Our 4 Stage Warning System for boats moored at Breakwater Marina, Townsville

We manage the various stages of a Cyclone threat using a 4 stage warning system.

1. Green, 2. Yellow, 3. Blue & 4. Red

The progression of stages in our Warning System is serious; it’s done because the threat to us has intensified and so has the risk. We don’t advance our Warning System to be a nuisance. We do it in consult with the Local Disaster Management Group and the Townsville Harbormaster and Port. 

We will monitor all weather threats really closely and endeavor to provide all our customers with as much communication and information about what we’re doing and our read of the weather threat. We will provide notice of what to expect, what stage of readiness you need to be at, what warning stage we’re at and if it’s expected to move and what actions we’ll be taking so you can be prepared for what we do next.

The Warning System Stages and the respective actions are designed to align with the intensifying risk and the anticipated time frame to experience the worsening impacts of the storm system approaching.

1. Green: normal state of readiness

• Do your vessel checks, get your onboard systems in working order, fix your leaks, check your primary and secondary set of mooring lines and update those that are more than a few years old and which have had full time exposure
• This is the time you want to set-out your own personal Emergency Plan – where are you going to go in the event Townsville has a direct hit, when and how will you get there, have you got pets, do you need medication, have you got copies of important documents, who are you going to tell about your Plan.
• This is the perfect time to get to know your Marina neighbours and to share ideas about proven readiness measures
• Communicate your vessel and personal plan with the Marina so we’re best placed to help you in the event we end up with a serious weather event.

2. Yellow: an intensifying risk of a cyclone or severe weather in our watch area within 48 hrs

• Aim to wrap up your onboard fixes and adding your replacement equipment. Be prepared for conditions to worsen, the prospect we’re in the impact area and to complete your vessel readiness measures which includes isolating your boat from your shore power.
• Finalise your Emergency Plan
• If you intend on leaving the Marina to get out of the forecast path of an approaching cyclone, this is your last opportunity
• Check-in with your Marina neighbours

3. Blue:relates to the prospect of a cyclone strike within 24 hours

• Conditions may be worsening so this stage is all about completing readiness measures, preparing for utilities to be off (disconnect shore power) and getting ready for the evacuation of people order from the Marina.   
• The Harbourmaster will apply a cessation on all boat movements in Townsville. Your opportunity to take your boat out of the Marina will have passed.
• Voluntary evacuation

4. Red: a cyclone strike is imminent and the damaging impacts of severe wind, rain and surge

• Boats are completely locked down, utilities to be off and shore power connections out, evacuation order

Return: Wait for advice that the Marina has been checked and is safe to be around, shore power will need to be checked before turning back on.