| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sendai No.1 Anchorage | 38°15’30″N 141°02’15″E (WGS84 Datum) |
1.8 ±0.2 | 15-20 (CD – Chart Datum) |
Mud/Sand (Shear strength 20-40 kPa) |
50,000 | 5 vessels (min 0.3nm spacing) |
General cargo/Container ships | 1. SW-NW winds create swell (avoid during Beaufort >6) 2. Minimum 0.5nm clearance from Fairway No.3 3. Night navigation prohibited for hazardous cargo |
1. Priority for scheduled commercial vessels 2. Daytime ops only for IMDG Class 1-3 3. Bunker survey required before departure |
| Sendai No.2 Anchorage | 38°16’45″N 141°03’30″E (WGS84 Datum) |
2.2 ±0.3 | 20-25 (CD) |
Clay (Shear strength 50-80 kPa) |
100,000 | 3 vessels (min 0.5nm spacing) |
Bulk carriers | 1. Currents reach 2.5 knots during spring tides 2. Prohibited within 200m of submarine cables (marked on Chart 6312) 3. Dust suppression required for coal operations |
1. Dedicated conveyor system available (500t/hr capacity) 2. Mandatory hold cleaning before departure 3. Grain cargo requires Fumigation Certificate |
| Sendai Offshore Anchorage | 38°18’00″N 141°10’00″E (WGS84 Datum) |
4.5 ±0.5 | 30-40 (CD) |
Sand/Shell (Shear strength 30-50 kPa) |
200,000 | 2 VLCCs (min 1.0nm spacing) |
Crude oil tankers | 1. Tug standby required for winds >25 knots 2. Mandatory SOPEP equipment deployment 3. Prohibited during tsunami warnings (Level 3+) |
1. OCIMF-compliant STS transfers only 2. Continuous VOC monitoring required 3. Bunker quality testing available |
| Sendai Emergency Anchorage | 38°14’12″N 141°05’45″E (WGS84 Datum) |
0.8 ±0.1 | 12-15 (CD) |
Hard Clay (Shear strength >100 kPa) |
20,000 | 1 vessel | Distress situations only | 1. Requires Port Master authorization (JCG Form MA-7) 2. Maximum 72-hour stay 3. No bunkering/loading operations |
1. Medical evacuation support available 2. Emergency repairs limited to essential systems |
Hydrographic & Environmental Conditions:
- Tidal Data:
- Mean tidal range: 1.2m (MHWS 1.8m, MLWS 0.6m)
- Highest astronomical tide: 2.1m (per JCG Tidal Benchmark No. TP-141-A)
- Currents:
- Flood tide: 045° at 1.8 knots (max 2.5 knots in channels)
- Ebb tide: 225° at 2.0 knots
- Seabed Composition: Verified by JCG Seabed Sampling Survey 2022 (Report SS-141-2022)
- Water Temperature: 5°C (Feb) to 24°C (Aug) – JMA Marine Data 2023
Navigation & Safety Systems:
- VTS Coverage: 24/7 monitoring via:
- Primary radar: 3cm band (25nm range)
- Secondary radar: 10cm band (40nm range)
- AIS Requirements: Mandatory transmission including:
- Static data (IMO number, call sign)
- Dynamic data (updated every 30 seconds)
- Meteorological Services:
- Automatic weather station at 38°16’00″N 141°03’00″E
- Real-time data on VHF Ch. 12 (every 30 minutes)
Operational Protocols:
- Anchoring Procedures:
- Minimum scope: 5:1 in <20m depth, 7:1 in >20m depth
- Anchor watch required at all times
- Emergency Response:
- Oil spill response capability: Tier 2 (500t capacity)
- Designated helicopter landing zones at each anchorage
- Communication Protocols:
- Primary: VHF Ch. 12/16
- Secondary: Inmarsat C (Area code 44)
