Brisbane

1. Brisbane Pilot Boarding Ground Pilot boards26°43.0′S 153°10.5′E

Size limits

Draught 14.2m, LOA 346.98m, beam 50m, 159,450DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Tidal range (Spring) - 1.8m, Tidal Range (Neap) - 1.0m.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The Harbour Master's office should be consulted before using the North East Channel.

Channels up river from Fisherman Islands swinging basin are 120m wide and are dredged to 9.1m. They can be navigated as far as Hamilton berths by vessels with a draught of 10m on any day of the year.

Dangers off Moreton Bay:

Southern Approaches: Note that when approaching Cape Moreton from the S, steer to pass between Cape Moreton Lighthouse and Roberts Shoal. When Cape Moreton Lighthouse is abeam, distance 0.7nm, steer 329° until North Point Light bears 210° distance approx 1nm, when a course may be steered to the North West Channel.

Henderson Rock: A small rocky patch with not more than 9.0m over it at LW, lies 081° x 4.1nm from Mount Tempest (approx 27°07.0'S 153°28.6'E). The patch is close to the edge of the 37m line of soundings shown on the chart.

Roberts Shoal: Depth 12.2m and lying 088° x 1.1nm from Cape Moreton Lighthouse.

Brennan Shoal: A rocky patch with depth of 8.5m at low water, seas break heavily during strong E and SE weather, lying 055° x 1.3nm from Cape Moreton Lighthouse.

Smith Rock: This danger with depth of 2.7m at low water lies 030° x 2nm from Cape Moreton Lighthouse. It is surrounded by foul ground of considerable extent with depths between 4.0m and 9.0m. Wrecks of the Aarhus and Marietta Dal lie close NW of Smith Rock.

Flinders Reef: Lies 018° x 3.4nm from Cape Moreton Lighthouse and extends 0.3nm and dries at half tide. Seas always break on this reef, several moorings lie close NW.

Hutchinson Shoal: Not more than 6.7m of water over it, lying 011° x 2nm from Flinders Reef.

Artificial Reef: An artificial reef is being formed on the western side of Moreton Island by the sinking of various steel wrecks and objects. The reef is located about 1.8nm N of Cowan Light and is marked on Chart Aus 236 as an obstruction. Masters of ocean going vessels are advised to keep clear of the reef area.

Port limits

The port limits include the waters within and bounded by the HW mark at the eastern extremity of Caloundra Head, down to the northern extremity of North Point on Moreton Island, following along the HW mark of the western side of Moreton Island to Reeders Point and the E towards Lytton. From where the boundary extends downstream of the Brisbane river to Bulimba Point on the rivers S side and to Newstead Park on the northern side. Then to the northern junction of Breakfast Creek and the Brisbane River and the eastern entrance of Kedron Brook floodway extending to the south point on Brisbane Island along the eastern side of the Island to its northern extremity.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained in any part of Moreton Bay other than in the charted spoil grounds and in the following areas:

A prohibited anchorage is charted 3.0nm S of Point Cartwright (26°41'S 153°08'E).

Areas declared unsafe for anchoring due to the presence of unexploded mines, are charted (AUS 235) 6.5nm S of Caloundra Head (26°48'S 153°09'E) and (AUS 236) 1.5nm NNW of Cowan Point (27°08'S 153°22'E).

Two similar areas are charted 6.0nm WSW and 2.5nm SSW of Tangalooma Point (27°12'S 153°22'E) (AUS 236).

It is advisable to anchor away from the main strength of the tidal stream. The bottom throughout the bay is predominantly sand.

Winds from N and NE can cause a heavy sea to set into the bay.

Anchorage in winds from NNW through SW to ESE may be obtained 1.5nm WNW of North Point (27°01'S 153°27'E) in a depth of 11.0m.

The quarantine anchorage (27°19'S 153°13'E), has a least depth of 5.7m.

Restrictions

No restrictions apply to "gas free" tankers or inerted MARPOL tankers with double bottom tanks and segregated ballast tanks.

