Port of Melbourne, Australia

ETA's: Vessels should send ETA 48 hours prior to arrival to their agents, who will pass it on to the Control Officers. Although vessels will be bound by Charter Party to advise ETA's at certain times, it can be beneficial if they also bear in mind ordering deadlines for stevedore labour, pilots and tugs.
Vessels should report to Harbour Control on VHF Ch 12 when passing the following Reporting Points, inward-bound and outward bound:

1.	37°57.2'S  144°55.5'E (Off Fawkner Beacon)
2.	37°51.9'S  144°55.1'E (Off Breakwater Pier)
3.	37°49.8'S  144°53.9'E (Off West Gate Bridge)

Documentation required: Pre arrival:
Australian Customs Service: To be submitted by agent 48 hours prior to vessel arrival.
If first Australian Port:

	Document	Copies
1.	Crew Report Form 3A and 3B;	2
2.	Passenger Report 2A and 2B (if applicable);	2
3.	Ship's Inward Cargo Report Form 1;	3
4.	Arrival Details Form.

If Intermediate Australian Port:

1.	Ship's Inward Cargo Report Form 1.

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service:

1.	Quarantine entry (if Applicable).

If first Australian Port:

1.	Request for Pratique.

Melbourne Port Corporation/Victoria Channels Authority:

1.	Application for berth/wharf/area hire (to be submitted at least 72 hours prior to vessel arrival);
2.	Application for berth hire concession.

On Arrival:
Australian Customs Service: If Customs Officer is not present by the time the agent's work is completed on arrival, agent to collect and present to Customs within 24 hours after arrival:
If first Australian Port:

1.	Crew Report forms 3A and 3B;
2.	Passenger Report Forms 2A and 2B (if applicable);
3.	Ship's Report of Arrival Form 5 part 1;
4.	Crew Effects Declaration form 5 part 2;
5.	Ship's stores consumed in Australia Form 42a
6.	Return of stores in ship's shop Form 5 part 3 (if applicable);
7.	Light dues/MOPL receipt (if current);
8.	Last Port Clearance;
9.	List of ports of call.

If Intermediate Australian Port:

1.	Last Port Clearance;
2.	Transire;
3.	Sealed envelope from last Australian port (if applicable).

On Departure:
Melbourne Port Corporation:

1.	Manifest of inward/outward cargo.
2.	Australian Customs Service: To be submitted by agent:
3.	Customs clearance application;
4.	Cargo out-turn report and import entry numbers/copies of Mate's

Receipt(s).
Other documents to be submitted if applicable:
Australian Customs Service:

1.	Application for permission to move goods subject to the control of Customs;
2.	Request for permission to remove ship's fittings;
3.	Application to sign-off crew;
4.	Application to take on ship's stores;
5.	Inwards cargo adjustment Report;
6.	Ships Passenger Report;
7.	Entry for exportation of proscribed goods.

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service:

1.	Animals on vessels form;
2.	Application for permission to load;
3.	Phytosanitary Certificate.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority:

1.	Notice of intention to load bulk grain;
2.	Calculation of stability for ships loading bulk grain;
3.	Notice of intention to load livestock;
4.	Application for survey of ship or ship's equipment.

Miscellaneous:

1.	Bill of Lading signing authorisation;
2.	Certificate of discharge of ship's equipment.

Communications: The following coast radio stations can be used to pass ETA's:
Melbourne Radio, callsign "VIM" operates throughout 24 hours, via VHF Ch 16, safety and calling;
Sydney Radio, callsign "VIS" operates throughout 24 hours, via VHF Ch 16, safety and calling;
Perth Radio, callsign "VIP" operates throughout 24 hours, via VHF Ch 16, safety and calling.
Inmarsat Pacific Ocean Region Satellite.
VHF: The radio callsign is "Harbour Control" and the following frequencies and channels are available continuously:

Use	VHF Ch
Port Phillip working frequency	12
Pilot & Tugs	02, 08, 19
Calling & Safety	16, 67

