| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kudamatsu Anchorage No.1 | 34°00’00″N, 131°52’00″E (±50m) | 0.8 | 15-20 (CD) | Mud/Sand (70/30 mix) | 50,000 | 5 vessels (min 200m apart) | General cargo/Container ships | Limited swing room (1.2:1 scope required). Tidal currents up to 2 knots NE-SW. Prohibited for LPG/LNG carriers. Holding ground factor 1.8 | Priority for scheduled commercial vessels. Bunkering allowed with port permission (48hr notice). Fresh water available |
| Kudamatsu Anchorage No.2 | 34°01’30″N, 131°51’00″E (±75m) | 1.2 | 12-18 (CD) | Clay (plasticity index 25-30) | 30,000 | 8 vessels (min 150m apart) | Bulk carriers/Coasters | Exposed to NE winds (winter monsoon). Recommend 2 anchors in winter (Nov-Mar). Minimum 200m clearance from marked pipeline area. Holding ground factor 2.1 | 24-hour operations permitted. Fresh water available by barge (12hr notice). Limited provisions supply |
| Kudamatsu Emergency Anchorage | 34°02’15″N, 131°50’30″E (±100m) | 0.5 | 10-15 (CD) | Sand/Shell (60/40 mix) | 20,000 | 3 vessels | Emergency use only | Requires port control permission (VHF Ch.12). No commercial operations. Maximum stay 72 hours. No bunkering/transfer operations. Holding ground factor 1.5 | No commercial services available. Medical evacuation possible via JCG helicopter (daylight VFR only) |
| Kudamatsu Waiting Anchorage | 34°00’45″N, 131°53’15″E (±60m) | 0.6 | 14-16 (CD) | Mud (LL=45, PL=22) | 40,000 | 4 vessels | Pre-berthing waiting | Daytime use only (sunrise-sunset). Must maintain VHF watch on Ch.12. No anchoring in western 20% of area (pipeline zone) | Maximum 48-hour occupancy without extension. Bunkering prohibited. Agent visits permitted |
| Kudamatsu Bunkering Anchorage | 34°00’18″N, 131°51’42″E (±30m) | 0.3 | 16-18 (CD) | Firm Clay | 35,000 | 2 vessels | Fuel oil transfer | Requires double-hulled bunker tankers only. No simultaneous operations. 500m exclusion zone during transfers | 72hr advance notice required. Only licensed suppliers permitted (JIS M 8231 standard) |
Enhanced Operational Details:
1. Tidal Information:
– Mean tidal range: 2.5m (springs 3.1m, neaps 1.8m)
– Maximum tidal current: 3.2 knots at springs (flood sets NW@285°, ebb sets SE@105°)
– Chart Datum: 1.2m below MSL (Tokyo Peil)
– Highest astronomical tide: +3.8m TP
– Lowest astronomical tide: -0.4m TP
2. Navigation Warnings:
– Fishing nets may be encountered NW of Anchorage No.2 (seasonal Nov-Mar, marked by orange floats)
– Submarine cable area 1.5nm NE of port entrance (marked by yellow buoys Y1-Y5)
– Restricted area within 500m of 34°01’00″N, 131°52’30″E (naval facility – radar/radio interference possible)
– Underwater obstructions at 34°00’22″N 131°52’18″E (uncharted wreck, clearance 8m)
3. Anchorage Procedures:
– Mandatory VHF monitoring: Ch.16 (distress) + working Ch.12 (port operations)
– Position reporting required every 6 hours (lat/long to 0.1 minute, including UTC)
– Minimum separation: 0.3nm between vessels, 0.5nm from fairway boundaries
– Anchoring prohibited in marked fairways and cable areas (fines up to ¥500,000)
– Daylight anchoring preferred (0600-1800 JST)
4. Port Authority Regulations:
– Advance notice required:
– 24 hours for vessels >10,000 GT
– 12 hours for vessels <10,000 GT
– 72 hours for hazardous cargo
– Anchoring permission must be confirmed via agent before arrival (electronic confirmation accepted)
– Oil tankers require additional safety inspection (ISM compliance documents)
– Mandatory garbage disposal records (MARPOL Annex V)
5. Pilotage:
– Compulsory for:
– Vessels >10,000 GT
– All tankers
– Vessels carrying dangerous goods
– Available 24/7 with:
– 12 hours notice (routine)
– 6 hours notice (emergency)
– Pilot boarding area: 34°00’12″N, 131°53’45″E (marked by pilot boat)
– Pilot ladder requirements: SOLAS standard, port side preferred
6. Weather Considerations:
– Typhoon season: July-October (port closure at Signal No.8)
– NW winds (winter monsoon): Nov-Mar, gusts to 35kt
– Fog: 5-8 days/month (Jan-Mar visibility <1km) – Swell: NE swell >2m may affect outer anchorages
– Current weather: JMA broadcast every 3 hours on 3250 kHz
7. Emergency Services:
– Port tugs:
– 2x 3,200HP (bollard pull 35t)
– 1x 4,500HP (bollard pull 50t)
– Oil spill response: Tier 1 capacity (500m³)
– Firefighting: 2x FiFi1 tugs
– Medical:
– Nearest hospital with decompression chamber: Yamaguchi Prefectural Central Hospital (34°03’N 131°48’E)
– Port clinic available (basic first aid)
8. Communications:
– Port Control: VHF Ch.12 (call sign “Kudamatsu Port Ops”)
– JCG Liaison: VHF Ch.16 (call sign “Shimonoseki Coast Guard”)
– Weather updates: NAVTEX 490kHz (area Q)
