SITTWE HARBOUR

1.  Kaladan River is entered between YaThay Point and Hodge Point, 2.7 miles SSE. The town Sittwe lies on the W bank of the river N of YaThay Point. 

2.  Jacks Reef lies about 11 cables NNE of Hodge point.

3.  NgapiKyun (Flat Island), low and covered with mangroves occupies the center of Kaladan River 5¼ miles NE of YaThay Point. 

4.  Flat Island Spit, an extensive mud spit which dries in places, fronts the S and W sides of NgapiKyun and extends about 4.2 miles SW; the spit lies on a shallow bank with its SW end about 1.5 miles NE of YaThay 
    Point. A Visible Wreck lies 2.7 miles NNE off YaThay Point Light on the SW edge of the Flat Island Spit on a foul ground with depths of 0.3m around it.  

5.  A stranded wreck lies about 1.2 miles NNE of YaThay Point light at the SW extremity of the spit. Another dangerous wreck lies about 2.4 miles NNE of the YaThay Point light at the center of the channel of the western branch of 
    Kaladan River
    Another stranded wreck lies about 13.4 cables NNE of YaThay Point light. A dangerous wreck lies about one cable SE of it. Another stranded wreck lies 7 cables N of YaThay Point light. 

6.  Kaladan River has been surveyed further to Kalabon River which enters the E bank 17 miles NNE of Hodge Point. 

7.  River Level. During the SW monsoon, June to October, the mean level of Kaladan River rises about 0.6m. Myanmar - India joint project will be carried out to get deep channel in Kaladan River rises about 0.6m.

    (A.4)
1.  West Branch of Kaladan River. The W branch of Kaladan River lies between NgapiKyun and Paton Peninsula. 

2.  The inner bar, across the entrance to the W branch of Kaladan River, lies between the coast of the mainland about 1 mile N of YaThay Point and the SW end of the bank surrounding NgapiKyun (Flat  Island); this bar leads to the
    main wharf at Sittwe and to a channel formed by the W branch of the river. The bar has a least depth of 2.9 m.

3.  The inner Bar Light-buoy is moored 12.5 cables NNE of YaThay Point; two more buoys are located on the eastern side of the western channel 12.5 cables apart and same this buoy is moored at the mouth of SatyogyaChaung.

    (A.5)
1.  SatyogyaChaung is entered on the N side of the town of Sittwe into 3 miles NNE of YaThay Point; this river leads into MinganChaung which connects Kaladan River and Mayu River. A visible wreck lies close to the 
    coast 2.5 Cables S of SatyogyaChaung creek mouth. A series of four pairs of beacons lie 2 cables apart on the southern side of the south of SatyogyaChaung. Another pairs lie on the north side of the creeks mouth.
    Three in number conspicuous black chimneys lie to the north bank of the SatyogyaChaung; four in number similar chimneys lie to the southern side.  

2.  MinganChaungis entered about 2 miles NNE of SatyogyaChaung; an overhead cable vertical clearance of 19m crosses MinganChaung 1¼ miles above its entrance. 

3.  Pali Creek is entered about 2½ miles NE to MinganChaung. 

4.  Paw Island a densely wooded mangrove island lies opposite to Pali creek. 

5.  Pilotage. Pilots licensed by the Government are stationed at YaThay Point, where there is a Signal Station and lookout. 
	
    (A.6)	Port of Sittwe (Akyab)  
1.  The port of Sittwe(20º08'.35 N,  90º54'.33 E) is large rice exporting port lying about 1.7 miles within the entrance to Kaladan River. Chief exports are rice and rice products, hides and salt; the chief imports are
    oil, cloth, gunny bags, dried fish and cotton. 

2.  Sittwe  is  accessible to  vessels upto 4.9 m draught. 

3.  The town of Sittwe situated on well wooded, low land, had a population of about 181 thousands in 2006. 

4.  Residential houses are located near YaThay Point and along the shore of the harbour. 

5.  During the SW monsoon the rain fall is very heavy, the whole country becoming almost inundated and the rivers swollen. The winter months are dry. 

6.  A ‘T’ shaped Jetty exists on the southern side to the mouth of the SatyogyaChaung measuring 100 m length with a head of 30m for low draught barges to load and unload. There are numerous jetties all along
     the coast inside the creek for small crafts and barges to load and unload cargo from the ships. The coast and the port are well connected by road. 
	
    (A.7)	Anchorages   
1.  Merchant vessels usually anchor in the W branch of the river, close offshore between Main Wharf (Phaung  TawGyi  Jetty) (20º 08'.3N, 92º 54'.3E) and the entrance to SatyogyaChaung, to facilitate working cargo;
    if this is not required a convenient anchorage for vessels of less than 5.5m draught is ½ mile S of the Phaung Taw Gyi jetty. When necessary vessels anchor S of the inner bar to complete loading; Naval Vessels are 
    recommended to anchor off the entrance to SatyogyaChaung where there is a good landing place for boats at any stage of the tide. 

2.  When anchored anywhere inside YaThay Point vessels are liable to drag their anchors during spring tides which attain considerable rates; at least 8 shackles of cable should be veered when anchored anywhere
    in the vicinity. Silting is liable to take place and it is advisable to obtain local information before anchoring. 

