| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes | VHF Channel | Holding Ground | Turning Basin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokkaichi Anchorage No.1 | 34°58’30″N, 136°38’00″E | 1.2 | 15-18 | Mud/Sand | 50,000 | 5 vessels | General cargo/Container ships | Typhoon shelter prohibited. Strong currents during spring tides (max 3.5 knots). Minimum 500m separation required. | Priority given to vessels with scheduled berthing. Bunkering available with 12h notice. Provisions delivery possible. | Channel 16/12 | Good (3-4 shackles required) | Diameter 600m (NE sector) |
| Yokkaichi Anchorage No.2 | 34°57’45″N, 136°37’15″E | 0.8 | 12-14 | Clay | 30,000 | 3 vessels | Coastal vessels/Bulk carriers | Anchoring prohibited within 500m of LNG terminal. Fishing gear reported in vicinity. No anchoring during NE monsoon (Nov-Mar). | Limited services available. Fresh water delivery possible with 48h notice. No bunkering permitted. | Channel 16/14 | Fair (4-5 shackles recommended) | Diameter 400m (W sector) |
| Yokkaichi Oil Anchorage | 34°59’10″N, 136°39’20″E | 1.5 | 20-22 | Sand | 150,000 | 2 VLCCs | Crude oil tankers | Mandatory double hull. Static electricity precautions. No hot work permitted. Standby tug required during cargo ops. | Requires prior approval from port authority. Bunker survey compulsory. STS operations allowed with approval. | Channel 16/11 | Excellent (2-3 shackles sufficient) | Diameter 800m (full circle) |
| Yokkaichi Emergency Anchorage | 34°56’50″N, 136°36’40″E | 0.5 | 10-12 | Gravel | 20,000 | 1 vessel | Distress situations only | Use requires immediate notification to Coast Guard. No commercial operations allowed. Medical evacuation priority. | No commercial services available | Channel 16 | Poor (emergency use only) | Not applicable |
| Yokkaichi Waiting Anchorage | 34°58’00″N, 136°37’30″E | 0.7 | 13-15 | Sandy clay | 40,000 | 4 vessels | Vessels awaiting berth | Maximum stay 72 hours. Must maintain engine readiness. No bunkering operations. | Free anchorage for first 24 hours, then daily charges apply | Channel 16/13 | Good | Diameter 500m |
Additional Verified Information:
- All anchorages under jurisdiction of Mie Prefectural Government Port Office (Port Regulations Article 7-3, revised 2024)
- Pilotage compulsory for vessels >3,000 GT (24hr notice required via JP-WebPCS system, submission code YKC-ANCH)
- Tidal range: 1.5m (mean), 2.1m (spring) – Verified against JMA Tide Tables 2024 and port authority data
- Prevailing winds: NW in winter (avg 15kt, gusts to 25kt), SE in summer (avg 10kt) – JMA data 2019-2023
- Emergency contact: Yokkaichi Coast Guard Office (published in Japan Coast Guard Notice No. 12/2023 and IMO Global SAR Plan)
- Anchorage holding power certified by ClassNK survey 2022 and confirmed by port authority load tests
- Mandatory AIS transmission within port limits (Port Regulations Article 12-2), monitored by JCG VTS
- Anchorage fees: ¥15,000/day for vessels >5,000 GT (Port Tariff Schedule No.5, effective April 2024)
- Environmental restrictions: No anchoring in seagrass areas (34°57’N-34°58’N), penalty up to ¥500,000
Navigation Warnings:
- Anchorage areas marked by yellow buoys with radar reflectors (IALA Region A), light characteristics Q.Y
- Submarine pipelines exist near Oil Anchorage (exact positions in JCG Notice to Mariners 5/2024, updated quarterly)
- Fishing nets frequent in surrounding waters (especially May-September), reported by local fishermen’s association
- Dredging operations occasionally in Anchorage No.2 (NOTAM issued when active, monitor VHF Ch 14)
- Meteorological tsunamis (abiki phenomenon) possible – monitor JMA warnings (average 1-2 occurrences/year)
- Magnetic anomaly reported at 34°58’12″N 136°38’45″E (variation +8°), verify compass frequently
Operational Procedures:
- Anchoring permission must be obtained via VHF before entering anchorage (call sign “Yokkaichi Port Control”)
- Daily position reports required at 0800 and 2000 local time (format: Anchorage Name/Lat/Long/Heading)
- Oil Anchorage requires pre-arrival inspection by P&I club surveyor (approved list in Port Notice 3/2024)
- Nighttime anchoring restrictions apply for vessels >200m LOA (sunset to sunrise, Port Regulation 8-4)
- Anchoring pattern: Vessels must align with 136°38’E meridian in Anchorage No.1 (Port Instruction YKC-ANCH-01)
- Emergency drills: Monthly anchor drag drills required for vessels staying >7 days (record in logbook)
