With the impending arrival of the first LNG vessels into Gladstone Harbour, new Waterside Restricted Zones (WRZ) will soon be in place to ensure the safety and security of all personnel including recreational fishermen, LNG personnel and watercraft within the vicinity of an LNG vessel. A WRZ is an area of water where ships may berth, moor or anchor to which access is restricted and to which unauthorised entry is an offence.
The zone extends below the water level to the seabed and under any wharf adjacent to the zone. As the port operator, Gladstone Ports Corporation ( GPC ) is responsible for managing and enforcing Waterside Restricted Zones to meet standards set by the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 (MTOFSA). Commercial and recreational users are required to observe the new Waterside Restricted Zones at the LNG facilities on Curtis Island within the Port of Gladstone.
The first LNG vessel is expected to arrive at the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) facility later this month. The Waterside Restricted Zone at the QCLNG facility is an area of water that extends 220 metres from the seaward face of the wharf structure, 220 metres from its most northerly and southerly points and to landfall from its landside face. A WRZ will become active one hour prior to the arrival of an LNG vessel and will remain in force while the vessel is berthed at an LNG facility and until it departs 400m from the berth. A person or vessel must not enter, stop, or anchor within the Watersi de Restricted Zone unless authorised to do so by GPC.
GPC Safety, Environment & Risk General Manager, John Sherriff said there are serious consequences if a WRZ is breached. “ It is an offence for a person, vessel or thing to unlawfully enter a Waterside Restricted Zone when it is active. If you do, you may be prosecuted or receive anon - the - spot fine of up to $8,500,” Mr Sherriff said.