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Ports in Queensland are preparing for a tropical low which is expected to become a tropical cyclone overnight tonight (23 January) or early Wednesday.
The tropical low (05U) developing in the central Coral Sea is forecast to track southwest, towards the Queensland coast, over the next few days as it intensifies. Tropical cyclone impacts are likely to begin for coastal and Island communities from Wednesday afternoon, and it is likely to cross the coast late Thursday as a Category 3 system.
TOWNSVILLE
The Port of Townsville is at Condition YELLOW (Advice).
- Vessels at anchor must ballast down with engines on standby and be ready to proceed to sea at short notice.
- Vessels alongside may continue to load at the discretion of the Regional Harbour Master but must be ready in all aspects to depart at short notice.
- All marine services (tugs, lines crew, and so on) are to be available at short notice.
- The Harbour Master may commence directing ships to leave the port.
- Vessels are not permitted to enter the pilotage area without the approval of the Regional Harbour Master. Approval may be given if fully satisfied that the ship can safely conduct operations and depart before cyclonic conditions affect the pilotage area.
Due to the Tropical Cyclone watch, the port’s status is proceed to code ORANGE (Watch & Act) at around 1700 hours local time today.
- All large commercial vessels, underway in the vicinity of the port will be directed away.
- All large commercial vessels at anchor, will likely be directed to proceed to sea.
- All marine services are to be mobilised to assist clearing the pilotage area.
- Ships alongside will be scheduled to depart as soon as marine services are available (if conditions deteriorate rapidly, it may be necessary to depart without normal marine services in order to minimise the risk associated with remaining in port, as approved by the Regional Harbour Master).
- VTS will coordinate the safe and orderly evacuation of the pilotage area and commercial port.
- Ships are to report on Channel 12 when clearing the pilotage area; and
- Ship masters must determine their own course of action to avoid the cyclone once clear of the pilotage area. No direction or recommendation will be made with regards to cyclone avoidance or the safe navigation or operation of the vessel.
- Harbour Tugs and port operation vessel will enact their contingency plan once the last Trade vessel has departed.
HAY POINT & MACKAY
Due to the expected severity of this weather event, the Regional Harbour Master, pursuant to section 95 of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 has declared the Pilotage Areas of Hay Point and Mackay will be closed to commercial shipping over 50m as of 1800 hours 23 January 2024.
Vessels at anchor have been directed to get underway and proceed to sea.
ABBOT POINT
Due to weather conditions and safety concerns no berthing scheduled until further notice.
DALRYMPLE BAY, HAY POINT & ABBOT POINT COAL TERMINALS
Due to weather conditions and safety concerns no berthing scheduled until further notice.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]