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MARICO Marine NZ Limited WELLINGTON HARBOUR PORT AND ...

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Report No: 05<strong>NZ</strong>104 <strong>WELLINGTON</strong> <strong>HARBOUR</strong><br />

Issue: Issue 1.1 Operational Risk Assessment<br />

The area is subject to heavy gusts off high land and funnelling down gorges<br />

(Ngauranga and Kaiwharawhara) which affect small craft, particularly those<br />

under sail, and also larger vessels manoeuvring in strong winds8. 5.4.3 Area C - Tidal Regime<br />

No significant streams occur in the harbour, the exception being flow from<br />

the Hutt River, particularly during floods. This is reported to cause short<br />

steep waves locally in conjunction with gale events.<br />

5.4.4 Area C - Navigational Use<br />

The area is not under radar monitoring or visual surveillance from Beacon<br />

Hill. Large vessels transit Area C whilst in or outbound and the area also<br />

includes the Rail Ferry Terminal, Thorndon Container Terminal, Aotea Quay<br />

and Seaview Oil Terminal; all major wharf and berth facilities. Seaview has<br />

a lack of reference points in the approach, making berthing recommended by<br />

pilots with significant experience only. Seaview is also affected in a<br />

southerly gale and the short seas which form can affect tug ability to push<br />

on. As the Seaview jetty is not aligned with the wind direction in a<br />

southerly, misjudgement on an approach has the potential to result in a<br />

serious incident.<br />

The harbour ferry regularly transits across Area C, operating a service from<br />

Lambton Harbour to Days Bay wharf and also to Matiu/Somes island<br />

several times a day. Thorndon Container Terminal is interesting in that its<br />

geographical layout places the berth face approximately parallel with winds<br />

from the south or north (the predominant patterns). Large vessels alongside<br />

are thus mostly head or stern to wind and pilots are adept at using wind<br />

loading on the hull plane for berthing or departing.<br />

Large vessels transiting the harbour are generally following the<br />

Recommended Tracks (see Figure B1, Annex B and section 11.2.2). These<br />

tracks occupy the south western part of Area C. However tankers and tugs<br />

routinely transit across the area to and from Seaview oil terminal, and<br />

occasionally passenger vessels will transit the harbour outbound along the<br />

Hutt Motorway and to the north of Matiu/Somes Island.<br />

Leisure craft of all types may be encountered in Area C, including keeler<br />

yacht races throughout the area, fishing craft and kayaks along the<br />

shorelines and around the islands and all types of leisure craft transiting<br />

8 Large Vessels may need a speed of 8 knots to be responsive to the rudder in these conditions.<br />

Greater Wellington Regional Council /<br />

CentrePort Ltd Page 37 of 102

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