Pilbara notices

Mariners and port users are advised that recent survey data for the Port Walcott, Cape Lambert facility, berth pockets and approaches has resulted in the depths being declared as per the pdf. below.

All Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area, and mariners and vessels not specifically contracted to perform marine operations for this work scope should keep well clear of these facilities and associated marine operations and should exercise extreme caution in the vicinity of these operations within Port Walcott. In particular, the ‘Wedge’ area is bounded by the following coordinates:

• PT-1: 20 34.46262 S, 117 11.96671 E
• PT-2: 20 34.50809 S, 117 12.01328 E
• PT-3: 20 34.66215 S, 117 11.85917 E
• PT-4: 20 34.59638 S, 117 11.78535 E

It is acknowledged that the Port users may utilize different depths to that shown in the pdf. below, only in the case where a Dynamic Under Keel Clearance software is being exercised.

Chart references: AUS Charts 55, 56 and 740

Mariners are advised that two Directional Wave Rider Buoys (DWRB) are scheduled to be deployed approximately 4 NM East of Point Murat and 10 NM East of Learmonth in the

Exmouth Gulf at the following locations:

21° 48.090'S 114° 15.924'E
22° 11.000'S 114° 15.900'E

The above DWRB’s are yellow in colour, approximately 0.42m in diameter and equipped with a flashing yellow light.

Flash Rate: Fl Y 2.5s

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the DWRB’s at all times.

Mariners are advised that vessel operations for decommissioning of the Thevenard Island Offshore Platforms is scheduled to take place from 17th December 2023 to 31st July 2024 at the following locations (See attachment):

Chart Reference:
• AUS 64 – Approaches to Onslow
• AUS 743 – Barrow Island to Onslow

The primary vessel to perform the platform decommissioning is the anchored crane barge “WB400” (LOA: 120.0m) that will be moored in an eight (8) anchor spread. The WB400 has two full sets of anchors, one “working set” of 8 where the WB400 is working and the second “pre-lay set” of 8 will be removed from the previous platform location and installed at the upcoming platform location sequentially, in the order shown in the table above. Anchors will have one or two surface buoys each with a fixed all-round continuous white light.

When working within the area the WB400 is required to maintain an exclusion zone at a 1500m radius. Each of the WB400 “working set” of anchors will be within the exclusion zone. The decommissioning activities will involve both topside work and dive operations. All diving is planned to take place from the WB400.

The WB400 will be assisted by the following support vessels:
- “Mermaid Strait” main support and anchor handling tug (LOA: 52.4m)
- “Renegade” shoal buster tug (LOA: 31.1m)
- “Henderson” 250’ cargo barge (LOA: 76.2m)
- “Keller Ocean” multicat (LOA: 26.0m)
- “George” pusher tug (LOA: 15.0m)
- “Sea Stryder” crew transfer vessel (LOA: 20.0m)

Operations on the WB400 and Mermaid Strait will take place 24 hours a day however other vessels will ordinarily only operate during daylight hours. Vessel operators will monitor Marine VHF channels 14 and 16 during operating hours.

A temporary mooring will be installed to moor the Henderson barge or other vessel during standby periods. The temporary mooring will display a fixed all-round continuous white light. The temporary mooring is planned to be located in designated anchoring zones at the adjacent platform location to where the WB400 is working at the time. All vessels may remain in the field overnight moored alongside the WB400, on the temporary mooring or connected to one of the “pre-lay set” anchors.

Following the decommissioning of Saladin A and Saladin B A Lit Eastern Cardinal Aid to Navigation – Sequence – Quick Flashing White – Group of 3 – every 10 second (Q (3) 10s) Range 5 Nautical Mile (5NM) positioned at -21 degrees 26.39500’S – 115 degrees 3.47400’E (coordinates are in GDA94 DDM) will be permanently installed.

All vessels taking part in these works shall display shapes and lights in accordance with the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Regulations 1983 at all times.

The table attached lists the planned status at the end of these operations for each of the locations:

Where structures have been left above seabed, it is being done in accordance with permits to create an integrated artificial reef at these locations. A secondary campaign will be undertaken to complete these reefs by installing purpose built concrete reef modules at these locations.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep clear of the above operations at all times.

