Gove

1. Gove Harbor pilot boarding Pilot boards12°10.7′S 136°38.6′E

Size limits

Max LOA 245.0m, beam 43.0m, draught 15.0m and 120,397DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Tides

MHWS 3.2m and MHWN 2.2m.

Tidal currents follow a cyclical pattern generally flowing parallel to the coast in both the inner and outer harbours. The flood tide is estimated to run at a max of 3kts, but is generally much less. The flood sets SSE through the entrance and the ebb sets NNW. It is recommended to moor before half-flood tide as the tidal current sets off the bauxite pier after that time.

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

Approach

Gove Harbour is approached WNW of Bremer Island (12°06'S., 136°49'E) through Melville Bay and W of Wargarpunda Point. A passage for shallow draught vessels leads WNW from NE of Cape Arnhem (12°21'S., 136°59'E), S of Bremer Island to Gove Harbour. The least reported depth to the bauxite pier is 13.7m.

Port limits

The Gove Harbour port limits are a line joining Wargarpunda Point, (12°11.0'S., 136°41.0'E) and Shepherd Bluff.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Controlled via Gove Harbour.

Anchorages

Anchorage berth: Anchorage for vessels seeking shelter is available SW of Half Tide Rock (12°13'S., 136°41'E) in depths of 6.0-9.0m, sand and mud.

Quarantine anchorage: Located 1.5nm WNW of West Woody Island.

Restrictions

A lighted buoy marks a 3m shoal which lies approx 0.17nm SE of Dundas Point as well as a 5.2m shoal which lies approx 0.26nm SSE of the same point.

Tugs

There are 2 new 'Z' drive tugs, "Baru" & "Guya", both 60t bollard pull. There is also a work boat/pilot boat.

These boats undergo a survey within a drydock every five years, one at a time. For a period of 2-3 weeks, availability for hire is therefore restricted accordingly. Ship owners and agents will be advised at the appropriate time of applicable limitations.

Mooring

UKC - Min 10% of water depth at the bauxite pier.

Two vessels of 60,000DWT are able to berth at the bauxite pier (dry and liquid cargo).

The pier, currently being used to send scrap metal to Asia, generally handles vessels up to 20,000DWT but may handle vessels up to 30,000DWT in favourable conditions.

Charts and publications

Aus 306, 15, 715. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

Communications

Gove Harbour contact info

Call Sign: "Gove Harbour"

VHF: Ch 06, 12, 16

SeaSwift contact info

Telephone: +61 08 8935 2435

Standard messages

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

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Notice of readiness

Issued as per Charter Party.

Health

The port of Gove is a port of first entry to Australia and can provide health clearance for vessels arriving from overseas.

The commonwealth quarantine regulations provide for the health clearance of vessels between sunrise and sunset.

Quarantine Pre-arrival Report for vessels (pratique) are required between 12 and 48 hours prior to arrival and should be sent by telex or Fax. Earlier notification is required for weekends and in the case of high risk vessels from Russian Far East ports for Asian Gypsy Moth and vessels which have carried livestock.

Health Declaration Forms are not required unless requested by Quarantine Authorities. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates are required to be produced upon request by Quarantine Authorities.

Customs and immigration

Full Customs facilities exist, Customs Officers are resident at Gove and regulations of the Australian Customs Service apply.

The sub collector of Customs is prepared to effect clearance at any time day or night with a minimum of 24 hours notice. However payment of overtime is applicable for outward clearance. This applies Monday to Friday between 1600hrs and 0800hrs and for weekends and public holidays, such charges are to vessels account.

Customs Officers also act as Immigration Officers and all crew discharges are to be referred to them in the ordinary way.

Vessel's arrival details and a Crew List are required a minimum of 96 hours in advance.

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 available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkers: DO available at the Quay and RoRo berths.

Stores: Available in limited quantities provided adequate prior notice is given. Deck and engine stores are not usually available. Bonded stores require 10 days notice.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Gove District Hospital (9.9km).

Crew change

Crew change is not recommended due to the remote location, usually only on medical grounds.

Transport

Nearest airport: Gove-East Arnhem Airport (17km) and Darwin International Airport (630km).

Working hours

Shifts operate between 0700-1900hrs and 1900-0700hrs.

SeaSwift operating hours: Mon and Thur 1200-1545hrs, Tue, Wed and Fri 0800-1545hrs. Closed on weekends.

Where it is

Gove is situated in the NW Northern Territory of Australia. It is bounded by the Gulf of Carpentaria to the E, the Arafura Sea to the N and includes the body of water known as Melville Bay.

The port

The port has facilitated and serviced the Gove bauxite mine following initial production in 1971. In 2017, the decision was made to permanently terminate the refinery and expects to finish mining bauxite by 2030. The refinery is currently being demolished and recycled under the 'Gove Closure Program' and as a result the port is being used to transport scrapped metal to Asia. Following the closure of the refinery, the Gove Port Tourism Precinct project is underdevelopment to enable the growth of the tourism industry to the region.

Gove also facilitates liquid cargo and a service from Darwin for the transportation of containerised, project and general goods.

Where does the pilot board at Gove?

The pilot boards at Gove Harbor pilot boarding, 12°10.7′S 136°38.6′E.

What time zone is Gove in?

Local time at Gove is UTC+9:30. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Gove?

The deepest berth listed is at Gove Terminal: 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Gove?

1025.

Which load line zone is Gove in?

South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Gove?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Gove?

The UN/LOCODE of Gove is AUGOV.

What crews who called at Gove 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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