Tidal levels Mean Spring range about 0.6 m; Mean Neap range about 0.1 m. For further information, see ADMIRALTY Tide Tables Volume 3. During the Southwest Monsoon, the current sets E along the coast, and during the Northeast Monsoon in the opposition direction. Local weather Winds from the W and NW pre-dominate from April to November; winds from the E and NE pre-dominate from December to March. In May and June very disturbed conditions, accompanied by a swell as high as 0.5 m, may be experienced inside the harbour and 1.5m swell in the Galle Bay. Outer anchorages During the SW monsoon the best anchorage is in a depth of 36 m, sand,mud position(6Deg 00.14 Min N 80Deg 12.45 Min E). Vessels should anchor well clear of the Central and Eastern Channels and their approaches Pilotage Pilotage is compulsory and only available by day; pilot boards in position 5Deg 59.54Min N 80Deg 13.48 Min E, S of the Fairway Buoy 1 miles (safe water). Local knowledge Local knowledge is required for entering harbour via the Western Channel. Regulations concerning entry Vessels are not permitted to enter only during the day time and pilotage is mandatory. Currently channel is not lit for navigation but has placed lights for the purpose of small craft. Sailing from the harbour can be arranged at night in good weather conditions. Communication and Notification Vessels are required to send their ETA 24 hours in advance. This information must be communicated through Colombo Port Radio and the local agents. Health and Safety Regulations Vessels without qualified medical officers are restricted from communicating with the shore. No persons, except the pilot, are allowed to board these vessels until permission is obtained from the health authorities. Under no circumstances may cases of infectious disease be landed without the explicit consent of the Government Health Officer. Disease Control Measures The regulations governing vessels with plague, cholera, or yellow fever on board, as well as the signaling requirements for all vessels arriving off the port, are consistent with those established for Colombo. Quarantine & Disease Control Measures Vessels with plague, cholera, or yellow fever must follow Colombo's regulations and signaling protocols. They must display quarantine signals and will be inspected by the Government Health Officer. No infectious cases may be landed without consent. Compliance is mandatory to prevent disease spread and ensure port safety Harbour General layout The harbour consists of an old port area in the W side of town and a new port area N of Gibbet Island. It is approached via three channels which converge about 5 cables ESE of Galle Point. Local weather Winds. The predominant winds are W and NW from April to November, and E and NE from December to March. Climate. The climate is hot and humid in March and April before the SW monsoon breaks. Directions Principal marks Landmarks: Water tower (6Deg 02.34 Min N 80Deg 12.28 Min E). Mosque (6Deg 01.48 Min N 80Deg 13.12 Min E), a large white two-storeyed building with two small domes and some low minarets. Kachcheri (6Deg 01.62 Min N 80Deg 13.17 Min E), a bluff coloured building. All Saints Church (6Deg 01.65 Min N 80Deg 13.04 Min E), with a square tower surmounted by a 4 sided pointed red roof and large weathercock. Dutch Church (6Deg 01.69Min N 80Deg 13.03Min E). Hotel (6Deg 01.72 Min N 80Deg 13.02 Min E). Clock tower (6Deg 01.80 Min N 80Deg 12.91 Min E), which stands on the highest part of the peninsula. Cathedral (6Deg 02.17 Min N 80Deg 12.76 Min E), a large white building with two towers on its front facing S and a dome behind. Tower (6Deg 02.13 Min N 80Deg 13.05 Min E). Residency Hill (6Deg 02.31MinN 80Deg 13.14 Min E). Water tower (6Deg 02.22 Min N 80Deg 13.73 Min E). Trawler pier tower (6Deg 02.11 Min N 80Deg 13.72 Min E). Gibbet Island (6Deg 01.88 Min N 80Deg 13.93 Min E) breaks the centre of the sandy beach at the head of the harbour. it is joined to the mainland at its E end. Several warehouses stand on the island. Harbour Inn (6Deg 01.25 Min N 80Deg 14.47 Min E). Buddhist Shrine (6Deg 00.96 Min N 80Deg 14.27 Min E). The structure shows up well in afternoon sunlight. Major lights: Galle Light (white round tower on fort, 27 m in height) (6Deg 01.48 Min N 80Deg 13.17 Min E) stands on Utrecht Bastion. Approach channels Description. The port is approached through one of three channels and entered between Galle Point (6Deg 01.42 Min N 80Deg 13.05 Min E) and Watering Point (6Deg 01.05 Min N 80Deg 14.09 Min E). The approach channels leading into Galle Harbour are the Eastern, Central and Western Channels. Central Channel is marked by buoys. Eastern Channel. From a position about 3.5 cables SW of Unawatuna Point (6Deg 00.35 Min N 80Deg 14.65 Min E), the alignment (322Deg ) of the N end of Kachcheri, with Cathedral leads NW towards the harbour, passing: NE of Alut Ground (6Deg 00.53 Min N 80Deg 13.81 Min E), a shoal patch, thence: NE of Gal Pare (6Deg 00.92 Min N 80Deg 13.57 Min E), a shoal consisting