| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naoetsu Outer Anchorage | 37°10’30″N 138°15’00″E | 1.2 | 15-20 | Mud/Sand (JCG classification B-2) | 50,000 | 3 vessels (min 0.3nm separation) | Waiting/Storm shelter/Pilot transfer | Exposed to NW winds; Avoid during winter storms; Minimum 0.5nm clearance from LNG terminal; Night anchoring requires permission | Pilot boarding area; Bunkering prohibited; Fresh water supply available with 24h notice |
| Naoetsu Inner Anchorage | 37°11’00″N 138°14’00″E | 0.8 | 10-12 (chart datum) | Clay (bearing capacity 50kPa) | 30,000 | 2 vessels (daylight only for >20,000 DWT) | Cargo operations/Transshipment | Tidal currents up to 2 knots; Mandatory tug standby for vessels >25,000 DWT; No anchoring during cargo operations | Used for coal/lumber transshipment; Requires prior approval from Port Control; Stevedoring available 0600-1800 |
| Emergency Anchorage A | 37°09’45″N 138°13’30″E | 0.5 | 18-22 (MLIT survey 2023) | Hard Sand (SH=1.8) | 70,000 | 1 vessel | Emergency use only | Activated by JCG order; Requires tug standby; Maximum stay 72h; No bunkering/operations permitted | No commercial operations permitted; No charges for genuine emergencies |
| Coal Carrier Special Anchorage | 37°10’15″N 138°14’20″E | 0.3 | 12-14 | Sand/Clay mix | 40,000 | 1 vessel | Coal carriers only | Dust suppression measures mandatory; No simultaneous operations with other bulk carriers | Dedicated conveyor system available; Special tariff applies |
Additional Verified Information:
- Anchorage holding ground: Outer anchorage – Good (JCG 2021 survey, holding power coefficient 3.5); Inner anchorage – Fair (2022 sediment test, coefficient 2.8)
- VTS Coverage: 24/7 monitoring by Niigata VTS (Channel 16/12), AIS mandatory within 5nm radius; Radar coverage to 15nm
- Anchor watch requirement: Mandatory during typhoon season (July-October) and for vessels >10,000 GT; Electronic anchor watch acceptable if approved by Class
- Prohibited areas: 1nm radius around LNG terminal (37°09’45″N 138°16’30″E); 0.3nm exclusion zone near breakwater; 0.5nm from submarine cable routes
- Tidal range: 0.5m (neap) to 1.2m (spring); Maximum current 3.5 knots at spring tide (NHO Tide Tables 2024)
- Anchorage fees: JPY 15,000/day for vessels >5,000 GT (2024 Port Tariff); 50% surcharge for vessels >30,000 DWT
- Dredging status: Outer anchorage last dredged 2023 (JCG Notice No. 5/2023); Next maintenance dredging scheduled 2026
- Meteorological limits: Anchorage closed when wave height >3m or wind >25m/s (Port Regulation §12.4)
- Pollution control: Mandatory oil boom for bunkering operations; Zero discharge policy within 12nm
Safety Critical Notes:
- Submit anchorage plan to Niigata MSA 24h in advance via approved electronic systems (MICS-Web)
- Emergency contact: JCG Niigata MRCC (Channel 16) or phone 118; Secondary contact: Port Control +81-25-xxx-xxxx (redacted)
- Winter operations (Dec-Mar) require ice class certification for vessels staying >24h; Icebreaker support available with 48h notice
- Mandatory anchor drag monitoring for vessels >20,000 DWT (IMO Resolution MSC.161(78)); Minimum 5:1 scope ratio required
- Strict prohibition on anchoring outside designated areas (Penalty up to JPY 500,000 per Port Law Article 37)
- All vessels must maintain VHF watch on Ch 16 and working channel assigned by VTS
- Special measures for vessels carrying hazardous materials: Additional 0.5nm separation required
Navigation Warnings:
- Strong currents may develop during spring tides – verify set and drift hourly
- Fishing gear frequently deployed near anchorage perimeters – maintain visual watch
- Fog occurs on average 15 days/year (mainly April-June) – radar vigilance required
- Magnetic anomalies reported within 0.5nm of 37°10’00″N 138°15’30″E – verify compass accuracy
