PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Hirao
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is not compulsory. Inland Sea Pilots are available at Sekisaki or Hesaki and harbour pilots are available at Hirao in position 33°54'N 132°03.5'E.
Key data
updated May 2010Size limits
Draught 10.0m, 15,000DWT.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Mean Level 1.7m, rate 0.3kt.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hirao Port | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2018Approach
Channel depths range from 20m to 35m. Vessels should take care with fishing boats off the port.
Port limits
The limits cover the head of Sago Wan and include Umashima Suido.
Anchorages
Sagowan Hakuchi, on the S side of the peninsula, affords anchorage in depths of 7.0-13.0m, mud.
Befu Hakuchi, the inlet on the N side of the peninsula, affords sheltered anchorage in depths of 5.5-9.0m.
Caution: There are a number of red mooring buys in the N part of this anchorage and a submarine cable is laid from the N end of Uma Shima to the W end of the peninsula.
Restrictions
Entry or sailing after sunset is prohibited.
Tugs
2 x 3,000hp tugs are available from Tokuyama, if required.
Charts and publications
JP1102. Admiralty Pilot NP42B, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
See Country information.
Communications
VHF: Pilots: Ch 16, see Inland Sea pilots and Hirao Harbour Pilots.
Documents
See Country information.
Health
Free pratique: Usually vessels anchor at Hososhima or Tokuyama prior to proceeding to Hirao.
Radio pratique: Available but agents will board and collect necessary papers at Tokuyama and or nearest port. See Country information for further details.
Customs and immigration
Immigration formalities are handled by officials from Tokuyama.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Position: Section Chief.
Address: 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8918, Japan.
Tel: +81 3 5253 8070.
Fax: +81 3 5253 8134.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jan 2012Repairs
There is one repair yard available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from shore.
Bunkers: Available by barge from nearby bunkering ports.
Transport
Nearest airport: Hiroshima (60km).
Working hours
Office: Normally 0800-1700hrs. Stevedores: Normally 0830-1630hrs.
About Hirao
updated Oct 2018Where it is
Hirao is situated on the SW coast of Honshu, on the Inland Sea.
The port
Hirao's position on the peninsula of Saga Wan offers good protection for the mainly small vessels that use the port. Hirao has an open roadstead and berthing for the handling of logs and plywood.
Traffic
Approx 254,000t of cargo and 500 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Hirao
What are the pilot arrangements at Hirao?
Pilotage is not compulsory.
What time zone is Hirao in?
Local time at Hirao is UTC+9. No summer time.
Which load line zone is Hirao in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Hirao?
Port State Control at Hirao: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Hirao?
The UN/LOCODE of Hirao is JPHRA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Hirao 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.