Pub.304 sup.

Sailing Directions
for Coast of Hokkaido

Supplement No.4

16 September 2022

Japan Coast Guard

Explanatory Notes
Sailing Directions for Coast of Hokkaido - Supplement No.4 is issued to correct the outdated
information in Publication No.304 Sailing Directions for Coast of Hokkaido which was published in
February 2020.
This supplement contains the information which has been gathered through the work ofHydrographic and Oceanographic Department, Japan Coast Guard by 8 June 2022.
The instructions for amending, deleting or adding of the previous issues are indicated in this
supplement. This supplement also contains an index to be referred to the pages on which they are
mentioned. The index is listed in numerical order, along with the titles of the ports or articles.
Amendments are indicated in red letter on gray background while deletions are marked withstrikethrough, in red letter on gray background. Chart images, tables or pictures to be delated,
replaced or added are instructed in [square brackets].
Each sheet of the supplements is excerpted from the relevant issue of the Sailing Directions so thatthe page number printed in the supplement is corresponding to the original page number. In case thata sheet had spanned multiple pages by adding large volume of text or image, sub-number is given to
the page number.

16 September 2022

Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department,
Japan Coast Guard

Caution
This supplement is for use in conjunction with Notices to Mariners, List of Aids to Navigation, andrelated charts and publications, because no corrections are given thereto except through supplements.
Especially for up-to-dated information concerning the safety of navigation instructed by Japan Coast
Guard, please refer to Notices to Mariners and related publications.

In the interest of ensuring the safety of navigation and protecting the marine environment, the Japan
Coast Guard (JCG) publicises information that could affect the safety of navigation and environmental
protection by issuing Notices to Mariners (NTMs) and Navigational Warnings (NWs), and publishingsuch information on the JCG charts and in other nautical publications, based on laws, regulations,proclamations, charts, NTMs, NWs issued by countries concerned as well as reports made by ships.
Sailing Directions published by JCG are intended solely for the purpose of providing information forsafe navigation. The contents included in the Sailing Directions do not reflect the Japanese Government’s
official stance regarding the laws, regulations, and proclamations of other countries.

Supplement No.4
INDEX

Sailing Directions
for Coast of Hokkaido

Updated parts (title, port name, etc.)

Page
19

Pilot Associations

27

Communications Services of the Japan Coast Guard

34

Provision of information by the website

34-1 Safety Information of the Sea
82

Muroran Ko

105

Kushiro Ko

183

Shiranuka Wan and Kunashiri Suido

190

Utasutsu Wan

193

Berutarube Misaki ~ Shionami Hana and Hitokappu Wan
Blank below

16 September 2022

Remarks

Chapter 7

PRECAUTIONSTomakomai Pilot
Association
Tel: +81-144-34-3070
Fax: +81-144-34-6210

1. When entering Section No. 1 ~ 3:
Near a position 195°, about 2,400
m from Tomakomai Ko E Outer
Breakwater Light.
2. When entering Section No. 4(Higashi Ko); Near a position about
2.3 M WSW of Tomakomai Ko
Higashi Ko Chiku E Breakwater
Light in Higashi Chiku.
3. When entering No. 4 Section 4(Idemitsu Sea Berth {Idemitsu
Hokkaido Sea-berth}); Near aposition 2 to 3 M SE of the sea
berth.

Kushiro Pilot
Association
Tel: +81-154-52-6352
Fax: +81-154-52-6358

1. Higashi Ko Ku; 274°, 2,100 mfrom Kushiro Ko Higashi Ku S
Sub-breakwater Light.
2. Nishi Ko Ku; 201°, 1,600 m from
Kaihatsukyoku Kushiro Ko Nishi
Ko Ku Shima Breakwater Light.
1. N passage inward-bound vessels;
300°, 1,500 m from N extremity(Lighthouse) of Rumoi Ko W
Breakwater Light.
2. S passage inward-bound vessels;
270°, 1,500 m from the Rumoi Ko
W Breakwater S Light.
3. In bad weather; (in cases where
pilots cannot embark outside theport because waves are high) 140°,
300 m from the N extremity of
Rumoi Ko W Breakwater.

