Vessel Charters · Towage · Commercial Diving
Marine Support In Queensland
North Marine Capability Video 2022
Expert Marine Support Company in Australia for over 30 years
The Marine Contractor for Queensland
Receive high-quality results from experts in the industry.
North Marine is a leading marine support company based in the Port of Cairns in Queensland, Australia.
We provide a range of commercial marine solutions via our fleet of charter vessels.
These include, but are not limited to, tug & barge capabilities, shipping support, remote & offshore supply and in-water infrastructure services.
Furthermore, North Marine operates a specialised commercial diving department.
Headquarters are in Cairns City with a waterfront marine facility, North Wharf, in the Port of Cairns and an office in Mackay, QLD.
Our mission is to support your productivity – by providing safe and timely solutions.
Full insurances are in place for all operations, and we use ISO quality management systems and responsible environmental practices to deliver results. We can provide help with administrative approvals, planning and logistics.
All enquiries are managed punctually, and you’ll receive excellent communication every step of the way.
Marine Support Projects
May 11, 2022
Supply of Public Mooring & RPM Maintenance Services in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – QPWS
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, QLD Australia
North Marine installs & maintains public-use boat mooring infrastructure and reef protection markers throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Client: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) North Marine has held an SOA with QPWS since 2010 (formerly as ‘Tim North Marine’) – with the most recent SOA awarded in 2019. Scope of Work North Marine is a key contractor in the SOA to maintain public-use boat mooring infrastructure and reef protection markers for QPWS. Work is conducted throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, including the northern GBR, Whitsundays and southern GBR. Maintenance voyages are conducted two-to-three times annually by North Marine, on average. Change-out voyages occur every four years, where mooring components are completely replaced. (Mooring parts are fully replaced, with the exception of the embedded screw anchor). North Marine typically uses the workboat ‘Viking’ for maintenance voyages and the larger ‘Gulf Explorer’ for change-out trips. Maintenance voyages include cleaning, exchanging defective parts, recording conditions and providing photographic and written evidence reports. North Marine ensures adequate replacement parts are ready to deploy and accordingly dispose of, or return to QPWS, faulty/unused equipment. Importantly, North Marine fabricates moorings in-house and is a mooring component stockist. Being a local supplier reduces third-party costs to the client, and further minimises freight charges – resulting in budget savings. Mooring lines, with tackle, are fabricated in-house by our expert commercial diving department to exact specifications. An AMSA accredited Marine Surveyor routinely inspects fabricated mooring lines to ensure conformity with specifications. These logistically complex voyages involve extensive quality assurance, planning, reporting and compliance obligations. Critically, works are performed with minimal interruption to other reef users. As always, North Marine operates within all cultural and environmental controls set out by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), QPWS and applicable authorities. Deliverables Clean, inspect & conduct routine maintenance on public moorings Clean, inspect & conduct routine maintenance on RPMs Conduct mooring change-outs, inc. installation of new mooring components Fabricate mooring lines & tackle (in-house) Supply of mooring components as required in SOA – Including pickup lines, buoy lanyards, rated shackles, thimbles, swivels, split-pins, riser buoys, line, ballast chains etc. Maintenance reporting across all assets – written & photographic Government Supplier – Local Contractor North Marine North Marine is a prominent Queensland marine contracting company based in the Port of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering maritime support to the public sector – including numerous Government agencies and local councils. Most notable is this SOA with Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS), which North Marine has held on a recurring basis since 2010, and a long-term contract as a supplier to the Bureau of Meteorology’s remote weather stations in the South Pacific. Furthermore, North Marine has excellent contractor relationships with MSQ and Ports North – See ‘Case Studies’ for more examples. Discriminators Established track record of Government contracting Environmental, ethical & socially aware company Extensive history of operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Local SME business using a local FNQ workforce Able to deliver all project objectives with value for money In-house rope fabrication & local mooring parts stockist reduces third-party costs & freight costs, resulting in savings Adept at delivering logistically complex and remote projects A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works ISO accredited Experienced project managers and key personnel Outcome North Marine has successfully completed every voyage since 2010 (with the most recent SOA awarded in 2019). Contracted SOA objectives, reporting and compliance are delivered in full, on time and within budget. Download Case Study About Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is a branch of the State of Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES). Public Moorings & Reef Protection Markers Public moorings exist throughout the Great Barrier Reef region to reduce coral damage from vessel anchors. Reef protection markers primarily outline a reef protection area, where the use of vessel anchors is prohibited. Public moorings are available to all reef users. They are coded to indicate the class of vessel they may hold (vessel length), the time they can be used, and the maximum wind strengths, as applicable to each mooring. Click here to learn more about public-use moorings on the Great Barrier Reef.