Mariners are advised that diving and ROV (Remotely Operated Vessel) operations are scheduled to take place approximately 400m to 1300m offshore from Whites Beach, west side of Barrow Island from around 15 December2023 and are expected to be completed by July 2024.

The works will take place 24/7 from vessel ‘Bhagwan Dryden’ (57m x 16m) and support vessels as required.

4 temporary mooring anchors will also be installed at the following locations as part of these works:

20: 40.97S | 115: 24.35E

20: 41.17'S | 115: 24.85E

20: 41.62S | 115: 24.66E

20: 41.43S | 115° 24.16E

The above mooring anchor locations will be marked by yellow buoys, approximately 3m in height and equipped with flashing yellow lights (Fl Y 3 sec).

All vessels taking part in these works will exhibit shapes and lights in accordance with the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Regulations 1983 at all times.

The International Code Flag ‘A’ will be displayed whilst diving operations are underway.

Operators will monitor Marine VHF channel 16 during operating hours.
Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above operations.

Mariners are advised that one (1) commercial mooring is scheduled to be installed on 12 October 2023 and 13 October 2023 in the Enderby Island vicinity:

The above commercial mooring is yellow in colour, unlit and approximately 1.8m in diameter.

Only licensed and authorised vessels may use the above commercial mooring buoy at any time.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above commercial mooring buoy.

Mariners are advised that 2 seabed environmental monitoring instruments will be deployed in the Dampier Archipelago around Friday 5 May 2023 at the following locations:

1. Hamersley Shoal - 20° 22.713' S, 116° 47.519' E.
2. Legendre Island - 20° 21.202' S, 116° 50.450' E.

Each of the above instruments consists of a yellow surface buoy (approximately 750mm wide x 920mm height and equipped with solar panels and a flashing yellow light) attached to a seabed frame (1100mm x 1100mm x 1000mm).

Flash rate: Fl Y 4s

Provisional recovery date: May 2024

No vessel is to moor to or interfere with the above instruments and surface buoys at any time.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above environmental monitoring equipment.

Vessel masters are reminded that all vessels wishing to transit or operate within the port limit which either:

Have a LOA of 35 meters or greater; or
Are engaged in towing operations where the total length of the tow (measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel) is 35 metres or greater.

Are required to engage the services of a suitably licensed marine pilot or the vessel Master must be the holder of a current Port of Barrow Island Pilot Exemption Certificate.

Vessels, vessel Masters or operators of vessels affected by this requirement are invited to approach the Department of Transport Harbour Masters office at port.ops@transport.wa.gov.au to apply for a Pilot Exemption Certificate to be issued.

Authorised by: Captain Steven Wenban, Harbour Master, Port of Barrow Island, Marine Safety Department of Transport.

Vessel masters are reminded that all vessels wishing to transit or operate within the port limit which either:

Have a LOA of 35 meters or greater; or
Are engaged in towing operations where the total length of the tow (measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel) is 35 metres or greater.

Are required to engage the services of a suitably licensed marine pilot or the vessel Master must be the holder of a current Port of Onslow Pilot Exemption Certificate.

Vessels, vessel Masters or operators of vessels affected by this requirement are invited to approach the Department of Transport Harbour Masters office at port.ops@transport.wa.gov.au to apply for a Pilot Exemption Certificate to be issued.

Authorised by: Captain Steven Wenban, Harbour Master, Port of Onslow, Marine Safety Department of Transport.

Vessel masters are reminded that all vessels wishing to transit or operate within the port limit which either:

Have a LOA of 35 meters or greater; or
Are engaged in towing operations where the total length of the tow (measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel) is 35 metres or greater.
Are required to engage the services of a suitably licensed marine pilot or the vessel Master must be the holder of a current Port Walcott Pilot Exemption Certificate.

Vessels, vessel Masters or operators of vessels affected by this requirement are invited to approach the Department of Transport Harbour Masters office at port.ops@transport.wa.gov.au to apply for a Pilot Exemption Certificate to be issued.

Authorised by: Captain Steven Wenban, Harbour Master, Port Walcott, Marine Safety Department of Transport.