| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miike Outer Anchorage | 33°00’00″N 130°25’00″E | 1.2 | 15-20 | Mud/Sand (70/30 mix) | 50,000 | 5 vessels (min 200m spacing) |
Waiting/Storm shelter Ship-to-ship transfers |
Exposed to NE winds (avoid during typhoons) Minimum 3:1 scope required Prohibited for vessels carrying Class 1 dangerous goods |
No bunkering services Fresh water supply (24h notice) Limited provisions available |
| Miike Inner Anchorage | 33°01’30″N 130°26’00″E | 0.8 | 10-12 (+2m tide) |
Clay (excellent holding) | 30,000 | 3 vessels (min 150m spacing) |
Cargo operations Bunkering Provisions |
Tidal currents 1.5-2 knots Daylight operations only Mandatory tug for >10,000 DWT No LNG/LPG carriers |
Bunkering (MGO/IFO 380) Garbage disposal (MARPOL) Slop reception available |
| Miike Emergency Anchorage | 33°02’15″N 130°24’45″E | 0.5 | 18-22 | Sand/Clay mix (60/40) | 80,000 | 2 vessels (min 300m spacing) |
Emergency use only Disabled vessels |
Port authority permission required Max 48hr stay Continuous engine readiness required |
No commercial operations Emergency repairs by request |
Operational Details:
- Anchorage holding quality: Outer (Good, drag coefficient 0.8), Inner (Excellent, 0.95), Emergency (Fair, 0.7)
- Pilotage: Compulsory >500 GT (Japan Coast Guard Regulation Article 34-2)
Pilot boarding area: 33°00’45″N 130°25’30″E - Tidal data: Mean range 2.5m, max 3.8m (spring), min 1.2m (neap)
Tide tables: JHA Standard Port No. 743 - Anchor watch requirements: Continuous during first 2 hours, then hourly checks
- Turnaround time: 12-24hrs (standard), 6hrs (priority with surcharge)
- VHF Channels: 16 (Safety), 12 (Port Ops), 14 (Pilot), 09 (VTS)
- Mooring requirements: 3:1 scope minimum, 5:1 recommended for storms
- Anchorage inspection: Monthly multibeam surveys (last survey Oct 2023)
Port Services & Regulations:
- Port Authority: Miike Port Management Office (JCGS registration #FUK-22-185)
- Medical: Omuta City Hospital (15km) with decompression chamber
Port clinic available for basic first aid - Emergency contacts: Japan Coast Guard Ariake Station (VHF 16)
24hr contact through Fukuoka MRCC - Salvage: Nippon Salvage Fukuoka (ISO-certified)
Response time 4-6hrs (standard), 2hrs (emergency) - Bunkering: Inner anchorage only
MGO/IFO380 available
Minimum 12hr notice required - Waste disposal: MARPOL compliant facilities at both anchorages
No plastic waste incineration permitted - Customs clearance: Available for anchored vessels (advance notice required)
Navigation & Safety:
- Currents: Max 3.5kts in channels (flood sets NW, ebb sets SE)
Current tables published quarterly - Hazards: Fishing nets (Apr-Oct), submarine cable (NE sector), historical mine area (NW)
- Lighting: Inner anchorage – 2 leading lights (Racon ‘M’), Outer – 1 sector light
- Weather restrictions: Anchorage closed when winds exceed 25m/s
Typhoon warning system: JMA Level 3 - Traffic separation: Inbound/outbound lanes marked (IMO-adopted scheme)
