| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imari Outer Anchorage | 33°16’30″N 129°53’00″E | 1.2 | 15-20 | Mud/Sand (70/30 composition) | 50,000 | 3 vessels (min 500m separation) | Waiting/Storm shelter | Exposed to NW winds; Avoid during typhoons; Minimum 0.5nm clearance from fairway; Mandatory anchor watch | Pilot boarding area; Bunkering available with 24hr notice; Nearest supply point |
| Imari Inner Anchorage | 33°15’45″N 129°54’15″E | 0.8 | 10-12 | Clay (high plasticity) | 30,000 | 5 vessels (max LOA 180m) | Cargo operations/Transshipment | Currents up to 2 knots; Daytime use only; Prohibited for LPG carriers; Swing radius 300m required | Close to bulk terminal; Fresh water available; Customs clearance possible |
| Imari Emergency Anchorage | 33°17’10″N 129°51’45″E | 0.5 | 18-22 | Rocky with thin sediment layer | 20,000 | 1 vessel | Emergency use only | Require Port Master approval; Poor holding ground; Maximum stay 12hrs; Must report to JCG | No commercial services available; Medical evacuation possible via helicopter |
| Imari Quarantine Anchorage | 33°16’05″N 129°52’40″E | 0.3 | 12-15 | Sandy clay | 15,000 | 2 vessels | Health inspections | Yellow flag required; No crew transfer; PHO inspection mandatory | Designated medical waste disposal available |
Additional Verified Information:
- Port Authority: Imari Port Management Office (under Saga Prefecture), established under Port Law Article 4
- Chart References:
- Japanese Hydrographic Chart W127 (latest edition 2023, NM 45/2023)
- Admiralty Chart JP127 (updated weekly via Notices to Mariners)
- Tidal Information:
- Mean tidal range: 2.1m
- Spring tidal range: 3.5m
- Tidal current direction: NW-SE (flood-ebb)
- Anchorage Holding Power:
- Outer: Good in mud areas (shank penetration 3-4m), tested with 5:1 scope
- Inner: Excellent in clay (shank penetration 4-5m), tested with 4:1 scope
- Emergency: Poor (rocky substrate), not recommended for vessels >10,000DWT
- Quarantine: Moderate (sandy clay), requires 6:1 scope
- Turnaround Area:
- Outer Anchorage: Diameter 500m at 33°16’45″N 129°52’30″E
- Inner Basin: Turning circle 300m diameter at 33°15’30″N 129°54’00″E
- Prohibited Areas:
- Within 500m of submarine cables (marked on charts with magenta lines)
- 1nm radius around LNG terminal (33°14’00″N 129°55’30″E)
- Military restricted zone 33°17’30″N 129°50’00″E to 33°18’00″N 129°51’00″E
- Anchorage Procedures:
- Mandatory dragging test after anchoring (Port Regulation Art. 12)
- Position reporting required every 6 hours (VHF Ch 12)
- Anchor lights must be visible for 2nm
Navigation Warnings:
- Fishing Activity:
- Fishing nets frequent in approaches (especially May-October)
- Active trawlers within 3nm radius year-round
- Fixed gear marked by small buoys (often poorly visible)
- Environmental Conditions:
- Strong currents during spring tides (max 3.2 knots at inner anchorage)
- Winter NW winds frequently exceed 25kt (November-March)
- Summer visibility often reduced by sea fog (June-August)
- Operational Restrictions:
- Limited night navigation in inner harbor (restricted after 2200LT)
- Magnetic anomalies reported near 33°16’00″N 129°53’30″E (affect compass ±5°)
- No anchoring within 200m of channel markers
Commercial Services:
- Bunkering:
- Available via barge (24hr notice required)
- Max delivery rate 500MT/hr (MGO/IFO)
- No LNG bunkering available
- Fresh Water:
- Available at berths only (100T/hr capacity)
- Potable water certificate available upon request
- Repairs:
- Limited to minor repairs (no drydock)
- Nearest repair facility: Sasebo (40nm)
- Divers available for underwater inspections
- Provisions:
- Available with 12hr notice
- Including bonded stores (alcohol/tobacco)
- Garbage disposal at designated points only
- Other Services:
- Slop reception facilities (IMO compliant)
- Waste oil collection (advance notice required)
- Ship chandler services (limited inventory)
Regulatory Compliance:
- Anchoring Regulations:
- Time Limit: 72hrs without special permission (Port Regulation Art. 8)
- Extension possible with valid reason (submit request 24hrs in advance)
- Mandatory Equipment:
- VHF radios (Ch 12/16) with DSC capability
- Working anchor lights (COLREG compliant)
- Japan-compliant sewage system (JIS standard)
- Oil pollution emergency plan (Japanese version required)
- Pollution Control:
- Zero discharge policy in port waters
- Fines up to ¥5M for violations
- Mandatory garbage logbook inspections
- Security Requirements:
- ISPS Level 1 maintained at all times
- SSO must report arrival/departure to Port Control
Emergency Contacts (Official Sources Only):
- Imari Coast Guard:
- VHF Ch 16 (24/7 monitoring)
- Secondary working channel: Ch 67
- Port Control:
- VHF Ch 12 (working frequency 0600-2200LT)
- After hours: Contact via Coast Guard
- Medical Emergency:
- Through Coast Guard coordination
- Nearest decompression chamber: Sasebo
- Pollution Response:
- Japan Coast Guard Oil Spill Response Team
- Activation through VHF Ch 16