Rumoi Pilot Association
Tel: +81-164-43-4128
Fax: +81-164-43-4128

Otaru Pilot Association
Tel: +81-134-22-5380
Fax: +81-134-33-0228

Near a position 050°, 0.8 M from
Otaru Ko N Sub-breakwater Light(red).

Chapter 7

19

1. The request shall be made 12 hours prior to
the estimated time of commencement of thepilotage.
2. The request shall be made to the
Association’s joint office by letter, telephone,or other secure methods.
3. When making the application for pilotage inthe preceding paragraph, the following items
shall be notified; the vessel name, tonnage,
length, draft, the presence of appropriate
multi deck boats, the name or the appellation
and address of the ship owner (Article 3 of
the Pilotage Law), the presence ofappropriate export exemption (consumptiontax), speed, type of cargo, scheduled pilotage
start date, pilot period, necessity ofquarantine, and other required items.
4. Pilot ladder in accordance with the IMO
requirements and IMPA recommendation
shall be provided on the opposite side ofwind waves or swell.

1. During strong winds, particularly in winter,high waves often prevent a pilot fromboarding outside the breakwater. In this casea pilot boat (tugboat) waits the vessel near
the port entrance of the N end of W
Breakwater, and boards while the vessel isproceeding on inbound course. The pilot
ladder shall be rigged on the port side.
2. When the weather worsens, vessel intending
to enter the port shall be sure to contact
Rumoi Coast Guard or the ship’s agent for
information on weather, oceanographic
conditions, etc.
Inbound vessels are recommended to wait fora pilot in the quarantine anchorage.

PRECAUTIONSNavigational Precautions
5

Standards for nautical charts etc. In order to prevent marine accidents, the Japan Coast Guard is giving
the following guideline which includes standards for necessary nautical charts to be carried onboard.
1. Necessary charts for safe navigation should be on board.
Vessels navigating in the seas around Japan are to keep charts covering the areas to be navigated.
Nautical publications, such as “Sailing Directions”, “Tide Tables”

Chapter 8

27

PREVENTION OF MARINE DISASTERS

Wakkanai(+81-162-22-0118)
Monbetsu(+81-158-23-0118)

5

Abashiri(+81-152-44-9118)

NemuroRausu
Hanasaki(+81-153-24-3118) (+81-153-87-2274)(+81-153-25-4012)
Note: Three-digit telephone number “118” is available to vessels for urgent reporting of an incident or
accident at sea. It covers not only maritime accidents which are encountered or sighted, it is also important toreport information on oil spills, suspicious vessels, stowaways and smuggling-related crimes, etc., mariners
can report to the nearest Regional Coast Guard Headquarters or Headquarters. Reporting can be used bysubscribed/public/mobile telephones and maritime mobile radiotelephone.

Communications Services of the Japan Coast Guard

10

The following district communications centers of the Japan Coast Guard take part in communications
services required in the course of its marine security duties. The coverage of these communications services
are port communications, notification of the passage of huge vessels, marine safety information, navigational
warnings, weather forecasts, and warnings, position reports from vessels based on the Japanese ship reporting
system, and emergency special-purpose communications in case of marine disasters or natural calamities.
Coastalradio
stations

Otaru

Identification
SignalReceiving
main frequency

Transmitting
main frequency

HOKKAIDO
COAST GUARDRADIO

F3E 156.8MHz (ch16)
F3E 156.6MHz (ch12)
J3E 2150kHz
J3E 2394.5kHz

F3E 156.8MHz (ch16)
F3E 156.6MHz (ch12)
J3E 2150kHz
J3E 2394.5kHz

F1B 2189.5kHz

F1B 2177kHz

F3E 156.8MHz (ch16)
F3E 156.6MHz (ch12)
J3E 2150kHz
J3E 2394.5kHz

F3E 156.8MHz (ch16)
F3E 156.6MHz (ch12)
J3E 2150kHz
J3E 2394.5kHz

F1B 2189.5kHz

F1B 2177kHz

004310101

Shiogama

SHIOGAMA
COAST GUARD
RADIO
004310201

Telephone+81-134-27-6172+81-22-363-0111

Japanese Ship Reporting System
15

The Japan Coast Guard is operating the Japan Ship Reporting System (JASREP) with the following
criteria.
1. Outline of the system
PurposeTo ensure efficiency of search and rescue operations ascertaining the movement of theships based on their position report in case of accidents happen.

