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ENTRANCE CHANNEL

The transit to Lautoka is normally made from the southwest through Navula Passage. An alternate route is from the northwest through Yavena Passage. See Figure I-2. Both transits take approximately two hours. A daylight transit is required when proceeding via the Yavena Passage. Yavena Passage has many course changes as well.

Beacons around the coasts of Fiji are frequently destroyed or damaged by heavy weather. When this occurs, it may be some time before the aids are repaired or replaced. Also, it may not be possible to re-erect the aid in the exact charted position. Mariners are advised to use caution.

For the transit from the southwest, Pilots board about one nmi seaward of the Navula Passage. In rough weather the pilot will normally embark abreast the beacon situated on the east end of the reef on the south side of Navula Passage. When no pilot boat is sighted, a vessel should proceed through the passage and anchor in Momi Bay, north of the range line. The range line is on a bearing of 077°17'.

It is advisable to arrive off the entrance just before sunrise or else about two hours after, as the beacons are difficult to distinguish against the sun. The light structures on the north side of the passage can generally be seen which assists a vessel in its approach.

The barrier reef that lies off the northwest side of Viti Levu extends about 29 nmi northwest of Navula Passage to Tartar Reef. Navula Reef forms the north side of Navula Passage. In 1986, it was reported that a shoal depth of 10.2 ft (3.1 m) extends south-southwest from Navula Reef Light.

Tavaru Island (17°51'S 177°12'E), sandy and fringed by coral reef, lies 1.5 nmi north of Navula Reef. From Navula Point the coast trends north-northeast about 9.5 nmi to a point that marks the south entrance to Tomba Ko Nandi. The Nandi River discharges through its south mouth 8 nmi north-northeast of Navula Point and a point 3 nmi farther northeast.

Between an airport charted 5.3 nmi south-southeast of Vuna Point and the townof Nadi, numerous hotels may be seen. A light is shown from the airport. Turtle Rock (17°48'S 177°19'E), with a depth of 22.6 ft (6.9 m), lies 2.25 nmi west of Turtle Rock. Cody Shoal, with a depth of 16.7 ft (5.1 m), and Curacao Rock, with a depth of 6.9 ft (2.1 m), lie 1.5 nmi north-northwest and 1.75 nmi north-northwest, respectively, from Turtle Rock. According to the Pilot during the site visit in November 2002, the Curacoa Rock Light is unlit and the wreck situated close by at 17°45.6'S 177°18.8'E has been removed.

Nandi Waters (17°41'S 177°19'E) is the area west of Tomba Ko Nandi. Within an area 8 nmi west-northwest of Vunda Point are several islets, with numerous shoals and drying reefs in their vicinity. The position of these dangers may best be seen on NIMA Chart # 83574. Catlow Reef (17°40'S 177°20'E), with a depth of less than 5.9 ft (1.8 m), lies nearly 3 nmi west-northwest of Vunda Point; it is the farthest east of the dangers in Nandi Waters. Tomba Ko Nandi is 5 nmi long north/south and recedes 4 nmi.

Naikorokoro Point (17°38'S 177°23'E), 2.8 nmi north of Vunda Point, is from 40-60 ft (12.2 to 18.3 m) high, thickly wooded, and has a small fringing reef. Tivoa Islet and Pascoe Cay stand on a group of reefs 2 nmi northwest of Naikorokoro Point. Pinder Reefs (17°36'S 177°25'E), when dry, lie 2.3 miles northwest of Naikorokoro Point on the northwest side of the recommended track. Thovuli, an extensive reef that dries 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m), lies with its southeast extremity 1.5 nmi of the lighted beacon on Pinder Reefs.

The channel from Navula Passage to Tomba Ko Nandi was wire dragged to a depth of 41 ft (12.5 m) in 1942; its position may best be seen on NIMA chart #83574.

Lautoka Harbor lies inside Vio Island, about 3.3 nmi northeast of Naikorokoro Point. Vio Island lies on a reef separated from the main island by a channel with a least navigable width of 479 ft (146 m). According to the Pilot during the site visit in November 2002, the maximum draft for ships approaching Queen's Wharf from the north between Vio Island and the main island is 34.5 ft (10.5 m) and from the south is 28.9 ft (8.8 m). A least depth of 28.9 ft (8.8 m) exists at a distance between 0.1 nmi and 0.2 nmi north-northwest of Queen's Wharf. Vessels are cautioned about undetected shoal patches.

