Lamu (KELAU)

Lamu is a port with anchorages which has coasters as its principal traffic. An extensive tourist trade is being built up on the island thereby indicating future increases in port traffic. Exports include coconuts, copra, rope, mat bags and cattle. Construction of three new berths will shortly be completed as part of a 32 berth Deep Sea Port Project. When built, the new port will be largest on the East Coast of Africa and part of the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor Project (LAPSSET), which will not only improve the movement of goods and services within the East Africa Region but link Lamu Port on the East coast, across the Continent, to the port of Douala in Cameroon on the West coast.

Tropical zone.

Lamu Island is situated on the northern coast of Kenya, close to the Somali border.

LOA 294.10m, beam 32.18m, 53,807DWT.

Port consists of 3 anchorages large enough for vessels of LOA 91.4m enter at LW. Shela anchorage has a depth of 6.4m, Lamu S anchorage has a depth of 5.8m and Lamu upper anchorage 8.8m. Prohibited anchorage: Anchoring is prohibited in an area, marked by signs on the shore, in the vicinity of a submarine water pipeline laid across the harbour entrance from a position 0.17nm NE of the ruined battery on Manda Island to a position on Lamu Island 0.5nm NW.

When approaching from the S, close inshore, the hills of Dongo Kundu (elevation 12m), Tenewi ya yuu and Kinyika are good marks. Tenewi ya yuu is a line of rocky islets situated on a reef 1.5nm S of Ras Tenewi; the reef is steep-to on its seaward side, but its N side is connected to Ras Tenewi. Kinyika is a rocky islet 9m height, situated on a reef 5nm NE of Tenewi ya yuu. Foul ground extends SW so no attempt should be made to pass close. The prominent white sandhills on the S coast of Lamu Island serve to identify the entrance to Lamu Harbour. When entering Lamu Bay approach on the leading line, with Shela Light (02°18'S 040°55'E) and the beacon (white octangular pillar; 8m in height, 0.2nm SSW of Shela Light) in line bearing 015° which leads between Tiati ya Warabu and Tiati ya Mataoni in a depth of 9.7m. The entrance and fairway of Lamu Bay are marked by five leading lines: First leading line: Follow the directions into the bay as the above instructions and continue steering 015° on the alignment of Shela Light and the beacon which line leads across the bar. Mtanga wa Papa, a sandbank which dries from 0.6m to 1.5m, extends 0.6nm SSW of the front leading mark. Second leading line: A ruined battery is situated 0.6nm N of Ras Kitau; when this battery comes in line with Takwa Peak (38m) bearing 072°, alter course gradually to starboard until the SE pair of the three beacons (white stone) at Mnara ya Kitau, 0.65nm ENE of Shela Light, are in line bearing 048° when they should be steered for on that bearing which leads to the lower anchorage. Lights are exhibited from this pair of beacons. Third leading line: When the beacon, 0.2nm SSW of Shela Light, bears 300°, alter course gradually to port until two beacons (white stone), standing 80m apart, 0.17nm NE of the ruined battery on Manda Island, come into line bearing 184° and then steer 004° with these beacons in line astern which leads through the fairway within the harbour entrance, passing E of a beacon (topmark red and white triangle point up), 0.3nm NE of Shela Light, which marks the outer part of some rocks and Mawe ya Shela. There is a chain of drying rocks on the W side of the harbour with Chapel Rock being marked by a beacon (pole, topmark red and white cylinder), there are also two smaller beacons (white, topmark triangle point up) standing on drying rocks between 0.1nm and 0.15nm N of Chapel Rock. On entrance into the harbour a cotton ginnery, consisting of a group of low roofed buildings surrounded by a white wall, stands 0.5nm N of Shela village and is readily identified from the harbour entrance. Fourth leading line: An old minaret stands in the village of Shela, 0.17nm NE of Shela Light; when this minaret comes into line with the light tower bearing 227°, alter course to starboard to keep a beacon (metal structure, topmark white triangle with red stripe), standing on a sandhill close SW of the minaret, just open N of Shela Light bearing 224° astern. Care is required to maintain this line as there is usually a strong cross set. The charted transit of Shela Light and the beacon leads clear of Mawe ya Shela, but there is a depth of 3.9m on this line vessels should keep S as directed. Note: Shaka la Siyu, a small island consisting entirely of mangroves, lies 0.6nm N of the village of Shela on the S part of Tiati ya Siyu, an extensive drying bank which fills most of the W side of the harbour. Fifth Leading Line: When the E pair of beacons at Mnara ya Kitau come into line bearing 161°, alter course to 341° and keep the beacons in line, astern, as there is a shoal ground close W of this leading line it is advisable to keep slightly E of it. "A" Buoy moored 0.55nm NNW of the leading beacons at Mnara ya Kitau, and "B" Buoy, 0.17nm farther NNW, should be both left to port and the course then shaped as convenient if anchoring. "C" Buoy is moored 0.77nm NNW of "B" Buoy and should be left to port if continuing to the anchorage off Bunta la Mwana. "D" Buoy is moored 0.2nm E of the N end of Lamu town.

BA 668. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(3).

1025.

Pilot is compulsory at the port of Lamu for vessels LOA 61m and over. Pilots should be ordered in advance and are normally picked up at Mombasa.

Maximum tidal range is 3.5m.

Tugs are available from Mombasa.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly & NE'ly monsoons.

LAMU 2°11.90'S 40°56.00'E For details see: MOMBASA UNCTAD LOCODE: KE LAU ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 13/21 Port of Mombasa, (RSDRA2021000032580), 13/21