Service area

Area of this system is designated within the waters north of the parallel of latitude 17° N
and west of the meridian of longitude 165° E, approximately.

Eligibility forparticipation

Any ships in the above area that can report as specified in the table below.

How to participate

Participation in the system commences when a navigation plan that has the contents
described in the table is submitted, and ends with submission of a final report.

34

5

GENERAL INFORMATION

CoaststationCall Sign

LanguageusedEissionFequency

Otaru

HOKKAIDO COAST
GUARD RADIO

Japanese
English

F3E

156.8 MHz
(ch16)

10h 25m 00s

16h 25m 00s

Charts and Publications
The results of hydrographic surveys of oceans, coasts, ports and harbours, the achievements ofoceanographic and astronomical observations, and other various information―These are the materials used incompiling charts and publications such as Nautical Charts, Miscellaneous Charts, Sailing Directions, List of
Aids to Navigation, Tide Tables, and Nautical Almanacs.
However, the above Sailing Directions and List of Aids to Navigation must be used in conjunction with
their respective Supplements being issued to keep their contents up-to-date.
The list of the above charts and publications and the chart agencies are listed in “Pub. No. 901 Catalogueof Charts and Publications.”

Provision of information by the website

20
1.

Navigational Warnings, Notices to Mariners, etc.
Navigational Warnings, Notices to Mariners, etc. are provided on the following website.
Classification

25

Starting time of re-transmission (JST)Japan Navigational Warnings. Traffic safety for Japanese vessels in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian
Ocean, and neibouring sea, information needing urgent reporting is provided by the internet. Kyodo News
delivers information for vessels by facsimile broadcasting and also through the Japan Fisheries
Telecommunication Station in Japan.
In particular, information of extreme urgency (active submarine volcano, drifting mine, act of international
dispute, falling flying objects such as satellite and others, and other matters that causes urgent and serious
danger for vessels) is provided on the website at all times.

10

15Part 1URL

Navigational Warnings

https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/TUHO/keiho/navarea11_en.html

Notices to Mariners

https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/TUHO/tuho/nm_en.html

Weekly Summary of NAVAREA XI
Warnings

https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/TUHO/weekly_en.html

Addition, List of Aids to NavigationVol.1

https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/TUHO/shoshi/toudai/e_toudai.html

Supplement of Sailing Directions

https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/TUHO/shoshi/tsuiho/supplement_en.html

2. Regional Coast Guard Headquarters and offices, etc. provide updates including navigational safety
information, events and others on the website.
URL of Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, etc. for the area covered by this volume is as follows:
Regional Coast Guard Headquarters and offices
1stRegionURL

1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters

https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/01kanku/

Hydrographic and Oceanographic Dept.,
1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters.

https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/index.htlm

34-1

Part 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

Safety Information of the Sea
5

The Japan Coast Guard operates on real time “Safety Information of the Sea” at Regional Coast Guard
Headquarters and such across the nation on pieces of info addresseds to ranging from ship operators as
pleasure boats, fishing boats and/or shore anglers to marine leisure affection donates which are observed at

82

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Chapter 1

THE SOUTH COAST OF HOKKAIDO

level is 0.95 m.
Secondary undulation. The sea level of this port undulates with an interval of about 53 min but the range
rarely exceeds 10 cm.
Sea ice. In 1987, some areas in the port froze over.
The largest vessel to enter the port. A passenger ship “QUANTUM OF THE SEAS” (168,666 t; draught:
8.5m) was berthed at JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy Wharf on June 24, 2016.
Port communications. Port communications by a VHF radiotelephone system between a vessel and Captainof the Port is available through the HOKKAIDO COAST GUARD RADIO.
Call nameFrequency

