Passage Planning Guide: Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait (PPG - GBRTS) - 2021 Edition

This publication is designed to be used as part of the ship's pre-entry procedures and as a tool for refreshing the bridge team each time the ship is planning a passage through the GBRTS. An improved presentation of pull-out chartlets allow the book to be used in real time, giving the navigator an overview that can be lost on ships where the primary means of navigation is ECDIS. Updated traffic information and case studies based on accident reports are effective in illustrating best navigational procedures.

Foreword

The Great Barrier Reef is an area of global environmental and economic importance. As early as 1975, the Australian Government recognised its significance by creating the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to regulate all activities that take place within the marine park. Its scientific, cultural and historic importance led to the Park being added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 1981, with the adjoining and connected Gondwana Tropical Rainforests added in 1986. The Park, and the adjoining area encompassing the Torres Strait up to the border with Papua New Guinea, was designated a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) in 1990, which led to the introduction of compulsory pilotage the following year.

Consequently, passing through these areas can be a cause of concern for the mariner, particularly if the bridge team is unfamiliar with the region. Although the whole of the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef lies within the state of Queensland, regulation of activities within this area is covered by both state and federal legislation. The source information is not always easy to locate and interpret, particularly if the ship has not been able to obtain all the necessary documentation prior to departing the last port. This Guide contains the information the bridge team will need to properly prepare for the ship's transit through the area.

All the data contained within this Guide has been collated and validated by Australian Reef Pilots, drawing on their considerable experience in all areas of the Marine Park.

Australian Reef Pilots strongly recommend that this Guide is used, not only as part of the ship's pre-entry procedures, but also as a tool for familiarising and refreshing the bridge team each time the ship is planning a passage through the area. Its design, with pull-out chartlets, allows this Guide to be used in 'real time', giving the navigator the overview that can be lost with the introduction of ECDIS paperless ships.

Captain Welwyn Gamble,
General Manager, Australian Reef Pilots Pty Ltd

PART 1 Background and Supporting Notes to the Guide

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Marine Management in the Region

1.3 Maximum Draught and the UKCM System in the Torres Strait

1.4 Navigation in the GBRTS

1.5 Passage Planning

1.6 Climate and Meteorology

1.7 MARPOL and Environmental Considerations

1.8 Emergency Response Vessel

PART 2 Groundings and Collisions in the GBRTS – Case Studies

2.1 Groundings and Collisions – Case Studies

2.2 Traffic Hotspots

PART 3 Passage Notes

Section 1 – Great North East Channel

Great North East Channel – NE-bound

Great North East Channel – SW-bound

Section 2 – Inner Route and South of Cairns

Inner Route – SE-bound

South of Cairns – Southbound

South of Cairns – Northbound

Inner Route – NW-bound

Section 3 – Hydrographers Passage

Hydrographers Passage – SW-bound

Hydrographers Passage – NE-bound

Section 4 – Whitsunday Passage

Whitsunday Passage

PART 4 Annexes

Annex 1 – Pre-Entry Bridge Team Meeting GBR and TS

Annex 2 – Getting the Best from ENC in the GBR

Annex 3 – GBRMPA Approved Cruise Transit Corridors

Annex 4 – Reef VTS

Annex 5 – Ballast Water Management for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park