ARNHEM LAND COASTAL LANDING BARGE

 Hi again

As we live on an island there are no roads that connect us with Darwin - our supply centre. In fact, even the roads on the adjacent mainland are impassable for many months each year due to the wet season. When I say roads, they are all unsealed and some are more tracks than roads. The main tracks may only see a grader once a year.

Consequently, most of our supplies come to us via a coastal barge service like the one below. 

The video below shows the Arnhem Trader coming across Mission Bay to the Minjilang barge landing/boat ramp. Some communities do not even have a concrete ramp so the landing barge unloads onto a beach or a river bank.

The barge service offers three types of service - dry goods, chiller and freezer. 

The barges are shallow draft, flat bottom vessel which allows them to come into quite shallow water. It is not uncommon for them to dry out - leaving them sitting on the bottom until the tide comes back in.

Once the barge bow is on the landing the large ramp/door is lowered, allowing containers, pallets and vehicles etc to be unloaded. 

Until the next post, take care.

Bryan (and Nance)