Authority to Make Notices:
This emergency response procedure has the effect of direction by an Authorised Officer pursuant to the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 and Regulations.

1. Introduction

Purpose
To identify, assess, prevent and manage emergencies including the subsequent recovery after an emergency / disaster that may occur within the port, where the environment, port operations, the health and safety of personnel and the general public could be or has been affected. This also includes the managed, planned and safe evacuation of all personnel including visitors from the specific areas within the Port or the Port as a whole.

Scope
This emergency response procedure is what Port of Townsville Limited (the Corporation) expects of port users in the case of emergencies and evacuations.

Definitions
An emergency is any situation that may cause destruction, damage, interruption, death or health and safety issues. It covers all situations that, if not controlled or contained, have or could have adverse effect on the port community, the environment, the wider Townsville community or the operation of the Port (including other Port users, customers or visitors).

2. Port of Townsville

2.1 Responsibilities
Port of Townsville Limited (the Corporation) is responsible for ensuring a safe and secure port. This is achieved through:

• prevention activities;
• detection systems;
• emergency management systems (procedures, etc.);
• disaster recovery systems;
• training and awareness; and,
• audits, inspections and monitoring.

The Corporation is directly responsible for detailing the systems, procedures and standards to be achieved for all emergencies directly under its control. This includes establishing a system to maintain and practice the procedures and equipment. It also involves establishing liaisons with the various emergency services in Townsville and with the Regional Harbour Master Townsville.

The Corporation is also responsible for ensuring there are suitable evacuation procedures to ensure the safe and orderly evacuation of all personnel should this become necessary.

The Corporation is also responsible for ensuring Port users, including contractors, have established suitable emergency, evacuation and recovery plans and systems for their operations/activities. This allows for a coordinated approach should the emergency impact on the Port’s operation, other Port users/customers or the environment.

THE PORT OF TOWNSVILLE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The Corporation, in conjunction with the Regional Harbour Master Townsville is responsible for coordinating activities in preparation of, during and after a cyclone or other severe weather condition.

2.2 Emergency Action Plan
Should an emergency occur, the Corporation is to:

1. Initiate the Port of Townsville Limited Emergency Response Plan;
2. Contact the appropriate emergency services;
3. Advise other port users and customers in the immediate vicinity, if their operation or employees could be affected;
4. Evacuate if necessary;
5. Contain and control any spills or release to the environment (land, water, air), if caused as a result of another emergency such as fire, then only do so if safe; and,
6. Advise the Regional Harbour Master Townsville if required

3. Port Users/Customers

3.1 Responsibilities
All Port users, customers and contractors are directly responsible for identifying, preventing, controlling and managing emergencies that could occur within their operational area or area of activity. This includes ships and small craft Masters/owners.
They are to ensure:

1. Emergency, evacuation, recovery plans and procedures are kept up to date and if requested provide a copy to the Corporation;
2. Regular drills are conducted;
3. Liaison occurs with emergency services and other port users/customers where the emergency could impact their operations;
4. Emergency services are contacted direct in the case of an emergency; and,
5. The Corporation is informed of any emergency or potential emergency.

3.2 Emergency Action Plan
Should an emergency occur, Port users, customers and or vessel masters are to:

1. Initiate their own emergency plan;
2. Contact the appropriate emergency services - fire, police, ambulance - direct;
3. Advise Port Control;
4. Advise other Port users, customers or visitors, in the immediate vicinity, if their operation or employees
   could be affected;
5. Contain and control any spills or release to the environment (land, water, air), if caused as a
   result of another emergency such as a fire, then only do so if safe; and,
6. Contact the Regional Harbour Master Townsville if required.

4. Lead Agency Determination

The lead agency for an incident or emergency that occurs on the Corporations controlled land and does not require emergency service intervention would be determined by the Corporation.

