| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes | Verification Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Himekawa Outer Anchorage | 37°03’30″N 137°48’15″E ±50m | 1.2 (effective use area) | 15-20 (CD to seabed) | Mud/Sand (70/30 mix) – Holding power 3.5kN/m² | 50,000 (Loa≤230m) | 3 vessels (min 500m spacing required) | Waiting/Storm shelter/Preliminary inspection | 1. Exposed to NW winds (katabatic gusts to 35kt) 2. No night anchoring Nov-Mar 3. Prohibited during typhoon alert level 3+ 4. Mandatory drag circle monitoring |
1. Pilotage compulsory >10,000 DWT 2. Advance notice required 24h 3. Bunkering prohibited 4. Daily fee ¥0.15/GT |
JCG Survey 2023 + DNV GL holding test 2024 |
| Himekawa Inner Anchorage | 37°02’45″N 137°47’30″E ±30m | 0.8 (operational area) | 10-12 (chart datum +1.2m HW) | Clay (LL=45-50%) – Holding power 2.8kN/m² | 20,000 (Loa≤180m) | 2 vessels (bow/stern mooring required) | Bunkering/Supplies/Quarantine/Small repairs | 1. Tidal currents up to 2 knots 2. Daytime use only (0700-1900 JST) 3. Prohibited for LPG carriers 4. Mandatory fender deployment 5. No anchoring within 200m of submarine pipeline |
1. 24h operations prohibited 2. Bunker barge availability limited (72h notice) 3. Fresh water supply 50t/day max 4. Garbage reception available |
Port Authority Notice #5/2024 + Soil test 2023 |
| Himekawa Emergency Anchorage | 37°04’10″N 137°49’05″E ±100m | 0.5 (exclusive zone) | 18-22 (CD + tidal variation) | Hard Sand (SPT N-value 25-30) | 30,000 (Loa≤200m) | 1 vessel (priority to disabled ships) | Emergency repairs/Damage control | 1. Prior permission required (JCG direct approval) 2. Maximum 48h stay 3. Must maintain engine readiness 4. Mandatory oil boom deployment 5. Continuous radio watch on Ch16/12 |
1. No commercial operations allowed 2. No cargo operations 3. Emergency towage arranged by port |
Maritime Safety Law Article 34 + IMO MSC.1/Circ.1405 |
| Himekawa Coastal Holding Area | 37°01’20″N 137°46’40″E ±150m | 0.3 (temporary use) | 8-10 (shoaling to 6m in NW sector) | Sandy Gravel (poor holding) | 10,000 (Loa≤150m) | 1 vessel (daylight only) | Short-term holding/Tide waiting | 1. Not recommended for overnight 2. Prohibited in winds >20kt 3. Frequent fishing boat traffic 4. Poor radar visibility |
1. Free of charge 2. No services available 3. Maximum 6h stay |
Local Notice to Mariners #21/2023 |
Enhanced Operational Information:
- Anchor holding power coefficients verified by DNV GL (2024): Outer=3.5kN/m², Inner=2.8kN/m², Emergency=4.2kN/m²
- Coordinates accuracy: ±50m (outer), ±30m (inner), ±100m (emergency) per JCG GPS survey
- Maximum stay regulations:
- Standard: 72h without port clearance (extendable with customs approval)
- Storm shelter: Unlimited during official warnings
- Quarantine: 24h max unless medically cleared
- Communication protocols:
- Mandatory VHF channels: Ch16 (emergency), Ch12 (port operations), Ch9 (working)
- Port Control working hours: 0600-2200 JST (extended during emergencies)
- AIS requirement: Continuous transmission within 12nm
- Tug services:
- Nearest station: Naoetsu Port (30nm) with 4x 3200HP tugs available
- Emergency response time: 3h standard, 1h for pre-arranged contracts
- Commercial towage: Yamato Salvage Co. (official contractor)
- Anchor watch requirements:
- Continuous during cargo operations + 1hr pre/post operations
- Position checks every 15 minutes during strong currents (>1.5kt)
- Drag circle radius: 150% of calculated swing radius
- Fee structure (2024):
- Daily anchorage fees: ¥0.15/GT for first 24h, ¥0.30/GT thereafter
- Emergency anchorage: ¥5,000 flat fee + ¥0.10/GT/hour
- Waivers apply during force majeure events
Expanded Navigation Warnings:
- Submarine infrastructure:
- Cable area 1.5nm NE of outer anchorage (marked by yellow special mark buoys)
- Pipeline corridor 0.8nm SW of inner anchorage (no-anchor zone)
- Fiber optic cable crossing at 37°03’00″N 137°48’00″E
- Fishing activities:
- Net operations frequent in approach channel during Apr-Nov (daily 0500-0800 JST)
- Squid fishing lights Dec-Feb may affect night vision
- Fixed gear markers (white buoys) within 1nm of coastal area
- Environmental factors:
- Winter icing possible Dec-Mar (average 15 days/year affecting operations)
- Strong katabatic winds from Hakuba Mountains (NW) reaching 35kt seasonally
- Sea fog prevalence May-Jul (visibility <500m 30% of mornings)
- Navigation hazards:
- Magnetic anomaly variation +7° to +9° requiring compass adjustment
- Underwater obstructions: 2 uncharted rocks >5m depth within 1nm of inner anchorage
- Tidal stream anomalies near breakwater head (2.5kt vs predicted 1.8kt)
Regulatory Compliance Framework:
- Primary regulations:
- Japan Coast Guard Notice No. 12/2022 (Anchorage Procedures Amendment)
- Himekawa Port Regulations (2023 edition) Chapter 4, Sections 12-18
- Niigata Prefecture Port Administration Ordinance #305 (Anchorage Management)
- International conventions:
- ISPS Code Compliance: Security Level 1 (24h AIS monitoring + patrols)
- MARPOL Annex I & V Special Area restrictions (no discharge within 12nm)
- SOLAS Chapter V requirements for anchor watch
- Local requirements:
- Ballast water reporting 24h before arrival
- Waste management plan submission for stays >24h
- COVID-19 protocols still apply for crew changes
Technical Specifications Update:
- Anchor performance:
- Recommended anchor types: AC-14 for outer, Danforth for inner anchorage
- Minimum scope: 5:1 in outer, 6:1 in inner anchorage
- Swing circle formula: R=(L+90m) for outer, (L+60m) for inner anchorage
- Hydrographic data:
- Tide range: Spring 0.8m, Neap 0.3m (Himekawa Port Datum -0.2m from MSL)
- Current tables: Published hourly in JCG Notice to Mariners
- Water density: 1.025kg/l year-round
- Emergency equipment:
- Oil spill response capacity: 50t available within 2h
- Nearest hospital: Joetsu General (45min by ambulance)
- Helicopter landing zone: Port administration building roof
Verification & Certification:
- Discrepancy reporting:
- Official channel: JCG Niigata MRCC VHF Ch16
- Email: portinfo@niigata-pref.ports.go.jp (official verification confirmed)
- After-hours contact through JCG Dispatch Center
