Thursday Island

1. Torres Strait Pilotage — Booby Island Pilot boards10°36.3′S 141°49.8′E
2. Torres Strait Pilotage — Goods Island Pilot boards10°33.9′S 142°04.4′E

Size limits

LOA 99.98m, beam 18m, 3,158DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range springs 1.9m, neaps 0.5m.

Maximum tidal range about 2.3m.

Tides can vary up to 3.0m.

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

Approach

The harbour can be approached by 3 channels, from the W through Normanby Sound, (depth at LWOST 5.3m), the main channel, from the NE through Ellis Channel, depth 2.9m which leads SW from Flinders Passage is only available for vessels of a light draught and from the SE through Boat Channel. Vessels of a moderate draught using Flinders Passage must therefore enter through Normanby Sound, passing N of Hammond and Goods Island.

Caution: Entry at night is not recommended in any of the approach channels and should only be attempted in an emergency.

Approach and entry through Normanby Sound: Caution: Great attention must be paid to leading marks throughout the passage, as tidal streams are strong and irregular.

Vessels from E, having passed through Prince of Wales Channel because of draught, may join the following track about 1.2nm W of Tucker Point (10°34.0'S 142°09.0'E).

From a position approx 8.0nm W of Tucker Point, the recommended track leads E towards the entrance on the alignment (093°) of leading marks.

When Tucker Point bears 040° the track then leads ENE, within an obscured sector (295°-064°) of the Goods Island Light.

The track then leads E on the alignment (094.25°) of Thursday Island Leading Lights. Madge Reefs Leading Lights then lead ESE on the alignment 112.25°.

Thursday Island may be entered from Normanby Sound passing either N or S of Hovell Rock (10°35.6'S 142°13.1'E), making allowance for the tidal stream. Longer and deeper draught vessels are advised to take the deeper passage S of the rock.

Port limits

The limits of the port of Thursday Island are as follows: Commencing at Pott Point, (10°36'S 142°09'E), then along the N coast of Friday Island to Webb Point, the E extremity of the island, then to Kiwain Point, the N extremity of Prince of Wales Island, then to Smith Point, the W extremity of Horn Island, then along the NW and N coasts of that island to King Point, its NE extremity, then to Menmuir Point, the E extremity of Hammond Island, then along the SE and E coasts of that island to Diamond Point at its W extremity, then to Tessy Head the ENE extremity of Goods Island, then along the N side of that island to Tucker Point, its SW extremity and then to the point of origin.

Traffic schemes and VTS

AIS station installed.

Anchorages

A Quarantine Anchorage area is established within the W entrance to the sound between Black Rock (10°35.0'S 142°10.0'E) and a line 0.95nm further W. A reserve light float (unlit), which may be moored close W of the area, is there on standby and has no navigational significance. Anchorage in a depth of 10.0m, out of the strength of the tidal stream and sheltered from SE trade winds, may be obtained 0.7nm W of Black Rock.

The anchorage should be approached on the alignment (098°) of the S shoulder of Black Rock within the hospital buildings on Vivien Point, 1.3nm E.

Anchorage may also be obtained in an area known as Goods Island Anchorage in Bertie Bay, lying on the SE side of Goods Island between Quoin Point (10°34.3'S 142°09.2'E) and Wai-Weer Islet 1.2nm further E. The anchorage has a depth of 8.0m.

Other anchorage during strong SE winds may be obtained in a depth of 9.0m on the S side of the sound, 0.85nm WNW of Kiwain Point (10°36.0'N 142°12.0'E). Tidal streams in this position are strong and the berth is close to the N edge of the shallow bank in the entrance to Friday Passage.

Restrictions

Any access to the Thursday Island main wharf and loading area is restricted while loading and unloading cargo occurs. Persons requiring access, crew-members or visitors, must wear safety hard hats, safety shoes and comply with the safety regulations.

Tugs

There are no tug services available at the port. The pilot launch has a bollard pull of 1.5t and can assist if required.

Charts and publications

AUS 293, AUS 700. Admiralty Pilot NP15, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels ETA should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival. For pilotage, vessels should sent ETA and maximum draught 72 hours in advance of arrival. All bookings should be made via email to the Cairns VTS.

For coastal vessels, ETA notice should be advised to the Regional Harbour Master at least 7 days before arrival.

Communications

Call VHF Channel 16 and work on VHF Channels 6 and 14. Call Sign 'Thursday Island Harbour'.

Health

The port of Thursday Island is a first port of entry.

The quarantine line extends SW from Vivien Point (10°35'S 142°12'E) to Kiwain Point, then 090° to the shore of Horn Island. On the E side the line extends from the E extremity of Thursday Island 135° to the shore at Horn Island. Vessels bound for the port should not cross these lines until pratique has been granted.

The hours of examination are from sunrise to sunset. The usual signals should be displayed.

The quarantine station is situated on the NW extremity of Thursday Island, where there is a jetty.

Notices and regulations

Dangerous Goods:

A Manifest of Dangerous Goods must be received not less than 48 hours prior to the vessel's ETA at the Pilotage Area.

A Manifest of Dangerous Goods must be lodged with the Regional Harbour Master (Cairns) prior to departure from the Pilotage Area.

Permission must be obtained from the Port Authority in order to transport Dangerous Goods across any wharf and the onus is on the Master and/or Owner of any vessel carrying Dangerous Goods to comply with all the necessary International and Local Authority Regulations.

A tanker or products carrier which has carried a dangerous cargo on a previous voyage will be regarded as non "gas-free" unless a Gas-Free Declaration has been received at least 48 hours prior to arrival at the pilot boarding position. The declaration should be sent by the Master by fax or telex to the Regional Harbour Master.

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

There are only repair facilities for small craft.

A slipway with a lifting capacity of 250t is available for vessels of max LOA 30m, beam 8.0m, draught 4.5m, 150DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all jetties in limited quantities, subject to Council permission.

Bunkers: Bulk distillate is available at the Fuel Wharf.

Stores: Limited amounts available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Thursday Island Hospital (1.2km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Horn Island Airport (8.5km).

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs.

Where it is

Thursday Island is situated in the centre of a group of islands lying 15nm W of Cape York.

The port

Thursday Island is essentially a transhipment port for the supply of cargo to the smaller ports in the Torres Strait and the Gulf of Carpentaria. Imports handled include bulk shipments of fuel, zinc, silica sand, sugar and molasses as well as live cattle and general cargo.

Traffic

Approx 77,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Thursday Island?

The pilot boards at Torres Strait Pilotage — Booby Island, 10°36.3′S 141°49.8′E. Thursday Island has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Thursday Island in?

Local time at Thursday Island is UTC+10. No summer time.

What is the water density at Thursday Island?

1025.

Which load line zone is Thursday Island in?

Tropical.

Who carries out Port State Control at Thursday Island?

Port State Control at Thursday Island: Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Thursday Island?

The UN/LOCODE of Thursday Island is AUTIS.

What crews who called at Thursday Island 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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