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  

Cairns Marlin Marina, Port of Cairns, Queensland

North Marine provides marina evacuation assistance in the Port of Cairns in the event of forecasted severe weather, tropical cyclones and closures directed by the Regional Harbour Master. Client:  Private, Commercial & Tourism Operators / Owners Scope of Work: Cairns Marlin Marina Evacuation Assistance When the Regional Harbour Master issues a ‘Red Alert’, destructive winds are forecast, and the Cairns Port is closed. Upon the Harbour Master's directive to evacuate Cairns Marlin Marina or other areas of Cairns Port, North Marine can be engaged to assist with relocating vessels to their designated area of shelter. Our workboats and crew can tow unmanned vessels, and assist those under power, in preparation for a Red Alert.  Additionally, North Marine inspects the condition of existing boat moorings and can install cyclone moorings in preparation for severe weather. 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 During Tropical Cyclone Kimi 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. In this video, see the North Marine tugboat in Cairns, ‘Gulf Explorer’, followed by workboat ‘Viking’, maneuvering the red barge away from the wharf. The barge is relocated to a protected cyclone mooring further upstream in the harbour evacuation mandated by the Cairns Regional Harbour Master in preparation for tropical cyclone Kimi. This incredible video was captured by Jim Bradley of Edge Smartech. Tropical Cyclone Kimi - False Alarm As severe weather is not uncommon in Far North Queensland, Cairns harbour 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 all Cairns Regional Harbour Master’s directives. Outcome North Marine successfully assists vessel owners & operators in the Port of Cairns to secure the safety of their assets during annual severe weather events. Download Case Study Extreme Weather Warning – Red alert for vessels in the Port of Cairns, Queensland 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). We strongly advise all boat owners and operators to familiarise themselves with the Extreme Weather Plan for your area. » Cairns Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan 2023/2024 (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. However, they are 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. 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, we can help you move your vessel safely to your preferred location. Get In Touch   Visit these pages for more information on North Marine services Is Your Vessel Cyclone Ready? - Preparing for Severe Weather Marine Services Harbour Towage Cyclone Mooring Installation * Banner photograph, courtesy of Ports North

Green Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

North Marine is engaged to salvage the 1954 underwater observatory from Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef and tow it to the Port of Cairns in Queensland. Client: Quicksilver Group - Great Adventures Scope of Work North Marine was contracted to Project Manage this complex operation. It included salvaging the structure from the ocean floor, transporting it to Cairns by barge and overseeing demolition. The experienced commercial diving department at North Marine successfully executed the salvage and removal of the submerged observatory, located at Green Island out of Cairns. North Marine's divers excavated the partially-buried underwater structure, following complex environmental planning and stakeholder consultations. The observatory was then towed onboard a barge to the mainland, where historic parts of the structure were retained by Great Adventures staff prior to demolition. In situ since 1954, underwater dredging was required to dislodge the 38-ton-weight. It was floated by lift bags, maneuvered and lifted by crane onto a barge for towage to the mainland. Divers then cleared 2 tons of debris from the site, including 44-gallon drums & steel railway track 'weights'. North Marine successfully completed the contract with all project objectives delivered in full. The best outcome was achieved for the client. A Key Piece of Queensland Tourism History It is with a sad heart and happy memories that North Marine undertook the massive task of deconstruction and marine salvage of the iconic 1954 Underwater Observatory at Green Island. Discriminators Local SME business using a local FNQ workforce Established operating within environmental controls of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ISO accredited. Applicable insurance to complete works Adept at delivering logistically complex & remote projects A fleet of suitable charter vessels to perform works Experienced project managers and key personnel Established co-ordinating with stakeholders & contractors Outcome North Marine successfully completed the contract with all project objectives delivered in full. The best outcome was achieved for the client. Download Case Study About the Green Island Underwater Observatory The underwater observatory at Green Island was the brainchild of Vince Vlassoff, a 37-year-old Australian-born Engineer, and Lloyd Grigg after they met on a crocodile safari cruise operated by Vlassoff. Before snorkelling or scuba diving had become mainstream activities, this pioneering piece of architecture truly was a revolution in reef tourism, which up until this point had largely been occasional ferry trips taking people to offshore islands for a day trip. Never before had the general visitor had access to freely view the Great Barrier Reef beneath the surface. The entrepreneurial pair imagined an underwater theatre, unlike anything ever constructed of its kind before. They envisioned a place where the public could venture beneath the waves to a chamber of windows, whereby they could witness the marvellous fish, coral, and aquatic life to be seen. Construction of the chamber began in 1951 and took twelve months from planning to final submersion – an incredible time frame considering the challenge of the task and all the unknown factors. For nearly 60 years, the underwater observatory delighted visitors and provided a means of viewing the incredible underwater world.   Visit these pages for more information on North Marine services Marine Services Commercial Diving Services

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’