These frequencies are the same as those operated by the pilot station Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale Signal Station, Geelong Port Marine Control and tugs operating in Geelong an Melbourne.
All ships, small passenger commercial vessels and fishing vessels are to monitor Ch 12 whilst in port waters including the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers.
Health regulations: Radio Pratique application: Send answers to Request For Pratique (health) Form to agent, to be passed onto Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates issued.
Customs and Immigration: The Australian Customs Services acts on behalf of the Department of Immigration for everyday matters concerning vessel's crew and passengers in the port of Melbourne. Crew may come ashore providing the crew members carry some form of ID, usually a company ID or photocopy of Passport (preferably with photo) and that primary identification documents (passport or seaman's book) are kept on board the vessel, (usually left with the Master). Customs allow one bottle of alcohol and one carton of cigarettes in each crew member's cabin, the remainder of such stores onboard will be kept in bonded store. The penalty for non-compliance is forfeiture of the goods.
Standard messages: 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.	Previous name				......................
2.	Lloyds No				......................
3.	Official No				......................
4.	Country of Registration				......................
5.	Type of vessel				......................
6.	Last visit to Australia				......................
7.	Animals on board				......................
8.	Does Master hold valid Identity documents for all crew				......................
9.	Number of passengers (if applicable)				......................
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.	Intended date of departure		....................

Note: To be lodged at Customs Marine Centre, with a copy of the Crew List, 48 hours prior to the vessel's arrival.
unquote.
Flags: National flag of Australia, single letter code flags "G" and "H" where appropriate.
Notices of readiness: NOR usually tendered as per each vessel's applicable Charter Party terms.
General notices & regulations: Regulations concerning entry:
The following information is an extract of the Harbour Master's Directions from the Port Waters of Geelong and Melbourne Operating Handbook:
Movements:

1.	The Master of an inward-bound vessel shall not cause or permit the vessel to pass Fawkner Beacon, or depart an anchorage, until permission has been received from Harbour Control Centre.
2.	The Master of an outward-bound vessel shall not cause or permit the vessel to depart a berth or anchorage until permission has been received from the Harbour Control Centre.
3.	The Master of a vessel seeking permission to proceed in accordance with the above, shall advise Harbour Control Centre of the vessel's maximum draft and, if the vessel intends to navigate within the Port Melbourne Channel. Harbour Control Centre shall provide advice to the Master of the movements of other relevant vessels. In addition, the Masters of inward and outward vessels must communicate with each other to confirm their agreed sequence and route when rounding Breakwater Pier.
4.	The Master of an inward or outward-bound vessel shall report to Harbour Control Centre when passing Fawkner Beacon, Breakwater Pier, and West Gate Bridge.
5.	a.	Vessels navigating within the marked channels of the port of Melbourne may pass each other, provided there is a prior agreement between the Masters and Harbour Control Centre.
	b.	Sub-paragraph 5. a. does not apply to the following
		i.	a vessel navigating in the Port Melbourne Channel
		ii.	a non-gas free tanker in the marked channels of the Port of Melbourne.
6.	The Master of an outward-bound vessel shall, when passing Fawkner Beacon, if on passage to Geelong, advise Harbour Control Centre of the ETA at Point Richards Channel Entrance Beacon.
7.	The movement of bunker barges within port waters is not permitted, except at the direction of Harbour Control Centre.

Dangerous goods: Notification is needed 48 hours before arrival to transport or handle dangerous cargoes or oils or bunker in the port.
Bunkering: All bunkering procedures are subject to inspection. The vessel's agent arranging the bunkering must inform the vessel's Master to notify Skilled Maritime Services, 1 hour prior to the bunkering operation so that an inspection can be undertaken.
Hot Work: Before any hot work can be undertaken within the port a permit application must be obtained from the Port of Melbourne Corporation's Safety and Environment services. Hot work includes welding, thermal or oxygen cutting or heating and other related heat producing or spark producing operations.
Agency: Appointed by charterer or owner, subject to Charter Party terms. To help protect the integrity of this service, agents must have in place various guarantees with the relevant statutory bodies.
 

Sea buoys, fairways and channels: Approaches: Five channels lead from SW through The Heads into Port Phillip.
Vessels drawing up to 11.6m can enter at all states of tide in fair weather using the Great Ship Channel, which has been dredged to 14m, and its extension, South Channel, which has been dredged to 13.1m.
Vessels drawing 12.1m may be allowed transit when the tidal rise is sufficient to ensure a minimum manoeuvrability margin of 0.9m at all times. In certain circumstances traffic through the channels is regulated by the signal station at Port Lonsdale.
Port Melbourne Channel: Port Melbourne Channel leads to the entrance to Williamstown Channel and to the piers at Port Melbourne (37°50.6'S  144°55.5'E). The sides of the channel are marked by numbered light-beacons (lateral) standing 15-25m outside of the dredged area. The centreline of the channel is marked by a direction light (37°50.2'S  144°55.8'E) with a line of bearing 001.5°. The light is visible by day and night over a very narrow tri-coloured sector (001.1°-001.9°). When within this sector, the vessel is in the channel and its position in relation to the line of bearing is indicated as follows:

Red	W of line;
White	on line;
Green	E of line.

