Esperance

1. Esperance pilot boarding ground Pilot boards33°54.2′S 121°55.5′E

Size limits

LOA 300m, beam 60m, draught 17.9m, 200,000DWT.

Water density

1027.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 1.0m.

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

Approach

Approaches: Vessels usually approach Esperance port from the W via the Causeway Channel. Approaching from the E is not recommended.

From the pilot boarding position approx 1.5nm NE of Cull Island Light, (33°55'S 121°54'E), the track leads N passing, E of Cook Rock, then E of Esperance S breakwater, a light stands at its head. From a position approx 1nm E of the end of the breakwater, the entrance channel is approached in the white sector, (300°-315°) of Tanker Jetty Light for approx 0.6nm.

From a position approx 0.7nm ENE of the end of the breakwater, the track leads WSW into Esperance Harbour:

Leading lights: Front light, (white tower, red triangle topmark point up), 33°52.3'S 121°53.7'E;

Rear light, (white tower, red triangle topmark point down), 210m from the front light.

The alignment 242.4° of these lights leads through the maintained entrance channel marked by light beacons (port and starboard hand), into Esperance Harbour.

Port limits

The port limit is defined by the area of water within a radius of 10nm from the W Entrance Point of Brandy Creek (33°50.00'S 121°56.00'E), about 2.5nm NE of Esperance.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There are no traffic schemes in operation.

Anchorages

There are 5 designated anchorage positions (A, B, C, D and E) situated E of the main breakwater between Low Rock and Limpet Rock. The holding ground here is moderate to good, with a sand bottom. Six to eight shackles of cable are recommended when anchoring, plenty of cable should be veered. A continuous anchor watch must be maintained.

Vessels proceeding to anchorage should anchor in an ENE direction from the eastern extreme of the breakwater. Good holding is found in depths ranging from 14.5-27.5m.

Restrictions

Vessels may berth at night and sail at any time subject to Harbour Master's approval.

Tugs

There are 3 tugs available, "Cape Pasley" 65t bollard pull, "Shoal Cape" 68t bollard pull, "Cape Le Grand II" 30t bollard pull. Tugs are allocated at the Hr Mr's discretion.

Charts and publications

Aus 119, 762. Australian Pilot Vol 1, Australian National Tide Tables and List of Lights (Vol K). Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels must advise ETA 7 days, 4 days, 48 hours and 24 hours prior to arrival. ETA messages should be sent to the Harbour Master, Esperance, via the agent and should include ETA, draught forward and aft and any defects affecting the safe navigation of the vessel.

Vessels should disclose the following information 12 , 24 hours prior to arrival at the first Port of Entry:

1) Name of Vessel and ETA.

2) Last Port of call.

3) Date of Departure.

4) Number of crew on board.

5) Number of passengers on board.

6) Details of any sickness.

7) Ballast water details.

Communications

Port VHF limited to Channels 16, 12, 06, 09 and 67. Call sign "Esperance Harbour". Range 40 -60nm.

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

NOR to be tendered when dropping anchor within the port limits/pilot onboard time.

Health

Radio pratique application to be made to vessel's agent 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival, via telex. Application to renew Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can made when applying for pratique. Quarantine area is defined by a line extending in an 018° direction from Dempster Head.

Customs and immigration

The following are permitted, 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol.

The Customs Act of 1901 (as amended) s.33 and s.64 should be referred to. The Crew List is required at least 48 hours prior to arrival to enable the crew to be cleared on arrival, there are no restrictions, normal Immigration and Customs formalities apply.

Flags

Australian national flag to be flown at all times, pilot flag and "B" as required.

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

Minor repairs can be carried out.

Dry docks

A 100t slipway is available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Diesel oil is supplied by road tanker at the berth.

Medical

Esperance Hospital.

Crew change

Crew change is possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Esperance, 21km.

Nearest railway: Esperance.

Working hours

Normally 0730-1530hrs, 1530-2330hrs, 2330-0730hrs and 1 hour prior to arranged arrival of vessel.

Nickel and iron ore load continuously.

Where it is

Esperance is located in the middle of Western Australia's S coast, on the W side of D'Entrecasteaux Channel, S of the Huon River.

The port

Esperance has facilities for handling petroleum products, grain, fertilisers, nickel concentrates, sulphur and iron ore.

Traffic

Approx 7,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Esperance?

The pilot boards at Esperance pilot boarding ground, 33°54.2′S 121°55.5′E.

What time zone is Esperance in?

Local time at Esperance is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Esperance?

The deepest berth listed is at Esperance: 17.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Esperance?

1027.

Which load line zone is Esperance in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Esperance?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Esperance?

The UN/LOCODE of Esperance is AUEPR.

What crews who called at Esperance 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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