Sakito (JPSTO)

The port is currently closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. The port was developed for coal shipping. Due to the shut down of Sakito coal mine, vessel with about 2,000 GT calls at the cement and salt factories that are operating at the port. This port has five berths and three pontoons for domestic coastal coal carriers of up to 490t capacity. There is an anchorage for nine vessels up to 10,000DWT. Lighters are available and bunkers can be supplied by barge.

Summer.

Sakito is situated on the W side of Kakinoura Shima, off Sasebo, on the W coast of Kyushu.

Draught 7.9m.

Anchorage in depths of approx 18m can be obtained SW of Muta Shima, the N entrance point of the inner harbour, clear of the fairway. Temporary anchorage can be obtained in a depth of 25.0m, sand, on the line of the outer set of leading lights and nearly on a line joining Mitokono Hana and Tsuru Saki, the NW extremity of Kakinoura Shima. This berth is exposed NW and in the autumn an anchorage further E is preferable. Caution: Fishing nets are laid in the harbour and at night fishing boats may be encountered without lights.

BA JP198, JP213. Admiralty Pilot NP42C, NP286(6).

1025.

Available. A pilot is recommended and, if notified in advance, will board outside the NW harbour limit.

Futsunoura Leading Lights are exhibited from two towers (grey iron tripod, triangle point up topmark), 10m in height, situated on the E side of Sakito Ko. These lights in line, bearing 102°, lead towards the entrance of the inner harbour, then the channel is marked by pairs of lightbuoys.

Range 2.6m. The SW going tidal stream sometimes attains a considerable rate in the anchorage.

Tugs are available.

Prevailing winds: W'ly.

VHF: Call "Sakito-Ho-An" on Ch 12, 16.