Port Authority of New South Wales

Newcastle Harbour is a compulsory pilotage port. Pilot transfer at Newcastle is carried out by two methods, either by helicopter (80%) or by pilot cutter (20%). Some vessels are not suitable for helicopter transfer.

Helicopter transfer can be achieved on all vessels except tankers, some container vessels, and vessels where there is not a clear circular area of 20m, or where weather restrains the ability of the helicopter to fly. Due to weather conditions, planned helicopter pilot transfers may change to pilot cutter at any time.

A pilot cutter is used for the remainder of transfers. In this case the pilot climbs the ships ladder up to 9 metres in height.

All vessels engaged in pilot transfer should monitor VHF Channel 06 for instructions from the pilot. It should be noted that any vessel that has defective pilot boarding arrangements will be declined pilotage and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will be advised of any deficiencies.

Once aboard, the pilot conducts a Master/Pilot information exchange briefing to provide the bridge team with all the necessary information required to conduct a safe pilotage.

The pilot then takes charge of the conduct of the navigation whilst the master retains command of the vessel.

The pilot uses VHF radio to communicate orders to the tugs, which are used to aid the manoeuvre.

All vessel movements are booked by the vessel agent through the Port of Newcastle Operations Pty Ltd Operations Ltd vessel schedulers.

Pilot transfer arrangements for pilot ladder embarkation and disembarkation at Newcastle, are to be in accordance with:

• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Orders Part 21 (Safety and emergency arrangements) paragraph 12, which implements Australia’s obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V Regulation 23.
• IMO Resolution A 1045 (27) Pilot transfer arrangements and IMO Circular 1402 Safety of Pilot Transfer Arrangements
• AMSA Marine Notice 2019/03 – Use of Pilot Ladders
• AMSA Information Sheet - Using Pilot Ladders
• The pilot ladder to be constructed and rigged in accordance with above. The ladder should be clean, properly fitted with spreaders, well clear of all discharges and outlets and any shipboard fittings that may foul the pilot cutter. The ladder should be rigged with the bottom step 2m above the water.
• Where a combination ladder arrangement is required, the accommodation ladder must be secured to the ship’s side, leading aft. The lower horizontal platform should be at sufficient height above the water to prevent the pilot cutter or pilot becoming fouled during the transfer. Manropes are also to be provided for combination arrangements.
• Two (2) clean manila manropes of not less than 28mm diameter and not more than 32mm diameter are to be securely made fast to the ship. The manropes should be the same length as the ladder.
• Where the ladder is rigged over a bulwark, two (2) stanchions are to be securely fitted to the top of the bulwark, one on each side of the ladder, with steps provided from the bulwark top to the deck.
• A heaving line is to be provided for the pilot’s bag.
• At night the ladder is to be well illuminated, the light pointing forward.
• Tripping lines for ladder retrieval should not be fitted.
• A ship’s officer should be in attendance at all times and have radio communications to the bridge. All appropriate safety equipment should be available at the ladder.
• The Master or another officer on the bridge should be monitoring the transfer from the bridge wing.
• The pilot will normally liaise with the Master to ensure the correct ship heading for safe transfer.
• Normal ship speed for pilot transfer is approximately 8-10 knots.

Port Authority of New South Wales – Newcastle reserves the right to delay vessel embarkation of a Marine Pilot until these requirements are fulfilled.  Further, all instances of non-compliance will be reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

More details:

• Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilot refer to IMPA Poster  - English (as required by IMO Circular 1405 (27))
• Required Boarding Arrangements for Pilot refer to IMPA Poster  - Chinese (as required by IMO Circular 1405 (27))
• Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements Ensuring Compliance with SOLAS - ICS
• IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1428 – Pilot ladder rigging arrangements required by SOLAS V/23
• IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ 1495/Rev.1 Revised Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regulation V23.3.3 on Pilot Transfer Arrangements

Note: To further assist in proper securing of a pilot ladder in accordance with these requirements, there are commercially available products available.  An example of a product used in other ports in Australia is the JMAC Marine and Industrial “Blue Box” and “Yellow Mag” Pilot Safety devices.

