Milner Bay

1. Milner Bay (Groote Eylandt) pilot boarding Pilot boards13°51.6′S 136°23.4′E

Size limits

Max LOA 197m, beam 32.7m, 58,818DWT.

Water density

1017-1021.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean Spring Neaps 1.3m. Mean Neap Range 1.1m. The tidal direction maintains the normal semi-diurnal pattern reversing direction four times during the course of a day. The rise and fall, however, is diurnal with only one HW per day. The time of HW or LW can vary considerably from one day to the next. Tide tables are available from the Port Office.

At neap tides, it is quite common for the tide to neither rise nor fall.

On passage into the port, through the approach channels, eddies are often experienced. These are of no concern providing due care is exercised.

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

Approach

From a position 13°36'S 136°33'E the recommended track leads initially 221° passing, NW of Chasm Island, then; SE of Hawknest Island. Because of its low height, Hawknest Island will probably not be sighted from the NE before Bustard Island, then SE of Brady Rock, then NW of Winchelsea Rock, then SE of Bustard Island. The line of bearing 250° of Bickerton Island Light (13°47'S 136°17'E), in line with Hand Islet, (13°47.0'S 136°17.5'E), then leads in the fairway passing SSE of Arruwa Islet, then; NNW of the N side of Connexion Island. When Islet is 250°, distance 2.25nm, the track leads 195° through Warwick Channel passing ESE of Hand Islet, then between Connexion Island Light, distance 1.5nm and the unnamed islet and reefs lying off the SE side of Bickerton Island.

When Milner Bay Jetty, (13°52'S 136°25'E), bears 085° the track leads to Milner Bay, passing SW, S then SE of Connexion Island.

Bartalumba Bay Cyclone Mooring Buoy, (13°48.7'S 136°27.9'E), (Y.Q).

Weather Wall Light (13°51.2'S 136°25.0'E), (FW, height 2m).

Port limits

The port limits are a line drawn joining the approx positions: North West Bluff, 13°50.0'S 136°25.0'E, 13°50.6'S 136°20.4'E, 13°53.5'S 136°21.9'E, 13°52.8'S 136°26.1'E the S side of Connexion Island and a position 3.5nm SSE of the SW point of Connexion Island and a position 3nm SSE of North West Bluff.

Anchorages

Quarantine anchorage is available 1.5nm W of Milner Bay Jetty, (13°52'S 136°25'E) in a depth of approx 21.0m, sand, good holding ground.

Brandy Rock Anchorage: Available for mariners awaiting the pilot, about 1nm E of Brady Rock (13°40.90'S 136°26.90'E) clear of the recommended track, in depths of 36m.

North West Bay: Entered between a point 1.5 miles S of Chasm Island (13°39.60'S 136°35.40'E) and the NE extremity of Winchilsea Island, 2.5nm WSW, has not been surveyed. The S part of North West Bay appears to be shallow.

Restrictions

Ore vessels can be berthed and sailed, daylight hours only, at discretion of Pilot.

Tugs

Available.

Charts and publications

Aus 14, 305. Admiralty Pilot NP13.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels bound for Groote Eylandt are to radio their ETA on departure from their last port, 7 days prior to arrival, then at 3 days, 2 days and 24 hours prior to arrival. Customs require Pre arrival Report for all crew and passengers at least 96 hours before arrival in an Australian port.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 06, 16, from 0730-1730hrs, weekdays. Tel: +61 8 8987 4284, Fax: +61 8 8987 4202.

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 Charter Party.

Notices and regulations

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The Master is expected to notify all crew members of the content of this notice and it should be displayed in a prominent position.

Should any person require further clarification, the port office should be contacted.

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

Where it is

Milner Bay is situated at Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The port

The port mainly handles manganese ore and has facilities for discharging tankers. Vessels can work general cargo at the berth, but must in this case supply their own (crew) labour. Water and limited provisions are available, bunkers are only available in emergencies.

Where does the pilot board at Milner Bay?

The pilot boards at Milner Bay (Groote Eylandt) pilot boarding, 13°51.6′S 136°23.4′E.

What time zone is Milner Bay in?

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

What is the water density at Milner Bay?

1017-1021.

Which load line zone is Milner Bay 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 Milner Bay?

Port State Control at Milner Bay: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Milner Bay?

The UN/LOCODE of Milner Bay is AUMIB.

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