Tag: Great Barrier Reef

West of England P&I Club - Updated information The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recently published an updated Industry Passage Plan covering the mandatory coastal pilotage areas of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.Although compliance with the Industry Passage Plan is not obligatory, AMSA encourages all Masters that are due to transit any of the compulsory pilotage areas in the Great Barrier Reef and/or Torres Strait to consider the recommendations when preparing their passage plans.Thepassage plancontains a preamble, lists of standard waypoints to be followed through the compulsory pilotage areas and chartlets of the areas covered.The Passage Plan Preamble contains general information on a number of issuesincluding:Routes and draught restrictionsMandatory reporting requirements (REEFVTS)Charts that should be carriedEquipment requirementsPilot ladders and boarding arrangementsMaster/Pilot information exchangePilot CardPilotage guidanceBridge resource managementCoastal pilotage risk managementThe waypoint list to be followed is dependent on the draughtof the vessel and it is recommended that the pilotage provider be contacted for guidance regarding which list of waypoints (deep, moderate or shallow draught) will be most suitable for the transit of a particularvessel. It should be noted that the waypoint list for Hydrographers Passage is not draught dependent.The charlets, although not to be used for navigation, ...

AMSA issues Marine Notice 3/2012 AMSA issues Marine Notice 3/2012 regarding Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Coastal Pilotage Passage Plan Model available on AMSA web site as follows:The passage plan model is available via the pilotage portal, which can be found at: www.amsa.gov.au/pilotage/The passage plan model is divided into three main sections: Preamble, Waypoint List and Chart Extracts.The preamble is designed to assist mariners to gain an understanding of the expectations of coastal pilots before and during the pilotage.For more information, click here.Source: AMSA

Risk to marine life on the reef The Great Barrier Reef could be in danger of losing its world heritage status, federal parliament has been told.During Senate question time today, Australian Greens senator Larissa Waters raised concerns about dredging in Gladstone Harbour in Queensland and a subsequent spike in turtle deaths and fish disease.Queensland authorities imposed a three-week temporary fishing ban at Gladstone Harbour on September 16 after fish were found with sores and clouded eyes.The Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has approvals to dredge 46 million cubic metres - the equivalent volume of 27 Melbourne Cricket Grounds - from within the harbour boundaries, inside the World Heritage area, over the next 20 years.So far, 1.5 million cubic metres have been dredged.According to a preview on the ABC website, the broadcaster's Four Corners program will report tonight that the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chairman Russell Reichelt is worried about the impact of dredging operations at the Gladstone coal port to accommodate Queensland's expanding coal seam gas industry.Mr Reichelt told the program dredging presents an "unacceptable risk to marine life on the reef".In parliament, Senator Waters asked when the government would suspend its approval for dredging in Gladstone Harbour.Senator Stephen ...

Australia to increase penalties for shipping companies involved in oil spills in that area The Australian Government says it wants to increase penalties for shipping companies involved in oil spills in the Great Barrier Reef.The Bill introduced into Parliament seeks to increase the $1 million fine that's already in place, to $11 million.The Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, says there's been an average of 250 reported oil spills a year in Australian waters over the past decade."While the majority of these oil spills are relatively minor the potential impact of these spills on the maritime industry, the environment, the tourist and fishing industries and the broader economy needs to be recognised," he said.Source: Radio Australia News

Covering the mandatory coastal pilotage areas The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published an Industry Passage Plan covering the mandatory coastal pilotage areas of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.The publication contains standard passage plans through the compulsory pilotage areas, including waypoints and courses. It is envisaged that vessels will take account of such details when planning a passage via the Great Barrier Reef or Torres Strait and plot the waypoints and courses on their charts or enter them into their electronic chart systems. If, after boarding a vessel, the pilot finds that the Industry Passage Plan has been adopted, only minor adjustments to the plan may be required depending on operational conditions.The publication also contains guidance and information on:Routes and draught restrictionsMandatory reporting requirements (REEFVTS)Charts that should be carriedEquipment requirementsPilot ladders and boarding arrangementsMaster/Pilot information exchangePilot CardPilotage guidanceBridge resource managementCoastal pilotage risk managementAlthough compliance is not obligatory, AMSA encourages all Masters that are due to transit any of the compulsory pilotage areas in the Great Barrier Reef and/or Torres Strait to consider the recommendations when preparing their passage plans. The publication may also be kept on the bridge for reference, and for discussion during the Master/Pilot information ...

Effective on July 1 The mandatory ship reporting system in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait is being extended to the southern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from 1 July 2011Ships will report through the Vessel Traffic Services system, REEFVTS.Within the extended area, REEFVTS will provide the same measures to enhance navigational safety and protect the marine environment as are currently provided between Torres Strait and High Peak (south of Mackay).For further information, click here.Source: AMSA