SWINGING AND BERTHING: Swinging: Size limits depend on both LOA and swinging basin width. As a general rule no restrictions apply, where the Swing Basin exceeds 1.6 times the LOA of the ship being swung. Down stream of Pelican Bank, ships less than LOA 300m may swing and berth. Up-stream of Pelican Bank, ships should be less than LOA 250m or 90% of the berth pocket, whichever is less.

Berthing: Operators should ensure that the minimum wharf length between ships is 15m to achieve a safe berthing.

Limitations above Pelican Banks: Ships proceeding above Pelican Banks, including the berths in the Hamilton Reach and the Forgacs Cairncross Dockyard complex are subject to the following conditions:-

NOTE: Ships alongside berths in the Hamilton Reach reduce the diameter of the swing basin. A check with the DHM should always be made to ascertain berth occupancies prior to swinging maximum length ships in the reach.

The Regional Harbour Master and or delegate will always consider other factors including weather and tidal conditions for ships, and it may be necessary to include stringent conditions as part of the risk management for the port.

Draught/Minimum Under Keel Clearance (UKC): Moreton Bay:

Minimum UKC for Moreton Bay varies according to the route taken. The clearances are greater towards the N of the bay, where waves and swell are greatest.

Tidal windows are calculated using the DUKC system, if a tanker or bulk carrier draught exceeds 12.5m, or a container vessels draught exceeds 12.0m then a tidal window will be calculated. If, because of draught restrictions, it is not possible to do a complete bay and river transit in an unbroken passage, it may be possible to effect the movement in two stages.

Minimum UKC alongside any wharf is 0.3m.

Maximum Draughts: Listings of maximum draughts on a monthly or daily basis from Morton Bay, Brisbane River or hourly draughts alongside berths can be obtained from the DHM on request. It is pointed out that the draughts supplied are taken "as read" and do not take into account water salinity or specific gravity.

Airdraught/Bridge Heights: The height under the Brisbane Gateway Bridges at the centre of the main spans is 54.4m and at edge of cutting is 50.8m. Masters of ships with airdraught greater than 45m must obtain written permission from the DHM prior to passing under the twin bridges.

Bulimba Power Wires:

The height under the SEC wires at Bulimba is 47.9m, less the Electricity Authority safety allowance of 4.6m. Masters of ships with airdraught greater than 38m must obtain written permission from the DHM before proceeding.

Tugs

Tug Procedures: General: Tugs are an aid to safe and efficient manoeuvring of ships in confined waterways. While it is possible to berth and unberth ships in certain tides and weather conditions without the aid of tugs, requirements for the safe and efficient movement of ships within the Brisbane River may necessitate the employment of tugs during ship handling operations. There are no maximum or minimum numbers of tugs to be in attendance when berthing or unberthing a ship, but the following guidelines should assist agents when booking tugs.

Mooring

Cruise Vessels: Large cruise vessels must berth at the deepwater Fisherman Islands cargo wharves at the mouth of the Brisbane River. Vessels up to 45,000GT can be accommodated at low water depth of 9.1m, max airdraught 48m.

Charts and publications

Aus 236, 237, 238, 814. US Chart 127. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Masters of all vessels arriving at Brisbane should keep their agents informed of their ETA and arrival draught 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. If this subsequently varies by more than one hour the agent should inform Port Control "Brisbane VTS" so that the shipping schedule can be modified. Masters can confirm ETA direct to Brisbane Port Control, via Tel: +61 7 3805 1700, Fax: +61 7 3305 1708, Email: [email protected] and Brisbane Marine Pilots, see address section for details.

Masters should contact "Brisbane VTS" on VHF Ch 12 or 16, 2 hours and 1 hour prior to arrival at Point Cartwright, confirming ETA and to obtain pilot boarding/ladder information.

Communications

VTS: Port Operations: Ch 16, 12.

Pilots: Brisbane VTS: Ch 06, 08, 09, 10, 12. Tel: +61 7 3624 6555. Fax: +61 7 3862 2240. Email: [email protected].

