Ports North staff assist ferry movements

Sunday, 07 February 2010 12:13

By VELMA GARA

The upgraded Horn Island wharf coped relatively well this year.

Ports North staff had to assist passengers with their luggage due to the king tide at Horn Island Wharf, which resulted in saltwater coming up about 50 metres into the parking area.

The king tide of 3.82metres, on Friday, January 29, joined by winds and swells, made it difficult for the boat services, McDonalds Charter Boats and Rebel Marine, to load and unload passenger’s luggage.

With the water just above the ankles Ports North carried passenger’s luggage via their work dinghies to both Engineer’s and Navy (Rebel) Wharves on Thursday Island.

Torres News was informed of sightings of a jellyfish washed onto the wharf, a hammerhead shark and a 4metre crocodile; all sighted during the three days of king tides for the end of January 2010.

A positive for the McDonalds services with the king tides is that travel time to and from Thursday Island is cut by 5 minutes by crossing directly from Horn Island.

On Saturday at around the same time, between 12.15pm and 1pm, the king tide hit again at 3.8metres but with less difficulties and impact.

Ports North staff, Greg Kirk and Napoleon Seekee, were supervising the Horn Island Wharf for the three days of king tides to make sure residents were safely watching the water rise and not putting themselves in danger.