Exmouth

Size limits

LOA 185m, Beam 32.20m, Draught 10.0m, 50,885DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

Tides

Tidal streams during the rising tide set ENE and NE, curving E round North West Cape and then setting into Exmouth Gulf. During the falling tide the stream sets out of the gulf, round North West Cape and then W and SW. HHW, 2.0m; LHW, 1.4m.

Mean Spring Range: 1.8m. Mean Neap Range: 0.6m.

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

Approach

The approach channel shelves gradually from 18.3-12.1m. The bottom is sand and shell.

Exmouth Gulf is entered between Tubridgi Point (21°51.0'S 114°39.0'E) and North West Cape, 27nm W. It is bordered on the W side by the peninsula of which North West Cape is the extremity and on the E and S sides by the mainland.

From a position approx 5nm N of North West Cape the route leads initially ESE passing: NNE of North West Reef (21°46.0'S 114°10.0'E) which lies within the outer edge of a spit, with depths of less than 10m, which extends 1.75nm N from North West Cape. Mariners should always pass outside the reef. Then:

To a position ENE of North West Cape, distant 4.5nm, noting South Muiron Island which lies 9nm ENE. The passage then leads SSW passing:

ENE of Point Murat Wharf situated on Point Murat; and:

WNW of an area of sandwaves which lie 5.0nm W of Exmouth Reef (21°52.0'S 114°23.0'E) noting the patches, with a least depth of 4.6m, which lie 2.5nm NNW of the reef.

Point Murat Wharf is approached from E of Point Murat (21°49.0'S 114°11.0'E) from the route through Exmouth Gulf. There are no dangers in the approach to the berth.

Port limits

A line drawn from North West Cape (21°49.0'S 114°10.0'E) and Point Lefroy (22°18.0'S 114°11.0'E).

Anchorages

Outer Anchorage: 1nm off Point Murat Wharf, good holding ground.

Learmonth Anchorage: 1nm E of Wapet Shoal (22°12.00'S 114°07.00'E), in a depth of 8.0m.

Anchorage can be obtained 1nm NE of the boat harbour (21°57.00'S 114°08.00'E) in 8.0m. The holding ground is reported to be poor in SE gales. Caution is required when using this anchorage due to navigational hazards N of the boat harbour.

Restrictions

Berthing/sailing is generally during daylight hours, though may be undertaken at night depending on prevailing weather conditions. There is an area surrounding Point Murat Wharf where entry is prohibited without permission. Masters are advised to check their charts for details of this area.

Tugs

There are no tugs available.

Mooring

It is recommended vessels berth facing S, 2-3 hours after the start of the falling tide making use of the port anchor. The falling tides sets onto the jetty.

Berthing: Berthing is entirely dependant on prevailing weather conditions. With a strong E'ly wind at certain times of the year, it may be prudent to abort either berthing or sailing until weather has moderated, since this berth is very close to the beach. Vessels can berth either side alongside, with this being dependant on tide times. Breast lines are sent away first by boat as necessary. Once alongside, springs can be sent away by heaving line. Headlines and sternlines are then taken by the line boat to the individual mooring dolphin for final positioning in the berth.

Use of Anchors: Due to environmental considerations, the Navy has adopted a policy to avoid the use of anchors wherever possible when berthing at the Point Murat Jetty. It has thus determined only to accept tankers, delivering fuel for Naval Communications Station, with bow thrusters.

Vessels without bow thrusters attempting to berth at the facility must have due regard to the prevailing weather condition as well as the above policy.

Charts and publications

BA 4723. Australia Pilot Vol V. List of Lights NP Vol "K". Australian Tide Tables AHP 11. Admiralty Pilot NP13.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA should be sent to the Port Authorities 24 hours prior to arrival. See Country General Information for requirements for reporting 96 hours prior to arrival at Australian ports.

Communications

Radio: Contact can be made by R/T on 2716kHz, callsign "Navcomsta".

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 21. Call "Exmouth Control". Limited contact is available by VHF during working hours.

Standard messages

The following is a standard telex sent to the Master of a vessel, prior to arrival at port.

quote:

Australian Customs Service - Ships Arrival Details

The vessel ............... will be arriving at .................. on (day) ................ date ................ at ............... hours.

Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 96 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.

unquote

Health

Exmouth is a first port of entry. The quarantine line is an arc with a radius of 0.5nm centred on Point Murat. Quarantine and Customs are arranged through Shipping Agent.

Customs and immigration

There are no Customs clearance facilities available, therefore this should be prearranged from Perth or Port Hedland.

Notices and regulations

The area surrounding Point Murat Wharf is a prohibited area. Mariners are warned not to enter this area without prior permission of the Civil Commissioner, Exmouth.

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

The Department of Transport (DoT) WA has announced the commencement of maintenance dredging at Exmouth Boat Harbour (EBH), scheduled from Monday to Sunday between 0700 and 1900hrs, with the possibility of nighttime operations if necessary. The project, utilizing the 18m cutter suction dredge "Ironheart," will transfer dredged material to the Town Beach Disposal Site via a pipeline. Expected to conclude by late July 2024, the dredging aims to ensure the harbor's continued functionality.

There are very limited repair facilities available. Immobilisation of main engine only with express permission through pilot or HEH (Harold E. Holt).

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Not available unless sufficient notice is provided and arranged through agent or in an emergency situation.

Bunkering: There is no fuel oil available. However, diesel is available in limited quantities through HEH or as arranged by Shipping Agent.

Medical

There are limited medical facilities available through Exmouth District Hospital.

Transport

Nearest airport: Learmouth, approx 30km S of Exmouth.

Airport facilities: Skywest Airlines service Exmouth on a regular basis.

Working hours

Monday-Friday: 0700-1530hrs.

Where it is

The port of Exmouth is located on the W side of Exmouth Gulf in NW Australia.

The port

The port handles general cargo, fuel and technical equipment. The port is also a base for a prawn fishing fleet.

Port control is via Harold E. Holt Naval Communications Base, Exmouth.

What are the pilot arrangements at Exmouth?

Pilotage is not compulsory but strongly recommended for all vessels without good local knowledge.

What time zone is Exmouth in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Exmouth?

The deepest berth listed is at Exmouth Gulf Terminal: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Exmouth?

1025.

Which load line zone is Exmouth in?

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

Who carries out Port State Control at Exmouth?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Exmouth?

The UN/LOCODE of Exmouth is AUPEX.

What crews who called at Exmouth 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.

Read and add tips for Exmouth →