A CRUISE company has cancelled a visit to the Port of Townsville as a cyclone forms off the Queensland coast.
A tropical low intensifying on Monday evening is expected to develop into Cyclone Kirrily and hit the coast on Thursday.
Port of Townsville remained fully operational on Monday, and was preparing to welcome the cruise ship Seven Seas Explorer at 0800 on Tuesday as planned.
However, German cruise ship Vasco Da Gama has cancelled its scheduled visit on Wednesday in anticipation of deteriorating weather.
Drew Penny, general manager customer, operations and safety at Port of Townsville, said the port was “well prepared” for wild weather should it eventuate over the coming days.
“The Port of Townsville begins its cyclone preparedness on 1 November each year and many of the preparations we undertook ahead of Cyclone Jasper in December remain in place,” said Mr Penny.
“We will continue to take advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and Maritime Safety Queensland, and take the appropriate precautions for ensuring the safety of all port workers and visiting seafarers as the weather system approaches.
“At this time, weather forecasts show favourable conditions for visitors arriving on board Seven Seas Explorer and our port team looks forward to welcoming 1300 passengers and crew. Vasco Da Gama will seek to avoid wind and rain on Wednesday.”
The port said it is following advice from the Bureau of Meteorology, Townsville Local Disaster Management Group and the regional harbour master.
