Barge Relocation Towge – Port of Brisbane to Skardon River, QLD

Port of Brisbane to Skardon River, Queensland, Australia

North Marine was engaged to conduct an urgent tow of a 70.3-meter cargo barge from the Port of Brisbane to Skardon River in Queensland, via Cairns. Client: TSA (Transhipment Services Australia) Scope of Work - Barge Towage: Brisbane to Skardon River in Queensland North Marine is well established at conducting extended marine tugboat assignments throughout the Pacific. The 1750-nautical-mile encumbered tow required pre-tow surveys, coastal pilotage and multi-port stops. As always, communication between all stakeholders was critical to a successful and efficient operation. This included planning and coordination with regulatory bodies, marine surveyors, insurance agents, pilot companies and the client. North Marine engaged local third-party workboats to assist with the outbound transit through the Port of Brisbane. Our excellent working relationship with the relevant authorities, marinas and industry partners prove invaluable in delivering a seamless service. Working within the environmental controls of the Great Barrier Reef is something that North Marine is highly established in. The tow was completed safely and without incident, despite challenging operating conditions. North Marine Discriminators: Barge Relocation in Queensland Expert regional knowledge and highly experienced at towing through the Great Barrier Reef Established working relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including AMSA, GBRMPA, MSQ, Reef VTS, pilot companies, insurance agents and marine surveyors. Hold necessary operational permits Adept at delivering logistically complex projects A fleet of suitable towage vessels to perform works Local SME business using a local Queensland 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 project requirements delivered in full, on time & on budget. Download Case Study   North Marine - Trusted Marine Contractor in Queensland, Australia North Marine is a prominent marine support company based in the Port of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering marine tugboat services to the private/commercial sector and vessel insurance providers.

Airlie Beach, Whitsundays to Townsville, Queensland

North Marine was engaged to tow the vessel 'Casabella' from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach to the slip at Rosshaven Marine in Townsville, QLD. Client: Australian Marine Consultants (AUSCON) » Insurance Agent Scope of Work - Towage of Vessel: Whitsundays to Townsville North Marine is well established at conducting extended marine tugboat assignments throughout the Pacific. This 77-nautical-mile voyage required planning and consultation with insurance agents, regulatory bodies, marine surveyors and the receiving slipway. The 'dead ship' tow was manned as the vessel's bilges required monitoring. As a precautionary request by the agent, North Marine arranged three pumps to be onboard the vessel. Once in Townsville, North Marine coordinated two, local third-party workboats to assist in maneuvering the vessel into the slipway cradle. As always, communication between all stakeholders was critical to success. North Marine's excellent working relationship with the relevant authorities and marinas proved invaluable in delivering a seamless service to the client. The tow was completed safely and without incident, despite challenging operating conditions. Working within the environmental controls of the Great Barrier Reef is something that North Marine is highly established in. North Marine Discriminators: Boat Towage for Marine Insurers in Queensland Expert regional knowledge and highly experienced at towing through the Great Barrier Reef Established working relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including insurance agents, GBRMPA, MSQ, AMSA, Reef VTS, Coral Sea Marina and the marine surveyors. Hold necessary operational permits Adept at delivering logistically complex projects A fleet of suitable towage vessels to perform works Local SME business using a local Queensland 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 project requirements delivered in full, on time & on budget. Download Case Study   North Marine - Trusted Marine Contractor in Queensland, Australia North Marine is a prominent marine support company based in the Port of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering marine tugboat services to the private/commercial sector and vessel insurance providers.

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. 

The Torres Strait,
Queensland, Australia

Scope of Work North Marine provided 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 the Torres Strait, Queensland. Project Brief - Tugboat Assist in Torres Strait The North Marine tugboat 'Gulf Explorer' mobilised to the Torres Strait from the Port of Cairns, Queensland. She assisted with the ship's tug escort from here, taking up the stern tow position. An 80-meter super tug took 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 and limit yawing during the narrow ocean crossing. Project Outcome The bulk carrier M.V. Funning made its transit safely and on schedule. The crossing was successful with no delays.

