RANGAT BAY TO DILIGENT STRAIT
CHART NO. 4014

East Coasts of Middle Andaman Island and Baratang Island 

The coast between Cape Vestal and Cape Strachan, about 9 miles SSE, is high and clear of off-lying dangers. The latter projection forms the N entrance point of Cuthbert Bay. 
Mount Diavolo, 512m high, lies about 3.5 miles W of the same point. Between Cuthbert Bay and Coxon Point, about 13 miles to the S, the coast continues to be high.

Rangat Bay (1229.00N., 9257.00E.) is entered between Coxon Point and Johns Point, about 0.8 mile to the S. Both points are bold and bluffy.

A shoal, with a depth of 7.3m near its outer end, extends about 2.3 miles E from Coxon Point. The inner part of this shoal has several detached heads, with depths which range from 3 to 4.9. A rock, which dries 0.4m, lies among these 
heads about 0.8 mile ENE of Coxon Point.A drying reef extends about 0.5 mile SE from Johns Point.

Anchorage can be taken in depths of 6.4 to 9.1m, midway between the entrance points of Rangat Bay. Local knowledge is required because the depths shoal rapidly within the entrance points. Between Johns Point and a 117m promontory on 
Baratang Island, about 17 miles SSW, the coast is bordered by numerous islands and dangers and indented by many bays. Between the promontory and North Point, the SE end of Bartang Island, about 9 miles SW, the coast is indented by 
many reef fringed bays and backed inland by hilly terrain. North Point forms the N side of the S entrance of Andaman Strait.

Long Island (1224.00N., 9256.20E.) densely wooded and fringed by shoal ground, lies about 2.5 miles SSW of Johns Point. Its W coast is joined to Middle Andaman Island by a shallow flat. Long Island is the northernmost of a chain 
of islands, reefs, and other dangers which extend S for about 15 miles from a position about 2.5 miles S of Johns Point. The islands are separated from each other, and from Middle Andaman and Baratang Islands, by fairly narrow, shoal 
channels. Small vessels with local knowledge can find shelter in some of these bays.

Elphinstone Harbor, which provides sheltered anchorage, lies close to the E entrance of Homfray Strait, which separates Middle Andaman and Bartang Islands.

Guitar Island (1221.00N., 9255.00E.) lies about 0.8 mile SSW of Long Island and is joined to Middle Andaman Island by a shallow flat. Cape Dalrymple forms the S end of an islet, 75m high, which lies close S of Guitar Island.
 
Round Island lies about 183m W of the SW end of Guitar Island. A shoal, with a least depth of 3.6m, lies about 0.8 mile SSE of Cape Dalrymple. A detached patch, with a least depth of 7.6m, lies about 1 mile SSE of the same cape.

Nancowry Ledge (1220.00N., 9256.00E.), which has depths of less than 1.8m, lies about 1.3 miles E of Cape Dalrymple.
 
Anderson Rock (1226.00N., 9258.50E.), which dries 0.3m, lies 1 mile E of the N end of Long Island.

Campbell Shoal (1225.50N., 9304.00E.) lies about 6 miles ESE of the N end of Long Island and has a least depth of 6m, rock. It lies on the E side of an irregular bank about 2.8 miles long and 1.3 miles wide, which has depths which 
range 15.2 to 35m.

Headlam Patch (1224.00N., 9259.00E.), with a least depth of 2.2m, lies about 2.5 miles SSE of the N end of Long Island. Depths of 5.5 to 16.2m surround this danger.
     
An extensive shoal, with a depth of 3.3m near its SW end and a depth of 8.8m near its NE end, lies between 5.3 and 7.8 miles E of Cape Smith, the S end of Long Island. A detached shoal, about 1 mile in extend, lies with its shallowest 
depth of 3.4m, about 6.3 miles ESE of Cape Smith.

Ostmaston Shoal (1221.00N., 9258.00E.), with a least depth of 3m, lies about 1.8 miles E of Cape Smith.
 
North Passage Island (1216.00N., 9256.00E.), irregular in shape, high, and wooded, lies 3 miles S of Long Island. Cape Portman is the NE extremity of the island. The E side of the island is fronted by dangerous foul ground which 
extends up to 2 miles offshore. Balfour Reef extends about 1 mile N from the NW end of the island. Merk Bay, which lies between Balfour Reef and the promontory to the E, has depths of 17.2 to 25.5m.
 
Strait Island (1213.00N., 9256.00E.) lies about 0.8 mile SSE of North Passage Island. The intervening passage between the two is foul. The N and E sides of Strait Island are fringed by reefs.
 
Shoals and foul ground, with depths of less than 1.6m, extend up to 1.3 miles E of the island. Shoals, with depths of 2.4 to 4.9m, extend about 0.5 mile SSW from Cross Point, the S end of the island. A 8.8m shoal lies 2.5 miles ENE of 
the same point. 
     
A light is shown on the W side and at the S end of Strait Island, close N of Cross Point.

Colebrooke Island (1214.00N., 9254.00E.), of irregular shape and densely wooded, lies close W of the SW part of North Passage Island.
       
Tidal currents in the channel between Long and Guitar Islands, in the approach to Elphinstone Harbor, and at the various anchorages are weak. They become somewhat stronger, however, after consistent E winds. Strong tidal currents and 
eddies are experienced in Homfray Strait.
     
A channel, with depths of 5.6 to 36.6m, leads between Long Island and Guitar Island to the jetties on the SW side of the former island. A narrow channel, with depths of 5.6 to 12.8m, leads NNW to the entrance of several shallow creeks 
that lead into the interior of Middle Andaman Island.  Homfray Strait (1218.00N., 9251.50E.), an intricate, rocky channel connecting Elphinstone Harbor with Port Anson, separates Middle Andaman Island from Baratang Islands.
Depths in the fairway are not less than 5m, except near the E entrance where the depths over the bar is very shallow. 
 
