Chittagong Port A/B/C anchorage area is almost the same for the last 20 years. Draft at “A” anchorage is 10m to 12m, at “B” anchorage it is 9m to 10m and for “C” is less than 9m.

A anchorage is highly congested, very difficult to select a position maintaining at least 5 cables clearance from other vessels. Some v/l has no AIS or they kept off or blackout for few hrs.

During transit from Kutubdia to Chittagong A/B/C anchorage, every V/L has to pass Shallow water Patch which is 8.5m only, and has to follow local Tide, need to know when current is at its highest speed. Master of the V/L has to select a good Anchor Position Considering Draft of his V/L to avoid excessive Current Pressure due to land slop & local anomaly.

Chittagong A/B/C anchorage has more than 10 wrecks, most of the area has soft mud, very poor anchor holding ground. The possibility of Anchor dragging 90%, Especially when Current, wind, Sea & Swell are in the same direction. Required at least 5 cables clearance from other v/l.

Highly recommendable, the bridge must be Manned at all time, VHF Ch-12 & 16, and Radar must be ON & M/E stand by at all times. When Passing within ABC Anchorage area, turn or pass ahead of any V/I should be avoided, Remember very strong Current in times, wind, Sea & Swell and Anchor chain of other V/L. Poor steering in places due to less UKC.

As local “PILOT” has sufficient knowledge on above, they can select a better position than a foreign Master who comes rare or new for this port. Some of the well-known companies often ask for Pilot to stay on board for 2/3 days till reduce draft or till the Master is well familiar and feeling safe.

ALPHA ANCHORAGE OF CHITTAGONG PORT

LOCATION

Anchorage “A” is formed by extending 2 (Two) lines up to port limit, one (1st ) having bearing 337° 4 5΄and the other (2nd ) 310° 30΄ form the point having lat 22° 12΄ 30˝ N and long 91° 47΄ 00˝ E..

SEA BED

While navigating vessel our pilots are concern regarding the sea-bed at Chittagong Outer Anchorage which is of soft mud is generally harmless is case of grounding . With Patenga Light – Beacon bearing more than about 055 , the holding ground is soft mud and vessels are liable to drag anchor. With the LIGHT– BEACON bearing less than 055 the holding ground is relatively firmer but great attention must be paid to the strength of the EBB tide, especially during the monsoon months. Also, vessels using the outer anchorage are liable to swing in one direction only at the change of the tidal streams ; if this occurs for more than a few tides , the anchor needs to be sighted regularly to avoid fouling .

BARS & MEASURES

Outer bar, Gupta bend and Cutting bend are the three areas in the Chittagong port channel where current is distinctive in nature, strength and rate. Here the Natural tidal stream averages to upto 6 kts. In summer flood tides that assumes critical/confused direction at these crucial points. At current tends to move vessel’s bow to starboard needs to check with higher steering speed responding helm. There are regulations in place to ensure safety of navigation inthese difficult areas where a number of serious accidents have taken place. Need more information, please visit our Home page or send us email at [email protected]