CHAPTER 5.25
NAVIGATION AIDS
The work involved in the clearing and marking of navigation channels
was cOllateral to that of the pier construction program. At the time construction operations were initiated, there were two existing navigation
channels within the lagoon, ome channel beginning at the "Wide Passage"
and continuing northerly, the second beginning at the "Deep Entrance"
break in the Atoll reef and proceeding in a northwesterly direction to a
junction with the first channel. The united channels then continued
northerly toward Engebi and other of the northern islands. These channels
had at one time been adequately marked with buoys, and additional buoys
had been provided in scattered locations off the channels to mark navi-
gation hazards within the lagoon. At the beginning of this Project, however, some of these buoys were found to have been lost or destroyed, anc
as construction work progressed and water traffic increased, it was
found necessary to replace the lost buoys and to provide buoys in new locations as required, both for mooring and navigation.
As the pier construction program developed, the work of providing
additional channels to provide boat approaches from the lagoon to the
various piers was begun. Soundings were taken as part of the survey operation for the approach channels, and as a result of these surveys the
location and characteristics of each of the approach channels were determined, including the requirements for marker buoys. This information
is tabulated below:
TABLE 5.25-1. APPROACH CHANNELS
Channel Name
Length
(Yards)
Mean Depth
at Bntrance
Course
Marker Buoys
No, Buoys
(Fathoms)
Red
Black
12
3
3
8
6
6
Present or Old Runit
1400
Straight
New Rojoa
1500
Dog leg
Old Aomon
800s
Straight
10
Bokonaarappu
600
Straight
5
3
3
Muzinbaaikku
550
Straight
5
3
3
3
New Engebi (South)
1000
Slight dog
leg
5
h
h
Old Engebi (Main)
1000
Straight
9
3
3
650
Straight
5
3
3
Teiteiripucchi
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