Hours of
Operation

Contact

HOKKAIDO COAST GUARD RADIO

16 / 12ch

24 hours

Muroran Coast Guard Office

Remarks

Pilotage. Pilotage is available on request through the Muroran Pilot Association (Refer to Chapter 6“PILOTAGE” of Part 1 on page 18.).
Landmarks.
Landmark

Position

Remarks

A chimney
A chimney
Iyoshisanbe

42° 21.0′ N, 140° 58.9′ E
42° 21.1′ N, 140° 59.8′ E
42° 20.2′ N, 140° 57.1′ E

A chimney

42° 20.6′ N, 140° 59.3′ E

A chimney with grey in color, 79 m high.
A chimney, 55 m high.
A conical mountain, 140 m high.
A chimney, 154 m high, which has been painted in white and red, and islocated at the W end of the chimney group.

Directions. The passage leads from an area WNW of Daikoku Shima to an area W of Nippon Steel &Sumitomo Metal Wharf.
Six pairs of leading lights are installed on Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Wharf and Nittsu Wharf, and apair of leading beacons is installed on Central Wharf. These are useful as berthing aids.
Entry restricted. In order to prevent fire hazard, no vessel is allowed to enter within a radius of 30 m fromtankers (including tank ships) carrying flammable dangerous substance at berthing or anchoring in the port
except the vessels permitted by Captain of the Port. It is required that such tankers show a sign “Loaded
flammable dangerous substance” which is discernible by night while berthing or anchoring in the port.
Precautions for entering the port. Fish preserves and aquaculture facilities are laid along the E side of N
Outer Breakwater and other aquaculture facilities in the W of Nima Misaki (42° 20.1′ N, 140° 55.8′ E), therefore
caution needs to be exercised.
At night, the various leading lights, light buoys, and the lights on N Breakwater and S Breakwaters are often
difficult to distinguish from the background city lights. The sight of harbour is often obstructed when vessels
navigate the passage because many vessels are usually at anchor within the port. In addition, it is necessary to
exercise caution because vessels entering to or leaving from Nippon Steel Wharf can meet vessels entering to or
leaving from each southern wharf of the section 1 in the vicinity of the E end of the passage.
Overhead bridge. Hakucho O-hashi Bridge (53 m high, with bridge lights) extends from an area S of theroot of S Breakwater to an area S of the root of N Breakwater, and is illuminated at night.
Anchorage. A quarantine anchorage is established WSW about 1.8 M of Poroshireto Misaki (42° 22.4′ N,
140° 54.9′ E) but it is necessary to exercise caution because there are aquaculture facilities nearby. The
anchorage for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes is designated on the N of the passage within Section 3 as acommon rule. The bottom of both inner and outer harbours are mostly sand and generally affords a goodholding.

Chapter 1

THE SOUTH COASTS OF HOKKAIDO

105

Name

Position

Length(m)

Depth(Approx. m)

Capacity(D/W × vessel)

Irifune Landing Place
Irifune (B) -6.0 m Quay
Omachi Quay
Nishikicho Quay
Saiwaicho Quay

42° 58.8′ N, 144° 22.7′ E
42° 58.8′ N, 144° 22.9′ E
42° 58.8′ N, 144° 23.0′ E
42° 58.9′ N, 144° 23.0′ E
42° 58.9′ N, 144° 22.9′ E

280
165
250
201
120

3~5
4.5 ~ 61~5
1~4
4.5 ~ 5―2,000 × 3――
2,000 × 2

East Quay No. 7

42° 58.9′ N, 144° 22.7′ E

370

7.5 ~ 910,000 × 1(50,000t × 1)

East Quays No. 4 ~ 6

42° 58.9′ N, 144° 22.4′ E

390

6 ~ 6.5

5,000 × 3

West Quay No. 3
West Quays No. 1
and 2
East Quays No. 5
and 6South Quay
West Quays No. 1 ~3Chokusenbu -9.0 m
Quay
Chokusenbu -8.1 m
Quay
Chokusenbu -5.0 m
Quay
East Quays No. 1 ~ 4
S side Quays No. 1
and 2
W side Quays No. 1~3
North -6.0 m Quay
North -5.0 m Quay
Fuku Ko A Quay
Fuku Ko B Quay
Coal Loader Quay
General Cargo Quay
South Dolphin
General Cargo Quay

