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On this page, find important information for Pilots, Masters and Pilot Exempt Masters relating to:

  • Pilotage Exemptions
  • Passage Plans
  • Waypoints and
  • Towage Vessels

If you require any further information or assistance,
please contact Flinders Ports on +61 8 8447 0611.

Pilotage Exemptions

Flinders Ports is responsible for the safe navigation of commercial vessels in all Flinders Ports owned ports.

Masters wanting to obtain a pilotage exemption for any Flinders Ports port will need to comply with Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) requirements and necessary examinations, including:

  • Complete trips as required within a 12-month period and necessary check pilotage(s)
  • Complete a Questionnaire and Exemption Chart under Pilot supervision
  • Provide evidence of current medical fitness to a specified standard 
  • Demonstrate familiarity with Flinders Ports regulations and port operating procedures, tug rules, vocabulary, etc
  • Submit appropriate application forms obtained from DIT

The exemption certificate will nominate a certain vessel or class of vessel.

Candidates are to contact Flinders Ports to arrange a time with a Flinders Ports Pilot to undertake the assessment. Flinders Ports will generate a letter of recommendation to DIT and the pilot exemption certificate will be approved.

Flinders Ports Marine Pilotage Exemption Procedure

Passage Plans

Download a Passage Plan

Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide M Berth (Chinese Translation)

Klein Point

Port Pirie

Port Lincoln

Port Giles

Thevenard

Spencer Gulf

Port Bonython

Ardrossan

Waypoints

The below tables are the waypoints used by Flinders Ports pilots for entry and exit from Port Adelaide. These are the waypoints for an ECDIS system. The pilot will select from one of the three possible routes for arrival and departure.

Masters of ships are encouraged to use these waypoints for passage planning purposes. The waypoints must be entered accurately and in particular the turn radius is important to show the track that the vessel is expected to take.

The pilot will discuss with the master the best route on each occasion, however masters can expect the following:

  • Vessels going to any of the Outer Harbor berths with a draft over 11 meters should plan to use the Adelaide Entry 14.2 meter route.
  • Vessels going to any of the Outer Harbor berths with drafts between 9 and 11 meters should plan to use the Adelaide Entry 12 Meter route to waypoint 6.
  • Vessels going to or from any of the Inner harbor berths (18 to 20, 27, 29, H, M, Osborne) should plan to use the Adelaide Entry 10 meter route.icon-cir

Waypoints for Adelaide Entry (14.2 meter passage)

Use these waypoints for ships entering the channel at the Entrance Beacon. Normally ships with a draft of over 11 meters (plus allowance for tide).

Waypoint numberWaypoint nameLatLongTurn radiusSpeed to next waypoint
0Pilot Boarding Ground34 49.0 S138 20.0 EFull ahead
1Front Lead34 47.05728 S138 21.73939 E1800 mFull Ahead
2Entrance Beacon34 46.84868 S138 22.39711 E1800 mFull Ahead
3Number 2 Leads34 47.56338 S138 26.75798 E3700 m12 knots
4Breakwater34 47.39804 S138 27.67398 E1800 m10 knots
5Signal Station34 46.97619 S138 28.56627 E1800 m7 knots
65 Swinging Basin34 46.05498 S138 29.21115 E

Waypoints must be entered into an ECDIS system accurately. Turn Radius must be entered accurately to show the correct turn radii for the passage, and the passage around the bends.

Waypoints for Adelaide Entry (12 meter passage)

Use these waypoints for vessels expecting to enter the channel at number 5 beacon. Normally for vessels with drafts between 9 and 11 meters (plus an allowance for tide).

Waypoint numberWaypoint nameLatLongTurn radiusSpeed to next waypoint
0Pilot Boarding Ground 34 49.0 S138 20.0 EFull ahead
112 Meter Passage34 47.166 S138 22.73703 E1800 mFull Ahead
2Number 5 Beacon34 47.166 S138 24.33834 E1800 mFull Ahead
3Number 2 Leads34 47.56338 S138 26.75798 E3700 m12 knots
4Breakwater34 47.39804 S138 27.67398 E1800 m10 knots
5Signal Station34 46.97619 S138 28.56627 E1800 m7 knots
65 Swinging Basin34 46.05498 S138 29.21115 E

Waypoints must be entered into an ECDIS system accurately. Turn Radius must be entered accurately to show the correct turn radii for the passage, and the passage around the bends.

Waypoints for Adelaide Entry (10 meter passage)

Use these waypoints for any vessel expecting to enter the channel between beacons 9 and 11. Normally for vessels with drafts less than 9 meters (plus an allowance for tide) and vessels transiting to Port Adelaide (Inner Harbor).

