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HAKODATE

HAKODATE HARBOR

Hakodate Harbor is situated on the east side of Hakodate Bay, which is bordered by land on the west, north, and east sides (Figure V-171). The Inner Harbor of the port is bordered by land on the north, east, and south sides.

Hakodate harbor is comprised of an Inner Harbor and an Outer Harbor, which are subdivided into six sections. Sections 1 through 4 are located in the Inner Harbor, and Sections 5 and 6 are in the Outer Harbor (Figure V-172).

The west side of the Inner Harbor is formed by two breakwaters, the North Breakwater and West Breakwater. Two shorter breakwaters provide additional protection to facilities in the harbor and the harbor entrances. One extends northwestward from the north end of the North Breakwater, and a second, shorter one extends northwestward from the north end of the West Breakwater. All breakwaters were estimated to be 6.5 to 10 ft (2 to 3 m) high by visual observation during a 1993 port visit.

The Inner Harbor has two 372 yd (340 m) wide entrances. Passage 1, the primary entrance to the port, enters the harbor between the North and West Breakwaters. The east end of Passage 1 abuts on the northwest end of Passage 2. Passage 2 is a gradually narrowing Inner Harbor fairway that is used exclusively by ocean-going ferry traffic proceeding to/from a railroad ferry dock located in the southern part of the harbor (FICPAC, 1988). Passage 3 enters the harbor at the north end of the North Breakwater. Passage 3 is used primarily by large maritime ferries which berth in the north end of the Inner Harbor. Local harbor authorities state that ferries enter and leave the port frequently. Because they operate on a closely timed schedule, the ferries will not give way to other vessels in the harbor passages.

U. S. Navy ships to 30,000 GWT may moor to the west end of Bandai Wharf or go to anchor. Charted depths at the 590 ft (180 m) long Berth 8 at the west end of Bandai Wharf are in the 29.5 to 32.8 ft (9 to 10 m) range. Smaller ships will likely be assigned to moorage at Central Wharf, berth #1. A U. S. Navy ship that moored to Central Wharf in 1986 reported depths at the berth exceeded charted depths (FICPAC,1988). The minimum reported depth was 29.5 ft (9 m) at low tide, which resulted in 7 ft (2.1 m) under the sonar dome on the FF-1052 class frigate. It is estimated that the port can accommodate three DD-type alongside moored vessels at one time (FICPAC,1988).

During a 1993 port visit, pier faces at Bandai Wharf and Central Wharf appeared weathered but sound. They have built-in rubber fenders. Some of the older pier facilities in the north part of the harbor suffered considerable damage in an earthquake that ravaged Okushiri Island (Figure V-170) in 1993. Visual inspection during the 1993 port visit showed that some were cracked and two had portions that either were submerged or appeared to be close to submerging due to failed supports.

Hakodate has four primary anchorages, two in the Inner Harbor and two in the Outer Harbor. The safest anchorages are located just west of the West Breakwater and in the south portion of the Inner Harbor. The anchorage west of the West Breakwater, indicated by the letter "A" on Figure V-172, is the anchorage most likely to be used by U. S. Navy ships. In 1986 a U. S. Navy ship reported a depth of 42 ft (12.8 m) on a bottom of unspecified type or holding quality (FICPAC, 1988). The Inner Harbor anchorage is located east and south of the West Breakwater in the numbered positions indicated on Figure V-172. The bottom is reported to be mud with good holding. Depths are about 33 to 39 ft (10 to 12 m), although a U. S. Navy ship reported depths as shallow as 19.7 ft (6 m) (FICPAC,1988). Charted depths indicate that the 19.7 ft (6 m) depths would likely be found only in anchorage positions 6 and 7.

There are three mooring buoys in the Inner Harbor anchorage that are controlled by the Hakodate city government. There are four buoys indicated on DMA chart 96947, but local authorities stated (September, 1993) that only three buoys exist. Due to its close proximity to an area being reclaimed, buoy 7 may have been removed. The buoys in positions 10 and 14 (Figure V-172) were sighted during a 1993 port visit, but the third buoy was not noted. Local harbor authorities stated that the largest vessel that can safely use the buoys during strong winds is 15,000 tons. U. S. Navy ships may use the buoys if permission of the Hakodate city government is obtained beforehand.

The two northernmost anchorages, located in Sections 4 and 5 of the harbor, are the most dangerous in hazardous weather. One is located outside the North Breakwater and the other in the northern portion of the Inner Harbor. The approximate position of each anchorage is indicated by the letter "B" on Figure V-172. A sea berth for super tankers is also located west of the north breakwater. Its approximate location is indicated by the letter "T" on Figure V-171.

Pilotage at Hakodate is mandatory for non-ferry traffic. The port has two 3,200 hp tugs and two 2,400 hp tugs available.

According to Hydrographic Department personnel at Otaru, tides at Hakodate have a normal range of 3.7 ft (1.14 m) with negligible currents in and near the harbor. Currents with an easterly set prevail just south of Hakodate in Tsugaru Strait. Velocities of 1.5 to 4 kt are observed about 5 nmi from the port.

Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/japan/hakodate/text/sect2.htm