42° 58.9′ N, 144° 22.2′ E

180

8~9

15,000 × 1

42° 59.0′ N, 144° 22.3′ E

339

7~8

10,000 × 2

42° 59.1′ N, 144° 22.2′ E

155

4 ~ 6.5

6,000 × 1

42° 59.1′ N, 144° 22.1′ E

126

7~8

3,000 × 1

42° 59.2′ N, 144° 22.1′ E

396

7~8

10,000 × 2

42° 59.3′ N, 144° 22.1′ E

150

7 ~ 7.5

6,000 × 1

42° 59.3′ N, 144° 22.0′ E

157

6.5 ~ 73,000 × 1

42° 59.4′ N, 144° 22.0′ E

56

3.5 ~ 4―42° 59.3′ N, 144° 21.9′ E

424

7500 × 642° 59.2′ N, 144° 21.8′ E

203

7 ~ 7.5

5,000 × 1

42° 59.3′ N, 144° 21.7′ E

322

7500 × 542° 59.4′ N, 144° 21.7′ E
42° 59.5′ N, 144° 21.7′ E
42° 59.5′ N, 144° 21.7′ E
42° 59.6′ N, 144° 21.8′ E
42° 58.3′ N, 144° 21.8′ E
42° 58.3′ N, 144° 21.9′ E
42° 58.4′ N, 144° 21.9′ E
42° 58.5′ N, 144° 22.0′ E

150
172
300
250
217
91
130
130

5
4 ~ 5.5556~8
56
5.5 ~ 6349 × 2200 × 3―200 × 45,000 × 1
2,000 × 1
5,000 × 1
5,000 × 1

W side Dolphin

42° 58.5′ N, 144° 22.0′ E

70

51,000 × 1

42° 58.7′ N, 144° 22.4′ E
42° 58.7′ N, 144° 22.5′ E

130
260

6 ~ 7.55~65,000 × 1
2,000 × 2

N Wharf

Section 3
Minamishin
S
Wharf
Wharf

Gyoko Wharf

Section 2

Central Wharf

Section 1

Higashi Ku.

Irifune -7.5 m Quay
Irifune (A) -6.0 m Quay

RemarksAn
aseismaticquay forpassenger
vessels

There is afish market.

E side ofthe wharfChapter 2

5

THE EAST OF HOKKAIDO

183

does not freeze over even in winter, but drift ice can move into the bay in April or May.
Numerous rocky islets lie scattered within about 800 m offshore and to the N of the Seseki Saki.
Tides. In this bay, Mean higher high water is 1.2 m, Mean lower low water is 0.3 m, and Mean sea level is
0.88 m.
Landmarks.
Landmark

Position

Remarks

Isoyanbetsu Iwa

44° 01.5′ N, 145° 49.8′ E

A black pointed rock which is situated on the NNE about 2.2 M of
Seseki Saki and constitutes a good landmark.

Anchorage. The center of the bay has no obstructions and affords a good holding with around 9 m in depth
and a sandy bottom, but vessels should use two anchors to ensure safety because the strong NW winds
occasionally blow down violently from the mountains.
10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Furukamappu Ko (44° 01′ N, 145° 51′ E)
General information. This port is located on the NE shore of Furukamappu Wan, and has a radio towerwith a parabolic antenna and 7 to 8 chimneys standing on the hills between Nakajima Saki (44° 01.2′ N, 145°
51.1′ E; W about 1.2 M of O saki) and the estuary of Furukamappu Kawa lying at the N about 0.5 M of it.
Five piers on the N side of Nakajima Saki can be used by large vessels.