The channel between North Passage Island and Strait Island is shallow and foul. The channel between North Passage Island and Colebrooke Island is about 0.5 mile wide and has depths of 5.5 to 18.3m. Small vessels with local knowledge 
can use this passage which is obstructed in places by reefs and shoals. Colebrooke Passage (1215.00N., 9253.00E.) is 0.2 mile wide with depths of 7.3 to 15.8m. Its N part is shallow.

Anchorage:
Vessels can anchor about 0.3 mile SW of the jetty previously mentioned in depths of 8.2m, but the swinging room is restricted. Anchorage can be taken in a depth of 23.8m, good holding ground, about 10.3 miles W of Cross Point.
l sheltered anchorage with good holding ground can be taken in a depth of 15.5m near the S end of Colebrooke Passage, with Cape Union in line bearing 065 with the center of Middle Button Island.
  
Caution:-
A depth of 3.2m lies a little over one mile W of Cape Union, and a 5m patch lies about 0.8 mile SW of the same cape.
 
Elphistone Harbor (1217.00N., 9254.00E.), which is formed by the N part of the channel which separates North Passage Island from the E side of Baratang Island, is entered between Cape Dalrymple and Cape Portman, about 1.8 miles SE. 
The 118m hill, which lies on the N entrance point of Homfray Strait about 2 miles WSW of Cape Dalrymple, is a useful mark. A prominent tree lies on Guitar Island. Depths in the entrance range from 6 to 25.6m, decreasing gradually to 
depths of 6.1 to 19.6m within the harbour. Numerous shoals and reefs obstruct the inner harbor, the positions of which can best be seen on the area chart.

Mills Passage (1215.00N., 9255.00E.), between the S part of North Passage Island and Colebrooke Island, has a least width of 0.5 mile and depths of 5.5 to 18.3m. Numerous shoals and reefs obstruct the passage which can only be 
used by small craft with local knowledge.
      
Anchorage can be taken in a depth of 18.3m, good holding ground, about 0.3 mile off the coast of North Passage Island, with the NW point of that island bearing 029, distant 0.5 mile. North Button Island (1219N., 9305E.), 48m high 
and reef-fringed, lies 7.5 miles E of the NE end of North Passage Island. Low, irregular cliffs lie at its E end. The W end of the island descends abruptly to a tree-covered sand spit.  Shoals, as defined by the 10m curve, extend about 
1 mile E and 0.3 mile W from the island. The N side is clear of dangers, but the bottom is rocky. The E and W ends of the island should be given a wide berth when passing. A light is shown on the NW side of North Button Island.
      
Anchorage can be taken by small vessels with local knowledge close off the reef on the S side of the island. Middle Button Island (1217.00N., 9302.00E.), 17m high, lies about 3 miles SW of North Button Island. The N end is cliffy, 
but the SW point terminates in a short sandspit with a few low rocks off it. Shoals, with depths of 4.2m, extend about 1.5 miles NNE from the N end of the island. A rocky ridge and shoal ground extends about the same distance SW from 
the island. A light is shown on the NE side of Middle Button Island.
      
Small vessels with local knowledge can anchor S of Middle Button Island clear of the shoals.

Outram Island, 3.5 miles S of North Button Island, will be described under Ritchies Archipelago.

South Button Island (1213.00N., 9302.00E.), about 3 miles S of Middle Button Island, is 36m high and formed of large rocks, steep-to on all sides. A rocky head, with a depth of 10.1m, lies about 1 mile E and coral patch, with a 
depth of 3.2m, lies about 1 mile SE of the island. A light is shown from South Button Island.

Directions:
Vessels approaching from the N should shape course, from a position about 2 miles E of North Button Island, to pass about 0.5 mile NW of South Button Island. When that island bears about 135, course should be altered to the S until 
the S side of the island is in line bearing 055 with the NW extremity of Outram Island.This range should be kept on that bearing astern until the N point of Nicholson Island is seen open W of the W end of Wilson Island, bearing about 
192.  Course can then be altered to pass about 1.5 miles W of the latter island.
      
Vessels approaching from the S side should steer for Strait Island until the S side of South Button Island is in line bearing 055 with the NW extremity of Outram Island. This range should be steered until the E end of Middle Button 
Island bears 022. Course should then be altered to pass NW of South Button Island and midway between Middle and North Button Islands and Outram Island. 

Outram Island (1215.00N., 9306.00E.), the N island of the group, is reef-fringed on all except its W side and contains Outram Harbor in a deep indentation along its N coast. 

Some low rocks lie on the reefs which fringe West Point, the W entrance point of the harbor. Shoal ground extends 0.8 mile NE from this point, and 0.6 mile NNE from East Point, the E entrance point of the harbor.

Outram Harbor (1215.70N., 9306.00E.) provides good shelter from S winds. Small vessels with local knowledge can anchor in depths of 18.3m near the middle of the harbor, with the N end of Middle Button Island in line bearing 290 
with West Point.
      
Ritchies ArchipelagoNW Side.Charka Juru, the strait separating Outram Island from Henry Lawrence Island to the S, has considerable depths throughout its length. 
Shoal ground extends about 0.8 mile S from South Point, the S end of Outram Island. Once this shoal has been cleared, a mid-channel course will lead through the strait.  
      
The Wside of Henry Lawrence Island rises steeply to a ridge about 137m high. A narrow reef fringes the island.