PortFacilities
MACKAY
PORT FACILITIES
The artificial harbor at Mackay is enclosed by two breakwaters (Figure XI-11). The breakwaters are parallel at their shore ends, where they are 2,700 ft (823 m) apart (JICPAC, 1997b). They angle towards each other approximately 1,640 ft (500 m) from their shore ends and end approximately 600 ft (183 m) apart. The end of the northern breakwater is called Forgan Smith Point. A promontory on the southern breakwater closest to the entrance channel is named Bagley Point, but the breakwater then turns eastward for another 656 ft (200 m) before the end of the breakwater is reached. The breakwaters are 65.6 ft (20 m) high. According to Hydrographic Service (1972), the swinging basin inside the breakwaters is maintained at a depth of 28.2 ft (8.6 m).
The port has five berths. Their specifications are listed in Table XI-7. According to local harbor authorities, each of the berths is suitable for mooring vessels up to 50,000 DWT.
Pilotage is compulsory at the Port of Mackay. The pilot pick-up point is 21°06'54"S 149°15'12"E (DMA, 1990). The use of tugs is advised. According to a local harbor authority, two 25-ton bollard-pull tugs are available at the port.
There are no dry docks or major repair facilities at the port. There are several small repair companies that can perform limited repairs on ships at their berths (DMA, 1990).
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/australi/mackay/text/sect2.htm
