Exmouth (AUPEX)

The port handles general cargo, fuel and technical equipment. The port is also a base for a prawn fishing fleet. Port control is via Harold E. Holt Naval Communications Base, Exmouth.

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

The port of Exmouth is located on the W side of Exmouth Gulf in NW Australia.

LOA 170m, draught 10.0m.

Outer Anchorage: 1nm off Point Murat Wharf, good holding ground. Learmonth Anchorage: 1nm E of Wapet Shoal (22°12.00'S 114°07.00'E), in a depth of 8.0m. Anchorage can be obtained 1nm NE of the boat harbour (21°57.00'S 114°08.00'E) in 8.0m. The holding ground is reported to be poor in SE gales. Caution is required when using this anchorage due to navigational hazards N of the boat harbour.

The approach channel shelves gradually from 18.3-12.1m. The bottom is sand and shell. Exmouth Gulf is entered between Tubridgi Point (21°51.0'S 114°39.0'E) and North West Cape, 27nm W. It is bordered on the W side by the peninsula of which North West Cape is the extremity and on the E and S sides by the mainland. From a position approx 5nm N of North West Cape the route leads initially ESE passing: NNE of North West Reef (21°46.0'S 114°10.0'E) which lies within the outer edge of a spit, with depths of less than 10m, which extends 1.75nm N from North West Cape. Mariners should always pass outside the reef. Then: To a position ENE of North West Cape, distant 4.5nm, noting South Muiron Island which lies 9nm ENE. The passage then leads SSW passing: ENE of Point Murat Wharf situated on Point Murat; and: WNW of an area of sandwaves which lie 5.0nm W of Exmouth Reef (21°52.0'S 114° 23.0'E) noting the patches, with a least depth of 4.6m, which lie 2.5nm NNW of the reef. Point Murat Wharf is approached from E of Point Murat (21°49.0'S 114°11.0'E) from the route through Exmouth Gulf. There are no dangers in the approach to the berth.

Aus 744 and 328. Australia Pilot Vol V. List of Lights NP Vol "K". Australian Tide Tables AHP 11. Admiralty Pilot NP13.

None.

1025.

It is recommended vessels berth facing S, 2-3 hours after the start of the falling tide making use of the port anchor. The falling tides sets onto the jetty. Berthing: Berthing is entirely dependant on prevailing weather conditions. With a strong E'ly wind at certain times of the year, it may be prudent to abort either berthing or sailing until weather has moderated, since this berth is very close to the beach. Vessels can berth either side alongside, with this being dependant on tide times. Breast lines are sent away first by boat as necessary. Once alongside, springs can be sent away by heaving line. Headlines and sternlines are then taken by the line boat to the individual mooring dolphin for final positioning in the berth. Use of Anchors: Due to environmental considerations, the Navy has adopted a policy to avoid the use of anchors wherever possible when berthing at the Point Murat Jetty. It has thus determined only to accept tankers, delivering fuel for Naval Communications Station, with bow thrusters. Vessels without bow thrusters attempting to berth at the facility must have due regard to the prevailing weather condition as well as the above policy.

Pilotage is not compulsory but strongly recommended for all vessels without good local knowledge. Pilot may be arranged through ship's agent. If required pilots may be obtained through the Port Authority, Fremantle. The pilot boarding position is 1nm NE of Point Murat Wharf.

A line drawn from North West Cape (21°49.0'S 114°10.0'E) and Point Lefroy (22° 18.0'S 114°11.0'E).

North West Cape Light structure (metal framework tower) 21°49'S 114°10'E.

Berthing/sailing is generally during daylight hours, though may be undertaken at night depending on prevailing weather conditions. There is an area surrounding Point Murat Wharf where entry is prohibited without permission. Masters are advised to check their charts for details of this area.

Tidal streams during the rising tide set ENE and NE, curving E round North West Cape and then setting into Exmouth Gulf. During the falling tide the stream sets out of the gulf, round North West Cape and then W and SW. HHW, 2.0m; LHW, 1.4m. Mean Spring Range: 1.8m. Mean Neap Range: 0.6m.

There are no tugs available.

Local weather and sea state: The N part of the E side of Exmouth Gulf is very exposed to prevailing S winds. Point Murat Wharf offers no protection from S or SE winds and the low sand hills in the vicinity offer little protection from SW winds. As the prevailing winds are from the SE, it should be noted that this can create a choppy sea and ground swell. In wind above 16kts, vessels will begin to pound against the wharf. Masters are therefore advised not to lie alongside overnight as the sea condition may deteriorate suddenly and without warning.

Radio: Contact can be made by R/T on 2716kHz, callsign "Navcomsta". VHF: Port: Ch 16, 21. Call "Exmouth Control". Limited contact is available by VHF during working hours.

There are no Customs clearance facilities available, therefore this should be prearranged from Perth or Port Hedland.

The documents required for Customs, Immigration and Quarantine department formalities may be summarised as follows: ..... Document 1. Ship Pre Arrival Report (Customs Form 13) 2. Crew Report (Customs Form 3B) 3. Passenger Report (Customs Form 2A) 4. Passenger Report (Customs Form 2B) 5. Advanced Person Processing (APP) of crew and passengers list to be submitted electronically to Immigration Web site www.immi.gov.au/sea 6. Quarantine Pre-arrival Report for Vessels (QPAR) - (AQIS Form 006) 7. Additional Quarantine Pre-Arrival Report for cruise liners and navy vessels (AQIS Form 028) 8. Live Plants Vessel Log.(Attached to AQIS Form 028) 9. Notification of Sign-off if any (Customs Form B521) 10. Notification of Sign-on if any (Customs Form B522) 11. Load Goods (other than cargo) onto ship (Customs Form 43) 12. Remove Goods (other than cargo) from ship (Customs Form 44) 13. Ballast Water Log to Quarantine (AQIS Form 026) 14. Crew Effects Declaration (Customs Form 5 Part Two) 15. Report of Ship's Stores (Customs Form 5 Part Four)

Notice of ETA should be sent to the Port Authorities 24 hours prior to arrival. See Country General Information for requirements for reporting 96 hours prior to arrival at Australian ports.

The area surrounding Point Murat Wharf is a prohibited area. Mariners are warned not to enter this area without prior permission of the Civil Commissioner, Exmouth.

Exmouth is a first port of entry. The quarantine line is an arc with a radius of 0.5nm centred on Point Murat. Quarantine and Customs are arranged through Shipping Agent.

The following is a standard telex sent to the Master of a vessel, prior to arrival at port. quote: Australian Customs Service - Ships Arrival Details The vessel ............... will be arriving at .................. on (day) ................ date ................ at ............... hours. ..... The following particulars of the vessel: 1. ...................... 2. ...................... 3. ...................... 4. ...................... 5. ...................... 6. ...................... 7. ...................... 8. ...................... 9. ...................... 10. Last 4 overseas ports of call: i. ..................... ii. ..................... iii. ..................... iv. ..................... 11. Ship's certificates: Safety Radio ..................... Safety Construction ..................... Load Line ..................... IOPP ..................... Oil vessel ..................... (vessels carrying more than 2,000t oil as cargo) 12. .................... Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 96 hours prior to the vessel's arrival. unquote