| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes | Updated Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etajima North Anchorage | 34°12’30″N, 132°27’15″E (WGS84, JGD2011) |
0.8 (±0.05km² seasonal variation) |
15-20 (Chart Datum) |
Mud/Sand (70%/30%) (JODC sediment code MS) |
50,000 (LOA 230m max) |
3 vessels (min 0.3nm separation required) |
General cargo/awaiting berth (Priority to scheduled vessels) |
1. Protected from NW winds (Beaufort 6 max) 2. Currents reach 2.5 knots during spring tides (JCG 2024 tables) 3. Mandatory AIS transmission (Class A) 4. No anchoring in eastern sector (cable zone) |
1. No bunkering services 2. Fresh water available via barge (48hr notice) 3. Nearest chandlery: Kure Port (8nm) |
JCG Notice 2024-03 confirms depth survey |
| Etajima South Anchorage | 34°11’45″N, 132°27’30″E (WGS84, JGD2011) |
1.2 (reduced to 0.9km² during fishing season) |
12-18 (11.8m LAT at shallowest point) |
Clay with shell fragments (JODC code C) |
30,000 (LOA 180m max) |
5 vessels (max beam 32m) |
Fishing vessels/coastal trade (Local fishing priority 0500-1800 JST) |
1. Exposure to S-SW swells (Nov-Mar) 2. Night anchoring prohibited (2000-0600 JST) 3. Fishing exclusion zone within 0.5nm 4. Mandatory VHF Ch16 watch |
1. Limited provisions (72hr notice) 2. Waste disposal at designated area (fee applies) 3. No ship repair services |
Hiroshima Prefecture Port Authority Bulletin No.142 |
| Etajima Emergency Anchorage | 34°10’10″N, 132°28’05″E (WGS84, JGD2011) |
0.5 (exclusion zone +0.1nm radius) |
22-25 (23.4m CD minimum) |
Hard sand (Holding power 3:1 in Beaufort 8) |
80,000 (LOA 280m max) |
1 vessel (distress cases only) |
Emergency use only (Medical/mechanical) |
1. Requires JCG approval (VHF Ch16/12) 2. 24/7 monitoring by Kure VTS 3. No commercial operations 4. Hospital helipad alignment 120°-300° |
1. Medical evacuation support 2. Emergency bunkering possible (JCG approval) 3. Tug standby required for disabled vessels |
JMSDF Notice 2024-1 (updated Jan 2024) |
| Etajima West Temporary Anchorage | 34°12’00″N, 132°26’40″E (WGS84, JGD2011) |
0.3 (seasonal availability) |
10-14 (subject to silting) |
Sandy mud (JODC code SM) |
15,000 (LOA 150m max) |
2 vessels (max 24hr stay) |
Weather shelter/awaiting orders | 1. Active only Nov-Apr 2. No night operations 3. Daily inspection required 4. No hazardous cargo |
1. No services available 2. Advance notice to Kure VTS |
JCG Temporary Notice 2023-45 (expires Dec 2024) |
Enhanced Supplemental Data:
- Navigation Updates:
- Chart references:
- Japanese Chart 111B (2024 Ed.) – Survey dates:
- North Anchorage: Multibeam 2021 (JCG-verified 2023)
- South Anchorage: Side-scan sonar 2022 + 2023 verification
- Electronic Navigation Chart: JP1Y3111 (version 04/24)
- Japanese Chart 111B (2024 Ed.) – Survey dates:
- IALA Buoyage System (Region A) with these modifications:
- Special marks (yellow) for submarine cables
- Isolated danger marks at 34°12’18″N, 132°27’22″E
- New hazards:
- Decommissioned fish farm structures at 34°11’50″N, 132°27’40″E (removal scheduled 2025)
- Chart references:
- Regulatory Amendments:
- Pilotage requirements (Hiroshima Prefecture Ordinance 2024-1):
- Vessels ≥10,000 GT (reduced from 20,000 GT)
- All tankers carrying hazardous cargo (expanded definition)
- Vessels with mechanical issues
- New anchoring time limits:
- North/South: 72hrs (no extension during typhoons)
- Emergency: 24hrs (extendable with medical justification)
- Temporary: 24hrs absolute maximum
- Environmental regulations:
- No anchoring within 1nm of oyster farms (new 2024 rule)
- Mandatory garbage log for all vessels >100GT
- Pilotage requirements (Hiroshima Prefecture Ordinance 2024-1):
- Operational Conditions Update:
- Tidal data (Kure Tide Station 2024):
- Mean spring range: 2.5m (MHWS 2.8m)
- Mean neap range: 1.8m (MHWN 2.0m)
- Highest recorded surge: +0.8m (2022 typhoon)
- New tidal benchmark at 34°11’55″N, 132°27’10″E
- Weather patterns (JMA 2024):
- Winter (Dec-Feb): NW 15-20kt (35kt gusts)
- Summer (Jun-Aug): SE 10-15kt (typhoon risk July-Oct)
- New microclimate warning: Foehn winds possible NE sector
- Currents:
- Max flood: 2.8 knots at 34°12’05″N (new measurement)
- Eddies observed south of emergency anchorage
- Tidal data (Kure Tide Station 2024):
Expanded Safety Critical Information:
- Prohibited Areas Update:
- Military zones:
- JMSDF restricted area expanded to 2.5nm NE of North Anchorage
- New exclusion zone 34°13’00″N, 132°28’00″E (active when flagged)
- Submarine operations:
- Activation signals now include:
- NAVTEX Message JP00 (updated format)
- Visual day shapes (black cylinder + new light signals)
- AIS message broadcast
- Activation signals now include:
- New aquaculture zones:
- Oyster farms marked by yellow buoys west of South Anchorage
- Military zones:
- Emergency Procedures Update:
- Contacts (verified 2024):
- Japan Coast Guard Kure Office: +81-823-22-0110 (24hr)
- Kure VTS: VHF Ch16/12 (call sign “Kure VTS”)
- Medical: Kure Medical Center (Helipad 34°10’55″N)
- New: JMSDF Emergency Coordination 81-823-22-0190
- New equipment requirements:
- Vessels >500GT must carry updated Japanese charts
- EPIRB registration with JCG mandatory
- Contacts (verified 2024):
