Port of Devonport Update - Flood and Debris

TasPorts is continuing to actively monitor the weather event impacting northern and north west Tasmania.

The Port of Devonport remains closed to commercial shipping under a direction from the Tasmanian Harbour Master who is reviewing the instruction twice a day.

TasPorts chief operating officer Stephen Casey said while north west coast residents and TasPorts’ customers would start to see calmer waters in the Mersey River, the threat to human and vessel safety remained high.

“TasPorts is acting to ensure the safety of our port users, vessels and port infrastructure,” he said.

“It is very important to understand that there are potential dangers under water, even if they are not visible on the surface.

“For example, TasPorts is aware of debris and several displaced watercrafts in the port.

“Work to remove these hazards will be undertaken as soon as it is safe to do so.”

“The flooded river also creates dangerous currents in the port area that are a hazard to safe vessel manoeuvring, particularly with the larger commercial vessels.

Mr Casey said the Harbour Master was working to develop a process to guide decision-making for the resumption of commercial movements in the Port of Devonport.

“Once TasPorts receives confirmation that commercial movements can resume, TasPorts will be able to enact its recovery plan to return the port to full operations as soon as practical,” he said.

“All other ports remain open to shipping, though our operations in Burnie and Launceston are under careful watch in case the situation in those ports changes.”

Mr Casey said TasPorts was in regular contact with its customers, which he thanked for their cooperative and collegial approach.