1.  When entering harbour with the flood stream take great care when  near  KyaukPhyu  (White  Rocks)  as  the  stream sets directly on to them; leaving harbour with the ebb stream keep as close to these rocks as 
    is not prudent to  avoid  being  set  on  to  Inner  Bar  SW.  

2.  Vessels are advised  not  to entering or leaving  the port  between the dark period of sunset and  sunrise.

3.  During the SW monsoon deep draught vessels entering from W should approach and keep LaukLanTaung (Beacon Hill) bearing 091º which leads between Oyster Reef and Heckford Patch. When  the beacon on
    KyaukPhyu (White Rocks) bears 350º and is in line with Lay Chun Taung (Savage Island) Light  tower steer for it on that  bearing, this leads over the outer bar in a least depth  of  4.6 m. During the SW monsoon vessels 
    should have 2m to 3m under-keel clearance on account of the swell. 

4.  When about 1¼ miles S of the beacon on KyaukPhyu (White Rocks) alter course W to make good a track of 330º  passing about 4 cables WSW of the beacon;When  Lay  Chan Taung (Savage Island) Light tower bears 090º alter 
    course NE to pass 2½ cables NW of Passage Rock and then about 3½ cables SE of the buoy at the outer end of  YaThay Reef.When YaThay Point bears 315º alter course N to pass between the point and  for the anchorage, or for the
    inner bar; during the ebb there is a strong set S and Wand vessels entering should keep well up-river after passing the buoy off YaThay Reef before turning towards the anchorage. 

    (A.9)	Berth 
1.  Main Wharf (Phaung Taw Gyi Jetty) was rebuilt in 1976, extends from the waterfront 1¾ miles N of YaThay Point; vessels up to 99m in length and up to 4.9m draught can berth at the T-head of the wharf. 

2.  During the SW monsoon all cargo is discharged at Port Jetty in SatyogyaChaung, there is a 7-ton steam crane and several small mobile cranes at this jetty.

3.  Ocean going vessels anchor in the stream and load by lighters; these have capacities of 50 to 200 tons. 

    (A.10)	Facilities 
1.  There are two cargos godowns at Main Wharf and two at Port Jetty; each can accommodate 350 tons of cargo. Minor repair can be undertaken; there is a patent slip available in the port.
    There is a large general hospital in the town.
 
2.  Supplies. Water can be supplied by water boats at a rate of 9000 to 18000 liters per hour; either afloat or at Main Wharf.  Fresh provisions are always available but good vegetables are scarce. Oil fuel is also available.

    (A.11)
1.  Communications. There is a regular  communication by sea and by air with Yangon. There is a system of inland water communication throughout the district of Sittwe.

2.  The extended systems of Storm and Weather signals are employed.

3.  Regulations. There are special quarantine regulations at Sittwe a copy of which should be obtained from the Port Office.

4.  Port Authority. The Port Officer, exercises authority on behalf of the Myanmar Ports Authority, Yangon.

    (A.12)	Climate  
1.  The South-west Monsoon begins in the latter half of May and lasts until early October. Occasionally it increases in strength from a S direction and is accompanied by heavy rain and sea; caution is necessary when approaching the land. 

2.  During the NE monsoon the wind blows from N in the morning gradually veering to SE towards noon. It is then calm until the sea breeze sets in from between W and SW, veering to NW in the evening. These winds prevail with regularity 
    from November to March. 
3.  Thick fog often occurs during the winter months with the in-coming tidal stream.

4.  A narrow, shallow channel marked by buoys leads between NgapiKyun (Flat Island) and Paw Island, a low island close N and covered in brushwood. This channel can be used by boats, shallow draught barges and country boats. 

5.  Between YaThay Point and a position about 4 miles N numerous pairs of beacons and some single beacons mark the W side of the channel. 

    (A.13)	East Branch of Kaladan River 
1.  The E branch of Kaladan River is entered between the SW end of the bank surrounding NgapiKyun(Flat  Island)  Spit and a bar lying across the NW end. 

2.  Kywegu River flows into the E branch of Kaladan River 5 miles NE of Hodge Point (20º 04'.5N, 92º 55'.2E); it is used by boats carrying  cargo between Sittwe and Rakhine.

3.  Walkan Island lies close N of the S entrance point of Kywegu River; KyaukZaukHto(Tumble Down Dick Rock), prominently stands on the island. Another island,  lies in the middle of the river ½ mile E of Walkan Island.

4.  Dat Hill, 137m high and conspicuous, stands within the E bank 2.4 miles E of the N point of NgapiKyun; Flat Hummock, 110m high stands 6 cables farther N. There is a conspicuous tree on the summit of each hill. 

    (A.14)	MyengunKyun (West Boronga Island) to KyaukPhyu
1.  MyengunKyun (West Boronga Island) extends 17½ miles SE. It lies 2 miles SE of Yathay point. The island is densely wooded.  LaukLanTaung (Beacon Hill), a plateau 293m high, forms a good mark. The summit of the 
    MyegunKyun lies about 6.2 miles SSE of LaukLanTaung and is 337m high.

2.  A conspicuous white pagoda, Sandawshin, stands on the W coast on a low hill, 3½  miles S of the summit of MyengunKyun.