Shiranuka Wan (44° 21′ N, 146° 26′ E) (Chart W42)
General information. This is an open bay entered between Ikabanotsu Hana (44° 19.2′ N, 146° 22.0′ E)
and Akaishi Hana (44° 21.2′ N, 146° 29.2′ E) situated on the NNE about 5.5 M of it. It has an indentation forabout 2 M in length and the entrance opens to the S.
The bay is sheltered from winds from the W through N to E as it is surrounded by Chacha Take in the W side
and a mountain range of the N of Akaishi Hana in the E side.
Rocky ledges widely extend within 0.2 to 0.4 M offshore in the coast of a bay between Akaishi Hana and its
northwestward for about 1.8 M. Some of them appear above water at low tide and give rise to breakers. Rockyledges also extend up to 500 m offshore along the coast of Ikabanotsu Hana.
There are rocky reefs being about 1,000 m in length between the E and W which are called “Ichi-no-Ji-no-Se”(44° 21.1′ N, 146° 25.0′ E) and located within about 1 M offshore almost in the center of the bay. These are easy
to identify for vessels because breakers are often seen there. Some of the reefs can be seen above water at low
tide in the vicinity of the W end.
Sea ice. Drift ice moves into this bay with winds from between SE and S and is gone away with NE or SW
winds.
Anchorage. In winter, a good anchorage can be obtained in an area at a depth of around 20 m with a sandy
bottom, at the point where a transit line with Rausu Yama lined up on Okappu-no-Misaki (44° 16.6′ N, 146°
17.8′ E) intersects with Akaishi Hana bearing 089°.
The frontal sea area of Tokaisendomari (44° 19.6′ N, 146° 21.8′ E) is a good anchorage for small vessels andaffords shelter in an area on the NE about 0.5 M of Ikabanotsu Hana at a depth of 12 m to 20 m during wind
waves from between W and N. A small bay on the W side of Ikabanotsu Hana is used especially as a good
shelter for small vessels because of a fine sandy bottom.
Kunashiri Suido (44° 27′ N, 146° 43′ E) (Charts W42, W45)
General information. Kunashiri Suido separates Etorofu To from Kunashiri To and is a short strait
connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Sea of Okhotsk. It is deep with about 12 M in width.

190

5

10

15

20

Chapter 4

Nobori Yama

45° 09.6′ N, 147° 46.4′ E

Sango Saki

45° 07.1′ N, 147° 30.4′ E

Notoro Misaki

45° 06.6′ N, 147° 29.8′ E

Towatara Iwa

45° 05.6′ N, 147° 34.5′ E

THE EAST OF HOKKAIDO

A mountain, 566 m high.
A cape of which Utorochippukoshi (a rock, 5.6 m high, which isprominent from the E and W directions) lies at the tip.
A black rocky pointed cape on which a beacon stands. Rocky ledges
extend between this cape and Notoro Shima (a huge rock, 25 m high,which is prominent) located near the tip of it.
A rock which consists of two rocks and is located on the S about 800
m of Towatara Saki.

Furebetsu Byochi (45° 05′ N, 147° 30′ E)
General information. This anchorage is contained in the indentation entered between Notoro Misaki and acape situated on the SE about 2.8 M of it. A shelter for small vessels can be obtained during winds from between
NE and SE.
A rocky reef extends to the W for about 0.2 M, and Haccho Shima (45° 04.3′ N, 147° 31.6′ E; a black rocky
islet, 7 m high, which is prominent) on the N end of the reef and a dried-up rock (0.3 m high) on the further N
for about 220 m of Haccho Shima lie in the S of the bay.
Oito Wan (45° 01′ N, 147° 30′ E)
General information. This is a small bay located on the S about 1 M of Ruira Saki and is entered between
Anbashirare Hana (45° 00.5′ N, 147° 30.9′ E) and Aruutoru Saki (44° 59.8′ N, 147° 30.4′ E). Small vessels canobtain a shelter there during winds from between NE and S.
A sunken reef lies in the middle of the head of the bay, so that caution needs to be exercised.
Utasutsu Wan (44° 50′ N, 147° 13′ E)
General information. This bay is located on the E side of the small peninsula which contains Atosa Take,and is entered between Itopirikaoi (44° 49.9′ N, 147° 08.0′ E) situated on the the N extremity of the small
peninsula and Tokkarimoi (44° 52.5′ N, 147° 16.6′ E) situated on the ENE about 6.5 M of Itopirikaoi.
Small vessels occasionally take shelter in front of the head of the bay, but winds from between SE and SW
can strongly blow as the low-lying hinterland extends to the SE coast of Etorofu To. In addition, dense fog
frequently moves in from the same coast, so that caution is required.