Pilots & Tugs: Ch 06, 08, 09, 10.

Water Police & Coastguard: Ch 63, 73.

Small craft: Ch 67

Vessel Traffic Service: Brisbane VTS: Ch 12, 16. Tel: +61 7 3305 1700. Fax: +61 7 3305 1708. Email: [email protected].

Standard messages

unquote

Health

Quarantine inspections, etc, are undertaken by Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.

Vessels may be inspected in the approaches N of a line between Cowan Point (27°08.09'S 153°21.66'E) and Skirmish Point (9nm WNW).

The quarantine station is located at Rivergate Marina (27°26.42'S 153°06.52'E).

The Declaration of Health is required 12 hours prior to arrival. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

Australian Customs Service, Terrica Place, 140 Creek Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000. Tel: +61 7 3835 3444.

Notices and regulations

Luggage Point to Hamilton Reach, operational speed limit of 6kts (3.0m draught or more) when vessels are moored in the Lytton and Upper Lytton Reaches.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Contact person: The Secretary.

Address: GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia.

Tel: +61 2 6274 7114.

Fax: +61 2 6274 7994.

Mob: +61 0417 273 185.

24 hour contact: Office of Transport Security Operations Centre.

Tel: +61 2 6274 8187.

Fax: +61 2 6274 6089.

Email: [email protected]

ISPS Compliance: ISPS compliance is 100% for Australian ports, Australian port facilities and Australian flagged ships.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

A full range of ship repair and maintenance services are available in Brisbane. These services include, 30t lifting capacity, cranage to 15t; servicing capability for engine repair, fitting and turning, boiler making, plumbing, electrical and electronic servicing, rigging, cleaning and painting capabilities. Heavy machinery to provide, 200t open frame hydraulic press, turning capacity to 2.7m diameter and 7m length, calibrated test loads to 50t for cargo gear and cranes; hydrostatic and ND testing of all types.

Dry docks

Multiple shipyards are available in any kind of repairs, conversions and shipbuilding constructions for every types of ships from pleasure yacht, commercial vessels and naval fleet.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Provisions are plentiful.

Medical

Royal Brisbane Hospital: New Port area, 13km; Upriver port, 5km.

Princess Alexandra Hospital: New Port area, 20km; upriver berths, 20km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Brisbane Airport, 12km from city. New Port area, 9km. Upriver berths, 3km.

Airport facilities: International and domestic flights. Airfreight handled.

Nearest railway: Rail facilities available at Hamilton and Fisherman Islands berths.

At Fisherman Islands, Brisbane Multimodal Terminal provides the road, rail and sea transport interface for container cargo moving between marine terminals, 3 container parks and Queensland standard gauge rail networks.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Brisbane is located at the mouth of the Brisbane River, on the E coast of Australia.

The port

Brisbane is Australia's third largest container port. The port's major imports are crude oil, cement, iron, steel, gypsum/limestone, fertilisers, chemicals, timber, wood, paper, building products, transport equipment and motor vehicles.

The port's major exports are coal, refined oil, metal ores, scrap, grain, meat, meat products, woodchips, timber, animal, vegetable oils, fertilisers, chemicals, fruit, vegetables, silica sand, cotton, cotton seed, iron and steel.

Cruise ships visit the port though the larger vessels have to berth at fisherman Islands.

Traffic

Approx. 35,000,000t of cargo (of which 7,100,000t constitutes grain), 1,600,000TEU and 2,700 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Brisbane?

The pilot boards at Brisbane Pilot Boarding Ground, 26°43.0′S 153°10.5′E.

What time zone is Brisbane in?

Local time at Brisbane is UTC+10. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Brisbane?

The deepest berth listed is at Caltex Lytton: 14.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Brisbane?

1025.

Which load line zone is Brisbane in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Brisbane?

Port State Control at Brisbane: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Brisbane?

The UN/LOCODE of Brisbane is AUBNE.

What crews who called at Brisbane say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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