PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Strahan
Pilot
updated Aug 2010- Strahan (Macquarie Harbor) pilot boarding place Pilot boards42°11.9′S 145°12.4′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over LOA 35m.
In the case of vessels bound for Strahan special arrangements must be made in advance if a pilot is to be provided. The pilot boarding ground is outside the bar (Chart BA 3531, 42°12.0'S 145°13.0'E).
For vessels embarking a pilot at Strahan the pilot will advise the ship by radio of the time he intends to board. All pilots are stationed at Hobart. Pilots board vessels at the port of Strahan from a small wooden boat with a blue hull and white cabin.
Contact can be made via VHF Ch 06, 08, 12 and 16 when within 1 hour's steaming of the entrance to Macquarie Harbour.
Special signals: An exempt Master displays by day, a white square flag superior to the berth number. By night, a green over red light, visible all round the horizon. A vessel having a pilot onboard displays by day the pilot flag ("H") superior to the berth number and by night displays the green over red lights.
Key data
updated Jul 2014Size limits
Draught 3.7m.
Water density
1023.
Load line zone
Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.
Tides
Tides in Macquarie Harbour are unpredictable with heights not varying greatly, but the strength at the harbour entrance is very strong depending on the weather.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strahan Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Aug 2010Approach
The N area of Macquaire Harbour is entered between Yellow Bluff, (42°13.7'S 145°18.0'E) and Sophia Point, 3.5nm E and leads to Strahan. A deep channel extends between the shore banks through the area to Strahan.
Port limits
The port limits include all the waters of Macquarie Harbour and all bays and estuaries opening into that harbour. Not beyond an imaginary line bearing 000°, for a distance of 1.2km from Watts Hill, then bearing 090° to the shoreline.
Anchorages
A designated anchorage has been established in Risby Cove, to the NE of Regatta Point Leading Light, (42°09.7'S 145°20.2'E).
Pine Cove in the E side of King's Point provides good anchorage in a depth of 5.5m for small vessels, local knowledge is required.
Anchorage is prohibited within 150m of Regatta Point Wharf.
Vessels carrying explosives must anchor S of a line between Regatta Point, (42°09.7'S 145°20.0'E), on the E side of Long Bay and Magazine Point on the W side.
Restrictions
Strong tidal currents into Macquarie Harbour may restrict entrance.
Charts and publications
Admiralty Pilot NP14, NP286(4).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent 24 hours before arrival and confirmed 12 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
Radio: Melbourne Radio (VIM) maintains a 24 hour listening watch on the following frequencies: HF 2182, 4125, 6215.5, 8291kHz, VHF Ch 16 and 67, Seaphone Ch 07 and 27.
forecasts are transmitted daily as follows: 0403hrs, 0803hrs, and 2003hrs (UTC) on the HF traffic list frequencies.
All gale, navigational and strong wind warnings are transmitted on the HF traffic list frequencies immediately upon receipt and every 2 hours on an even number (UTC) times.
VHF: VHF can only be used in close proximity to Macquaire Harbour. Contact can be made via digital phone: 0418 331 349.
Small Craft Radio: Voluntary small craft radio stations are located near North West Bay and at Dunalley on the Tasman Peninsula. These stations maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 16 and HF.
Weather forecasts are passed on VHF Ch 67 at 0845hrs, 1345hrs, 1845hrs and 2145hrs, local time.
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.
unquote
Health
A vessel approaching the port and requiring pratique, should reply to a radio questionnaire to the Quarantine Office, not more than 24 hours and not less than 12 hours prior to arrival.
On arrival the health report should be given to the Quarantine Officer, two copies being furnished on the prescribed form "Q360", one of which will be signed by the Quarantine Officer and returned to the Master. A passenger list, together with a list of passengers disembarking including their permanent address within the country is also required.
The facsimile number of the Quarantine Department is +61 2 346785.
Radio Pratique will be granted to vessels which forward satisfactory answers to the radio questionnaire. Vessels granted radio pratique may berth on arrival without requiring the boarding of a Quarantine Officer. Radio Pratique is granted for the first port of entry. The vessel and persons onboard are released from Quarantine. All goods remain subject to quarantine. A complete health report is required before free pratique is granted and this is obtained whilst the vessel is in port.
If radio pratique is not granted the vessel will be boarded on arrival. The appropriate day or night quarantine signal should be displayed until clearance is obtained.
Customs and immigration
Requests for the services of Customs Officers should be made through vessels Agents. Vessels wishing to lower their own lifeboats must receive permission from Customs Boarding Officers.
Notices and regulations
By-laws are made by Marine and Safety, Tasmania and administered by local port corporations.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Jul 2011Repairs
Two modern slipways for small craft located W of Town Wharf.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Not available.
Medical
There is a local hospital available. An air ambulance service operates to Hobart or Burnie.
Crew change
No Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Strahan.
Nearest railway: Zeehan, 18km.
Working hours
Per agent's advice.
About Strahan
updated May 2010Where it is
Strahan is Tasmania's only W coast port.
The port
The port of Strahan consisting of one wharf is mainly used by local fishing boats and small tourist vessels.
Questions about Strahan
Where does the pilot board at Strahan?
The pilot boards at Strahan (Macquarie Harbor) pilot boarding place, 42°11.9′S 145°12.4′E.
What time zone is Strahan in?
Local time at Strahan is UTC+11. Back to UTC+10 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+11 on 2 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Strahan?
1023.
Which load line zone is Strahan in?
Southern Winter Seasonal Zone, Winter Apr 16 to Oct 15, Summer Oct 16 to Apr 15.
Who carries out Port State Control at Strahan?
Port State Control at Strahan: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Strahan?
The UN/LOCODE of Strahan is AUSRN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Strahan 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.