Sent: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 1:01 PM
Subject: Tropical Cyclone Jasper Update 5 – Tuesday 12 December 2023 at 1300pm

To All Our Marina Customers,

Tropical Cyclone Jasper Update 5 – Tuesday 12 December 2023 at 1300pm

TC Jasper has remained a Category 1 strength system from yesterday afternoon, moving slowly WNW towards the far north Queensland coast. Forecasters predict Jasper will re-intensify to a Category 2 system tonight before crossing the coast on Wednesday, most likely between Cooktown and Cairns.

The current predicted track puts Townsville outside of the Warning Zone.  

TC Jasper is expected to weaken as it moves inland during Thursday towards the Gulf.   

The Marine Gale Coastal Wind Warning is still in effect for the Townsville coast today and tomorrow. Whilst BOM reports that the heaviest rainfall and damaging winds associated with TC Jasper are expected north of Townsville, locally the winds are expected to reach speeds up to 35knots (around 65km/h) this afternoon and are expected to persist into Wednesday. Winds are forecast to ease across Thursday.

Damaging Wind Gusts up to 50 knots (around 90 km/h) are possible across Tuesday and Wednesday, depending on the movement and development of Jasper.

Thunderstorms and showers are possible tonight with a higher chance on Wednesday. These showers are likely to persist into Thursday and ease late in the day.

Our Marina wide vessel inspections yesterday identified there were still a number of issues with Mooring Ropes. The common concerns are detailed below but I make the point that where Mooring Ropes are inadequate or in poor condition now, they must be replaced not just on account of the passing TC Jasper but for the adequacy of the boat’s tie-up for the rest of the Cyclone season.

1. Upgrade and replace mooring ropes that aren’t fit for purpose or are in poor condition. Ropes that are frayed, squashed, or have material come off in your hand are in fact damaged and must be replaced.
2. Double the number of lines, particularly spring lines running both forward and aft. This is most important for larger, heavy vessels and vessels with high windage whereas many ropes as possible should be used to disperse the loads of strong winds,
3. With the higher winds and particularly the gusts we’ve seen over the last 24 hours and will have with us for another day or two, we’ve seen boats moving around far too much in their berths. Stronger winds stretch your ropes which allows your boat to move and in turn risks damage. Even if you added Mooring Ropes to your boat before TC Jasper, they need to be adjusted so the boat sits secure alongside your dock and doesn’t heavily push and pull on your ropes as the winds push your boat around.  

We will continue to monitor the TC Jasper updates from BOM and other forecasters and will provide our Marina customers with notices of any notable changes to the predictions for Jasper and corresponding changes we make to our Cyclone Warning System in accordance with our Cyclone Management Plan (CMP).

For now, Townsville is outside of the southern border of the Warning Zone. Breakwater Marina will remain in Condition Green which is the first and normal state of readiness phase of our Cyclone Warning System under our Cyclone Management Plan.   

We received a number of notes from boat owners over the weekend in respect to the progress they have made to prepare their boats and we continue to encourage that communication as it goes a long way to helping our Emergency Management. And finally, should you identify any problems or concerns around the Marina, please let us know as soon as practicable so we can assess it and deliver a solution if necessary.    

As is always the case, don’t hesitate to contact us should you need any help.

Scott Marshall    |    General Manager          
BREAKWATER MARINA, TOWNSVILLE