April 17, 2022
Offshore Re-Supply Charter – Bureau of Meteorology
Willis Island Bureau of Meteorology Office, Coral Sea, Australia
As a supplier to the Queensland government, North Marine is contracted to perform the offshore supply voyage for the remote weather station at Willis Island since 2014. Client: Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Scope of Work The 6-monthly resupply voyage includes a complete changeover of BOM staff, transport of tradespeople, freight, food, equipment and fuel to the Bureau’s offshore facility located at Willis Island, 450km east of Cairns, in the Coral Sea. North Marine has completed the contract every six months since 2014, ongoing, with additional ’emergency mobilisation’ voyages provided when required. The logistically complex voyages include extensive planning with BOM and customs, performance reporting, biosecurity, and compliance with quarantine requirements. The resupply voyage takes approx nine days to complete, with additional ample time for consultation and planning before departure for each trip. The voyage necessitates North Marine’s charter vessels – the Gulf Explorer, an accompanying passenger vessel and multiple tender boats. Considerations: Among the many complexities of the offshore supply voyage are: Weather and tidal considerations: Tidal limitations make access to the island restricted to a certain time of the month. This is compounded by the large variations in Queensland weather, which further constrict voyage dates. The geology of the island: Aside from the logistics of transporting large amounts of cargo and fuel to a remote location – the island itself is logistically challenging, with steep slopes of sand to transfer goods across. Transfer of tradespeople and bureau staff who are not accustomed to long voyages at sea (often in non-ideal weather). Each voyage transfers approximately ten (often more) passengers to and from the island. This includes a changeover of meteorology staff who live and work on the island, and tradespeople who perform work for the duration of the trip. Each voyage requires many different pieces of machinery and equipment. While many items for transport remain the same on each voyage (multiple types of fuel, weather balloons, food etc) – each voyage will have additional cargo that changes from trip to trip. For example, previous items have included bulk roofing and building materials, ride-on lawnmowers etc Government Supplier – Local Contractor North Marine North Marine is a prominent marine contractor company based in the Port of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering maritime support services to Government agencies and the public sector. Most notable is this long-term supplier role with the Bureau of Meteorology and North Marine’s long-term, recurring contract to maintain public moorings throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS). Furthermore, North Marine frequently works with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and local councils on various tenders – see ‘case studies’ for additional examples. Discriminators Local SME marine business in Cairns, Queensland Extensive track record of Government contracting Adept at performing logistically complex projects Local FNQ workforce A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Established working with border force & customs Hold necessary permits Experienced management & capable personnel throughout the company Ethically, environmentally & socially aware supplier Outcome North Marine has successfully completed every voyage since 2014. Contracted objectives, reporting and compliance, have always been delivered in full, on time and within budget. Download Case Study About the Client – Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is an agency of the Australian Government that provides access to information about Australian weather, climate and the natural environment via forecasts, monitoring and research.
November 9, 2021
Charleston Dam Water Supply Infrastructure, Rural Queensland
Savannah Gulf Region of Queensland, Australia
North Marine is contracted to install Charleston Dam water supply infrastructure for the tender “Water Infrastructure Works – Installation Phase”, by Etheridge Shire Council, rural QLD. Client: Etheridge Shire Council, Queensland Scope of Work Charleston Dam provides water to the townships of Forsayth and Georgetown in Queensland. The dam is located approximately 400km southwest of Cairns (1,800km north-west of Brisbane). North Marine crew and commercial divers install water intake pipes, an electrical pump, four mooring systems and two pontoons to house the raw-water intake infrastructure, for the Charleston Dam. Additionally, water pipes are poly welded and groundcover pipe/electrical cable areas are trenched and filled over (approx 100meters) from the reservoir to the dam. North Marine was the primary contractor for this Tender, using sub-contractors for electrical and building/groundworks. North Marine’s commercial diving division managed all aspects of the infrastructure installation. Furthermore, they designed, fabricated and installed the pontoon mooring systems – comprised of mooring blocks, chains, and cable, per naval architect drawings. North Marine utilised workboat ‘Tin Duck’ and landing barge ‘Reef Safari’ on the Charleston Dam water infrastructure project. Deliverables Design, fabrication and installation of mooring systems for the pontoons – 1 x Main Pontoon, 1 x Pump Pontoon Installation of pontoons – 1 x Main Pontoon, 1 x Pump Pontoon Installation of the raw water intake pipe – including poly-welding, installation of pipe