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22 Feb 2019 / Southern Queensland/Northern New South Wales, Australia

Cyclone weakened but forecast to strengthen again

Tropical Cyclone Oma has weakened to Category 1 but is forecast to strengthen back to category 2 today (Friday 22 February). It is expected to continue moving in a generally south to southwesterly direction today and tomorrow, becoming slow moving to the north during Saturday and remaining offshore through the weekend and early next week.

Abnormally high tides and dangerous surf conditions are expected along the southern Queensland coast over the next few days and into early next week. Seas and swell are already increasing well ahead of the approach of Oma with dangerous surf about the east coast extending from far northern New South Wales northwards to Seventeen Seventy, just north of Bundaberg. Beach erosion is likely to continue with the hazardous marine conditions.

A Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf is current, as well as a Hazardous Surf Warning.

Gale force winds, with gusts greater than 90km/hr, are expected to develop along exposed coastal areas of southern Queensland today well ahead of Oma. Gale force winds are also possible about elevated terrain near the New South Wales border. Gales may extend into coastal parts of far northern New South Wales tomorrow.

GLADSTONE:
A cyclone watch has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for the Gladstone Region from Bundaberg to Double Island Point. The Southern Gladstone Region from Round Hill to Double Islands Point has now moved to BLUE ALERT STATUS with effect from 1600 local time Thursday 21 February 2019 (211600K FEB 19). Mariners, marine organisations and other interested parties in the Southern Gladstone Region should consult the Gladstone Region Extreme Weather Contingency Plan (https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/maritime-safety-extreme-weather-contingency-plans/resource/aa6cfe06-c22b-4c82-93a0-e5e0828d42f6 ). The Cyclone Watch is expected to expand to include the remainder of the Gladstone Region in the coming days.
At this time, it is business as usual for ports in the region, although a cruise ship visit to Kingfisher Bay in the Maryborough Pilotage Area today and one to Gladstone tomorrow have been cancelled as a precaution. Measures are in place as follows:
- Vessels at anchor to bring their main engines to standby, ballast down and be prepared to depart the anchorage at immediate notice.
- Vessels at berth are to run additional mooring lines and maintain a continuous watch on mooring lines.
- Vessels at berth are to be ready to cease cargo operations and depart the Port with little notice.
- Vessels directed to depart the Port and Anchorages are to ensure they proceed to sea and not remain within the confines of the Great Barrier Reef.

BRISBANE:
The port of Brisbane is experiencing severe weather conditions from the developing cyclone Oma. The Harbour Pilot’s suspended embarkations and disembarkation at the PBG at 19.28 hours local time last night (21 February) due to unsafe wind and swell conditions. Pilotage remains suspended due to unsafe conditions this morning.
The suspended pilotage service for vessels and expected strong winds over the weekend could create increased delay to vessels berthing prospects due to working through the backlog of vessels once pilotage in/out of the port is resumed.

For details and updates, as well as information about operations at Australian ports, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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