CERTIFICATION

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 and 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 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 affect on the port community, the environment, the wider Townsville community or the operation of the port (including other port users / customers / visitors).

2. Port of Townsville

2.1 Responsibilities
The Port of Townsville Limited 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 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 and the environment.

THE PORT OF TOWNSVILLE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The Corporation, in conjunction with the Regional Harbour Master, 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 Port of Townsville is to:

1. Initiate the Port of Townsville Emergency Response Plan;
2. Contact the appropriate emergency services;
3. Advise other port users/customers, in the immediate vicinity, if their operation or staff could be affected;
4. Evacuate if necessary;
5. Contain/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 operation or activity. This includes ships and small craft Masters/owners.

They are to ensure:

1. Emergency, evacuation and recovery plans and procedures are kept up to date and if requested provide a copy to the Corporation;
2. Regular practices 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 Port of Townsville is informed of any emergency or potential emergency.

3.2 Emergency Action Plan
Should an emergency occur, port users/customers 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, in the immediate vicinity, if their operation or staff
   could be affected;
5. Contain/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 if required.

4. Lead Agency Determination

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

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 Port of Townsville and lessees are responsible for the initial response. Port users/customers 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 Port of Townsville. 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 Port of Townsville 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
This 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 Port of Townsville and/or emergency services. Refer to Appendix D for Port Evacuation Checklist, Summary and Map.

5.5 Return to Normal Operations
The Port of Townsville, 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 and port users/customers have the responsibility to decide and give permission for their staff 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 Port of Townsville with key contact changes within their organisation as they occur.
6.2 In addition, the Port of Townsville will contact all key port users annually generally before the cyclone season commences to update the emergency contact database.

1. All ship Masters, small craft owners/Masters and port users/customers are responsible for ensuring their vessel and property is maintained in a state that will weather cyclonic, severe weather conditions, and floods at any time throughout the year.
2. Individual port users/customers and contractors are responsible for cyclone preparation, 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.
4. The Port of Townsville is responsible for its operation and staff, and for keeping port users informed.
5. If the Regional Harbour Master 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 Port of Townsville 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 a cyclone, the Port of Townsville operates to three main levels of alert. These will normally be indicated on the sign at the port entrance. Where necessary, port users will be informed by facsimile or other means.

CONDITION GREEN
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.

CONDITION YELLOW
A Yellow alert will be issued by the Port of Townsville 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 RED
A Condition Red alert will be declared when a cyclone strike is imminent or the onset of extreme, peripheral weather conditions associated with a high intensity cyclone. A Red alert signals the requirement for immediate evacuation of the port.

CONDITION BLUE
A subsidiary condition - Condition Blue - may apply to ships and small 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 responses for each level of alert and the Action by Small Craft Owners and Operators form (Appendix B) give specific responses for ‘small craft’ and ‘ships in port’ respectively. (Appendix C) the Action by Ships Remaining in Port on Condition Yellow Form. 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 your property, the Port of Townsville property and other property belonging to port users/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.

APPENDIX B - CYCLONES AND SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

ACTION BY SMALL CRAFT OWNERS AND OPERATORS ROUTINE READINESS

1. Check durability of all synthetic ropes, especially with regard to UV degradation by exposure to sunlight. If in doubt, replace.
2. Ready spare fenders and lines.
3. Check bilge pumps and ensure they are serviceable.
4. Check drain openings are clear and that they can remain so.
5. Shift before conditions become severe (if possible).

PRECAUTIONS ON CONDITION YELLOW
(Identified risk of a cyclone or associated weather storm impacting on the Port of Townsville)

1. Double mooring lines by running duplicate lines to alternative bollards. Run duplicate lines slack in order to take-up in the event of failure or chaffing of primary mooring lines. Double check ropes subject to stress.
2. Where appropriate, position the vessel in the water so that duplicate lines will prevent collision with the wharf or walkway in the event of failure of primary lines. Also position to avoid damage from or of adjacent vessels.
3. Do not use chain to secure the vessel where ‘give’ is required to compensate for turbulent waters and changing tides.
4. Check cleats and mooring fittings. If in doubt about the strength of a cleat, tie-up to main structure.
5. Minimise wind loadings. Store gear below deck.
6. Stow all loose gear, including life buoys, life rings, floats, buckets, boat hooks, hatches, etc.
7. Stow all furled sails and covers. Alternatively secure so that they cannot be teased out by strong winds and increase wind loading.
8. Deflate and stow inflatable’s.
9. Moor dinghies separately and securely if possible. Otherwise secure on deck with bungs removed.
10. Disconnect shore power and water leads.
11. Check communications on VHF Channel 16.
12. Ensure all self draining openings are clear and will remain so.
13. If you remain on board the vessel, advise a responsible person of your whereabouts.
14. If in a marina, check with the Manager for specific instructions.
15. If on a hardstand area check with facility manager for specific instructions

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 Port of Townsville Limited please ensure

1. Your contact details are current.
2. If you are going to be uncontactable, 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.

If unsure about what to do, please contact the Port of Townsville (all hours).

APPENDIX C - CYCLONES AND SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

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. These actions are given as a guide only and are to assist the Port of Townsville 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 D - 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 Port of Townsville 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.

Safety of Assembly Areas and Evacuation Routes
The safety and security of the declared routes and assembly areas will depend upon the location and the nature of the emergency and the prevailing weather conditions. These will have to be considered when declaring which route and which assembly area to use.