Mid West Port Authority complete crossed lines project, installing four bollards to improve infrastructure

Geraldton Port has installed four new bollards at two berths, removing crossed line mooring configurations to reduce confusion, inefficiencies and safety risks. Mid West Ports Authority completed the Berth 5/6 Crossed Lines Remediation Project this week, to prevent mooring from crossing over each other as vessels approach the berths. Four new 125T bollards were installed at Berths 5 and 6, dedicated to mooring vessels. MWPA CEO Damian Tully said the installation of four new bollards would significantly reduce operational inefficiencies, provide clarity with regard to mooring plans and surge thresholds, and most importantly, reduce safety risks associated with the crossing of mooring lines. “We have projected a significant increase in throughput at the Port of Geraldton in the near future,” he said. “To enable us to efficiently manage this increase it is imperative we optimise our operations where opportunities are identified.” Installed on a 100cum concrete block, 17 additional piles were driven under it to ensure it could withstand the loads applied by the mooring lines. A capstan was also installed behind the bollards, which works as a winch for tying ship mooring ropes, reducing manual handling and improving safe procedures.