Port Okha (INOKH)

The port provides some alongside berths and an anchorage which is exposed to the NE. Imports include sulphur, wheat, fertiliser, limestone, coke and coal. Principal exports are bauxite, clinker, chemicals and soda ash.

Arabian Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Sep 1 to May 31, Summer Jun 1 to Aug 31.

Port Okha is situated in western India, at the NW extremity of the Saurashtra Peninsula, Gulf of Kutch. It is between the North end of Okhamandal peninsula and Bet Shankondhar.

LOA 190m, beam 32.26m, draught 8.0m, 58,710DWT.

Approx 4,000,000t cargo handled annually.

Vessels up to draught 9.0m and any length may anchor in the outer roadstead in depths of approx 12.0m, sand and broken shell, with Samiani Island Centre Lighthouse bearing 171° distant approx 1.2nm. Vessels of draught not exceeding 5.0m may anchor SE of Okha Point but strong NE winds can make working cargo here difficult.

The approach channel to Okha leads from NW, passing N of Samiani Shoal and then between Samiani North Light tower and the shoal ground extending NW from Bet Shankhodhar. The channel is well buoyed with a limiting draught of 8.0m. A dangerous wreck lies in the approach channel, 0.7nm W of No 1 Buoy, and 0.3nm N of the pilot boarding position shown on the chart.

BA 39, 707. IN 203, 251, 2013, 2031, 2068. Admiralty Pilot NP38, NP286(4).

1025.

Compulsory for all vessels over 350GT. The pilot boarding place is in position 22°30.6'N 069°04.7'E, 1.25nm NNW of Samiani Island Centre Light tower. Vessels should await the pilot, who boards during daylight hours only, at the pilot boarding place. A vessel should be in this position 1.5 hours before HW, or at LW, during the NE monsoon; and 30 minutes before HW or 1.5 hours before LW during the SW monsoon.

From position 22°25.5'N 068°59.0'E on the W coast of the peninsula the port limits are as follows: ..... N to 22°32.0'N 068°59.3'E E to 22°32.0'N 069°06.5'E S to 22°28.5'N 069°06.5'E SW to 22°27.7'N 069°05.4'E SW to 22°27.1'N 069°04.5'E Then to join the E coastline of the peninsula and follow it SW to position 22° 26.2'N 069°03.2'E.

Samiani Island North Light is exhibited from a squat white concrete tower with black bands, 9m in height, at the NE end of a reef extending NE from the island. Samiani Island Centre Light is exhibited from a white circular stone tower, 20m in height, near the centre of Samiani Island.

Max permissible beam of vessels 28.4m.

Range 3.35m springs, 2.74m neaps. Tidal streams in the channel used by coastal vessels, leading to Okha from W, set ESE with the flood and WNW with the ebb attaining a rate of 3.5kts at neaps. To the N of Samiani Island and between it and Chandri Reef the streams set SE with the flood and WNW with the ebb; the flood stream attains a rate of 3kts at springs and the ebb stream of 2kts at neaps. To the W of Samiani Island the flood stream is NE going and the ebb SW going at rates of 1.75kts at neaps; SE of the island the reverse is the case. Round the S end of Samiani Island the flood stream sets strongly S and E and then S through Okha harbour curving towards E round the S end of Bet Shankhodhar with a rate of 1.25kts to 1.5kts at neaps and of 2kts at springs. The ebb stream, coming from E round the S end of Bet Shankhodhar, reaches shoal water NW of Padmatirth Point and here divides into two streams; one setting along the W side of Okha Harbour and W of Samiani Island and the other N and NE between Samiani and Bet Shankhodhar and then WNW to the N of Samiani Island. The ebb stream has a rate of 1.25kts to 2kts at neaps. Except at slack water there is a strong race N and S of Samiani Island and as tidal streams on each side of this island are fairly slack a vessel may take a sheer when entering or leaving the race; there is also a heavy tide-rip on all the shoals especially on the ebb stream. Strong eddies form in the harbour at springs with both tidal streams and a confused sea occurs over the shallow ground NW of Padmatirth Point. There is a strong undertow at the anchorage off Okha Point.

