Number: D034/2021
Date: 1 September 2021
Relevant: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Topic: CKI ferry service temporary changes
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications advises the community and visitors on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands of upcoming short-term changes to the ferry service to allow necessary vessel regulatory requirements to be met.
The Cahaya Baru will be taken out of the water for its mandatory five-yearly Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) safety and compliance check, to ensure that the vessel can continue to service the needs of the community.
These works have been scheduled to occur from the afternoon of 9 September to 9 October 2021, taking into consideration the local school holiday period from 26 September to 15 October to minimise community impacts as far as possible.
During this period, the attached ferry timetable PDF: 208 KB will run using the back-up ferry, the RJ Hawke. The RJ Hawke has a reduced capacity of 15 passengers compared to the 94 passenger capacity of the Cahaya Baru. This will have substantial impacts on the ferry services between the islands and we ask for your patience while these critical inspections and works are undertaken.
Unfortunately, during this four-week period there will be no ferry services to Direction Island or late night ferries scheduled.
However, the barge will be used in this time on air freighter days to transfer freight to Home Island and on flight days to support transport of baggage and freight.
It is recommended that movements between the islands for non-essential travel are limited. On flight days, it is requested that farewells are undertaken on Home Island to ensure flight passengers are given priority on the ferry to meet aircraft boarding requirements.
AMSA has advised that any local businesses or individuals wishing to undertake tourism activities using their own vessels during this period will need to comply with commercial vessel standards. For further clarification on the required standards, please contact chris.battel@amsa.gov.au or call AMSA Connect on 1800 627 484.
The Department, through its ferry service contract with the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society and port management contract with Linx Stevedoring, will continue to monitor the patronage of the ferry services and thanks you for your patience and understanding.
Aaron O'Niell
Acting Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands