PortFacilities
PORT FACILITIES
The primary facilities at the Port of Townsville are located adjacent to Ross Creek on reclaimed land between the Ross River and Ross Creek (Figure XI-17). The Port is undergoing expansion as additional land is reclaimed from Cleveland Bay. As of November 1997, there were 10 usable berths at the Port of Townsville; Berth 5 does not exist. Table XI-10 lists the known specifications for each berth.
According to a local harbor authority, a U.S. Navy vessel visiting the Port of Townsville would likely be berthed at Berth 2 (general purpose berth), 3 (container berth), 4 (bulk liquid cargo/nickel ore berth), 7 (bulk cargo and molasses berth), 8 (general purpose berth), or 9 (raw sugar berth). Berth 10, a RO-RO (roll on - roll off) berth, is also a possible assignment. Local harbor authorities stated that as long as a ship does not require camels, the structural integrity of the piers is satisfactory. If camels are used, however, an on-setting wind may force the ship's hull against the camels, pushing the camels against wooden pilings that have been weakened by worm damage. The lateral forces against the pilings at the waterline may cause the pilings to fail.
The Swing Basin within the harbor breakwaters is elliptical in shape with a maximum diameter of 1,444 ft (440 m) (Townsville Port Authority, 1997b).
In addition to the general information listed in Table XI-10, the Port of Townsville has specific priority berthing arrangements and detailed regulations that address wharf load limits, minimum vessel clearances and other information applicable to vessels using the Port. The specific regulations can be found in the Port of Townsville Port and Shipping Directory, which is published by the Townsville Port Authority.
Pilotage is mandatory at the Port of Townsville (JICPAC, 1997c). There are six harbor pilots available to service the three ports of Townsville; Abbot Point, which is approximately 14 nmi southeast of Townsville; and Lucinda, which is located at the south end of Hinchinbrook Channel, approximately 26 nmi northwest of Townsville. There are two primary pilot boarding grounds for Townsville. One, to be used by vessels with drafts greater than 26.25 ft (8.0 m), is located about 2 nmi northeast of the seaward end of the Port of Townsville Entrance Channel. The other is located east of the Entrance Channel, approximately 1 nmi south of the channel's seaward end opposite Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island.
Two tugboats, one with a 47.5-ton bollard-pull rating and the other with a 30-ton bollard-pull rating, are available at the Port of Townsville 24 hours per day. Additional tugs, if required, may be brought from neighboring ports. The use of tugs is at the sole discretion of the Townsville Regional Harbor Master, and depends on vessel size, draft, and the berth being occupied.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/australi/townsvil/text/sect2.htm