floats (water) and pipe protection earthworks (land) Installation of electrical cable Electrical trenching – land area Co-ordinating all sub-contractors, as necessary Transporting bulk equipment from Cairns to the worksite Considerations Environmental management, including erosion, sediment control and operating within the ‘Environmental and Cultural Heritage Protection’ requirements, was critical. The logistically complex project included managing multiple sub-contractors and transporting bulk equipment from Cairns to the remote region. This included the new pontoon installations and North Marine workboats. The pontoons were manufactured in Cairns by English Engineering. The client sought a contractor who could deliver all project objectives with a keen eye on value for money. With much experience operating within remote regions, coordinating sub-contractors efficiently and utilising local providers and workforce, North Marine is able to execute on all fronts. Government Supplier – Local Contractor North Marine North Marine is a prominent marine contractor company based in the Port of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering maritime support to the public sector – including Councils and Government agencies. Most notably, North Marine holds long-term, recurring contracts with Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS) and the Bureau of Meteorology. – See ‘Case Studies’ for more examples. Discriminators Extensive track record of Government contracting Environmentally & socially aware company – with experience operating in the ‘Environmental and Cultural Heritage Protection’ requirements Adept at delivering logistically complex and/or remote projects A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Local SME business using a local FNQ workforce ISO Accredited Experienced project managers and key personnel Established at co-ordinating sub-contractors Able to deliver all project objectives with value for money Outcome North Marine successfully completed the contract with all project objectives delivered in full, on time and within budget. All deliverables were met without incident. North Marine’s experienced Project Managers achieved the best results for the Etheridge Shire Council and its stakeholders. Download Case Study Arial Map of Water Supply Installation Worksite at Charleston Dam The map demonstrates the North Marine installation works area – From the water holding tank on the left to the pump pontoon on the right. About the Charleston Dam, in Queensland Australia The Etheridge Shire Council constructed the Charleston Dam to provide town water supply to the townships of Forsayth and Georgetown. It is located on the Delaney River in the remote Savannah Gulf Region of Queensland, Australia. The area is considered an important cultural heritage site, and the dam has an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) in place. The planning process for the dam’s development has taken place in communication with the Traditional Owners of the land – the Ewamian People. In addition to town water, the dam is used recreationally by locals. Learn more about the Etheridge Shire Council and the Charleston Dam here.
September 22, 2021
Navigational Aid Inspection & Thickness Testing in the Ports of Cairns & Weipa
Port of Cairns - Port of Weipa, Queensland, Australia
North Marine is an FNQ local supplier contracted to deliver ‘navigational aid thickness testing’ on channel piles in the Port of Cairns and Port of Weipa. Client: Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is a branch of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Scope of Work North Marine was engaged to deliver steel thickness testing on the FNQ navigational aid piles in the Ports of Cairns and Weipa for MSQ. Crew and commercial divers on SSBA conduct ultrasonic thickness test readings and visual inspections of 12 navigational piles. The methodology includes comprehensive assessment and data recording at established points on each pile, photography and cleaning of the sites. Critically, works are conducted without interfering with shipping movements or traffic in the area. Government Supplier – Local Contractor North Marine North Marine is a prominent marine contractor company based in the Port of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering maritime support services to Government agencies and the public sector. Most notably, North Marine holds long-term, recurring contracts to maintain public moorings throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS) and has a long-term supplier role with the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM’s) remote weather stations in the Pacific. Discriminators Local SME marine business in Cairns, Queensland Local FNQ workforce Extensive track record of Government contracting A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Waterfront marine facility in Port of Cairns as the operational base Experienced divers & project managers Ethically, environmentally & socially aware contractor Outcome North Marine successfully completed the contract tender with all project objectives and reporting delivered in full, on time and within budget. Download Case Study Chart Map of Navigational Aid Inspection Sites – Port of Cairns Map of Cairns channel pile markers – aid to navigation in the Port of Cairns sites for inspection & UT testing by North Marine, commercial diving contractor. Chart Map of Navigational Aid Inspection Sites – Port of Weipa Map of Weipa channel pile markers – aid to navigation in the Port of Weipa sites for inspection & UT testing by North Marine, commercial diving contractor.
