TasPorts Stakeholder Update | Weather Event Notice #6

Summary

TasPorts is monitoring the impact of the weather event and acting to ensure the safety of its port users, vessels and port infrastructure across the State.

Update

• Harbour Master Instruction 22-66 Port of Devonport – Suspension of Port Movements remains in force.
• The instruction is reviewed twice daily with advice provided to TasPorts and port users.
• Click here for the latest Harbour Master update provided at 4.30pm today which anticipates the suspension of commercial shipping will remain in force until Monday am (17 October 2022).
• Updated port and environmental conditions confirms no further flooding is expected in the Mersey River catchment and no significant rainfall forecast for the rest of the weekend.
• The Harbour Master has advised strong and dangerous flows may continue to be a hazard in coming days.
• Today has been extremely productive with TasPorts' vessels completing the visual assessment of the port and enactment of the recovery plan.
• This included confirmation of channel marker condition, repair of current profiler and a large amount of visible debris being removed, including large trees.
• An initial hydrographic survey has also revealed the presence of isolated underwater dangers, including a significant obstruction on the seabed in the middle of the shipping channel, and as a result, a long arm excavator and barge is being deployed to commence removal operations Sunday am.
• All other ports remain open to shipping noting increased river flows at the Port of Bell Bay are being monitored closely and have resulted in some changes to shipping windows.
• We will continue to communicate directly with commercial shipping customers and to monitor the situation.