JUST DAYS after the fiftieth anniversary of the collapse of Hobart’s Tasman Bridge after it was struck by the bulk carrier Lake Illawarra Marine & Safety Tasmania has reminded port users of critical navigation rules.
MAST says that after a number of recent incidents involving recreational vessels navigating near the Tasman Bridge, vessel operators are reminded of a number of important rules.
The master of a:
• recreational vessel must not navigate that vessel within the Tasman Bridge restricted area or main navigation channel in a manner likely to interfere with, or obstruct in any way, a vessel exceeding 15m in length or a tug engaged in towing;
• vessel must not cause or allow the vessel to enter or cross the main navigation channel while a vessel is being, or is about to be, navigated in that channel;
• vessel must not cause or allow the vessel to obstruct the passage of any vessel being navigated or intended to be navigated through any aperture of the Bridge; and
• vessel must not cause or allow the vessel to be at anchor within the Tasman Bridge restricted area or in the main navigation channel.
The restricted area includes waters within 120m of the bridge whilst the navigation channel extends 45m on either side of the centreline of the main channel and a distance of 450 metres both upstream and downstream of the bridge.
“A variety of large vessels transit the Tasman Bridge, including ships, ferries, work boats and private vessels,” MAST said. “They are required to transit either through the main or secondary spans, depending on their length.
“Many of these vessels have limited visibility and are restricted in their ability to change direction, and none of them can do this once they have notified Tasports and commenced their transit.
Seven crew of the ANL bulker died on 5 January 1975 when the 10,380 DWT ship, laden with zinc concentrates for the EZ Works upriver at Risdon, went off-course as it approached the bridge, colliding with and collapsing Piers 18 and 19 and a 127-metre section of the bridge deck.
Five motorists lost their lives in four vehicles that plunged into the resultant gap. The sunken Lake Illawarra remains in place on the floor of the River Derwent.