Waypoint numberWaypoint nameLatLongTurn radiusSpeed to next waypoint
0Pilot Boarding Ground 34 49.0 S138 20.0 EFull ahead
110 Meter Channel34 47.51618 S138 24.79393 E1800 mFull Ahead
2Number 2 Leads34 47.50255 S138 27.09494 E1800 m12 knots
3Breakwater34 47.39804 S138 27.67398 E1800 m10 knots
4Signal Station34 46.97619 S138 28.56627 E1800 m7 knots
55 Swinging Basin34 46.14790 S138 29.14623 E1800 m7 knots
6Pelican Point34 45.45971 S138 30.17434 E1440 m7 knots
7Snapper Point34 46.02799 S138 31.13881 E1090 m7 knots
8Osborne34 47.85258 S138 30.70688 E1800 m7 knots
9North Arm34 48.87187 S138 30.87989 E2500 m7 knots
1027 Berth34 49.64776 S138 30.48673 E1800 m4 knots
112 Swinging Basin34 50.17011 S138 30.44309 E

Waypoints must be entered into an ECDIS system accurately. Turn Radius must be entered accurately to show the correct turn radii for the passage, and the passage around the bends.

Swinging Basin Guidelines

This information is to assist masters and Navigation officers when preparing passage plans. Variations may be required based on pilots advice.

Vessels up to 265 meters LOA can swing in number 6 swinging basin immediately off the passenger terminal at number 2 berth. Number 6 swinging basin is 410m wide but some depths are not entirely assured and hence local knowledge is required. Vessels which can safely navigate the 10 meter passage can be safely swung in this area.

Vessels between 265 meters and 350m LOA (and all vessels going to Outer Harbor berths 6,7 and 8) should swing in number 5 swinging basin immediately off number 6 berth, which provides a larger area, known current conditions, and consistent and maintained depths. Number 5 swinging basin is 560 meters wide. Ships with sufficient bow thrusters, pods, suitable twin screw or sufficient tugs may swing either direction. During strong tides  the tide will assist the swing bow to port on a flood tide and bow to starboard on an ebb tide.

Number 4 swinging area (off Osborne) is suitable for vessels up to LOA 183 meter. Vessels normally swing on arrival bow to starboard. Vessels that swing on departure can swing either way but normally bow to port.

Number 3 swinging area is 330 meters across. Ships up to 206 meters can swing either way. The largest ships swung in this area are panamax (228 meter).

Pilot Ladder and Boarding Arrangements

Flinders Ports Pilot Ladder & Boarding information

Transfer by Pilot boat notice

Pilot Ladder Checklist

Towage Vessels for Flinders Ports in South Australia

Flinders Ports utilises a fleet of reliable towage vessel from Svitzer Australia and Port Lincoln Tugs at its ports.

Tug Orders Vocabulary in all South Australian Ports

Tug Safety in Australian Ports

Home PortTug NameYear BuiltLOA (metres)M/E PowerBollard PullPropellers / TypeCompanyRemarks
Port AdelaideBarunga200324.552X 2100 kW63mt astern 70mt ahead2X Z-peller Azimuth stern driveSvitzerFire fighting equipped
Port AdelaideSvitzer Heron201231.572X 1838 kW65mt astern 65mt ahead2 / Z-peller Azimuth stern driveSvitzerEmergency Tow (AMSA) & FiFi1
Port AdelaideSL Endeavour201024.472X 2100 kW63mt astern
70mt ahead
2X Z-peller Azimuth stern driveSvitzerFire fighting equipped
Port AdelaideSheringa198531.952X 1342kW47mt ahead
45mt astern
2 / Z-peller Azimuth stern drivePLTEmergency Tow (Salvage) & FiFi1 harbour towage
Ardrossan
WallarooTickera197628.982X 1250 bhp42t2 nozzles (steerable) PLTHarbour towage
Port PirieWonga198332.172X 1300 bhp48mt ahead
47mt astern
2X Z-peller
Azimuth stern drive
SvitzerFire fighting equipped
Port PirieSvitzer Ginga 200630.002X 55mt ahead
52mt astern

2X Z-peller
SvitzerFiFi equipped
Port PirieSvitzer Larrakia 200630.002X 1685kW55mt ahead2X Z-pellerSvitzerFiFi equipped
WhyallaEngage Crusader 198633.562 x 1343kW44.75 tonnes Astern, 48.5 tonnes ahead
2X Z-peller
Azimuth stern drive
Engage Barging/Harbour towage
WhyallaEngage Vanquish200527.73X 1323kW57.9mt ahead
58.8mt astern
3X Z-peller
Azimuth tractor drive
EngageBarging & harbour towage Fifi equipped
WhyallaEngage Vanguard 200527.73X 1323kW57.9mt ahead
58.8mt astern

3X Z-peller
Azimuth tractor drive
EngageBarging & harbour towage Fifi equipped
WhyallaEngage Challenger 201027.92X 1323kW49.3mt ahead
45.8mt astern
2 X Azimuth stern drive EngageBarging & harbour towage Fifi equipped
Whyalla ASD Aquilion202046.002X 2237kW80mt ahead 72.8mt astern2 X Azimuth stern drive Engage Barging & harbour towage Fifi 1 equipped
Port LincolnBulimba1979292X 1250 bhp41t2 / nozzles (steerable)PLTSupplementary '2nd' tug / fire fighting equipped
Port LincolnKimba 198923.951938kw30t2X Z-pellerPLTTemp support prior relocation interstate
Port LincolnWyong 199232.002X 1800 hp48Twin azimuthPLTHarbour towage
ThevenardPelsaert198723.952382hp30t2X Z-pellerPLTSupplementary '2nd' tug
ThevenardCarawa198723.882382hp30t2 X Z-pellerPLTPrimary tug

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