OminatoHarbor
OMINATO
OMINATO HARBOR
The port is situated in the northern part of Mutsu Bay (Figure V-184). The port is named for a small community adjacent to the harbor, but the facility is generally associated with the larger, nearby community of Mutsu.
The port is divided into two main sections, Ashizaki Bay and facilities on the Tanabu River near its mouth (Figure V-185). Ashizaki Bay is used primarily by the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Mutsu establishment of the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. There are no berthing accommodations for U. S. Navy ships in Ashizaki Bay. Visiting U. S. Navy ships have the options of mooring to a berth in the mouth of the Tanabu River or anchoring.
Four berths are located near the mouth of the Tanabu River. Either of the two westernmost berths on the south side of the river may be assigned to a U. S. Navy ship. According to a Mutsu city official, U. S. Navy ships would most likely be assigned to the second berth from the river's mouth. It is approximately 690 ft (210 m) long with a minimum charted alongside depth of 21 ft (6.4 m). The berth closest to the river's mouth on its south side is approximately 570 ft (175 m) long with a minimum charted alongside depth of 23 ft (7 m). Both of the aforementioned berth have built-in rubber fenders. It is estimated that the port can two accommodate DD/FF type ships (FICPAC, 1986).
The two other berths located on the Tanabu River near its mouth would not likely be assigned to a U. S. Navy ship. One, a relatively short berth approximately 300 ft (91 m) long, is the third berth from the mouth of the river on its south side. The minimum charted depth adjacent to the berth is less than 19.7 ft (6 m). The other berth, approximately 850 ft (259 m) long, is located on the north side of the river about 300 yd east of the river's mouth. Charted alongside depths range from 22.3 ft (6.8 m) near its western end to 25.3 ft (7.7 m).
There is no specifically designated anchorage area. Ashizaki Bay (Figure V-185) is considered by local officials to be suitable for anchoring. A city official described the bottom as being sand. The best anchorages are in the outer bay in depths of 32.8 to 65.6 ft (10 to 20 m) (FICPAC, 1986) An Amphibious Command ship (620 ft long, 19,290 tons) anchored at 41º15'48"N 141º10'42"E in a depth of 42 ft (12.8 m), and reported excellent holding on a mud bottom.
Harbor pilots are available, but their use is not mandatory (FICPAC,1986). The same document states that pilots could aid in the location of local fishing nets to avoid fouling. According to a Mutsu city official, the port has no tug boats.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/japan/ominato/text/sect2.htm
