Wyndham

1. Wyndham Sea Pilot Station boarding Pilot boards14°48.9′S 128°18.7′E
2. Wyndham boarding, vicinity of Steer Head Pilot boards15°07.0′S 128°06.0′E
3. Wyndham pilot station boarding (Nicholls Point), Cambridge Gulf Pilot boards14°58.1′S 128°10.7′E

Size limits

LOA 195.26m, beam 32.26m, draught 8.0m, 53,603DWT.

Water density

1015-1000.

Load line zone

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

Tides

Vessel operation is greatly affected by tidal range and flow.

Range: mean spring approx 6.5mm, mean neap approx 2.7m. Tidal streams run at up to 7kts through the narrower sections of the Cambridge Gulf passage.

Maximum Tidal Range: 8.2m.

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

Approach

Cambridge Gulf is approached between Medusa Bank on the E and King Shoals on the W and entered either side of Lacrosse Island. The preferred entrance is W of Lacrosse Island.

The approach channel and fairway through the greater part of the gulf is relatively deep as far as Pender Point (15°17'S 128°06'E), on the W shore 33nm SSW of Cape Dussejour. The channel is divided into 2 parts by middle ground.

Hare Channel, along the W bank, is entered between Pender Point and the N extremity of middle ground and is marked by leading beacons. It is recommended for vessels, proceeding to Wyndham, in preference to the main channel which leads E of the middle ground. The entrance channel has a least depth of 5.9m.

Port limits

The N port limit is a line joining Cape Dussejour, Lacrosse Island and Cape Dommet.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There are no traffic schemes operating in the port, AIS station installed.

Anchorages

The outer anchorages are as follows:

Lacrosse Island: Mariners waiting for a pilot should anchor approx 4.0nm S of Lacrosse Island, (14°45'S 128°19'E) in depths of 17-18m, sand and shell.

Anchorage can be obtained under the lee of Lacrosse Island, on either side, or in Turtle Bay, close S of West Bluff, (14°44'S 128°18'E).

Myrmidon Ledge: Anchorage for small coasting vessels, can be obtained S of Vancouver Point, (14°50'S 128°12'E) off the S edge of Myrmidon Ledge, a drying rocky ridge in depths of 9.0-11m.

Caution: The outgoing tidal stream sets towards this ledge and care is necessary when taking up this anchorage.

Cherrie Cove: Lies between Ina Island, (15°00'S 128°07'E) and the mainland SW of Island Point, affords good anchorage for small coasting vessels. The cove is entered by a narrow passage S of Ina Island.

Tidal streams are very strong off the E side of the island causing overfalls and rips, local knowledge is required.

Ausralind Bank: Anchorage clear of the main tidal currents can be obtained 2.5nm NNE of Nicholls Point, (15°03'S 128°07'E), off the W side of Australind Bank in depths of 11-13m.

Steep Head: Ocean going vessels waiting for the tide or slack water can anchor in mid channel approx 0.7nm SW of Steep Head, (15°07'S 128°07'E), in depths from 22-31m.

Anchorage can be obtained by smaller vessels in the bight 1.0nm of Steep Head.

Nellie Bay: Anchorage for small coasting vessels can be obtained off Nellie Bay, (15°11'S 128°07'E) in a depth of 11m, mud.

Still Bay: At 1.0nm S of Nellie is reported to be the best anchorage in the gulf for small coasting vessels as the tidal streams here form an eddy which causes comparatively slack water at all times. The best berth is with the extremity of Red Head, (15°13'S 128°07'E), bearing 248° distance 0.2nm, depth 10m, mud.

Quarantine Anchorage: Situated between Wyndham Wharf, (15°27'S 128°06'E) and Anthon Landing, 0.6nm S, between 0.2-0.7nm off the E shore.

Restrictions

A comprehensive set of lit navigation aids between Nicholls Point and Pender Point. The port is operational throughout 24 hours except for tankers, which are restricted to daylight hours. Contact the Harbour Master.

The least depth in the approach channel is 5.9m, the least depths alongside the berths are 5.0m in the North Berth and 8.5m in the South Berth at zero datum.

A continuous maintenance dredging programme is required and changes in the max draught may occur due to silting.

Tugs

There is one ASD tug with 45t bollard pull available. Vessels should request tug service 72hrs in advance.

Mooring

A boat is available to run mooring lines. Depending on weather conditions, vessels berth at most states of the tide.

Berthing and unberthing at Wyndham Wharf is dependent on the draught of the vessel but is best accomplished between 3 hours before and 2 hours after HW.

Charts and publications

BA 4721. Admiralty Pilot NP13, NP286(4).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessel's ETA should be sent to the Harbour Master 7 days prior to arrival. Updated ETA's must be sent at least 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. Vessels within port limits or at an anchorage within the port must maintain a listening watch on Ch 12.

Communications

Darwin Radio is the nearest coast radio station.

VHF: Port: Ch 16, during office hours 0700-1600hrs. Ch 12 is monitored during pilotage and berthing operations.

The range may be limited at times due to geographical and atmospheric conditions.

Pilot vessel: Ch 16, 12. 2182kHz.

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

Wyndham is a first port of entry. Masters are required to radio Port Hedland not less than 24 hours prior to arrival giving ETA and usual health declarations.

Radio Pratique is usually given to all vessels except livestock carriers.

Customs and immigration

There is no resident Customs Officer in Wyndham, officers attend each vessel as required.

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

Limited repair facilities available by local contractors.

Reportedly, Wyndam may benefit from the construction of Australia's first heavy rare earths mine near Halls Creek. Northern Minerals have announced immediate construction on a pilot processing plant, initially operating for three years. Known as the Browns Range Project, the facility will produce dysprosium, a chemical element mostly used in magnets for electric vehicles. The product would be shipped to China (mainland) via the port of Wyndham.

Dry docks

No drydock facilities are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available on the jetty at 20tph.

Bunkering: Bunkers are available in limited quantities by arrangement with fuel companies, by road tanker.

Stores: Available in limited quantities.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Wyndham District Hospital (4km).

Crew change

Limited crew change can be carried out by arrangement.

Transport

Nearest airport: Wyndham Aerodrome (8km).

Working hours

Day shift, 0600-1000hrs; afternoon shift, 1200-1800hrs; night shift, 1800-2100hrs.

Where it is

Wyndham is the principal port of Kimberley and is situated towards the S end of the Cambridge Gulf in the N of Western Australia.

The port

Wyndham has 1 jetty with 2 deep water berths for general, bulk and containerised cargo.

Exports include live cattle, sugar, agricultural produce and general cargo. Imports include, bulk fuel, building materials, general cargo, ammonium nitrate and fertilisers.

The port is naturally deep but relies on monsoon rains to periodically prevent silting in the approach channels.

Traffic

Approx 750,000t of cargo and 150 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Wyndham?

The pilot boards at Wyndham Sea Pilot Station boarding, 14°48.9′S 128°18.7′E. Wyndham has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Wyndham in?

Local time at Wyndham is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the water density at Wyndham?

1015-1000.

Which load line zone is Wyndham in?

South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30.

Who carries out Port State Control at Wyndham?

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

What is the UN/LOCODE of Wyndham?

The UN/LOCODE of Wyndham is AUWYN.

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