Mackay

1. Mackay Outer Harbor pilot boarding place Pilot boards21°06.7′S 149°18.5′E

Size limits

LOA 230m, Beam 36.5m, 82,151DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Tidal streams set S across the harbour entrance on the rising tide and N on the falling tide.

The maximum rates to be expected are 1kt at neaps, 1.5kts 3 days each side of neaps and 2.5kts at springs. The rate exceeds 1.5kts for a maximum of 3.5 hours at springs.

Large vessels should not attempt to entry when the rate of stream is more than 0.5kts.

Mean Spring Range: 4.56m. Mean Neap Range: 2.12m.

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

Approach

The port is approached from seaward as required by draught; the recommended track from the Inner Route or Hydrographers Passage being ESE. The outer harbour is entered between the heads of the enclosing breakwaters.

Entrance channel: Width 183m, design depth 8.5m LAT, actual depth 8.6m (11/12).

Swinging basin: Diameter 490m, design and actual depth 8.5m LAT, bottom clay and sand.

When approaching from S or E vessels should make for a position 10nm E of Flat Top Island. When the approach leading light beacons have been identified, the rear yellow triangular beacon with a black stripe, point down situated 0.75nm WNW of Forgan Smith Point and the front a similar light beacon point up, 0.15nm ESE of the rear light beacon, vessels should steer for them bearing 288° which leads N of downward patches and a rocky spit extending SSE of Slade Islet in a depth of 7.8m. A light is exhibited by day from the rear light structure.

When the entrance light beacons, similar to those of the approach lead, the rear 15m in height, situated 0.25nm WSW of the root of main breakwater and the front, 12m in height, situated on the root of that breakwater, come into line bearing 248.5°, vessels should steer for them, which then leads into the harbour.

Both of the above leads are very difficult to distinguish in the late afternoon. Leading lights in line bearing 261.75° situated at the root of the pier, act as an inner harbour lead.

Approaching from NE keep Flat Top Island Lighthouse bearing more than 223° in order to pass at least 0.50nm SE of the 6m shoal, situated 6nm E of Slade Point. When the approach leads come into line proceed as above.

Port limits

The port limits extend about 8nm seaward.

Port Limits:

- starting at the HW mark at the northern extremity of Slade Point

- then easterly along the to 21°03.81'S 149°22.06'E

- then S along the meridian to 21°09.91'S 149°22.06'E

- then W along the parallel to 21°09.91'S 149°20.06'E

- then SW'ly to 21°10.76'S 149°17.73'E

- then SW'ly to the intersection of the HW mark at the southern extremity of the N head of Bakers Creek entrance

- then northerly along the HW mark on the mainland to the starting point.

Traffic schemes and VTS

All vessels greater than LOA 10m are to report to Mackay VTS on VHF Ch 14 before departing a berth or when entering the pilotage area.

Anchorages

A dedicated anchorage (M1) has been declared in position at 21° 6.000'S 149° 18.000'E. There is spoil ground located WNW off the anchorage area. Upon anchoring, ships are to advise 'Hay Point VTS' of their anchoring time.

There is a prohibited anchorage area defined by a decked line drawn from the following positions:

- 21°05.82'S 149°13.50'E

- 21°06.78'S 149°16.55'E

- 21°07.63'S 149°15.70'E

- 21°07.63'S 149°13.20'E.

Restrictions

Dredged depths: The Port Authority should be contacted for actual channel and berth depths as currently they are less than the design depths shown in the berths table. Dredging of the channel and berth pockets is expected to start early Aug 12 and revised depths will be published when completed in approx 4-6 weeks.

UKC: Alongside under keel clearance is min 0.6m at all times.

Mooring

Prior to berthing vessels are required to have the propeller fully immersed and trim not more than 2.5m by the stern, trim by the head is not permitted.

Swing Basin Depth: 8.5m.

Charts and publications

Aus 249, 250, 823 and Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 06. Callsign "Mackay Harbour". For berthing instructions contact Mackay VTS 2 hours before ETA and then remain on standby.

All vessels LOA 10m are to report to Mackay VTS on Ch 14 before departing a berth or when entering the pilotage area.

Whilst at anchor and alongside berth vessels should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Chs 14 and 16.

Health

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates possible.

Customs and immigration

Australian Customs Service: PO Box 769, Mackay, Queensland 4740. Tel: +61 749 517100, Fax: +61 749 517199.

The office is situated in the Customs Office, Cnr Mackay Marina, Mackay, QLD 4740.

Under the provisions of the Customs Act 1901, vessels using the port will be subject to Customs inspections on arrival and are to report to Customs and obtain a duly signed Customs Clearance before departure.

The Australian Customs Service is also responsible for Immigration clearance procedures for crew members.

Quarantine Office: PO Box 668, Mackay, Qld 4740. Tel +61 749 576388, Fax: +61 749 532309.

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 and welding can be undertaken. There is an engineering foundry ashore. Slipway with lifting capacity 600t is situated at the NW corner of Mackay Marina. LOA 35m. Draught 4.6m.

Dry docks

There are no drydocks available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths (rate 45tph).

Bunkering: All berths serviced by road tanker in small quantities.

Medical

There are 3 hospitals available 7-11km.

Transport

Nearest international airports: Cairns, 600km and Brisbane, 800km.

Nearest domestic airport: Mackay, 11km.

Airport facilities: There is one airport with one terminal. Facilities for airfreight and crew changes through domestic flights to capital.

Nearest passenger railway: Mackay, 11km.

Working hours

Office, 0800-1500hrs, overtime is available. Cargo operations are undertaken throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Mackay Harbour lies on the E coast of Queensland midway between Rockhampton and Bowen. It is approximately 950km N of Brisbane.

The port

The Port of Mackay is Queensland's fourth busiest port in terms of cargo throughput. It comprises four wharves catering primarily for the export of sugar, sugar product and grain, as well as the import of petroleum products and the import and export of break-bulk cargoes.

Traffic

Approx 2,900,000t of cargo and 190 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Mackay?

The pilot boards at Mackay Outer Harbor pilot boarding place, 21°06.7′S 149°18.5′E.

What time zone is Mackay in?

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

What is the water density at Mackay?

1025.

Which load line zone is Mackay in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Mackay?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Mackay?

The UN/LOCODE of Mackay is AUMKY.

What crews who called at Mackay 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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