Tropical low update

02 Feb 2021 / North West Australia, Australia

At 0800 hours local time today (2 February), the Tropical Low affecting the North West Australian coast was within 30 km of 22.0 degrees South, 116.1 degrees East , 110 km east southeast of Onslow and 270 km east northeast of Coral Bay, and moving west southwest at 20 km per hour. It is expected to continue moving over land parallel to the west Pilbara coast today and not reach tropical cyclone intensity until after it moves off the Ningaloo coast during Wednesday.

The Harbour Master at Port Hedland has advised that vessels were permitted to enter the inner anchorages from 1200 hours local time yesterday (1 February).

In the Inner Harbour, movement of small vessels is permitted as per their Safety Management System (SMS) and large vessels are permitted to enter the inner harbour (subject to prevailing weather conditions).

At Dampier, anchorages are open with caution. Vessels secured to moorings are clear to resume normal operations and movement of small vessels within the port is permitted.

The port of Yampi Sound was declared at ‘Open’ as at 0800 hours local time today (downgraded from ‘Prepare’).

The port of Port Walcott was declared at ‘Open with caution’ as at 08:00 hours local time today (downgraded from ‘Clear’). Berths will open when the wind, sea and swell are within berthing parameters, expected at approximately 2000hours local time.

The ports of Cape Preston, Varanus Island and Barrow Island were declared at ‘Open with caution’ as at 0800 hours local time today (downgraded from ‘Clear’).

The port of Onslow was declared at ‘Clear’ stage since yesterday but this may be downgraded this afternoon on advice from the Bureau of Meteorology.

The port of Carnarvon was declared at ‘Clear’ stage from 0600 hours local time today (escalated from ‘Prepare’ stage).

For information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

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