Summary
BUNBURY
SUMMARY
The Port of Bunbury is considered by this study to be a tropical cyclone haven for berths 5 and 8 in the Inner Harbor, except under severe tropical cyclone conditions.This conclusion is based on the following:
- Because of the high latitude, tropical cyclones would not be expected to maintain their intensity and historically have not produced winds greater than those experienced during severe winter storm passages. Ships have remained in port at these berths during these severe winter storms.
- The Harbor Master expresses confidence in the Inner Harbor when he states that vessels are comfortable in winds with gusts up to 60 kt and encounter no major problems in winds with gusts up to 80 kt.
- Berths 5 and 8 have excellent rubber fenders.
- Wind, waves, and surge have little impact on ships in the Inner Harbor according to port authorities.
The berths in the Outer Harbor and the anchorage areas are not considered to be safe havens and evasion at sea or shifting berths to berth 5 or 8 in the Inner Harbor is the recommended course of action.
For all tropical cyclones, it is recommended that commanding officers or ship's Masters consult with Port of Bunbury authorities to determine the best course of action based on the storm track and intensity and other factors addressed in paragraph 10.8. Since tropical cyclones normally approach the Port of Bunbury from the northwest, an evasion route to the west-southwest would provide following wind and sea for most tropical cyclone situations. Note that for evasion at sea, the Sea Detail should take approximately 30 minutes.
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This hurricane haven evaluation was prepared by
R. G. Handlers and R. E. Englebretson of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Monterey, CA. and S. Brand of Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, CA.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/australi/bunbury/text/summary.htm
