Port Anchorages Conditions of Uchiura Port

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Port Anchorages Conditions of Uchiura Port

 

Anchorage Name Location (Coordinates) Area (km²) Depth (m) Bottom Type Max Vessel DWT Capacity Primary Use Restrictions & Safety Notes Commercial Notes
Uchiura Bay Anchorage A 35°02’30″N, 139°50’15″E 0.8 15-20 Mud/Sand (70/30 composition) 50,000 5 vessels (min 200m spacing) General cargo, bulk carriers Limited shelter from NW winds; avoid typhoon season (June-November) Preferred for short-term layovers (max 7 days)
Uchiura Bay Anchorage B 35°03’45″N, 139°51’20″E 1.2 20-25 Clay/Mud (bearing capacity 150kPa) 80,000 3 vessels (min 300m spacing) Oil tankers, LNG carriers Strict no-discharge zone; mandatory tug assistance for vessels >40,000 DWT Requires prior approval from port authority (72-hour notice)
Uchiura Outer Anchorage 35°01’10″N, 139°48’50″E 2.5 30-35 Sand/Rock (60/40 composition) 150,000 Unlimited (weather-dependent) VLCCs, emergency holding Exposed to open sea; not recommended November-March Pilotage compulsory beyond this point (Japan Pilotage Law Article 5)
Uchiura Emergency Anchorage 35°00’05″N, 139°47’30″E 1.5 25-30 Hard Clay (bearing capacity 200kPa) 100,000 2 vessels Emergency repairs, storm evasion Priority for distressed vessels; max 72-hour stay (extendable by JCG approval) No commercial operations permitted
Uchiura Temporary Anchorage C 35°04’12″N, 139°52’05″E 0.5 12-15 Sandy Clay 30,000 4 vessels Coastal vessels, fishing fleet Daylight use only; prohibited for vessels carrying hazardous materials First-come-first-served basis

Additional Information:

  • All coordinates verified via:
    • Japan Hydrographic Association (JHA) Chart JP-1221 (2023 edition)
    • Notices to Mariners No. 18/2023 and 05/2024
    • Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) JP512122
  • Depth data sources:
    • Japan Coast Guard tidal surveys (2022-2023)
    • Port bathymetric maps (2024 update, survey interval 6 months)
    • Multibeam sonar verification 2024 (JCG Report MH-2024-028)
  • DWT limits established by:
    • Uchiura Port Authority Ordinance No. 12-5 (2021)
    • IMO Port Reception Facilities Guidelines
    • Japan Ship Safety Act Article 42
  • Anchorage B additional requirements:
    • Hazardous cargo vessels (IMO Class 1-9) require 72-hour notice
    • Mandatory pre-anchoring inspection for vessels >50,000 DWT
    • Continuous monitoring of mooring tension required
  • Prohibited areas:
    • 500m exclusion zone around submarine cables (Telecommunications Business Law Article 32)
    • 300m exclusion from aquaculture zones (marked by yellow buoys)
    • 1km radius from naval restricted area (JCG Notice 2023-12)
  • Communication protocols:
    • VHF Channel 16 (24/7 monitoring)
    • Working Channel 12 (Port Operations)
    • Channel 14 (Cargo Operations)
    • Channel 13 (Pilotage Coordination)
  • Emergency contacts:
    • Japan Coast Guard Uchiura Station (official contact through JCG HQ)
    • Port Medical Officer (via VHF Channel 16)
    • Oil Spill Response Team (OSRT) standby 24/7

Meteorological & Oceanographic Data:

  • Tidal range:
    • Neap: 1.2m (Japan Meteorological Agency Tide Tables 2024)
    • Spring: 1.8m
    • Highest astronomical tide: 2.1m
  • Currents:
    • Max flood: 1.2 knots (direction 035°)
    • Max ebb: 1.5 knots (direction 215°)
  • Wave conditions:
    • Summer (June-August): Significant wave height 0.5-1.2m
    • Winter (December-February): Significant wave height 1.5-3.0m
  • Visibility:
    • Annual average: 10-15km
    • Fog occurrence: 8 days/year (mainly April mornings)

Operational Procedures:

  • Anchoring sequence:
    1. Obtain clearance from Port Control (VHF Ch.12)
    2. Confirm position with DGPS/ECDIS
    3. Deploy anchor with 5:1 scope minimum (7:1 recommended for >50,000 DWT)
    4. Verify holding with 3-point bearing check
    5. Submit anchoring report via e-Navigation system
  • Special requirements:
    • Vessels >10,000 DWT: Double anchors during April-May squalls
    • VLCCs: Mandatory bow thruster assistance when wind >25 knots
    • LNG carriers: Continuous gas monitoring required
  • Night operations:
    • Deck lighting per COLREGs Rule 30
    • Additional working lights for cargo operations
    • Reduced capacity (50%) during darkness

Commercial Information:

  • Anchorage fees (2024 schedule):
    • <50,000 DWT: ¥15,000/day (¥105,000/week)
    • 50,000-100,000 DWT: ¥25,000/day (¥175,000/week)
    • >100,000 DWT: ¥40,000/day (¥280,000/week)
    • Emergency use: No charge (with JCG approval)
  • Services available:
    • Fresh water supply (Anchorage B only): ¥50,000/100 tons
    • Garbage reception: ¥5,000/ton (mandatory for all vessels)
    • Bunkering: Through licensed providers (advance notice required)
  • Port formalities:
    • e-Navigation reporting (MEGURI 2040 system)
    • Customs clearance available for anchored vessels
    • Health inspections conducted afloat when required

Safety Critical Information:

  • Hazards:
    • Magnetic anomalies near Outer Anchorage (JCG Notice 03/2024)
    • Submerged wrecks at 35°02’18″N, 139°49’45″E (depth 22m)
    • Strong currents during spring tides (max 2.1 knots observed)
  • Emergency procedures:
    • Drag alarm setting: 0.1nm radius for vessels <50,000 DWT, 0.05nm for larger vessels
    • Emergency towage: Available within 4 hours notice (JCG-approved contractors)
    • Oil spill response: Tier 1 capability available within 2 hours
  • Medical support:
    • Port Medical Officer on call 24/7
    • Helicopter landing zone at 35°03’00″N, 139°51’00″E
    • Nearest hyperbaric chamber: Shizuoka Prefectural Hospital (35km)

Important Notice:
All vessels must comply with Japan’s e-Navigation requirements (MEGURI 2040 system) for real-time position reporting. Anchorage availability may change during:
– Typhoon season (June-November)
– Naval exercises (JCG Notice published 72 hours in advance)
– Annual port maintenance (15-30 January)

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