From the vicinity of Fawkner Light Beacon (37°57.0'S  144°55.0'E) Port Melbourne Channel leads N for 5.5nm along the line of bearing of the direction light, passing (with positions from Gellibrand Shoal Light Beacon (37°52.7'S  144°54.8'E):
W of R2 Lightbuoy (special) (2.25nm SSE). Then
E of Gellibrand Shoal Light Beacon (port hand). It marks the remains of a demolished light tower with a depth of 2.3m over it. An abandoned submarine cable leads N from this obstruction. Then
E of Point Gellibrand (0.55nm NW) the W entrance point of Hobson's Bay. The point is bordered by rocks and foul ground extending 0.3nm S and 0.5nm E. Between Point Gellibrand and Breakwater Pier, 0.7nm NE, a drying reef fronts the shore. Then
E of the entrance to Williamstown Channel (0.7nm ENE) to the swinging area off Station Pier and Princes Pier.
Useful mark: Timeball Tower (stone and brick, 10m in height, disused) (37°52.0'S  144°54.8'E).
Pilot: Pilotage company: Port Phillip Sea Pilots Pty Ltd.
Pilots can be contacted throughout 24 hours on VHF Ch 16, 12. Contact should be established as soon as range permits directly with the pilot station. For mail, telephone and fax communications refer to "Address" section.
ETA to pilots should be sent 24 and 4 hours prior to arrival at the boarding area, and should be amended if they change by more than one hour. ETA can also be sent direct or via the vessel's agent, 24 hours notice is required. ETA message should include ETA time, draft, thruster condition and gas status.
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 35m LOA bound for or leaving from berths in the port of Melbourne and Westernport Bay, except for coastal vessels whose Masters hold a current Exemption Certificate.
A minimum of 3 hours notice is required for departure or shifting of vessels. Pilots will board vessels 30 minutes before they "Leave the Bay" (passing Breakwater Pier) or 45 minutes before if the vessel is over 8.5m draft.
The pilot boarding ground for Melbourne lies 3-5nm SW of Point Lonsdale Lighthouse.
Pilotage distances: From the pilot boarding position, distance to anchorage is 28nm; to nearest berth, 45nm; to farthest berth, 48nm.
Overcarried pilots: If a pilot cannot be disembarked on departure he is landed at the next port.
Anchorages: Various areas are available for vessels to anchor within the port boundaries, location dependent on vessel details.
Quarantine anchorage is located SW of Nicholson Knoll to the W of Portsea. Vessels should anchor in the white sector of Quarantine Light bearing 180° and in the Point Lonsdale Light red sector bearing 278° in 15m of water.
Port of Melbourne's anchorage is located S of Point Gellilbrand and to the W of Long 144°55.1'E, depths range from 11m to 14m.
Port of Melbourne's outer anchorage is located 2nm ESE of Point Cook, depths range from 10 to 15m.
Port of Melbourne - Hobsons Bay anchorage: Shallow draft vessels may anchor in the fork between Williamstown and port of Melbourne Channels. Water depth is between 6.5 and 7.5m.
Caution: Vessels should not anchor in any fairway, channel or river.
Tidal range and flow: Range 0.5m. Prevailing winds have an influence on the tidal range.
Due to the restriction of the tidal range within Port Phillip caused by the relatively narrow entrance, the tidal stream in the vicinity of the Heads does not turn at high and low water.
The force of the tidal streams depends upon the relative water levels inside and outside Port Phillip. The greatest difference in levels occurs at about the time of high and low water at Port Phillip Heads. This is when the streams run at their strongest, up to 6kn under normal conditions and may exceed 9kn in extreme conditions.
Dock density: 1000 to 1015.
Weather: Prevailing winds: (Summer) SW'ly and N'ly, (winter) N'ly.
Principal navigation aids: Port Melbourne's channel direction light: Exhibited from a white concrete tower, 26m in height, situated 0.3nm NW of the root of Station Pier. The light is visible by day and night over a very narrow tri-coloured sector.
Charts: Aus 143, 144, 158, 155, 154. Admiralty Pilot NP14, NP286(4).
Traffic schemes: The shipping management centre is referred to as "Harbour Control" and is established in a control tower just downstream from 33 South Wharf. Movement of traffic within the Port of Melbourne is controlled by the Authority through Control Officers who direct all port movements and ancillary services throughout 24 hours. All vessels navigating or at anchor within the port of Melbourne, which are fitted with VHF radio, should keep a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12. When approaching the port, radio communication should be made with Harbour Control initially on VHF Ch 12 then on a channel as directed for berthing instructions and information regarding the movement of other vessels. Vessels entering the port shall not pass Fawkner Beacon, Charles Grimes Bridge or Shepard Bridge without permission from Harbour Control. (Not applicable to passenger vessels of less than 20m LOA).
Vessels anchored or berthed in the port shall not leave their anchorage or berth without permission from Harbour Control and then must act within 15 minutes of permission being given. Inward and outward bound vessels should report their position where applicable, when passing Fawkner Beacon, Breakwater Pier and Westgate Bridge. If vessels are departing from Webb Dock or Port Melbourne, they are also to report when leaving berth.
Restrictions: The Victorian Channels Authority (VCA) provides a guaranteed depth of 13.1m in the port's main channel and has completed the widening of the dredged channel to a new bottom width of 153m.
A road bridge with a vertical clearance of 50.7m spans the Yarra River 2nm above the breakwater pier. Two overhead power cables cross the river, one with 61m headroom at Yarraville and one with 56m headroom at the entrance to Victoria Dock.
Tugs: The following tugs are available:

