Lucinda

1. Lucinda bulk sugar facility pilot boarding Pilot boards18°27.5′S 146°28.9′E

Size limits

Max LOA 225m, beam 32.26m and 76,498DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

MHWS 2.91m; MHWN 2.11m; MLWS 0.74m, MLWN 1.53m; HAT 3.89m.

The E coast of Australia is bordered by an active tectonic plate which is capable of generating a tsunami. The aforementioned tsunami could reach the coastline within 2-4 hours. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) monitors earthquake activity and vessels must take heed of any warnings issued.

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

Approach

The channel depth is 13.2m.

Approach: The offshore berth is approached directly from the sea, rather than using the Hinchinbrook Channel, and can accommodate fully loaded Panamax size vessels. From pilot boarding location the tracks leads WSW in the white sector of the directional light, across the S part of the bar (least depth 1m). Once in the vicinity of the directional light the tracks leads W and course is then altered to the berth. The course passes between a lighted starboard beacon and a port sided buoy.

Inner parts of the port may be approached through the N entrance to Hinchinbrook Channel which is fronted by a bar lying between Goold Island (18°10'S., 146°10'E) and the mainland W, depth 4.0m. Before closure of the inshore berth at Lucinda Point this channel was in regular use by vessels up to a reported max size of 6,770t and 7.3m draught. The S entrance to Hinchinbrook Channel is obstructed by an extensive shallow bar, across which there are 2 possible channels.

Caution: Buoys and beacons in Hinchinbrook Channel are liable to be out of position or missing after bad weather or freshets from the rivers and creeks flowing into the channel.

The S entrance to Hinchinbrook Channel should not be attempted unless the leads can be properly identified whilst still to seaward of the bar; nor should it be attempted after bad weather and freshets. In either case it is wiser to use the N entrance to the channel from Rockingham Bay.

Pearl farms consisting of floating or fixed structures, marked by buoys and beacons which may be lit, exist in Hinchinbrook Channel. The farms and their associated moorings should be avoided.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Townsville/Abbot Point VTS area: All vessels with an LOA over 35m, carrying dangerous cargoes or under the use of a pilot must report to VTS. Vessels are required to report their movements to VTS once: entering pilotage area, navigating from berth/anchorage, reaching destination and using services of a pilot.

Vessels will need to request new permission in the event that: if a vessel has subsequent movements other than those mentioned, if a vessel has not entered the VTS area at the required time + 30mins and all further movements (if movements have not commenced within 30mins of permission being granted). The service is provided by Maritime Safety Queensland throughout 24 hours. It is worth noting that in the event that the centre is disabled, then functions will be temporarily transferred to a remote standby location.

Reef VTS is a dedicated vessel traffic system to the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait mandatory ship reporting system (SRS). It is operated under joint federal and state arrangements between Maritime Safety Queensland and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) from the Reef VTS centre at Townsville. Vessels must report to the Reef VTS under the following specifications: Tankers, vessels with an LOA over 50m and all vessels engaged in towing or pushing when the pushed/pulled vessel aligns with the previous specification or where the tow exceeds LOA 150m.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: There is good holding ground everywhere, with no known dangers, between the offshore berth (18°31'S., 146°23'E) and the Palm Isles 6nm ESE. The chart should however be consulted for an indication of the reliability of the surveys in the waters S of Lucinda. Anchorage is recommended 1nm E and N of the pilot boarding area in approx 20m of water and may also anchor just outside the pilotage area. Once anchored, vessels must inform the VTS of their anchoring time and position. They are advised to maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 16 and report if the vessel is dragging. The anchorage generally situated close to the pilot boarding area is exposed.

Prohibited anchorage: A prohibited anchorage exists within 0.2nm of the offshore berth and the conveyor jetty leading to it.

Quarantine anchorage: The quarantine anchorage for the Hinchinbrook Channel lies within its N entrance between lines drawn 270° from Hecate Point (18°15'S., 146°04'E) and from Scraggy Point, 3nm SE.

