WOTJE ISLAND

• MHWTE
• Latitude: 9.45871
• Longitude: 170.233
• North Pacific
• Port in Marshall Islands

Location: Wotje Island Marshall Islands

Wotje Island Marine Port - Marshall Islands

General Overview:

• Location: Wotje Island, situated in the Marshall Islands
• Coordinates: Approximately 09°21'N latitude and 170°13'E longitude in the Pacific Ocean
• Function: Primarily a small-scale commercial and maritime facility catering to local and inter-island transportation needs

Port Specifications:

Harbor Characteristics:

• Type: Natural harbor, sheltered by surrounding coral reefs
• Navigation: Entry through channel between reefs, requiring careful maneuvering due to shallow waters and coral presence
• Depth: Limited depth; suitable mainly for small to medium-sized vessels
  • Channel Depth: Approximately 3-5 meters (varies with tides)
  • Anchorage Depth: Approximately 5-10 meters
  • Cargo Handling Depth: Generally 2-4 meters at piers

Facilities:

• Berthing Options:
  • Limited wharf facilities suitable for small cargo and fishing vessels
  • Several mooring buoys
• Docking Equipment:
  • Basic manual and small mechanical handling gear for cargo
• Storage:
  • Minimal warehousing options
  • Open storage areas for short-term use

Services:

• Utilities:
  • Limited supply of water and electricity; predominantly supported by local generators and rainwater catchment systems
• Fueling:
  • Basic provisions for refueling small vessels
• Communications:
  • Limited telecommunications infrastructure
• Customs & Immigration:
  • Basic services for customs and immigration, due to low volume of international traffic

Accessibility:

• Air Transport:
  • Nearest airstrip is located on Wotje Island, primarily for domestic flights
• Land Transport:
  • Only basic road network on the island, suitable mostly for light vehicles and foot traffic

Operational Considerations:

• Weather:
  • Tropical climate; potential for cyclones, especially from June to December
  • Navigational challenges due to variable weather conditions, especially during high winds and storms
• Safety:
  • Presence of coral reefs necessitates careful navigation
  • Limited emergency response capabilities

Marine and Environmental Concerns:

• Ecology:
  • Coral reef ecosystems requiring environmental protection measures
  • Fishing activities and small-scale aquaculture prevalent
• Pollution Control:
  • Basic waste management procedures
  • Emphasis on minimized impact due to the fragile local ecosystem

Economic and Strategic Significance:

• Local Economy:
  • Supports local fishing and inter-island trade
  • Serves as a logistical hub for nearby smaller atolls
• Strategic Importance:
  • Part of the Marshall Islands chain, strategically located in the central Pacific Ocean

Conclusion:

The Wotje Island port is a small but vital link for the Marshall Islands, supporting local subsistence and economic activity. Its operational scope is limited by natural and infrastructural constraints, requiring careful navigational and logistical planning.