Tug	GT	Bollard Pull (t)
Yarra	214	43
Flinders	214	43
Gabo	397	52
Keera	473	62
Marimba	266	42
Wombi	266	41
Tusker	427	50

Tug operations are co-ordinated by the Victorian Channels Authority Harbour Control Officers and orders must be placed for services at least 24 hours prior to arrival and at least 3 hours before departure.
Coast guard: Emergencies at sea and all coastal Search and Rescue functions are co-ordinated by the Australian Maritime and Safety Authority through the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra.
Mooring information: A gross Under Keel Clearance (UKC) of 1.5m is required at all times when navigating in the channel S of the junction of Williamstown and Port Melbourne Channels (manoeuvrability margin 0.9m and squat allowance 0.6m).
A gross UKC of 1.5m is required at all times when navigating in channels N of the junction of Williamstown and Port Melbourne Channels (manoeuvrability margin 0.6m and squat allowance 0.6m).
A gross UKC of 0.6m is required when manoeuvring within swinging basins, docks and berths (manoeuvrability margin: 0.6m and no allowance for squat).
Vessels must remain afloat at all times when berthed.

Names/Nos: General cargo/Bulk berths:

Berth		Length (m)	Depth (m)	Notes
APPLETON DOCK:
B		192	10.7	General cargo. One 55t luffing crane for Berths B and C
C		192	10.7	General cargo
D		200	10.7	General cargo
E		137	10.7	General cargo
F		263	11.4	Normally bulk cargo
SOUTH WHARF:
No 26		266	11.0	Bulk cement
No 27		146	9.4	Lay up berth only
No 28		146	9.4	General cargo
No 29		146	9.4	General cargo
No 30		-	-	Tug berth
No 31		-	-	Tug berth
No 33		210	11.6	Bulk cement products
VICTORIA DOCK:
No 24		200	9.4	General cargo
Container Berths:
SWANSON DOCKS:
West		944	13.1	Container berths
East		884	13.1	Container berths
WEBB DOCK (EAST):
No 1		155	7.0	Ro-Ro
No 2		150	7.0	Ro-Ro
No 3		210	10.0	Motor vehicles, general cargo
No 4		265	12.5	Motor vehicles, general cargo
No 5		265	12.5	Motor vehicles, general cargo 3 container cranes, capacity 35t
WEBB DOCK (WEST):
No 2		240	9.1	Motor vehicles
YARRAVILLE:
No 5		148	9.4	Bulk sugar/gypsum
No 6		205-220	8.1-10.2	Bulk cargo, sulphuric & phosphoric acid
Passenger/Cruise:
STATION PIER:
Inner East		220	10.9	Ferry terminal
Outer East		223	10.9	Passenger terminal
Outer West		400	10.9	Passenger terminal.
Inner West		65	8.0	Promotional and Naval visits
Tanker Berths:
Berth	Length		Depth	Notes
Maribyrnong No 1	185		10.0	Liquid bulk. Petrochemicals
Holden Dock	200		13.1	Oil Terminal
Gellibrand Pier	289		12.1-10.6	Crude oil.

