Summary
FREMANTLE
SUMMARY
The Port of Fremantle Inner Harbor and the anchorage area in Gage Roads are not considered to be tropical cyclone havens by this study. Additionally, the Port of Fremantle is not recommended as a shelter for a vessel at sea in the vicinity, if the vessel would arrive at the time of the onset of strong winds from a tropical cyclone. Port Authorities state that the entrance channels to both Fremantle and Cockburn Sound can be difficult to navigate during strong winds. Vessels at anchor in Gage Roads (at the entrance to Fremantle Port) or at a berth in the Inner Harbor are not advised to stay in port during the passage of a tropical cyclone.
The Cockburn Sound anchorage area provides excellent shelter from the effects of tropical cyclones affecting Fremantle for low wind profile ships. Garden Island to the west of Cockburn Sound significantly reduces westerly winds and seas. Additionally, the Port of Stirling within Cockburn Sound offers maximum protection from intense tropical cyclones at its berths and mooring buoys. Please refer to the Stirling Port study for additional information.
The present channel from Gage Roads to Cockburn Sound might be too restrictive for some aircraft carriers; therefore they would tend to anchor in Gage Roads which is potentially more susceptible to an intense tropical cyclone.
Locations most vulnerable to wind damage are berths on the North Quay of the Inner Harbor and berths on the eastern and southeastern side of Cockburn Sound.
As of the 1998 visit, special storm and strong wind warning signals referenced in Pub 175 Sailing Directions (Defense Mapping Agency, 1994b) are no longer shown at the signal station on the Fremantle Port Authority Office (32°03'S 115°44'E).
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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/fremantl/text/summary.htm
