SAFE NAVIGATION IN KANMON KAIKYO PASSAGE

Where is Kanmon Kaikyo Port?
Kanmon Kaikyo is a strait between Honshu and Kyushu island or between Shimonoseki & Yamaguchi City and Kitakyushu & Fukuoka City in west of Japan. With length distance: 22 NM; Average Breadth: 0.8 NM and Depth of water range: 11.6 – 19.7 meter, it is short passage from Korea to Japan or from Japan to Korea.

Here are the procedures entering Kanmon Passage:
1. Report to Local Agent
One day before passing Kanmon, inform to local agent from last port to next port:
a. Date and time departure from last port
b. Distance to go from last port to Kanmon MN line or SH line
c. Steaming time from last port to Kanmon MN line or SH line
d. ETA Kanmon MN line or SH line
Note: For example last port is Shimotsu. Next port is Yosu Shimotsu 03-01-2011/1900lt, DTG to Kanmon SH line 274 NM, Steaming time 22.83 hr, ETA 04-01-2011/1750 LT

2. Pilotage
Pilotage is compulsory for the following vessels:
a. Vessel of 3000 GT and over, entering or leaving Kanmon in the Kanmon section.
b. Foreign vessel or vessel on international navigation of 300 GT and over, loaded with dangerous cargo, entering or leaving Kanmon in the Kanmon section.
c. Foreign vessel or vessel on international navigation of 300 GT and over entering or leaving section 1 to 4 of Wakamatsu ku (Kanmon Port).
d. Japanese vessels of 1000 GT and over, not engaged in international navigation loaded with dangerous cargo, entering or leaving Kanmon in the Kanmon section.
e. Japanese vessels of 1000 GT and over, not engaged in international navigation entering or leaving section 1 to 4 of Wakamatsu ku (Kanmon Port).
f. All vessels of 10,000 GT and over passing through the Kanmon section.

3. Pilot Ordering
Vessel should send request for pilotage to Kanmon Pilot on VHF Ch.16 not later than 2 hours before arrival at Musure Shima or Hesaki Quarantine Anchorage (or send request for pilotage by local agent and local agent will arrange for it).

4. Pilot Boarded
a. W entrance:
• 1-1 nautical mile NNE of Mutsuru Shima Lt (33-58.68 N/130-52.07E)
• Vessel over 14 m draught entering the Tobata Hakuchi and vessels over 250 m in length: 1-6 NM N of Mutsure Shima Lt
b. E entrance: In the vicinity of No.1 Lt Bouy (1-3 NM SE of Hesaki Lt)

5. Self pilotage
For self pilotage entering Kanmon passage, ship and company should be report and send application to local agent and local agent will reporting to Kanmon MARTIS that ship request for self pilotage entering Kanmon passage.

6. Pre-Entry Reports
Vessels of 10,000 GT and over and Tanker of 3000 GT and over entering to navigate the Hayatomo Seto fairway should contact Kanmon Martis by noon of the day before the date of entry into the fairway and provide the following information:
a. Vessel’s name, call sign and MMSI
b. GT and LOA
c. ETA at the Hayatomo Seto
d. Vessel’s contact details
e. Name of berth at Kanmon Port where the vessel is going to berth (if applicable)
f. Type of vessel
g. Name of departure berth and ETD
h. Name of reporting line which the vessel is going to pass and ETA of passing
i. Max draught for transiting the Hayatomo Seto
j. Dangerous good onboard
k. Pilot on board (Y/N)
In the case of any changes to information provided, the changes should be reported immediately. Changes to the planned entry time into Hayatomo Seto fairway should only be reported if more than 15 minutes.

7. Reporting System to Kanmon MARTIS
a. 2 hours before entering Kanmon, ship should report to Kanmon Martis on VHF 16 or 13 for ETA Kanmon MN line when from west or ETA Kanmon SH line when from East.
b. When vessel passing MN line/SH line report to Kanmon Martis on VHF Ch 16 or 22.
c. During Kanmon passage always stand by VHF Ch 16 for safety navigation.


• Position Reports
Vessel of 10,000 GT and above and Tanker of 3000 GT and above intending to navigate the Kanmon Passage of Kanmon passage 2 from outside of Kanmon Port limits, should report to Kanmon Martis on VHF Ch 16 or 13 when crossing any reporting line and provide the following information:
a. Vessel’s name
b. Vessel’s call sign
c. Reporting line code

• Reporting Point
Name of Reporting Line: North of Mutsure Shima Code: “MN”
Description: A line bearing 000 6930 m from Mutsure Shima Lt (33-58’,50N 130-52’10E) Thence 90 to Kurumi-no-Se Lt Bn (34-02’,43N 130-53’,58E)
Name of Reporting Line: South East of Hesaki
Code : “HS”
Description: A line from a point 90 8150 m from Shin Moji Hakuchi Breakwater Lt to a point 215 3905 m from Ryuo San Triangulation Point (33-57’,38N 131-10’,07E)


8. Safety Navigation
Require to all ships intending Kanmon Passage to:
a. Main Engine ready any time for maneuvering with save speed during passage (recommended range of speed 9-12 knot)
b. Follow the track passing red to red/port to port.
Buoy system is IALA region B:
• When entering from west green buoy in port side, red buoy in starboard side
• When entering from south east green buoy in starboard side and red buoy in port side
c. Always stand by on VHF Ch 16 for listening and reporting
d. Proper look out and all navigation equipment ready to use, including radar, GPS, AIS, steering, aldis lamp, whistle etc. comply with company manual procedure pre-arrival
e. Pay attention with local vessel, passenger ferry crossing on this area
f. If will be overtaking always consult with other vessel and Kanmon Martis on VHF Ch 16
g. Following safety navigation displaying at shore for reference VHF Ch stand by, direction and tidal current.