General Description
Location: Port Refuge lies in the N part of a lagoon between Horsburgh Island and Direction Island in the centre of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. General overview: The port comprises an outer and inner harbour. Although Port Refuge is included in the lagoon proper, the name of The Lagoon is usually applied to that part of the lagoon S of Port Refuge. Small tankers and cargo vessels use the harbour CBM and anchorages. The islands are owned by Australia and are administered by a local administrator. The port authority, which incorporates health, quarantine, immigration and customs is located in the Administration Settlement near the airfield on West Island. Traffic figures: Approx 10 cargo ships and 2 tankers are handled annually. Load line zone: South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical May 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Apr 30. Max size: LOA 110m, draught 4.1m and 3,000GT have used the channel to The Lagoon.