PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Cape Cuvier
Pilot
updated Jul 2011- Cape Cuvier pilot boarding Pilot boards24°12.2′S 113°23.8′E
Pilotage is compulsory. The pilot, Dampier Salt Ltd (DSL) shipper and 6 riggers board via the tender "Boolathana" approx 1nm N of the berth (24°13'S 113°23'E). A combination pilot ladder must be provided on the port side, 3m above the water. The Master must ensure that a good lee is provided and that a heaving line is ready to hoist bags, etc from the tender. The vessel must be stopped in the water for pilot boarding. The pilot ladder must be rigged on the port side for initial pilot boarding.
There is no night berthing and the pilot will remain onboard while the vessel is at the berth. Masters are advised that the pilot station is only manned 12 hours in advance of a vessel's ETA.
Pilot Boards in position at: 24°12.47'S 113°23.45'E (1nm N of Cape Cuvier Jetty).
Key data
updated Jul 2020Size limits
LOA 234.98m, draught 14m, beam 38m, 95,695DWT.
Water density
1023-1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Range 1.6m. The tidal flow at the moorings is approx E/W and may attain strengths of approx 0.5kt at spring tides.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Cuvier Terminal | 14.00 m | 235 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2020Approach
The berth is approached in clear water from the W passing N of Cape Cuvier or from the E, depending upon the prevailing weather conditions.
Port limits
The port boundary is 1.0nm N of Cape Cuvier Jetty.
Traffic schemes and VTS
There are no traffic schemes operating in the area.
Anchorages
Anchorage is located 1.5 miles NNE of Cape Cuvier Jetty. Vessels normally anchor 2.0-3.0nm N to NW from the berth, but due to the variable holding qualities of the whole area it is recommended that the Master exercises the utmost caution when anchoring and whilst lying at anchor. Masters must have due regard to the weather forecasts when considering whether to anchor or remain at anchor.
Restrictions
Berthing can be carried out during daylight only at the discretion of the pilot in consultation with the Master and must take place with due regard to existing and forecast weather conditions. Unberthing can be carried out by both day and night.
A vessel arriving at the port in a 'lightship" condition must maintain max ballast onboard to assist manoeuvring during berthing.
Mooring
On arrival, during daylight hours and weather permitting, vessels are boarded by the marine pilot and mooring crew and with the use of 2 tugs, The vessel is secured to 6 mooring buoys.
On arrival all vessel's winch drums both forward and aft must be bare of rope.
A min of 4 working ropes must be available on each foredeck and afterdeck. If the vessel does not have the winch drum reels for each of these working ropes then three ropes are to be coiled down on deck in readiness. No nylon ropes are used.
Two spare ropes must also be held coiled in readiness on each foredeck and afterdeck.
There is no set sequence for securing the vessel to the buoys. This is dependent on wind direction and swell.
All boarding and disembarking equipment is to comply with SOLAS regulations.
When secured in the berth vessels should lie Bow E or W.
Charts and publications
BA 4725. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2011ETA and pre-arrival notices
Call Cape Cuvier on VHF Ch 16 or 06 when within VHF range. The radio is not manned full time.
Communications
VHF: Ch 16, 06, 08, 12, 67.
Ch 16, calling and distress; Ch 06, working and Ch 08, tug and riggers "standby" working.
Standard messages
Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 48 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.
unquote
Notice of readiness
The Shipping Officer will advise on information regarding the NOR.
Health
Masters of all vessels arriving from overseas must apply for pratique clearance. Radio message to be sent to agency telex number not more than 24 hours or less than 12 hours before arrival. See Country section for full details.
Customs and immigration
The Australian Customs Service requirements are detailed in full in the Country section.
Notices and regulations
Ladders, including draught reading ladders, must comply with SOLAS regulations.
The Shipping Officer will advise on information regarding general notices and regulations.
Cape Cuvier Cargo Guidelines: Salt cargo:
Hold cleanliness and lime washing:
These guidelines cover the hold condition and preparation requirements for vessels loading bulk cargoes of salt, from Dampier Salt Operations (DSL) - Cape Cuvier. The following is a standard requirement by the company to eliminate shipboard contamination of the cargo. These parameters apply to all bulk carriers.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
No repair facilities are available.
Dry docks
No drydock facilities are available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Not available.
Stores: Ordering stores not possible.
Medical
Not available at port. Carnarvon Regional Hospital, 100km.
Crew change
Crew change not possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Carnarvon, approx 100km.
Airport facilities: Regular jet connection to Perth International. Private charter is available.
Working hours
Continuous, whilst vessel is on moorings.
About Cape Cuvier
updated Jul 2020Where it is
Cape Cuvier is situated on the W coast of Australia, N of the Geographe Channel.
The port
The port is operated by Dampier Salt which handles salt and gypsum cargo.
Questions about Cape Cuvier
Where does the pilot board at Cape Cuvier?
The pilot boards at Cape Cuvier pilot boarding, 24°12.2′S 113°23.8′E.
What time zone is Cape Cuvier in?
Local time at Cape Cuvier is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Cape Cuvier?
The deepest berth listed is at Cape Cuvier Terminal: 14.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Cape Cuvier?
1023-1025.
Which load line zone is Cape Cuvier in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Cape Cuvier?
Port State Control at Cape Cuvier: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Cape Cuvier?
The UN/LOCODE of Cape Cuvier is AUCCU.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Cape Cuvier 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.