Mutsamudu

Size limits

Max LOA 190m, beam 32.26m, draught 8.5m and 58,018DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 3.9m (springs), 1.4m (neaps).

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The directions into the harbour are as follows:

From sea or anchorage, the track into the harbour leads ENE, passing SSE of a beacon, (port hand), close off the seaward end of Quai Principal (Mutsamudu Terminal), which shows up well and SSE of a light, (red lantern on hut), on the seaward end of Quai Principal (Mutsamudu Terminal).

Caution: A current setting NW across the entrance may be experienced.

Anchorages

Ocean going vessels:

Approx 0.3nm WNW of the harbour entrance, in a depth of 60m. The bearing 102° of Mutsamudu Light (12°09.8'S 044°23.9'E), leads to the berth which lies at the intersection of this bearing with the alignment 184° of the N and S of 3 white anchoring beacons at Page village, (approx 1nm SW of Mutsamudu). The S anchoring beacon is difficult to distinguish when the sun is high.

Approx 0.7nm WSW of the harbour entrance, in Mouillage de la Fontaine, in a depth of approx 55m. The alignment, (134°) on the N and SE anchoring beacons leads to this berth. The SE Beacon is difficult to distinguish when the sun is high.

Coasters: Anchor approx 0.45nm WSW of the harbour entrance, in a depth of approx 30m. The bearing 172° of Page "N" Beacon leads to this berth which lies at the intersection of the bearing 073° of Mutsamudu minaret, in line with the centre of an ochre coloured red roofed Customs House, 0.125nm WSW. The berth is only 0.17nm off the coastal reef.

Coasters can also anchor NE of the above berth in a depth of approx 25m, with Mutsamudu minaret bearing 077° distant 0.65nm.

Caution: Depths increase rapidly off the coastal bank, which has depths of less than 11m over it and on which the drying coastal reef lies, the anchorages must therefore be approached with care.

The bearing 052° of Pointe Mirontsi, (12°09.3'S 044°24.1'E), in line with Maisson Wilson, 1.5nm NE, passes seaward of the coastal bank, however the marks are difficult to distinguish in the morning.

Restrictions

A submarine cable is located close to the harbour and runs approx 1.74nm.

Silting may occur in the E section of the harbour.

Tugs

There is 1 tug of 1,060hp, equipped with RT, available. If a tug is required it should be requested in advance via the local agent and communication should be established with port radio on arrival.

Charts and publications

BA 563, 3895. Admiralty Pilot NP39, NP286(8).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent to the agent 48 hours prior to arrival with the following information: Length, beam, max draught, name of the vessel, ETA and ETD.

Communications

Port contact info

VHF: Ch 16 (Pilots & Port, listen when vessel expected).

Telephone +269 771 0143.

ANAM contact info

Telephone: +269 773 9779

Email: [email protected]

Customs and immigration

Customs and immigration available 0730-1430hrs (closed Sunday) and can be contacted via Tel: +269 711999, Fax: +269 711276.

Flags

The vessel's registered flag, yellow Interco "G" flag and national Comoros flag have to be shown. Flag State Inspection (FSI) are provided by ANAM.

Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.

ISPS

Designated Authority: Maritime Affairs of the Union of Comoros.

Contact: The Commissioner.

Address: Maritime Administration/Ship and Port, Security Department, PO Box 22061, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Tel: +971 6 742 8120.

Fax: +971 6 744 1270.

E-mail: [email protected]

Mobile: +971 506 462452.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

US Coast Guard announced that, effective June 10 2011, it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in the Union of the Comoros, during their last five port calls. In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in any port of the country; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in the port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in the port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. See 76 Fed Reg 30954.

Repairs

There are no repair facilities available.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at Mutsamudu Terminal.

Bunkering: Not available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hospital Center De Mutsamudu (0.85km), Hopital De Tsembehu (9km) and Hopital De Bambao Anjouan Comores (13.5km).

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aeroport de Ouani Anjouan (Local airfield with connecting flights to Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport, 5.6km).

Nearest railway: There are no rail services available.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0730-1430hrs; Sat 0730-1200hrs.

Where it is

The port of Mutsamudu is situated on the island of Anjouan (Nzwani), in the Comoros Group off E Africa.

The port

Matsamudu, built in 1982, is the only deep-water port in the country and serves mainly the transhipment of containerised cargoes destined to the two other islands of the archipelago. The port has facilities to handle regular inter-island fast ferries, Ro-Ro and general cargo. A tanker berth is located 3.8km NE from the main harbour however the berth is no longer commercially active.

Imports: Rice, cement, sugar, flour and petroleum products.

Exports: Ylang Ylang, cloves and vanilla.

Traffic

Approx 1,570,000t of cargo, 35,200TEUs and 125 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Mutsamudu?

Pilotage is compulsory for berthing alongside.

What time zone is Mutsamudu in?

Local time at Mutsamudu is UTC+3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Mutsamudu?

The deepest berth listed is at Mutsamudu Terminal: 8.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Mutsamudu?

1025.

Which load line zone is Mutsamudu in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Mutsamudu?

Port State Control at Mutsamudu: Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Mutsamudu?

The UN/LOCODE of Mutsamudu is KMMUT.

What crews who called at Mutsamudu 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.

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