August 31, 2021
Pipeline Tow from the Port of Cairns, FNQ to Upstart Bay, Central QLD for Hall Contracting
Tow from Port of Cairns, FNQ to Upstart Bay, Central Queensland
North Marine’s tugboat ‘Gulf Explorer’ traversed the Great Barrier Reef to deliver nine x 200-meter HDPE dredging pipelines from the Port of Cairns in FNQ to Upstart Bay, Central QLD. Client: Hall Contracting The largest privately-owned civil and marine construction company in Australia. Scope of Work North Marine delivered nine x 200-meter HDPE dredging pipelines from the Port of Cairns in FNQ to Upstart Bay in Central QLD. Specialist cradle brackets were provided for the voyage and installed in-house by North Marine’s welding department, to tow the lengths of pipe from Cairns Port to Upstart Bay on the mouth of the Burdekin River in Central QLD. These brackets secured the positively buoyant pipelines to the aft gunwale of the tug. Securing the cargo in this manner reduced drag and limited the ‘snaking’ effect of the pipes as the charter navigated through the Great Barrier Reef. North Marine is well established in conducting extended marine towage assignments throughout the Pacific. Communication between all parties was critical to this operation’s success. North Marine’s excellent working relationship with Reef VTS and other authorities proved invaluable in delivering a seamless service to the client. Considerations The dredging pipelines are an integral part of Hall Contractring’s dredging operations. The client sought a contractor who could deliver all project objectives with time sensitivity front of mind, as well as providing value for money. Working within the environmental controls of the Great Barrier Reef, as always, is a critical consideration and something that North Marine is highly established in. North Marine can execute on all fronts, with a lot of experience operating in the GBR Marine Park, using local providers, workforce and in-house tradespeople for the bracket welding work. Workboat Charter Company – North Marine North Marine is a prominent marine support contractor based in the Port of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering maritime support to private commercial companies and Government agencies. Our fleet of vessels can perform a wide range of assignments – including harbour towage, long-range towage, tug and barge combinations, with a further variety of workboats for charter – See ‘Case Studies’ for more examples. Discriminators Waterfront marine facility in the Port of Cairns Expert regional knowledge and experienced towing through the Great Barrier Reef Good working relationship with Reef VTS & other applicable authorities Hold necessary operational permits with GBRMPA and established operating within their environmental controls In-house tradespeople for vessel adaptations add cost-effectiveness – welding cradle brackets Adept at delivering logistically complex and remote projects A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Local SME business using a local FNQ workforce ISO Accredited Experienced project managers and key personnel Able to deliver all project objectives with value for money Outcome North Marine successfully completed the contract with all project objectives delivered in full, on time and within budget. Deliverables were met without incident. North Marine’s experienced Project Managers achieved the best results for the client, and since have performed other marine towage assignments for Hall Contracting. Download Case Study About the Client – Hall Contracting, Tow from the Port of Cairns Hall Contracting is Australia’s largest, privately-owned dredging, civil and marine contracting company. Based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, it also has offices in South East Asia and the Pacific Islands. Molongle Creek Dredging Works Hall Contracting was awarded the Department of Transport and Main Roads contract to dredge Molongle Creek and provide safer all-tide access to vessels in the area. North Marine has performed multiple tugboat assignments for Hall Contracting, both to and from the Port of Cairns to Molongle Creek in Upstart Bay, Central Queensland. Read more about the Molongle Creek dredging project here.
April 28, 2021
ROV Drone Underwater Inspection Services in Cairns Harbour, for Tropical Aviation
Cairns Harbour, Port of Cairns, Queensland, Australia
North Marine is engaged in inspecting underwater infrastructure in Cairns Harbour using our Seasam remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and assessing the client’s moorings. Client: Tropical Aviation Tropical Aviation operates seaplane tours in the Port of Cairns. Scope of Work North Marine is tasked to get reliable photographic and video evidence of the condition of underwater mooring infrastructure in the Cairns Harbour, for Tropical Aviation. The area is known for its large tidal movements and low levels of visibility in the water. The client required visual data on the infrastructure before deciding whether to proceed with further maintenance or to remove the moorings entirely. ROVs are both cost and time-effective for such underwater inspections. Furthermore, they provide heightened safety control measures by minimising the need for underwater dive inspections by personnel, in a potentially high-risk environment. Considerations Operating within the environmentally sensitive habitat of Trinity Inlet, Cairns Harbour, in a declared ‘Fish Habitat Area’ by the Department of Environment and Science (DES). Substantial tidal limitations; currents Turbid Water Risk management – Control measures for hazards such as marine fauna, crocodiles, bull sharks, sea snakes etc Underwater Inspection Services – North Marine North Marine is a prominent commercial diving company based in the Port of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. We have a long history of delivering maritime support services throughout Queensland and are