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SASEBO

ENTRANCE CHANNEL

Navigation aids mark the fairway from the entrance and the channel leading to the Port. Most shoals and dangers are marked by beacons and lighted buoys.

Kogo Saki (33° 06'N 129° 40'E), is the west entrance point to Sasebo Ko, and lies about 0.8 nmi south-southeast of Nakano-Kajikaki (33° 07'N 129° 39'E). A light (FL 6S) is shown from the point and buoys mark the shoal area, close off the point. The Harbor Entrance Control Post and Signal Station stands on Kogo Saki.

A sunken vessel lies at a depth of 41.7 ft (12.7 m) and is located 3,700 m at a bearing 090° from Kogo Saki Lighthouse and is marked by a yellow buoy (FL Y 4S).

Shira Se is a group of above-water and sunken rocks lying about 2 nmi west-southwest of Kogo Saki. A light (FL WR 4S) is shown from the northern rock of the group.

Nakano Se ( 33° 05 'N 129° 39 'E), a detached rock with a depth of 6.9 ft (2.1 m), lies at the southeast end of a rocky patch that lies 0.6 nmi southeast of Shira Se. An East Cardinal Buoy (Q 3 10S) marks the southeast end of Nakano Se.

Araidashino Se, with a depth of 42 ft (12.8 m), lies in the fairway entrance to Sasebo Wan, about 0.4 nmi south-southwest of Kogo Saki. A light buoy (FL (2) 5S) marks the west side of Araidashino Se.

The Port of Sasebo is a large, nearly landlocked, deep-water harbor, entered between Kogo Saki and Yorifune Bana, about 0.5 nmi to the east-southeast. The Harbor affords anchoring and berthing facilities for vessels of almost any size. See Charts 97400, 97396, and 97397, and Figure V-39.

The narrows between Kogo Saki and Yorifune Bana constricts the entrance to Sasebo Harbor. The narrowest distance of the entrance is 550 yards (502.9 m). The channel is well marked and easily recognized.

It is recommended that large vessels pass to the south of Aradshino Se on entering Sasebo Ko and to the north of Aradshino Se on their exit.

Kompira Yama, a 331.4 ft (101 m) summit above Yorifune Bana is conspicuous from a west approach. Shokan Dake, a mountain peak, 1453 ft (443 m) high, lies 1.75 nmi north of the city. Kokuzo Yama, a conspicuous peak, 1007 ft (307 m) high, lies about 3 nmi south-southeast of Kompira Yama.

Channel depth to the Port ranges from 165 ft (50.3 m) at the Main Entrance to the Outer Harbor , to a low of 35 ft (10.7 m) in the Inner Harbor. Shallow water extends 50 yards (45.7 m) or more offshore throughout the Outer Harbor and along the west side of the Inner Harbor. Submerged shoals extend from 75 to 100 yards (22.9 to 91.4 m) from shore along the east side of the entire Harbor. Benten Shima (Island), an islet with a lighthouse (FL 3S) marks the center of Sasebo Channel.

In addition to the regulations governing all Japanese ports, the following are excerpts from those regulations applying to Sasebo Ko from Sailing Directions Enroute (see References):

1. Vessels must not exceed a speed of 10 kt in the vicinity of Sasebo Ko, within a line of bearing joining Bansho Ko, about 0.5 nmi south of Kogo Saki, with Shira Se Light and Hichiro Bana, a rounded point lying 1.75 nmi north-northwest of Kogo Saki.
2. Vessels are to await instructions from the harbormaster outside Kogo Saki, clear of the fairway. Kogo Saki Signal Station acknowledges a vessel's distinguishing signal in the International Code.
3. Vessels of 500 grt or more will use two anchors when anchoring in Area No. 1 of the Harbor.

The Harbor Control Post and Signal Station are situated on Kogo Saki. Vessels entering Sasebo Ko must request permission by flashing light or flag hoist. The Signal Station will relay the instructions of the harbormaster as to anchoring, berthing, and movement of vessels in and out of the Port.

The following traffic control signals are shown from the Signal Station on Kogo Saki, as follows:

1. A white flashing light every 2 seconds:
   1. Inbound traffic permitted.
   2. Outbound traffic of less than 500 grt permitted.
   3. Outbound traffic of more than 500 grt must wait, clear of the fairway.
2. A red flashing light every 2 seconds:
   1. Outbound traffic permitted.
   2. Inbound traffic of less than 500 grt permitted.
   3. Inbound traffic of more than 500 grt must wait, clear of the fairway.
3. A white flashing light, alternating with a red flashing light, every 3 seconds:
   1. Inbound and outbound traffic of less than 500 grt permitted.
   2. Inbound and outbound traffic of more than 500 grt must wait, clear of the fairway.
4. Three red flashing lights, alternating with three white flashing lights, every 6 seconds:
   1. Only ships directed by the harbormaster may enter or leave the fairway.
   2. All other vessels must wait, clear of the fairway.

Berthing signals, consisting of the designation flag and alphabetical flags of the international Code of Signals are displayed at Kogo Saki Signal Station, as follows:

1. �E� � Anchor at Kuchiki Saki.
2. �F� � Anchor in Ebisu Wan.
3. �G� � Anchor near Taka Shima.
4. �H� � Wait near Kogo Saki or anchor 3 nmi off Kogo Saki to wait for a berthing signal or orders.
5. �Q� � Anchor in Quarantine Anchorage.

The ship's reply is the Answering Pennant above the alphabetical flag for the berth.

All vessels less than 500 grt are not required to obey the above signals. All vessels 500 grt and above are cautioned when committed in their turn through Kogo Saki Entrance to navigate in extreme caution due to the fact vessels less than 500 grt (who are not required to obey Kogo Saki Entrance signals) may be departing Sasebo Ko.

In addition to regulations concerning Kogo Saki Entrance, vessels are cautioned that ferryboats normally have priority of passage due to their set schedule.

When rounding Iorizaki (33° 07'N 129° 43'E), which is a blind corner, or proceeding to anchorage, special care must be exercised. A lookout is highly recommended due to numerous ferryboats and vessels in transit to/from Kuzirase Wharf (33 ° 09.9'N 129 ° 43.5'E), Maebata Pier (33° 08.75'N 129° 43.5'E), and Hizukusi Pier (33° 09'N 129° 43.45'E).

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