sailing directions

Sector1.CoastofLibya 51.5 Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory. Pilots can be contactedon VHF channel 16 and board vessels about 0.5 mile N of theentrance to the approach channel. Vessels should send an ETA12 hours in advance.1.5 Signals.—The following traffic signals may be displayed:1. Black cone, point up—Port open to vessels entering.2. Two black cones, bases together—Port open tovessels leaving.3. Three black balls, vertical disposed—Port closed.4. Red flag or red flashing light—Port closed due to badweather.1.5 Anchorage.—A designated anchorage area, the limits ofwhich are shown on the chart, lies centered 2 miles NW of thehead of the N breakwater. The holding ground in this vicinity isreported to be good.1.5 Caution.—Several mined areas lie in the approaches toTarabulus and may best be seen on the chart.1.5 Sudden wind squalls, especially between October and February,can make anchoring in the harbor very hazardous.1.5 Due to the existence of submarine cables, an prohibitedanchoring area lies E of the N breakwater and may best be seenon the chart.1.5 Construction is being carried out within the port.Tarabulus to Khalij Surt1.6 Ras Tajura (32˚54'N., 13˚24'E.), a low point, islocated 9 miles E of the E breakwater at Tarabulus and ismarked by a light. The coast between is sandy and numerousrocks extend up to 0.5 mile offshore along the first 6 miles.1.6 A prominent group of five small oil tanks stands on thesummit of a low and brown cliff, 2.2 miles ENE of the SEbreakwater at Tarabulus. A water tower stands 0.5 mile SE ofthis group of tanks and an aeronautical light is occasionallyshown from it.1.6 Ockba Ben-Nafah Airfield (Wheelus Airfield) is situated inthe vicinity of this water tank; a dark grey hangar building issituated near it. A control tower stands 0.3 mile S of the watertank and a similar water tower stands 0.8 mile E.1.6 A conspicuous tower stands 5.5 miles E of the SE breakwaterat Tarabulus and is situated among oil installations. Asubmarine pipeline extends 1 mile NNE from the shorefronting this tower to an offshore tanker berth. This berth consistsof mooring buoys and lies in a depth of 16m. Theapproach to the berth is indicated by range beacons which maybest be seen on the chart.1.6 Caution.—A restricted area, which may best be seen on thechart, lies in the vicinity of the offshore tanker berth.1.6 Mined areas, which may best be seen on the chart, front thecoast in places between Tarabulus and Ras Tajura.1.6 A prohibited area, which may best be seen on the chart,fronts the coast to the E of Tarabulus.1.6 Ras al Hallab (32˚48'N., 13˚48'E.), marked by a light, islocated miles 2 miles ESE of Ras Tajura and is formed byrocky promontory, 13m high.1.6 Trig el Gefara, a prominent disused fort, stands 1.5 milesSSE of Ras Tajura; a conspicuous wind pump is situated 3.2miles SE of it.1.6 Caution.—Due to the existence of submarine cables, ananchoring and fishing prohibited area, which may best be seenon the chart, extends up to 9 miles NE from a point on thecoast, 3 miles SE of Ras Tajura.1.7 Ras al Misann (32˚41'N., 14˚14'E.), a low and rockypoint, is located 23 miles ESE of Ras al Hallab and is frontedby a reef. Anchorage, with good holding ground and shelteredfrom NW winds, can be taken, in depths of 5 to 7m, about 0.2mile S of the reef.1.7 Qasr Al Jifarah, a prominent building, stands 7 miles SSE ofRas al Hallab.1.7 Bintal Rock lies close offshore, 10.2 miles SE of Ras alHallab. This rock has a pointed top and is prominent from seaward.Sidi Abd al Ghani, a prominent marabout, stands 3.8miles SSW of Bintal Rock.1.7 A radio mast stands 3 miles S of Ras al Misann. Gasr alMisann, a massive isolated fort, is situated close SSW of themast.1.7 Ras al Wazif (32˚40'N., 14˚15'E.) is located 2.7 miles SE ofRas al Misann. A main light is shown from a tower, 19m high,standing on this point. Al Khums, a small town, is situatedwithin Ras al Wazif and is backed by hills. A prominent minaretstands 0.3 mile S of the light. The town is fronted by asmall boat harbor. Anchorage can be taken, in a depth of 10m,rocky bottom, about 0.4 mile E of the light.1.7 Sidi Barku, a low and conical hill, stands 2.5 miles SE of Rasal Wazif and is surmounted by a ruined fort.1.8 Al Khums (32˚41'N., 14˚15'E.) is an artificial harborsituated on the SE side of Ra’s al Misann. The town is located1.5 miles SE of Ra’s al Wazif. The port handles motor vehicles,containers, and other cargo. The port is approached directlyfrom seaward. It has been reported (1999) that the coast linegives good radar ranges up to 18 miles.1.8 Tides—Currents.—From Al Khums to Qasr Ahmad, thecurrent sets SW at a rate of from 0.2 to 4 knots, being influencedby the NW winds at the latter point. In summer, the currentis weak and sets NW and N at 0.2 to 1 knot.1.8 Depths—Limitations.—The controlling depth in the approachis 13m. The maximum size vessel handled has been reportedto be 14,500 dwt. The harbor consists of a basinenclosed on its NE side by a breakwater and on its SE side by amole. The harbor entrance, between the mole and the breakwater,is 90m wide. Three sides of the basin are quayed. Thereis a T-shaped jetty in the S part of the harbor. It has beenreported (1999) that there are nine berths within the harbor,with alongside depths of between 8 and 12m.1.8 Pilotage.—Pilotage is compulsory and is available duringdaylight hours only. Pilots must be arranged in advance as thepilot is based in Tarabulus. The pilot boards either side of theanchorage or 1 mile ESE of the breakwater head.1.8 Regulations.—The port is unlit; movement of vessels isrestricted to daylight hours only.1.8 Anchorage.—It has been reported (1999) that vessels mayanchor between 1.5 and 3 miles E to ESE of the breakwaterhead.1.8 Directions.—From the pilot boarding station, the track leadsWSW then NW towards the harbor entrance, passing SW ofthe breakwater head and NE of two special lighted buoys.Pub. 132