PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Galle
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory. Requests for pilots should be advised 24 hours prior to arrival via local agent. The pilot boat is an 18m white launch with "Galle Pilot" in black letters on the bow and is also used as a mooring boat.
The usual signal for a pilot should be displayed on approaching the port and the vessel should await the arrival of the pilot close SW to the buoy (06°00.5'N 080°13.3'E), at the entrance to the central channel. A pilot ladder, rigged in accordance with SOLAS Regulations, on the lee side and 2 man ropes of at least 3in diameter rope, with the ends free, are required to be provided.
Vessels are not usually brought into the harbour at night but must anchor in the outer anchorage until daylight. However vessels may be taken into the harbour at night in good weather.
The vessel should contact Galle pilot station on VHF Ch 16 as soon as the vessel is in radio range as there is no pilotage available between 1800-0600hrs.
Key data
updated Oct 2020Size limits
LOA 190m, beam 32m, draught 7.3m, 57,238DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 0.6m (spring), 0.1m (neap).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galle | 7.30 m | 190 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2020Approach
The port is approached through one of three channels, (eastern, central and western), between Point de Galle (6°01'.4N 080°12'.9E) and Watering Point, 1nm ESE. The maintained depth on the artificial harbour is 9.8m. The S part of that harbour is maintained at 8.9m.
Eastern channel: From a position approx 0.35nm SW of Unawatuna Point (6°00'.3N 080°14'.5E), the alignment (322°) of the N end of Kacheri with Chapel leads NW towards the harbour, passing:
NE of Alut Ground (1.15nm SE), a shoal patch. NE of Gal Pare (0.7nm SE), a shoal consisting of several heads, with least depths of 7.9m. NE of Bloomfield Rock (0.6nm SE) and SW of Imbue Ranne Gala (0.7nm ESE) then SW of Diya Mudawa (0.5nm ESE), a shoal over which the sea breaks during the SW monsoon.
Central channel: From a position SE of the pilot boarding station, follow the recommended track (003°) passing:
E of Safe Water Buoy (0.95nm S), E of Kadda Rock (0.6-0.7nm SSE), three shoal patches with least depths of 3.4m (where the sea breaks heavily during SW monsoon but the surface is hardly disturbed during NE monsoon). W of Secundra Rock (0.7nm SSE), a buoy is moored 50m SW of the rock. E of Sealark Rock (0.575 SSE, port hand) positioned approx 60m NNE from the rock. E of Bloomfield Rock (0.575nm SE), a buoy (starboard hand) is moored 150m from the rock. The route then follows between Bekilatu Wawa and Matte Mada, then N to the chartered dredged area. The route then follows (relative to Scharte Fort, 06°01.7'N 080°13.0'E): W of Outer Katta (0.5nm ESE), W of Kata Gala (0.5nm ESE), W of a foul area (0.37nm ESE), E of Welihukka (300m SE) a rocky patch with least depth of 0.9m.
Western channel: The western channel is unmarked and used only by local vessels. The channel leads NE passing between Mee Meti Yawa, which extends S from Pointe de Galle and Kadda Rocks. It then joins the central channel ESE of Pointe de Galle.
E of Polkote Gala (0.25nm SE) is a dangerous rock on which the sea breaks during the SW monsoon. A buoy is moored 150m SE of the rock.
Entry into the harbour: The entrance channel is 130m. Vessels are not permitted to enter the harbour at night. Sailing from the harbour can be arranged at night in good weather conditions. Local knowledge is required for entering the harbour via the Western Channel.
Anchorages
The pilot nominates anchorage berths.
Outer anchorages: Available in depths of 16.5m. During the SW monsoon the best berth is in depth of 27.0m, sand, with Point de Galle Lighthouse bearing 012° distant 12nm.
During the NE monsoon vessels usually anchor in depths of 18.0m with Point de Galle Lighthouse bearing 335° distant 1.15nm. The largest vessel permitted to anchor is LOA 152m with draught of 9.1m.
During the SW monsoon, the largest permissible vessel is LOA 145m and draught of 7.6m. The bottom at the anchorage is good holding ground in sand and mud.
Anchor berths: Vessels moor head and stern, bow S, using both bower anchors at open hawse with their port anchor laid E.
The stern moorings are laid by the Assistant Master Attendant as required. Vessels are required to slack the cable when necessary and must have their main engines ready for use at short notice.
Caution There are several detached shoals in the E part of the harbour, a rocky spit with depths of 2.5-5.0m extends 200m SW from the W end of Gibbert Island. Throughout the harbour, within the 5.0m depth contour, there are numerous rocks both above and below the surface.
Vessels should anchor well clear of central and eastern channels and their approaches.
Restrictions
Vessels are not permitted to enter the harbour at night.
Tugs
Available.
Charts and publications
BA 813, 819, 3700. Admiralty Pilot NP38, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2012ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notify the agent of ETA 5 days, 3 days and 24 hours prior to arrival. Message to include ETA, draught, last port of call and nationality, details of any dangerous/hazardous cargo, arms/ammunition onboard and that crew (passengers if any) are healthy.
Communications
Contact Sri Lankan Navy on VHF Ch 16, 11.
Notice of readiness
NOR should be tendered on arrival at Galle roads.
Master should tender NOR during normal working hours.
Documents
PH = Port Health, PS = Port Security, PO = Police, IM = Immigration, CU = Customs.
Special forms will be delivered by authorities concerned, or can be arranged by agents, on arrival.
Health
Pratique can be applied for a minimum of 48 hours prior to arrival via radio.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates have to be authenticated at Colombo.
The port does not have any special health regulations.
Customs and immigration
Each person is allowed 1 carton of cigarettes and 2 bottles of spirits. Other items should be placed in the bonded store. Penalties vary according to the magnitude of non compliance.
Immigration officers will board vessel on arrival and random inspections of passports may be carried out. No passport will be stamped, unless in the case of disembarkation/repatriation of crew/passengers.
There are no restrictions on crew and/or passengers. However photography within the port premises is not permitted.
Flags
Sri Lanka national flag is required to be displayed whilst in the port. There are no penalties for not complying.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Sri Lankan Navy.
Position: Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy.
Address: Naval Headquarters, Flagstaff Street, Colombo 01.
Tel: +94 11 246 6236
Fax: +94 11 254 2530
Mob: +94 777 557234
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.navy.lk
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Oct 2020Repairs
A slipway is available for small repairs.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at berth.
Bunkering: Limited supplies available. Small quantities supplied by road tankers.
Stores: Available.
Off Port Limits (OPL): Stores can be received off port by launch.
Medical
Private nursing home and Government hospital.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Katunayaka International Airport, approx 130km.
Working hours
The port of Galle works on a 24 hour basis every day of the year, except on May Day.
About Galle
updated Oct 2020Where it is
The port of Galle is situated on the SW coast of Sri Lanka.
The port
The port handles general cargo, dry bulk, Ro-Ro, cruise, passenger, and liquid cargo.
Questions about Galle
What are the pilot arrangements at Galle?
Compulsory. Requests for pilots should be advised 24 hours prior to arrival via local agent.
What time zone is Galle in?
Local time at Galle is UTC+5:30. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Galle?
The deepest berth listed is at Galle: 7.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Galle?
1025.
Which load line zone is Galle in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Galle?
Port State Control at Galle: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Galle?
The UN/LOCODE of Galle is LKGAL.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Galle say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.