Wharves and moorings in Frances Bay, Darwin

All berthing, refuelling and mooring facilities must be booked in advance.

Read how to book a berth, mooring or a refuelling berth.

Read the list of charges to berth or moor a vessel.

Where to berth

Read below for a list of places where you can berth.

Frances Bay Mooring Basin

The Frances Bay Mooring Basin, commonly called the Duck Pond, is a marina mostly used for fishing and commercial vessels.

The basin is tide-free and accessed through a 35m by 16m lock.

It has 85 berths for vessels up to 30m long. It has showers and toilets but no fuel facilities.

If you want to do hot work there you must apply for a hot work permit.

Fishermans Wharf

Fishermans Wharf is a 200m wharf for fishing, commercial and recreational vessels.

Fishing and other commercial vessels have priority over recreational vessels.

Power and water are available.

At Fishermans Wharf vessels can do any of the following:

• take on fuel
• load and unload cargo
• access power and water.

Long vessels

Vessels over 35m must have pilotage unless the vessel master has a valid pilotage exemption certificate.

To arrange pilotage, contact the Darwin Port at least 24 hours before arrival. For contact details and instructions go to the pilotage services page on the Darwin Port website.

You must confirm pilotage with the small ships scheduler before you berth on Fishermans Wharf.

Crane weight limits

Before you use a mobile crane to load and unload cargo you must get approval from the wharf supervisor first.

Get approval by emailing wharf.supervisor@nt.gov.au. Include in your email:

• size of crane - maximum SWL of 30t is permitted
• crane name and/or logistics company name
• Job hazard analysis (JHA)
• traffic management plan.

Charges

Berthing to take on fuel is free for two hours if bunkering is the sole purpose of berthing and all crew remain on the vessel. The daily rate will be applied after two hours.

Berthing to unload fishing cargo is free for the first eight hours if booked in advance with the small ships scheduler. The daily rate will be charged after eight hours.

Cargo operations on other commercial vessels is free for the first three hours. The daily rate will be charged after three hours.

Refer to the list of charges to berth or moor a vessel.

Raptis Wharf

Raptis Wharf is 50m long and runs adjacent to Fishermans Wharf.

It can be used for berthing, loading and unloading but there are no fuelling, power or water facilities.

Crane weight limits

Before you use a mobile crane to load and unload cargo you must get approval from the wharf supervisor first.

Get approval by emailing wharf.supervisor@nt.gov.au. Include in your email:

• size of crane - maximum SWL of 60t is permitted
• crane name and/or logistics company name
• JHA
• traffic management plan.

Unloading fishing cargo is free for the first eight hours if booked in advance with the small ships scheduler. The daily rate will be charged after eight hours.

Cargo operations on other commercial vessels is free for the first three hours. The daily rate will be charged after three hours.

Refer to the list of charges to berth or moor a vessel.

Hornibrooks Pontoon

Hornibrooks Pontoon is a floating pontoon adjacent to Fishermans Wharf.

You can access the pontoon via a footbridge from Hornibrooks Wharf.

Mangroves grow close to Hornibrooks Pontoon so be aware of under-keel clearance.

Unloading fishing cargo is free for the first eight hours if booked in advance with the small ships scheduler. The daily rate will be charged after eight hours.

Cargo operations on other commercial vessels is free for the first three hours. The daily rate will be charged after three hours.

Refer to the list of charges to berth or moor a vessel.

Careening poles

There are careening poles next to Hornibrooks Pontoon in front of the Toll Marine wall.

Water is available but you will need to supply your own power.

The poles are for vessels up to 28m long and under 40 tonnes.

You may be allowed to berth a multi-hull vessel that weighs over 40 tonnes if it does not rely on the poles for upright stability.

Hot work

If you want to do any hot work while your vessel is careened you must book the poles at least 72 hours in advance through the small ships scheduler.

You will need to apply for a hot work permit. You must not start work until the permit is approved by the wharf supervisor.

Where to refuel

You can refuel at Fishermans Wharf.

The wharf has five diesel bowsers and one unleaded petrol bowser.

Phone Bailey's Marine on (08) 8941 3320 to book a bowser or go to the Bailey's Marine website.

You will need to pre-book bunkering space with the small ships scheduler before confirming your fuel booking.

You don't need to pay berthing charges if refuelling takes less than two hours and crew stay on the vessel.

A daily rate will be charged after two hours if refuelling is the sole purpose of berthing.

Fee-free refuelling time can also be combined with fee-free periods for cargo unloading.

Refer to the list of charges to berth or moor a vessel.