There are 3 tugs of 382hp, 1,600hp and 3,400hp available.

OKHA, GULF OF KACHCHH 22°28.27'N 69°04.99'E UNCTAD LOCODE: IN OKH For details see: GULF OF KACHCHH PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________

{ "widget_1_pilotage": { "area_groups": [ { "area_name": null, "pilots_area_description": "HJ", "pilots_contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": null, "vhf_primary_watch": null, "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+91(0)2892 262001", "+91(0)2892 262002", "+91(0)2892 262039" ], "faxes": [ "+91(0)2892 262002" ], "emails": [], "websites": [ "www.gmbports.org" ], "operating_hours": "HJ" } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels", "when_to_report": null, "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [], "pilot_boarding_positions": [ { "designator": null, "coordinates_or_verbose": "22°30'64N 69°04'69E", "vessel_particular_constraints": null } ], "pilot_disembarkation_positions": [], "leftover_text_notes": [] } } ] }, "widget_2_vts": { "cross_reference_redirect": "For details see GULF OF KACHCHH VTS", "area_groups": [ { "area_name": null, "vts_boundaries": { "description": null, "coordinates": [] }, "contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": null, "vhf_primary_watch": null, "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": null } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": null, "general_rules": [] }, "reporting_lines_and_points": [], "reporting_requirements": [] } ] }, "widget_3_tugs": { "contact_details": [ { "provider_name": null, "vhf_channels": [], "telephones": [], "emails": [] } ], "availability_hours": null, "notes": [] }, "widget_4_port_and_notes": { "port_and_terminal_contacts": [ { "station_call_name": "Port Officer", "vhf_primary_watch": "16", "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+91(0)2892 262001", "+91(0)2892 262002", "+91(0)2892 262039" ], "faxes": [ "+91(0)2892 262002" ], "emails": [], "websites": [ "www.gmbports.org" ], "operating_hours": "HJ" } ], "standalone_general_notes": [] }, "formatted_text_original": "PILOTS PROCEDURE: (1) Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels, and is available HJ. (2) Pilot boards in position 22°30·64N 69°04·69E. NOTE: Provides pilotage for SIKKA. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE NOTE: For details see GULF OF KACHCHH VTS. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ PORT CONTACT DETAILS: Port Officer VHF Frequency: Ch 16 Telephone: +91(0)2892 262001 \t+91(0)2892 262002 \t+91(0)2892 262039 Fax: +91(0)2892 262002 Website: www.gmbports.org HOURS:\tHJ PROCEDURE: Notice of ETA: ETA should be confirmed 24h in advance and any subsequent alteration notified as soon as possible. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________" }

There is no coastal radio station in the port. Messages should be sent via Bahrain or Singapore Radio. VHF: Port and Pilots: Ch 16; 01, 10, 14. Gujarat Maritime Board, Port Okha, Okha, 361350, Gujarat, INdia Phone: +91 2892 262001 / +91 2892 262039 Fax: +91 2892 262002

Customs allowances: One bottle of liquor and one carton of cigarettes is allowed for each crew member per week. Immigration: Immigration officials will check passports/CDC (Seaman's Books) and issue shore permits. Nationals from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China (mainland) will not be issued with landing permits.

The master is to deliver to the customs boarding party: ..... Documents Copies 1. Stores List 5 2. Crew Personal Effects List 5 3. Last Port Clearance - 4. Crew List 8 5. Certificate of Registry - 6. Load Line Certificate - 7. Safety Radio Certificate - 8. Safety Equipment Certificate -

ETA should be advised 24 hours before arrival, amending the time as necessary.

Local port health officer grants pratique after boarding vessel.

To be tendered as per terms and conditions of Charter Party. Generally, NOR tendered by master on vessel's arrival advising that vessel is ready to load/discharge the nominated cargo.