APPROACHES TO CARGADOS CARAJOS SHOALS (SAINT BRANDON)

CHART NO. 2503 (INT 77391)

General Information

Description
11.270
1	CargadosCarajos Shoals (16°35'.00S 59°40'.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 59°29'.55E), the SW point, 
	in a curve, concave W, about 26 miles NNE to Puits a Eau (16°25'.41S 59°36'.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 (16°36'.20S 59°38'.54E) and Frigate Island (16°35'.93S 59°31'.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(16°26'.87S 59°36'.68E) where there is also a fishing station, as on Avocare Island (16°36'.20S 59°38'.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 (16°48'.9S 59°30'.5E) (11.274) the stream sets N on a rising tide at a rate of ½ kn. The S-going stream is barely perceptible.
	Off Frigate Island (16°36'S 59°31'E) the streams are very slight, the S-going stream alone being distinguishable.
	At an anchorage off Ile Raphel(16°26'.87S 59°36'.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 (16°45'.16S 59°34'.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 (16°32'.79S 59°30'.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(16°49'.16S 59°29'.55E), the SW extremity of the main reef. Approximately 2 miles ENE of this point a light is exhibited from Coco Island 
	(16°48'.83S 59°30'.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) (17°22'.53S 59°50'.26E) and:
      	A 15 m shoal (reported 1970) (17°11'.16S 59°52'.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 (16°32'.79S 59°30'.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 (16°15'.00S 59°35'.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 (16°48'.8S 59°30'.5E)):
	W of Pointe Requin(16°49'.16S 59°29'.55E), the SW extremity of the main reef which may be rounded at a distance of 1 mile, thence:

2	W of Baleine Rocks (16°40'.80S 59°31'.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 (16°35'.93S 59°31'.00E), thence:
      	W of Pearl Island (16°32'.79S 59°30'.53E) (11.273), thence:

3	W of Pearl Rock (16°30'.71S 59°31'.98E), a group of rocks on the N end of a small reef, thence:
	W of Siren (Sirene) Island (16°28'.07S 59°35'.02E), thence:
	W of Puitsa Eau (16°25'.41S 59°36'.83E), the N-most extremity of the reef, thence:
	W of Pate Nord-Ouest (about 16°24'.72S 59°33'.45E), a dangerous shoal, thence:
	To a position clear of Albatross Island (16°15'.00S 59°35'.50E) (11.275).

Passage east of the group
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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) (16°35'.87S 59°41'.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 (16°30'.02S 59°42'.40E) (position doubtful), thence:

2	E of a 2.1 m (7ft) shoal (16°24'.51S 59°38'.95E), thence:
	E of North Island (16°23'.39S 59°38'.70E), thence:
	E of breakwater, Le Mur (16°21'.58S 59°40'.10E).

Useful marks
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1	Verronge(16°40'.67S 59°36'.61E), a small sandy atoll.
	Iles Tec Tec(16°41'.23S 59°39'.21E), a chain of sandy islets on the main reef.
      	Avocare Island (16°36'.20S 59°38'.54E), on which trees are reportedly visible from a distance.
      	Ile Raphel(16°26'.87S 59°36'.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 (16°26'.56S 59°36'.48E) NW of Ile Raphel.

2	Light(16°26'.56S 59°36'.48E), exhibited from Ile Raphel.
      	Conspicuous wreck (16°32'.89S 59°30'.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 (16°48'.83S 59°30'.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 (16°32'.79S 59°30'.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(16°40'.67S 59°36'.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 (16°36'.20S 59°38'.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 (16°28'.07S 59°35'.02E), and:
	3 cables W of Ile Raphel(16°26'.87S 59°36'.68E) (11.278).
11.282
1	East side of the group.Grande Passe(16°27'.98S 59°40'.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 16°29'.33S 59°40'.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 (16°35'.93S 59°31'.00E) (11.276) can be landed on but the island is infested with rats.
	Ile Raphel(16°26'.87S 59°36'.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, ½ cable S.

Services
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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.