A radio mast showing red obstruction lights is positioned about 1.3 nmi southeast of Queen's Wharf, while a second radio tower is positioned about 0.5 nmi east-southeast of the Wharf. Seven chimneys standing within the town are conspicuous. At the Port, the large conveyor system structure on the FSC Wharf is visible from a long distance (Figure I-13).

Seaplanes may be encountered landing, taking off, or taxing during daylight hours in the area between Mbekana Island, located 0.5 nmi north of Vio Island, and the mainland of Viti Levu.

From Lautoka Harbor heading along the northern transit route, the coast trends in a northeast direction about 7.5 nmi to Nathilau Point (17°30'S 177°31'E), a defined headland; the intervening coast is indented by two bays. Mbekana Island lies 0.8 nmi north of Lautoka Harbor, on the east side of the recommended track. Reefs extend about 0.3 nmi off the west and north side of the island.

Yawalau, an island 28.9 ft (8.8 m) high, lies 0.5 nmi offshore, 2.4 nmi north-northeast of Mbekana Island. The recommended track passes between this island and Naivaka Point, about 0.7 nmi south. A detached reef, 0.5 nmi northeast of Naivaka Point narrows the fairway to 0.25 nmi. Nukunimanu (17°30'S 177°30'E), about 1 nmi west of Naithilau Point, is a narrow ridge of coral grit about 3 ft (0.9 m) high. The recommended track lies east of Nukunimanu.

Ngana Point (17°27'S 177°37'E) is a low point of mud and sand located 6 nmi northeast of Nathilau Point. This point is the west entrance to the Mba River. Malevu is a drying reef that extends 2 nmi northeast from a position 1.5 nmi north-northeast of Nathilau Point. A islet, 20 ft (6.1 m) high, lies on the southwest end of the reef.

Large detached reefs lie 1.75 nmi west and 1 nmi northwest, respectively, from the western extremity of Malevu. The recommended track passes between Malevu and these two reefs. Vessels should pass close to these reefs and near Thakau Na Sasi, the extensive reef 0.75 nmi north of Malevu. A caution is stated in Section 3 of the sailing directions (Pub. 126) that reads, "Surveys indicate that lesser depths than charted exist on and near the recommended track."

Mba River flows into the sea east of Ngana Point and forms a delta about 8 nmi in extent. Mba Roads (17°27'S 177°41'E) is off the entrance to the river. Kelly Reef (17°27'S 177°34'E), which dries, lies 1.75 nmi north-northeast of Ngana Point. Hood Reef is 1 nmi northeast of Kelly Reef. Yarawa Reef lies with its southern extremity 4.5 nmi north-northeast of Ngana Point. Two detached reefs lie about 0.3 and 0.6 nmi south, respectively, of Yarawa Reef.

Mba Passage is entered between Yarawa Reef and Tavutha Reef, 2 nmi east. This passage that gives access between Mba Roads and Bligh Water should only be used by small craft with local knowledge, and then only in good conditions of sun and visibility.

Yavena Passage, 0.6 nmi wide, is deep and clear, and gives safe access between Mba Roads and Bligh Water. This passage leads between the northwest extremity of Tavutha Reef and a reef on the north. The south side of the passage is marked by two conspicuous rocks 4.9 ft (1.5 m) high, which appear as a single rock from most aspects. A beacon is situated on the southeast extremity of the reef on the north side. The initial entry to the Passage from the south is 059°. The course changes to 051° part of the way through the Passage.

The information in paragraph 1.3 was taken mostly from the sailing directions (Sector 3, Pub. 126) with some additions based on discussion with the Pilots and Ports Authority. Refer to the referenced publication if making a port visit to Lautoka. NIMA Chart #83574 provides a good detailed chart for both transits to the Port of Lautoka described above.

A Pilot is mandatory for either transit. As stated previously, Navy ships will normally transit from the southwest through Navula Passage.

Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/fiji/lautoka/text/sect3.htm