Devonport

1. Devonport pilot boarding area Pilot boards41°07.0′S 146°23.6′E

Size limits

LOA 209.79m, beam 32.26m, 63,126DWT.

Water density

1025,less after heavy rains

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Tidal streams:

At a position 0.35nm N of the entrance to the Mersey River, the ingoing tide sets SW at 0.5kt, whilst the outgoing tide sets N at 1.5kts. Both ingoing and outgoing stream attain a rate of 1-2kts inside the Mersey River. After heavy rain, the outgoing stream attains a rate of 4kts.

Mean Maximum Range: 2.6m. Mean Minimum Range: 2.1m.

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

Approach

A dredged channel with a least width of 79m and a depth of 9.2m LAT leads through the entrance to the Mersey River and to a swinging basin abeam West Wharf; the basin has a maximum width of 300m and a dredged depth 8.7m LAT.

The approach to Devonport should be made with Mersey Bluff Light bearing within the sector, 114°- 242°, which leads clear of dangers E and W of the entrance to the Mersey River. At night this is the white sector of Mersey Bluff Light.

If approaching from the E along the coast keep a good look out for Egg Islet and Wright Islet on the dangerous Horseshoe Reef which extends 1.25nm N from Pardoe Point, (41°10'S 141°25'E), 2.5nm E of the River Mersey entrance. The line of bearing, 226° of Mersey Bluff Light, or at night a course within the white sector of its light, leads NW of Horseshoe Reef.

From a position approx 3.0nm NNE of Mersey Bluff the track leads SSW on the alignment (204°) of the entrance leading lights; passing:

WNW of Egg Island 3.25nm NE standing on Horseshoe Reef.

WNW of Wright Island 2.75nm NE then:

WNW of an isolated patch 1.75nm NE where a sewer pipe extends to the E.

Then ESE of Mersey Bluff 1nm NNW, then between Aikenhead Point from which a short breakwater extends NE and Fairway Light beacon (Port hand 0.7nm) into the narrow entrance channel. The sides of the channel are marked by light beacons and by two pairs of lights in line (white diamonds on white beacons) bearing 204° standing on both sides of the entrance leading lights, between Aikenhead Spit on the E side of the channel.

Aikenhead Spit is an area of shoal water with depths of 2.0m, ESE of Regatta Point on which stands a monument to a position WNW of Police Point, at the beginning of the inner leading line.

The track then leads S, for a short distance into the harbour swinging basin, on the alignment (176°), ahead of the inner leading lights, and the alignment (356°), astern, of a second pair of leading lights standing close S of Regatta Point, passing Mussel Rock, which lies close E of the entrance front leading light.

Port limits

Devonport port limits are bounded by a line, radius 3nm, centred on Mersey Bluff Light.

Anchorages

Good anchorage may be obtained near the pilot boarding ground, in position 41°06.50'S 146°23.50'E, in a depth of 27m.

Anchoring is prohibited within 50m of a submarine sewer laid across the harbour entrance channel N of Police Point (41°10.50'S 146°22.00'E). Anchoring is also prohibited in a precautionary area centred on position 41°08.60'S 146°22.09'E and designated as a Channel Escape Area in which large vessels are liable to make bold alterations of course and/or speed.

Restrictions

A minimum of 1.6m Under Keel Clearance should be applied. Deep draught vessels are berthed on last hour of tide. Vessels should not swing on ebb tide for W side berths.

Tugs

There is 1 tug available, "Cambell Cove", 231GT ,500hp with a bollard pull of 40t. Similar extra tugs available at short notice from adjacent ports.

Tug requirements: LPG carriers with bow thrusters can berth/unberth without tug assistance. One tug required for all other vessels on arrival. On departure no tug required if berthed port side to, one tug required if starboard side to.

Charts and publications

Aus 799, 487. Admiralty Pilot NP14, NP286(4).

Communications

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 12, 67. Call "Devonport Harbour".

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.

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Health

Devonport has a quarantine line, as specified by The Quarantine Act, drawn from Mersey Point Light (41°10'S 146°21'E) to Moorland Point, 3.9nm E.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates issued.

Flags

No local requirements.

Notices and regulations

Immobilisation of vessel's engine is not normally permitted.

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

Mersey slipways, at Wood's Point (41°11.50'S 146°22.00'E), has 3 slipways for vessels LOA 40m, small repairs are carried out.

One 400t slipway, one 100t slipway and one 10t slipway.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road tankers on request.

Stores: Available

Medical

Mersey General Hospital, Latrobe 10km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Devonport, located 8km to the E.

Airport facilities: Daily flights to all mainland cities.

Nearest railway: Devonport, freight rail only.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours a day.

Where it is

The port of Devonport is situated 0.8nm inside the entrance to the Mersey River with berths situated on the E and W banks.

The port

The port is the most secure harbour on the N coast of Tasmania and has facilities for general cargo, livestock, refrigerated products, cement, tallow, grain, petroleum, LPG, salt, china clay, gypsum and fertiliser. There are also interstate passenger and vehicle ferry terminals. The port is home to TT-Line's Spirit of Tasmania I and II that operate a regular passenger ferry service between Devonport and Melbourne. Tanker vessels discharge at berth, with night berthing available.

Traffic

Approx 4,000,000t of cargo, 300,000TEU and 900 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Devonport?

The pilot boards at Devonport pilot boarding area, 41°07.0′S 146°23.6′E.

What time zone is Devonport in?

Local time at Devonport is UTC+11. Back to UTC+10 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+11 on 2 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Devonport?

1025,less after heavy rains

Which load line zone is Devonport in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Devonport?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Devonport?

The UN/LOCODE of Devonport is AUDPO.

What crews who called at Devonport 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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