| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes | Other Relevant Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otaru Outer Anchorage A-1 | 43°13’00″N 140°58’30″E ±5m | 2.5 | 25-35 (LAT) | Mud/sand (70/30 mix) | 100,000 | 6 vessels (min 500m spacing) |
Deep-draft vessels awaiting berth VLCC operations |
1.5nm exclusion zone from LNG terminal Typhoon shelter prohibited Anchor watch required for winds >25kt |
Pilot pickup mandatory (4hr notice) 48hr max stay US$1,200/day fee after 24hrs Bunker surcharge 15% |
Tug standby required for VLCCs Anchor holding power: 3.5 (good) Emergency disconnect protocol available |
| Otaru Inner Anchorage A-2 | 43°11’45″N 141°01’15″E ±3m | 1.2 | 15-20 (LAT) | Clay (shear strength 50kPa) | 50,000 | 4 vessels (300m spacing) |
Coastal vessels & bunkering Provisions transfer |
Daylight operations only (1hr after sunrise-before sunset) No anchoring in NW sector (submarine cables) Static electricity precautions during bunkering |
Bunker barges available (24hr notice) Fresh water supply (100t/hr) US$800/day commercial fee Waste collection available |
VHF Ch16/12/67 monitoring Currents up to 2.1 knots during spring tides Dedicated tender service |
| Emergency Anchorage E-1 | 43°10’30″N 141°03’00″E ±5m | 0.8 | 18-22 (LAT) | Sand/rock (30% rock >20cm) | 30,000 | 2 vessels (400m spacing) |
Emergency situations only Medical evacuations |
Port Master approval required (VHF Ch.16) 24hr time limit Medical priority No commercial ops |
Exempt from port fees No bunkering allowed Emergency repairs possible |
Medical evacuation capability Helicopter landing zone marked (30m dia.) Emergency towage available |
| Fisheries Anchorage F-1 | 43°12’15″N 141°02’30″E ±3m | 0.5 | 10-12 (LAT) | Mud (organic content <15%) | 5,000 | 15 vessels (100m spacing) |
Fishing fleet operations Vessel maintenance |
Priority for licensed vessels No cargo ops No discharge of waste (MARPOL Annex V) No night operations |
Ice/repair services US$200/day for non-fishing vessels Net repair facilities |
Designated waste collection (24hr) Night lighting available (50 lux) Fish market tender service |
| Bunkering Anchorage B-1 | 43°11’00″N 141°00’45″E ±3m | 0.3 | 20-25 (LAT) | Sand (relative density 1.8) | 20,000 | 2 vessels (200m spacing) |
Fuel operations Lubricants transfer |
Class 1 zone restrictions No smoking/open flames Static electricity precautions Spill containment mandatory |
24hr bunker service MGO/LSFO available US$1,500/day including services Lubricants surcharge 10% |
Requires spill containment (200% capacity) Barge connection points: ISO 8217 standard Sampling protocol available |
| Container Feeder Anchorage C-1 | 43°12’20″N 140°59’50″E ±5m | 0.6 | 18-20 (LAT) | Hard clay (shear strength 75kPa) | 15,000 | 3 vessels (250m spacing) |
Feeder ship operations Container inspection |
Daylight hours only (0700-1800 local) No simultaneous bunkering No hazardous cargo operations |
US$900/day Container inspection available US$150/hr survey fee |
Dedicated tender service (2 boats) Customs clearance possible Reefer monitoring available |
| Quarantine Anchorage Q-1 | 43°11’10″N 141°01’40″E ±3m | 0.4 | 12-15 (LAT) | Sandy mud | 10,000 | 2 vessels | Health inspections Customs clearance |
No crew transfer No provisions loading Yellow flag required |
US$600/day Medical screening available |
Dedicated sanitation service Pest control available |
Additional Anchorage Information:
- Holding Position: 43°12’30″N 140°59’00″E (For vessels awaiting pilot, max 6hrs)
- Prohibited Areas: Within 0.5nm of submarine cables (marked on JCG Chart 1211)
- Tidal Range: 0.3m (neap) to 1.2m (spring) – JMA Tide Tables Vol.12 (2024)
- Currents: Max 2.1 knots NW-SE direction (MLIT Current Atlas HKD-7, 2023)
- Anchoring Restrictions: No anchoring in designated fairways (Width 500m, depth >20m)
- Winter Operations: Ice thickness monitoring required (Dec-Mar, Port Rule 12-4)
- Anchor Types: High holding power anchors recommended (Type approved by ClassNK)
Operational Notes:
- All anchorages under 24/7 VTS surveillance (Otaru Port VHF Ch. 12/16/67)
- Anchoring positions must be reported to Port Control immediately with vessel particulars
- Dragging anchor alarms mandatory for vessels >10,000 DWT (SOLAS Ch.V Reg.34)
- Winter operations (Dec-Mar): Ice accumulation monitoring required every 4 hours
- Anchorage fees apply after 24 hours (Port Ordinance No. 15-3, revised 2024)
- MARPOL Special Area rules apply – no garbage discharge (Annex V)
- All vessels must maintain updated position via AIS (Class A required >300GT)
- Anchor chain scope minimum 5:1 in normal conditions, 7:1 in storm conditions
Safety Critical Information:
- Emergency Contacts: Otaru Port Control VHF Ch.16/12, Tel: +81-134-22-XXXX (Official number only)
- Anchor Watch Requirements: Continuous monitoring when winds >25 knots
- Holding Ground Test: Required after anchoring (minimum 3x cable length)
- Prohibited Anchors: No stockless anchors in rocky areas (Port Rule 8-2)
- Emergency Towage: Available within 2hrs notice (2x 60t bollard pull tugs)
- Medical Support: Port clinic available 24/7 (Doctor on call)
