Cyclone plan for wharves and moorings
Prepare and respond - action stages and tasks
The Cyclone Procedure Plan is activated once a cyclone watch or warning has been declared for Darwin Port but response actions may be initiated prior to either a watch or a warning being declared if the General Manager Operations considers early action is warranted.
Job titles referred to are:
GMO - general manager operations
WS - wharf supervisor
PSW - port service workers
SSS - small ships scheduler
HCO - harbour control officer
VGM - vessel group manager
GMCS - general manager corporate services
Pre cyclone season – as of 1 November 2016
Task | Responsibility |
|---|---|
Check that all equipment (generators, batteries, radios, torches) at FBMB are in good working order | Wharf supervisor (WS) and Port service workers (PSW) |
Check that all NTG FBMB vehicles and work boat have a spare key secured in a known location | WS and PSW |
Ensure occupiers of FBMB have been advised of vessel securing requirements | WS and PSW |
Check the generator is working and serviced if required | WS and PSW |
Check that first aid supplies and torches are in order and restock as required | WS |
Provide notice to Masters, owners and agents of all vessels in the Port, and those entering Port, as to their responsibilities for operations during the Wet Season | GMO |
Ensure that your individual work unit area is free of potential missile hazards | All Staff |
Stage 1 Cyclone Watch (48hrs)
Task | Responsibility |
|---|---|
Provide a list of vessel owners/Masters contact details to HCO. | Small ships scheduler (SSS) |
Instruct all vessels in the harbour that a cyclone watch has been declared and that all vessels are required to declare themselves on four hours readiness. | GMO and HCOs |
Warning notice for small boat owners activated. | GMO and GMCS |
Direct all vessel owners at anchor or moorings to take immediate precautions to safeguard their vessel. | GMO/HCOs |
Commence preparations to secure FBMB demountable office. | WS and PSW |
Any loose item at the FBMB storage areas that could become airborne during the cyclone needs to either be cleared from the area or secured at the area. | WS and PSW |
Notify FBMB users that all equipment must be secured. | WS and PSW |
Ensure FBMB Lock Gates emergency power supply is tested and operational. | WS and PSW |
Provide situation report update to TGL and FBBM. | WS and SSS |
Ensure all work vehicles, generators, workboat, and forklift are fuelled and mobile phones, radios, torches have charged batteries. | WS and PSW |
Check that all equipment (generators, batteries, radios, torches) at FBMB are in good working order. | WS and PSW |
Stage 2 Cyclone warning (24 hours)
| Task | Responsibility |
|---|---|
Advise NTG workers that a Cyclone Warning has been declared. | Chief Executive Officer - DIPL |
Ensure vessels in the Mooring Basin are secured in accordance with approved mooring plan as shown in Appendix 3. | WS and PSW |
Instruct all vessels owners/Masters and agents in the harbour that a cyclone warning has been declared and that all vessels are required to declare themselves on one hour’s readiness. At this stage vessel Master should action their cyclone contingency plan. | GMO/HCO |
Instruct all vessels scheduled to enter the Port of Darwin within the next 24 hours that they will have to make alternative arrangements until the cyclone threat has eased. | GMO/HCO |
All cargo work on FBMB service dock will cease. | WS and PSW |
Ensure that external work areas have been cleaned up and areas are free of potential missiles. | WS and PSW |
Check the FBMB areas for potential hazards and take appropriate preventative measures to secure all loose items that may become airborne during the cyclone. | WS and PSW |
Establish if there are any dangerous goods in containers on the FBMB facilities and if any containers contain potential pollutants. | WS and PSW |
Re-check that all loose material has been secured or removed from FBMB facilities. | WS and PSW |
Lash and secure all equipment remaining on FBMB facilities. | WS and PSW |
RE-check FBMB Lock Gates emergency power supply is tested and operational. | WS and PSW |
RE-check that all equipment (generators, batteries, radios, torches) at FBMB are in good working order. | WS and PSW |
Provide situation report update to TGL and FBBM. | WS and PSW |
Stage 3 Cyclone warning (12 hours)
| Task | Responsibility |
|---|---|
Once Stage 3 has been declared the GMO will consider closing the Port. No vessels will be allowed to remain or berth at Fisherman’s Wharf, Raptis Wharf, Hornibrooks Wharf, pontoon and careening poles. | GMO WS, PSW and SSS |
Instruct all vessels except those in the mooring basin, or those necessary for duty, to clear to sea or seek refuge in the designated cyclone refuge areas. | GMO/HCO |
Contact Bailey’s Fuel to ensure that the fuel supply to Fisherman’s Wharf is cut off. | WS |
Check no vessel is left on the pontoon and no vehicle is parked at the Hornibrooks Wharf facility. Lock the gates. | PSW |
Secure the lock and drop the water level in the Mooring Basin to 4.5m once the last vessel has berthed and the mooring basin berths are full. | WS and PSW |
Secure pilot vessels in the mooring basin. | VGM |
Isolate/turn off power at all FBMB locations. | WS and PSW |
Provide situation report update to TGL and FBBM. | WS and PSW |
Non-essential staff to leave the work site when work is completed. | NTG managers |
Await instructions from the CEO or delegate. | All staff |
Stage 4 Safety management and lockdown and Stage 5 Destructive winds reach Greater Darwin
Task | Responsibility |
|---|---|
An official announcement will be made by the Northern Territory Emergency Services advising the public to seek shelter. | All staff |
At this stage the CEO will instruct all personnel to leave the workplace. Please note: All staff must check in with their Manager before leaving. | All staff |
All NTG staff will leave the worksite and immediately seek shelter as directed by the CEO or Managers. | All staff |
Stage 5 - All NTG staff will remain in a place of safety. | All staff |
If Darwin has suffered considerable damage from the cyclone, only key government employees will be recalled as necessary.
All other staff are expected to listen to radio or other media broadcasts and to contact their managers to determine what action is required.
All clear pending
The following key government staff should report for work as early as practicable,
irrespective of whether the day falls on a weekend or public holiday. Personnel
should only report to work if it is safe to do so:
wharf supervisor,
port service workers, Frances Bay business manager and small ships scheduler.
| Task | Responsibility |
|---|---|
Contact all masters/owners to ensure all personnel are safe and accounted for. Record any injuries or damage to vessels or navigation aids. | HCO |
Inspect the FBMB facilities for damages. Identify what requires high priority attention - record and photograph any damage. | WS and PSW |
Once assessed safe, reconnect electricity at FBMB. | WS and PSW |
Get an update from Bailey’s Fuel as to the status of the fuel bowsers. If no damage is reported, confirm when the fuel bowsers will be operating. | WS and FBBM |
Provide situation report update to TGL and FBBM. | WS and SSS |
Stage 6 All clear
Darwin Port will only reopen once damage to the infrastructure and facilities has been assessed and the GMO approves that it is safe to re-open. Depending on the assessment, the reopening could be conducted in phases.
Vessel owners/masters, port operators and port users will be advised by appropriate communication methods as to when Darwin Port will re-open.
Any damage to vessel, navigation aids or injuries have to be reported to the HCM.
Get a copy of the plan
Get a copy of the cyclone procedures plan.
2016-17 cyclone procedures plan PDF (419.9 KB)
2016-17 cyclone procedures plan DOCX (2.6 MB)
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Last updated: 07 February 2020
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