APPROACHES TO CARGADOS CARAJOS SHOALS (SAINT BRANDON)

CHART NO. 2503 (INT 77391)

General Information

Description
11.270
1	CargadosCarajos Shoals (1635'.00S 5940'.00E), known locally as Saint Brandon, are an extensive group of reefs, small islands and shoals, the main reef of which extends from Pointe Requin(16 49'.16S 5929'.55E), the SW point, 
	in a curve, concave W, about 26 miles NNE to Puits a Eau (1625'.41S 5936'.83E).
	The waters S and E of the main reef appear to be deep with no dangers charted at a distance greater than 5 cables from the reef.

2 	The waters W and N of the main reef are obstructed with dangers lying at a distance of as much as 8 miles from the reef.
      	Albatross Island lies in the N approach to the group, about 10 miles N of the main reef.
	Caution. Recent surveys show that many of the islands lie up to 5 cables farther N and W while the main reef extends up to 2 miles farther E than is presently indicated.

Topography
11.271
1	The main reef, much of which shows above water, is crescent shaped, concave W. The Convex E side has not been closely examined as it is impossible to approach from seaward. The bay formed on the W side of the reef is obstructed 
	with islets, rocks and shoals and many coral heads are reported to lie in the middle of the bay between Avocare Island (1636'.20S 5938'.54E) and Frigate Island (1635'.93S 5931'.00E).

2	The islets and above-water rocks lying on the reef and off the W side are low and many are liable to be covered when rough or in heavy swell. The islands and islets lying farther from the reef are from 2 to 3 m high, the larger 
	being covered with low shrubs and creepers, having the appearance of grass.
	A meteorological station is situated on lleRaphel(1626'.87S 5936'.68E) where there is also a fishing station, as on Avocare Island (1636'.20S 5938'.54E), about 11 miles SSE, and on Ile Cocos (11.273), about 9 miles farther 
	SSW. 

Natural conditions
11.272
1	Tidal streams. See information on the chart.
	At an anchorage off Coco Island (1648'.9S 5930'.5E) (11.274) the stream sets N on a rising tide at a rate of  kn. The S-going stream is barely perceptible.
	Off Frigate Island (1636'S 5931'E) the streams are very slight, the S-going stream alone being distinguishable.
	At an anchorage off Ile Raphel(1626'.87S 5936'.68E) (11.278) the stream in both directions are felt somewhat strongly, but chiefly the N-going stream.
	Climate information. See 1.205 and 1.216.

Directions
Principal marks
11.273
1	Landmarks:
	Conspicuous clump of trees, about 21 m high (1645'.16S 5934'.65E) (position approximate). The clump consists of a single palm in a gap between two groups of palms, standing on Ile Cocos, a long, low island on which there is 
	a house and other structures.
	Red-roofed tin sheds on Pearl (Perle) Island (1632'.79S 5930'.53E).

Approaches
11.274
1	CargadosCarajos should not be approached at night except in good visibility or with reliable radar. Those islands on which there are trees may be seen from a distance.
	Southern approach. A vessel approaching from S should make for Pointe Requin(1649'.16S 5929'.55E), the SW extremity of the main reef. Approximately 2 miles ENE of this point a light is exhibited from Coco Island 
	(1648'.83S 5930'.48E) which is otherwise featureless. 

2	In the approach a vessel should avoid (with positions from Coco Island Light):
	An 11 m shoal (reported 1970) (1722'.53S 5950'.26E) and:
      	A 15 m shoal (reported 1970) (1711'.16S 5952'.30E).
11.275
1	Western approach. For vessels approaching from W the outermost charted danger on the W side of the group is Pearl (Perle) Island (1632'.79S 5930'.53E) (11.273). As there are no trees on Coco Island it will not be seen for 
	a considerable time after sighting one of the islets between it and Avocare Island, 15 miles NNE.
	Eastern approach.The E side of the group is dangerous to approach under any circumstances. It is reported to be steep-to and a tremendous sea is always breaking over it.

2	Northern approach. Vessels approaching from N are advised to make Albatross Island (1615'.00S 5935'.50E), which is covered with grass and scrub. Near the NW end of the island there are some houses and a brick building.