Restrictions

Unberthing is in accordance with the state of tide and draught. Under Keel Clearance (UKC) required is 10% of the deepest draught plus 0.61m.

The ballast condition should have the propeller fully immersed with maximum trim 2.5m by the stern with a forward draught not less than 2% of LOA.

There are no restrictions on time and berthing is at the discretion of the regional Harbour Master with regards to weather conditions.

Engines must not be immobilised while alongside the berth.

There are dangerous wrecks in the vicinity of the port (18°10.3'S., 146°04.9'E and 18°14.7'S., 146°01.7'E). A shoal, with a small drying patch (18°31.2’S., 146°20.0’E) is located NE of the non-operational inshore berth. The drying path has extended S and E over a period of time.

Tugs

2 x 3,600H.P. tugs available. Both tugs have a bollard pull of 46t and fire fighting equipment. Two tugs are required for berthing and one for departure for vessels with an LOA up to 200m. All vessels LOA over 200m will require two tugs for all movements to and from the port. Tugs service are provided by Svitzer and is operational throughout 24 hours.

Agents must book the tugs with the Harbour Master via the QSHIPS program.

Mooring

Berthing is starboard side only, details will be advised by the pilot. Berth is equipped with four fenders 15m apart at the N end of the berth and then two more fenders 60m apart at the S end. There are mooring dolphins located 65m from each end of the berth recessed 40m behind the berth line.

When mooring alongside, the vessel must limit overhang past the outermost fenders in contact with the vessel to less than 25% of the vessel's LOA. The vessel must achieve acceptable angular contact with the fenders and in particular those in contact with the flare of the vessel's stern and bow. Finally, the vessel's crew must not allow mooring lines to slacken.

All vessels with an LOA greater than 200m must berth starboard side alongside and only berth when wind conditions are 15kts or less. It is also noted that the aforementioned vessels will depart on the ebb and with the assistance of two tugs.

Charts and publications

BA 2349, Aus 259 and 828. List of Lights NP Vol "K". Australian Tide Tables AHP 11. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Ship agents must use the QSHIPS programme for their arrival and subsequent movements. Vessels without an agent are required to complete an arrival/departure report 48 hours in advance to Townsville VTS. All changes to ships movements must be updated at least 24hrs in advance.

Communications

Regional Harbour Master contact info

Telephone: +61 7 44218 100

Facsimile: +61 7 4721 2028

Email: [email protected]

VTS Centre contact info

VHF: Ch 13, 26

Telephone: +1300 721 263 / +1300 721 293

Email: [email protected]

Call Sign: Lucinda pilots or Townsville VTS

Port Authority contact info

Telephone: +61 7 47811 667 (Townsville) / +61 7 47811 502

Email: [email protected]

Pilots and Tugs contact info

VHF: Ch 6, 13

Telephone: +61 7 47811 861

Facsimile: +61 7 4781 1525

Email: [email protected]

Call Sign: Usher or Townsville VTS

Lucinda Port Superintendent contact info

Telephone: +61 7 47604 435

Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal contact info

Telephone: +61 7 47982 202

Port of Townsville contact info

Telephone: +61 7 47811 684

Svitzer Tug contact info

Telephone: +1300 662 377

Email: [email protected]

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (Townsville) contact info

Telephone: +61 7 4789 7888 / +61 7 3404 6999.

Facsimile: +61 7 4789 7821

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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Notice of readiness

As per agents instructions.

Documents

Note: Agents and owners are encouraged any further information that may be beneficial to safety of navigation.

Health

Agents should be contacted for information regarding health regulations. Lucinda is a First Port of Entry and notification of quarantine inspection is required. Radio pratique is available. All overseas vessels must submit their documentation 96 hours and no less than 12 hours prior to arrival in accordance with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Vessels proceeding to the offshore berth may be granted pratique alongside.

Customs and immigration

Agents should be contacted for information regarding Customs and Immigration regulations. Notification from vessels arriving from overseas must submit their documentation 96 hours prior to arrival.

