Pasha Bulker 243 - Independent investigation into the grounding of ...

1.2.1 Newcastle Port Corporation
Newcastle Port Corporation (NPC) is a NSW government-owned entity created and
operated under the state’s Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995. Under this
legislation, NPC is responsible for managing and operating the port of Newcastle,
including exercising safety functions. Within state waters, which extend out to three
miles seaward, NPC also has prime responsibility in relation to oil and chemical
pollution response between Fingal Head, about 20 miles along the coast to the north
of Newcastle and Catherine Hill Bay, a similar distance to the south of the port.
The responsibility for safe and effective port operations rests with NPC and it
provides pilotage services for Newcastle. The corporation exercises its authority
within the port’s limits through the harbour master, who has the power to direct
ships within these limits which extend seaward along an arc of radius three miles
centred on Nobbys Head lighthouse (Figure 3). The area off Newcastle, used by
ships to anchor while waiting to enter the port, lies outside port limits. To fulfil its
communication responsibilities which include providing ‘marine warnings’ and port
related reports, NPC operates a vessel traffic information centre 24 hours a day
throughout the year.
Newcastle Vessel Traffic Information Centre (VTIC)
The principal objectives of Newcastle VTIC, as stated by NPC, are to:
• improve safety and efficiency of navigation
• improve the protection of the marine environment
• respond to the business needs of the port’s customers.
Newcastle VTIC is not a navigational control centre and its main role is to prepare
‘shipping programs’ 10 . The centre’s secondary role is to communicate with both
internal and external customers. This includes ship communications to coordinate
and monitor traffic movements and services within the port. The centre provides the
masters of ships with information only and does not instruct or direct them unless
specifically directed to do so by the harbour master.
The purpose of the charted restricted area (Figure 3) off the harbour entrance is to
keep the entrance clear for ships entering or leaving port. It also assists in keeping
unnecessary traffic clear of the pilot boarding ground. Newcastle VTIC closely
monitors the restricted area and, when necessary, issues directives on VHF radio to
keep ships clear of the area.
The VTIC officers are not required to have a seafaring background. They are
trained in-house and, if necessary, externally to use the centre’s radar and
communications equipment. At least one VTIC officer is on duty at all times to
attend to the necessary communications and monitoring. The officers have a duty
roster and normally work 12 hour shifts that are completed at 0700 and 1900 daily.
On weekdays, an additional VTIC officer is on duty from 0800 to 1600 to allow the
shipping program to be prepared. The pilot office is located on the centre’s
premises and the duty pilot is either present or on call at all times. The pilot may
provide advice to the VTIC officer if necessary but leaves all communications to
the officer.
10 Refers to the scheduling of ships, including their berthing and un-berthing.
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