widely considered a leader in the field of in-water inspection services. North Marine provides marine infrastructure support to Government agencies, large commercial enterprises and most tourism operators throughout northern Australia. We have an outstanding track record of service and delivery for underwater inspection services in Cairns. Discriminators State-of-the-art ROV technology, limiting diving time & cost Well established operating within the environmental controls & hazardous marine environment of Cairns Harbour and the Trinity Inlet Waterfront marine facility in Port of Cairns as an operational base for delivering underwater inspection services in Cairns Excellent working relationship with related authorities. In this instance, consultations included Ports North, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Applicable insurances and certifications A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Experienced divers & project managers First-rate Safety Management Systems, Diving Procedures and a dedicated Crocodile Management Plan ISO accredited Outcome North Marine successfully captured clear imagery in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The method used achieved the best outcomes for all related parties. Following the ROV inspection findings, the client chose to remove the mooring systems. Download Case Study
April 7, 2021
Tugboat Assist for Bulk Carrier’s Ocean Crossing in the Torres Strait
The Torres Strait,
Queensland, Australia
Scope of Work North Marine was tasked to provide a tugboat assist to a 180-meter, 25,000 gross-ton cargo bulk carrier, the ‘M.V. Funing’. Our charter tug assisted the bulk carrier’s voyage from Bligh Entrance through the Prince of Wales Channel, in Queensland’s Torres Strait. Project Brief – Tugboat Assist The North Marine tugboat ‘Gulf Explorer’ mobilised to the Torres Strait from the Port of Cairns, Queensland. From here, she assisted with the ship’s tug escort, taking up the stern tow position. An 80-meter super tug took up the forward tow position. The Gulf Explorer’s tug escort voyage involved transiting through a narrow passage of the Great Barrier Reef. Commencing at Bligh Entrance, near Bramble Cay, the tow assist passed via the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait. The Gulf Explorer’s role is to assist the bulk carrier in holding straight throughout the voyage, limiting yawing during the ocean crossing. Project Outcome The M.V Funning made its transit safely and on schedule. The crossing was successful with no delays.
January 28, 2021
Vessel Evacuation from Cairns Marlin Marina | Severe Weather Cyclone Warning
Cairns Marlin Marina, Queensland
Marina Evacuation Assistance Of Cairns Port During Cyclone Warning Watch as vessels are evacuated to safer moorings up Trinity Inlet, from Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns Port. The severe weather warning issued for the impending Tropical Cyclone Kimi saw “all hands on deck” as the crew of North Marine assisted vessels to brace for the storm. Crews worked into the night and the following day to tow boats and barges from the Cairns Marina. Learn about preparing for a cyclone or severe weather in the Port of Cairns, by visiting our page: Is Your Vessel Cyclone Ready? Video Of Cairns Marina Evacuation – Tropical Cyclone Kimi In this video, see the North Marine tugboat in Cairns, ‘Gulf Explorer’, followed by workboat ‘Viking’, maneuvering the red barge away from the wharf to a protected cyclone mooring further upstream. This incredible video was captured by Jim Bradley, of Edge Smartech. Tropical Cyclone – False Alarm As severe weather is not uncommon in Far North Queensland, marina users are familiar with marina evacuations. Fortunately, this time, the unpredictable Tropical Cyclone Kimi decided to avoid the shore. During a tropical cyclone weather warning, users of the Cairns marina must adhere to the Cairns Regional Harbour Master’s directives. Extreme Weather Warning – Red alert for vessels in the Port of Cairns When the Regional Harbour Master issues a ‘Red Alert’, destructive winds are forecast, and the port is closed. Directions during extreme weather events and emergencies are laid out in the ‘Port of Cairns Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan’, available from Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ). » Cairns Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan 2021/2022 (PDF) Visit the Bureau Of Meteorology for Cairns Queensland Weather Updates Where severe weather is concerned, preparation is key. Marine weather forecasts are generally accurate when predicting major weather events such as tropical cyclones, but can be less accurate when predicting local severe weather such as high winds, storms and surge. Being prepared is essential to ensuring the safety of your vessel/s. Prepare your vessel for severe weather well in advance and have a cyclone mooring installation ready to go and well maintained as a safe harbour. Visit the Bureau of Meteorology website for up to date forecasts on marine weather conditions, tidal conditions, wind and coastal warnings. BOM Website Harbour Evacuation Assistance – Vessel Relocation Service to Far North Queensland North Marine is a Cairns-based, marine services company. We offer vessel relocation services, including harbour evacuation assistance to Far North Queensland vessel owners. If you may require your vessel to be relocated in the event of a mandatory harbour evacuation order, North Marine can assist. Please contact us if you need assistance or towage of your vessel. In the event of a harbour evacuation, if you direct us to do so, we can help you move your vessel safely to your preferred location. Contact Visit these pages for more information on North Marine services Marine Services Harbour Towage Cyclone Mooring Installation * Banner photograph, courtesy of Ports North
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