Port Refuge (CCCCK)

The port comprises an outer and inner harbour. Although Port Refuge is included in the lagoon proper, the name of The Lagoon is usually applied to that part of the lagoon S of Port Refuge. Small tankers use the Shell Buoys approximately every six months. Cargo and container vessels use Blue Holes anchorages area to unloading onto dumb barge for transport to Home Land. The port authority, which incorporates health, quarantine, immigration and customs is located in the Administration Settlement near the airfield on West Island.

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

Port Refuge lies in the N part of a lagoon between Horsburgh Island and Direction Island in the centre of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

LOA 79.9m, beam 16.4m, draught 4.1m, 4,758DWT.

Outer anchorage: The recommended anchorage in the outer part of Port Refuge is charted in position 12°05.3'S 096°51.9'E, in a depth of 10.0m. Anchorages for lightering can be obtained 1.5nm ENE of Ujong Tanjong, in position 12°07.7'S 096°50.6'E, in a depth of 8.0m, sand and coral, or in a position 0.15nm S of the pipeline buoy in a depth of 8.0m, sand and coral.

The principal approach to Port Refuge is between the reefs extending SE from Horsburgh Island and the reefs fringing Direction Island, 2nm E. The western entrance is not recommended. Caution should be exercised when approaching Port Refuge as the bottom rises very steeply from the 500m to the 20m depth contour. The main lagoon is studded with many coral heads and pinnacles, particularly in its S and E parts and on the reefs which run S and SE from Horsburgh Island. In Port Refuge and on the W side of The Lagoon there are numerous coral heads with deep water between them. Much of this coral is growing and many heads are not charted. The bottom of The Lagoon is very uneven, but the visibility of the bottom is good at most times. In its N and W parts it is generally deeper with a sandy bottom, but many coral reefs and pinnacles rise very steeply and constitute dangers against which sounding gives no warning. Only the waters of the recommended route, the moored berth and the anchorages have been closely examined and uncharted dangers may exist in other parts. From Port Refuge, a marked channel leads into The Lagoon and then to the anchorages or moorings off the pipelines at the N end of West Island. Directions for The Lagoon: From the vicinity of 12°03'S 096°53'E the track leads SSW on the line of bearing 194.25° of Griffith Light Beacon (black triangular topmark point down on a white pile) in position 12°06.7'S 096° 51.6'E, in a depth of 3.5m, passing (positions from Griffith Light Beacon): WNW of a wreck, depth 10.5m (1.3nm NNE) then: WNW of the drying reef (1.3nm NNE) extending 185m W off the W extremity of Direction Island (12°05'S 096°53'E) from where a light (metal framework tower, 7m in height) is displayed, then: ESE of the end of a drying reef (1.2nm NNW) extending 0.9nm SE from Possession Point, the SE point of Horsburgh Island, then: ESE of a stranded wreck (0.8nm NNW) a number of drying reefs lie between 185 and 750m from the wreck in an arc from N to S via W, then: WNW of a light beacon (black) (0.8nm NNE) a lightbuoy (to port) marking a 5m shoal, lies 140m S, then: Close WNW of a 5m depth contour (0.7nm NNE) at the W end of a bank with depths of 3.5m. The track continues on the line of bearing 194.25° to a position close WNW of a lightbuoy (to port) (0.7nm S). The track then leads S for 0.7nm through a channel marked by light beacons and a lightbuoy, to a position about 140m E of No 5 Light Beacon (black pile) (280m ESE). Then, if proceeding SW towards West Island anchorages and the oil berth the marked track should be followed for 1.3nm to a position S of No 12 Light Beacon (square topmark) (1.2nm SW). Caution: There are many banks with depths of less than 5.0m on this track. From the position S of No 12 Light Beacon the oil berth and the anchorage can be approached directly. Alternative route: An alternative route leads direct from No 3 Light Beacon (12° 06.5'S 096°51.6'E) to No 8 Light Beacon (1.25m SW) with a least depth of 4.1m near No 3 Light Beacon.

Aus 607. BA 4708, 4714. Admiralty Pilot NP44, NP286(4).

1025.

General cargo vessels enter the lagoon and anchor at the "Blue Hole". Tankers enter the lagoon and enter the channel under Pilotage to the three Shell peg type moorings. There are no land backed berths.

A pilot boarding station is established in position 12°07.7'S 096°50.6'E, close NE of the mooring buoys. Limited pilotage advice is available for entry into Port Refuge and The Lagoon from the port administration. The administration claims no responsibility for these services.

The limits of the port encompass an area linking West Island with Horsburgh Island to Direction Island and returning to West Island.

Landmark: Prominent radio masts (12°09'S 096°49'E) at the N end of West Island. Major Light: Direction Island Light, a metal framework tower 7m in height, in position 12°05.3'S 096°52.5'E.

It is advisable not to enter Port Refuge if the draught of a vessel exceeds 4.0m, unless the master has local knowledge, and to navigate with extreme caution, keeping closely to the recommended tracks. Berthing at the Oil Berth is only available during daylight hours and at HW.

Tidal streams flow generally into The Lagoon through Port Refuge and western entrance on the flood tide and outward on the ebb.

From Nov through to May the wet season is experienced and N'ly and W'ly winds during this period impede port operations. Vessels may be called to lie off the island when monsoon swells make conditions unsafe.

Radio: Cocos Islands Radio is located on West Island and is manned throughout 24 hours. VHF: Ch 16 & 20.

Local Police act as agency representatives, Tel: +61 8 9162 6600.

Subject to the same quarantine and customs requirements as on the Australian mainland.

Vessels should advise ETA 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival, through port authority or port agent.

Visitors should be aware of heavy penalties relating to endangered species of wild fauna or flora within Cocos Islands. Prior permission is required from the Home Island Council for entry into Home Island. The port authority may be able to facilitate any enquiry.

Quarantine clearance is required on arrival at the Cocos Islands. Vessels approaching should display the appropriate signal and anchor in Port Refuge or The Lagoon at least 500m from the shore. Animals may not be landed on any island without a permit issued by the chief quarantine officer. A high security animal quarantine station is situated on the Cocos Islands.