Naibo Wan (44° 42′ N, 147° 07′ E)
25

30

35

General information. This bay is located on the SW side of the small peninsula which contains Atosa Take,and is entered between Poronotsu Hana (44° 48.8′ N, 147° 05.9′ E) and Kabara Misaki (44° 40′ N, 147° 01′ E)
situated on the SSW about 10 M of it. Most of the bottom is fine sand. A shelter can be obtained during winds
from between N and S.
An isolated reef at the least depth of 11.4 m lies on the S about 5 M of Poronotsu Hana. This reef is difficult
to identify during calm seas, but is easily identifiable because it often gives rise to breakers during strong W
winds.
Weather. A mountain range with 500 to 700 m high lies on the hinterland of this bay, and the both sides of
it are low-lying lands which extend to the SE coast of Etorofu To, therefore this terrain can often gives rise tostrong S winds especially in summer off the entrance of the bay.
Fog. Sea fog often moves in from the SE coast of Etorofu To.
Tides. In this bay, Mean higher high water is 1.1 m, Mean lower low water is 0.3 m, and Mean sea level is
0.70 m.

Chapter 2

THE EAST OF HOKKAIDO

193

Water offing Rokko Yama located on the NE about 11 M of Shikaragarashi Misaki affords shelter during N
winds. However, no shelter can be obtained on this coast during S winds.

5

10

15

20

25

Hitokappu Wan (44° 57′ N, 147° 41′ E)
General information. This bay is located near the middle of the SE coast of Etorofu To and is entered
between Uenshiri Misaki and Rebunshiri Misaki.
Vessels can obtain an anchorage sheltered from winds from between E and W as the bay is surrounded by highmountains on the E and W sides, but the anchorage affords no shelter during strong S winds because wind waves
penetrate into the bay.
The E coast in the bay is fringed with cliffs extending from Rebunshiri Misaki, but the rest of the coast
consists of sand or shingle beaches. Rocky reefs being covered with seaweed spread widely around Uenshiri
Misaki within about 550 m offshore.
Weather. S winds frequently blow from May to August, and then N winds dominate from September to next
April, whereas from early February to mid March, SE winds sometimes blow and cause rough seas. Wind waves
do not become high within the bay during S winds, but these bring about heavy seas when winds turn easterly.
Fine weather lasts in April. It turns rainy in May, but the precipitation is not much.
Snowfall. This bay has heavy snowfall from late December to next mid March and the snow precipitation
reaches 90 cm in depth.
Fog. Sea fog rises from late May to July.
Tides. In this bay, Mean higher high water is 1.2 m, Mean lower low water is 0.3 m, and Mean sea level is0.86 m.
Tidal currents. The tidal current is weak in this bay and the rate does not exceed 1 kn even at the time ofspring tides. In addition, the direction is irregular.
Sea ice. This bay seldom freezes over in winter. Drift ice can penetrate into the bay during April, but that is
not frequent.
Landmarks.
Landmark
Rakko Shima

30

Position

Remarks

44° 57.7′ N, 147° 37.3′ E

An islet, 2.7 m high, which is located on the NNW about 2.8 M of
Uenshiri Misaki. It will become a good landmark for vessels intending
to enter the bay.

Anchorage. The anchorage can be obtained within 0.6 M offshore in front of Toshimoe at a depth of 10 mwith a sandy bottom. However, it may cause the dragging anchor during southerly strong winds in particular
because it affords a poor holding, therefore caution is required.

Shionami Hana ~ Meekushi Hana [E coast of Etorofu To]

35

General information. This coast contains Moyoro Wan which lies in between Shionami Hana situated on
the N end of the SE coast of Etorofu To and Meekushi Hana (45° 33.0′ N, 148° 50.2′ E) situated on the N end of
the E coast of the same island.
The bottom along the coast is steep. A 20 m contour line runs along about 0.5 M offshore and a 200 m contour
line lies between 0.8 M and 2.8 M offshore. No dangerous reefs lie outside the 20 m contour line.