Kantang (THKAN)

Kantang is a small port and was noted for the export of tin and rubber in the past. At present, there are no tin exports and the rubber is exported in containers through Songkhla or Butterworth. The port is operated by the Municipal of Kantang District, but maintenance and the entrance channel are still worked by the Harbour Departments of Thailand. At present the port is used by fishing vessels, small cargo vessels and tugs/barges operation or for lightering by barges if deep draught vessels anchor outside the entrance to the river. Ferries operate to Phuket.

Tropical.

Kantang is located on the SW coast of Thailand, in Trang Province, which is SE of Krabi and Phuket respectively.

Approach: The common mouth (07°16'N 099°30'E) of Mae Nam Kantang and Kholong Palian, lies in a bay encumbered with rocks and sandbanks. The entrance is approached either N or SE of Ko Talibong (07°15'N 099°24'E). The deepest approach is SE of this island. Local knowledge is essential and the approach should only be made by shallow draught vessels, as follows: The N channel (or W approach) should only be used at HW. The SE channel (or SW approach) has a least depth of 2.0m. River: Mae Nam Kantang, leading to Khlong Trang, has a general N and S direction and extends approx 30nm inland. It is narrow and tortuous, with depths from 1.0-7.0m in places. The river has draughts up to 3.0m, as far as Kantang, 9nm upstream, where there are depths from 1.0-4.0m off the town, and of 2.0m draught, 4nm above Kantang.

BA 3942. Admiralty Pilot NP44, NP286(4).

Not compulsory. Due to shallow waters and the absence of charts it is recommended to use the services of the local pilot. Pilot boards at the anchorage and takes the vessel up to Kantang. River pilots are obtained from a fishing village on the W side of the river mouth.

Singapore and/or Bangkok Radio can be used for passing messages at long range. Both stations work throughout 24 hours. Inmarsat communication is possible.

Customs: Allowances for officers and crew are one carton of cigarettes and one bottle of whisky; each member is also allowed a piece of sound/video equipment. Penalties for non compliance. Immigration: Transit passengers are normally allowed to disembark within 30 minutes after the vessel's arrival and their passports will be stamped in/out during the vessel's stay. Disembarking passengers will have their passport stamped on arrival and embarking passengers will have their passport stamped when boarding. All crew are required to sign in/out on the Immigration Crew List, presentation of Seaman's Book/passport is not required unless signing on/off. Immigration department will stamp passenger passports with arrival/departure card attached and grant a 30 day visa. Crew and passengers arriving from the following countries do not require a visa: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Brunei, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, USA, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and Yemen.

..... Copies CU IM HE HA 1. 1 - - - - 2. 4 4 - 2 - 3. 2 - - - - 4. 4 4 - 2 - 5. 4 - - - - 6. - - - - - a. Bonded Stores List 4 - - - b. Provisions List 4 - - - c. Drugs List 4 - - - d. Arms & Ammunition List 4 - - - e. Deck Stores List 4 - - - f. Engine Stores List 4 - - - 7. 4 - - - - 8. 4 - - - - 9. - 1 - - - 10. - - 1 - - 11. Photocopies of: a. Ship's Register - - - 1 b. Load Line Certificate - - - 1 c. Radio Certificates - - - 1 d. Safety Certificates - - - 1 e. Others as required - - - 1 f. Master's Licence - - - 1 In the above table, CU = Customs, IM = Immigration, HE = Health and HA = Harbour authorities.

To be sent 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival to ship's agent. Additional ETA to be sent if any change in arrival time. In addition to the date and time of arrival, the message should also include Master's name, last port, next port, ship's particulars and cargo details.

Pratique should be applied for on arrival. A General Declaration of Health is acceptable except when vessel is arriving from an infected area. Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

On arrival in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Charter Party.