Darwin Port prepared for worst as Fina to bring 6m waves and 50 know winds
Darwin Port ready for Fina as surfers set to hit the waves.
Surf boards across Darwin will hit the whitewater this weekend, with Darwin Harbour tipped to broil from the impacts of Cyclone Fina.
From metre high seas with 15 knot winds and a 0.5m swell on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting 6m waves, winds exceeding 48 knots and 6m swells on Saturday and Sunday, before conditions return to normal on Monday.
A storm force wind warning is currently in place for Darwin Harbour on Saturday.
At Darwin Port, chief executive officer Peter Dummett said before every Wet Season the cyclone plan was reviewed and, if necessary, updated.
“Early preparedness for a cyclone season forms part of the port’s culture and safety management framework based on our experiences with previous cyclone events,” Mr Dummett said.
“Darwin Port has been actively monitoring the potential of a formation of a tropical storm since the middle of last week through our various weather monitoring subscriptions and keeping employees and stakeholders informed accordingly.
“Darwin Port is a representative of the NT Local Emergency Command Committee that provides the latest state of readiness for a significant weather event like a tropical cyclone. “Strategic priorities are established like safeguarding critical fuel supplies and supply chains to remote communities as part of our tactical objectives.”
Mr Dummett said upon notification of a cyclone ‘advice’ warning, Darwin Port stands up its critical incident response team, to establish incident priorities to protect staff and stakeholders, as well as implement measures to minimise damage to critical infrastructure.
“Ship owners, operators and occupiers are kept informed of the emerging threats and measures taken to evacuate the port or provide safe refuge if required,” he said.
“Darwin Port will continue to make tactical decisions in collaboration with the LECC, our own Incident Management Team and advice by our regulators including the potential of closing the Port of Darwin if deemed necessary.”
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