Diego Garcia (IODGA)

The atoll, which has been leased to the United States, is a private US Military support base and is considered closed to non authorised traffic, except for emergencies. It consists of a main island which almost completely encloses a large lagoon, with 3 small islands on reefs spread across the entrance at the N end of the lagoon. Most vessels entering the harbour are military vessels, however occasionally non military vessels are given authorisation to enter.

Diego Garcia is an atoll in the Chagos Archipelago - part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and lies S of the Maldives and E of the Seychelles.

No anchorages exist outside the atoll due to depth of water. Vessels awaiting entry should drift at a safe distance off the island, clear of the fairway. Inside the atoll the main part of the lagoon, which is dredged and swept, is clearly charted and marked by lit marker buoys. There are 5 main anchorages in this area: ..... Anchorage Description Shelter Eclipse Bay NW part of the lagoon, in the approaches to the small craft marina Offers the best shelter during the NW monsoon. Orient Bay NE part of the lagoon, S of Observation Point on the NE tip of the island. Good shelter in SE Trade Winds, landing always practicable at Observation Point. Beware charted shoals in the anchorage. Rambler Bay Easternmost part of main lagoon, inside Cust Point. Offers the best anchorage during the SE Trade Winds, with beach landings reportedly practicable at all times. Anchorage not advisable in NW monsoon. Pointe Marianne Small anchorage ESE of Pointe Marianne. Several shoals in the area, of which least charted depth is 2.1m. Anchorage should be approached with caution. East Point At the southern limit of the recommended anchorage area, W of East Point. Good shelter at all times, but beware numerous shoals in the anchorage and its approaches. The Port Authority should always be consulted for latest information about anchoring positions.

The Lagoon is accessed through Main Pass, a narrow channel at the NW tip of the lagoon (beware strong tidal currents - see below). It is reported that land on the S side of the island is more clearly visible than land on the closer N side, which may cause some confusion on making landfall. It is considered safe to approach Main Pass in daylight if visibility is greater than 2nm. The island is often covered by mist at night and should not be approached if lights on the island are not visible, especially without a reliable radar. Passage through Main Pass is in the white sector of the Minni Minni Directional Light. The channel is buoyed, dredged and swept from the entrance, and leads 2.6nm into the open lagoon. N.B: Outer channel markers may be off station, especially during NW monsoon, and depths in the lagoon may be less than charted. Least charted depth on approach to POL Pier is 14.1m.

BA920. Admiralty Pilot NP39, NP286(4).

Rough seas can occur in the lagoon during the SE Trade Winds, and can cause uncomfortable swell at exposed alongside berths.

Recommended, and available during daylight hours only. Pilot boards approx 2.5nm NW of West Island Light.

Minni Minni Directional Light (DIR F WRG 14m 20-16M) leads vessels inbound along course 134A°, with the width of the W sector approx. 50m at the channel entrance. The light is mounted on a cylindrical stainless steel tower topped by square platform, at the SE end of the main lagoon.

Harbour is closed to non authorised traffic and entry is at the discretion of the Port Authority and the British Representative. Prior authorisation for all vessels is required in advance from the relevant authorities in the UK or USA.

Tidal ranges: Mean spring range 1.6m; mean neap range 0.4m. Currents in the approaches to, and through Main Pass, are reported as strong (up to 4kn) and unpredictable. The set begins approx. 0.5nm from the buoyed channel, in a NE or SW direction, and eases once passed the No. 6 channel marker inbound. Tidal flow is advised by a tug stationed off the entrance on departure and arrival of vessels, and a long approach is advised to assess the effect of the tidal set before entering.

Are available and will stand by in the entrance on arrival, and use their own lines.

DIEGO GARCIA 7°17.43'S 72°24.07'E UNCTAD LOCODE: IO DGA ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 13, 16, 12, 14, 65. Call "Diego Garcia Port Control". Tel: +246 3704313, Fax: +246 3703028, Email: chotoc@dg.navy.mil. Pilot vessel and Tugs: Ch 12, 14, 65. RT: 2182KHz.

Officials will board vessels on arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates required.

Mandatory, at least 24 hours in advance. RN or RFA vessels must advise the British Representative. US vessels, or vessels on charter to the US, must advise the Commanding Officer, US Naval Support Facility.

Vessels usually leave and enter the lagoon in daylight. Night movements are possible but are only allowed with the permission of the Port Authority.

Health officials will board vessels on arrival.