Pilot Information

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:

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).

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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).

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