Planes and boats moved to shelter
By ALICE BURTON
14mar05
Airline charter companies at Darwin International Airport spent yesterday moving planes inside hangars.
Northern Air Charter sent half its fleet to Batchelor, about 80km south of Darwin, as part of its cyclone procedures.
NAC business development manager Hone Edwards said the company moved their aircraft out of the area in preparation for Ingrid.
"We have lots of our planes hangared in Darwin, but we've sent several aeroplanes to Batchelor," he said.
"We're also going down to Batchelor by road to pick up the pilots who flew them there and bring them back.
"We're constantly ringing the airport tower in regard to whether the airport will be closed.
"If the cyclone does come through, the terminals will be closed.
"We've got ourselves in readiness that if they do close the airport our planes are already in a safe place.
"We're also taking Power and Water out to Goulburn Island to help restore power in the area."
Meanwhile, the Darwin Port Corporation worked overtime to move boats to sheltered areas.
Harbourmaster Bruce Wilson said boats out at sea were moved into the harbour and secured as a safety precaution.
"We've stacked all the international and domestic containers ready for shipping," he said.
"We've secured all our main infrastructure, such as our pilot boat and container crane.
"All the port's tugs have been secured and we've put as many vessels and small craft into the Duck Pond.
"We've also secured barges in Hudson Creek and we've made sure that all the Indonesian fishing boats are secured safely in Blessers Creek near East Arm Wharf.
"We've also secured our facility with cyclone chains."
NT News