These products are designed to assist in securing of a pilot ladder if the freeboard of the vessel exceeds 9 metres as per SOLAS and IMO regulations.  Whilst the use of this specific equipment is not mandatory, there is far greater probability a pilot will be able to embark / disembark from or to a vessel without incurring unnecessary delays with the employment of such a system.

Vessel to comply with the helicopter compliance check list:

• Vessel to comply with Marine Notice 2016/09.
• Vessel to comply with Marine Order Part 57 (Helicopter Operations).
• The maximum weight of the helicopter is 2980 kgs static (Airbus EC135 P2+). The weight of the helicopter and skid contact area on the hatch cover results in point loading on the hatch of less than 500kg/m². This hatch cover loading is minimal and far below the allowable design maximum loadings of the hatch cover. If in any doubt the Master should seek clarification from the ship’s drawings, Owners or Class Society. 
• Vessels that are fitted with timber stanchions to have at least 20.5m clear between stanchions with no other obstructions present.
• At least 20.5m clear all around when the helicopter is on the landing hatch. 
• Any ship cranes are to be in the stowed position and secured in the cradle and hooks lashed and secured. 
• No loose objects are to be in the vicinity of the landing hatch. 
• Crew members are not permitted on the landing hatch during helicopter operations - Helicopter Landing Requirements. 
• Emergency fire party to be on standby upwind of the landing hatch with all appropriate safety equipment available and fire main pressurized. Emergency rescue party to be ready at the rescue boat. 
• Safe access is provided from the landing hatch to the deck, including a properly secured ladder and hand holds or stanchions as appropriate. 
• The pilot will normally call the vessel prior to landing to advise the Master of the correct ship heading for safe transfer, to confirm the landing hatch number and that all emergency crews are on standby and the vessel is ready to receive the helicopter. 
• In poor visibility and at night, all deck lights to be switched on.
  NB: Vessels that are fitted with cranes and timber stanchions utilising helicopter transfer and have not previously called at Newcastle, normally the first pilot transfer will take place by pilot cutter until the pilot has assessed the vessel for helicopter compliance. 

CASA has changed safety standards, limiting the types of helicopters that can perform the Helicopter Marine Pilot Transfers (HMPT). 

These changes aim to: 

• maintain and improve aviation safety performance in Australia 
• ensure regulatory actions achieve safety outcomes without impeding industry and
• maintain best practice in the field of over water personnel transfers.   

Port Authority of NSW lodged a Development Application (DA) with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) to transition to a new twin engine helicopter model to meet new Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements. The DA was on public display on the DPIE website from 3 to 24 December 2021. Approval for the activity was granted on 1 April 2022. The new helicopter type was bought into commission at Dyke Point in early April 2022.

In accordance with Development Consent DA21/17874, please find the below documents to ensure compliance with Condition A20:

• Statement of Environmental Effects prepared by ADW Johnson Pty Ltd dated November 2021 
• Response to Submissions Report prepared by Port Authority of NSW dated February 2022 
• Development Consent DA 98-1262 issued by Newcastle City Council dated 3 May 1999
• Development Consent DA21-17874 issued by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment dated 1 April 2022
• Environment Protection Licence 10772 issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority dated 28 May 2018
• Community Communications Strategy DA Dyke Point Helicopter dated 21 June 2022
• Helicopter Operations Management Plan, dated 24 June 2022
• Operational Noise Compliance Report dated 21 December 2022

The detailed acoustic assessment and testing undertaken as part of the development application indicates that transitioning from a single engine to twin engine helicopter will result in lower averaged noise exposure at identified receiver locations and generally lower or similar maximum noise levels at all identified receiver locations, other than a predicted negligible (2 decibel) increase in maximum noise levels at one location. The assessment process involved expert acoustic engineers that verified the new aircraft will not generate a discernible increase in noise for the surrounding community.

Complaints Register for 2022 - 2023 to date

If you have any questions or would like to register a complaint about this transition, please call us on 9296 4962 or email us at [email protected].