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- Approaches (position & depth of water).
- Anchorages
- Weather conditions
- Tidal conditions
- Communications
The port facilities are situated in sheltered waters and experience only slight seas and occasional northerly swell in the summer months. During cyclone season, Mermaid Sound may experience up to 2 metre seas.
| Sea buoy position is: | lat 20º 25’ 30”S long 116º 42’ 55.2”E |
| Racon characteristics: | (M) (3 & 10cms) |
| Minimum approach depth to anchorages is: | 26m |
| Minimum approach depth to Sea buoy is: | 20m |
Vessels not berthing on arrival will be directed via their agents to anchor in the “Western Anchorage” (minimum depth 26.5m) or in the case of tankers or vessels carrying hazardous cargo the “Eastern Anchorage” (minimum depth 29.0m). Designated anchor positions are shown on charts AUS 57 and 58.
Vessels manoeuvring within Port Limits outside these designated anchorage areas may require a pilot.
The Port of Dampier is located in a hot, arid region with a monthly average noon day temperature of 39ºC in the summer and individual temperatures of 49ºC and above can be reached.
The average rainfall is 230mm.
The prevailing winds are easterly in winter and south westerly in summer. The winds can blow for sustained periods more than 20 knots.
The Port is located within the cyclone belt and experience an average of three cyclones per year. The cyclone season usually lasts from 1 November to 30 April. These storms can be intense with recorded wind speeds greater than 250km/hr and a central pressure as low as 905 MB.
The tides within the Port of Dampier are semi-diurnal, with a marked daily inequality between successive tidal ranges.
Tidal streams within the Port are generally weak with a maximum rate of about 1 knot at spring tides. The Datum in the port is LAT (lowest astronomical tide).
The tidal flow has minimal effect on the berthing areas. Spring tides flood to the south and are weak reaching less than one knot.
Spring: 5.3m
Neaps: 3.2m
Mean Sea Level: 2.7 LAT
Radio Communications and Phone Contact
| channel 11: | Main port working frequency |
| channel 16: | Distress and calling (vessels within Port limits must maintain continuous watch on this frequency) |
| channel 72: | Ship to ship |
| channel 82: | Woodside radio (continuous watch) |
| channels 13 and 68: | Pilot working channels (Pilbara Iron and Dampier Salt Limited only) |
| 27.88 megahertz: | Monitoring operations |
| Telephone: | (08) 9159 6556 |
| Facsimile: | (08) 9159 6558 |
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