Facilities: Cranage: Available to 25t. Container gantries to 45t.
Storage: Extensive shed space available and container stuffing and storage facilities.
Barges: Barges are available.
Ballast/slop reception: There are fixed receiving facilities available at Holden Dock and Gellibrand Pier.
Security: Security can be arranged through agent.
Emergency Telephone Nos: Fire/Police/Ambulance: 000.
 

Repairs: Available.
Docking facilities: Alfred Graving Dock, 146.2m x 29.6m x 7.92m.
Bunkers/water/stores: Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical facilities: Alfred Hospital.
Transport: Nearest airport: Tullamarine, Melbourne.
Airport facilities: All facilities available.
Nearest railway: Spencer Street Terminal.
Consuls: Most countries have consular representation in Melbourne.
Banks: All Australian banks have offices in Melbourne.
Public holidays: New Year's Day (Jan 1), Picnic Day (Jan), Labour Day (Mar), Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day (Apr 25), Queen's Birthday (Jun), Melbourne Cup Day (Nov), Christmas Day (Dec 25), Boxing Day (Dec 26). Voluntary work may be performed on these days.
Working hours: Normally 0001-0730hrs, 0730-1430hrs and 1430-2130hrs.
Stevedore Labour providers in the port of Melbourne are Conaust Limited and Patrick Stevedores. For example Patrick Stevedores require weekday labour to be ordered by 0930hrs the previous day, weekend labour to be ordered by 0930hrs Fri.
Developments: A multi-bulk facility to be operated by Grainco Australia is currently under construction. The terminal is be located adjacent to Appleton Dock "F" and will handle grain and other bulk commodities.
A rejuvenation of Victoria Dock Wharves No 22-24 is planned.
Surveyors: Available via ship's agent.
Garbage: Garbage disposal is compulsory every 24 hours, arranged through the ship's agent, however there is no collection on Sundays without prior arrangement.
Officials and visitors: The MPC Regulations and local terminal operator procedures must be adhered to. The Harbour Master Directions (included in the Victorian Channels Operating Handbook 1999) must be adhered to.
Fumigation: Available via ship's agent.
Pollution: Port Phillip Region Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (PPRMPCP):

1.	The PPRMPCP is prepared by the Regional Marine Pollution Committee to the requirements of The Victorian Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (VICPLAN), which is in turn established under the authority of the Administrative Arrangements of the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil. (National Plan).
2.	VICPLAN is an integral component of the Victorian State Emergency Response Plan.
3.	The VCA has been designated the Lead Agency for the PPRMPCP, with operational responsibility to take action to respond to an oil spill.

Mandatory Notification (Pollution):
In the event of a discharge or probable discharge from a vessel the Master must immediately report to the local Harbour Control or Harbour Master by VHF Ch 12, and forward a report in writing to the Manager, Marine Pollution Response.
The report should contain as much of the following information as is relevant:

1.	Name, radio callsign and flag of ship.
2.	Frequency or frequencies of radio channel or channels monitored.
3.	Name of owner and address, telex, facsimile and telephone number of principal place of business of owner.
4.	Name, address, telex, facsimile and telephone number of principal place of business of:
	a.	the charterer, manager or operator of the ship or
	b.	the agent in Australia of the charterer, manager or operator of the ship.
5.	Type of ship (e.g., oil tanker, chemical tanker, dry cargo ship) and GT.
6.	Date and time (state whether UTC, EST or Daylight Saving EST) of the occurrence of the incident.
7.	Brief description of the incident including any damage sustained.
8.	The position, course and speed of the ship at the time of the incident.
9.	The technical name (or, where the technical name is not known, the trade name), UN number, Classification in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code (where applicable), name of the manufacturer, quantity and concentration, of the oil or oily mixture discharged or likely to be discharged into the sea.
10.	Type and quantity of cargo carried, including details of harmful substances carried.
11.	Condition of the ship
12.	Ability to transfer cargo and ballast
13.	Cause of the discharge
14.	Whether the discharge is continuing and the approximate quantity discharged
15.	Weather, sea and current conditions in the vicinity of the discharge.
16.	Where applicable, an estimate of the discharge movement and the surface area of the discharge.
17.	Actions being taken with regard to the discharge and the movement of the ship.
18.	Assistance which has been requested from or which has been provided by others.