Green Island Jetty, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

North Marine is contracted to provide logistical marine support to SRG Global during the Green Island Jetty Refurbishment project. Client: SRG Global.  SRG Global is a specialist construction, maintenance and mining services company. SRG was engaged to fulfil the Ports North tender for the extensive Green Island Jetty refurbishment and upgrade project. (See more about this project below). Scope of Work North Marine crew and vessels are engaged to transport plant and equipment to Green Island, on the Great Barrier Reef, approximately 27km from the Port of Cairns. The provision of marine support includes a tug and barge transporting 11 modular wharf platforms, the towage of two punt barges from the worksite, transfer of tradespeople and maritime consultancy services. SRG sought North Marine's recommendations and consultancy advice due to the nature and location of the works. North Marine has extensive regional knowledge, experience in Government marine contracting and operating within the Marine Park's sensitive environmental controls. Marine Support 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 marine support to private commercial enterprises and Government agencies. As part of its regular operations, North Marine provides marine services to commercial companies, including shipping, construction and tourism. Furthermore, North Marine holds long-term, recurring contracts to maintain public mooring infrastructure throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (QPWS), conducts work for Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) on various tenders, and has a long-term supplier role for the Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM's) remote weather station in the Pacific. » See 'Case Studies' for more examples. Discriminators Established at operating within the environmental controls for work both in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and in tidal zones A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Expert regional knowledge Marine consultancy services Hold all necessary operational permits with GBRMPA Waterfront marine facility in Port of Cairns Environmentally & socially aware company Experienced management & capable personnel Outcome North Marine successfully delivered the marine support with all project objectives delivered in full, on time and within budget.   Download Case Study   About the marine infrastructure project - Green Island jetty refurbishment SRG was engaged to complete an extensive refurbishment and upgrade to the Green Island Jetty, in 2020, by Ports North. Ports North is a Queensland Government-owned corporation that manages the Port of Cairns, Thursday Island, Cooktown, Skardon River, Cape Flattery, Karumba, Mourilyan, Quintell Beach and Burketown. They are responsible for maintaining the Green Island jetty infrastructure on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Substantial works to the jetty included: The removal, reinstatement and reinforcement of approximately 310 meters squared of concrete Maintenance and structural repair of 45 marine piles Construction of a temporary jetty, complete with water runoff catch and noise barriers Treatment or replacement of reinforcement bars & abutment The wharf upgrade required a logistically complex, temporary wharf platform to be suspended underneath the existing jetty to facilitate this marine infrastructure project. Considerations: The Green Island jetty is located 27 kilometres from the Port of Cairns, in a highly environmentally sensitive area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Significant environmental controls, planning and methodology were required to conduct the wharf infrastructure upgrades. Furthermore, the jetty is an operational facility that is essential to the tourism economy and industry in North Queensland. It is used by passenger ferries and tourism vessels on a daily basis. The resort at Green Island was temporarily closed for the refurbishment project, adding to the already time-sensitive considerations. Tidal restrictions were also prevalent during the project, with work underneath the existing wharf infrastructure limited to favourable tides. TropWATER Assessments - Green Island marine infrastructure project As part of the planning and methodology for the jetty refurbishment at Green Island, a 'Marnie Plant Impact' assessment was conducted, as well as a 'Seagrass Baseline Assessment' and 'Seagrass Monitoring Plan' implemented. These assessments were conducted by the Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) at James Cook University (JCU).