5. Evacuation and Restricted Port Access

5.1. Evacuation and Restricted Port Access
Any incident occurring within the Port area requiring response and evacuation is the responsibility of the appropriate emergency service. However, the Corporation and lessees are responsible for the initial response. Port users, customers and visitors will be informed by the best available means. Following is a guide that may assist with that response.

5.2 Partial Port Evacuation
In the event of an emergency within the Port area, consideration should be given to partially evacuating that immediate vicinity and other potentially-impacted sites. The decision to evacuate areas other than leased sites will remain the responsibility of the Corporation. Emergencies occurring on leased sites remain the responsibility of the lessee. Port Control should be informed of any decision to evacuate at the earliest opportunity.

Total Port Evacuation
The decision to totally evacuate the Port remains the responsibility of the Corporation and or the appropriate emergency service. This would only occur in the event of a major incident with potential to impact on the total Port area.

5.4 Restricted Port Access
Restricted Port access may occur during an emergency situation or potential emergency situation. The decision to restrict access to leased areas remains the responsibility of the lessee with notification to Port Control as soon as practicable. The decision to restrict access through the main port access routes remains the responsibility of the Corporation and or emergency services. Refer to Appendix B for Port Evacuation Checklist, Summary and Map.

5.5 Return to Normal Operations
The Corporation in conjunction with the relevant authority has the sole responsibility to approve clearance for its own personnel and customers to return to work, Port and proprietary (owners, customers) operations to recommence, and for ships to return to Port if applicable. Individual proprietary organisations, ship Masters, Port users and customers have the responsibility to decide and give permission for their employees to return and for operations to recommence. The degree of return to normal operations will depend on the nature of the emergency and the extent of damage experienced.

6. Emergency Contact List

6.1 Port users should contact the Corporation with key contact changes within their organisation as they occur.
6.2 In addition, the Corporation will contact all key Port users annually generally before the cyclone season commences to update the emergency contact database.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. All ship Masters, small craft owners, Masters, Port users and customers are responsible for ensuring their vessel and property is maintained in a state that will weather cyclonic, severe weather conditions, floods and tidal surge at any time throughout the year. Refer to Maritime Safety Queensland for further information http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Extreme-weather-plans.aspx
2. Individual Port users, customers and contractors are responsible for cyclone preparation and decisions affecting their operation prior to, during, and after a cyclone. They are responsible for the safety of their own operation and personnel including the general public.
3. The control of ships and small craft during cyclones and other severe weather conditions is the responsibility of the Regional Harbour Master Townsville.
4. The Corporation is responsible for its operations, employees and for keeping port users informed.
5. If the Regional Harbour Master Townsville directs ships or small craft to carry out certain actions including putting to sea, then the Master and/or the owner must carry out these directions.
6. Where the Corporation directs operations to cease, all Port users, customers, visitors, contractors and general public are to carry out this direction.

LEVELS OF ALERT
To assist with the orderly preparation and control during an approaching cyclone, the Corporation operates to four main levels of alert. These will normally be indicated on the sign at the port entrance. Where necessary, port users will be informed by email, SMS, phone or other means.

CONDITION GREEN
No immediate danger. Cyclone Condition Green operates routinely between 1 November and 1 April every year. However a state of normal vigilance previously referred to as ‘Routine Readiness’ operates between cyclone seasons. General housekeeping, property and vessel preparations should be undertaken.

CONDITION YELLOW
A YELLOW alert will be issued by the Corporation to indicate an intensifying risk of a cyclone or associated weather storm impacting on the Port of Townsville. Specific actions laid down must be taken to minimise the likely consequences. Condition YELLOW may remain in place following a cyclone if the Corporation considers the weather system is still a risk.

CONDITION ORANGE
An ORANGE alert will be issued when a cyclone is imminent.  Declaration of condition ORANGE signals the requirement for final preparations and full evacuation of the port. The Corporation will at this stage provide information to key port users regarding an estimated time that Condition RED will be called.  Port Services will communicate with all key Port users on the status of their operations and confirm evacuation of individual sites. Port users will be advised at this time if a complete power down is to be undertaken to reduce risk to infrastructure.

