MARINERS are being warned about blasting at the Port of Dampier in Western Australia during dredging operations.
The port has issued a notice advising the tug Molly Grace will be involved in the transfer of Class 1 dangerous goods from the Dampier Cargo Wharf to the dredging vessel Baldur, or alternatively from the Burrup Materials Facility to Baldur.
The warning is in place for 24 hours a day, from 3 December 2024, until further notice with an expected completion date of April 2025.
Blasting will only occur during daylight hours.
A marine exclusion zone of a 180 metre radius around the dredging vessel will be in force and will remain for navigation as well as diving operations during the dredging.
A marine exclusion zone of 150 metre radius will also be in place at the Dampier Cargo Wharf and Burrup Materials Facility during the transfer of Class 1 dangerous goods from the berth to the Molly Grace.
A Sécurité message will be issued by the Dampier Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTSC) on VHF channels 11 and 16 prior to the commencement of the transfer of Class 1 dangerous goods from the berth to the tug Molly Grace, and on a regular basis advising that the exclusion zones are in force.
Approximately five minutes before blasting, dredging vessel Baldur will make two sound signals and hoist a red flag on its mast to indicate that blasting is imminent.
When it is about to blast, Baldur will make four short sound signals with the blast initiated on the fourth signal.
After successful blasting, one long sound signal will be given and the red flag will be lowered.
Divers or swimmers should not be in the water during the blasting operations.
A bubble screen is being installed, the anchors of which will be marked with Norwegian buoys. The bubble screen will be activated 30 minutes prior to the start of blasting operations.
Mariners are requested to navigate with caution in the vicinity of the transfer of Class 1 dangerous goods and blasting operations and to keep well clear of the exclusion zone.
