Current Boating Framework on Saibai Island

[William RothfieldParticipant]

To whom this may concern,

Our group is addressing the design area 4.2, Non petroleum options for boating, and we were just wondering what is the current boating framework already being used on the island by the stakeholders. For our design process we would appreciate having more information regarding:

-How many boats are there on the Island?
-What type of boats are used on the Island?
-What type of engines are being used on the boats?
-What type of servicing facilities do they have on the Island for the boats?

Many thanks.

[Sai Rupa DevKeymaster]

Hi William,

Your group’s focus on exploring non-petroleum options for boating in Saibai Island is crucial for sustainable development. To provide insights for your design process, let’s address your inquiries regarding the current boating framework used by stakeholders:

1. Number of Boats: While I don’t have specific data on the exact number of boats on Saibai Island, it’s reasonable to assume that there is a range of vessels used for various purposes, including transportation, fishing, and recreational activities. Given the island’s reliance on waterways for connectivity and livelihoods, boats play a vital role in daily life. There are approx 500 people on the island, so around 100 – 125 households, you can assume at least 60% of them have boats. So that comes out to 60 to 70 boats on the island

2. Types of Boats: The types of boats used on Saibai Island can vary based on their intended use and availability. Common types may include traditional dugout canoes, motorized dinghies, and fishing boats.

3, Types of Engines: The engines used on boats in Saibai Island are predominantly be diesel powered engines due to their widespread availability and ease of use.

4. Servicing Facilities: Regarding servicing facilities for boats on the island, there may be limited infrastructure available, given the remote nature of Saibai Island. Basic maintenance and repair services may be provided by local mechanics or boat owners themselves. However, access to specialized equipment and expertise for servicing modern engines may be limited.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Sai

[Darcy Eady-MuxlowParticipant]

Just some other follow-up questions:

– How much diesel can be stored on Saibai Island?
– How much diesel do the people of Saibai Island use in a given time period?
– How often is diesel delivered to the island, how is it delivered and how much is delivered at a time?
– What is the cost of shipping petroleum to the island?

Kind regards,
Renewable Rascals

[Sai Rupa DevKeymaster]

Hi Darcy,

(Love the team name)
– 2000 litres of Diesel can be stored in a single bowser
– The answer is it varies, depends on the seasons, cultural events, border closures etc.
– Fuel is delivered via 200 lt drums, it is delivered via Seaswift. My understanding is they do a mass transport to northwestern islands, depending on how much diesel is left over in each bowser per island
– I’m unsure about the cost of shipment, I’ll reach out and get back to you.

Cheers,
Sai

[Danny WestonParticipant]

Hi,

Danny here from team 6, I’m also interested in the cost of the diesel shipments.

Thanks,
Danny

[Ethan WilkinsParticipant]

Hi,

My names Ethan and my groups addressing design area 4.1. I’m also interested in the cost of the diesel shipments to Saibai, if those values are available.

Thanks,

Ethan

[Jean AquindeKeymaster]

Hi Darcy, Danny and Ethan,

Thanks for your patience! We’ve been in touch with TSIRC staff, and they’ve explained that the process of determining the cost of fuel shipment is quite intricate. They pay for the shipment in bulk, which includes other items that are also being shipped. This complexity makes it challenging to provide a straightforward answer to your question.

Due to this factor, fuel prices are generally expected to be higher in the Torres Strait. To see the latest fuel prices here, check TSIRC’s commercial fuel fees.

If you want to dive deeper into guidelines for transporting fuels on the island, check out these references:
> Transporting dangerous goods in Queensland
> Seaswift’s Freight Preparation & Packaging Guide 2024

Regards,
Jean

[Lauren RyanParticipant]

Hi, how often does Saibai receive fuel shipments and per shipment what is the average amount of fuel.

Thanks, Lauren.

[Tom NguyenKeymaster]

Hi Lauren

Based on the planning schedule, Saibai Island typically receives fuel shipments on a regular scheduled basis, roughly once a week via Sea Swift’s barge service. Sea Swift runs dedicated freight routes through the “top western” islands (Saibai, Dauan, and Boigu), and Saibai is a standard stop on these runs.

For example, shipping schedules in 2025 show a barge arriving at Saibai around once every 7 days as part of the weekly circuit. https://www.seaswift.com.au/schedules/qld/receivals/#:~:text=06%3A00,30%2F04%20%401000%20SAI%2029%2F04%20%400730

The storage capacity of the fuel station on Saibai is 2000L. Deliveries by Sea Swift come in sealed containers (often 200 L drums or 1,000 L intermediate bulk containers) as part of its freight barge service.

In practice, however, the exact frequency of fuel deliveries to the Saibai petrol station can vary. TSIRC doesn’t necessarily order fuel on every weekly voyage – instead, deliveries are coordinated based on demand and tank levels.

If Saibai’s storage is still sufficiently stocked, a barge might skip bringing additional drums that week; conversely, if fuel is running low (or a busy period is anticipated), TSIRC will arrange for extra fuel on the next available barge.

In general, multiple fuel shipments per month are the norm, with timing kept flexible. Both unleaded petrol and diesel are delivered by the same barges, usually together, though diesel (used for vehicles, machinery and boats) often constitutes the larger volume.

This “little and often” approach ensures the petrol station is regularly topped up without overwhelming its storage.

Based on the above, you will be able to draw your own assumptions to support your design solution.

[Jameson DuikerParticipant]

Hi,
How often are these boats being used? what would be the range of average boat usage in terms of hours of run time per week?

Thanks, Jameson.

[Tom NguyenKeymaster]

Hi Jameson

Saibai residents are a sea faring people. You can assume that they travel 5-10km daily for fishing, hunting, livelihood.

We welcome other reasonable assumptions regarding average usage in your design report.

Cheers

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