PortFacilities
BUNBURY
PORT FACILITIES
The Inner Harbor has 4 berths that can hold a total of 6 vessels at any one time (Figure XI-65). The Inner Harbor Basin and berths are dredged to a depth of 40 ft (12.2 m) and the deepest permissible draft for vessels is 38.1 ft (11.6 m). However, the Bunbury Port Authority makes use of an Active Dynamic Underkeel Clearance (DUKC) Program for the Inner Harbor that can allow commercial vessels to load in excess of 39.4 ft (12 m) with minimum underkeel clearances of approximately 2 ft (60 cm). The DUKC takes into consideration the following major factors to maximize import and export ship's lifting capacity: wave response allowance, squat allowance, changes in water level, and safety factors. Additionally, local authorities stated that visiting ships with up to 39.4 ft (12 m) draft have been berthed in the Inner Harbor, but were required to enter and depart during high tide.
There are two berths on the southwest side of the basin, berths 3 and 5. Berth 3 is a dolphin berth used primarily as a woodchip loading facility. Vessels are usually berthed port side to and access to the vessel is normally by means of a shore gangway. Berth 5 is a land-backed general-purpose berth and is the preferred berth for U.S. Naval vessels. Berth 5 has very well constructed horizontal rubber fenders. Depending on the weather and draft, vessels may berth either port of starboard side to. The Bunbury Port Authority operates berths 3 and 5.
There are also two berths on the northeast side of the basin, berths 8 and 4. Berth 8 is a land-backed berth used for loading sand and is recommended as the second best berth for U.S. Naval vessels. Berth 8 has excellent vertical rubber bumpers. A mooring boat runs the head and stern lines while the spring lines are passed by heaving line. The Bunbury Port Authority operates berth 8. Berth 4 is a four-dolphin berth operated by ALCOA of Australia and is used primarily for loading of alumina or offloading of caustic soda. Vessels normally tie up starboard side to and a mooring boat runs the head and stern lines while the spring lines are passed by heaving line. Table XI-29 provides berth information.
The Outer Harbor has two berths, but U. S. Naval vessels would not likely use them. The Outer Harbor is formed on the west side by a mole and breakwater that extends about one mile in length northeastward from Point Casuarina, and on the east side by a 4758 ft (1450 m) disused timber jetty. Berths 1 and 2, numbered from seaward, are along the inner (east) side of the mole. These Outer Harbor berths can be affected by swell, and swell is a problem particularly during the winter months. Berths 1 and 2 in the Outer Harbor are land-backed facilities used primarily for the exportation of sands and the importation of Methanol, respectively. The deepest permissible draft for Berth 1 is 28.9 ft (8.8 m) plus an allowance for tide. Storm bollards are strategically placed to keep vessels from being blown off the berth in strong winds, particularly from the west-southwest. Vessels are usually berthed starboard side alongside. For berth 2, the maximum draft on the southwest end is 26.2 ft (8 m) and on the northeast end is 34.3 ft (9 m) plus an allowance for tide. Table XI-30 lists the known specifications for each berth in the Outer Harbor.
Pilotage is mandatory in the Port of Bunbury and the pilot boards about 2.5 nmi northwest of McKenna Point at 33°16'30"S 115°36'30"E (Defense Mapping Agency, 1994b). Vessels normally do not enter at night. The pilot ladder is required to be rigged on the lee side 6.6 ft (2 m) above the water and the heaving line used should not have a heavy weight which may cause personnel injury. Manropes are required for boarding and disembarking.
Two tugboats, both with a 42-ton bollard-pull rating, are normally available. Tugs use tug lines only. Additionally, a line boat is arranged by the Bunbury Port Authority and is required for berthing of all ships within the Port of Bunbury.
Facilities are only available for minor repairs to ships. There are no "heavy" industry repair facilities.
In addition to the general information listed in Table XI-29 and Table XI-30, the Bunbury Port Authority provides berth regulations, pilotage and embarkation requirements, and other information applicable to vessels using the port. This information can be found in the Bunbury Port Information Guide. This guide also provides information on anchorages that can be used by U.S. Naval vessels.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/australi/bunbury/text/sect2.htm
