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At 7:00am AEST, Tropical Cyclone Iris was within 75 km of 19.0 deg. South, 150.3 deg. East, 210 km northeast of Hamilton Island and 265 km north northeast of Mackay, and moving south southeast at 8 km per hour. It has sustained winds near the centre of 95 km per hour with wind gusts to 130 km per hour.
The Category 2 tropical cyclone Iris is expected to continue on its current south-easterly track during today (4 April), while gradually weakening to category 1 intensity. Iris is currently forecast to weaken below tropical cyclone intensity and become slow-moving offshore of the Whitsunday Islands tomorrow (5 April), before adopting a track back towards the northwest as a tropical low during Friday.
Gales with damaging wind gusts in excess of 100 km per hour are occurring about the Whitsunday Islands, and may develop about remaining coastal and island communities between Bowen and St Lawrence, including Mackay, today. These gales may extend south to Yeppoon tonight. Heavy rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding, may develop about parts of the central Queensland coast today.
TOWNSVILLE
Operating as per normal with no impact predicted.
HAY POINT / ABBOT POINT / MACKAY / BOWEN / DALRYMPLE BAY
All movements at Hay Point have been suspended until further notice. No vessels are alongside.
All movements at Abbot Point have been suspended until further notice. No vessels are alongside. The terminal suspended all cargo train movements from 1200 yesterday until further notice. Coal will remain at the various coal mines stockpiles until further notice.
Berthing schedule of shipping movements has been suspended until further notice. Both Abbot Point and Hay Point anchorages are clear of vessels. NOR will not affected.
The Regional Harbour Master closed the Mackay and Hay Point Pilotage Areas from 1200 hours local time today (4 April). No ship movement is allowed after the closure. Ships returning to Hay Point anchorage after the re-opening of the pilotage area will be allocated the same anchorage positions before the closure.
The Regional Harbour Master declared the Pilotage Areas of Abbot Point and Bowen closed as of 1200 hours yesterday (3 April) and the port remains closed until further notice. The port may re-open either later today or tomorrow depending on the movement of Tropical Cyclone Iris.
All movements at Dalrymple Bay have been suspended until further notice. No vessels are alongside. The terminal has suspended all cargo train movements until further notice. Coal will remain at the various coal mines stockpiles until further notice.
GLADSTONE
A gale force wind warning is in effect from 0001 hours today (4 April) and is is expected to remain in force for the next 48 hours.
Vessels at anchor should be prepared to heave anchor and to proceed to sea if necessary or instructed to do so by VTS. Vessels are required to monitor their anchorage position and take appropriate action if they begin dragging their anchor. Vessels need to ensure that all hatches and vents are secure, and that crew maintain a sharp lookout.
Vessels alongside are instructed to double up and tighten mooring lines in preparation for the gale force winds approaching Gladstone. Vessels are to ensure that crew maintain a sharp lookout.
For information about operations at Australian ports contact GAC Australia at [email protected]