Inhambane (MZINH)

Agriculture is the principle industry of the surrounding district. Exports: Sugar and coconut products.

Summer.

Inhambane is situated midway between Beira and Maputo, at the S end of a lagoon sheltered by Cape Corrientes.

Approx 40 vessels are handled annually.

Anchorage can be obtained in the channel off Inhambane, close W of the 165°-345° leading line. Naval and commercial vessels should anchor S of a line drawn 090° from No 9 Lightbuoy, and N of a line drawn 270° from Inhambane Church (23°51.8'S 035°22.9'E). Outer anchorage is available 1.5nm NW of Ponto da Barra, also good anchorage can be obtained farther NW, keeping 1.0nm off the E edge of the drying bank, extending NW from Barrow Point, 2.5nm W of Ponta da Barra. There is nearly always a swell at these anchorages, and vessels should be prepared to leave on any change of wind to the E. Vessels in quarantine or carrying explosives should anchor S of a line drawn 090° from No 3 Light Beacon, and N of a line drawn 090° from No 9 Lightbuoy. Prohibited anchorage is to the S of a line drawn 270° from the head of the pier at Inhambane.

The channel leading to Porto de Inhambane is subject to frequent change. There are 2 pairs of leading lights in the channel, providing separate leads across the outer bar from seaward. The first of these in line bearing 292°, the Front Beacon (23°39.2'S 035°25.6'E) stands on the shore close S of Ponta Algoa. Coche Beacon, the Rear mark, stands 2.4nm from the front beacon. The Front Beacon of the second pair of lights (23°41.9'S 035°24.9'E), stands on the shore 2.5nm NNE of Ponta a Linga Linga. The Rear Beacon stands on high ground 3.75nm SW. In line the beacons bear 238.5° and also lead through the first part of the channel within the outer bar. A landfall lightbuoy (23°39.5'S 035°29.6'E) (black and white pillar, Fl W 10s) is moored 3.5nm ESE of Ponta Algoa. Thereafter the channel is marked by lightbuoys and 4 further pairs of leading beacons. No 6 Beacon (23°47.9'S 035°23.4'E) the front beacon of the third pair of leading beacons stands on a drying mud flat 1.75nm ESE of Ponta Chicuque (4nm SW of Ponta da Linga Linga) and No 5 Beacon, the rear beacon, stands on a drying mud flat 1.5nm SSW. In line the beacons bear 202.5°. No 4 Beacon (23°49.9'S 035°21.7'E) (white with 2 black bands), the front beacon of the fourth pair of leading beacons, stands on a drying mud flat 2.5nm S of Ponto Chicuque and No 3 Beacon, the rear beacon, stands on the shore 1.1nm SW. In line the beacons bear 211°. No 7 Beacon (23°47.8'S 035°21.4'E) the front beacon of the fifth pair of leading beacons, stands on the shore 0.3nm SW of Ponto Chicuque, and No 8 Beacon, the rear beacon, stands on high ground 1.25nm NNW. These beacons in line astern, bear 345°. No 1 Beacon (23°55.3'S 035°23.5'E), the front beacon of the sixth pair of leading beacons, stands on the shore 3.75nm SSE of Ponto Belan, and No 2 Beacon, the rear beacon, stands 0.2nm SSE. In line the beacons bear 165° and mark the same leading line as the fifth pair of leading beacons. The buoys in the channel are not of the IALA buoyage system.

BA 2931, 2939. Admiralty Pilot NP3, NP286(8).

Variable.

There is no official pilot for Inhambane, but if the Port Captain is given at least 6 hours notice of the ETA at the landfall buoy, a person with local knowledge can be made available to assist a vessel entering.

A bar across the lagoon entrance has a depth of 8.5m HWST, 5.2m LW. Vessels over 4.5m draught can berth only at HWST.

Range 3.35m.

Available.

Prevailing winds: E'ly.

Cape Town Radio or Inmarsat are recommended for passing messages at long range. VHF: Port Captain: Ch 16.

Customs: An allowance of tobacco and spirits is allowed for each crew member. The bonded store is sealed for the duration of the vessel's stay in port. Immigration: Passengers require a visa (emergency visas can be issued on arrival). Crew can obtain a shore pass against surrender of a passport or Seaman's Book at the Immigration office. Their documents are returned when the shore pass is surrendered on return to the vessel within shore leave hours. There are heavy penalties for non compliance.The agency boarding clerk will advise current shore leave hours in force at time of arrival.

..... Document 1. Crew List 2. Vaccination List 3. Stores List 4. Crew Personal Effects Declaration 5. List of Ports of Call 6. Passenger List (if passengers carried) 7. Stowaway List (if any) 8. Health Declaration 9. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate 10. Last Port Clearance (not to be handed to pilot) Immigration, Customs, Health and Maritime Administration require copies of relevant documents. Pilot supplies an Arrival Report which is to be completed whilst proceeding to berth. A Crew List is to be attached to the report.

Initial ETA, if possible, should be sent 7 days prior to arrival stating deepest arrival draught, last port of call and Master's name. Further ETAs should be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival giving only date and time of arrival and any change in draught. ETA messages to be sent to agent only.

It is obligatory to display the Mozambican flag. It can be acquired locally.

Pratique is granted once alongside as part of the port clearance formalities. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

NOR is tendered as per Charter Party.