of several heads, with a least depth of 7.9 m, thence NE of Bloomfield Rock (4.29), and: SW of Imbue Ranne Gala (6Deg 01.16 Min N 80Deg 13.82 Min E), a shoal patch, thence: SW of Diya Mudawa (6Deg 01.26 Min N 80Deg 13.67 Min E), a shoal over which the sea breaks during the SW monsoon. Thence follow the directions for Central Channel (below). Central Channel. From a position W of the pilot boarding position,follow the recommended track (002Deg ) which align white sector light (000Deg -006Deg ) (white tower, 14 m in height) (06Deg 02.20 Min N 80Deg 13.48 Min E) exhibited from the head of the bay, with communication tower (Red and white metallic) (06Deg 02.94 Min N 80Deg 13.49 Min E). Central Channel. From a position W of the pilot boarding position, follow the recommended track (002Deg ) which align white sector light (000Deg -006Deg ) (white tower, 14 m in height) (06Deg 02.20 Min N 80Deg 13.48 Min E) exhibited from the head of the bay, with communication tower (Red and white metallic) (06Deg 02.94 Min N 80Deg 13.49 Min E). E of the fairway buoy (safe water) (6Deg 00.52 Min N 80Deg 13.25 Min E), thence: E of Kadda Gala (6Deg 00.83 Min N 80Deg 13.30 Min E), three shoal patches over which there is a least depth of 2.9 m. During the SW monsoon the sea breaks heavily along the whole length of the shoal, but during the NE monsoon the surface is seldom disturbed. A wreck lies just below the surface on Inner Kadda Gala in position 6Deg 00.90 Min N 80Deg 13.32 Min E. W of Secundra Rock (6Deg 00.79 Min N 80Deg 13.48 Min E), a rock on which SS Secundra struck in 1905. A buoy (starboard hand) is moored close SW of the rock. Thence E of Sealark Rock (6Deg 00.96 Min N 80Deg 13.40 Min E); a buoy (port hand), is moored close S of the rock. Thence: W of Bloomfield Rock (6Deg 01.03 Min N 80Deg 13.49 Min E); a buoy (starboard hand) is moored about 0.5 cable NW of the rock. Thence E of Polkote Gala (6Deg 01.23 Min N 80Deg 13.40 Min E), a dangerous rock on which the sea breaks during the SW monsoon; a buoy (port hand) is moored about 2 cable SE of the rock. Thence the route leads N, passing: E of Belikatuwawa (6Deg 01.42 Min N 80Deg 13.41 Min E), marked by a buoy (port hand), and W of Matte Mada Gala (6Deg 01.40 Min N 80Deg 13.50 Min E), marked by a buoy (starboard hand), thence: W of Outer Katta (6Deg 01.55 Min N 80Deg 13.64 Min E), a shoal patch, thence: W of a foul area (6Deg 01.60 Min N 80Deg 13.52 Min E), thence: E of Welihukka (6Deg 01.65 Min N 80Deg 13.27 Min E), a rocky patch, least depth 0-9 m. Thence to a position W of the head of the breakwater extending 200 m WNW from the W end of Gibbet Island. Western Channel is unmarked and used only by local craft. The channel leads NE passing between Mee Meti Yawa, the S extremity of foul ground extending S from Galle Point and Kadda Rocks: it joins Central Channel ESE of Galle Point. Basins and berths Anchorages Recommended anchorage area Galle Lights, bearing 192Deg , 1.2 miles. During the NE monsoon the largest vessel which can anchor is length 152 m and draught 9.1 m and during the SW monsoon length 145 m and draught 7.6 m. The bottom at the anchorages is good holding ground in sand and mud.Vessels moor head and stern, bow S, using both bower anchors at open hawse with their port anchor laid E. The stern moorings are laid by the Assistant Harbour Master, some being used as required, and others kept ready with their ends secured to small white conical buoys. Vessels are required to be ready to veer cable when required to do so by the port authorities, and must have their main engines ready for use at short notice. Caution. There are several detached shoals in the E part of the harbour and a rocky spit, with depths from 2.5 to 50 m, extends 1 cable SW from the W end of Gibbet Island. Throughout the harbour, within the 5 m depth contour, there are numerous shoals and rocks both above and below the surface. Alongside berths Closenburg Pier (6Deg 01.91 Min N 80Deg 13.81 Min E) fronts the N side of Gibbet Island . It is 427 m long and can accommodate two vessels, each of length 130 m and draught 7.3 m. Mooring buoys lie off the head of the pier and extend along the inner side of the S breakwater. New Pier (6Deg 02.05 Min N 80Deg 13.87 Min E) extends about 160 m W from the E end of the harbour and provide berth; maximum size of vessel 130 m LOA and draught 7m. Further, length of the New Pier cross berth (6Deg 02.02 Min N 80Deg 13.91 Min E) about 82m and provide a berth maximum size of 70m vessel and draught 6m. Three concrete piers, each with depths of 1.8 m for about 30 m from their outer ends, lie in the old port, W of Schwarte Fort (6Deg 01.75 Min N 80Deg 13.16 Min E): No 1 Pier, 88 m long, is best sheltered and is used for passengers and cargo. Nos 2 and 3 Piers, respectively, 65 and 76 m long are used for cargo. Port services Repairs: It is reported that a slipway is available for small craft. Supplies Fuel, small quantities by road tanker; fresh water at berths in the new port area; fresh water at No 1 Pier.