Merauke (IDMKQ)

Merauke, the capital of the S part of Irian Jaya, is a free port, open to foreign trade with the chief exports being copra, timber and crocodile hide. The port is mainly used by local traffic with a sizeable volume of local ferry passengers. There is an oil terminal approx 0.3nm further upriver.

Merauke is situated on the S coast of Irian Jaya, on the S bank of Merauke (Maro) River, approx 4nm from the estuary.

Town jetty: LOA 100m Oil berth: LOA 90m, draught 6.0m and 3,500DWT.

Outer anchorage: Anchorage may be obtained in the vicinity of the Fairways Lightbuoys (08°35'S 140°11'E) in depths of 10.0m, sand and stone, noting on approach a dangerous wreck marked by a lightbuoy (port hand) lying 3.75nm WNW of the Fairway Lightbuoy. Anchorage area: 08°87.00'S 140°15.00'E 08°28.09'S 140°23.30'E Anchorage may be obtained in front of Sewa Peninsula, in a depth of 6.0-7.0m.

The channel has a length of 6nm, min width 420m, min depth 1.5m LWS, max depth 2.7m LWS, with bottom of mud and sand. Directions for Merauke Roads: Steer for Merauke Light structure, which is not easily seen against the dark background, bearing 066° but keeping in deep water until the pilot is embarked. No further directions can be given because of changes on the bar and the shifting of buoys. Leading lights: Front light (white triangle, point up) 08°27.6'S 140° 21.6'E. Rear light (white triangle, point down) 0.25nm NE of the front. (These lights are only shown when vessels are expected). On the alignment (035°) the track leads NE over the inner bar into Sungai Merauke, passing: NW of a light beacon (green metal framework structure, 10m in height, 3,25nm WSW (This beacon has been reported destroyed) SE of a light beacon (red metal framework structure, 10m in height) 3,25nm W, SE of a beacon (can topmark ) 3nm W. SE of a light beacon (red metal framework structure, 10m in height) 2.5nm W, NW of a light beacon (green metal framework structure, 10m in height) 2nm NNW and NW of a beacon (starboard hand), standing close W of Tanjung Haram at the S entrance to the river. The entrance to Merauke River can be difficult to distinguish against the uniform jungle background and it is therefore advisable to rely on celestial navigation fixing until the inner buoy and leading light beacons are identified. These leading marks, although difficult to distinguish against the dark background, and an aero radio beacon tower 1.25nm ESE of Tanjung Haram, are the only good fixing marks. However care is necessary to avoid confusing this tower with others standing near the town. The sandbank off Tanjung Haram has extended W into the channel and it is necessary to keep to the W of the leading line when passing the point. Merauke River is navigable for a distance of 60nm by vessels of 3.2m draught and of approx 60m in length. The port has a basin with a min area of 740,800mІ and depths from 3.0m to 7.0m.

BA 3528. Admiralty Pilot NP35, NP286(4).

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 150GT. The Harbour Master acts as pilot and boards in the vicinity of the Fairway Lightbuoy (08°30.0'S 140°20.0'E). Pilotage is compulsory within the limits of the roads (08°30.5'S 140°30.5'E) and the river banks. However it is not uncommon for vessels to ground on the bar and frequent fixes should be taken and a vigilant echo sounding watch maintained.

Between the parallels of 08°31.5'S and the N entrance of the river, the meridian of 140°16.5'E and a position 1.5nm upriver from the town jetty.

Sungai Merauke Light is exhibited from a white metal framework tower, 40m in height, 2nm SSE of Tanjung Haram, the SE entrance point of Merauke River. A radio mast, 52m high and painted with red and white bands (08°30'S 140° 22'E), stands 0.3nm SE of the light structure. A radio beacon transmits from a position 0.45nm further SE. A lightbuoy (red and white stripes) is moored 12nm WSW of Merauke Light structure. A light beacon has been established in position (08°30.7'S 140° 18.7'E). Two white rectangular framework beacons stand on the N side of the entrance to Merauke River opposite Tanjung Haram. Front beacon (white triangle topmark, point down), 16m in height. These beacons, from which lights are occasionally exhibited, in line bear 035°. Yatum Light (white metal framework structure, 25m in height (08°27'S 140° 19'E)), standing on the coast 2nm N of the river.

Berthing and unberthing is carried out during daylight hours only.

Tides: ..... High 5.0m LWS High Water Spring 6.0m LWS Mean Sea Level 3.0m LWS Low Water Spring 1.0m LWS Chart Datum 0.0m LWS Tidal Streams: From mid Mar to mid Apr the outgoing stream has been observed to flow for 7 hours at the mouth of the Sungai Merauke at a rate of 2kts. The incoming stream for 5 hours at 1kt. During Nov and Dec the stream runs in the direction of the coast, NW for 7 hours and SE for 5 hours. After heavy rains a flow of 5kts has been observed. Temperature: The average monthly temperature is 26°C. Waves: The wave height is 2m in the estuary, calm in the channel.

The port has one tug for berthing assistance

Wind: The max velocity is 78kts with E direction which occurs in Feb. The average temperature is 27°C.

MERAUKE, PAPUA 8°28.68'S 140°23.41'E UNCTAD LOCODE: ID MKQ ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Radio: Coast Radio Station: Merauke Radio, callsign "PKY 5" and "8 AT 5", frequency 10225kHz, 9925kHz and 6926kHz. VHF: Merauke Radio: Ch 16, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21 and 26. Callsign "PKY 5".

..... Document Copies Passenger list 6 Crew list 4 Customs documents 2 Health documents 1 Cargo manifest 4 Bills of Loading 7 Ship's paper 5 Sailing permit -

Notifications should be sent to the port 6 hours prior to arrival and 3 hours prior to departure.