CONDITION RED
Condition RED Indicates that the Port is closed for ALL operations. Port Services will finalise evacuation and securing of the Port and an answering message will be left on Port Control phones. The Port Control message will be changed once the Corporation declares condition RED has ceased. Port gates will remain locked until the threat is over and it has been determined that it is safe to re-enter the port.

CONDITION BLUE
A subsidiary condition - Condition BLUE - may apply to ships and all operations craft in Port. This condition is issued by the Regional Harbour Master Townsville.
The Regional Harbour Master Townsville, at his/her sole discretion, may direct ships in the Port of Townsville be put to sea and that shore-based resources are mobilised to enable this to occur. The Regional Harbour Master Townsville exercises this discretion on the basis of a deteriorating opportunity for safe evacuation of ships in increasing winds within the confines of a narrow channel and the lead time required to complete the operation.

RESPONSES
The Cyclone Response Summary Checklist (Appendix A) gives general response for each level of alert.  These lists are not exhaustive and are only a guide for what should be carried out. Whatever can be done to preserve life, reduce damage to property, the Corporations property and other property belonging to Port users and customers is to be taken.

APPENDIX A - Cyclone Response Summary Checklist

* This ‘Routine State of Readiness’ should be maintained throughout the year but particular attention should be given to these steps at the beginning of the cyclone season.

SMALL CRAFT CYCLONES AND SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS PLEASE REFER TO MARITIME SAFETY WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON VESSEL PREPARATION:

http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Extreme-weather-plans.aspx

THE PORT OF TOWNSVILLE RECOMMENDS THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD INDIVIDUALS REMAIN ON BOARD A SMALL CRAFT DURING CYCLONES OR SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

Note: If you are a customer of the Corporation please ensure;

1. Your contact details are current.
2. If you are going to be un-contactable, please check your vessel before leaving and advise the Port of Townsville of your absence.
3. Ensure you have made arrangements with someone to check and secure your vessel if you are unable to.

ACTIONS FOR SHIPS REMAINING IN PORT ON CONDITION YELLOW

Note: The control and safety of all shipping is the direct responsibility of the ships’ Master and the Regional Harbour Master Townsville. These actions are given as a guide only and are to assist the Corporation in ensuring the safety of the port, port users and the general public.

1. Double existing moorings and deploy storm moorings.
2. Secure all deck cargo and equipment. Retrieve and secure ships gear from wharf side and secure on board.
3. Bring ship to readiness for sea in all respects and maintain this status until further instructions are received from the Regional Harbour Master Townsville directly, or via Port Control.
4. Report completion of precautions 1 to 3 above to the Regional Harbour Master Townsville or Port Control.
5. Ships’ main engines to be ready to depart for sea within one hour or as directed by the Regional Harbour Master Townsville.
6. Ships’ crew complement must be maintained so ship can depart from port safely. Crew list be presented to Regional Harbour Master Townsville indicating available crew.
7. Tugs to be available for shipping with one hour or as directed by the Regional Harbour Master Townsville.
8. Regional Harbour Master Townsville or Duty Pilot to prepare plan for vessel departure and implement accordingly.

APPENDIX B - PORT EVACUATION SHORT FORM SUMMARY

Complete Evacuation of Port
In situations other than cyclones, where the entire port has to be evacuated, the assembly areas for all the Port of Townsville personnel, Port user personnel, visitors, contractors, ship crew and passengers (if evacuating the ship) at the following locations:

a) Yellow Route (Assembly Area 1) – On Lennon Drive, outside security gate, within the parking area on eastern side of Ross Creek bank.

b) Green Route (Assembly Area 2) – On Benwell Road on the grassed area outside security gates.
When assembled, each organisation is responsible for accounting for all personnel and advising the Corporations Officer in Charge or emergency services whether or not all personnel are accounted for.

Partial Evacuation
A safe area that is not in the way of emergency services will be nominated or selected by user organisation.