Passage west of the group
11.276
1	From the S approach, the N-bound track W of the group passes (with positions from Coco Island Light (1648'.8S 5930'.5E)):
	W of Pointe Requin(1649'.16S 5929'.55E), the SW extremity of the main reef which may be rounded at a distance of 1 mile, thence:

2	W of Baleine Rocks (1640'.80S 5931'.25E), over which the swell usually breaks but which, in fine weather, with a calm sea, can be seen by discoloration of the water, thence:
      	W of Frigate Island (1635'.93S 5931'.00E), thence:
      	W of Pearl Island (1632'.79S 5930'.53E) (11.273), thence:

3	W of Pearl Rock (1630'.71S 5931'.98E), a group of rocks on the N end of a small reef, thence:
	W of Siren (Sirene) Island (1628'.07S 5935'.02E), thence:
	W of Puitsa Eau (1625'.41S 5936'.83E), the N-most extremity of the reef, thence:
	W of Pate Nord-Ouest (about 1624'.72S 5933'.45E), a dangerous shoal, thence:
	To a position clear of Albatross Island (1615'.00S 5935'.50E) (11.275).

Passage east of the group
11.277
1	Coming from S, a vessel on passage E of CargadosCarajos Shoals should give the group a wide berth, passing:
	E of Mapare (IIe Paul) (1635'.87S 5941'.68E), on which trees are reported, visible from a distance, and which can be reached by canoe over the main reef. Thence:
	E of dangerous rock (1630'.02S 5942'.40E) (position doubtful), thence:

2	E of a 2.1 m (7ft) shoal (1624'.51S 5938'.95E), thence:
	E of North Island (1623'.39S 5938'.70E), thence:
	E of breakwater, Le Mur (1621'.58S 5940'.10E).

Useful marks
11.278
1	Verronge(1640'.67S 5936'.61E), a small sandy atoll.
	Iles Tec Tec(1641'.23S 5939'.21E), a chain of sandy islets on the main reef.
      	Avocare Island (1636'.20S 5938'.54E), on which trees are reportedly visible from a distance.
      	Ile Raphel(1626'.87S 5936'.68E), a group of three islets on which there are several buildings, including a meteorological station, and trees, connected by low sandbanks and visible from a distance.
      	Stranded wreck (1626'.56S 5936'.48E) NW of Ile Raphel.

2	Light(1626'.56S 5936'.48E), exhibited from Ile Raphel.
      	Conspicuous wreck (1632'.89S 5930'.26E)  on reef on SW shore of Pearl Island.

Anchorages, landings and services
Anchorages
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1	South part of group. Good anchorage may be obtained NNW of Coco Island (1648'.83S 5930'.48E) (11.274). Vessel can anchor in a bay in the main reef from 2 to 41/2 miles NE of the island and about 1 mile from the reef on which 
	there is a chain of low islets lying between Coco Island and Ile Cocos, 4 miles NE (11.273). Anchorage should be taken up in not less than 20 m, suitable positions being shown on the chart.
	See 11.272 regarding tidal streams.
11.280
1	Middle part of the group. Good anchorage may be obtained midway between Pearl Island (1632'.79S 5930'.53E) (11.273) and shoal water, 43/4 miles E. Depths are about 18 m.
	Good anchorage for small craft may be obtained;
      	W of Verronge(1640'.67S 5936'.61E) (11.278), between the island and numerous shoals, 7 cables W, in a depth of about 11 m, as indicated on the chart.
      	NW of Avocare Island (1636'.20S 5938'.54E), but the approach is reported to be very difficult and local knowledge is required. There is a small fishing village on Avocare Island.
11.281
1	North part of the group. There is anchorage in depths of about 18 m in the positions shown on the chart:
	7 cables ENE of Siren Island (1628'.07S 5935'.02E), and:
	3 cables W of Ile Raphel(1626'.87S 5936'.68E) (11.278).
11.282
1	East side of the group.Grande Passe(1627'.98S 5940'.38E), a considerable inlet in the NE side of the main reef, affords good anchorage, a safe berth being found by a vessel of 350 tonnes in 1963. The inlet is entered N of 
	Ile Tortue (approximate position 1629'.33S 5940'.21E) which lies on the S side of the entrance but is not shown on the chart.

Landing Places
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1	Frigate Island (1635'.93S 5931'.00E) (11.276) can be landed on but the island is infested with rats.
	Ile Raphel(1626'.87S 5936'.68E) has a landing place near a flagstaff on the S side of the fishing station. A boat channel leads NE through a reef, between rocks which are awash,  cable S.

Services
11.284
1	Facility.Hospital on Ile Raphael.
	Communications. The establishment on CargadosCarajos are owned by a private company in Mauritius and are visited periodically by a vessel from that island.
	There is a helicopter pad in the NW part of the Ile Raphael group.