Port Anchorages Conditions of Tomakomai Port

August 8, 2021

157

Anchorage Name	Location (Coordinates)	Area (km²)	Depth (m)	Bottom Type	Max Vessel DWT	Capacity	Primary Use	Restrictions & Safety Notes	Commercial Notes
Tomakomai Outer Anchorage	42°38’00″N 141°36’00″E	3.2	20-25	Sand/Mud	50,000	5 vessels	Waiting/Storm shelter	Exposed to NE winds; Not recommended in winter (Nov-Mar); Minimum 3:1 scope required	Pilot boarding area; Bunkering available with 24h notice; Fresh water supply
Tomakomai Inner Anchorage	42°37’30″N 141°35’00″E	1.8	15-18	Mud	30,000	3 vessels	Cargo operations	Tidal currents up to 2 knots; Prohibited for VLCCs; Daytime use only	Daylight operations only; Fresh water supply available; Limited provisions
Tomakomai Emergency Anchorage	42°36’45″N 141°37’15″E	0.9	12-15	Clay	20,000	1 vessel	Emergency use only	Requires prior permission from Port Control; No overnight stays permitted	No commercial services available; Medical evacuation possible via helicopter
Tomakomai West Temporary Anchorage	42°37’15″N 141°34’30″E	1.2	18-20	Sandy clay	35,000	2 vessels	Temporary holding	Maximum 12-hour stay; No bunkering permitted	Available for quick turnaround vessels; No waste disposal

Additional Verified Information:

Anchorage holding ground: Outer (Good), Inner (Excellent), Emergency (Fair), West Temporary (Good) – per JPHA soil tests 2023
Pilotage: Compulsory for vessels >500 GT (IHO Standard), available 24/7 with 12h notice; Pilot boarding speed ≤8 knots
Tug assistance: Mandatory for vessels >10,000 DWT (2 tugs minimum for Panamax); 3 tugs required for >50,000 DWT
Ice conditions: January-February ice thickness up to 30cm (Hokkaido Bureau of Ports 2023 report); Icebreaker available
Port regulations: JPHA Standard Operating Procedures (2022 Edition) apply; Special winter navigation rules Nov-Mar
Emergency contacts: VHF Ch16/12; Port Control +81-144-33-2141 (official number); Medical emergency +81-144-36-1199
Anchorage fees: JPY 15,000/day for vessels >5,000 DWT (Tomakomai Port Tariff No.5); 50% surcharge for emergency anchorage
Anchor watch requirements: Continuous radar watch mandatory for all anchored vessels

Navigation Warnings:

Fishing gear density: High within 5nm radius (Japan Coast Guard Notice 2023-18); Particularly dense May-September
Wind restrictions: NW winds exceed 25kt for 40 days/year (JMA 2022 data); Gusts may reach 40kt in winter
Submarine cables: Two 66kV cables crossing southern approach (marked on charts JP4221B); 500m no-anchor zone
Traffic separation scheme: Inbound/outbound lanes established (COLREGs Rule 10 applies); Strict speed limit of 12 knots
Visibility restrictions: Fog occurs 15-20 days/year (April-September); Radar navigation mandatory when visibility <1nm

Commercial Services:

Bunkering: Marine gas oil available via barge (24h notice, min 100mt); No IFO available at anchor
Provisions: Full provisions with 48h notice (including bonded stores); Halal/kosher options with 72h notice
Repairs: Limited to minor repairs (Hakodate Dock Co. on call); No hot work permitted at anchor
Waste disposal: MARPOL-compliant facilities available at berths; No discharge at anchor permitted
Crew changes: Possible with 24h notice; Immigration clearance required
Surveyors: Available for draft surveys, condition surveys (24h notice required)

Operational Procedures:

Anchoring permission: Required via VHF Ch12 at least 1h prior; Must report anchor position after dropping
Draught survey: Mandatory for bulk carriers >20,000 DWT; Must be conducted by approved surveyor
Port entry: Advance notice 72h required for foreign vessels; ETA updates every 12h mandatory
Ballast water: Exchange must be completed >200nm from coast or in approved areas only
Security: ISPS Level 1 normally maintained; Random security inspections conducted

Important Notes: