King Cove, lying 6 miles west of Marmot Cape, is an open bight 112 miles long and indents the coast 134 miles. It may be used as a temporary anchorage in 7 to 12 fathoms (12.8 to 21.9 m), sand bottom. It is exposed to easterly and southerly weather.

MARMOT STRAIT (chart 8533), between Afognak and Marmot Islands, is 21⁄2 miles wide at its narrowest part. The strait is apparently free from dangers, except along the shores. A shoal of 114 fathoms (2.1 m) lies 650 yards off the western shore of Marmot Strait, 6 miles from Tonki Cape. A midchannel course through the strait is recommended. Tidal currents have an estimated velocity of 1 to 3 knots, the flood tide setting northward through the strait. Directions through the strait en route between Kodiak and Seward are given on pages 31 and 34.

The west coast of Marmot Strait, for about 5 miles southward from Tonki Cape, is broken and rocky, with reefs extending offshore. Along this stretch there is a low bluff, with a grass- and muskegcovered plain, extending 1⁄4 mile inland to the main ridge, which rises abruptly. Southward to King Cove the bluffs increase in height, with the shores steep-to. From King Cove to Pillar Cape the shore line is a steep, bare bluff from 500 to 1,000 feet high.

MARMOT BAY (chart 8534) extends westward between Afognak and Kodiak Islands to Whale Island. In the center of the bay, near the entrance and northward of The Triplets, the bottom in places rises abruptly from deep water to depths of 14 to 18 fathoms. These areas should be avoided because there may be less water than that indicated. The route from Marmot Strait to Kodiak is eastward of the broken bottom in the center of Marmot Bay entrance. However, shoal spots (p. 179) exist along this route eastward of Spruce Island and in the vicinity of Spruce Cape.

The route in Marmot Bay from the vicinty of Marmot Strait to the passes at Whale Island lies between the general broken ground in the center of the bay and the north shore. Pillar Cape may be rounded at a distance of 11⁄2 miles in depths of 20 fathoms (37 m) or more. Similar depths exist 3/4 mile off Izhut Cape. In the western end of Marmot Bay danger will be avoided by keeping well eastward of a line between the eastern end of Kostromitinof Cape and Stripe Rock, and eastward of this line extended southward until Hog Island is open from the northwestern side of Whale Island.

The route along the south side of Marmot Bay through Narrow Strait and Whale Passage is generally used by vessels from Kodiak bound for Shelikof Strait. Passage at the time of maximum current in Whale Passage should be avoided.

Pillar Cape, the outer end of the north shore of Marmot Bay, is a bluff over 500 feet (152 m) high, similar to the southeast side of Marmot Island. There is a high pinnacle rock at the foot of the bluff 1⁄2 mile eastward of the south end of the cape. About 11⁄2 miles westward of the cape is an open bight from which low land extends through to the western arm of Tonki Bay.

Spruce Island, on the south side of Marmot Bay is described on page 173.

Izhut Bay, a northern arm of Marmot Bay, opens with a width of 5 miles between Pillar Cape and Peril Cape and extends about 71⁄2

LITTLE AFOGNAK

161 miles in a northwest direction. There are no dangers, except along the shores and in the arms of the bay. The bay proper is exposed to southerly weather, but some of the arms afford protected anchorages. The most important of these anchorages is Kitoi Bay, an arm on the west side. Its head is a land-locked basin, about 1/2 mile in diameter. The swinging radius from the center of the basin is about 300 yards. To enter Kitoi Bay pass the north entrance point of this arm slightly less than 1/2 mile off on a course 305° true, picking up the range defined by the prominent point on the north side about 134 miles in, and the stream at the head of the small bight at the head of the arm. Continue on course or range until 1/4 mile from the small prominent midbay islet. This position is between another islet, 600 yards to starboard, and a 3-fathom (5.5 m) spot, 125 yards to port. The islet on the starboard beam lies 100 yards from the north shore. The 3-fathom (5.5 m) spot is marked by only a few streamers of kelp difficult to see. Then change course to pass southward of the islet and steer midchannel courses to the center of the basin, which is clear to within a few yards from shore. A low-water spit extends a few yards off the north entrance point of the basin. Anchor in 20 to 22 fathoms (37 to 40 m). There is good holding ground. Small vessels may anchor in a small bight southwest of the basin in 11 to 12 fathoms (20.1 to 21.9 m).

Two fingerlike arms in the northeast part of Izhut Bay extend northward about 5 miles. Saposa Bay, the easterly arm has an island about 1/2 mile from its entrance. A sunken rock, covered 5 feet (1.5 m) at mean lower low water, lies about 125 yards south of the island. The passage is west of the island. The controlling depth is 2 fathoms (3.7 m). Small vessels may anchor above the island in 7 to 10 fathoms (12.8 to 18.3 m), sand bottom. The westerly arm is not recommended as an anchorage.

Peril Cape, the outer end of the western shore of Izhut Bay, is a prominent, precipitous headland about 600 feet (183 m) high; and there is a high pinnacle rock close to its southern side.

Izhut Cape, lying 211⁄2 miles southwestward of Peril Cape, is a projecting, long, wooded, hilly point from 250 to 500 feet (76 to 152 m) high. There is deep water around the cape as close as 1/4 mile.

Duck Bay is about 6 miles long from Izhut Cape to Kostromitinof Cape. At the eastern end of the bay temporary anchorage, with a swinging radius of about 300 yards, may be had in the middle of the cove 112 miles northwestward of Izhut Cape, in 6 to 7 fathoms (11 to 12.8 m). The anchorage is eastward of an islet, 16 feet (4.9 m) high, which lies 1/4 mile from the northern shore and should not be approached closely.

A round, rocky island, 163 feet (50 m) high and grass covered on top, lies 211⁄2 miles westward from Izhut Cape and 34 mile from shore. Kelp extends nearly 1/4 mile westward and northward of the island, and numerous bare rocks extend 1/2 mile eastward of the island and to the shore northeastward of it. In the cove northward of the island is a small native settlement known as Little Afognak. Temporary anchorage may be had in the middle of the cove, in 10 to 12 fathoms (18.3 to 21.9 m). Enter the cove westward of the island, between it and a large rock, awash at high water, lying 1⁄4 mile southward from the western point of the cove.

The next cove westward, having its entrance 1 mile northwestward of the 163-foot island, is 1 mile long and 3/4 mile wide. The bottom is rocky, and kelp extends some distance from shore in places. Small craft, entering with care, can anchor in 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.4 m) of water at the head.

Kostromitinof Cape, on the northern shore of Marmot Bay, is a projecting, long, level, wooded point, about 200 feet (61 m) high, with bluffs in places at the water. Northward from the cape the land rises gradually in a distance of 512 miles to Duck Mountain, a prominent peak, 2,080 feet (634 m) high.

Kazakof Bay (chart 8534) extends about 6 miles in a northerly direction from the northwestern part of Marmot Bay. There is an anchorage for vessels of any size at the head of the bay (see directions, Kazakof Bay).

The cove on the eastern side, 31⁄2 miles above the entrance to Kazakof Bay, affords shelter for a small vessel anchored in 12 to 14 fathoms (21.9 to 25.6 m). Small craft can anchor in the southeastern end of the cove in about 5 fathoms (9.1 m). A reef extends about 100 yards off the south side of the entrance. The small bight

in the eastern shore is shoal.

In the entrance to Kazakof Bay is Parrot Islet, round, rocky, and 70 feet (21.3 m) high. Channels for entering lie on either side of the broken ground on which Parrot and other rocky islets and rocks awash are grouped. A sunken ledge with some kelp and a depth of 32 fathoms (6.6 m) lies about 3/4 to 1/2 miles southeastward of Parrot Islet, its northern end lies 1/2 mile off Kostromitinof Cape.

Stripe Rock, 2 miles southward of Parrot Islet, is marked by a prominent white streak which extends along the entire height of the rock. It is composed of two pinnacles close together about 35 feet (10.7 m) high; and the white streak is on the higher one of the pinnacles. A large bare ledge, about 30 feet (9.1 m) high, lies between Stripe Rock and Parrot Islet.

Westward of Stripe Rock and westward of the large bare ledge mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the area extending to the shore is mostly foul and should be avoided by vessels.

Directions, Kazakof Bay. From eastward, shape the course for a position about 1/2 mile southeastward of Kostromitinof Cape. Then steer for Parrot Islet on a 305° true course until the southwestern end of the cape is a little forward of the beam. Then steer 330° true and pass 1/4 mile off the southwestern end of the cape and the same distance northeastward of Parrot Islet.

Then steer 359° true with Parrot Islet astern to the head of the bay. Above Parrot Islet there are no dangers if the shores are given a berth of 1/4 mile, except a low, bare rock lying 3⁄4 mile from the eastern shore and 5% mile from the head of the bay. The anchorage is about midway between this rock and the point separating the two arms at the head of Kazakof Bay, in 14 to 15 fathoms (25.6 to 27.4 m), muddy bottom. Small vessels can anchor in 8 to 10 fathoms (14.6 to 18.3 m), either in the broadest part of the western arm 1/4 mile from its head or in the entrance of the eastern arm.

From southwestward, keep Hog Island open from the northwestern side of Whale Island until Stripe Rock is in range with the eastern side of Kostromitinof Cape. Then steer 41° true for 214

AFOGNAK BAY

163 miles to a position 1/4 mile eastward of Stripe Rock. Then steer 6° true for 11 miles to a position 1/4 mile eastward of a bare ledge about 30 feet (9.1 m) high. Then steer 333° true about 1 mile. Then steer 358° true for 34 mile, keeping Stripe Rock open westward of the bare ledge astern until Parrot Islet is 11⁄2 mile on the starboard beam. From this position a 5° true course will lead to the head of the bay. (Information concerning the anchorage at the head of Kazakof Bay is given in the preceding paragraph.)

AFOGNAK BAY (chart 8534) western tributary to Marmot Bay, makes into Afognak Island about 31⁄2 miles. There is secure anchorage off an unused cannery at Rivermouth Point, near the head (see directions, Afognak Bay). Litnik is a small village on Afognak River at the head of the bay.

Afognak Bay may be entered easily in the daytime. The approach from Marmot Bay is through Eastern Passage (chart 8570), between Hog Island and Big Rock, which lie off Afognak Bay. This approach is endangered by a rock awash at low water and steep-to, lying 3⁄4 mile eastward of Big Rock. Foul ground marked by kelp extends about 350 yards from Hog Island into Eastern Passage, and shoal water borders the passage in the vicinity of Big Rock.

A straight channel leads from Eastern Passage to the central part of Afognak Bay; both channel sides, however, are bordered by dangers. On the northeast side of the channel are the Skipwith Reefs, with shoal water projecting channelward; on the southwest side are Danger Reef, which bares at half tide, a 31⁄44-fathom (6.0 m) shoal % mile east-southeastward of the reef, and a 24-fathom (4.3 m) depth on a rock 5% mile west-northwestward of Danger Reef.

Hog Island, the prominent mark for approaching Afognak Bay and also Afognak Strait is 3% mile long and has two wooded knolls with a saddle between them.

Big Rock, 1 mile from Hog Island with Eastern Passage between them, is comparatively narrow, irregular, and 100 yards long in a north and south direction.

Skipwith Reefs, a chain of bare rocks and reefs, extend 111⁄2 miles northwestward from Big Rock to Lamb Island. The southeastern side of the rocks should be given a berth of over 3⁄41⁄2 mile.

Lamb Island, 11⁄2 mile long and wooded, is near the point which marks the outer end of the eastern shore of Afognak Bay. Between this point and the rock awash at low water, 5% mile off Big Rock, the entire area is obstructed and should be avoided.

Alexander Island, 4 mile eastward of Lamb Island, is grasscovered and has a knob about 80 feet (24.4 m) high at its north end. Foul ground surrounds the island and extends 114 miles in the direction toward Stripe Rock.

Dot Island, small and wooded, is the western one of three small islands close to Posliedni Point, where Afognak Bay narrows to 1⁄2 mile. On the western shore opposite Dot Island is a cascade where fresh water can be obtained by boat.

Graveyard Point marks the outer end of the western shore of Afognak Bay. Lipsett Point is the next point inside the bay. Village Reefs are partly bare at low water and covered with kelp and extends over 1 mile eastward from the shore around

Graveyard Point out toward Hog Island. The point of the reefs is midway between Graveyard Point and Hog Island. Southeastward from the point of the reefs is a detached shoal with a least found depth of 31⁄2 fathoms (6.4 m). Between this shoal and the reef extending 650 yards westward from Hog Island is a channel 1/2 mile wide. The channel is sometimes used by vessels with local knowledge to enter Afognak Bay from Afognak Strait.

For tides see paragraph, "Afognak Strait."

Directions, Afognak Bay. From northeastward, keep Hog Island open from the northwestern side of Whale Island, bearing anything westward of 250° true; this range will lead about 1/4 mile southeastward of the rock awash at low water, lying 5% mile off Big Rock. When Big Rock appears in range with the eastern end of Lamb Island, the turn is made to pass midway between Big Rock and Hog Island. (For directions to continue into Afognak Bay, see below.)

From Narrow Strait, follow the directions in table of courses, Kodiak to Shelikof Strait, on page 187, until westward of Three Brothers. Then steer 328° true for 6 miles with Low Island astern to a position 1/2 mile northeastward of Hog Island.

Pass midway between Hog Island and Big Rock, and steer 315° true for the old cannery building at Rivermouth Point, showing midway between Dot Island and Posliedni Point. Keep this range for about 2 miles until the western end of Lamb Island is abeam. Then steer 308° true for 13⁄44 miles and pass 400 to 500 yards southward of Dot Island.

Keep this course for about 1/4 mile past Dot Island until 1/4 mile off the cascade on the western shore. Then steer 353° true for 3/4 mile, favoring slightly the western shore. Anchor near mid-channel off the old cannery at Rivermouth Point in 8 to 10 fathoms (14.6 to 18.3 m). The anchorage is clear if Winter Island (in the west arm) is given a clearance of 300 yards and Last Point (on the north shore), 400 yards.

From southward, steer 359° true with Big Rock and the southwestern end of Alexander Island on range ahead, to pass eastward of Hog Island. When the northern tangent of Hog Island is abeam, the turn is made from the range to pass midway between Big Rock and Hog Island. (For directions to continue into Afognak Bay see preceding paragraphs.)

WHALE ISLAND (chart 8534), at the western end of Marmot Bay, is about 4 miles in diameter. Its southern half is a grass-covered mountain, 2,030 feet (619 m) high, with a narrow, light streak, or landslide down its eastern slope. The northern side of the island is low, and the lower parts of the island are generally wooded. Treeless Islet, rocky and grass covered, lies 3 mile off the eastern side of the northern end of the island. Whale Passage is southward of the island and Afognak Strait, northward.

Afognak Strait (chart 8534), between Whale and Afognak Islands, is used mostly by small vessels.

The currents are only half as strong as in Whale Passage (page 170). The dangers are marked by kelp, which grows in depths up to about 6 fathoms (11 m) and shows at slack water.