Port of Cairns, Queensland, Australia

North Marine is engaged to project manage the removal, towage and re-installation of marine infrastructure for GBR Helicopters - from the Port of Cairns 'pier' location - to undergo a refit. Client: GBR Helicopters GBR Helicopters forms part of the Morris Aviation Group, which collectively forms the largest helicopter fleet in Northern Australia. Scope of Work North Marine project managed the complete removal, towage and re-installation of helipad infrastructure from the Port of Cairns 'Pier' location, for GBR Helicopters. The project encompassed two 16-meter by 8-meter helipad pontoons, support brackets, struts, gangways, etc. After dismantling the marine plant & equipment, it was then transported by North Marine workboats 'Viking', 'Gulf Explorer' and 'Drogue', as well as by road, to the Norship slipway for refit. Following refurbishment, the helicopter infrastructure was reinstalled in its original location at the Cairns Pier. All works were conducted without interfering with vessel traffic in the area. Considerations Managing this marine infrastructure project presented numerous logistical challenges. Detailed planning and methodology covered: Working within the environmentally sensitive habitat of the Cairns Harbour and the tidal zone Time demands from stakeholders - Coordinating the importance of having operating infrastructure from GBR Helicopters, the slipway time constraints, the crane company time constraints, vessel availability and liaising with Ports North Substantial tidal limitations for crane and vessel access Operating restrictions set by the Port Authority   Marine Infrastructure Support Contractor - North Marine North Marine is a prominent marine infrastructure contractor based in the Port of Cairns in Queensland, Australia. North Marine has a long history of delivering maritime support services to the tourism industry and to private commercial enterprises, such as GBR Helicopters. North Marine provides marine infrastructure support to most tourism operators throughout Far North Queensland, with an outstanding track record of service and delivery. Discriminators Local SME marine company in North Queensland Established operating within environmentally sensitive habitats of Cairns Harbour & within tidal zones A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Waterfront marine facility in Port of Cairns as an operational base Experienced divers & project managers Local FNQ workforce Ethically, environmentally & socially aware contractor Outcome North Marine successfully completed the contract with all project objectives and stakeholder requirements delivered in full, on time and within budget. Download Case Study About GBR Helicopters As the name would suggest, GBR Helicopters offers tourism activities, namely spectacular scenic helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef. GBR Helicopters forms part of the Morris Aviation Group, which collectively forms the largest helicopter fleet in Northern Australia. Headquarters are located at Cairns Airport, with operations in Cairns, Darwin, Townsville, Horn Island and the Torres Strait.  

Great Barrier Reef to Cairns Harbour, Queensland, Australia

North Marine's tug boats and commercial divers are contracted to disconnect and tow Quicksilver's pontoon for routine maintenance, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Port of Cairns in Queensland. Client: Quicksilver Group - Great Adventures Scope of Work - Pontoon Towage to Cairns Port from Great Barrier Reef Annually, Quicksilver Group engage North Marine to disconnect, tow and re-install the pontoon tourist attraction. The 'Great Adventures Pontoon' leaves the Great Barrier Reef for a 37 nautical mile tow to Cairns Port for maintenance and refurbishment. North Marine's Commercial Diving Department disconnected and reconnected the pontoon from its secure mooring on the ocean floor as required - while the North Marine Tugboat crew towed the craft to/from the Port of Cairns. Upon completion of each refit, it is skilfully maneuvered back into place on the Great Barrier Reef. North Marine's charter tugboat 'Gulf Explorer' is utilised for the pontoon towage operation. Discriminators Most experienced reef pontoon installation company in Australia Environmentally & socially aware - adept at working in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland waterways and tidal zones A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Local SME business using a local FNQ workforce ISO accredited with first-rate Key Personnel Hold all required operating permits Excellent existing Stakeholder relationships   Outcome North Marine has successfully completed every pontoon disconnect, tow and re-installation - with all objectives delivered in full, on time and within budget. Download Case Study North Marine tugboat tows Great Barrier Reef Pontoon into Cairns Harbour Watch as the much-loved Quicksilver pontoon voyages past Cairns Marlin Marina and Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, up Trinity Inlet, in Far North Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef pontoon makes its journey with North Marine's tugboat around the same time every year.   An Australian icon – The Great Barrier Reef pontoon The much-loved tourist attraction hosts guests from all over the world. On an outer reef tour to the Quicksilver pontoon, passengers experience the very best of Australia’s Outer Great Barrier Reef – located in the heart of the Coral Sea –  where it resides for most of the year. Marine Tow To Cairns, Queensland When ready, the tug boat will return the Quicksilver pontoon to its home on the Great Barrier Reef. Ready for another wonderful season of snorkelling, scuba diving, boat tours and scenic helicopter flights. Following annual maintenance, North Marine's Commercial Diving Department will reinstall the Quicksilver Pontoon to its pride of place at the iconic ‘Norman Reef’, north of Cairns, QLD. Visit these pages for more information on North Marine services: Marine Services Marine Towage Services Tug Boat ‘Gulf Explorer’