Border Force (customs) (Townsville) tel: +61 7 4722 3735.

Flags

As per international requirements.

Notices and regulations

Regional Harbour master may be able to grant certain exceptions from specific regulations.

Dangerous cargoes: Dangerous goods declaration form and dangerous cargoes manifest must be sent to the Harbour Master and Port of Townsville for their approval. Dangerous cargoes must not be brought into the pilotage area or handled at the port until the aforementioned notification has been made. Constant dialogue and notifications must be made during movement and handling of dangerous cargoes with the harbour master; ship inbound (48 hours), ship departure (3 hours), STS transfer (24 hours), loading, removal (24 hours) and operation of a local marine service (48 hours). A report must be filed immediately if an event (loss, or likely loss, of the cargo from a ship) occurs into Queensland waters. Report must include; Name(s) of goods, UN number(s), IMO hazard class(es), names of manufactures of goods, types of packages, approx quantity and condition, whether the good have sank or are floating, whether loss is continuing, cause of loss, marine safety, and risk of explosion.

Security: All vessels with a GT over 500 must report their security information to the port authority.

Vessel requirements: All vessels within/entering the pilotage area or navigating to a berth/anchorage must report any damages, defects, deficiencies that may affect the safety of the ship, person or environment to VTS. Once the message has been passed on to VHF, they will notify the Harbour Master of the required port. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) also requires any deficiencies of vessels to Australian ports.

When in position to moor alongside the berth; vessels must ensure engines are fully operational, mooring ropes with heavy line are ready, anchors cleared, gangways operational, cranes/derricks stowed away and discharge outlets in the vicinity of tug lashing points not being used unless absolutely essential for berthing.

Wildlife: Vessels are required to follow the relevant marine mammal legislation. In the event that whales or marine mammals are reported, then every possible endeavour must be undertaken to manage shipping around the marine animals in order to keep them safe. Transit may be halted until the mammals are deemed to be clear of the vicinity. If manoeuvrability is restricted and the risk to marine mammals is perceived then the master of the vessel must take all actions possible to keep the mammals safe without endangering the vessel, crew and environment. If any collision occur then it must be reported immediately to VTS and the Department of Environment and Science.

Marine incidents: All incidents must be reported to the Harbour Master through the Townsville VTS. Telephone: +1300 721 263 / +300 721 293 or via VHF Ch 13, 16.

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

Only minor repairs can be carried out, agents should be contacted for further information. It is recommended that any repair requirements are conducted off Townsville Port.

Dry docks

There are no drydock facilities available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Freshwater: Not available.

Bunkering: Not available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Ingham Health Services (22.45km).

Crew change

Crew change is possible, agents should be contacted.

Transport

Nearest airport: Ingham Aerodrome (24.3km) and Townsville Airport (110km).

Nearest Railway: The port is serviced by sugar cane trains that have direct access to the terminal and located by the three storage sheds.

Nearest highway: The port has access to Highway 1. The road circumnavigates Australia, 14,500km, connecting all mainland state capitals and to Tasmania.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Ingham.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Lucinda Point is situated at the southern entrance to the Hinchinbrook Channel, approx 100km N of Townsville, Australia.

Damage caused by Cyclone Yasi in Feb 2011 has been repaired and the port re-opened (09/12).

The port

The port of Lucinda is a dedicated bulk sugar export terminal, the offshore berth extends over 5.6km from the shore.

The port is under the overall authority of The Ports Corporation of Queensland, local control rests with the Regional Harbour Master in Townsville.

The berths are leased to and operated by Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal Organisation of Townsville.

Traffic

Approx 450,000t of cargo and 12 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Lucinda?

The pilot boards at Lucinda bulk sugar facility pilot boarding, 18°27.5′S 146°28.9′E.

What time zone is Lucinda in?

Local time at Lucinda is UTC+10. No summer time.

What is the water density at Lucinda?

1025.

Which load line zone is Lucinda in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Lucinda?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lucinda?

The UN/LOCODE of Lucinda is AULUC.

What crews who called at Lucinda 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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