How To Enter Kushiro Port and Things To Be Aware of When Entering 1.How to enter Kushiro Port (1)How to enter the East Area When entering the port from Nemuro, navigate while maintaining a safe distance from the Shiritosho Light Beacon (42 57'40.0"N, 144 22'06.8"E) to the south of the East Area, veer to the west of the quarantine anchorage at an appropriate location, and when approaching the quarantine anchorage, gradually turn right toward the outer edge of the anchorage before going into the port entrance. When entering the port from Cape Erimo, the two chimneys of the Nippon Paper plant one kilometer north from the mouth of the Shinkushiro River serve as a landmark. When approaching the port, gradually turn right toward the outer edge of the quarantine anchorage, and go into the port entrance. (2)How to enter the East Area Navigate to the west of the detached breakwater (1,750 m in length, with lighthouses at the eastern edge and the western edge) to the southwest of the south lighthouse in the West Area while maintaining a safe distance from it, then turn right and go into the port entrance. It is not recommended to enter the port between the western edge of the south breakwater in the West Area and the eastern edge of the detached breakwater since it requires a large-angle turn. (3)Course indication 1) Any vessel sailing in the harbor of Kushiro Port or near the port boundary must let other vessels know its course by sending a signal regarding its destination through an automatic identification system as prescribed by the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard. However, this does not apply to vessels without any automatic identification system or with a system that is not in use pursuant to the provisos in Article 3-16 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Mariners Act. (Article 11 Paragraph 1, Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act on Port Regulations) Port Name Port Code Course signal based on Corresponding In-port Paragraph 2,Article 11 Course Code of the Regulation Example of Entry 2nd sub. 1 1 JP KUH 1 2nd sub. 2 2 JP KUH 2 2nd sub. 3 3 JP KUH 3 KUSHIRO JP KUH 2nd sub. 4 4 JP KUH 4 2nd sub. 5 5 JP KUH 5 Courses in the sections other than the above XX JP KUH XX 2) Any vessel sailing in the harbor of Kushiro Port must indicate its course by hoisting international maritime signal flags as specified under Article 11 Paragraph 2 of the Act on Port Regulations. However, this condition does not apply to vessels without international maritime signal flags or during night navigation. (Article 11 Paragraph 2, Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act on Port Regulations) 4
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2. Points to note when entering the port (1) Shirito Reef (with the Shiritosho Light Beacon to the south), made up of rocks awash, rocks that become covered and uncovered, etc. lies in the waters 0.5 miles offshore near the southeastern coast of Kushiro Port. Please be alert when sailing nearby, as grounding accidents have often occurred there. (2) From April to October every year, as many fishing boats gather from across the country and are based at Kushiro Port, the marine traffic gets heavy in the harbor and its surrounding areas. Please be alert. (3) Dense fog is often present over the waters around Kushiro Port. In summer, such conditions can continue for several days. When visibility is poor due to dense fog, it is essential to strengthen surveillance using radar and navigate at safe speeds. (4) Timber is sometimes unloaded in water and carried on a raft in the waters around the central pier in the East Area. Please be alert when sailing nearby. (5) A variety of construction work is underway in the West Area and its surrounding waters. Be careful of working boats traveling back and forth there. (6) Fixed nets are set in waters around Shirito Reef and along the coast to the west of the West Area. Please sail carefully. 3. Anchoring at Kushiro Port (1) Ordinary vessels can anchor in the Outer Port as well as in Section 2 and Section 3 of the East Area. (2) Vessels loaded with dangerous goods (including non-gas-free vessels) can anchor in the Outer Port (advance designation of the anchoring position from the Captain of Kushiro Port is needed), but not in the East Area or the West Area. (3) In line with Announcement No. 8 by the Captain of the Port (November 16, 2001), no vessels are permitted to anchor in the West Area of Kushiro Port for the time being in order to secure the waterway. Announcement No. 8 by the Captain of the Port The ban on the anchoring of vessels in the West Area of Kushiro Port under Announcement No. 1 by the Captain of the Port on January 10, 1995 shall be lifted on November 16, 2001 in line with the completion of construction to extend the south breakwater, and anchoring shall be newly prohibited as specified below pursuant to the first paragraph of Article 37 of the Act on Port Regulations. This announcement is publicly made in accordance with the provision of the second paragraph of the same Article. November 16, 2001 Captain of Kushiro Port Prohibition on the anchoring of vessels in the West Area of Kushiro Port Anchoring shall be prohibited in the West Area of Kushiro Port as specified below in order to secure the waterway. (1) Area Marine waters in the West Area enclosed by the following points and coasts: a. The inner edge of the east breakwater in the West Area of Kushiro Port b. The line connecting the southern edge of the east breakwater and the eastern edge of the south breakwater in the West Area of Kushiro Port c. The inner edge of the south breakwater in the West Area of Kushiro Port d. The line connecting the western edge of the south breakwater and the southern edge of the west breakwater in the West Area of Kushiro Port e. The inner edge of the west breakwater in the West Area of Kushiro Port (2) Period From November 16, 2001 until further notice 7
(5) Anchoring is prohibited in some areas between a passage in Kushiro Port and Section 1 of the East Area in line with Announcement No. 6 by the Captain of Kushiro Port (October 6, 1970). Announcement No. 6 by the Captain of the Port Part of the anchoring-prohibited area shall be modified as specified below pursuant to the first paragraph of Article 37 of the Act on Port Regulations, and this announcement is publicly made in accordance with the provision of the second paragraph of the same Article. October 6, 1970 Captain of Kushiro Port Partial modification of the anchoring-prohibited area Part of the anchoring-prohibited area in Sections 1, 2 and 3 shall be modified as specified below. Note 1. Date of modification: October 20, 1970 2. Area of modification: Area enclosed by the following points: a. The point 90 degrees and 250 meters from the north breaker lighthouse b. The point 90 degrees and 200 meters form a c. The point 69 degrees and 1,030 meters from b d. The point 86 degrees from c and along an extended line to Nusamai Bridge e. The point 90 degrees and 300 meters from the south breaker lighthouse f. The point 90 degrees and 180 meters from e g. The point 61 degrees and 790 meters from f h. The point 66 degrees and 360 meters from g i. The point 86 degrees from h and along an extended line to Nusamai Bridge 4. Points to note when anchoring at the port Continuous strong southerly winds may cause anchors to drag in Kushiro Port and its surrounding waters. Vessels at anchor or vessels intending to anchor are requested to note the following points: (1) Get a clear grasp of the area and bottom sediment at the point of anchorage and the distance from the shore to the point of anchorage to decide the numbers of anchors and shackles. (2) Stay abreast of the weather conditions to take appropriate actions with any changes (shifting anchor, moving to a safer port or sea area, etc.). (3) Make an appropriate surveillance and keep listening to VHF. (4) Any vessels equipped with AIS (automatic identification system) should leave the system on and set it to sound a ring alert. *The Captain of Kushiro Port issues an anchor dragging advisory if strong southerly winds of 15 m/s or more are judged to continuously blow at Kushiro Port. 8